Focus on Regular Customers
When sales decline, businesses often look at ways to find new customers. While this can be a good idea, it may also cost you more money. Don’t forget about your existing loyal customers. There’s a reason that your sales are decreasing, so perhaps it’s time to improve the shopping experience for the customers you already have? Use loyalty schemes or a point-based system that customers can use against products.
Show That Your Site Is Safe
You need to ensure that customers feel safe using your website, or they simply won’t! Your website should show the lock sign in the search bar to show customers that their details will be safe. As cyber-attacks happen more and more, customers simply aren’t going to chance putting their card details anywhere that doesn’t seem trustworthy. If you need to find a website security provider, Norton Antivirus is one of the most popular.
Accept Different Payment Types
You need to be able to accept a variety of payment methods if you want to keep customers happy. Credit and debit cards are a must, and it’s also a good idea to accept PayPal payments. Always follow the latest trends; for example, Apple Pay is becoming a popular way to pay, so making this an option on your website could boost your sales.
Learn Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
As an ecommerce site owner, knowing how search engine works could come handy. By optimizing your ecommerce site with the right keywords, you could get a lot of free and targeted traffic from search engines. According to a recent study by nchannel, 44% of online shoppers begin their buying journey with an online search, so not learning SEO could mean a disastrous mistake.
With that said, SEO involves tedious, ongoing work such as keyword research, content writing, link building, and relationship building. Even if you decide to hire someone to do SEO for you, it is a good idea to also be knowledgeable about the topic so you won't get lied to by your SEO team.
Show Customer Testimonials
Many customers are more likely to buy a product or use a service if it has good reviews. The best reviews also include photographs, and this is a great way to boost sales. Perhaps ask your existing customers to review your product for a discount or hold a competition where every customer that leaves a customer testimonial gets entered into a prize draw.
Allow for Cell Phones
These days, most sales are done via a cell phone. If you don’t have an app available, ensure that your website is accessible via a cell phone or handheld device. You will see a decrease in sales if you don’t have a cell phone friendly website. If you’re unsure how to make your website accessible to cell phones, check out this handy article.
Promote Your Best-Selling Items
There’s a reason that some items are top-selling, and promoting these on your homepage will entice customers in. Some people will come on your site with no idea what they are looking for. These are the customers that will enjoy a best-selling page. If your ecommerce website sells a lot of products, it can be even more difficult to find a particular product that catches your eye. A best-selling section is an easy way to boost sales.
Drive Sales at The Right Times
If there is a special event or a holiday coming up, now is the best time to put on that sale. Holidays are when most people buy online, and so being ready with great discounts will make more customers use your site and possibly purchase more. With sales days such as Black Friday being so popular, many now choose to purchase online as shops can get too busy. Use this to your advantage and be sure to advertise a few weeks before so customers will keep your website in mind.
Send Abandoned Cart Emails
An abandoned cart email can improve sales and is more likely to tempt a customer to come back and purchase what they didn’t the first time. Sendinblue have created some abandoned cart email examples that are perfect for any business. They also allow you to create an account on their website, make a new template, and set this to send to anyone that abandons their cart. This will improve sales and is all done automatically once set up, meaning you can sit back and relax!
Use Video Demonstrations
Videos are both interactive and informative and are the most popular way to market products. Use this as a way to interact with your target market. Make your video fun and interesting while showing how the product can be used. This may not be the answer for all products, but you could choose to advertise a range of products through video format.
Hold a Sale
In the meantime, why not use the oldest trick in the book and hold a sale? Be sure to promote this well. This can engage customers and make them re-visit your website. The best way to make sure you don’t lose much profit is by upping the prices of your products and then putting them on sale. Using an offer such as 30% off everything will be sure to get customers noticing.
These ten tips will boost your sales and allow you to continue to reach out to customers old and new.