Small businesses are finding it tougher to make a mark in the online world when it means coming up against big platforms like Amazon or Ebay, but that does not mean that it is impossible. Too often smaller retailers struggle to get their foot in the door and simply give up before they have made any impact or do so just before they find their silver lining.
As an online retailer and supplier, we at Kivole.com understand the need and importance of putting in the hard work to reap the rewards, and we are not slowing down. As an online supplier of household goods and furniture to the Spanish community and beyond we are always striving for more, and as Marketing Manager Sonia Rodriguez so elegantly put it,” At Kivole we are committed to offering an online sales experience that is as similar as possible to what you would expect when visiting a physical store but with the added convenience of doing it from your home or the office, from your mobile, tablet or PC.” Knowing what your customers need is part of evolving, and e-commerce online stores are the future of marketing.
But what are the bigger brands and corporations doing that makes them that much more successful than the next guy? We take a look at what could be just the change you have been searching for to transform yourbrand and to compete at some level with the larger firms in the online world.
What it takes
Are there set rules to follow that propel companies like Amazon to the forefront of the online e-commerce world? To an extent, yes, but they are not as complicated as you may think. They have found a formula that works, and with a few integrations, your brand will soon be the go-to option for purchasing products in that industry or genre. Let’s dive in and see what simple services the top-tier e-commerce brands are offering and how small e-commerce companies can step up their online game;
Regulating product prices
Comparing across brands when shopping online is a given by all customers, but as an e-commerce store, it is as important to know what your competition is charging. Finding the right balance between appeal but also still making a profit is a fine line, so using price comparative apps and tools can quickly help solve this issue and show you where your price points lie.
Maintaining high-quality products
Always ensure your products are of equal quality as if a customer was purchasing from a physical store. The stigma of online inferiority should not be an issue you need to be juggling. You want consistency and quality across the board.
Store Accessibility
Every person is a potential customer. Think about the variety of demographics you could reach if they are your target audience and how best to appeal to them. For instance, people with color blindness could still have a pleasant experience if your site uses highly contrasting colors and images. Making the site available in different languages widens your reach even further and could rapidly increase brand awareness.
First Impressions Last
This is true for any business but online is even more important. When a client visits your site they must want to stay and have a look around. A well-designed site can be the make or break point in the decision-making for customer engagement.
Secure Shipping
Nobody likes feeling insecure about having their personal details held on file with all the cybercrime and theft on the loose. Give your customers peace of mind that their information is safe and secure because you are using a data-encrypted SSL which ensures transactions are safely executed.
Make the most of M-commerce
It is no surprise to hear that mobile apps and purchasing have significantly increased over the past decade and will continue to do so at a vigorous pace. Therefore, ensuring your company is up to speed with an online mobile version that is easily accessible by mobile is a must. Mobile optimization is an essential part of the online marketing fundamentals and a responsive platform design that is user-friendly is sure to elevate your brand awareness.
Little fish making big e-commerce waves
At the end of the day e-commerce is here to stay, and making it work for you like industry front runners Kivole is just one step in the right direction of staying ahead of the game. Always think innovative, have your customer in mind at all times, and the world of e-commerce will soon be a walk in the digital park (Amazon who?).
