The creation of your e-shop took time and effort, but it is successfully finished and now you can rest and enjoy the fruits of your labors and your work is going up! Right?
Unfortunately… things are not quite like that.
It is true that in the digital age, creating an e-shop brings you closer to success. But this is only the first and easiest step. The biggest challenge lies in making your e-shop stand out to attract and retain customers.
How will you manage it? By giving your visitors exactly what they want.
What Greeks are asking for today
A recent ELTRUN survey showed that as Greek Internet users mature, they demand the same from Greek online stores, which have already responded in a large percentage. Their improvements are mainly found in their greater transparency by including in their content a clear policy and “terms of use” for order cancellations, dispute resolution, return or replacement of products, etc.
Another important improvement is the possibility of multiple payment methods that the majority of Greek e-shops offer today.
More specifically, what an online store needs to meet in order to be preferred by Greek consumers can be summarized as follows:
We see that their requirements fall into four general categories:
- Security/ Certification
- Service
- Site (Fast/ Easy to use)
- Branding
Let’s now look at more information on how you too can meet the demands of your e-shop visitors according to these categories.
#1 Security
In order to inspire the necessary trust in its visitors, an online store should have a payment certification with VerifiedbyVisa and MasterCardSecureCode services. With these services, each e-shop can authenticate the cardholder through a code known only to the cardholder and which he/she is asked to fill in when making a purchase.
It is also advisable for an e-shop to offer several payment methods, one of which should certainly be payment via Paypal.
#2 Customer service & #3 Site
Excellent photos
Using excellent photos is a double win; on the one hand, we solve the very important problem that distance shopping presents: the inability to see, touch and try the product before buying it. By showing the object clearly and from many angles, which we combine with descriptive texts, we reduce the purchase risks for the user.
In addition, using good quality photos helps us to attract the visitor’s eye, creating a desire to buy the product.
We therefore recommend that you always take professional photos for your e-shop products and avoid using sketchy photos taken with a smartphone.
Well-written descriptions that convert visitors into customers
Texts in product descriptions should be written in simple words and avoid the use of terminology.
Prefer short and readable sentences and include words that your customers use and understand. The language should be “natural” rather than “wooden” and the texts should focus on the product’s strengths and unique competitive advantage.
At the same time, strategically placed Calls To Action (CTAs) should be found, “driving” the visitor to the cart and checkout.
Easy payment process
When the customer arrives at the checkout, we should again make sure that we facilitate the customer as much as possible. Avoid anything that might distract them, such as banners, and we should also include clear CTAs that lead the visitor to payment.
It’s also good to enable a quick transaction: if visitor registration before checkout is necessary, keep the required information to be provided to a minimum. In cases where registration is not necessary give the additional option of purchasing without registration.
Ability to store products
Many times when we browse an e-shop we see products we like but are not ready to buy. If there is no option for the visitor to save these products then they may…forget about them and we may forever miss the opportunity to sell.
Give your potential customer the opportunity to save the products they like in their account and bring them back to your online store using methods such as email marketing. This way you increase the chances of purchase and consequently increase…turnover. Related products
Help your potential customer by giving them ideas for more products and increase the chances of multiple purchases. For example, if you are an online store selling cosmetics, such as REDwater™, you can use “related products” to give ideas on how the visitor can get complete skincare or suggest other products they might like.
Product Reviews
Product reviews are proven to increase the sales of e-shops. This is because consumers are much more likely to trust third parties with no vested interest and objective judgement who have tried the product.
So don’t miss this opportunity: definitely offer a great product that your customers love, give them the opportunity to advertise it to others themselves!
#4 Branding
Once you have created an online store that meets the requirements of its visitors and provides them with excellent customer service, you need to invest in creating a “name” for it, i.e. build a strong Brand. It is also necessary to constantly bring new visitors to your e-shop and increase its brand awareness.
Make sure you have a continuous and comprehensive social media presence. Also create advertising campaigns on google , and never neglect email marketing.
Things are not easy.
But it is clear.
Creating an e-shop is not the end of the job but it requires a lot of organized effort, which if done correctly and systematically will bring the desired results.
Take care of your customers by giving them what they want and you are sure to come out ahead!
