As lockdown forced us to change many of our shopping habits almost overnight in 2020, e-commerce has boomed in the intervening period.
Even before COVID-19, the UK had the most developed ecommerce market in all of Europe – with figures that encompass the pandemic likely to see further increases in online revenues.
If you’ve struck up a great business idea, or you want to take a bricks-and-mortar business into the online realm, there are a few things to consider as you get started.
Covering your goods in transit
If you sell products or utilise tools to provide a service, your business relies on them withstanding journeys without becoming damaged and unusable.
Especially important for retail businesses, a strong courier insurance policy will protect you if the worst were to happen while your items are being shipped.
Goods arriving damaged can be costly as you will need to process a return or refund, however, this also offers you an opportunity to build customer rapport and secure positive reviews for your business.
By being attentive to your customer’s needs and solving problems swiftly and satisfactorily, they are much more likely to recommend you and your business.
This word of mouth is crucial for any start-up. Studies show that online customer reviews are among the most trusted sources of information about a brand.
Create a personalised experience
As your business operates online, you can tailor how users interact with your offering to suit them.
If they’re a new customer, offering a welcome bonus – a gift or a discount – can create an immediate affinity and make them more likely to return in the future.
Retaining loyal brand ambassadors is also crucial and reward schemes are a great way to foster these relationships.
From the simple and basic, like a stamped card at a coffee house, to the technical and complex, like a points scheme that unlocks different benefits the more a customer shops with you – earning that repeat business can help take your company to new heights.
Invest in SEO
You’re browsing for something online, or somebody mentions a product that you might be interested in – what’s the first thing you do?
Likely head to a search engine and see what results come up, right?
You can also use this to you and your business’s advantage by investing in search engine optimisation (SEO). Whether you look to do it yourself or hire an agency to help you, online visibility can bring customers directly to you – without the need for you to necessarily reach out to them!
This organic way of building a business can pay off big time in the long run as you climb the rankings and see more and more people find exactly what they are searching for with you.
