Customer acquisition and retention are two of the biggest problems that any online retailer faces in today’s e-commerce world. Studies have shown that websites now have less than five seconds to impress a customer and push them to buy a product. With rapidly changing technology and customer attitude, it takes a buyer less than a minute to judge your company, your products, or your services. With this limitation in mind, it is only those who strike the chord right who wins the game. This blog will give you winning tips to impress your customers in less than five seconds and make them shop.
1. An Attractive Online Store
The first place a customer looks at is the website – how beautiful it is and how fast it loads. A simple, easy-to-navigate, attractive website is the first step towards making a customer stay on your page. If your site is too heavy and takes a longer time to load, chances are your customer will move on. Loading time is the most critical function of all web design functionalities as nobody has the patience to sit on a sluggish website. Easy navigation, clear call-to-action buttons, a reliable payment gateway, and most importantly, a mobile-optimized site will help to ensure your website passes the five-second test.
2. Professional Product Images
I can’t insist on the importance of having good product images. Until a few years back, people were reluctant to buy stuff that they didn’t get to see, touch, and feel. It was a realistic and professionally taken product image that changed their mindset. Having a great product and an amazing website is not enough if your images fail to make an impression. The images should speak details of the product and do the selling.
There is a well-equipped professional e-commerce photographer behind every attractive and compelling product image that converts a casual visitor to an impulsive shopper almost instantly.
3. Accurate And Detailed Description
The customers would love it if you have accurate and detailed product descriptions to help them compare and make a decision quickly. There is a direct correlation between the quality of product description and conversion rate as content helps in building trust and boosting sales. An informative headline that aptly describes the product and content in an easy-to-digest language will definitely make an impression. A poor product description is an easy problem to rectify and it will help you in the long run as it not only drives sales but also helps cut down returns and refunds.
4. Free/ Fast Shipping
In e-commerce, delivery matters most. Free shipping or fast shipping is still a topic to debate. Shoppers these days are pampered with the one-day or two days Prime deliveries that it is easy to make you believe that you have to match up to the speed of Amazon. However, it is not always feasible for any ordinary online retailer as they don’t have the logistics that Amazon has. It is true that buyers hesitate to order a product which would take a long time to deliver. But cost always trumps speed. A recent survey conducted by Deloitte and Bizrate Insights shows that 74% of customers prefer low or no delivery charges over fast delivery. There are more studies and surveys to show that cost always takes an upper hand over speed even in this age of instant gratification. That doesn’t mean a two weeks delivery window is acceptable. As a retailer, it is important to find a middle ground and provide shipping at a reasonable window with a low shipping charge if you want to be competitive.
5. Good Reviews
Reviews help in building trust between your brand and the customers. Studies say that 63% of online customers are more likely to purchase from a site if it has an unbiased product rating and review system in place. Reviews allow buyers to see you as someone genuine, reliable, and one who gives importance to exceptional customer experience.
Bottom Line
As you can see, you need not spend a million bucks to impress your customers. All you need to do is do things differently and strategically. Other than the points stated above, it is also important to have a good digital footprint and unmatched customer care support to build credibility and promote your brand value.
First impressions last and if you want to set it right, it doesn’t hurt to seek professional help. Consult with BIE for designing that magical web page to impress your customers and help you drive significantly higher conversions.
