A simple guide to E-Commerce
If you’re seriously considering starting an online store, or are in the early stages of doing so, it’s important to understand the basics of e-commerce. In this guide, we’ll outline what e-commerce is, how it works, and some of the most important factors to consider when setting up your store. By understanding these concepts, you’ll be well on your way to launching a successful e-commerce business.
You need a good brand identity
One of the most important decisions you’ll make is the name of your business. Make sure to pick something that represents your company well and can be remembered easily by potential customers.
Use the right platform
There are a number of different e-commerce platforms available, so deciding to use which one, in particular, will depend on factors including the size and complexity of your store. Some popular options include Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace.
Pick a payment solution
The way that buyers make payments can vary depending on their location and the platform you have opted for. While some of the most popular options include Stripe and PayPal, new networks are being created all the time, so it’s worth doing some research to find out which payment provider is best suited to your needs.
Set high standards of service
The brand experience that you offer should start from the moment a shopper lands on your site, and shouldn’t end until they have completed an order. Make sure that the site’s checkout process is as streamlined as possible, that all of your products are well-described, and that delivery options are accurate – this will create an overall positive experience for buyers.
Trust the experts
Take advantage of experts who can help you to grow your business. There are many agencies that specialize in e-commerce and offer services including web design, digital marketing, SEO, PPC advertising, email marketing, and conversion rate optimization (CRO). BlackBelt Ecommerce is one of the best. Be sure to thoroughly check out their website to see their full range of e-commerce solutions.
Make everything user friendly
Don’t underestimate just the importance of keeping everything on your site neat and tidy. Make the most of page load speeds, modernize your site regularly, and don’t use too many different fonts – all of these factors will play a role in helping you to create an easy-to-navigate store that customers won’t get frustrated with.
Upsell and cross-sell
As well as attracting and converting potential new customers, the other side of the coin is to encourage existing ones to make more purchases. This can be done by offering complementary products – upselling – and highly relevant recommendations based on previous buying activity – cross-selling.
Amazon is an exemplar of this; they use powerful data analysis tools to recommend products based on previous buying activity.
Sell globally
It’s important to provide accurate translations of content for shoppers who are not native English speakers. However, it can be difficult to manage multiple languages across a single e-commerce site. New services are emerging that help merchants sell in other languages by providing them with globalized storefronts.
