E-commerce sales have steadily increased over the last few years. In 2015, companies that offer products and services online are expected to earn approximately $1.500 trillion. The figure for 2015 is an increase of more than 20 percent over sales in 2014. The reasons behind the increase are that more customers are using mobile devices at home or at work to order products and services online. E-commerce sites are offering faster, more secure payment options for customers and thousands of major brands worldwide are expanding into international markets. It’s necessary to take crucial steps to be competitive in the online market.
A Well Designed Website
Online shoppers expect a site to load quickly and have the capacity to run on a variety of browsers. If the page doesn’t load fast, or there are broken links, customers will go elsewhere, and you have to make a good impression the minute a buyer navigates to your site. An e-commerce site should be easy to navigate. Some sites allow visitors to choose the browser they prefer, based on their Internet connection. All products should have a designated category and title. If you offer a wide selection, sub-categories should be used. Use a menu bar so customers can find what they’re looking for easily.
Product Selection
Offering unique or unusual products are likely to attract new customers. Provide detailed information about your products. Information about availability, sizes, and colors is important. Customers want to know what makes your products different. For example, if you create one-of-a-kind jewelry, describe the natural materials, gems, and findings in detail. Provide a close-up image of each of your designs with a background that compliments each piece. You may offer a service in which clients may choose the stones, colors or findings used to create their designs.
Special Features
Online customers appreciate extra features, especially if the purchase is a gift. Upsell products everywhere on your website. Add-ons or other incentives encourage customers to buy from your site. If you have an online bookstore, offer special prices on books if a client orders additional books by the same author or offer discounts to students and seniors. Another means of increasing your sales is to provide related items such as a tote bag or a cool bookmark as part of a promotion.
Personalized Service
People like to shop online but don’t like high-pressure sale pitches. Provide personalized, customer service and assist your buyers with purchases in a friendly, courteous manner. Offer a toll-free number to call with questions or concerns and respond promptly. Great service can result in repeat customers.
Payment and Shipping Options
Customers want payment processors that are easy to use and are more inclined to order products from a merchant if they can make payments with one click. Along with payment options, they want an easy return policy that is in plain english, not jargon and that have a finite policy period. Shipping terms and conditions should be prominently displayed on your site. Customers should know what they have to pay for shipping before they click the payment button. If you offer promotions for holiday items, show the cutoff date for ordering to make sure your customers receive their orders on time.
These are just a few ways that you can increase your ecommerce sales. Make sure that you take full advantage of everything that is available to ensure that your site is always ready for customers and to keep your customers coming back.
Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who has worked in eCommerce for the last five years. She currently writes for Rakuten Super Logistics and recommends them for all your online order fulfillment needs to further your success.