If you’ve been considering selling online there are a few things you need to think about outside the logistics of doing so. In addition to good software to handle inventory and administration, a user-friendly e-commerce site, and someone to handle things like mailing and insurance, there are a few items you might not have considered that will help you stand out from the Interweb crowd.
Customers May Go Online but They Live Offline
When someone buys from you online, delight them offline. Add a little something special in their package. Could be a special quote, fortune, tester, personalized promotional item, or thank you gift for the purchase.
Invite Them to Review the Product
The easiest way to get repeat customers is to build up your online reviews. The best way to do that is to exceed expectations and then invite them to share their experience with your business.
Be Available
Few people want to risk ordering from someone who doesn’t share contact information and can’t be reached by phone or email. If you’re selling on a site outside of your own website, take the time to fill out all of the merchant information. People don’t trust an egg-head icon, with no name, no contact information, and no reviews.
Stay in Contact
As part of your ordering process, ask people to join your newsletter or follow you on social media. A repeat customer is much easier to earn business from than a brand new customer. Use the shopping experience as the beginning of a relationship, not the end.
Suggest Other Items
If you’re implementing your own shopping cart on your site, look for software that allows you to make suggestions on other items the buyer might like. This feature has an amazing effect on increasing sales. Also, look for software that reminds people of their abandoned shopping carts. Since one of the biggest reasons for abandonment is not knowing tax and shipping ahead of time, it’s a good thing to be upfront with that information.
What do you look for in an online shopping experience? When you’re creating one for customers you want it to be user friendly but keep in mind, we don’t all have access to Amazon-like features.
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