E-Commerce is a bigger industry than ever before, with absolutely no signs of slowing down anytime soon. More people are doing their shopping online every single day, thanks to convenience, availability, and even better deals. In this digital world that keeps offering more simplicities all the time, completely changing the way we spend our money and shop for the things we love, it’s no wonder that the world of e-commerce continues to grow and show success.
With that being said, it’s more important than ever to make sure your ecommerce business stands out from your competitors. Staying relevant, and staying active in ever-changing technology can make the difference when it comes to simply staying afloat, or actually being successful. Let’s take a look at six useful ways you can make your ecommerce store really stand out from the crowd.
- A Design That Works
Web design has really taken on a life of its own over the past several years, and has fallen into a clean, simplistic pattern that people can’t get enough of. Gone are the days of flashy websites with more bells and whistles than anyone could ever keep track of. Because as consumers, we are so bombarded with content all the time, visiting a website – especially an e-commerce site, that takes pride in what they’re selling, and offering it in an easy-to-navigate, simple and pure way can really make the right impression in a short amount of time.
- Show Off Your Reviews
It’s important for people to know what their peers are thinking, especially when it comes to products. So, don’t be afraid to show off what your buyers are saying about your stuff! Have rating systems for each individual product, and allow reviews to be posted so the next buyer can be well-informed of how incredible your offerings are.
- Stay Connected, Stay Personal
No matter the size of your store, it’s important to have a personal relationship with your customers. Through social media, PR campaigns, free giveaways, and personalized newsletters, you can reach out to your most loyal buyers, and make them feel appreciated and special. Even the littlest moments of acknowledgement can go a long way in the business world, especially when your business starts to get bigger.
- Make Returns Easy
One of the biggest concerns most people have when placing an order online is the risk of having to return the item they’ve ordered. Returning a product from an e-commerce store can feel like a hassle. So, take the frustration away by offering an incredible return policy, and including a free return shipping label in every single order. While you don’t want everyone to return what they buy, offering them this simple peace of mind when they do will likely make them feel comfortable enough to keep buying, and buy more. For example, Sterling Sleep’s softside waterbeds for sale all come with a 30 day return policy.
- Customer Service
Perhaps the most important ‘tip’ you can take away from this article is the idea of superior customer service. The fact is, people don’t necessarily expect to deal with ‘real people’ when they’re purchasing something online, so if you can go the extra mile by sending an automated thank you e-mail after each purchase, or actually connecting with someone on your site through a chat box, dealing with returns, etc., it will be greatly noticed.
Even if someone doesn’t have the best experience with a particular product on your site, they’re likely to return based on quality customer service. When someone feels cared for, they’re always happy.
- Talk About Things Your Customers Care About
Creating a blog, forum, or weekly newsletter is an excellent way to communicate to your customers about product developments, how to articles that incorporate your product, customer success stories, product comparisons, and virtually anything that your customers find interesting. For example, this online store created an honest and in depth article on where to buy kratom on their blog. Talking about ways your product may be used is an excellent way to educate customers how to solve a problem or improve their lives, possibly in ways they had no idea existed!
There are plenty of ways to give your e-commerce store a boost, so don’t be afraid to try some of these helpful resources to get started, and step above your competition.
