Are you thriving in the e-commerce industry? Wondering how to attract new shoppers and increase sales? Staying ahead of the competition is no easy task - especially as new online shops are constantly on the rise. One effective way to encourage consumers to buy is to offer free shipping, but there is more to it than that. How do you convince internet users to choose your products?
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Opt for unique descriptions and high-quality images
Buying online has many advantages, but also a few disadvantages. You have to remember that the customer does not have the opportunity to see the goods in person before making a purchase. This makes the final decision very difficult - no one wants to place an order only to experience disappointment upon receiving the package, which is why so many people are hesitant to buy online. Also, not everyone has the desire or time to complain or send back items that did not meet expectations or turned out to be faulty. For this reason, you should focus on the proper presentation of your product range and answer all questions that consumers may have. Try to create unique, simple and interesting product descriptions with the most important data, such as dimensions, characteristic features or material of the item. Remember also that customers experience online shopping primarily through visual stimuli - so make sure to include aesthetically pleasing and high-quality photos of your goods. It is also a good idea to prepare short videos.
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Use social proof to build credibility
When an Internet user visits a new website, he or she wants to verify its trustworthiness in order not to be deceived. If a person does not trust a particular seller because he does not know him, he starts to look for the so-called 'social proof of legitimacy', i.e. he checks how others behave. What does this mean in practice? In your webshop there should be no shortage:
- the opinions of other buyers under the products;
- links to your social media profiles;
- links to a selected opinion-forming service;
- sales through other channels, such as Allegro.
The opinions of other users have an invaluable influence on our purchasing decision. We are quicker to believe that a product will be right for us if others have liked it. Create a special section in your shop called 'Most popular products' and you will quickly find that their sales will increase!
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Offers free shipping and free returns
Customers are looking for bargains online, which is why promotional events such as Black Friday or the all-too-familiar sales are so popular. Nobody wants to overpay. However, offering attractive prices and tempting discounts may not be enough, because the cost of delivery also matters. When the cost is high, some shoppers will abandon their shopping basket before completing the transaction and will look for similar goods from a competitor offering free delivery. So introduce free delivery when the customer exceeds a certain amount. Also, once in a while, organise campaigns with free shipping on every order and you will quickly notice that the sales rate will increase. Consumers will also start to take more interest in your platform. And don't forget about returns, which shouldn't have to be paid for - consumers are much more likely to buy goods if they are confident that they can cancel their purchase without incurring additional costs if necessary.
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Give shoppers the option of placing an order without creating an account
Online shopping is valued above all for its speed and convenience. Not every customer wants to open an account with a shop right away - especially if they are not yet familiar with its product range. There are also people who will only place an order once. If you want to encourage internet users to buy, make the process of finalising the transaction as simple as possible - without registration. Require only the data necessary to complete the purchase, i.e.: first name, last name, telephone number, e-mail address and exact shipping address. Shoppers don't like to fill out multiple form fields, which takes too much time.
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Ensure communication on social media
Shops that do not have a social media presence are missing out on a lot, as this is where their potential customers spend their time. Popular social networks can not only help you to drive sales, but also to build long-lasting relationships with consumers, who will get to know your brand and products better before they decide to buy. It's also a great way to communicate and receive feedback on our services. Besides, likes and comments will increase the visibility of your online shop, which will help you to gain new buyers. However, it is worth remembering not to create product-only posts. Social media is not meant to sell directly, but rather to generate interest in your brand and make it easier to find out about your offer. On your profiles, announce promotions, share knowledge, provide links to blog articles (if you have one) and activate users to leave comments.
