5 essential elements to sell online (the #2 is a must-have)

The growth of online commerce was already on the rise before the pandemic. According to Forbes, the pandemic accelerated its growth by 4 to 6 years. Selling your services and products online has become a must. Here are 5 important elements to consider in order to substantially increase your business revenue through e-commerce.

1. Build a website (and keep it updated)

It may seem obvious, but many businesses still simply don't have a website — or have let theirs fall by the wayside. Regardless of the product or service you sell, a high-performing website is essential for keeping revenue flowing into your bank account. Today, digital marketing is critical for continuing to acquire customers online and keeping your finances healthy. Don't forget that you're competing with thousands of businesses trying to reach the same customers as you!

A website with attractive content and products, a smooth purchasing experience, and a secure, proven payment system are all elements that build customer confidence and make the buying process easier.

2. Create an irresistible offer and stand out

A beautiful package will never beat a compelling, well-crafted offer. On the web, comparing offers is easier than ever. Highlight your strengths and don't be afraid to build an offer that would be difficult — even absurd — to refuse. Here are a few examples that increase your chances of closing a sale quickly:

• Promote your advantages over the competition
• Offer free shipping
• Provide multiple payment options
• Include a gift with a product purchase
• Set an expiry date on an offer
• Offer a guarantee
• Deliver an exceptional shopping experience
• Give a discount

Be creative, but above all, differentiate yourself — because a dull, uncompetitive offer goes completely unnoticed on the web.

3. Rank first in search results

Having a website is a good start, but now you need to attract visitors! If you have little or no advertising budget, the best way to draw in potential buyers is to create content that genuinely adds value for your audience. This will help push your business to the top of Google's search results.

The goal is to make your business appear in the top search results when a potential customer looks for your services or products in your area.

Hundreds of criteria are taken into account by Google to rank you in search results. Here are a few crucial tips to help you stand out:

• Optimize your site for mobile. Find out whether your website is mobile-friendly with Google's Mobile-Friendly Test.
• Create your business profile on Google My Business so you can be easily found on Google and Google Maps.
• Create useful, relevant content for your audience. Find out what people are searching for with Ubersuggest. Also check what keywords your competitors are using with tools like ahrefs.
• Get mentioned by other websites that carry authority with Google. To check a website's authority, use this tool created by Moz. You'll receive a score between 0 and 100, with 100 being the best (for reference, google.com has a score of 95).
• Maintain a consistent online presence by staying active and regularly publishing engaging content.

Standing out in search engines takes effort and technical knowledge. Start by making sure your content is compelling and addresses the challenges and questions of your target audience.

4. Advertise online

The communication platforms you use always depend on your target audience. You need to reach them where they are. The two most established platforms are Google and Facebook.

One effective way to drive visitors to your website is to pay for advertising.

Google Ads lets you bid on keywords to display your web page among the top search results.

Facebook Ads allows you to target your audience with great precision, serving them the offers most relevant to them. Exclusive articles are a type of content that performs well on Facebook — they're a great way to attract clicks.

There are many communication channels that can reach your future buyers, such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Blogger, and more. Google and Facebook remain the leaders in online advertising.

5. Maintain the relationship after the sale (even online)

Make sure you collect contact information such as your customers' phone numbers and email addresses. Don't lose sight of a satisfied customer who might buy again or refer you to others.

After the sale, nurture your relationship with the customer and share value-added content — such as tips on getting the most out of the product or service they purchased. At the same time, suggest complementary services that might interest them. A golden rule is to always deliver value before pitching your services; that way, you prove you can help... by actually helping!

A satisfied customer will become a great ambassador. When you're confident they've had a positive experience, take the opportunity to ask them for a referral.

Get a head start

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Consumer habits evolve over time, but people still need your products or services. You simply need to reach them where they are: online!

Whether you take the time to do it yourself or enlist a specialized agency to implement the points mentioned above, you'll be one step ahead of your competitors.

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