eCommerce On The Web has been around since the mid-90s, but has undergone an explosion in recent years. Nowadays, it’s not enough just to have eCommerce functionality – online shops also need to be well-designed, intuitive and secure in order to compete effectively, as customers expect a flawless browsing experience as well as a great level of customer service. Fortunately, there are many eCommerce platforms out there which can be adapted to suit the needs of any retailer, from a hobbyist who wants to sell their handmade goods to a huge international brand. So we’ve had a closer look to think about how eCommerce On The Web Works.
eCommerce makes your business accessible worldwide, 24 hours a day
The internet is the world’s biggest marketplace. By making your products or services available online, you can reach out to millions of customers who might never have known about your business otherwise. Even loyal customers of bricks-and-mortar shops appreciate the convenience of eCommerce sites – browsing product ranges is much faster, and online shopping can fit easily into anyone’s schedule. eCommerce can stand alone or complement physical retail locations, making your business available for sales and customer service any time, anywhere. And most eCommerce platforms provide responsive browsing solutions, letting customers visit your site from a smartphone or tablet as well as from their laptop or desktop computer.
eCommerce is cost-effective
The initial cost to start selling online is much lower than opening a physical location – there’s no rent or overhead expenses to pay, and staffing is much more efficient. Combined with the increased accessibility of an online shop, the potential revenue you can generate is many times higher if eCommerce is part of your retail approach.
eCommerce influences purchasing decisions in the physical world, not just online
When customers are considering a purchase, the internet is usually their first port of call, even before deciding whether to make their purchase online or in person. Comparing retailers to find the best quality and most competitive prices is now faster and easier than ever before. As well as making your products accessible from every country and timezone, a well-designed eCommerce site functions as a showroom, allowing prospective customers to find detailed information about your products with just a few clicks of their mouse or taps on their touchscreen.
eCommerce builds connections with customers
eCommerce platforms can tailor the online shopping experience to each individual customers using services such as personalised recommendations, order tracking and reward points. An engaging social media presence can help build a strong brand identity and enhance customer loyalty, and eCommerce makes it much easier to turn Twitter followers or Facebook fans into more traffic for your site, and more revenue for your business.