Staying on top of the changes in an increasingly digital age is a challenge for most business owners, but ecommerce is one evolution of the sales process that can't be ignored. Research estimates that over 40 percent of consumers worldwide now carry out some of their shopping online, with the frequency and value of these online sales steadily increasing.
As your customers move online, are you hiding behind excuses to avoid investing in an ecommerce channel for your business? By avoiding and investing in ecommerce, you may be selling yourself short. If you find that you tell yourself the following four lies, it might be time to reconsider your position.
Lie #1: I Don't Need Online Sales
So your business is so successful and demand is so high that you can't possibly take more orders or take on new customers? That's great for now, but how sure are you that this will still be the case in six months? What if you could simultaneously build a more secure future for your business as well as boost profit?
Ecommerce lets you grow your customer base by creating a database of potential customers. If you can't service them right now, why not offer them advice or support in the form of a regular newsletter? Or if demand really is outstripping supply, reconsider your prices and find more profitable customers from your growing database.
Lie #2: My Customers Won't Buy Online
Quite frankly, if you believe this you are not only missing out on immediate potential sales, but condemning the future growth of your business.
Online shopping has almost doubled since 2010, with no sign of slowing down. This means more and more people each month are choosing to spend their money online instead of visiting brick and mortar locations.
Even if you were to play devil's advocate and claim that your business is the one exception to the rule, the chances are high that this won't be the case for much longer as a growing number of shoppers take their transactions to the digital space.
Creating an ecommerce platform for your business now will mean that you have an established online presence that can grow and develop to meet the changing shopping habits of your customers in the future.
Lie #3: It Takes Too Much Time to Set Up and Manage
This is an understandable misconception, and certainly you will need to invest time and money into a new ecommerce system. However with so many online retailing solutions, and a growing number of experienced web design companies, a bespoke website can be designed, built and up and running in a matter of weeks.
Don't let the pressure of creating a comprehensive online store to rival Amazon put you off starting your company's ecommerce journey. There is nothing wrong with starting out small, perhaps with a few core products or an online booking system, and gradually building up your online retailing. For a more detailed account of what is involved in setting up an ecommerce store this ecommerce website checklist is a great resource.
Lie #4: I Can't Afford It
As with any important business investment you need to weigh up the potential returns against the initial cost. There are many pros and cons to consider when comparing a custom built ecommerce site with a ready-to-sell package.
By choosing a robust and scalable ecommerce website, rather than a cheap and cheerful turn-key platform, your online store will be able to grow gradually with your business. This initial investment will also avoid additional costs and inconvenience when you choose to increase your ecommerce operations.
Businesses need to evolve and grow to stay successful, and with a growing convergence of online and offline shopping practices due to the rise in consumer smartphone use, your business simply can't afford to ignore the ecommerce trend.
For more information and tips on ecommerce visit Magicdust.