- Introduction
- How to increase your e-commerce sales
- #1 Make search for products easier
- #2 Use analytics tools
- #3 Provide relevant recommendations
- #4 Use chatbots powered by artificial intelligence
- #5 Be active on social media
- #6 Try out A/B testing
- #7 Take care of your loyal customers
- #8 Improve your SEO strategy
- #9 Keep your customers coming back using discount codes
- #10 Make monitoring metrics a habit
- #11 Make your site mobile-friendly
- Example: Alza
- #12 Encourage your customers to buy
- #13 Respond to customer reviews
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
Introduction
Increasing e-shop revenue and sales is the initial goal of every e-commerce business. So, what are the best ways to maximize it? You’ve probably heard many tips and strategies on how to do it. However, it is easier said than done.
Our article showcases top-notch sales growth tactics and will guide you on how to implement them.
Without further ado, let’s jump straight into the details.
How to increase your e-commerce sales
With our e-commerce specialists, we put together 13 essential points on how to increase e-commerce sales.
#1 Make search for products easier
Enhancing the overall search experience is crucial for increasing e-commerce revenue; therefore, opting for an advanced search solution is necessary.
Advanced search solutions can provide your customers with a fantastic customer experience with AI-powered site search and recommendations. What are the pillars of great search?
- A visible search bar that allows your customers to find products quickly.
- An autocomplete that simplifies and speeds up product search. There’s no need to type the full product title in a search box. Instead, an autocomplete suggests the results before customers type the term into a search bar.
- Get rid of “no results”. The software should deal perfectly with typos and misspellings to eliminate inaccurate results. Moreover, with autocorrection assistance, shoppers always get relevant product suggestions.
✨ Also check our 10 Product discovery features that guarantee to boost your e-shop revenue blog post.
Example: Muziker
Muziker is known for its efficient search functionality, allowing customers to find various products quickly. The search bar is prominently placed and uses predictive text to help users complete their queries faster.
#2 Use analytics tools
There are many analytics tools available on the market that might help you to increase e-commerce sales. They are great support because:
- They help you optimize your website for conversions
By understanding how users interact with your site, you can make changes that will help you close more online sales. With Luigi’s Box Analytics, it’s easy to find bugs that direct users to the wrong landing page and fix them immediately.
- They help plan campaigns more effectively
Tracking how your customers behave makes creating campaigns that drive sales easy. Luigi’s Box is a platform that shows your customers’ preferences so you can adjust your marketing strategy and attract potential buyers.
- They can help you understand your customers better
By understanding who your customers are and what they want, you can effectively tailor your offerings to them. For example, you can see how frequently they search for specific products or how many searches have resulted in higher conversion rates and improved customer satisfaction.
Example: EXIsport
EXIsport is a Slovak sports and fashion retail company. Leveraging Luigi’s Box Analytics helped the company increase the conversion rate from search by 32%, which boosted the year-on-year online revenues by 52%.
#3 Provide relevant recommendations
When users browse, make sure you display relevant suggestions. A user must be able to find items connected to the item they are looking for. For example, a user looking for a hat might want to find a matching scarf in the recommendation box.
Recommender also increases the possibility of buying a complementary product. It is also a way of shortening the shopping path. A user does not need to type the query in the search box. Instead, they can find a related item in the suggestion section with just one click.
Luigi’s Box provides this solution as well. You can implement Luigi’s Box Recommender in your e-commerce site and make shopping a seamless experience.
Example: Zalando
Zalando presents users with tailored suggestions that complement their searches and previous purchases by analyzing customer behavior, purchase history, and preferences.
#4 Use chatbots powered by artificial intelligence
Integrating modern live chat tools can bring your business several benefits. For example, AI chatbots can interact with customers around the clock, answering questions, recommending products, and assisting with abandoned carts, thus providing a constant presence that can improve customer service and sales.
By analyzing customer data, chatbots can tailor conversations to individual customers, making product recommendations based on preferences and purchase history, which enhances the shopping experience and makes customers feel valued.
Chatbots can also send reminders to customers who have left items in their shopping carts, encouraging them to complete their purchases and thus potentially reducing cart abandonment rates.
Example: Sephora
Sephora’s chatbot on Facebook Messenger can provide beauty product recommendations and tips, making it easier for customers to find products that suit their needs.
#5 Be active on social media
Approximately five billion people are active on social media today. It’s a huge number, isn’t it? Luckily, e-commerce businesses can use it to their advantage by creating social media campaigns to reach more and more people.
Also, social media tactics like targeted advertising, building a community, or collaborating with influencers or celebrities are excellent ways to generate sales. Implementing these tips to your marketing strategy is a good idea.
What’s more, social media is a fantastic source of insight into buyers and target audiences. For example, about their shopping preferences and behavior – you can see how many people visit your website by clicking the link you included in the post.
Example: Nike
Nike maintains a strong presence on various social media platforms. It uses platforms like Instagram and Twitter to showcase new products and to share the stories behind its products, athletes, and sports events. This approach helps to build an emotional connection with their audience.
#6 Try out A/B testing
A/B testing is an excellent method of making informed decisions for your e-shop. How it works? Audiences view two or more versions of a website or its elements. And then, researchers check which version performs better. In other words, they analyze which version generates more conversions.
This way, you can determine the most effective design, content, or methods. For instance, you can check what CTA, form fields, or titles work better. So, if you are unsure what can increase your e-shop’s sales, don’t be afraid to test it using A/B tests.
💡 An actionable CTA reduces shopping cart abandonment.
Audiences are unique, and their preferences may change over time. Such experiments will give you a bigger picture of your target audience.
Example: Booking.com
Booking.com is known for continuously conducting A/B tests on its website to optimize the user experience and increase conversion rates. For example, specialists in Booking.com test different versions of their homepage to see which layout, color scheme, or set of images results in a higher conversion rate.
#7 Take care of your loyal customers
Loyal customers are committed to the brand – they most likely choose you over your competitors. Buyers that are coming back are precious to the business. You can enhance customer loyalty in many ways, such as by running a loyalty program. Offering them special offers and other benefits is one of the best ways to keep your customers doing business with you.
To gain more loyal customers, you should:
- Create and promote a loyalty program
- Make people join it with special offers or incentives for club members
- Set up automated emails after the purchase asking the customers to leave a review
- Engage with customers on social media
- Personalize interactions and offers
- Maintain transparency, including pricing, product information, policies
These tips can help you develop a strong group of customers who will stay with you for a long time.
Example: Amazon Prime
For a set annual fee, Amazon Prime members get free two-day shipping. The membership also includes other perks, such as special deals on Prime Day and access to Amazon’s streaming service.
#8 Improve your SEO strategy
A search engine-optimized website may benefit your business on many levels. For instance, thorough keyword research will help you increase your website’s visibility in search engines.
An effective SEO strategy will boost your website’s traffic and expand your customer base. The more people visit your website, the more likely someone will buy your products or services.
Unfortunately, without SEO, it’s hard to rank in organic searches. Such searches drive more than half of search engine traffic on your website, so it’s worth the effort. The best way to enhance your SEO strategy is to hire a professional. It will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on other significant issues.
When working with an SEO expert isn’t possible, there are a few helpful tips:
- Search for keywords appropriate for your website.
- Make sure your website is mobile-friendly.
- Create unique titles, headings, and product descriptions.
- Use customers’ language to describe products (customers’ reviews).
You’ll be happy you did it, even if it seems like a lot of work.
Example: Etsy
Etsy has a robust SEO strategy that helps individual sellers on the platform appear in search engine results, driving traffic and sales to their online shops.
#9 Keep your customers coming back using discount codes
Discount codes are very effective and may lead to massive revenue increases. The key is to do it strategically. Here is how you can utilize them to the fullest.
- Use an attractive code
Your code should be something that will stand out and be easy for customers to remember. A good discount code will make customers more likely to use it and come back to your store to shop.
- Promote your code regularly
Ensure your customers know about the discount codes by promoting them through various channels such as email, social media, or your e-commerce website.
- Keep track of how many people use the discount code
This information helps you gauge how effectively the codes drive repeat business. If you see a significant increase in sales after implementing a discount code campaign, you’ll know it’s worth continuing in the future.
Example: Notino
Notino frequently offers discount codes to its customers, encouraging them to return and make additional purchases.
#10 Make monitoring metrics a habit
To know how your e-shop performs, you need to track metrics regularly. By doing so, you will be able to make more informed decisions and catch any areas that deserve attention and improvement.
Here are the most important ones.
- Bounce rates
They show the percentage of people who enter your website and leave without viewing any other pages or interactions. It is the number of visitors who bounced off your website.
- Pages per session
Thanks to this metric, you can check how many pages were viewed by visitors during a single session. The higher the number, the more interested and engaged customers are.
- Conversion rates
It is one of the most significant metrics that inform how effective your campaigns and marketing efforts are. It helps you track how many users bought your products or services.
- Average order value (AOV)
If you want to know how much money your customers spend on your products on average, the AOV metric will show you the data. Also, it hints at which products are the most popular ones.
With Google Analytics, you can keep track of all those metrics. However, these are only a few of them. To learn more, get a detailed look at the essential metrics for e-commerce.
Example: Zappos
Zappos closely monitors key performance metrics to understand customer behavior and optimize its service, contributing to its success in online retail.
#11 Make your site mobile-friendly
When a website is mobile-friendly, it means it can be conveniently viewed and used on a mobile device. Nowadays, more and more people are using their phones and tablets to access the internet. In that case, if a site is not optimized for mobile, it can be hard to read or use on a small screen. It may result in giving up on the checkout process and eventually purchasing. Moreover, a non-mobile-friendly website makes buyers abandon their shopping cards.
As the graph shows, mobile devices are becoming increasingly popular for purchases. That’s why it’s worth designing online stores as effortless to use as possible. A website that is clear and easy to navigate using mobile devices makes prospective customers browse for products for longer.
A mobile-friendly interface and easy navigation greatly contribute to a positive customer experience. So, it is more likely that users will come back for more.
When in doubt about whether your e-commerce platform is optimized for mobile, take a look at Google Analytics and look for the Device Category section. Also, reaching out to a UX designer is a good idea.
Example: Alza
Alza has invested in making its site mobile-friendly, recognizing the growing trend of customers shopping on smartphones and tablets.
#12 Encourage your customers to buy
Maybe it seems like an obvious thing to do, but many marketers forget about it. Motivating website or app users to make a purchase will make a difference. However, you need to put a little effort into it, for example, using some psychological techniques.
Limiting the discount time or offering free shipping under certain conditions will speed up customers’ decisions. For instance, a 20% discount available only for 24 hours will make customers buy faster and boost e-commerce sales.
Also, remember that the language that you use is impactful. Phrases like “today is your last chance,” “the last opportunity to get it,” or “don’t miss this offer” may make a difference when presenting expiring promo codes.
To maximize your efforts, check out the most common e-commerce mistakes and bad practices.
Example: Packeta
Packeta uses various techniques, such as time-limited discounts and free shipping offers, to encourage customers to make a purchase.
#13 Respond to customer reviews
Online reviews are an integral part of online shopping. Before making a purchase, customers check if the product or service is reliable by going through the review section.
It is an excellent strategy to respond to your testimonials. By doing this, you show a genuine interest in customer feedback. However, be prepared to handle both negative and positive reviews. If a buyer is satisfied with the product and recommends it, write a short message and thank you.
When there are negative reviews, also say thank you for customer feedback. They spent time and money on your product, and if they’re disappointed, offer a refund. Remember to ensure dissatisfied users that you report the problem to the right department and assure that you’ll fix the problem.
💡 Keep in mind that customer reviews are an excellent inspiration for your product descriptions.
Example: Airbnb
Airbnb is known for its community-driven platform, where hosts and guests frequently leave reviews for each other. The company encourages this interaction as part of its community-building efforts.
Conclusion
To sum it up, increasing e-commerce sales demands a holistic strategy. By leveraging tactics mentioned in this article, businesses can create a seamless customer experience that drives conversions and fosters loyalty. Adopting this comprehensive approach is key to sustained growth and success in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
Frequently asked questions
How do faster load times improve the e-commerce experience for users?
Faster load times are essential for a positive e-commerce experience as they help reduce bounce rates and engage potential customers. Quick-loading websites encourage users to explore more products and can lead to a higher cart rate, which is crucial for increasing online business sales.
Why are personalized experiences crucial for online shoppers?
Personalized experiences are key to satisfying online shoppers because they make the shopping journey more relevant and engaging. By offering product recommendations tailored to individual preferences and purchase history, e-commerce sites can create happy customers who feel valued and are more likely to purchase.
How can AI chatbots contribute to customer satisfaction in e-commerce?
AI chatbots enhance customer satisfaction by providing round-the-clock assistance, answering queries, and offering personalized product suggestions. This level of customer service ensures customers have a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience, which is vital for retaining happy customers and attracting potential customers.
What impact does a mobile-friendly site have on an e-commerce business?
A mobile-friendly site is crucial for an e-commerce business as it caters to growing users who shop on mobile devices. Ensuring the site is easy to navigate on a smartphone or tablet can significantly improve user experience, potentially increasing the cart rate and converting potential customers into actual buyers.
Barbora does magic with words in Luigi's Box as a product marketing specialist. She got into writing while studying at university as a volunteer for various civic associations. Besides being part of Luigi's Box marketing team, she co-organizes the TEDxBratislava conference, where she cares about marketing and PR.
More blog posts from this author