The most common question asked by retailers is how to fix the lack of sales. There are reasons your retail websites lack sales. At times, it is poor marketing efforts or not existing marketing efforts. Other times, it is poor website design and architecture for example. There are a multitude of reasons that can have a negative impact on retail websites.
The first step is to identify the reasons. Then, step by step these issues should be resolved. For new retail websites, it is often the lack of proper marketing. At times, it is both. An insufficient website as well as lack of marketing campaigns. Even when a retail brand does everything right, it takes time to generate organically online sales.
The truth is that most retail websites convert between two and five percent only. Then, there is bounce rates and shopping cart abandonment. Online retail is a deduction game when looking at conversion rates. To assist here are the top reasons your retail websites lack sales.
7 Reasons Your Retail Websites Lack Sales
1. Shopping Cart Checkout to Complex
Over two thirds of online purchases are abandoned by consumers. Over 25% of those cite the shopping cart checkout processes being complex, long, or confusing. A complex checkout negatively impacts retail website sales. To fix this, declutter checkout pages. Simplify the checkout process. Include trust seals, icons, and information.
2. Missing Call to Action Throughout Site
It is critical to have a very direct and precise call to action. This incentive should be illustrated vividly. They should pop from the page. The call to action must clearly state the incentive and what the next step to take is. Color and design is very important combining all of this.
3. Having to Pay for Shipping Charges
Shipping charges can quickly kill the conversion rates of retail websites. It is the reason Amazon does not charge shipping and has the Prime service. Most online retailers that want to increase sales offer free shipping as an incentive. Retailers that charge still should consider offering shipping for free.
4. Making a Bad First Impression
We still judge a book by the cover. When we see something we do not like, we click away. Bad website design causes a bad first impression. Traffic without conversion and high bounce rates on pages can be a sign of making a bad first impression. A redesign and proper layout by experts can fix this for retail brands.
5. Website Pages Not Optimized
SEO is the service to optimize. It is about optimizing each page for content, keywords, meta data, and much more. Optimized site pages perform better in search engines and results. Retail sites especially have product pages that must be optimized to be properly indexed in search results. An ongoing Search Engine Optimization campaign ensures best results.
6. Low Quality Product Images
Product photos and images matter for retail website conversion. The higher the quality of images and photos, the better the chances and a sale. Brands should avoid using cheap, low quality images and photos. Low resolution and unprofessional product photography harms conversion rates.
7. Live Chat Feature Not Available
The ability to chat with someone is a great feature on e-commerce websites. Retailers can improve customer service, sales, and customer loyalty. Live chat features improve communication. It can increase conversion by up to 40 percent.
