7 Essential Tips for Setting Up an eCommerce Site

 

pexels

If you’re interested in getting into the world of online retail, setting up an eCommerce site is more straightforward than it sounds. Reach out to more customers by creating your very own online store to rival competitors. Getting an eCommerce off the ground might take a little bit of time, but if you follow the right steps, the results will be worth it. Here are seven essential tips to get you started. 

Choose your domain name

Firstly, you need to choose the best domain name for your business. You then need to secure and buy the domain name. Your domain name needs to be strong and branded, and give a key indication of the type of products you sell. It should stand out, but be easy to read and spell. If you have an existing business or website, try to get an exact match for your eCommerce. 

Get an SSL certificate

When setting up an eCommerce, you have two options. You could go with a hosting platform that will take care of a lot of the formalities for you, or you could set up your own website with an SSL certificate. This is needed to make your site more secure. Potential customers will also be deterred if you don’t have an SSL. Here is a beginner's guide to SSL with more information. 

Make your site easy to navigate

Once you’ve set up your site you’ll want to develop a robust marketing strategy to draw in customers, but what happens when they arrive? You need to ensure your site is easy to navigate and provides the best possible customer experience. If your customers can’t find the products they’re looking for straight away, there’s a danger they might move on to your competitors. Here are a few tips on how to make your site easy to navigate.

Self-service customer information

Research has shown that consumers like self-service customer information such as a chatbot or FAQs. It’s easy to see why, as they can access the information they need without having to wait on hold or send an email. Chatbots can be programmed to answer any common queries, freeing up your customer support team to deal with more complicated issues. FAQs are also very useful and you should include a clear link to these on your site. Brainstorm a list of the most common questions potential customers might ask, you can do some research on your competitors’ sites to give you inspiration.

Offer different payment options

If you are able to offer a variety of payment methods it will make your business appear more legitimate and generate a feeling of trust. It also shows flexibility and gives your customers the choice to pay in different ways. You could offer the option to pay with apps such as ApplePay and PayPal alongside standard credit and debit card options. If you like you could even set up an option to use promo codes. You could send these as an incentive for referrals in your email marketing campaigns, or have a call-to-action on the website. 

Use customer data responsibly

As an eCommerce, you will be collecting customer data, personal, and payment details. You might use tools such as CRM software to analyze customer data to help optimize your marketing strategy, but you need to make sure you’re doing this legally. In order to understand your rights on how you can use this data, it’s advisable to work with a GDPR Representative who will be able to ensure you are compliant with all the necessary regulations. You also need to make sure you follow PCI security standards if you’re handling branded credit cards. 

Communicate accurate delivery times

Customers expect frequent and accurate communication in real-time regarding deliveries. Setting up your site is just one part of starting an eCommerce business, you also need to organise your entire fulfillment and consider issues such as warehouse efficiency and delivery options. You can hire a third-party to take care of your fulfilment process, or use couriers to make deliveries. In either case, you need to ensure your customers are getting updated information about delivery times, and that you’re providing the best service.

These are just a few steps towards setting up a successful eCommerce. It’s a good idea to get business advice and ensure you have a clear strategy in place. Online shopping is the way forward, so you have an opportunity to capitalise on this trend. If you optimise your eCommerce site, you can boost your sales and profits overall.