(This is a contributed post)
If you’ve decided to run your store online as opposed to in a bricks and mortar location, you have endless opportunities to build business and find new customers because you are, after all, operating on the world wide web. However, your success is not guaranteed and there are numerous things that you will need if you want to make a success of things…
A Strong Customer Focus
Focusing on your customers is even more important when you operate online because you don’t have that face-to-face interaction to show the customers how caring and attentive you are. That means that you need to create a website that is simple and easy to use, offer numerous contact options including email, phone and live chat, and you need to train your customer service employees so that they are polite and efficient at all times.
Efficient Applications
Using software like Agile is an excellent idea when it comes to running your online operations because it allows for greater levels of collaboration. If your employees are working together to solve problems, they will come up with better solutions that will allow you to run your business more efficiently and ensure that your customers get the best possible experience when they’re shopping with you.
A Schedule of Local Trade Events
Attending local trade events like Gift Fair 2018 is a good way to source new and innovative products at the best prices, show off your own goods and services and meet with like-minded individuals doing similar things in similar niches, whether you want to sell more, cut your outgoings down to size or check out what the competition is doing so that you can beat them, trade shows are the place to be, Fill your schedule with them and you will not be wasting your time.
Decent Equipment
It’s pretty hard to run your online store effectively if your computer has seven sticky keys and a bunch of pixels are missing from the screen, It’s even harder if your server packs up at least once a day (that one could actually lose you customers) or your internet connection is forever going down. So, you really do need to have decent equipment at your disposal. If you’re on a tight budget, buy used or rent any equipment you can, saving your budget for stuff that you must buy new.
A Strong Social Media Presence
Right now, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are the best places to market most things from pet toys to consumer electronics, so you really do need to build a strong presence on each platform, posting targetted content several times a day to make the most sales.
Great products
Of course, it doesn’t matter what else you do, if you are unable to source high-quality products at a fair price, which are highly desirable, you probably won’t get very far, so make that a priority!
Here’s to a very successful store!