How to Handle a Non-Performing Ecommerce Store

The purpose of starting an ecommerce store should be to make sales. It would therefore make no sense to have an attractive site and great products if no one is buying. With that in mind, here are some things you can do to rescue a non-performing online store:

1. Offer free shipping

Most online shoppers make their purchasing decisions based on the shipping costs. If they find a high shipping cost during checkout, they might simply abandon the cart and never return. Therefore, if you want to boost the conversion rate of your store, consider offering free shipping as often as possible. This should be mentioned clearly on your homepage as well as the product pages. However, make sure the price of your product is high enough to cover the shipping cost and still leave you with a decent profit.

 

2. Use quality product images

Since people can’t touch what you are selling, they make purchasing decisions based on what they see. Therefore, whether you are selling artwork or kitchenware, be sure to use high quality images that showcase your products in the best way possible. This will attract the attention of potential buyers and enhance the chance of making a sale. If you are taking the photos yourself, use a professional camera. Take photos from as many angles as possible and make them zoomable. If you are selling wearables, get models to pose for you.

3. Use comprehensive product videos

Uploading product videos on your ecommerce site can be very effective in boosting your conversion rates. Videos are especially useful for showing how to assemble and use a product. The good news is that there are numerous product videos that are already available on YouTube. However, you can also create your own unique videos using a decent camera, a quality audio recorder, good lighting and basic video editing software.

 

4. Write excellent copy

Quality copywriting is very crucial for the success of any ecommerce store. Boring and plain copy that is riddled with spelling mistakes will have a negative effect on your store’s conversion rate. And don’t make the mistake of copying and pasting the poor, keyword-stuffed product descriptions found on wholesale sites such as AliExpress. Your copy needs to be clear enough for your prospects to understand what they are buying. It should also be complete will details such as colors and sizes. However, don’t just mention the features of the product. Explain clearly how it will benefit the buyer and why it stands out from the competition. Avoid the temptation to exaggerate your offer since it might just backfire on you.

5. Offer live chat

Most online shoppers want to get answers to their questions right away. If they can’t get an answer immediately, they will simply leave and go elsewhere. Therefore, besides offering email support, you need to have a live chat option. This will allow you to handle queries and objections in real time, thus enhancing your chances of making a sale. If you don’t have the time to stay online all day, you can hire a virtual assistant to man your live chat. Conclusion If you follow the guidelines above consistently, chances are high that your ecommerce store will become profitable. After some time, you could sell it on a marketplace such as Exchange and make a tidy profit. Charles Mburugu is a professional blogger who writes for TechBlogKe. You can follow him on Twitter @techblogke