An online store is the dream of many sellers, as it is associated with a certain prestige and uniqueness. Each of us is aware that in today’s times, almost everyone makes purchases online, and the e-commerce model has become extremely popular. Every year, it brings significant sales growth for online store owners.
Regardless of whether you have a brick-and-mortar store, are interested in commerce, or are looking for new ways to earn, running an online store can be very beneficial for you. From this article, you will learn why it’s worth having your own online store. I hope to inspire you to take action and suggest a few creative ideas! Discover the advantages of running an online store.
Dropshipping is a flexible business model without investment.
The dropshipping model, which involves selling products without the need to hold inventory, is becoming increasingly popular in e-commerce. The store owner does not store products, and orders are fulfilled directly by the wholesaler. This model, impossible to implement in brick-and-mortar stores, offers flexibility and minimal financial risk for new entrepreneurs. The risk is limited to paying for the product that has already been sold, eliminating the need for a large initial capital to create a warehouse.
However, it’s essential to be aware of the possibility of extended delivery times, especially if the wholesaler is located abroad. Transparency in informing customers about this fact becomes crucial to avoid dissatisfaction. In summary, dropshipping is an excellent option for those starting an online business, eliminating the need for maintaining inventory and allowing experimentation with various products without significant investments.
Lack of physical location for the store and inventory = Lower costs
Running a brick-and-mortar store involves significant costs of renting a location and paying employees, regardless of the customer traffic. Taking care of a physical store is demanding, and promotion is limited to the immediate vicinity. Location is crucial, and costs can increase significantly if you choose a location with high foot traffic.
In the case of an online store, location is not a problem. You can work from anywhere in the world without the need to hire employees initially. Direct warehouse management rests with the wholesaler, allowing the store owner to focus on building customer relationships and effective marketing activities.
What does running your own brick-and-mortar store involve?
An example might be my acquaintance who has had a store for several decades. She runs the store herself. The store opens at 5:00 AM, and it remains open until 5:00 PM in the afternoon. She works a minimum of 10 hours every day. She manages the accounting, takes care of the supply, arranges the products on the shelves, and conducts market research on what can sell.
She has many items on the shelves that linger and don’t sell because customers are not interested in them. The list can go on endlessly. Where does my neighbor have a life for herself? Does she complain? NO, she does not complain. On the contrary, she is very satisfied because it’s her store, and she is in charge. Of course, every day she is tired and no longer feels like doing anything when she returns home.
Connect different platforms to promote the online store.
A multi-directional strategy is the recipe for success. By creating interconnected social media platforms, a blog, and an online store, you can achieve several benefits. A network of profiles on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube enables the exchange of subscribers between platforms, accelerating the growth of an online community interested in shopping in your store.
Although social media is equally effective in promoting a brick-and-mortar store, advertising with a direct link to the product increases the chances of attracting customers in the case of an online store. The availability of products with just one click, without the need for a physical visit, makes it easier to acquire customers.
It’s easier to reach customers through an online store.
Marketing in an online store is much simpler compared to promoting a brick-and-mortar store. Reaching the target audience is not limited by location, and advertisements can be tailored to a specific audience segment. You avoid limitations arising from location, which is essential, especially in the case of selling products from a narrow niche
Sending offers via email from an autoresponder
Email marketing is also an effective promotional tool. Creating personalized campaigns, offers, and automated sales paths can significantly increase the effectiveness of advertising compared to traditional methods.
Email marketing integrates perfectly with e-commerce, providing an effective way to attract customer attention. An online store should include an autoresponder, allowing the sending of promotional messages, which often translates to higher conversion rates compared to other forms of advertising. An autoresponder enables the automatic sending of emails, either previously prepared or created on-the-fly, depending on the needs.
Links in emails leading directly to products make it easier for customers to make purchases, thereby contributing to the success of the online store. In a brick-and-mortar store, email marketing can also be effective, but actions are more limited, and the benefits of direct links are smaller.
Quick customer contact is crucial when running an online store
An online store facilitates easy customer contact, a key element of successful sales. Various communication tools, such as chatbots or contact information available on the website, can be applied in an online store. This allows customers to quickly obtain necessary information or contact at a convenient time.
Not everyone enjoys contacting their customers because it requires significant skills. There is a way to delegate this to someone else. We at ECAT can assist you with that. You can read more about it in the article – Our support team will help you succeed in online sales.
An online store should include customer reviews for better development and promotion.
Customer satisfaction is the foundation of the success of an online store. Collected reviews can attract new customers, building the reputation of your online store and brand. Placing reviews on the homepage or in a dedicated tab increases the visibility and credibility of the store. Reviews are a significant factor in the decision-making process for potential customers. Post genuine reviews. Fictional customers will quickly be detected, and you’ll lose trust. Sometimes it’s worth having a critical review, with information from your side that the issue has been resolved, thanks to this customer.
In summary, running an online store brings a range of benefits, from the flexible dropshipping model and the absence of costs associated with a physical location to effective marketing tools and direct customer contact. It’s worthwhile to invest in the development of e-commerce, utilizing modern strategies to achieve success in the dynamic world of electronic commerce.
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