Increasing sales in the online store
Increasing sales in the online store is a central goal for every online business owner. However, it is important to understand that success in this field requires comprehensive thinking and planning in advance, and not only when the urgent need to increase sales arises. A wise choice of a management interface, such as the Shopify platform, can be critical to the long-term success of the site, and it often happens that many large sales sites are forced to undergo a complex process of replacing the site's infrastructure in retrospect, after realizing that the existing infrastructure is not strong enough or convenient to use. Do you have a sales website and want to know how to increase our traffic and sales? We have some tips for you in the article here.
Determining strategy
It is important to determine an overall strategy before starting specific actions to increase sales. The strategy should take into account the goals of the business, the target audience, the available budget and the required resources. It should include clear and measurable goals as well as a detailed action plan on how to achieve these goals. A cohesive strategy will help direct efforts and make informed decisions along the way.
About the site
One of the most important elements of a sales website is information about the business. Surfers want to know who they are interacting with, what is the story behind the business and what are the values that guide it. This information contributes a lot to building trust and encourages a purchase. A detailed about page can include the history of the business, its vision and mission as well as information about the people behind the brand. Photos of the team or the founders can give a human face to the business and strengthen the relationship with the customers. In addition, it is recommended to include information about the production processes, the quality policy and the commitment to excellent customer service.
Choosing an interface for the site
The interface through which the site is managed is of enormous importance to its success. An efficient, easy and convenient to use interface will allow regular updating of products, promotions and prices, as well as adding pop-ups and other essential settings to e-commerce sites. When choosing the interface it is important to consider factors such as ease of use, the capabilities it offers and its suitability to the specific needs of the business. You should also check the level of support and service offered by the interface provider, as it is likely that some assistance will be required along the way. Choosing the right interface can save a lot of time and money in the long run, and allow business owners to focus on growth and improving the customer experience instead of dealing with frustrating technical issues.
speak the language of the customers
To create a real connection with the customers it is important to speak their language. This means that you should have your hand on the pulse of the hottest and most relevant products and trends for the target audience. If the site has a blog page, this is a great opportunity to produce content tailored to special dates and events. For example, you can prepare a smart shopping guide in advance for the biggest shopping dates, and at the same time offer relevant promotions on the website. This creates a close connection between the content and the shopping experience, and the customers receive important added value. It is also recommended to adhere to clear and friendly language in all parts of the site, from the product descriptions to the terms of use. Doing so can help build trust and encourage customers to make a purchase.
Setting Goals
Setting clear goals is critical to the success of any strategy to increase sales. The goals should be specific, measurable, realistic, relevant and time bound. For example, instead of the general goal of "increase sales", a realistic goal could be to increase the site's revenue by 20% in the next quarter, by increasing the conversion rate by 5% and the average order value by 15%. Such a goal gives a clear direction and enables the measurement of progress. It is also important to divide large goals into smaller sub-goals, and define milestones along the way. Such a definition makes it possible to monitor progress regularly, to identify potential problems at an early stage and to make adjustments as required.
Familiarity with the measuring tools
To track progress toward your goals and identify opportunities for improvement, it's important to familiarize yourself with the available measurement and analysis tools. Tools such as Google Analytics can provide detailed information on the movement of surfers on the website, on the purchasing behavior of surfers and other key performance indicators. Learning the capabilities of the tools you have and correctly defining goals and reports can help a lot in making data-based decisions. It is also important to track sales and profitability data across different cross-sections to identify products, categories or target audiences that are performing exceptionally well.
Improving the user experience to the highest level
A great user experience is a key factor in increasing online sales. One of the most important aspects of the user experience is the speed of site loading. In many cases, slow websites lead to high bounce rates and decreased sales. Today's customers expect a fast and smooth experience and are impatient for delays, so it is important to invest in high-quality technical infrastructure and to constantly optimize the site's performance. In addition to speed, it is important that the site be easy and intuitive to navigate. The structure should be logical and hierarchical, with clear categories and efficient search. The product pages should contain all the information customers need to decide what to purchase, and the entire process, from adding a product to the cart to completing the payment, should be as simple and smooth as possible.
Aesthetic and inviting site
Next to functional aspects, the visual design of the website is also very important. A beautiful, inviting and professional website conveys a sense of reliability and instills trust in customers. The design of the website should be clean and clear, with correct use of colors, fonts and spaces. The images and graphics should be of high quality and fit the general aesthetic of the brand. It is also important to maintain a uniform design line in all parts of the site to create a uniform and professional experience. All elements, from the logo to the action buttons, should convey the brand's personality and values.
Transparency is the name of the game
Transparency is a key value in creating trust with customers. Even when it is a virtual store, it is important to reflect to customers as much information as possible about the business and the people behind it. This can include details about the history and vision of the business, information about the production processes and the quality policy and even the introduction of the staff. The more the customers feel they know the business better, the more their trust in it will increase. Also, it is important to provide complete transparency regarding the purchase process - information on prices, shipping fees, return policy and warranty should be clear and available.
Product image
High quality images are critical on e-commerce sites. Lacking the ability to physically see and touch the product, customers rely on the images to understand exactly what they are purchasing. The images should be clear and sharp. It's a good idea to include photos from different angles as well as close-up photos that show small details and textures. For fashion products, it is important to show the item on a mannequin to give a better sense of fit and styling, and using video can also be very effective. Short videos demonstrating the use of the product or showing it in action can be very persuasive and remove the last doubts of customers.
Drive to action
The "Add to cart", "Buy now" or "Pay" buttons are among the most important elements on a product page. They represent the critical conversion point where surfers become paying customers. These buttons should be prominent and clearly worded. The use of strong colors such as red or orange can be effective in attracting the surfer's attention. However, it is important to maintain a balance and not make the page too crude a visual attack. The place of the buttons on the page is also important - they should be accessible and easy to find, and it is better that the customer does not have to scroll down to see it on the screen.
User friendly interface
The website interface must be intuitive and easy to use. Surfers expect to easily find what they are looking for, without the need for explanations or guidance. The navigation should be clear and hierarchical, with well-organized categories and subcategories. A smart search with automatic completion suggestions can save valuable time and lead customers to the most relevant products for them. The ordering and payment process should also be simple and smooth. Excessively long or unnecessary forms should be avoided, and it should be possible to purchase as a guest without the need to create an account.
Secure payment
Information security and privacy are key considerations for customers when shopping online. It is very important to ensure that payment processes are secure and protected to prevent data theft or fraud. Using the SSL protocol and known and reliable payment systems can reassure customers and encourage them to complete the purchase. Visual elements such as lock symbols and green security symbols can also contribute to the feeling of security.
Brand credibility
Building brand credibility is critical to encouraging repeat purchases and long-term branding. There are several ways to establish the credibility of the website and the brand in general:
- It is important to provide detailed information about the company, the quality policy and the production and service processes
- Information about the import processes (in the case of imported products) as well as details about the warranty and after-sales service can greatly contribute to the reputation of the business
- It is highly recommended to include customer reviews and ratings on the website. Positive reviews are strong proof of the quality of products and service, and can be very persuasive for potential customers.
- Managing a professional and reliable presence in social networks and other communication channels, alongside courteous and efficient customer service, complete the overall picture of a reliable brand worthy of the customers' trust
Page Thanks
The thank you page shown to the customer after completing an order is an important opportunity to strengthen the relationship and provide added value. Beyond the confirmation of receipt of the order and the notification that receipt was sent by email, it is important to include information on the following steps on this page. Details on expected delivery times, a link to track the status of the order, as well as contact information in case of a problem or the need for a change - all of these can contribute to a positive experience and a sense of security for the customer. The thank you page also provides an opportunity to increase engagement and sales, and it is possible to present complementary or recommended products, offer subscription to a newsletter, or invite the customer to follow the brand on social networks.
stay friends
Encouraging customer engagement even after the purchase is a great way to create a long-term relationship and encourage repeat purchases. One way to do this is through satisfaction surveys. Sending a short survey by email shortly after receiving the product allows customers to tell about their experience, from the order to the product itself. The survey will give you valuable feedback and an opportunity to improve, and also show customers that their opinion is important to you. Another way to keep in touch is to encourage customers to leave product reviews on the website. You can offer small incentives like a discount on the next purchase to encourage participation. These reviews help other customers in their purchase decisions and also create regular traffic to the website and increase engagement and discourse around the brand.
In conclusion
Increasing sales on an online site requires a comprehensive approach, starting with building a strategy and setting clear goals, through optimizing the user experience and visual design, and ending with customer retention and engagement even after the purchase. At the base of all of these is the basic principle of providing real value to the client with transparency and reliability.
