So much about a customer’s journey has changed over the past two years. From where they get their information, how they find brands, who they go to for referrals, how they compare products and services, and what influences their decision to buy or not. The entire experience from start to finish has adapted and evolved. Where does this leave your eCommerce shop?
As the demand for online shopping continues to ramp up, it’s going to get harder and harder to stand out. Before, it was enough to have a good-looking site, quality products/services, and great shipping options. In this tough era of competition post-COVID (which pushed many businesses to go online that otherwise wouldn’t have) e-commerce shop owners are finding it more challenging to attract maximum and quality customers.
Now, it takes attention to detail. Small changes and improvements make a big difference. Keeping up with trends and customer preferences is essential. And understanding the latest tools, resources, and merchant services (e.g. eCommerce merchant account) is a must. Here are some tips that will help you create an effective strategy for attracting more customers to your eCommerce store.
Build a Solid Reputation
Above all, build a solid reputation for your eCommerce shop. While a professional, well-organized site is a must, don’t overlook the power of a good reputation in this era of fierce competition. When customers compare different stores with similar products, a strong reputation can be the difference between choosing your site over another. Some things you can do to help are offering product warranties, displaying reviews, and engaging with your customers.
Know Your Customer Preferences
Trends vary from one industry to the next, and from country to country. If you’re trying to expand and reach customers in a different country, make sure you’re using the latest trends and the preferred choice in that location. If you’re trying to target a specific demographic, find out what the preferences and expectations are for that group. Make sure it’s easy for them to locate desired products/services on your site.
Maintain Good Reviews and Ratings
Seeing exceptional reviews and ratings from satisfied customers is one of the best ways to build a brand reputation and incite your visitors to make a purchase. It shows them that your brand is serious about delivering quality products/services and that your offerings solved their biggest challenge or need. Make sure you encourage your satisfied customers to leave their reviews or give ratings for your products/services.
Utilize Social Media
With so much noise going on, from social media and email newsletters to websites, it’s easy for customers to miss new products or services. You can help them stay up-to-date on launches and new arrivals with the help of social media. You can post images and videos of your products and provide a backlink to that product on your eCommerce shop. It also helps your customers easily save posts so they can go back to your shop when new products or restocks become available.
These are just a few of the ways you can attract new clients to your eCommerce site and build a loyal customer base. Using the right combination of strategies for your brand will help you reach and satisfy your ideal customer. Instead of spending thousands of dollars to reach out to the masses, you can pinpoint the needs of your target audience and then develop a strong strategy.