Tools, platforms, and flawless online shops.
Growing online shopping trends during the last decade have increased the necessity for e-commerce. And it’s no surprise that regardless of what is going on in the world and how work models are shifting, virtual shops will continue to exist due to the expanding benefits brought to both businesses and consumers.
The beauty of e-commerce is that there are some hard-to-beat perks for companies, such as low-cost platforms, insights about customers, and the ability to improve customer experience. Moreover, there is the possibility of expanding beyond a community, reaching a country and foreign markets.
When it comes to low costs, setting up an e-commerce platform can be inexpensive if the right platform is available. A small business can have everything prepared for their online shop, from mobile optimization to managing payments, but it will not be without challenges and several details to focus on. However, when compared with starting a physical shop, the investment is lower.
Web analytics can help businesses track their customers and learn comprehensive insights, such as what design generates more sales. Moreover, the growing number of online customers who want experiences similar to in-store shopping, will benefit from both worlds: a website can provide them with more information, more convenience, and the possibility to chat with the staff.
Reaching beyond a geographical location is possible through e-commerce. It allows organizations to expand their reach to other regions or countries.
Nevertheless, businesses and marketers need to take a few things into account when embarking on an e-commerce journey: delivering a stellar experience and finding the right platform. Knowing what makes an e-commerce store successful is also important. So, let’s explore these three aspects.
1. Delivering the best experience
In today’s online retail environment, powerful companies like Amazon or Apple hold an enormous number of loyal customers. Being able to offer good deals and services is no longer enough—especially now, when social media is having a significant impact on the ways humans shop and interact with each other. One could say that the contemporary shopper likes a hybrid experience: a potential customer can find a product on Pinterest, visit a physical store to see it, and then buy it online at a convenient price and time while using a mobile app. So, how can online retailers attract more customers?
Delivering the best experiences includes constantly innovating and being up to date with technology. Companies need to meet and adapt to customer expectations with more personalized and better-informed experiences that can be accessed across devices: personalized, omnichannel experiences.
2. Find the right e-commerce platform
How can a business choose the right e-commerce platform? There are several challenges when it comes to picking the best platform or migrating to a new one.
Customer expectations are constantly changing, and advancing technology may catch online retailers unprepared. However, a platform has to be ready to offer the right functionalities and allow organizations to evolve with the market and customer trends—as well as expectations.
Although most of the platforms come with integrations, tools, and plugins to help businesses create a flawless digital experience, a company should decide and be clear about what is and isn’t useful for their online shop. When choosing an e-commerce platform, they should consider these 5 aspects:
- Email marketing tools
- Inventory management
- Shopping cart plugins
- Accounting tools
- Tools that help reward loyal customers
3. Make your efforts sustainable: marketing tools
Research shows that, in the upcoming years, the global e-commerce economy will grow significantly. So, businesses that have an e-commerce website, or plan to have one, need to be prepared with the best tools. Retailers need to keep up with marketing tools and trends, especially when it comes to analytics.
Today, there are a number of solutions that can help companies ensure their e-commerce website is successful. From PPC and email marketing to client management tools, businesses can integrate various systems and strategies that will maximize the ability to satisfy their customers while growing their revenue. Moreover, the following tools can bring great benefits to a company:
- Acquire Live chat – for keeping good communication with customers
- Omnisend – for e-commerce-focused email campaigns and automation workflows
- MailChimp – for targeted campaigns
- Metrilo – for updating order statuses in real time
- Wigzo – for machine learning predictive insights
Finally, there is no secret formula to creating a flawless online shop. However, there are some exemplary online stores today, including JOCO Cups (with a page used as an up-sell option), Rest (with modern design and coupons to attract subscribers), Harry’s (with memberships and customizable products), or Star 360 (with a simple interface). What is more, following the above-mentioned steps could make an e-commerce store successful.
