Anyone looking to sell products online needs to have a plan
for how to build e-commerce website almost as much as they need a comprehensive
business plan. The first step in writing this plan is to determine what would
be the ideal customer experience when visiting your site. However, doing so in
a way that is scalable can be challenging for many new business owners. Here
are 4 tips for developing your website.
1. Know Your Strengths
First you need to assess your business offering and what
differentiates you from your competition, as well as your place in the market.
Who are your ideal customers (based on data, not personal preference)? What are
your strengths and weaknesses relative to your competitors?
2. Identify Your Goals
Once you have a base understanding of your niche in the
market, you can start setting some manageable goals for building your
e-commerce site. Who are your customers and what do they need? Do they need
information or tangible products? What is the best way to reach them, and what
information do they need to make a purchasing decision?
3. Think About Your Products
Next, examine the products and service you offer. What is
the best way to position them and display them using only text, images, or
video? What methods of purchasing will you have available? How do you plan to
handle shipping and requests for returns or refunds?
4. Provide Assitance for Customers
It is important to not overlook your customers need to speak
to a live person if they have issues with the product. You can streamline this
process in a number of ways. For one, document customer questions and add them
to a Frequently Asked Questions document with detailed and well-written
answers. Secondly, after getting set up with a customer service provider, make
sure the toll-free number is displayed prominently on the site.