Partner Article

5 ways to become a destination ecommerce website

It’s arguably impossible for a website to recreate the magic of strolling into Harrods in London or Macy’s in New York from a dark, snow-covered road in the run up to Christmas. Or is it? Such shopping trips go beyond the exchange of money for goods and make you feel that little bit special. Your e-commerce website can do that, too (albeit without the snow).

Here’s how:

• Get Personal

Online retailers have an enormous advantage over their bricks-and-mortar counterparts. They can rearrange their shop window and promote different products for every single customer that comes to their store. Take advantage of the data you have about your visitors and their tastes and market to them accordingly.

2. Match aspirations

If you’re selling expensive products to wealthy people, make sure your website’s design, its navigation and its tone of voice suits the items you want to sell. It sounds simple, but online retailersget it wrong again and again. For a perfect demonstration of how to get it right, visit Apple.com.

3. Showcase images

Your customers can’t pick up your products before they buy them, so counter this by making sure that the images you take of them are stunning. If the craftsmanship is second to none, show it off and if the beauty’s in the detail zoom in and show it off in high definition. Beautiful imagery makes an attractive site – here’s a great example: swedishhasbeens.com.

4. Promote promotions

If you’re offering your customers a discount, make sure they know about it. Where might your potential customers be hiding? Are they on news websites? Are they on social media? Find out where they are, and then shout about your products and your promotions. They’ll be pleased you made them aware!

5. Interact

Again, simple. We all know just how much a shopping trip can be improved by a pleasant and helpful assistant, so make sure you’re pleasant and helpful to everyone! Respond to questions, make valuable suggestions and make returning unwanted products as easy as possible. Build your reputation for great customer service and watch your profits rise.

So there you go; 5 tips to help make your e-commerce website a shopping destination in its own right. What would you add to the list?

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kathy Heslop .