It’s no secret that online shopping is all the rage. We didn’t need to enter into a worldwide pandemic a year ago for that to be true. However, with the continued need to socially distance, shopping via the internet is stronger today than it has ever been. Your e-commerce business has the ability to flourish if you market it correctly. So what incentives are you offering for people to shop in your online store?
Immediate customer service via live chats.
Sure, the phone will always be an excellent way for customers to get in touch with your business. However, most online shoppers would much prefer being able to complete all facets of their shopping experiences on the same device. If your company website has an online chat, it can serve as an excellent way to keep its visitors engaged and informed. Live chats give your site’s visitors real-time answers to questions that will encourage them to follow through on their decisions to make purchases.
“If someone has a question, concern, or just wants some advice on which model to choose, live chat can handle that request in real-time and avoid the dreaded shopping cart abandonment,” writes Zac Heisey on MadeByTribe.com, “According to a study conducted by Forrester Research, ‘44% of online consumers say that having questions answered by a live person while in the middle of an online purchase is one of the most important features a Web site can offer.’”
The alluring nature of free shipping.
There are few things more appealing to shoppers than the word “free”. Offering free gifts to go along with purchases is certainly one way to take advantage of that ever-enticing concept. However, for online shoppers, the offer of free shipping is very often a top draw. Most people see this offer as a discount on their purchases. Waiving the shipping charges, therefore, is a great way to boost online sales.
“According to Forbes, free shipping is the incentive 88% of online shoppers want most,” reports Grayson Lafrenz on PowerDigitalMarketing.com, “The philosophy behind this isn’t necessarily about saving money, but the perception of saving money. Feeling like they got a deal and aren’t wasting money makes consumers feel good about their purchase.”
Rewarding customer referrals.
There is simply no better form of advertising than word of mouth promotion. Who better to trust than an individual who has had a direct experience with a brand? If you’ve had people recommend your online store, it’s a good idea to reward them. Consider implementing a section of your site that simply asks the question “How did you hear about us?” Reach out to those who have offered referrals and gift them with discounts and other perks to say thanks.
“A lot of marketers talk about ‘referral loops’ and ‘viral loops’ when it comes to products and services,” informs Heisey, “Essentially, a referral loop occurs when a paying customer refers one or more people, who then become customers themselves and refer your products or services out to even more people.”
Is your business in need of a safe and secure e-commerce solution? Unity Payments can help you take advantage of this ever-growing trend. We’ve made selling online easier than ever! Please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-661-3761 or email us at info@unitypayments.ca to learn more.
