E-commerce FAQs

We have put together a list of the most frequently asked questions from our e-commerce clients. The below list answers the most common e-commerce Q&A that we have been asked over the years by those who are just starting out as well as by those that are expanding. Although the number of questions we get asked could carry on for pages and pages we have focused on the most common ones.  

Why is e-commerce necessary?

It really is necessary – the keyword to answer this FAQ is “convenience”. Customers want access to things instantly, everything in life needs to be quick and fast. So having a store online means that customers can find you from the comfort of their own homes or on the go without having to enter a physical store and this is especially important when you consider that 67% of Millennials and 56% of Generation X prefer to shop online as opposed to in-store and the reasons that they do so is because:

·        It saves time

·        There are no boundaries – it is accessible

·        It is often cheaper

·        Quick delivery

·        Ease of comparison

And all this means convenience for the shopper.

How is e-commerce changing?          

It is a much more engaging process than it was in the past. It is not enough to only have one point of contact with potential customers – engagement takes place at as many points as possible through reviews, adverts, videos, how to guides, social media and so much more. The old model saw e-commerce as just being the digital version of the bricks and mortar shop. The social aspect of conventional shopping has now been translated into the online experience and customers have now come to expect this from their time on the internet – if this is not met, they will not buy.

How do you turn browsers into buyers?

Also asked as why are people not buying? There are a few reasons and sometimes these are product or shop specific but there are some common answers. The products are hidden behind too much marketing copy – the focus should be sales not marketing. Provide full terms and conditions; this is important for the professional image of the shop and it provides the seller with a degree of protection. Give sufficient contact details, a telephone number goes a long way to reassure buyers that can contact a real person who cares (depending on the platform).

What conversion rates should you expect?

This question is related to the previous one and it is also not an easy one to answer. Conversion rates vary across device and geographic location. Some rule of thumb statistics that should be the target based on devise are as follows;

Desktop = 6%

Smartphone = 3%

Tablet = 4.5%

It is really important that the website or shop is very responsive and that it is mobile friendly as this increases the chances of converting more online window shoppers into buyers.

Why do e-commerce sites fail?

This is one of the most common questions – very closely linked to why are my products not selling. In order to fully understand what is happing in an individual business the services of a sales and management consulting firm can be really useful. We can give an overview of some of the problems we have assisted with. The main reason for failure is lack of research into what will make a site successful. In a lot of cases the budget is too limited and there is too little time put into the shop at the beginning of the process as well as in the maintenance.

You need to think like a customer and be aware of competitors. You need to create a site that is easy to navigate and enjoyable to use in terms of navigating. Proper on-page SEO are essential so that the site ranks and is visible in search results. The most important factor to consider is the presence of your competitors. If you do not want to offer a good experience to your potential buyers, then your competitors will do it instead of you.

Is e-commerce profitable?

Yes, yes, yes. Whether you have a small (relatively small) or large budget you can made a successful of an e-commerce enterprise. As with all businesses if you do your research and get good advice then e-commerce can be the best experience ever.

How the London Bridge Project Can Help to Deliver Success

The London Bridge Project (LBP) is a leading sales and management consulting firm that provides both amazon consulting services and amazon sales support for businesses looking to grow exponentially within the biggest marketplace in the world. We offer a complete end-to-end service for Amazon based businesses, which includes providing valuable insights into Amazon sales data and a pipeline of under-explored opportunities within your niche.

If you would like to learn more about how the London Bridge Project can help your online business, make sure to contact a member of our team today to discuss your requirements.