Getting started in e-commerce
You finally want to turn your idea into a reality and start selling online. There’s a lot you need to know if you want to start selling your products. The good news: You’ve already reached an important milestone in making a decision on your choice of shop system. Now you can start building your online shop. We’ll give you some starter tips to help you launch your eShop.
Take one step at a time. The first question is: What’s important to your customers?
A clearly presented home page, good product information and clear shipping terms
A study by ECC Handel, an e-commerce research centre in Germany, illustrates what’s important for online shoppers. The result: the most important criteria are, a compelling home page, the quality of product descriptions and clear shipping details. You can get the study in full from the ECC website.
Make your home page clear and easy to understand
In an ideal situation, your logo and brand building will generate visitor interest within seconds. This is why your home page should clearly demonstrate what a customer can expect to find in your online shop. Make sure your offers are clearly visible on the home page. Visitors are always on the lookout for a competitive price.
Invest in product descriptions
Of those surveyed, 62% find that a detailed product description is most important, along with compelling photos and persuasive product pages are seen as the keys to success. The majority of visitors mostly come across specific online shops through search engines, so it’s worth the time and effort investing in search engine optimisation – with the help of your SEO Cockpit, for example.
Make shipping terms quick and easy to find
Almost two thirds of those surveyed want to find your shipping terms quickly. Place them where customers can always see them. Once found, the shipping cost is crucial as online shoppers have become accustomed to free delivery. The prospect of free delivery speeds up the decision to buy.
Ensure that reliable payment methods are clearly visible
Visitors become customers if they have confidence in your online shop. Include the most popular payment methods and ensure that their symbols are clearly visible on your website.
Product recommendations and reviews from other customers
In a brick and mortar business, sellers can quickly gain visitor confidence. Visitors to online shops are too looking for this security. Ratings, reviews and quality seals enable potential customers to recognise at a glance how many people before them have had a good experience in this shop.
Stand out with customer service
Another plus point, in terms of trust and confidence, is customer service. Ensure that your contact details – preferably a telephone number and business hours – are clearly visible on your website.
Offer an express order service
Your visitor has found what he’s looking for and wants to buy from your shop. Whether this visitor will become a customer depends on how quickly their order can be completed. Don’t force customers to register with your shop, but allow them the option to place a guest order. Even if you don’t find out a lot about your customer, they will be grateful to you for providing this option.
You know best of all that successful businesses are continually learning. Maintain your curiosity, test and optimise your shop – then test again. Get ideas from your competitors who do some things really well. Follow market developments in sector blogs, in your network and at conferences.
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