Automatic email marketing
In 2021, there were 4 billion daily email users worldwide. This figure is continuously increasing and is estimated to reach 4.6 billion by 2025. As an e-commerce business, it's wise to use email marketing to grow your business and perhaps achieve goals that exceed your expectations.
Before embarking on your email marketing campaigns, it's crucial to build your own email list. This is typically achieved by encouraging users to subscribe on your website. While some individuals advocate for purchasing large sets of emails for email marketing purposes, we staunchly oppose this practice. Not only it is unethical, but also highly inefficient. It's challenging to ascertain how many of these purchased emails are actively in use and whether they truly represent your target audience. Therefore, relying on such lists can lead to uncertain and suboptimal results.
There are various tools available to assist with automated email marketing, such as MailChimp, HubSpot, or SendGrid. These services often come equipped with automatic features designed to clean up your email list, ensuring its validity and preventing the wasteful use of resources on unnecessary emails. However, if your chosen email marketing service lacks such functionality, there are specialized tools like ZeroBounce that focus precisely on this aspect.
Display customer reviews
ustomer reviews represent one of the most effective ways to instill confidence in both existing and potential customers. Some individuals may harbor doubts about a product they are considering to purchase or may be uncertain about the credibility of the business itself. Demonstrating the experiences of previous customers is crucial in alleviating these concerns. This can take the form of testimonials or, even more effectively, by enabling product pages to receive comments. This allows customers to obtain feedback from others thus leading to be seen more trustworthy. This not only fosters confidence but also enhances overall engagement on your website.
While product reviews play a crucial role in establishing credibility and trust for your e-commerce platform, it's equally important to implement content moderation for reviews. Unfortunately, there are instances where individuals may use inappropriate language or express sentiments that are not in line with the desired tone for your brand. By incorporating a moderation mechanism, you can exert a level of control over the review content, ensuring that contributors are motivated to provide constructive feedback. This approach not only encourages a more positive and respectful discourse but also adds an extra layer of moderation to safeguard the reputation of your platform.
Abandoned carts
The phenomenon of abandoned carts holds significant importance in your business strategy as it ensures that customers stay informed about products they previously considered, potentially increasing return rates. While some abandoned carts may have genuine reasons behind them, others might simply result from forgetfulness, even if the interest still persists. Initiating email notifications to remind users about their abandoned carts can be a valuable practice. This gentle reminder encourages customers to return to your platform, with the hope of completing their purchase and contributing to increased conversion rates.
According to Barilliance the avarage click through rate for cart abandonment emails is 8.76% which avarages around this since 2016. Although it may not seem a huge percentage, it can be quite a significant amount considering the little investment you have to make to do this.
Video product demonstrations
The significance of video product demonstrations is often underestimated. These demonstrations offer a more comprehensive overview of a product, enticing users to take a keen interest and allowing them to ascertain whether the product aligns with their needs. Unlike images, which may not convey the complete essence of a product, videos provide a richer understanding. While incorporating product demonstration videos can be highly effective, it's essential to acknowledge that they may come with a considerable cost. Therefore, this feature should be considered if your business is in a sound financial position. If budget constraints are a concern, it might be prudent to prioritize allocating resources towards digital marketing efforts. For more insights on marketing campaigns, refer to the section later in this blog.
Product recommendations
Suggesting other similar products while a customer is browsing can be a potent strategy. However, many e-commerce websites employ a randomization approach, showcasing a fixed number of products that may not necessarily be relevant to the customer's current interest. This practice can be inefficient. We strongly advocate for an enhancement in this process by presenting items that, even if only slightly related, could inspire customers to purchase. For example, when selling an iPhone 15, it's beneficial to recommend not just any phone case, but specifically one designed for the iPhone 15. This targeted approach aligns with customer preferences, as individuals often seek accessories tailored to their specific product and in many cases, they tend to also buy a product that is related to their original product, even though that was not their initial intention.
Live chat
Live chat provides a valuable resource on your website, instilling confidence in users by offering instant support compared to traditional methods like email, which often entails days of waiting for a response. The swiftness of this support can have a significant impact when executed effectively, although there's a nuanced aspect to it. Many "live chat" platforms are not as immediate as they may appear. Some "live chats" simply treat requests like conventional emails submitted through a contact form, a practice we find disappointing, especially when coupled with chatbots.
While chatbots can be well-developed, they often fall short in terms of knowledge and responding to potential customers in a manner comparable to human interaction. This isn't to say chatbots are ineffective; it's just essential to acknowledge the limitations and not mislead users into believing there's a truly "live" human chat when there isn't.
Genuine live chats, with a human actively responding, can be a more costly option due to the need for dedicated personnel to handle incoming inquiries. However, if your resources allow for it, incorporating this feature can be an invaluable asset in our fast-paced world, where instantaneous responses are increasingly appreciated.
Optimise Checkout process
Optimizing the checkout process isn't merely a suggestion; it's a necessity. A poorly designed checkout experience has the potential to dissuade customers from completing their orders. While there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to designing the checkout process, the crucial aspect is to keep it simple and swift, enabling customers to complete their transactions as efficiently as possible. On the payment page, we should not expect further decisions from our customers that may confuse them. If they have already decided to pay for the selected products, let's provide them an easy way of doing so. The longer and more complicated the process, the greater the likelihood that users may abandon their purchases before completion.
Improve website SEO
Opting for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the ideal strategy when aiming to boost organic sales without relying on explicit marketing tools. SEO is an ongoing process, and there's a chance you might not be giving it the attention it deserves. We highly recommend enhancing your website overall, considering various aspects.
Without delving into technical specifics, the key topics to consider in relation to SEO include: ecommerce SEO, on-page SEO, link building, local SEO, training, SEO audit, competitor analysis, international SEO.
If you're in need of SEO services or if you're uncertain about the positive outcomes they can bring, explore our services, and let us assist you.
Split payments
Split payments represent a novel approach for customers to settle the costs of their products. This innovative method allows them to divide the total expense into multiple segments, offering a more budget-friendly and enticing alternative compared to traditional one-time payments. Implementing such a service doesn't necessarily require manual intervention; instead, it's advisable to leverage a dedicated payment gateway with integrated split payment services. For instance, platforms like Stripe not only facilitate traditional one-time payments but also support split payments through collaborations with services like Klarna or Clearpay. The integration of such service providers means granting even more freedom to customers in choosing their preferred payment methods, offering a professional solution without requiring you to deal with its technical implementation.
Marketing campaigns
Marketing campaigns are essential for effectively promoting your products or services. They provide a structured approach to reaching and engaging your target audience, ensuring a consistent and powerful message delivery. Unlike sporadic promotional efforts, well-planned marketing campaigns utilize various channels, including email marketing , and traditional advertising methods, tailored to your business goals and audience preferences.
The optimal platform for marketing your e-commerce website often revolves around advertising on prominent channels such as Google, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter. These platforms provide extensive reach and diverse audience targeting options, making them effective choices for a wide range of businesses. However, the best selection may vary depending on the nature of your business, and exploring additional options beyond these major platforms can be beneficial for a comprehensive marketing strategy.
An impactful alternative strategy worth exploring is partnering with social media influencers to promote your products. While collaborating with influencers with a substantial follower base may entail significant costs, the potential benefits are substantial. Moreover, negotiating a deal, such as earning a percentage of the sales generated through the influencer's promotion, can prove to be a mutually beneficial arrangement. This approach not only leverages the influencer's reach and credibility but also aligns their success with the success of your e-commerce business.
If you haven't ventured into digital marketing yet but are intrigued, explore our marketing solutions and kickstart your journey today.
Major Shopping Events
An effective alternative approach is to capitalize on major shopping events, such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday, to boost your e-commerce sales. While participating in these events might involve certain promotional costs, the potential benefits in terms of increased visibility and sales can be substantial. Additionally, strategic promotions or exclusive deals during these peak shopping periods can attract a larger audience and drive customer engagement. Leveraging major shopping events not only taps into the heightened consumer activity during these periods but also positions your e-commerce business for increased brand exposure and potential long-term customer loyalty.
Loyalty program
Another impactful strategy to consider is implementing loyalty programs for your e-commerce business. Loyalty programs incentivize repeat purchases and foster customer retention by offering rewards, exclusive discounts, or special perks to recurring customers.
By encouraging customers to accumulate points or enjoy exclusive benefits, commitment programs not only enhance the overall customer experience but also cultivate a sense of brand loyalty. This can lead to increased customer lifetime value, as returning customers are more likely to make multiple purchases and advocate for your brand.
Tailoring your loyalty program to align with the preferences and needs of your target audience can make it a powerful tool for building lasting relationships with customers. Ultimately, a well-designed loyalty program can contribute to sustained growth and success for your e-commerce venture.
Various Discounts
Utilizing diverse discounting strategies is an excellent approach to captivate customers. Few things rival the appeal of a discounted product. Numerous methods can be employed to implement discounts, such as product sales, buy-one-get-one-free offers, tiered pricing for bulk purchases, complimentary shipping, and bundled promotions like receiving a gift with a purchase. Modern systems, whether you employ a website builder service or have a customized e-commerce store, are expected to incorporate these functionalities to cater to various discounting needs.
Search Results
By scrutinizing search results, you can identify patterns, popular search queries, and products that attract the most attention. This information is invaluable for refining your product offerings, optimizing your website content, and tailoring your marketing strategies to align with customer interests. Utilizing this data-driven approach not only helps you stay ahead of market trends but also positions your e-commerce business to respond promptly and effectively to evolving customer needs.
Money-back guarantee
Offering a money-back guarantee is a powerful strategy to instill confidence and build trust with your customers. This policy assures buyers that if they are dissatisfied with a product or service, they have the option to request a refund, alleviating concerns and reducing the perceived risk of a purchase.
Implementing a money-back guarantee communicates a commitment to customer satisfaction and quality. It can also serve as a compelling selling point, distinguishing your e-commerce business from competitors and attracting customers who may be hesitant to try a new product or service.
When promoting a money-back guarantee, it's essential to clearly communicate the terms and conditions, including the timeframe within which customers can request a refund and any specific requirements. Transparency in these details enhances credibility and reinforces the customer's confidence in their buying decision while protecting the business from being taken advantage of.
Overall, a well-structured money-back guarantee not only benefits customers by mitigating their risk but also contributes to a positive brand image, fostering customer loyalty and potentially driving repeat business.
Summary
Achieving increased sales and operational efficiency requires a multifaceted approach. To consistently propel your business towards development, take moments to pause and assess the landscape. Stay attuned to emerging techniques and industry practices, ensuring that your business stays abreast of the latest trends. Embrace a proactive stance in adopting new strategies and technologies to maintain a trajectory of growth. This continuous awareness and adaptability will not only enhance sales but also position your business as a dynamic player in the ever-evolving marketplace.