The arrival of Covid-19 has forced businesses around the country into making significant changes to their working practices. Mandatory facemasks, one-way systems, and informative signage have all helped to make physical stores safer. But what about online ones?
With so many consumers now almost wholly reliant on the internet when it comes to their shopping needs, retailers have been falling over themselves to offer online means of meeting the demand. Making this transition is often complicated, and a few common mistakes can often lead to long-term inefficiencies. By taking the time to plan in advance, you’ll give your business the best possible chance of thriving in the online world.
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Make a website
To sell things online, you don’t strictly need your own website. But a website can often make the difference between a business that gets taken seriously and one that’s dismissed. It’s where your would-be customers will go in search of information about your products and what they do. Make sure that the answers to common questions are easily obtained, and that you’ve included an FAQ page.
Join a platform
Whatever you’re selling, chances are that there’s a platform out there that’ll make it easier for you to reach customers and clients. If you’re delivering food, then Deliveroo and Uber Eats can make a huge difference. If you’re selling products over a longer distance, then established giants like eBay and Amazon are your main options.
Don’t neglect social media
Social media platforms are where you can connect with customers and establish a long-term rapport. Facebook even has online sales facilities so you can more easily convert engaged customers into paying ones.
Don’t neglect email
Despite the rise of social media, email remains one of the most effective promotional tools. Through it, you can attract new sales, and keep your brand present in the daily lives of your customers. To get the best return on your email investment, it’s worth looking into CRM (that’s Content Relationship Management). This will allow you to tailor every email to a particular customer, ensuring that everything you send is relevant and personalised.
Set up a Google My Business page
By telling Google about your business, you’ll make yourself easier to find. It just takes a few clicks. In the modern age, being absent from the listings may harm your reputation. Through Google, your customers will be able to leave reviews – you should encourage them to do so, as the star rating will indicate to other would-be customers that you offer a worthwhile experience.
Create an SEO strategy
Search Engine Optimisation is the process via which you indicate to Google (and other search engines) that your site is packed with engaging and relevant content. Do this by including natural keywords in your copy, by including pictures, and by making sure that everything is appropriately tagged. There’s a whole industry out there dedicated to helping businesses jump through these hoops – so make sure you take advantage!
