Launching an online business is more popular than ever before. In the US alone, the e-commerce sales sector is expected to grow to an estimated $684 billion by 2020. Due to the number of platforms available that make it easier than ever for anyone to set up an online store and start trading, e-commerce is more accessible than traditional business formats.
Combined with the fact that e-commerce stores are not limited by geography or costs, it’s no real surprise that more people than ever before are considering the potential.
From big brands to smaller concerns, there are some essential requirements that every e-commerce store needs. If you’re considering an e-commerce launch or are looking for ways to improve your existing outlet, here's what you need to have in place for your e-commerce business to stand out.
1. Product Descriptions
If you’re simply copying and pasting your product descriptions from a supplier catalog, then you're missing out on a valuable marketing and branding opportunity. Unique content is the key to a better performance on search engines, and your product descriptions are the ideal place to start. Consider the following:
- Talk directly to your customers - The best product descriptions are a conversation between you and your audience. Use conversational language that will appeal to readers.
- Use lists - When it comes to large amounts of information, break down the basics into lists. This makes it easier for readers to get the info that they need.
- Speak from your brand - Use the personality of your brand to dictate how your product descriptions are written. For B2B e-commerce stores, you may want to use more formal language, while those with a more millennial audience might want to be more casual in their language and tone of voice.
Never underestimate the importance of your product descriptions, and make an effort to make them us unique and on-brand as possible.
2. Website Design
Above all, you want your website to be quick to load, easy to navigate, and valuable to your audience. It should be a daily part of your schedule that you check every page on your store, and ensure that there are no barriers that may prevent a potential customer buying from you.
Dead pages, out of date links, or slow to load photos can be all that it takes for someone to bounce away from your online store and head somewhere more professional.
Pay attention to the software that you use. This can be either add-ons that you find in your platform’s list of available options or something that you have custom-created from the list of DesignRush software development companies. These can help you to streamline your e-commerce store and gain valuable insights into every element of your business.
When shopping cart abandonment is on average 69.89% of all site visits, it’s imperative that you look at ways to reduce bounce rates and focus on making the customer journey to a purchase as simple and informative as possible.
It’s a good time to get involved with e-commerce. Despite the high level of competition from big names like Amazon, if you have the right entrepreneurial idea, there is space in the market for even the most niche business ideas. With a global audience, you could be tapping into a market and audience that has yet to be reached. Make sure that your website is ready to take on the challenges of e-commerce, and you might be trading internationally before you know it.
