When you have a growing ecommerce business, you strive to maintain that momentum. Fortunately, it's easier than you think to do so without breaking the bank. Here are some effective ideas that can increase your ecommerce traffic and sales while convincing customers that you offer a fantastic place to shop online.
Host live events on streaming platforms
Live events scheduled on streaming platforms can raise the status of a product or brand by creating a sense of urgency. For example, Amazon and QVC have experimented with live events that encourage people to buy certain collections or products, sometimes with encouragement from influencers during the stream.
However, you can stream live events on a smaller scale and attract people who may not want to purchase items in a store or live close enough to a physical location to do so. For example, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube offer tools that allow you to stream directly from an existing brand profile, making it a potentially inexpensive option that doesn't require additional equipment.
A live event gives you the perfect opportunity to show off features that someone might overlook if they're just browsing your products on a website. Plus, you can get people to place their order on your site within a specific time frame so they don't miss out on an offer. This approach ensures that people are not interested in an item without actually buying it.
Keep your social media profiles up to date
Social media profiles can become great tools for building brand awareness and letting people know about interesting events related to your e-commerce business. For example, you can run a social campaign that informs people about things they may not have known about your brand. For example, you can post a message saying, "Did you know we donate a pair of socks to a homeless shelter for every sock you buy?
You can also use social media to remind people why it's better to buy from you than your competitors. For example, talk about your free or fast shipping, your handmade products, or the many ways shoppers can get in touch with the company for support.
Also, try to respond quickly to questions people ask on social media. It doesn't matter if they want to know what the ingredients are in a product or if you can customize an item, people should be impressed with your quick answers and feel more confident to buy from your site.
Use branded shipping boxes
Cardboard is one of the most commonly used materials when designing containers for shipping products. Business decision makers often choose it because of its lightweight yet durable characteristics. A corrugated box can do a great job of keeping products safe until they arrive on the recipient's doorstep. When shipping containers do their job well, your costs go down because there are fewer instances of goods being damaged in transit.
However, you can also choose custom shipping boxes to stand out from other online retailers. Choosing them can help you maintain a strong brand identity, such as if the packaging bears your logo or colors. Custom boxes can also provide useful information to consumers. They could display your contact information or encourage people to show off their newly arrived purchases on your social media channels.
Branded shipping boxes also support your e-commerce business by increasing someone's excitement due to visual recognition. For example, the design may feature pink polka dots or orange letters on a blue background. If this is the case, it lets people know immediately that something from your brand has arrived - compared to the dozens of other e-commerce sites they may be using. They are then eager to open the box, so accessing the content becomes a joyful activity.
Track metrics to measure the results of ad spend or make plans
Even well-established e-commerce businesses sometimes struggle to find and convert leads. Unfortunately, it's not enough for these businesses to satisfy their existing customers. Growth comes when brands attract new customers and retain them over time.
Some companies make the mistake of spreading their ad spend across different channels and not knowing which ones are working best. One solution is to track important metrics for each advertising campaign. Create specific offer codes for visitors to your social media channels or website, as well as those who visit your e-commerce store after seeing physical ads. You can then look at reimbursement patterns to see which advertising efforts bring in the most customers.
Another option is to look at metrics to determine your ad spending plans. For example, if most of your recent purchases have come from people in the 18-24 age range, you can take a closer look at the channels these consumers are most likely to see and use. This approach allows you to cut costs by avoiding campaigns that are unlikely to be profitable.
Add a live chat feature
Online shopping is usually a convenient option, but some people avoid using it because they feel that an in-store purchase can help remove doubts that might otherwise delay their purchases. For example, a salesperson can answer their questions and give them peace of mind.
Launching a live chat feature is a convenient way to assure customers that you are there for them when they shop online. Since many companies now offer easy-to-implement and reasonably priced live chat solutions, you probably don't need to spend money to have the feature built from scratch.
You also don't need to have team members running the chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For example, if the chat window appears in a corner of the website, include text informing people of the hours they can expect immediate assistance from a representative. For example, shoppers might see a message saying, "Sorry, we're not available right now, but you can reach us from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday."
Invest in a custom website
The design of your e-commerce website helps visitors form an opinion about your platform. If they like what they see and how it works, they are more likely to return and recommend their friends to do the same. Conversely, if people get bored with your site, they may quickly decide not to return.
Studies show that 94% of first impressions are related to site design, navigation and visual appeal. In addition, people subconsciously judge what they see in less than a second. A beautiful and highly functional website can contribute to your bottom line by increasing sales and building trust. Hiring a company to create a custom website is also a good idea, as it saves you the frustration of trying to figure out how to do it without having the knowledge.
Budgeting for a custom website also supports your branding efforts. Non-custom site builders often force users to choose from libraries of templates. These assortments are often pretty, but they lack the precise color schemes, logos and other branding elements that draw attention to your business and help people differentiate it from other options.
Create a strong impact while staying within your budget
These suggestions illustrate how to help your e-commerce brand succeed without spending too much. Even tips that require a slightly larger initial investment are worth it over time because of the increased attention and sales they could bring to your business.