Understanding how an online store works and understanding that it demands the same responsibilities as a physical establishment can determine the success or failure of the venture!
Thinking about opening an online business is common these days, after all, everyone is connected and wants the conveniences that the internet offers in the palm of their hand and with just a few clicks. However, having an online store is not simply setting up a website and crossing your fingers and arms in the hope that customers will fall from the sky.
An online store requires as much responsibility, care and dedication as a physical store. It is important to understand that, to be successful in the online world, you need to dedicate yourself, understand and follow every detail of the online sales mechanism and work daily with focus and determination.
Anyone who dreams of having an online business needs, first of all, to learn how this mechanism works, what maintenance and attention they should have on a daily basis and, of course, invest in a lot of advertising, knowledge and a good online store platform .
Let’s learn more about how an online store works, from its structure to how to promote it online?
Let’s go!
An online store is not a website, it is a store!
The first mistake many people make when they decide to open an online store is to treat it like a regular website. An online store is not just belarus phone number list a website that sells products! An online store does not work on its own. It is necessary to invest time and effort in managing the various areas of the business, such as: inventory control, product photography and videos, keeping the platform updated, customer service, shipping goods, and a series of other “details”.
So, take note of the 5 essential items to take into account when opening an online store!
1. Have collaborators
Another mistake is to think that one person can handle everything. That’s not possible! You need someone to take care of the inventory and high-performance onboarding: the formula for success update the store, someone to answer questions and provide quick and accurate support about products, payment methods and delivery, someone to manage social media and advertising and, of course, someone to take care of the company’s finances.
An online store is a business! It needs to be managed as such, with good employees who understand how everything works online. This is to streamline the sales and after-sales process. Therefore, it is highly recommended to have employees to organize the work and take care of the following sectors:
- Financial/administrative;
- Purchasing and inventory;
- Communication and marketing;
- Logistics;
- SAC (Customer Service).
Can a person perform two or more functions? Yes, they can. But care must be taken not to become overloaded with work and, as a result, compromise the whole.
2. Have good technical support
Working on the internet requires technical knowledge about how everything works online. An online store cannot crash in the middle of a purchase, for example. If this happens, your customer’s shopping cart will be abandoned and they andorra business directory will think twice before shopping with you again.
Therefore, having a good hosting service that offers technical support to take care of and resolve any errors that may arise along the way is basic and fundamental. Such a company needs to offer a package of services that guarantee your peace of mind and secure access to the store.
Próxima Web’s hosting plans are different because of the technical maintenance of the hosted systems, which is essential to keep the pages always fully operational and with optimized performance.
3. Invest in online store marketing
It’s not that an online store doesn’t have a storefront, it does, but for people to be able to “pass by” it online, it needs to be advertised. But how do you advertise an online store? A good strategy, for example, could be to use social media in an intelligent and professional way.
This means creating exclusive profiles for online commerce. You can’t mix personal and professional accounts, okay? In the store itself – in the footer – it’s important to make the links visible so that consumers can follow the store on social media.
This turns Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest into a true virtual showcase for your store. It is important to publish good photos of your products and create creative and eye-catching captions, making these resources a direct channel to your audience.
Golden tip: an online store cannot hide prices! There is nothing worse for an online consumer than being interested in something and not knowing the price of the item and having to “call the inbox”. Whenever possible, use direct links to redirect the consumer to the online store.
Oh, using email marketing with promotions, news and inviting the consumer to return to the store is also a good digital marketing strategy!
4. Focus on service quality and customer service
Products should be stored in a way that prevents them from getting dusty, creased, etc. A well-organized stock makes it easier to sell and control the “incoming and outgoing” of merchandise.
If possible, it is a good idea to personalize the packaging of your products and it is essential to take care and attention to detail to ensure that the parts are not damaged or damaged. This attracts attention and makes all the difference to the recipient.
An online store does not allow personal contact with the consumer and these small details and care count positively, as they demonstrate attention, even from a distance.
The delivery method is another point that deserves to be highlighted in an online store. In addition to the Post Office, you can offer other shipping methods, using, for example. The Melhor Envio service . And, in the case of customers who live in the same city or nearby cities, you can offer the option of picking up in person or delivery by motorcycle courier.
5. Get closer to your customers
Always being available, responding quickly. Answering questions, addressing them by name and making them feel truly unique is important for a good relationship with the customer and makes all the difference.
This is what we call end-consumer loyalty. People don’t just want to buy for the sake of buying. They’re looking for a great experience and need to feel safe when providing their personal information in an online store.