Dale Stevens is an entrepreneur and social media marketer. Aside from regular blogging and content writing, Dale also holds webinars for aspiring startups and digital marketers. In his free time, Dale enjoys reading books, watching documentaries, and learning how to cook.
Starting an online business is one thing, but growing it is an entirely different story. While some may think that the stakes aren't too high when delving into the world of eCommerce, there's really no telling if your endeavor will be a success—let alone grow. So, it's understandable if some online business owners prefer to be on the safe side and operate as they are. However, if you've got bigger visions for your online company, growing it seems like the next step to take.
Your consumer base grows as time goes on because more consumers are becoming accustomed to the idea of shopping online. According to Statista, global retail e-commerce sales are predicted to increase by 50% in 2025, reaching roughly USD$7.4 trillion worldwide. So, yes, there's no perfect time than now to think of ways and strategies you can grow your online business and take advantage of the booming e-commerce industry.
Of course, it also goes without saying that you need to analyze first if your business is ready for expansion and growth. There's such a thing as growing too quickly or too soon. Timing is of the essence, and to know if you're ready, you can't just rely on your gut alone. You need measurable results and feasible data to move forward with your plan.
How is the performance of your store? Is it consistently bringing in the profits and sales you expect, or is it barely getting by? To determine this, you can start by exporting your data and analyzing it using business tools dedicated to such a purpose. If you prefer a simplified process, you can consider WooCommerce to Microsoft Excel integration, which you can configure in a few minutes. An automated data analysis will be available to help with your workflow.
Since you only operate digitally, your online presence can make or break your growth as a business. Online existence is certainly possible, but it's not the same as having a presence. While having an online presence can help you become known, it also affects your reputation, credibility, and exposure.
You want to attract new customers, so it makes sense to put your products or services in front of more eyes. To do just that, here are some tips and tricks you can use to amplify your business's online presence:
In this digital time and age, an online business won't survive without a decent website. Consumers with high expectations when shopping online tend to pay attention to what a brand's website can offer. Did you know that users only take about 0.05 seconds (50 milliseconds) to decide whether they like a website or not and whether they'll keep scrolling or walk away?
Imagine if those very limited seconds were spent waiting on a website that's too slow to load or pages that won't open as they should—that's not a good impression to give to your page visitors. It's also not surprising that consumers judge a brand's credibility based on its website appeal and design. On top of making the website fast and user-friendly, you can consider adding an explainer video for business to your landing page or home page that can help introduce your brand without using walls of text. Just make sure it has all the necessary information about your business.
With this in mind, it's crucial to build a website that can help amplify your online presence and not ruin it. Doing it yourself is good as long as you know your way around website design and its elements. But if you're unfamiliar with it, hiring an expert who knows what they're doing would be best. If you ask anyone, it's a wise business investment to have a lead-generating website that looks and works precisely how you want it to.
The work doesn't stop when your website is already up and running. It's crucial that you make sure your page is mobile-friendly to enhance customer experience. You can't expect your online business to grow if visitors don't find it easy to buy your products using their mobile devices.
Moreover, three out of four smartphone users turn to mobile search when looking for a product or service, especially when it's an immediate need. This only shows how having a mobile-first web design can significantly impact your growth as an online business. If people can easily locate you using their smartphone, they're highly likely to place an order, refer you to their friends and family, and buy again in the future.
Aside from making your website mobile-friendly, you can also utilize mobile-specific strategies, such as SMS marketing, which you can use to announce promotions, send product updates and event invites, and even ask for reviews and feedback.
Given the vast user base of social media and its impressive sharing capabilities, it's a waste not to leverage its power when growing your online business. According to Sprout Social, adults now spend 95 minutes a day using social media on all platforms, which you should take advantage of if you want to amplify your digital presence and attract new customers. But how can you make money on tiktok and other social media platforms? Furthermore, there are other social media marketing techniques that you can use for your brand. For example, you can go Live on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Or, if you prefer a more creative way of storytelling, you can post informational videos adding captions on TikTok featuring your products.
You can begin by creating profiles across major platforms on social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. In addition, you should be consistent in posting content so your followers can see you as an active brand that interacts with potential customers in the most personalized way possible. Aside from consistent postings, you can respond to comments, react to shared posts, and respond promptly to direct messages. As a result, it will be easier for your business to connect and engage with your customers.
Furthermore, there are other social media marketing techniques that you can use for your brand. For example, you can go Live on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Or, if you prefer a more creative way of storytelling, you can post informational videos on TikTok featuring your products.
Final words
Growing an online business is no easy feat, but it's doable. Fortunately, this guide can help you manage and expand your online business. The key is to ensure you're ready for expansion and armed with the right strategies that can help boost your online presence. Although you can't exactly steer clear of risks, you can somehow reduce them with comprehensive planning and clever business decisions.
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