It’s never been easier to set up an online shop and if you are involved in an ecommerce business, you’ll be aware that it’s a very competitive industry. There are more online retail stores than ever and while there’s a big market for online products, it can be difficult to really stand out from the crowd, especially when you are competing with big name brands.
Having worked with plenty of clients who run their own online stores, I have learned that there are a few things that separate the great ones from the average. Nailing these seven things can help you compete with the bigger brands and get the edge over your competition.
A good product range.
Having a range of high quality products can really set you apart from the competition. If you only have a narrow selection you’re going to appeal to fewer people and have less opportunities to make sales. You don’t have to stock every single thing in your niche but try to make sure you have enough to appeal to all the different segments of your target market.
Detailed information about products.
The more specific the information, the more readily people will be able to see whether a product meets their needs. Include details about the materials the product is made from, care instructions and detailed sizing or dimensions as well as anything else relevant. If your customers are clear about what they are getting upfront, there is less chance of returns or dissatisfaction. As well as written information, including multiple images of products and where applicable, using real models for clothing instead of mannequins can help viewers envision how they might actually look and fit.
A strong returns policy.
Having a customer friendly returns policy including refunds for change of mind is a real bonus in the eyes of customers and makes them feel secure that if they aren’t satisfied with a product they can get their money back no questions asked.
Quick, affordable delivery.
If the delivery costs more than the product being purchased you have a problem. It’s a good idea to provide a range of different delivery options and prices so customers can pick and choose. Quick delivery can make a big difference to levels of satisfaction while any delivery that takes longer than two weeks is likely to meet with frustration.
An easy to navigate site.
Your ecommerce site is your virtual shopfront so it’s important that it’s easy to use, especially the checkout process. Putting too many obstacles in the way of purchasing is a sure way to lose potential customers. Try to keep the checkout process to a single page and at all costs avoid a lengthy signup before a purchase can be made.
Great customer service.
One way the bigger brands often beat the smaller ones is by having outstanding customer service. At the very least you should have a phone number on your site where people can call for assistance or an online chat box for enquiries. If there are no contact details at all on your site, people may be wary.
Good feedback and reviews
Everyone loves a recommendation and positive feedback, word of mouth marketing and great reviews can be a big driver of success for your ecommerce business.
Once set up, e-commerce businesses can work around the clock so you can be making money even while you sleep. With so much to be gained from running a successful ecommerce business it’s well worth spending a bit of time to make sure you have covered the seven points above so you can be sure your store will really stand out.