Consumers today shop only at 2 kinds of stores: one found outside their homes, and the other (whilst inside their homes) can be found online. It is so evident today that the internet has a huge influence over the consumer market; with everyone buying online, most retail shops and other businesses extend their trade on the internet. But to make it big in the digital world, there are few qualities people often look for in an online shopping site.
In this article, I’ll be sharing what I have learned from frequent online shoppers to inform fellow netizens, business owners, and even newbies what makes an online shopping site “in” for buyers. I’ve been seeking some answers from a few e-shoppers on what they look for in a website. Here are the top 3 qualities-
Aesthetics
Imagine a store stowed away somewhere in a big shopping mall. There are probably over a hundred establishments in there, and in order to stand out, this store must present an eye-appealing gimmick. Its window display and visual representation is the first thing that attracts a customer to lure them in.
“Don’t you think that a web-store looks nicer when there’s actual art in it?” shares Dannah, a fashion buyer.
Same thing applies to your website; you should have a great web design so people will have the pleasure to visit your site regularly. The more tweaks you put, the better. People like it when there’s something new to discover. Great graphics and eye-candy web tools or functions excite your visitors. So keep in mind to update your site regularly.
Merchandise
This is a no-brainer. How would you make a sale when no one wants what you’re selling? Having great products online should have more edge than the products you find in retail shops and department stores.
Let’s say you want to sell mugs, but a local store also sell mugs and even tea cups, and everyone you know knows about that store. Even your friends wouldn’t care about your mugs online because that store down the street is just so familiar to them. To beat the local store and draw customers in your online store, you have to come up with something better-get some novelty mugs! Not just some cute-looking, personalized mugs, but those I-didn’t-know-it-was-a-mug mugs. Like the camera lens mugs. Selling unique items is one way to keep your sales coming. If they can’t get it offline, they’ll look for it online.
Pricing
Another strategy to beat that local store, or at this point now other e-commerce sites, is to price your merchandise with the biggest discounts. Red tag prices are already a call to action for the consumers to buy, buy, and buy. “I shop online, ‘coz it’s cheaper,” says Richard, a 30-something photographer.
Black Friday in the US and weekend sales all put people to a rush to buy something that they probably wouldn’t even use or need. Ask anyone why they bought that item and don’t be surprised if that person says, “Because it’s on sale!” Yes, some consumers are like that. That sold item from a sale doesn’t have to be a need for the buyer, and it’s not even a want. Anything that is affordable can be sold. Finding bigger discounts and lowered prices in your site would definitely make a sale.
To make it easier for you to remember, just keep in mind that shoppers like to compare. Make your website desirable. Give your customers a good shopping experience. The competition may be tight not, but success online could be a fast ride if done right. And if you don’t bring it, you’ll definitely lose it.
