Ecommerce & Online Shops: Getting the Fundamentals Right

With the proliferation of e-commerce, it might seem like anyone could open an online store. The truth is that while the technology is available and accessible to nearly everyone, running a successful e-commerce business requires more than slapping a website template together and declaring yourself open for business.

The good news is that with the right fundamentals in place, you can establish and operate a successful online store—whether you have a physical retail business you’d like to expand online, or you’re interested in full e-commerce. Here’s what you need to succeed at selling online.

Early insight into your market

Planning and preparation are vital to e-commerce success. Market research will help you determine who your target audience is, where you can find them online, and what they expect from an online shopping experience. Knowing your own e-commerce preferences is not sufficient—you must understand what your customers want, and design your online store to meet those requirements.

A great layout and web design

The look and feel of your website is just as important as the atmosphere of a physical store. In order to attract customers to your site and keep them shopping there, you need an impressive presentation. It’s important to have a professionally designed website with content and images that create an emotional connection with visitors and make them feel like buying.

In addition to the overall design, your e-commerce website must also accommodate the viewing needs of your visitors, who may be accessing your site on a PC, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Responsive design allows your website to render correctly according to the device it’s being viewed on—otherwise, your visitors will click away to a site they can use with their device of choice.

Compelling product images and descriptions

In an e-commerce environment, shoppers are unable to pick up, inspect, or try out your products. You have to rely entirely on your images and descriptions to sell your offerings—and that means getting it right from the start.

Poor product images make your e-commerce store look amateur and untrustworthy. And even if you have great images, product descriptions that are boring, flat, incomplete, or badly worded will keep shoppers from buying. You need professional quality images and vibrant, informative descriptions to transition your online visitors from browsers to paying customers.

Fast and responsive customer service

In a physical store, customers can find employees to help them and answer their questions. Successful e-commerce stores will offer the same level of customer service, with features like live chat to provide instant answers for customer questions, a telephone customer service line for problems or issues that require swift resolution, and responsive email support that keeps customers informed through every step of the process—from order placement to follow-up satisfaction surveys.

Informatix is here for your e-commerce needs

At Informatix, we offer a range of services designed to help your online shop succeed—from market research and responsive web design, to images and web content, live chat solutions, telemarketing and customer service, email marketing platforms, and much more. Contact us to discuss your e-commerce vision, and take the first step toward online success!

 

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