There’s no denying how the e-commerce industry has been booming in recent years. But the COVID-19 crisis has further amplified its demand and value. In fact, e-commerce sales have spiked due to the pandemic restrictions. It appears that the future of the industry is bright and promising.
As such, you should consider growing your online business during this pandemic. Fret not, as you don’t have to expand your store physically, hire some people, and invest in tools, equipment, and other resources. You can do almost everything online, from updating your e-commerce website to investing in digital technologies to reaching out to potential customers.
That said, here’s how to boost and grow your online business:
1. Study your industry and hit the market
Studying your industry doesn’t only come before launching a business. It must be a continuous effort to check the market demand and your business’s relevancy. For instance, consider the COVID-19 crisis where some industries have flourished while others have struggled. It’s good that e-commerce has thrived amid the pandemic. However, make sure you cater to the needs of your target consumers. Create valuable products and hit the market!
2. Identify your niche and have a Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
It’s best to go as specific as possible with your niche for your online business. Why? You don’t want your business and products to look the same as that of your competitors. Chances are, you will be competing for the same market. The best course of action is to stand out in a sea of digital competition. That’s where having a unique selling proposition (USP) comes into the picture. It doesn’t necessarily entail creating new products but having a distinct brand. Doing so will set your e-commerce business apart from the rest.
3. Update your website with the UX in mind
E-commerce businesses don’t have physical stores to maintain. Your regular and potential customers don’t have to drop by your store and check your products. They can do this via your digital platform – your website. As such, update your site with the user experience (UX) in mind. Not only does it have to be aesthetically appealing, but it also has to be highly functional for your online visitors. Plus, don’t forget to make it as mobile-friendly as possible. With a solid e-commerce website, visitors will have a great experience, thereby turning into actual customers.
4. Implement e-commerce SEO for online visibility and website traffic
Aside from updating your e-commerce website, you must also consider its online visibility and website traffic. What good is an online store with an excellent UX if your customers won’t find you online in the first place? That’s when search engine optimization (SEO) becomes extremely important. That said, optimize your site, produce relevant content, and create links to boost your SEO campaign. If you don’t know how to proceed, you can go as far as hiring an e-commerce SEO agency. With a successful implementation, expect your website to earn a good ranking in SERP, thus driving more and more users to your website.
5. Harness the power of content for customer engagement
As an online business, you don’t instantly win customers. You attract them first. That’s where content marketing comes into play. The idea is to create and publish relevant content pieces that resonate well with your target consumers. These can be valuable articles, product images, and promotional video clips. As such, it’s best to start a blog on your website. Not only will this help with your on-page SEO, but it will also attract customers, boost your engagement, generate leads, and even convert sales.
6. Take advantage of social media channels
As an online business, you may feel secure having an e-commerce website. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you can now take social media for granted. Remember that these channels are where people live and breathe. It means that these powerful digital platforms are where your target consumers reside. For this reason, stay active on social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Ultimately, your social media commerce can translate into customer engagement, lead generation, and sales conversion.
7. Don’t forget to employ email marketing
The last on the list is email marketing, a proven-and-tested way to reach out to customers. In fact, Forbes considered email marketing a powerful tool in business. If you want to win customers, start sending promotional emails. You can target two markets: your regular and potential customers. For old customers, continue to update them about your products through personalized emails. However, perform research to identify your prospective customers and generate qualified leads. From there, send these prospects promotional emails.
At this point, you now know what it takes to boost and grow your online business. Consider the growth strategies recommended above, from studying your industry and hitting the market to taking advantage of social media channels and even the use of mails. Remember that it takes deliberate decisions and robust actions to boost your profit and grow your online business. Ultimately, all your efforts coupled with hard work will pay off in the long run.
