7-tips-to-boost-ecommerce-store-salesOperating your own eCommerce store can be a challenge at times. It takes dedication, an eye for details and an intuitive approach to marketing.

However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when attempting to boost your sales. In this post, I’m going to cover seven tips that will change the way you do business online.

1. Optimize your store for organic search (SEO)

It’s not enough to offer start a website and quality products. You must also be aware of search engine optimization.

This is the process that will make your website more visible in the search engines. Choose a keyword that your customer is most likely to type into the search engine when looking for what you offer and then use this term casually (and naturally) throughout your store.

Make sure your page titles are short and concise and don’t stuff them with keywords. Your url should also contain your main keyword and be straightforward. It’s also very important that your images contain the proper alt information.

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2. Ensure your pages load quickly

It’s important to remember that your average visitor will only wait a few seconds for your page to load until they exit out of the window.

That’s why you should avoid using elements that take too much time to load. Whenever possible, try to use JPEG image files because they take up less space than PNG.

You should make sure to enable HTTP compression on your server. Don’t get too flashy with Flash. You should also consider recoding the page if the current code is too bulky.

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Note: check out Google’s free tool to understand how your website is performing: https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/

3. Optimize your shopping cart and checkout process

Okay, so you have convinced your visitor to buy your product or service. Your job is done, right?

Wrong. There’s still the matter of creating a friendly shopping cart and checkout process.

The goal is to make the process smooth, quick and simple.

  • Never ask the buyer to provide you with more information than absolutely necessary
  • Don’t create distractions by offering extras or special deals on the same page as check out
  • Make sure the customer is fully aware of what they’re buying and that your shopping cart has a quantity feature in order to avoid duplicate purchases.

Note: we recommend Shopify Plus as an all inclusive ecommerce solution: https://www.shopify.com/plus/features

4. Create a blog to drive additional traffic

Getting the traffic is only half the battle. The rest is actually keeping them there.

Not only do you need a steady flow of traffic, but you also need repeat visitors. One of the best ways to secure a loyal following is to offer a blog.

A blog can help to establish you as an authority in your field. So take the time to compose a couple of articles each week that relate to your products and services and post them on to your website.

Note: we recommend integrating WordPress as your blogging solution: https://wordpress.org

5. Connect with bloggers and social media influences

It’s important to remember that the internet is not an island – it’s a community.

This means that you should get to know your neighbors. Form an alliance with those in your niche and find out what they offer.

They can be excellent sources of information and you can also increase your audience by offering to guess blog on their website and vice versa.

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6. Dress up your product pages

When putting the finishing touches on your website, pay close attention to your product page.

The way your product page looks is just as important as the quality of the product or service you offer. Make sure that your images are sharp and crisp. Don’t make your product descriptions generic–tell a small story.

Offer a product review feature. You should also consider offering a money back guarantee so as to make your visitors feel more comfortable.

7. Take advantage of upsell opportunities

The best salesman knows that sometimes the primary sale is not what brings in the most money; sometimes it’s all of the extras.

That’s why taking the time to offer a few extras, upgrades or accessories along the way is a great way to increase your revenue.

This works out for the customer because they feel as if they are being treated to a luxury. Though it never hurts to ask, you should remember not to be too pushy.

Closing

As we continue to evolve (as humans), more business is being done online. If you’re not already selling online, here’s your wake up call…DO IT NOW!

If you’re already selling online, use these 7 tips to help stay ahead in the increasingly competitive ecommerce space.