Thinking about starting an online retail business? Or maybe you're already in the game but feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the new trends popping up? You're not alone. Starting something new is never easy just as it's never easy to keep up-to-date with all possibilities available. But the effort is worth it and here's why.
Let's put things into perspective with some numbers. The global e-commerce market is booming — we're talking about sales that are projected to reach 7.4 trillion dollars by 2025. So the potential is immense, indeed. Now, the question arises as to how you could make the most of it.
In this blog post, I am not going to guide you through starting an e-commerce business. There are many good guides online and there isn't much to add, in fact.Starting an e-commerce business in 2024 presents an opportune moment for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those seeking the advantages of being self-employed.
The digital landscape has evolved rapidly, with technology and consumer behavior aligning to create a conducive environment for online commerce. One compelling reason to embark on this journey is the increasing prevalence of online shopping. With a global shift towards digital transactions and the convenience of purchasing goods and services online, entrepreneurs can tap into a vast market eager for efficient and accessible shopping experiences.
Moreover, the advancements in e-commerce technology offer entrepreneurs a range of tools and platforms to establish and grow their businesses. From user-friendly website builders to robust e-commerce platforms, the infrastructure required to set up an online store has become more accessible and affordable. This democratization of technology empowers individuals to transform their business ideas into reality without the need for extensive technical expertise, lowering entry barriers for self-employment.Growing an e-commerce business requires a strategic approach that encompasses various aspects of online commerce. One effective strategy is to prioritize customer experience.
Ensuring a seamless and user-friendly website, providing excellent customer support, and optimizing the checkout process can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Additionally, personalizing the shopping experience through targeted marketing and recommendations fosters a stronger connection between the customer and the brand, driving repeat business and referrals.
We will focus on th e following:
In e-commerce, product sourcing and inventory management differ significantly from the brick-and-mortar approach. When I made my first steps in online retail, I was puzzled by how to maintain optimal stock levels without physical viewing. Here are a few practices I can recommend now.
Essentially, it's a form of dropshipping, where you fulfill orders directly from the manufacturer to the customer. The best thing about it is that it eliminates the need for warehousing. I wouldn't say it's 100% suitable for everyone because you have less control over shipments and quality inspection.
Here, you categorize your products based on value and volume. That is, high value but low quantity is categorized as Category A, and so on. This works well if you want to create tailored restocking (which is generally a good idea). If you use it, make sure that you revise the categories often enough.
The major benefit of these is that they allow you to reduce shipping costs due to proximity to customers. Plus, they often offer customized packaging for branding. To be on the safe side, it's best to stick with well-known fulfillment centers like ShipBob, Deliverr, or the like.
Many of you might be already aware of it. For those who aren't, the good thing about JIT is that it helps to minimize overstocking and waste because products are ordered only as they are sold. Use it carefully though. A few times in my practice, spikes in demand led to stock shortages and that was no good.
When you use this method, you assume that the first products acquired are the first ones sold. I can recommend it because it does minimize inventories. Just keep in mind that it does not always accurately reflect the cost basis of an item.
Online, you've got the power of personalization and convenience, but you also have the challenge of building trust without face-to-face interaction. So here are a few considerations I'd keep in mind.
Customer data can reveal a lot about buying patterns and preferences. The most straightforward way to use it is to provide personalized product recommendations. In my practice, this always leads to increased sales.
Chatbots offer the advantage of instant responses and, of course, customers appreciate that. But you should remember they can't replace the nuanced understanding of a human agent that is required for more complex issues. If I implement chatbots on my site, their function is normally to complement rather than replace human interaction.
I probably don't need to tell you that website loading speed is critical. A lag of even a few seconds can deter potential buyers. So if you can optimize the website to load quickly, do so (especially for mobile devices!)!
Clients are used to loyalty programs today. This is why to be effective, these programs need to offer real value and surprise. A loyalty program that offers personalized rewards based on customer preferences and purchase history is good, of course. But you should think outside the box to stand out. Consider
Compared to traditional marketing, digital marketing is more data-driven and also more flexible. Ideally, I'd need to write a separate blog post on it. But since our task today is a holistic overview, let's keep it compact.
Content is king in e-commerce. The minimum requirements for it are that it's original and valuable.
Forms may vary from blog posts and videos to infographics. In my experience, visuals work better than text but that depends on your audience, of course. All in all, the point is not just to create content but to create the right one.
When I plan content creation, I usually research keywords — the free keyword difficulty checker from SEO PowerSuite is of great help here — to identify what my target audience is searching for and what kind of content will rank best. Next, I craft content that addresses their specific interests and needs.
It seems to me retargeting is often overlooked in digital marketing and in vain. It's a powerful tool to bring back visitors who didn't convert on their first visit. But you shouldn't overdo it either as this will only annoy potential customers.
Customers today receive tons of emails so you must be very creative and experimental if you want to grasp their attention. My three top practices are segmentation, behavior-triggered emails, and dynamic content (the one that changes based on the recipient's profile or past interactions with your site).
One thing my experience has taught me is that when it comes to social media, you need to be both a listener and a conversationalist. This means you must always strive to create content that encourages interaction. Ask questions, run polls, and actively respond to comments. Plus, user-generated content like reviews, photos, and stories is always a good idea. Working with a social media agency like Tactica can help amplify these efforts.
SEO is a long-term strategy that requires patience. The minimum I always rely on are keyword optimization, backlink building, and mobile optimization. I've slightly touched upon keywords and optimization already.
As to backlinks, the golden rule is, of course, to acquire backlinks from reputable sources. One more thing I can strongly recommend is to always check the quality of backlinks. The last thing you want is to get penalties from search engines because of toxic backlinks.
The lack of a physical store means that you depend on the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of your fulfillment and delivery processes. As my experience shows, little can help if clients are dissatisfied with the delivery. Below, I'll review a few practices which I find particularly useful for e-commerce.
So if your goal is to grow your e-commerce business, approach it holistically. That is,
I am a digital nomad, lover of exploring new places and making friends.
I love to travel and I love the internet. I take pictures of my travels and share them on the internet using Instagram.
Traveler, entrepreneur, and community builder. I share my insights on digital marketing and social media while inspiring you to live your fullest life.
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