From the time shoppers arrive on your site, we want them to be attracted to the homepage and be enticed to explore. From there, they can learn more about what we offer, add things to their cart, purchase, and become long term customers. A lot of time and effort is spent on tweaking and perfecting the homepage. This is understandable because it’s usually the first thing customers see. However, what actually leads to the sale is the item page; this is where customers learn about the product and choose to purchase. A blend of several factors makes up inspiring product pages, including the use of images, compelling content, reviews, and overall usability. Read More
Writing Compelling Content for B2B E-Commerce
Compelling content helps attract the right kind of customer to your e-Commerce website. In order for it to draw your targeted audience in, it has to convey a lot of information on many different levels (about the product, your company, what they get out of it, and more). The content on your website has no limits. Engaged and informed customers will mean better sales results and more valuable relationships. But there are different approaches to reach your customer better with your content. Read More
Using Social Proof to Boost e-Commerce Revenue
Social proof is the term used to describe the evidence we look for regarding the use or experience of a particular product, service, or even the company as a whole. There are several reasons to incorporate it into any e-Commerce business with features like ratings and reviews or social media links. Ratings and reviews serve to attract customer attention, help to influence buying decisions, and provide feedback to improve and refine your business processes, customer service, and product.
What are other people saying?
Customers look for social proof from their peers when making buying decisions. They do this before buying to hear what others are saying or even after they have purchased their items to confirm that they made a good purchase. They have the chance to connect with other customers. It also provides businesses with the opportunity to learn of any issues (if any). Read More
Increasing Mobile Conversion for B2B e-Commerce
Customer conversion is an ongoing challenge for e-Commerce merchant, but what happens when you enter mobile commerce to the mix? It makes the issue more complex. While customers are increasingly turning to mobile for their shopping needs and more companies are making their websites mobile-friendly, it does not always result in a sale from that particular device. As a solution, it’s easy to say you need to go responsive for your webshop. Responsive Design allows you to maintain consistency throughout multiple platforms so you can be where your customers are and remain competitive. But it’s important to understand customer behaviour and trends regarding e-Commerce and mobile and how it can affect overall impression and experience of your website. Read More
Delighting the Customer vs Decreasing Problems in B2B eCommerce
As individuals or businesses, we all look to improve. In e-Commerce, this could mean making business processes more efficient or improving customer experience in various ways, from simplifying product search to providing even more relevant information. However, sometimes efforts to improve could be taken for granted by the customer; the more above and beyond customer expectations we go, the more it becomes the new standard. While improving by adding more features and options to the online shopping experience to meet high expectations is something we should always do, decreasing problems may have a bigger and longer lasting impact. Read More
Battle of the Checkout Portals
Hooray! Your customers have loaded up their shopping carts and are ready to check out. Their overall shopping experience has been smooth and pleasant so far. But when there is a jarring break from cart to checkout, the disconnect could mean a lost and an unhappy customer. Is it better to have customers as a guest, making it as painless as possible? Should you require them to sign in? It’s an important part of the process that can prevent customers from buying your product. Read More
Amazon Might be Goliath, But Your Online Business Can Be David
Malcolm Gladwell’s newest book, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants is a fascinating look at how the underdog can win in business. Gladwell challenges us to think of different ways to battle the Giant.
The story of David and Goliath is an example of fighting your opponent in a different way than they are expecting. For example, Goliath is a 6 foot nine warrior covered in heavy armor that he expects will protect him in close combat. David, on the other hand, is not playing by Goliath’s rules. He dresses lightly for agility, is small of stature, and notices that there is one vulnerable spot on Goliath’s forehead not covered by armor.
David’s prior experience as a Shepherd helped him hone skills in slinging stones to protect his sheep from fierce predators like lions and bears. Gladwell states, “David and Goliath is a book about what happens when ordinary people confront giants.”
Courageous David slings his stones straight at Goliath’s one vulnerability, his forehead, and slays the Giant because Goliath didn’t expect it.
The book is packed with stories of people who faced huge challenges and were forced to respond. Their stories are similar to the fierce challenges that online retailers face when competing with Amazon.
Going International – Is Your B2B E-Commerce Solution Ready?
Globalization is an on-going challenge for businesses in international markets and e-Commerce adds another layer of complexity and more factors to consider. There is increased reach with the digitalization of the shopping experience, but customers still expect a consistent, though not identical, experience no matter where they are in the world and no matter what device they use. Adapting to different cultures, audiences, trends, local currencies, and holidays takes some finesse, experience, and technical expertise to pull it off gracefully and seamlessly. Read More
Does “Out of Stock” mean Out of Luck for Customers?
It doesn’t have to be! This is a very frustrating situation for e-Commerce merchants or retailers of any kind. You managed to get the customer all the way through the hoops, they want the product, but alas, it’s out of stock. You may have lost another customer. Sometimes the “out of stock” situation is dealt with taking the customer’s order regardless. However, as not all e-Commerce solutions have reliable integration, it’s not immediately seen that the item is out of stock. This ends up disappointing the customer when orders are ultimately left unfulfilled. If you do nothing and send it to them when it comes back in stock with no communications whatsoever, you can still end up with unhappy customers because deliveries are incredibly delayed. What are ways to salvage this sale when you have “out of stock” items on your website?
This or That? – Product Comparison in e-Commerce
Customers want to be sure they’re getting the right item, the best deal. How do they achieve this? By comparing their options! Part of a good shopping experience is aiding the decision making process for customers. Great content, enticing coupons, and user ratings and reviews can influence a customer to buy. But if they have to only choose one instead of the many you offer, we need to continue the efforts of improving the decision making process. Read More