Online Shopping of Do's and Don'ts
As an online shopper, you’ll find plenty of advice on the do’s and don'ts in buying stuff through the Internet. Now that you’re planning to create online shop as a sideline job, it’s time to look at things from a business perspective. Your main advantage is that as someone who frequents e-commerce websites and buys merchandise online, you already have an idea about what makes online shoppers buy and what makes them abandon their shopping carts.
Let’s start with the do’s
Here are two basic tips to get the business ball rolling:
1. Create online shop with your customers in mind
Don’t forget that your online store is not all about you—it’s about your customers, too! It’s your business and your website, but it’s people with purchasing power who will make or break your venture. If you can’t attract new customers or keep your existing clients, your business will not only hit a road bump—it will reach a dead end.
To make money online, you need the right features that will make selling a breeze. You also need the right tools that will make shopping fun, quick and easy for your customers. If your user interface is unappealing and difficult to use, chances are your website visitors will not buy anything even if they like your products. Don’t miss out on the chance to increase your sales. Build a secure, user-friendly and visually pleasing online shop that people will like to visit. Offer many options in terms of payment and shipping.
2. Be reasonable about pricing
Before you list your products online, you should know your target market. Can they afford your retail price? Are they willing to pay such an amount with additional fees for shipping? Will they buy from you even if you offer free delivery? Many first-time online sellers make the mistake of pricing their merchandise too high or too low.
Before you create an online shop, do your research. What is the selling price of other online stores that carry similar products? What is the highest amount consumers are willing to pay for such items? Strategize by selling in-demand or seasonal goods at a higher price than goods that are always available or easy to find. If you’re not earning anything—this is your balance after you deduct all overhead costs—fix your pricing.
Related: 5 WAYS TO MAKE IT EASY FOR THE PURCHASER TO BUY ONLINE
Always remember the don'ts
Just like businesses with physical stores, make sure that your online Selling store is ethical, honest and organized. Here are two reminders for up-and-coming online sellers:
1. Don’t sell other people’s merchandise and pass them off as your own
This is one of the biggest no-no's in online selling. Changing the labels on other people’s merchandise and making people believe that you made them is called cheating. If you don’t have an original product and would like to sell products by others businesses, sell the goods as is. Be transparent. Respect other people’s patents and copyrights. Include all necessary details in your product descriptions when you create an online shop.
2. Don’t forget about customer service
No matter where or how you conduct your business, always interact with your customers. Just because you’re selling online doesn’t mean you don’t have to communicate with current and prospective buyers. Since you’ll be dealing with a very diverse and international set of customers, open different lines of communication such as email, telephone, and online social networks. When you create an online shop, make a section where customers can give feedback and leave product reviews. Be sure to thank them for supporting your business.
