Level Up: How to Increase Sales for an Online Business

The following contribution is from another author.

The internet has made it possible for anyone to start an online business, whether it’s a simple Facebook post in buy and sell forums to dedicated e-commerce websites with never-ending product listings. People are gravitating to online shopping due to the convenience it brings, no matter your location. Its growth can be attributed to the increased usage of mobile devices, with sales made through smartphones increasing by 15% since 2016. Additionally, technological advances such as cloud storage and online payment options have boosted the industry even further, with sales projected to increase to 4.5 trillion in 2021. Given the huge potential of online retail, business owners should consider keeping these tips in mind to level up their e-commerce game.

Invest in High-Quality Product Photos

Humans are visual creatures with half of the brain devoted to processing images. Much is true in online businesses where customers mostly rely on product photos to decide whether to buy or not. Blurry images, poorly lit shots, and tiny thumbnails might dissuade your website visitors from availing what you’re selling no matter how good it is. Getting a professional photo editing service can ensure high-quality images of your products.

Include Customer Testimonials and Reviews

Build trust for your online business by showcasing positive customer feedback in shoutouts, regular posts, or in a dedicated space on your website. Testimonials, or reviews from satisfied customers, have a greater pull and influence on prospective clients than the best sales copy. It creates an atmosphere of credibility and professionalism in their minds that will overcome initial hesitations.

Gather Valuable Insights

Make sure that you have all the tools needed in order to manage and track sales activities. Once these tools are in place, you can easily see the number of orders, the average shipping time, the average price, as well as customer behavior. This will help you determine whether or not you’re making profit from your website; And if not, you’ll be able to manage or modify your sales strategy to increase online sales.

There are other simple ways to gather valuable insights and market research. Ask your customers to fill out a survey after visiting your website. This is a great way of finding out what they really want. You can also engage with customers and potential clients on social media. It’s important that you stay in touch with your customers to know what they are thinking, and what their current concerns are.

Offer Relevant Content

Content marketing will help you grow your customer base as well as improve your search engine rankings. The right content, along with search engine optimization, will attract more customers to your website. The use of relevant keywords will be very beneficial to your online business but make sure that your content is also relevant, authentic, and timeless.

Go for Authenticity Instead of Exaggeration

Clickbait titles and exaggerated statements might bring a handful of people to your website, but they only translate to disappointment and bad reviews. Today’s consumers have less tolerance with empty promises and hyperboles. Strive to be honest, friendly, and straightforward in all of your materials from the landing page to email campaigns. You’ll be able to create a loyal community by being authentic.

Create a Sense of Urgency

People responding to incentives is a fundamental principle of economic analysis. Create a campaign and urge people to act immediately through time-sensitive offers and limited-edition products. This will lead to more sales conversions because customers will want to avail of your products to avoid missing out on a steal.

Smoothen Out the Checkout Process

Unlike in brick-and-mortar stores, customers shopping online are more prone to distractions. They could easily browse through your selection and come close to buying until a cute cat video jumping from surprise holds their attention. Shopping cart abandonment is a common occurrence in e-commerce with an average rate of 81%, according to retail marketing firm Listrak.

Make it easy for your users to check out by eliminating all unnecessary steps that could dissuade them from buying. Include an option to save their credit card details for easier check out the next time they visit your site.

Optimize Your Site For Mobile

Don’t forget to optimize your website for mobile use. Mobile optimization involves using mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and other handheld devices to access websites that are offering products and services. With the growing number of mobile users, it only makes sense to utilize mobile optimization and mobile-friendly marketing strategies correctly to boost your sales and revenue.

Give a Freebie

Everyone loves free stuff, whether it’s a no-obligation trial to a software or an educational e-book about being productive. Offer your visitors some freebies like an eBook, video lessons, or sample sizes of your products. Giving your customers a taste of your products will tempt them to buy it and improve their perception of your brand. This is also a great way to incentivize them to sign up for your mailing list.

As online businesses grow in size and number, so does the competition and need to become relevant. Business owners must continuously innovate and implement measures to retain their customers and keep them coming back for more.