The eCommerce sector is dominating the modern businesses landscape, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bricks-and-mortar stores that performed exceptionally well before the pandemic have now closed, while online retailers are thriving. Things have changed and so have customers’ requirements. eCommerce was flourishing before the COVID pandemic, and the events of the past year and more have only added fuel to the fire.

The question is how do you set up your eCommerce store or grow your existing digital business in this competitive market? It’s important to start with the basics, so read on to learn the 7 crucial things every eCommerce business needs to thrive.

1. The Best Products

Just because someone else’s eCommerce concept worked wonders for that business doesn’t mean it is going to work for you. Your focus should be on the products you want your target audience to buy rather than something you are desperate to sell to the world. Let’s face facts – running an eCommerce store is hard, especially for beginners. With today’s hyper-competitive market, it can be extremely overwhelming for store owners to keep their business alive and running.

If your product does not resonate with your target audiences’ needs, you will struggle to attract business. Similarly, if the products you offer are not as advertised, your customers will not return to your store. The right products that address your audiences’ concerns and offer great value for money are essential – this should be the foundation of your business.

2. An SEO-Optimized Website

Sure, you can use an eCommerce platform to promote your products to a wider audience, but that won’t offer a personalized experience. If you want your brand to stand out, build an innovative and unique website. Keep the design simple, elegant, and professional and make it easy for your audience to navigate through your website, explore your catalogue, and make a purchase. SEO-optimization means optimizing your website for search rankings. This makes your site discoverable in search engines, and helps it to stand out among hundreds of thousands of websites in a similar niche.

3. A Clear Return Policy

There are times when customers are not satisfied with the product they receive and they ask for a return. It is really important for you to have a solid and clear return policy in place so that your customers can always return the product to you if they are not satisfied. Always remember that your key competition is Amazon Prime which offers free and hassle-free returns.

4. Easy Checkout

Your customers find the long registration forms and complex checkout processes unnecessary and frustrating. In fact, one of the main reasons that customers abandon their shopping cart is a lengthy checkout. If you want your prospects to complete the purchase and return to your store, keep the checkout process simple and easy.

Ask for the necessary details, such as their email, name, and payment details – keep it to the essentials only! Also check your banking methods. Add multiple payment options to allow your customers to choose a convenient payment method.

5. Reliable Customer Service

Your customers will need to contact your customer support team to get their queries answered and their issues resolved. If you are using your own website, make sure you clearly display contact icons to allow your customers to get in touch with your support team as quickly and easily as possible. If theyget in touch, be sure to answer them quickly.

If you are offering support services by phone, it’s important to clearly display your hours of attention. Live chat is a great option if you want to offer 24/7 support to your customers. The key to successful customer support is consistency. It is incredibly important to be consistent with your responses and answer your customers in a timely manner.

6. Positive Reviews

Positive customer reviews work as a marketing tool that encourages others to do business with you. Just like word-of-mouth marketing, customer reviews attract new clients to your business. It is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get your product in front of your target audience and give them the assurance they need to make a purchase.

7. Use Affiliate Marketing Programs

Affiliates are influencers who promote your products to a large audience through their websites, social media accounts, or emails. It is a cost-effective and easy way to have your products promoted to a wider audience. You can market your brand to a large number of people through affiliates for a small commission. Remember that the more commission you offer, the more affiliates will want to work with you.

Wrapping Up

More and more customers embraced online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting the eCommerce sector. The above tips will help you set up your eCommerce store and establish a successful business in no time.