The e-commerce sector has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity over the past two decades. While stemming from rather humble beginnings thanks to sites such as eBay and Amazon, this industry is now worth well into the billions. It is therefore no great surprise that entrepreneurs are keen to capitalise upon such amazing opportunities.
However, a bit of planning will go a long way if you hope to avoid frustrating pitfalls and to reach as wide of a target audience as possible. Let’s therefore quickly examine some of the “nuts and bolts” of e-commerce marketing in order to clarify any questions that you may have.
All About the Name
Any successful e-commerce venture begins with a strong and memorable URL address. However, choosing the most appropriate domain name can be more difficult than it initially appears. Not only are many names already taken by other sites, but SEO issues such as relevant keywords should also enter into the equation. The good news is that modern technology is here to help. Experts recommend employing a domain checker to confirm the availability of a specific address. These packages will often provide additional options such as possible URL suffixes and even SEO optimisation.
Search Engine Optimisation: The Elephant in the Room
Before jumping into the world of e-commerce, it is wise to briefly reinforce the importance of search engine optimisation (SEO). Some of the benefits associated with so-called “white hat” SEO techniques include:
- Higher search engine rankings.
- More inbound hits.
- Longer page retention rates.
- A greater number of visitors who convert into paying customers.
If you happen to b unfamiliar with the intricacies of SEO, it could be a good idea to partner with a reputable marketing agency. These firms will ensure that the most appropriate techniques are employed at the right times.
Quality Product Descriptions
It is just as crucial to explain the inherent benefits that your products and/or services can offer the potential customer. We are referring to high-quality written descriptions in this sense. It is essential to find a balance between satisfying SEO requirements and curating material that resonates with the reader in question. If this proves to be too difficult, there are plenty of virtual writing assistants which can be downloaded in the form of a plugin.
Never Underestimate the Power of Social Media
Any successful e-commerce venture can attribute at least a portion of its exposure to social media. Social media marketing should therefore represent one of the core tenets of your overall advertising strategy. Maintaining a strong presence within these circles will allow you to interact with customers, to introduce the latest offers and to determine which products have gained the most attention. With a bit of luck, one or more may even go viral!
Creating a profitable e-commerce platform does not occur overnight. It will require time and mistakes can sometimes be made along the way. Still, the road to digital success is closer than you think if you take into account the suggestions highlighted above.