Here are 50 helpful tips for running your eCommerce store:
- Make sure your website is easy to navigate.
- Offer a variety of payment options (such as paypal, credit cards, and money orders).
- Instill consumer confidence by offering guarantees, secure ordering, and clear contact information.
- Reply to customer inquires promptly.
- Offer live online customer support.
- Show different product options.
- Have an affiliate program to help increase sales.
- Offer incentives for your customers.
- Have coupons/coupon codes.
- Engage in email marketing to keep in touch with your customers.
- Work on SEO (search engine optimization) to improve search engine rankings.
- Submit your website to search engines such as Google.
- Submit your website to popular web directories.
- Write articles related to your niche.
- Consider opening an ebay store and cross promote.
- Make web videos to promote your ecommerce store. Offer valuable content and don’t just “sell.”
- Join facebook, twitter, and other popular social networks.
- Have people “test” your website for usability.
- Include information (such as an “about us” page) about your company.
- If you have a lot of products or categories, have drop down menus.
- Register your domain name for 3 years or more (this can help improve search engine rankings)
- Include a clear refund/exchange policy.
- Have a terms of use and privacy page.
- Offer featured products (and change them every two weeks or more)
- Consider getting an 800 or other toll free number.
- Exchange links with other websites related to your niche.
- Have a question and answer or FAQ section.
- Create “add to cart” and “buy now” buttons.
- Use a friendly color scheme that won’t hurt your buyers eyes.
- Fully test your checkout process and do scheduled checks.
- Track your sales conversions.
- Add meta tags to your site.
- Focus on 3-5 keyword phrases.
- Get high quality backlinks to your website.
- Include product benefits and features.
- Have a variety of high quality product pictures.
- Use a zoom tool if possible to enlarge/reduce picture sizes.
- Upsell products to help increase revenue.
- Offer product recommendations (or “others have also purchased…”)
- Study other successful ecommerce websites, particularly your competitors.
- Use bullet points in product descriptions.
- Make it easy for customers to track their order.
- Offer free shipping or other specials.
- Have a “deal of the day” offer.
- Show certifications you may have, such as better business bureau, bizrate, and VeriSign.
- Get written, audio, or video testimonials from customers.
- Offer gift certificates.
- Have a help center.
- Add a site map to your website.
- Offer a free printed catalog if you have one.