In recent years, there have been significant changes in the way we perceive purchasing and shopping. What initially used to be brick and mortar has now seamlessly turned into click and order.
Ever since the covid -19 pandemic, businesses have tried their best to keep up with changes in demands and preferences. To stay on top of their game, many of them have made the shift to online purchasing channels.
Although we’re now seemingly at the backend of the pandemic, online businesses are still taking up the lead. This is because the shift to e-commerce opens up a ton of different opportunities for you. You can diversify your business to meet current trends, reach more customers and target different markets.
Making the shift to e-commerce may sound like a big step to take, especially if you do things conventionally. However, there are also tons of other benefits of e-commerce that will help your business grow.
Let us tell you how!
5 Reasons to Shift to eCommerce Stores
1. Reduced Overhead Costs
When it comes to conventional stores, take a moment to think about the total costs involved. From rent to electricity, you would have to account for these basic costs that are non-negotiable. Additionally, you would also need staff to run a store, which means you would need to also account for employee costs.
However, switching to e-commerce gives you an easy solution to free yourself from these overhead costs. With e-commerce stores, you simply put your products and services online where customers can directly make a purchase. The most you would require is a laptop and internet connection and you’re good to go.
2. Better Opportunities for Marketing
Marketing and advertising for conventional stores is expensive and complicated. You may need to rely on traditional marketing tactics like billboards, flyers or print ads which are heavy on the purse strings.
Moreover, even if you explore digital marketing, your customers would need to find your store physically. This extends the purchase journey and gives more opportunities for them to abandon the idea.
However, by making the shift to e-commerce stores, you can pick an effective e-commerce strategy and use marketing avenues like SEO, social media, email marketing and much more. For example, SEO-friendly product descriptions can boost your products on search engine results and bring more customers your way.
3. Better Customer Engagement
When a customer makes a purchase from a conventional, brick-and-mortar store, there isn’t a lot you can do for them. You can only show them around and be polite and professional.
When you shift to e-commerce, this changes. When a customer visits your website for online shopping, you can gather important data that can help you with business. For example, you can get information like their birthday, anniversaries, preferences, etc. and tailor your suggestions accordingly.
4. Increased Flexibility
A conventional, brick-and-mortar store is area bound. It cannot be moved to different locations and can only target customers who are nearby. Moreover, these stores are also time-bound. You would need to close shop after a particular time and let your employees go home.
When it comes to e-commerce stores, however, you are no longer bound to time and location. You can operate 24 hours a day and open your shop to people who are located far away as well.
5. Improved Customer Satisfaction
Online shopping is more convenient as it is quicker and available to customers from the comfort of their homes. This is often not the case for conventional stores where customers have to travel to a specific location to purchase your products.
Moreover, there are a few benefits of e-commerce stores, such as fast shipping and delivery services, order tracking, order updates, etc., that are fantastic ways of improving customer satisfaction. It is also a great way to ensure that they become loyal customers who keep buying from you.
In Conclusion
While you may have been operating as a conventional store for a long time, making the shift to e-commerce brings you more oppurtunities for growth and success.
To make more of an impact in terms of business, make the shift the e-commerce today!