There are millions of retail businesses on the internet. Some are wildly successful, others are not. You’ll be surprised to know that shoppers are not necessarily looking for a whole lot of bells and whistles. It takes just a few basic elements to make your online retail shop a raging success. Read on to find out more.
Content is King
Of course, the layout and design of your online store will do a lot to attract customers, but it is your content that would keep them. Shoppers enjoy navigating through an attractive website, but if the truth is told, they would rather opt for a website that gives them what they want. Your website should contain relevant content that would help customers get the information they need about your business.
Name, Location and Contact Information – If you do business online 100%, there is a high probability that you don’t have a physical office. However, most online retailers fail to list even the most basic information, such as store name and contact information. If you have a physical location, then you need to have your address listed on your website. Contact information such as email address and phone numbers are very important. In these days of highly competitive online businesses, customers need to be reassured that they can reach you if they have any problem.
Products and Services – Your products and services need to be well described on your online store. Simply typing the name of a product without a detailed description of what it does and how to use it will not be very useful to your customers. Customers are looking for easy to understand product descriptions including prices and available discounts.
Warranties, Refunds and Returns – You customers don’t need to spend time looking for the fine print. Your policy on warranties, refunds and returns should be clearly stated up front, so that they would know what they are getting into. Even though your online retail store may not have as much liabilities as a physical store, you may need to share some of the potential risk with an insurance company. This would give you some form of buffer and protection from unforeseen circumstances that your website policy does not cover.
Relevant Images – Great images communicates a wealth about your products and services to your customers. Pictures make it easy for customers to evaluate what you have to sell and make informed decision. Customers value engagement, and one way to engage your customers and create a connection with your products is by putting up high quality relevant picture of what you are selling.
Videos – Product videos can have a tremendous impact on your conversion by helping people better understand your products. In fact, there is a higher chance of a visitor buying a product after watching a video about it. Studies have also shown that having a video on your website gives you an edge in Google SERP. The best part is that you do not need to be a professional to create highly engaging product and explainer videos. A simple camcorder or your Smartphone camera can give you great results that would appeal to your customers.