By the year 2023, eCommerce sales in the United States are going to be over $735 billion. Some newcomers to the world of online shopping fail to realize just how competitive this market can be. The key to having success with a new online store is finding a niche and a brand voice.
Each year, thousands of new online stores open without anyone taking notice. This is partly caused by the owner’s lack of knowledge. When trying to figure out how to properly structure and promote your own online store, you need to take a look at what eCommerce giants like Amazon are doing.
The following are some of the things you can learn from eCommerce giants that can help you with your own online store.
Table of Contents
- 1. Loading Times are Extremely Important
- 2. Offer Around the Clock Customer Service
- 3. User Experience is Not One-Size-Fits-All
- 4. Don’t Forget About an Onsite Search Feature
- 5. Ongoing Testing is a Must
- 6. Sending Out Order Confirmation Emails
- 7. Provide Your Audience With Social Proof
- Ecommerce Growth Takes Time
1. Loading Times are Extremely Important
A recent study by Amazon found that for every 100ms it took for a page to load, there will almost a 1 percent decorate in sales. Modern consumers are in a hurry and need the websites they are using to load fast. If your online store is loading slowly, you have to find a way to fix it before it drives away potential customers.
Using free tools like WebPageTest is a great way to see how quickly your page is loading. If there are issues, you need to look at things like the size of your image files, your hosting provider, and even the code on your website. Learning Java basics is the best way for you to find and fix coding issues that may be slowing your website down.
2. Offer Around the Clock Customer Service
Unlike brick and mortar stores, online stores need to be opened 24/7. There is no way to predict when a potential customer with stumble on your website, which is why providing around the clock customer service is a must.
One of the best ways to accomplish this goal is by taking advantage of chatbot software. This AI-infused software allows business owners to answer questions consumers may have, regardless of what time of day it is. By providing consistent customer service, attracting new customers will be much easier.
Also read: How To Keep Your eCommerce Company on Message
3. User Experience is Not One-Size-Fits-All
One of the first things you will notice about the Amazon homepage is that it is customized for the user. When signed into your Amazon account, your homepage will reflect the recent searches and purchases you have made.
Finding ways to personalize the user experience on your online store is essential when trying to create loyal customers. Using technology that offers product recommendations based on a person’s search history is a great way to personalize the user experience.
Also read: Easy-to-Employ eCommerce Design Trends
4. Don’t Forget About an Onsite Search Feature
When having your eCommerce website developed, you need to make sure simple features are in place. Some online business owners get so involved in making their website look unique and modern that they forget about basic features.
One of the most important basic features your online store needs is a search feature. Consumers don’t want to scroll through pages and pages of product listings. Allowing them to search for exactly what they need will increase the chance that they actually make a purchase.
5. Ongoing Testing is a Must
Having massive online success means that you can rest on your laurels, right? Wrong. Even large eCommerce juggernauts like Amazon look for ways to improve their website and customer experience. An online store should be an ever-changing organism.
The best way to figure out what changes need to be made to a website is by continually monitoring and testing the user experience. If you see that certain areas of your online store are not getting attention or are not providing results, don’t be afraid to start from scratch and redevelop them.
Also read: How To Use WordPress as an eCommerce Store
6. Sending Out Order Confirmation Emails
Sending out an email after a customer has purchased an item from your online store is about so much more than providing a receipt. This email should be filled with information about similar products on your website. Providing this information in a transactional email can help you increase your sales substantially and is a page right out of Amazon’s playbook.
7. Provide Your Audience With Social Proof
What is the first thing you look at on an Amazon product listing? Your answer is probably the reviews. Modern consumers painstakingly read the reviews on the products they are thinking of buying. Knowing about the experience other people have had with the product can make or break a sale. Providing your audience with social proof in the form of product reviews is essential when trying to increase the revenue generated from your online store.
Also read: How To Add Multiple Product Categories To WP eCommerce Plugin
Ecommerce Growth Takes Time
While implementing the tips in this article can help you grow your online store, it will take time. Instead of getting impatient and making mistakes, as a result, take the time to enjoy the view on your climb to the top.