What good is a website if it’s not bringing in sales? NO good. That’s what. With eCommerce and online sales becoming the more popular option with customers every day, you’ve got to make sure you set yourself up for success. Whether you have a brick and mortar store, or are starting fresh, getting that first online sale can be the toughest one to get.
But oh boy, once that first sale comes in - you’re bound to feel great! Keep working on your site, and eventually, it will work for you, bringing in sales so you can focus on other elements of your business. Here’s out three key considerations for getting that website selling like a boss.
Step 1: Setting Up for Success
The first step is building a great website. Keeping these things in mind is Phase one, or else there will be no Phase two.
Take The Time to Build an Attractive and Easy to Navigate Website
The prep work is the most important element of your store. If people get to your store and are turned off by its appearance or layout, you’ll never make a sale. Your shop page should be easy to find in the navigation or from the home page. A clear call to action and checkout process are also essential.
Track Those Website Analytics
Using tools like Google Analytics or your Shopify Reports will show you where your traffic is coming from, where customers go on your website, and how long they spend there. If you notice high bounce rates, that’s a good sign your website is too confusing or not captivating enough and needs a touch-up. You can also see which pages, products or collections are most popular so you know what to put front and centre on your home page.
Make Changes as Necessary
Frequently check in on your analytics and make changes as you go. The beauty of an online store is renovations are much simpler and less expensive that a brick and mortar. A quick copy change or photo swap can work wonders in improving your customer’s shopping experience.
Step 2: Getting Traffic
It’s tough to test your website analytics if no one is visiting. If you don’t have enough traffic to your website, you’re likely not going to get that sale. Here’s a crash course in marketing which will help boost the people coming to your store.
Get Some Press/Blogger Attention
PR is an increasingly tough sell to journalists, however, companies that come up with a great PR angle, event, or stunt can attract media attention, which in turn drives tons of people to your website. While time spent in this may not pay off, if it does, usually those first sales come fast and in high numbers.
Network Online
Don’t underestimate the power of social media! Followings won’t just come to you, however. Get out there and brand your business with an online strategy. Shout out people with higher followings so they’ll shout out to you. Post regularly and often showing your brand’s personality and benefits. It’s only a matter of time before you resonate with someone who will visit your website and make that purchase.
Network Offline
Just because your store is online, doesn’t mean YOU have to spend all your time online. Letting people in real life know about your website is a great way to get people there. Go to business networking events and talk about your website and products. Make sure your URL is on your business card, flyers, posters, and other printable materials so people can check out your store after you make that incredible first in-person impression.
Work on SEO
Don’t let your website get stuck in the dark reaches of the internet. Make it Google-friendly by following simple SEO Practices. That means writing great site content, updating your site regularly, organizing your site well, picking Goldilocks keywords (not too competitive, but not too niche), and including those keywords generously in your titles, meta tags and throughout your site. Running ads is also a great way to get a quick boost, and we’re happy to help with that!
Step 3: Educating People
If you’re getting website traffic, and finding people are sticking around on your website or adding things to carts, but still not purchasing, perhaps that extra notch of education is needed.
Build a Newsletter Automation
If people aren’t buying, see if they’ll sign up for a newsletter. That’s a good sign they are interested in your products but just need a little bit more coaxing. Frequently link back to your website and send special offers until someone makes the right decision to buy.
Write a Blog/Make Videos
Blogs and videos are an excellent way to create a connection with your audience, content for your social media channels, and an education tool for people who are in the decision-phase of product buying. Keep regularly creating content and you you will keep regularly making sales!
Free Samples
Try trading sample uses of your products for reviews. People are far more likely to buy a product if they hear other people explain how great it is. Let people use your products so they can be brand ambassadors for you and attract those new customers.
Hopefully this gets you off to a great start toward your first sale. We’re wishing you the best, and don’t hesitate to reach out or ask us for help.
Thank you to our GD Commerce Partners:
- Create Your Business Website Using Shopify
- Harness the Power of Drip CRM Software
- Set up Subscription Boxes, Recurring Orders and Payments Easily Using Bold Partners
- Boost Your Business Bookkeeping with Bench
- Learn How to Master Website SEO Using Mangools