eCommerce Multi-Channel Management - Do's and Dont's
When it comes to e-commerce, some online business owners do not necessarily explore all the possibilities and just focus on one website with SEO-driven traffic, not knowing there could be other sources of income and improvement from their online shop. Here are some interesting channels you can use:
Different Ecommerce Channels (Do’s)…
1. Direct Traffic
When we say direct traffic, it covers affiliate marketing, bookmarking, marketing thru e-mail and direct URL traffic. It might not be as plentiful as other channels nowadays, but it works.
2. Paid Search
Ever see those sponsored ads when you search on Google? You too can get a paid search service from either Google or Bing. The cost is pay per click, and it’s just like SEO and keyword building.
3. Comparison Shopping Engines (CSEs)
You can also opt for CSEs or comparison shopping engines that can either offer PPC or open rates for traffic driving.
4. Marketplaces
Of course, going to a big marketplace site such as eBay, Amazon, Walmart and many others is a significant opportunity for your items. As an online seller or retailer, you can get more customers by getting into these marketplaces.
5. Mobile
Most companies and business owners nowadays use the barcode-scanning method when it comes to shopping online, making it less hassle for shoppers.
6. Social
Last, but not the least, it is obvious that today if you don’t have a social media account for your company, organization or business, you’re less likely to get customers. Online sellers and retailers can make use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others to market and interact with customers better.
Here are some of the Dont’s…
1. Do not solely rely on free channels or direct traffic sources.
As an old saying and ideology, to succeed in a business, you must first invest in something, no matter how big or small the amount. Sure, investing sounds scary, but the payback is real.
2. Go diverse.
For instance, don’t just opt for eBay or Amazon only, or SEO only. Explore all the possible options and invest so that when one fails, you will have a fallback. SEO strategies might not always work because some of your content might be a seasonal thing and will not always be in the trend. Investing too much in paid search can also take its toll on your budget. Then they're the renting fees for marketplaces, so don’t go all out one service but try a multitude of them.
3. Use the portfolio method.
As an e-commerce player, one good strategy to use is a portfolio to gain customer trust and reputation. It’s all about building your brand at a less cost, and it only takes some effort to show the good side of your online shop.
4. Do marketing in every place possible.
The world of business is a scary survival game, and you have to fit in from thousands of competitors, meaning you have to do your best to display your products and advertising virtually everywhere. Start with local delivery for small online shops, and then as you go, go global shipping.
Learning e-commerce techniques is not as hard as you think. The problem lies on whether you are determined to invest in various channels and not just one. Business requires brave risks, and if you do, your efforts might pay off sooner than you think.
