E-Commerce Strategies for Small Businesses

The vast majority of modern consumerism is driven by e-commerce, or online sales. Consider Amazon, one of the largest e-commerce platforms and providers in the world. Customers can access and browse the store from anywhere, with the help of their computer, tablet, or smartphone. It’s quick, it’s convenient, and it offers unparalleled flexibility in shopping.

But you don’t have to be a massive commercial giant to have a successful e-commerce setup. Small businesses can also reap the benefits of online-based sales and customer interaction. So whether you have a brick-and-mortar retail location or your website acts as a digital storefront, it’s important to keep growing and innovating to give customers the best experience. Let’s discuss some tips and strategies that will help boost your approach to e-commerce and attract more business.

1. Optimize Your Search Function. If your website has a catalogue of individual items and prices, then some kind of search function is practically imperative. But if your search is not well optimized with good filtering options, then customers may find it more frustrating than helpful. Make sure that visitors to your site can find what they need with a comprehensive tagging system and properly indexed database.
2. Diversify Accepted Payment Methods. Unlike with physical storefronts, cash simply isn’t viable in e-commerce stores. Fortunately, there are a plethora of digital payment options, and more are being added all the time. Consider adding support for popular payment methods like credit/debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Amazon Pay.
3. Prominently Feature Reviews & Testimonials. It’s incredibly important that new customers can hear from other people who have bought and enjoyed your product. That kind of reassurance can’t come directly from you, so capitalize on the positive feedback you receive. Create a dedicated page for reviews and testimonials, or feature quotes and snippets on your homepage.
4. Highlight Sales & New Arrivals. The best thing you can do for your e-commerce store is keep it fresh and up-to-date. Never miss an opportunity to draw interest by advertising sales and new product launches. Post updates to social media to broaden your reach and keep people informed.
5. Offer Discounts & Perks. If you want to draw new customers and retain previous buyers, loyalty can and should be rewarded. Free shipping, exclusive sales, and even a spendable points system are a great way to incentivize the shopping experience.

Looking for additional tips and tricks that will help give your business a competitive edge? Follow the Sumner Group blog for more. We are an independent agency that works with businesses to establish brand identity, develop effective marketing tactics, and optimize your customer-facing online presence. Contact us today to inquire about our services!