In modern times, online shopping has been a big revelation for consumers. E-commerce has changed buying trends across the world, made shopping easier, and has made global trade even easier. This convenience has evolved manifold in the last decade. It started out with buying apparel and big industrial purchases and has now grown to a point where you can order even groceries and fresh produce online.
In the post-COVID-19 era, E-commerce has seen an even bigger boom; a growth of about 129%. Forcing buyers to shop online because of the impending threat of infection due to social interaction has made it more fruitful for online businesses.
Boomers have been made to shop online for this period. People from the older days who have been habitual of buying products that they can see, touch, and feel for themselves have had to try out online shopping. Most of them have let go of their rigid beliefs and realize how E-commerce is the way to go!
This shift in trend has created a wider base of recurring customers, which grow larger every day. There are many moving pieces in setting up a successful online business. You cannot just have half a model ready, upload a few products, and expect the money to start flowing in. So let’s take a look at 2 ways with which you can start, build, and thrive with your E-commerce business!
1. Put the “Custom” in Customer!
One big shift in buying patterns is customization. Online businesses have so many advantages when it comes to how they show off their products. Modern online marketing methods have made it possible to connect sellers and buyers more efficiently than ever.
Targeted ads to the specific demographic based on previous purchasing history, personal data, search patterns, and other tedious data like that have made a personalized buying experience of the highest quality possible.
This is better than relying on a salesperson to do your product’s bidding and trying to “feel” out a customer and figure out what they want to buy. The data that you can possibly collect on your customer base, allows you to market your products in a more relevant way, based on an individual’s taste, preference, and style.
Many online apparels and accessory stores have the option of delivering custom-designed goods of all types. This has been a great way for people to change how they express themselves and their personality, making it another great way to be in business. The sentimental response that comes from such a personalized buying experience increases your ROI for marketing and in turn, gives you a loyal customer!
2. Social Media Influencers, Endorsements, and Social Media
Celebrity endorsements can give your products more credibility. This makes for a vital campaigning experience that can really boost your sales. Celebrities don’t have to be expensive even! Nowadays, we have social media influencers that thrive on endorsing products and boosting the presence. Influencer Marketing is the way to go for the future!
Social media platforms these days are full of individuals who have the talent to appeal to a large number of people with their engaging online content. Such influencers have an immediate impact on buying patterns of their audience. This segues perfectly into the next point; Social Media Marketing!
Facebook Ads is a targeting tool that gives you the power to find and appeal to the perfect customer, which would never have been possible for a regular brick-and-mortar store.
Using the power of Facebook Ads to place adverts in people’s social media feed while they’re just casually browsing the internet, sometimes makes them think about buying the product and take that first step.
This is different compared to, say, Google Ads. These search engine-specific Ad campaigns target customers who are already actively looking to buy something specific.
E-commerce businesses have the most to gain from the powers of Social Media Marketing and Advertising. They can take users directly to a check-out page where they are in a strong position to be converted. Even if they change their mind, you as the seller will have the data of people who almost bought from you, so that you can target better to this already warm audience.
In conclusion, if you’re thinking about starting a business that sells products that can be shipped to customers anywhere, you are probably better off with an E-commerce setup. It is cost-effective, has a wider reach, and has more branding and marketing options to spread the word! You can even make it work for an already active physical store. It would just expand your reach and give wheels to your business’ growth!
For further information on E-commerce Marketing, you may contact us or visit our website www.bmconsulting.in
**********This blog is compiled by Divyanshu Gupta*********