The Top Overlooked Areas in All E-Commerce Businesses

Do you run an e-commerce business and wonder how you can grow it? With people staying home more, e-commerce is going through a boom period. 

Last year, retail e-commerce grew approximately 27.6%, and doesn’t show signs of slowing anytime soon. People now see the convenience of ordering from home and having items delivered directly to their front doors. 

The best way to improve your digital store is by looking at some of the commonly overlooked areas. Improving these and implementing best practices will take your company to the next level. 

1. Cybersecurity

As an online business, you’re aware of the dangers of hackers, but many smaller companies fail to implement all the safeguards they should. With rules such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), selling to global customers may put additional requirements on your processes. 

In addition to investing in virus protection, train your employees to safeguard their passwords, add firewalls and invest in additional security for your customer databases. 

2. Box Design 

At a brick and mortar store, you can throw the purchase in a bag and call it a day. With an online retail location, you ship everything you sell. The design of your packaging can mean the difference between looking professional and like an amateur. 

At a minimum, include your logo on the box. However, as soon as you can afford a custom design, look into adding different colors and styles to showcase your brand’s personality. 

3. Mailing Lists

Do you actively seek the email address of every person who lands on your website? Gathering contact information allows you to keep in touch with hard-earned website traffic. You maintain full control of your mailing list and can use it for everything from customer relationship management to marketing.

Figure out a pain point the majority of your customers have. Offer a solution in exchange for their email address. For example, if most of your clients say they hate paying for shipping, offer a special code for free shipping on the first order if they share their information.

4. Third-Party Platforms

Are things moving a little slow on your digital storefront? Think outside the box and offer your items on third-party sites such as Etsy, Amazon, Walmart.com, etc. Many of the items on these sites are brand new or custom made. 

You might as well generate some revenue during the slow times by offering a slight discount and listing your items. Just pay attention to the listing fees and make sure you don’t wind up spending more than you make. 

Fix the Small Stuff

You’ve probably been told not to sweat the small stuff, but when you pay attention to the finer details of your e-commerce store, you’re less likely to overlook key components. Change small things and see how your audience responds. New language on your call to action button may result in higher conversion rates. Keep trying things until you find the perfect mix for your business model.