5 tips to make your online store more professional
So, you’ve already decided to move you business online and set up your own online store in order to make some money and you might now be looking at ways that you can really stand out from the crowd. With so many people selling online, it’s time to make sure that your online store looks professional.
Terms and Conditions
One of the most important things that an ecommerce store needs is a set of terms and conditions that are both clear and comply with the relevant consumer laws. These are a legal agreement and let the customers of your site know the rules of conduct of your store. They are also designed to protect both the buyers and sellers of an ecommerce store, so they are vital.
Encourage reviews
It can be a big risk for consumers to purchase goods or services from a new website, and this is where reviews can be very useful. Encourage your past customers to leave an honest review after a purchase and have these visible on the site. The more reviews, the more convincing they will be, however it is important to only use real, genuine reviews.
Branding
Set yourself up with a custom domain, a tagline and a logo that represents you and your brand. These will set your online shop apart from the rest and give it some credibility as well as some personality. You don’t have to pay a lot for a logo, there are some online tools that will help you create a simple and professional looking logo, without ending up out of pocket. A custom domain will really give your website a professional look and will feel more trustworthy and official to people visiting the site. Again, this doesn’t have to cost a whole lot of money, if you shop around for your options.
Your products
Of course, people will come on to your site to buy products or services and so these should be the best they can be. Make sure any photographs or graphics are high quality and clear, with several angles for potential customers to see. Ensure that the titles are clear and simple with keywords that explain exactly what the product is, and that the description goes into more detail. Cover specifics such as sizes and colors, and if there is a chance of any variance, make sure you include this too. The more detail, the better, but it should be easy to read and understand by your potential customers.
Be sure to take onboard any feedback from customers about the types of products and services you offer, as this may give you ideas for new directions.
Online support
Customers buying online want to know that if there are any issues, they will be able to get in contact with someone for customer support. By having a live-chat feature, you can increase your site-wide conversion by around 10%! This should be accessible on all pages, and the support given through it should be consistently helpful and polite, to keep buyers returning. If you can’t offer 24/7 live chat support, make sure other contact options such as email or telephone, are very clear.
If you take on board the advice in these five areas, your online store will be far more professional and therefore you will hopefully start getting more customers. It is important to never stay stagnant and always be evolving and improving as your business grows.