Building an e-commerce website doesn’t mean inventing a new business model, hiring new staff, or even spending a lot of money. In fact, with the help of affordable web design and e-commerce solutions, you can add just the right e-commerce website design elements to attract new customers and convert them into sales.
1. Leverage Website Design and Search Engine Optimization to Attract Customers
Many small businesses rely exclusively on storefront signage or traditional advertising to attract new customers. Yet, a recent study reports that more people look for prospective vendors online instead of through traditional phone directories or printed community guides. A web site design that has been optimized for search engines can help your business attract new customers at the very moment when they’re ready to make a purchase.
Web design companies that focus on online shopping cart solutions and search engine optimization understand how to turn a static website into a vibrant sales channel. Engaging content such as blogging or adding regular videos about your small business keeps your busness website fresh, increasing its seo ranking on major search engines. Injecting more of your personality into your e-commerce website makes your small business more attractive to customers who value personal relationships and local connections.
2. Automate Reservations and Placing Orders With E-Commerce Website
Building an e-commerce website really means giving your customers the ability to get their needs met more quickly, at the moment that they’re ready to buy your products or services. Retail storefronts can use innovative, new inventory management software that interface with e-commerce solutions to check real-time inventory online. Stores that offer online ordering and in-store pickup enjoy a competitive advantage over Internet retailers with delays related to shipping and returns. Retailers offering specialty products can also create a strong revenue stream by shipping orders outside their local areas. In both cases, online credit card processing enables your business to book revenues immediately.
E-commerce isn’t just limited to retail businesses, though. Service businesses have discovered the power of offering self-service reservations and credit card payment processing online. Hair salons, doctors’ offices, and other service providers can use “plug-in” tools to automate the process of scheduling and canceling appointments. Restaurants can offer online reservations and catering orders, and accept credit cards to collect deposits or pre-payments. As more customers discover the convenience of self-service reservations, your front-line staff can spend less time on the phone and more time helping customers.
3. Make Online Customer Service Easy
It’s not enough to simply beef up your online presence without emphasizing your online customer service. An e-commerce web page design that lists a phone number and no e-mail contact is just as effective at courting web-savvy customers as having no website at all. During the website development process, make sure to add a “Contact Us” link to a prominent part of your e-commerce website. On that page, list how you can be contacted, when, and why. Letting customers know that, for instance, you’re able to answer the phone from 8am to 5pm can prevent disappointment. Even better, you can post an e-mail address or a contact form for customers to use, with the assurance that they will receive a reply within 24 hours.
However, to really set yourself apart as a web-savvy business owner, you can market your website using social media marketing that your customers already inhabit. For instance, it’s easy to create a Facebook page for your business that includes contact details and links to your website. Launching a Twitter feed for your company allows you to address customer service issues in real time. A strong web presence appeals to online users that like to spread the word about good customer service.
Making Baby Steps with Web Design and E-Commerce Solutions
It’s an exciting time to move your business online because you don’t have to commit to an expensive web design overhaul. Most of the e-commerce website features that make up this three-part plan can be implemented using subscription-based service that plug into existing websites. Of course, getting help from a web designer can make the process easier for small business owners with limited online experience. The best website designers can help you unify different open source solutions with a consistent look and feel, so web visitors don’t feel like they are being shunted to unfamiliar providers. This hybrid of high-touch customer service and low-cost guerilla marketing is fast becoming a best practice for many successful small businesses.
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