Here is Your Checklist to a Successful Online Store!

Why You Need an Online Store

Retail e-commerce sales will reach $4.9 trillion in 2021! You simply HAVE TO BE PART of this booming marketplace!

Generating maximum revenue

24/7

365

globally

is very important to grow your business.

No physical, brick and mortar retailer can do this! Brick and mortar stores are limited to specific trading hours. A physical store generally draw customers within a certain radius to where the store is located. Also, consider the cost of premises rental, staff salaries and more. The online store option will come out more cost effective time and time again!

Adding an online store to improve sales is a no brainer!

Some companies don’t even have a physical store, they solely SELL ONLINE!

These are standard tools, features and components:

Domain
Web Host
- SSL certificate
- Online security
- Storage space and Back-up services
e-Commerce Builder, website Builder or Plugin to your existing website

Choose a site builder or plugin that:

Proves to be widely popular
Offers technical support
Is user friendly for yourself and the customer
Allows you to grow should your product range diversify

These are e-Commerce specific tools, features and components:

A Product Gallery
Easy Payment Options
Mobile Friendly Store
Marketing Your Online Store

A Product Gallery

Product Pages is the foundation of any online store. It is what the customer will rely on when make a decision to purchase. Great product galleries need to offer high quality pictures or graphics. A 360 degree view of the item for sales is first prize. Add detailed information about the product on offer. Colour options, sizes, technical information, instructions and availability. What are the selling points – free shipping, discounts, deals? Including reviews from customers are a great way to foster trust in your products. Offer shortcuts, such as an option to immediately add the product to the shopping cart. This makes the buying process easier. Be careful not to make it look too cluttered.

WP Product Gallery Lite is a great example!

Easy Payment Options

Accepting all possible payment options is first prize! Safe and secure transacting will be top of mind for the customer. Make the payment process quick and easy! Do NOT ask the customer to open an account before the purchase process is completed. Research shows that most online purchases are abandoned as soon as there is a prompt to open an account. If shipping / delivery is not free, make sure you are open and honest about the fees upfront. For customer peace of mind, offer a tracking system, email notification and easy purchase editing options. A currency switcher is also very important if you are selling globally!

WordPress PayPal is one of the most used payment systems worldwide!

Mobile Friendly – Why?

By 2021 mobile shopping will dominate almost 73% of the e-commerce market. The convenience and simplicity of mobile devices and apps offers us just about everything conceivable within a couple of clicks! We search and compare products. Read customer reviews. Share to social media accounts. Make purchases. It is all available at our finger tips on our mobile devices. The best way to reach potential customers and bringing in revenue for your business, is through mobile devices!

WordPress.org offers a variety of mobile friendly e-commerce options to choose from.

Marketing Your Online Store

Marketing an online store may differ from business to business. It is influenced by the industry and the unique market targeted. However, there are proven and trusted marketing principles that suit just about every business that you can learn from. Almost all include using social media platforms and email marketing. Organic (free) social media posts and paid for advertising, is used by just about every marketer. From offering in-depth content about a product to incorporating call to action buttons, both social media and email contact with your current and future customers is a great way to market your online store!

The e-Commerce industry is changing all the time and will most likely continue to grow rapidly. Make sure you stay on top of new trends to ensure the user experience continues to satisfy your customers.