It’s no secret that the last twelve months have seen a massive shift in our behaviors, both in real life and online. In years to come, we’ll look back at 2020 as the moment that the world changed. With more people seeking greater work life balance and electing to work from home, people valuing time with their loved ones, and appreciating the world around them, it’s also triggered an online revolution.
As a result of this, the digital and e-commerce sectors saw unprecedented growth, and that trend is only set to continue. A new report, COVID-19 and E-Commerce: A Global Review, by UNCTAD and eTrade for all partners, reflects on the powerful global and regional industry transformations recorded throughout 2020.
UNCTAD Acting Secretary-General Isabelle Durant said, “Businesses and consumers that were able to ‘go digital’ have helped mitigate the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.” If you’re still unsure of how to take your brand online with e-commerce, we’ve put together some things you should consider to help set you apart from your competitors.
Create Clear Objectives
Whether you’re a business who’s weathered the COVID storm, or you’re one of the 407,510 new businesses that formed during the crisis, when taking your brand online with e-commerce you should know what your objectives are. At the heart of every successful e-commerce strategy is an understanding of the consumer.
Every business knows how important customer relationships are, however when the face-to-face element is removed, e-commerce sites have to work harder to create and maintain that relationship. Consumers want a seamless online experience, and they also want to know that there’s a real person they can talk to, should something go wrong.
These customer relationships will then help drive sales and expose you to a wider audience that would have been unimaginable in a traditional setting.
Rebecca Holmes, UX Strategist from Pinpoint says: “User experience is no longer something e-commerce stores can ignore. As internet shopping continues evolving, businesses need to remain competitive by leaving customers with a memorable and positive shopping experience. During the peak period when people want to browse and buy fast, the way your online store has been designed and merchandised can have a real impact on your conversion rate.”
Choose a Platform
When taking your brand online and using e-commerce to help drive sales, choosing the right e-commerce platform is key. You should not only consider your objectives, but also look for a platform that can grow with your short and long term goals – as well as one that reflects the look and feel of your brand.
Wix, Shopfiy, Magento, and WooCommerce are amongst the most popular e-commerce platforms thanks to the easy to use user interface.
Continue to Develop Online
Because of the nature of the digital world, everything moves faster, so it’s imperative for your business to continually develop and evolve to keep up with the changes.
Because user experience is important, re-assessing website speeds, website security, and ease of transactions should be monitored regularly. Not only will this improve your online presence, but it will help build trust with your customers.
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