4 Simple Ways to Attract and Retain E-Commerce Customers
Are you aiming your sights in increased conversions? Getting those clicks can be a challenge, especially when you are competing against other small businesses, much less big corporations. With a few simple steps, though, you can optimize your e-commerce business and streamline a steady flow of new and returning customers.
Update Your Website
Your website is the first thing that potential customers see, so it is imperative to make a good impression. As Hubspot points out, online shoppers are looking for the perfect blend of form and function, and implementing a sound design ensures you meet their needs in a user-friendly manner.
Of course, if you are not very experienced with website design or do not have the skills needed for this sort of project, investing in freelance help may be in order to create the e-commerce site of your dreams. With freelance web designers, you have the flexibility to hire on an as-needed basis, or you can set up more formal full-time or part-time work arrangements.
Before you commit to hiring a freelance web designer, make sure he/she has an in-depth understanding of web fundamentals, platforms, interfaces and communication. Also, keep in mind that outsourcing talent works best when you keep connections positive and efficient. Even if you’re only bringing someone on for a short and specific project, things will flow more smoothly if you build communication and teamwork that functions well right from the start.
Refine Your Outreach
Depending on the nature of your e-commerce goals, you may need to further tweak your online presence in order to attract and retain new customers. Social media can be an ideal avenue, with its broad outreach and minimal expense, but you still need to understand timing and focusing your marketing efforts to ensure you hit your bullseye. In this case, a social media management specialist can point you in the right direction, so you hone in on sending exactly the right message to the right audience. Engaging with specific groups or through specific platforms might be your key to growing your following. Just as Business News Daily explains, determining your target audience can help you attract clients, both the first and the faithful.
Manage Your Inventory
If your site is primed and ready to reel in clients, you will need to be prepared to stay on top of your inventory. Proper inventory management can not only help you manage costs for your e-commerce business, but it can also prevent serious issues from impacting your relationships with those first customers. Trust is essential to retaining those customers, so shipping the wrong item or making other careless mistakes could end up costing your business big time.
Many e-commerce small businesses can use online tools to make inventory management easier, but certain businesses may need to outsource this essential task to more experienced professionals—especially if you’re a solopreneur or everyone is already spread thin.
Master Your Customer Service
Ensuring that orders are correct and on-time can help build customer relationships, but managing your interactions with first-time clients can convert them into loyal customers. Quality customer service should be the backbone of all of your customer-facing operations, so sharpen your customer service skills before you work on any other aspect of your e-commerce business.
Start by making an effort to remember your customers and even including personal notes with their orders. Finding commonalities, maintaining positivity, and focusing on education can also help strengthen client relationships. For busy online shoppers, including self-service features in your website, like FAQs or user-friendly returns, can also help.
Running a thriving e-commerce business takes some hard work and determination. That’s especially true when you are trying to attract new customers. If you want to entice first-time clients to make those initial purchases and keep them coming back for more, optimize your e-commerce business with their satisfaction in mind.
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Photo Credit: Rawpixel
Author: Lucy Reed, gigmine.co
