In 1995 the first item was ordered online from Amazon – a book.
Around 20 years later, the e-commerce industry generated over $ 2 trillion in sales worldwide. At this point, there is no going back.
E-commerce has revolutionized the retail industry. It has evolved to meet people’s changing needs and make it easier for today’s customers to shop online. When it started, e-commerce was pretty limited in what it could do. However, this is no longer the case. Whether it is an adaptation to customer requirements, easier returns, or improved integration – all of these changes (along with countless others) have taken the world of e-commerce by storm. The year 2021 will continue to change the world of e-commerce.
So, if you are still in doubt about the future of e-commerce, these e-commerce trends will prove to you that e-commerce is not only growing fast but going to stay. You too can use these developments for your business to ensure the steady growth of your online shop.
To take your e-commerce business to the next level, you should take advantage of these new tips to achieve maximum sales.
Increasing Online Sales of Products with Messaging
At Promact, we believe that it is inconceivable to converse with customers of the 2020s with tools of the 1990s. The indication sent by consumers is clear too – you just have to pick it up. The most popular and prominent instant messengers accumulate billions of users. Your target audience most likely uses WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or WeChat daily. This observation translates into enormous business challenges:
- 70% of consumers prefer to contact brands by instant messaging (Messenger, WhatsApp, or Internet Chat) rather than by phone;
- 55% of customers say they are “more connected” to brands that can be reached via instant messaging;
- 63% of them intend to use instant messaging more to contact brands;
- Better still: more than 59% of consumers intend to use instant messaging or internet chat to make their purchases.
As you might have understood, messaging is no longer a simple vector of communication between individuals. It is also becoming an internet marketing opportunity. It has gradually established itself as the hub of e-commerce to sell its products on the web. Thus, by adopting it, you are simply responding to a need explicitly formulated by consumers. All you have to do is stoop to reap the benefits of this decision!
40% of consumers made their first online purchase via messaging
By communicating with your customers via their favorite instant messaging system, you put them in the best possible position to complete their purchase on the web. You will find them in their comfort zone, where they are more receptive to your message. You’ll also save them the frustration of waiting. By being responsive and easily reachable, you give the image of a reliable brand ready to solve the problems of its customers.
FOMO to Boost your Product Sales
The Fear of Missing Out, or “FOMO” is a social phenomenon that has grown with the digitalization of consumer habits. It describes the angst consumers feel about missing out on a good deal. For companies, FOMO is a powerful generator of sales. But to trigger it, you’ll have to tap into cognitive marketing, with just the right amount of daring to hit the mark with your customers. So how do you increase online sales with FOMO?
Here are some avenues to explore.
Create with a sense of scarcity on the web
It is scarcity that causes this anxiety to miss out on a coveted product or service. To do this, you can bet on:
- The sales Flash product, classic but effective on the internet. It is about offering a product with a discount valid for a few minutes, hours, or days. The countdown will be responsible for conveying the sense of urgency and therefore the FOMO.
- If you are marketing goods (not services), clearly display the number of products remaining. Booking is an example to follow in this area. The site displays not only the offers still available but also the number of reservations, the presence of several Internet users on the same page as you, etc.
- Pop-ups with an offer to grab immediately, in seconds. Use this technique wisely so as not to harm the user experience. Note that the pop-ups show, on average, a conversion rate of 3.1%.
Activity notifications on your website
Notify all users of your site when a customer places an order for one or more items. This notification icon is a small box that appears at the bottom right of the screen. Typically, it informs that user X has just purchased the ABC model. This is called social proof, an interesting technique to boost your online sales of its articles. Your customers will be reassured by sending this content, and some will buy to seek a sense of belonging. You can also display positive customer reviews on the home page and at the bottom of your website’s product pages. The content is, indeed, very important!
Also, offer your products on social networks!
Complete the messaging with a broadcast on social networks! Bring more traffic to your site by exploiting a new way to attract your customers. Instagram is the ideal platform to present your fashion articles, for example. Advertise it, give your wise advice. Create a real brand image that will appeal to visitors. This marketing technique will inevitably allow you to increase the online sales of your business!
Client Retention
To increase your sales, whether online or at a physical point of sale like a store, loyalty will be the shortest route. Not convinced? Here are some eloquent figures that will undoubtedly change your mind:
- According to a study by Harvard, an increase in customer retention of 5% can boost revenue by 95%;
- Existing customers are 50% more likely to try your new products;
- Existing customers spend, on average, 31% more than new ones (per transaction);
- The probability of selling to an existing customer is between 60 and 70%, compared to 5 to 20% for a new customer.
It is therefore not necessarily a technique, but rather awareness. Unless you are in the start-up phase, you would benefit from focusing on your existing customers. Retaining them means making a giant leap towards prosperity for the sale of items both online and in stores! Be proactive, personalize the service provided and brief your teams. Training may even be required. Don’t skimp on commercial gestures and rewards. It’s an unstoppable strategy!
Provide Smooth Navigation to your Visitors
Your website must also be ergonomic, intuitive, and pleasant. As in a physical store, delivering the best possible customer journey is essential. To improve your conversion rate, shopping should seem easy and obvious.
Whether the user is browsing on their desktop, smartphone, or tablet, the result should be the same, a positive and seamless experience. Because in addition to allowing loyalty and conversion, you will be judged positively by search engines like Google, which today take into account the reliability of your navigation.
Get your eCommerce shop designed by Promact and this streamlined navigation will be adapted to your interface: all our designs are responsive and the AMP format allows you to take advantage of a dedicated mobile layout for category pages, product sheets, and the blog. And everything is included in your solution! Your graphic charter adapts for an always optimal result. Problems you don’t have to worry about!
Display your General Conditions of Sale
Finally, to prove your seriousness to your customers and be transparent with them, post your general conditions of sale on your site and be clear on certain crucial points such as delivery, returns, or refund conditions.
Many Internet users do not turn into buyers because they are not sure of the return policy of a merchant site. Make this step easy for your prospects to ensure additional sales and customer loyalty.
To Conclude
Through these various tips, your online store will be optimized so as to never lose the link between a customer and your business. Responsiveness, efficiency, availability, and professionalism will bring your e-shop to success.
At Promact, we offer to support you in all stages of your digital transformation journey. Ready for the adventure? Get in touch now!
