Last Updated on 23/05/2021 by Deepak Singla
In 1995, today’s eCommerce giants, Amazon and eBay, were testing the waters of selling via online platforms. By the first quarter of 2000, a mere 0.8 percent of retail sales in the U.S. were a result of eCommerce. Twenty years later, that number has increased to 11.5 percent in the first quarter of 2020, pushing $600 billion, with expected growth rates in the coming years.
As the country becomes more dependent on technology and the spread of online shopping across
industries is perceived as commonplace, it’s no wonder why eCommerce is bound to grow. In conjunction
with increased online opportunities for buyers, the resources available for sellers with an online presence
have evolved, making eCommerce anyone’s game. Moreover, technologies gave us an opportunity not only
buy but also earn online. Even writers can find amazing jobs on websites like Writingjobz.com. However, to
succeed in this competitive environment, optimization is key. Potential buyers are seeking the sites with an
easy-to-use platform, detailed product descriptions and a seamless checkout process. Businesses failing to
live up to these standards may struggle to attract, or even lose, customers.
To prevent lost business, eCommerce companies can revitalize their sites with the right tools in place, making long-term results such as gaining loyal customers and generating profitability achievable. While this may seem like a huge undertaking, a little goes a long way, even in the online shopping domain. Willingness to make small changes now could grow your business in the future. Read here some tips for how to start an Online Business that Breeds Success
Run Your Online Shop Like a Pro
Given the growing demands for convenience, speed and quality among online consumers, businesses face increased pressure to deliver on these high expectations. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar stores, online sellers run the risk of losing a potential customer’s attention with just one click. However, building an optimized eCommerce site can help sellers avoid this scenario while retaining customers and securing sales.
This is where platforms such as Shopify come in. For anyone with an online business, Shopify offers a suite of comprehensive solutions, fit to assist businesses of every type and size. From finding the perfect theme for your online store to instantly managing your inventory to analyzing data about sales, orders and traffic, the many avenues associated with running an eCommerce business converge on this platform.
To increase sales, potential customers first need to find your site. Shopify’s marketing and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) capabilities are designed to help you do just that. A 2018 study by Google revealed that 63 percent of shopping occasions begin online, indicating consumers are doing their research. Under such conditions, implementing an SEO strategy that increases your site’s visibility is crucial. While Shopify can simplify the setup, there is still a lot to learn if you want to achieve expert status. Following PixelCutLabs’ Comprehensive Guide to Shopify SEO is a good place to start or continue learning.
Combat Common Challenges with a Customized Approach to SEO
For most new business Ideas, their first hurdle is establishing visibility online. The ease at which consumers can use search engines to input exactly what they are looking for means sellers should focus on putting an SEO strategy in place that will reap recognition. In today’s competitive eCommerce space, identifying a target audience is an important first step. Building a subsequent SEO strategy to cater to this audience will inform your approach to sitemaps, keyword research and linking, among other best practices you can read about in the comprehensive guide. Creating a site that frequently pops up in consumers’ search results lays the foundation for future sales.
Despite best efforts to create an attractive and highly visible site, companies still face the barrier of low conversion rates. In the U.S., research in 2020 suggests an average eCommerce website conversion rate of 2.63 percent, while the global rate stands at an average of approximately 4.31 percent. For companies wanting to improve these statistics for their own site, optimizing content through SEO is the best bet. With the use of strategies such as localization, businesses can target certain areas where consumers are more likely to buy the product or service they are selling. Additionally, refining the user experience with various types of usability testing and optimizing content and social channels can all be part of a greater strategy to improve conversion rates.’
While conversion rates are generally low, customers tend to stick around once they are initially drawn in. Once again, optimized SEO can be the defining factor in delivering on the coveted goal of creating a loyal customer base, generating repeat business. When a customer has a positive experience on your site, they are likely to return, increasing the likelihood of sales. While SEO is nothing new among eCommerce companies, new business ideas, having a strong, customized strategy in place could make or break a business.
Find Your Marketing Sweet Spot with a Streamlined Solution
As a business owner, your attention is likely being pulled in various directions. However, setting clear objectives and understanding the steps you need to take to accomplish them will help you stay focused and ultimately produce long-term results. When it comes to marketing, the options can seem limitless. However, it’s important to remember that what works for one company won’t necessarily work for another. Thus, investing in a marketing mix tailored to your business is essential.
Rather than piecing together different techniques, the benefit of using a Digital Marketing agency is its ability to streamline the process. Between partnerships with Google and Facebook, social media integrations and a host of other marketing opportunities, eCommerce companies can experiment until they curate the perfect storm. What’s more, the platform has the resources to create and manage multiple campaigns while tracking results, all in one centralized platform. Under such circumstances, businesses can loosen up about concerns of spending too much money and time on marketing.
While running ads or debuting new posts on social media can be exciting, SEO should still be active in the background. As campaigns can bring instant attention to your brand, SEO paves the way for long-term results. Regardless of what your current site looks like, the many available resources can continue to improve your search engine strategies and help you adapt to industry changes as they develop. Getting a head start on SEO now can save time later.
Secure your Spot in the eCommerce Space
No matter who you are or what kind of business you are pursuing, an optimized online presence is becoming more and more vital. In a world where eCommerce is anyone’s game, utilizing the right resources will likely increase your chances of success. While your site won’t appear out of thin air or receive an overnight makeover, investing in supportive tools and implementing key strategies will pay off over time.
Most of all, SEO will continue to evolve and staying up to date on those changes could make all the difference. As technology constantly progresses, a strategy from ten years ago would most likely flop today. To prevent an outdated approach, staying in the know is crucial. If you need help getting started or could use a refresher on some crucial SEO best practices, review the comprehensive guide for tips that could better your understanding and set you up for success amongst the competition in the eCommerce world.
