How Can E-Commerce Boost Your Small Business Sales?
The internet has changed the world in almost every possible way, and e-commerce has revolutionized how business is done through shopping and selling. However, many small businesses, even knowing this, still haven’t realized just how large a growth spurt they can see by selling their goods and services online through e-commerce. Here’s three ways you can see growth in your small business today.
1. Reach New Customers and Sell More Products Online
Setting up a business website and selling your products online can make a difference in your volume of sales. Many businesses with traditional brick and mortar retail shops are discovering this.
According to research data provided by Square and Mercury Analytics, 51% of shoppers prefer doing so online. Also, 67% of millennials and 56% of Gen Xers prefer to forgo the shops and place online orders.
There’s also the advantages outside of merely extending your customer reach on your own. Through what is known as omni-channel selling, you can tap into online marketplaces like Amazon, Facebook and Etsy to reach a new consumer base.
2. Expand Further with Affiliate Sales
One advantage of having an online e-commerce setup is being able to track who and where orders come from. You can create an affiliate program for customers, retail partners and more to promote your products in exchange for a commission.
There are many e-commerce platforms have this already integrated, but if you’re working with your own there are 3rd party systems that can do this as well. Online marketplaces like Amazon also have an affiliate program built in, allowing numerous marketers and bloggers to promote your products once listed.
This method also works in perfect synergy with blogger outreach, which can grow your presence on social media as well. With many affiliate tracking tools you can adjust the rate depending on the users. For instance giving your customers 5% commission, but 10% for more influential affiliates.
3. Schedule Appointments and Sell Time Slots
The advantage of ecommerce and online selling doesn’t only apply to small businesses which provide products and goods. Businesses that provide services and consulting can also grow their business with a strong online presence.
You can sell and schedule appointments and bookings directly at the same time, saving you effort and headache. You and your customers also have a better idea of when you’ll be available and can work together on the best time for you both.
It’s also a good idea to sell supplementary goods through your website, such as books, training and videos. Writing an ebook and publishing it on Amazon Kindle can showcase your expertise and add an additional revenue stream to your business as well.
As more and more people come to expect the convenience of shopping online for everything they spend money on, the businesses that cater to this mindset will thrive and flourish. E-commerce is a direct gateway to expanding and creating a more stable and cost effective sales channel for your small business. You owe it to yourself and your business to explore which options can help take your small business to the next level.