Congratulations! So you got your e-commerce business launched, maybe you invited staff, family members, or even some customers over to celebrate the bright day.. But it’s not long enough until you realize that sales are going way less than expected, and your brain fries over what on earth the reason behind that can be. Actually it can be MANY reasons that cause all the efforts and researches go in vain.
The following are common e-commerce pitfalls that are crucial to know in order to avoid:
1. Unsightly page design:
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” right?! Not necessarily! Sometimes that is considered as an excuse for laziness as if there’s nothing can be done. You may have the best product quality for the best price a customer can dream of, but without a glamorously simple and attractive design to keep the customer browsing, not to mention thinking of revisiting, your e-commerce business is hitting a dead enddd.
2. Absence of mobile compatibility:
Even though this doesn’t need any pointing out, unfortunately many businesses realize it way too late. People walk with their mobile devices and tablets more than they ever do with their laptops; they even do so while at home. If your website isn’t compatible and easy to navigate on those handy devices, your customers will think twice before accessing it, that if they remember to do so in the first place.
3. Slow loading:
Putting aside internet speed factor, studies show that every extra second your website takes to load leads to at least 10 customers loss. This seemingly trivia point is not to be taken lightly. Ask the experts if your website’s loading time is competitive or not.
4. Complicated interface:
Simple makes perfect! Anyone can make anything look complicated, but it takes huge effort and a true genius to make the complicated become simple. A complicated website does not by any means make your business look sophisticated or cutting-edge; on the contrary, it only makes you seem not knowing what you’re doing; and if that becomes the case, the only simple thing remaining when there would be to kiss your customers’ relationship bye-bye.
5. Lack of personalization:
In real life, customers can touch, feel, and try different colors, designs, and sizes, but of course that is not the case when shopping online. Your e-commerce website should offer customers the ability to virtually customize and personalize products. If that isn’t available, the customer would feel unappreciated or would simply consider visiting websites that offer what you don’t.
6. Not enough product info:
Again and again, presuming that some of your products’ info, details, or features are well-known or famous enough to be mentioned is one the most critical mistakes any business can make. Always assume that every new customer is completely new to your industry or field. Give them complete yet concise grasp of what these products have or do and you would be on the safe side.
7. No endorsements or reviews option:
How many times have you read a product’s customer review before buying it? ALWAYS! Or so I hope. Almost everyone is kind of anxious when buying a product online; and even if the website is most secured and trustworthy, it’s the slight skepticism concerning the product itself. Having an option to allow customers comment and provide opinions and reviews is vital for any successful e-commerce business.
8. Ignoring OR spamming email marketing:
Each of the two ends is extremely harmful. Email marketing is one of the most efficient ways to market your e-commerce business, and ignoring it can cause you to miss on great opportunities to grow. On the other hand, it is as harmful to overdue or spam your customers inbox on daily basis, thinking that since you’re sending to millions then millions will come along! If marketing emails are not limited to once a week for example, customers can get really annoyed and decide to unsubscribe from your emails and maybe quitting interacting with your business as a whole to have some peace of mind.
Having a business on the web doesn’t mean that it markets itself there! It’s unfortunate how many e-commerce businesses’ marketing strategies and campaigns are just plain flat and minimal to the point of almost not existing. Having strong, real strong, marketing strategies is a magical key to standing out in the fierce competition.
10. Unattractive margins:
You are selling online for a reason, aren’t you?! So are the ones buying online! If your prices are the same as in real-life shops, then why would anyone prefer you over them?! People buy online to buy from competitive prices providers, and if that is not the case in your website right now, then you should call for an emergency fix right away!
11. Complicated check-out process:
So the kind customer finished their browsing process and finally made a buying decision; but out of the blue find themselves in one of those Doctor Strange’s time loops where they cannot complete the purchase process and keep running in circles! Not only does that cause your customers to have unmatched frustration and bad experience, but also may make that purchase their first and last.
Simple and easy to follow check-out process can build customer loyalty and increase the word of mouth for even more customers to come.
When customers complete the transactions, they want to feel comfortable about the delivery of their products. Approving the purchase is only half the way there; this isn’t an online game, you know. If you’re unable to provide efficient shipping solutions, then contracting with vendors who can do so is the way to go.
What is more important than launching your e-commerce business is maintaining it. The competition is merciless out there, and only those who develop become winners.
