According to The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, eCommerce accounted for 14.6 % of total sales in 2022. However, analysts estimate that number to jump to 20% by 2024.
Although wildly popular, selling online isn’t as simple as slapping a product on your website. Here are four mistakes online sales courses outline that can sink your business.
Dropping the Ball on Customer Service
Poor customer service can torpedo online sales. According to American Express, 60% of consumers have stopped purchasing from businesses due to their poor customer service . That’s more than half of your potential customers lost.
Here are a few ways to deliver exceptional service that will keep your customers coming back for more:
· Offer multiple ways for customers to reach you.
· Answer inquiries promptly and be accurate.
· Be patient and understanding with customers.
· Ensure all employees are knowledgeable about the products or services you offer.
Using Poor-Quality Photos
Customers rely heavily on visual cues to assess the quality and features of a product. A study by Skava found that 73% of customers place high importance on product images. So, don’t skimp on the quality of your product photos.
To ensure your photos wash away any doubt in a buyer’s mind, online sales course suggest using the following:
· A white background. It helps customers focus on the product.
· Multiple images show different angles or features of the product.
· A zoom feature so customers can get a better look.
· A professional photographer, especially if you’re selling expensive items.
Having a Slow Website
When it comes to your site’s performance, speed is crucial. A slow-loading website can drive customers away in droves. Sadly, the window is painfully small for companies to convince potential buyers to stick around.
According to Google, more than 53% of mobile web users abandon a website if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load. To make sure your website loads quickly:
· Compress images and other media.
· Optimize your website’s code.
· Switch to a faster web host.
· Minimize redirects.
Ignoring Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Google processes over 3.5 billion searches per day. Yet, studies show that the top three organic search results get 75% of all clicks. Even worse, less than 1% of people click on the second page.
Visibility is critical for online success. After all, customers can’t buy something they can’t find. SEO helps ensure your store pops up in a potential customer’s search results. Also, since you’re homing in on people who are actively searching for your products or services, you’re more likely to get higher-quality traffic
To improve your site’s SEO, make sure that you:
· Include relevant keywords in your product descriptions.
· Create content related to your products or services.
· Link to other websites and blogs from your content.
Overlooking Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for driving online sales. From boosting brand exposure to building trust, there’s no shortage of ways to use it to your advantage. For example, a survey by Sprout Social found that 46% of people say they’ve purchased something after seeing it on a social network.
Here are a few ideas taught in social media online sales courses that can benefit your business.
· Share original content and user-generated content regularly.
· Interact with customers on a personal level.
· Run contests and giveaways to build engagement.
· Partner with micro-influencers to help spread the word about your products or services.
The rapid rise in eCommerce has made it easier than ever to reach customers. However, competition is fierce, so avoiding the above pitfalls is critical, as they can handicap your business.
