Everyone loves lists and rankings… the top # tips critical to increase online sales is probably one of the favourite ones ever.
The total number of factors to increase online sales varies from source to source. This article will show you ways to increase online sales but will avoid dictating that there are a certain number of critical factors. That would become too complicated and would no doubt require another ranking to be written, the number of guides with five factors to increase online sales, those with six, who favours more than ten… you get the picture, there is clearly no defined list of ways to increase online sales.
Each and every company is unique and this guide aims to highlight, what in our opinion, are excellent starters critical to help your online sales success.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
SEO has to be at the top. A poorly optimised website will not work by itself as organic searches will struggle to find you. If your site can’t be found and you are getting pushed to the bottom of search results by competitors, then optimising your website is key. Consider writing compelling content , link building, testing design variance or using longer less competitive keywords.
Trusted Customer Service – Show Human Side To Sales
Ensure that there are proactive calls to action placed prominently on your site. A telephone contact number is a must. Shoppers feel reassured that there is a human at the other end and not a nebulous void where contact cannot be made. Encouraging visitors to make contact is a critical factor to increase e-commerce sales.
Other means of contact such as email and offering a call back service will also drive up sales as well as building the capacity for a marketing database of customers.
Look at writing a newsletter to keep customers informed of offers and promotions and if possible add functionality to your shopping cart to ask clients to receive updates. Ask clients to opt-out rather than opt-in.
Attract Impulse Buys
Design your products and content to encourage impulse buys. The power of suggestion increases online sales. Associate products into categories, if you sell clothing put accessories such as belts near the trousers. Suggest trends and tell shoppers that customers who bought x also bought y.
Reward Loyalty
Look to incentivise return shoppers, investigate whether a loyalty scheme can increase online success in your case. Initially put the idea out to your customers and engage them and based on findings trial different schemes.
Online Only Special Pricing
Make online pricing competitive, remove some of the brick and mortar costs and make sure these advantages are communicated to your shoppers. Let them know in clear, but not tacky, ways that they are getting exceptional value. Make your cost messages clear and avoid terms such as “cheap”, work round that word as being told you are buying something cheap does little to increase online sales.
Free Shipping on Large Orders
Clearly define your shipping costs and drive customers to increase their spending that little more. Ensure that your shopping cart has the functionality to push that little further. If your shipping is free for orders over £x then let them know they need only spend £y more to get free shipping.
In-Depth Content – Full Info
Studies shows that internet users are increasingly visiting e-commerce sites to research purchases and make informed decisions. Your product and service information must be full and rich with as much information as possible. Use thumbnail and enlargeable product images, product reviews, customer comments and testimonials. Build related product FAQs from previous customer enquiries, if one person has asked the question no doubt others will want the answer.
Social Media Increases e-Commerce Sales
Social media is all the rage and it can definitely increase sales. Look to interact via Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn and get as many followers as possible. Your brand and products are already being spoken about in social media. Identify who is talking, what about and where and then engage with your audience. Join the conversation and let people know about your promotions, new products and jump on the social media momentum to increase your e-commerce sales.
