26 ecommerce tips for small business retailers
by Karlie Kramer
Can you remember the last time you made an online purchase? It probably wasn’t that long ago. In fact, two-thirds of Americans have made at least one online purchase in the past month—and if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably made more than just one purchase in that timeframe.
It’s 2019, and we’re in the middle of an ecommerce boom. By 2040, a staggering 95% of purchases are slated to be made online. When you compare that to just 8.1% of all retail purchases in 2016 (a mere three years ago), it’s easy to see that we’ve come a long way already. The landscape is changing, and I’m here for it. Who doesn’t love next-day shipping?
Not only are we making more frequent and more significant purchases online, we’re now making them from virtually anywhere. From office boardrooms to public transportation, online purchases are just a tap away.
This makes it easier for brands to blend more seamlessly into our everyday lives, but it also means it’s more important for businesses to optimize their sites for mobile, including voice search. Small businesses will need to spend extra effort in these areas to survive and thrive in the future.
If you’re a retailer, you have to take your ecommerce game seriously. With the rise in online shopping has come a rise in consumer demand. Shipping times are getting shorter, technology is getting smarter, and stellar customer service is more important than ever. Consider strategies for social media marketing, campaign personalization, leveraging video, streamlining customer service, simplifying search, and offering relevant coupons.
The following infographic from Wikibuy shares some online shopping statistics for 2019, and seven key areas where it pays to stand out.
Image credit: Header photo courtesy of Kaboompics. Infographic courtesy of Wikibuy.
