Buying online is not easy. It requires a great deal of knowing how to get around the internet, recognizing shady deals, and a lot of trust – you are giving your money to someone for something you haven’t really seen or touched first.
But on the other hand, ecommerce websites offer a lot of different advantages over physical stores – they are always open, you can browse however long you want, and you are under no pressure to buy anything. But there are some things that every shopper depends on, and if your shop is lacking in that department, correct those flaws immediately.
- Easy navigation
Not only do customers want to easily find your contact info, we want to find it immediately. Anything more than 2 clicks will easily lose my attention, and a visitor will simply close that tap. Because of this, it is essential to structure your main menus so that an average visitor can find the most important information with only a few click.
Furthermore, you need to clearly present the latest news and products on the front page – somewhere where anyone can see them. This will not only entice a visitor, but will also give you an opportunity to constantly show off your products and latest trends. Do not forget to implement a visible search box – everyone is looking for something and the greater the chances of a customer finding something that he or she likes, the greater their chances of purchasing something.
- Fast checkout option
Although this is second place, it is probably the most important one. The checkout process is usually a long and tedious one, requiring you to type endless strings of information. It becomes even worse when you force visitors to register and create an account. In a brick-and-mortar store, this can be compared to long and boring queues – this is why people avoid it and visit online stores. You need to make this process as simple and as fast as possible. Do not require them to register before making a purchase, only offer it as a non-intrusive option. Offer different ways of paying for the merchandise, which usually includes accepting debit and credit cards, but also payment services such as PayPal. Simply check out the most popular credit card processing company ratings and pick the one that suits your business the best.
- Social Network Sharing Options
Most people, when they find something interesting, funny or relevant for their friends, are quick to share it. Implementing social sharing buttons if essential, as it serves as a free marketing campaign for you, and there is nothing better than a simple word of mouth recommendation. This also allows you to create and engage your customers on your own social network profiles – you can use them to keep people aware of the newest additions to your store, the latest promotions or special deals.
- Good Deals
Do not make it difficult for customers to find the best deals and hot prices. That is why they exist, a huge drop in price for a single item might reduce the amount of money you earn on it, but it will create a loyal customer in the long run. Not only that, but many customers will only look at items that are on sale or discount, so it is a good idea to constantly reduce products, even by a small percentage, so that they are visible in the sale category. This approach is extremely good, as you can easily move items that are usually slow selling, or promote a new line of clothes that you have.
- Responsive Customers Support
As a shopper, how many times have you had a question about a particular item and wanted an answer quickly? In a physical store, you’d simply approach a nearby employee and ask them anything you want. Online, it is not so easy, and if you cannot find the info you need, you might be inclined to simply give up.
That is where responsive customer support comes in. Make sure to prominently display phone numbers and offer email and instant chat options for those who would like to file a complaint or simply ask a question. Quickly responding to such inquiries might determine whether you gain a loyal customer, or if someone leaves your shop and never returns.