More than a decade ago, economists and the media predicted the demise of retail. While eCommerce development services and the rise of online retail giants have tipped the scales, today's customers still prefer a hybrid model: splitting their time and money between brick-and-mortar stores, online shopping and store pickup, and e-commerce. conventional.
Shoppers have become omnichannel consumers: those who just shop and those who conduct pre-purchase research on a variety of platforms. As a result, consumers have become increasingly demanding and selective, leading retailers to struggle to retain their attention and loyalty.
Here are 5 tips to help businesses succeed in the age of the omnichannel consumer.
1. Points of Sale and Store Orders
Create a point-of-sale order that allows customers to interact with your brand, explore, try products, and buy in innovative ways. For example, a POS (point of sale) system can offer personalized services, such as order history, this means suggestions that allow convenient comparisons and rearrangements to let the customer know that they are attentive to their preferences.
2. Multiple Payment Methods
Offer various payment methods. Customers want payment options, from debit and credit cards to “cash-based” or even convenience store payments. For this, it is important to ensure that each one is reliable and secure, for example, that it has encryption. It is even recommended to use VPN (a virtual private network) to prevent cyber criminals from entering the site and stealing credit cards or personal information.
3. Shipping Options
Integration with multiple shipping providers is another necessary process during eCommerce website development. Similarly, it's important to offer customers shipping options, from the free shipping that may take a few days longer, to express shipping that costs extra. Such options will help meet the needs of customers, both those who value free shipping, as well as those who want their purchases in a timelier manner.
4. Be Very Clear About Your Sales Channels
Configure the online store to sell through the channels that the business requires. This includes integrating your own e-commerce platform, third-party marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, and Walmart (although that means reduced sales) – and if possible, physical channels, even if it's just for brand awareness.
5. Use Artificial Intelligence Tools
AI is not a distant or complex topic, currently, many software providers are integrating it into their solutions because it offers a fast and efficient way to analyze the browsing and purchasing habits of their customers. As it learns and troubleshoots, it allows you to understand the reason for site abandonment, unfulfilled purchases, shipping issues, and returns. Collect, study and personalize the shopping experience from start to finish.
6. Don't Forget SEO
SEO is what focused more on eCommerce solutions. In search engine optimization, we have to consider several factors: technical optimization, page concept, content, link profile, and keyword strategy. SEO measures inherit a long-term effect on your ranking.
Since Google is the most used search engine globally (more than 90% of users) and the one that ultimately sets the pace, all online store managers should internalize their positioning criteria. It is common that if a rule is broken, you have to expect ranking and traffic losses.
Conclusion
It is vital to building an e-commerce store not only according to current standards but also considering the changing trends in the sector. For them, it is necessary to keep up not only with industry news but with trends and especially advances in technology that could work for the business. Similarly, you should get in the habit of following a selection of sites that stand out for offering an excellent customer experience, the heart of any business.
