E-Commerce Essentials: Our Top Tips

So, you want to sell online and set up an e-commerce store. Brilliant, what an exciting time you’re about to embark on. In today’s fast-paced tech adventure, diving into e-commerce isn’t just a cool thing to do – it’s practically the key to unlocking a global audience, supercharging your business and getting your product out to the world. Already have your e-commerce store but need some help jazzing it up and making it even better? You’re also in the right place!

In this blog, we’ll explore some e-commerce essentials that will lead you straight to success in the world of online sales!

Choosing the Right Platform

The foundation of a successful e-commerce venture starts with selecting the right platform. There are numerous options out there, each with its own features and benefits. Consider factors such as user-friendliness, scalability, and customisation options. Popular choices include;

• Shopify – There are 3 packages available, Basic (£19 per month), Shopify for small teams (£49 per month) and Advanced (£259 per month).
• WooCommerce – WooCommerce usually doesn’t charge setup and monthly fees. However, e-commerce owners pay a small fee for each transaction on their online store.
• Adobe Commerce (was Magento) – This does not display pricing on the website, but once you fill in the contact form, a member of their team will contact you with customised pricing. You’ll usually need an experienced web developer/agency to help you create your website which is often in the thousands of pounds range.

Remember, your platform is the backbone of your online store, so choose wisely!

Create a User-Friendly Website

Now that you’ve selected your platform, let’s focus on creating a website that ensures a seamless experience for your visitors. If you prioritise a user-friendly design for both desktop and mobile users, your customers will effortlessly explore your pages, find products, and make purchases with ease. Let’s optimise your site to guarantee a smooth journey for everyone because a positive online experience is essential for all users.

Once it is complete, ensure it works! Test it out, run the whole process from start to finish and even get some friends to test it too (if possible). The biggest hiccups tend to be at the payment stage or setting up delivery fees per postcode so pay extra attention to this part of the process.

Quality Product Descriptions and Images

When it comes to online shopping, customers rely heavily on product descriptions and imagery. Provide clear, concise, and compelling product descriptions, highlighting the benefits and features. High-quality images from multiple angles give customers a better understanding of what they are purchasing, increasing trust, and reducing the likelihood of returns.

Reviews

People love hearing what other people have to say about a product so if possible, include a ‘review’ section, or even better, integrate some User Generated Content (UGC). Products that have reviews (positive ones anyway) will always sell more than those without. Should your product get negative reviews, that’s useful information too, you can listen to what your customers are saying and go back and tweak and improve the product.

Implement Secure Payment Gateways

Security is paramount in e-commerce! And we don’t mean just adding an SSL certificate (which all websites should have anyway).

Choosing reliable and secure payment gateways to instil confidence in your customers is one of my biggest e-commerce essentials tips. Sprinkle some trust badges around like confetti and make your checkout process smoother and easier than a Sunday morning. This isn’t just about protecting your customers (although that’s a big win), it’s also about building a reputation as the trustworthy online shop everyone adores!

Optimise for Search Engines (SEO)

Elevate your online presence by giving your website a search engine makeover! 

Dive into the world of keyword research, sprinkle those magic words into your product titles and descriptions, and don’t skimp on a top-notch SEO strategy. 

Why? Because this will move your e-commerce site up the search engine results ladder, ensuring that potential customers can effortlessly discover the amazing things you have to offer!

For more on this, please click the links to view my other blogs on 6 Ways To SEO Your Images and Why SEO is about more than content.

Leverage Social Media Marketing

Harness the power of social media to promote your products and engage with your audience. Create compelling content, run targeted ads, schedule your posts and leverage social media platforms to build a community around your brand.

Social media can be a powerful tool for driving traffic and converting leads into sales! If you have a product that people rave about on social media, you can expect it to be sold out.

Customer Support Excellence

Create a customer support experience that’s so exceptional, that it leaves an everlasting impression of trust and loyalty! Respond quickly to customer enquiries, tackle concerns head-on, and guarantee a post-purchase journey as smooth as silk. Because here’s the golden rule: happy customers aren’t just customers; they’re the secret sauce to repeat business and becoming your brand’s loudest cheerleaders!

Analytics and Continuous Improvement

Utilise analytics tools like Hotjar and Google Analytics to track the performance of your e-commerce store, monitoring crucial metrics such as website traffic, conversion rates, and customer behaviour. These tools enable you to gather insightful data, helping you identify areas for improvement and implement changes to enhance the overall shopping experience. 

Additionally, ensure transparency in your data collection practices by implementing a clear and concise cookie policy, explaining how cookies are used to facilitate these analytics and improve user experience.

Email Marketing

Setting up email marketing on your business website is like inviting your customers to a personalised shopping experience filled with thoughtful touches. Picture this – abandoned cart emails that gently remind your visitors about those almost-forgotten items, turning missed opportunities into sales. And then there’s the magic of upsell opportunities, where your website becomes a friendly guide, suggesting products based on their preferences.

It’s not just about transactions; it’s about building connections. By weaving email marketing into your website, you create a warm and welcoming space for engagement, conversions, and a lasting bond with your customers. It’s the key to transforming your website into a place where every visit feels like catching up with an old friend – familiar, enjoyable, and filled with possibilities.

By weaving these e-commerce essentials into your setup-to-sales adventure, you’re not just building an online store; you’re creating a magnetic space that not only lures in customers but keeps them hooked for more awesomeness! So, here’s to happy selling, and may your online store shine brighter than the rest! 

If you need any support or guidance then please feel free to get in touch for a free 30 minute consultation call at a time that suits you. The Freya Helps Me team would be more than happy to help!