When starting to retail products online, it can get complex and overwhelming quickly. There is so much to cover and get done properly to be able to have a chance at success. It often helps to get help through consulting services to have professionals and experts on your side. Consultants can give advise and offer insights.
The online retail industry can be a lucrative industry, but also challenging given what industry is the target market. Type of products sold online will also dictate the competitiveness. As a new startup, a brand starts from the beginning. Therefore, much has to get done. To help, here are several great online retail startup tips.
Online Retail Startup Tips
Understand what role Google plays.
Many retail startups do not fully understand the entire role Google will play, in regards to online retail. Google has a host of tools, products directory, paid ads, Search Engine Optimization for their search engine, YouTube, and so on. Google is a vital partner for online retailing. Around 90% of people start their Internet experience with a search. Google owns around 80% of the search market.
Simplify the entire checkout process.
Shopping cart abandonment is a big problem with online retailing. The average shopping cart abandonment is about 65%, which is very high. There are many things retailers can do to lower this percentage. Simplifying the checkout is a main optimization to reduce dropout and increase online sales.
Offer plenty of customer service.
Since the consumer cannot touch and feel the products, it is important to provide plenty of customer service. Online shoppers tend to hesitate with new websites. They study the website design, online store, and customer reviews first. Retailers should display toll free numbers on top of the site, offer chat and other customer service options.
Give incentives to promote sales.
Online shoppers want deals. It is one of the main reasons why people shop online aside from convenience. Retailers that want to succeed with online retail must give incentives to promote sales. Incentives can be such things as free shipping, discounts, packaged deals, seasonal deals, buy one get another free or half off, etc. Retail brands should offer frequently incentives to promote sales.
To get professional help, retailers can as well work with digital agencies and marketing companies. Marketing services by agencies with enough e-commerce experience can quickly help retailers with online sales.
