According to the Santiago Chamber of Commerce, 57% of Chileans make their purchases online. This is a figure that has surely increased considerably as a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation. Certainly, in recent months we have witnessed the benefits that the digital world can bring to people.
Businesses – no matter their size – are no exception. In fact, the digitization of business can help level the playing field. Especially by helping SMEs and microenterprises adapt faster, reach more people and deal directly with the public, which the market always values.
Here are 6 things to consider before you create your online store:
#1 Choose the platform
To choose one of the best e-commerce platforms you need to consider these 3 points:
- The design should be easy for the user to navigate the website,
- The website should be fast and,
- The site should give you the flexibility to connect with marketing platforms that will help you in the diffusion.
Some of the platforms that we at Hey Design recommend to create your online store are:
Woocommerce: It has many design templates available and companies that provide the service. In addition, it supports unlimited products.
Shopify: The seller can control the appearance, tools, policies and catalogs in exchange for a commission on sales.
Jumpseller: It is simple to use and allows you to sell by creating your website based on templates. It also allows stock management and shipping management integrated with CorreosChile and Chilexpress.
#2 Good pictures of the products
Having high quality pictures makes customers less indecisive. You have to think that in an online store the photographs and the web design is the visual showcase that must help you generate an impact on the customer.
- If you show high quality photographs in your online store you project an image of trust.
- Add photographs from different angles of the product, so the customer can see exactly what he is buying.
- Illuminate the product so that colors, details and textures can be seen better.
- It can be very useful to take pictures of the product being used.
Explain with photographs what can not be seen physically and if you do not have good photographs or do not know how to use retouching and editing software, Contact us asking for our E-commerce photography package
#3 Online stock management
Managing an online store is very similar to managing a physical store. It is important that you have a place to keep all the products you offer. Make sure you have products in stock in your online store, and notify your customers if the product is in stock or not. It is better to offer what you already have than offering something you don’t have yet.
#4 Social networks
Social networks are key when promoting your online store. By generating content on accounts like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter you can reach new customers. Also, they allow you to expand your audience and form a group of followers who are loyal to your brand and share content.
#5 Create your online store with ease and security of payment
This point is crucial. Companies have an average of 69.57% Cart Abandonment. This means people who put things in the shopping cart and then didn’t pay. Most of the time it is because the payment system did not seem easy or secure enough. That discourages people from entering their bank or credit card information.
We recommend you to implement several payment methods such as Paypal, bank deposits or credit cards through secure and recognized platforms such as WEBPAY, PagoFácil or FLOW. This way you will help the customer feel free to pay as he/she feels safer. In addition, you must have clear payment policies in sight.
#6 Creative packaging
It is always a great strategy to send a thank you card or a small gift or something that the customer does not expect, along with the purchased product. That is because the surprise factor helps to build customer loyalty. Also the packaging should be attractive and communicate your brand since the shopping experience does not end with the “checkout” button.
Create your online store keeping in mind that customers cannot touch the products. You have to make them fall in love with your store as soon as they see it, so the design of your online store is very important. It must be attractive, adaptable to work both on computers and cell phones. In addition, have good pictures and product descriptions that help the customer to make their purchase decision and a good digital marketing work on social networks.
The shopping experience does not end with the “checkout” button.
How to add value to your product through packaging.