Simple eCommerce Marketing Ideas
With everything that goes into launching an online store, it's easy to forget about some of the little details that will help you with marketing. There are lots of great ways to get people shopping and help you stay connected with past customers. Here are a few to get you started:
Ask Shoppers to Sign Up For Your List at Checkout
An easy way to build your email list while also increasing repeat purchases and building customer loyalty is by asking shoppers to join your mailing list at checkout. This is an easy, low-pressure way to ask people if they’d like to hear from you in the future and chances are if they are buying from you once that they love your products or services and might be interested in shopping again when you launch new products or have sales or promotions. Whether you use MailChimp, Squarespace Campaigns (my favorite), or any other email marketing platform - ask shoppers if they’d like to be added to your list at checkout.
Related Post: How to Create a Seamless Checkout Experience
Add Upsells & Cross-Sells
One of the easiest ways you can get people to buy more is by simply asking them. (Ha! This isn’t really a mind-blowing strategy, is it?) But really, adding upsell and cross-sell opportunities for your products and services are a great way to let site visitors discover more of what you offer. Even if they don’t go for it this time, it’s a good marketing opportunity to just remind them of other things you sell or do. It may be something they decide to purchase next time or something they tell their friends about now that they know you offer it. (Hint: Before you can do this, you really need to make sure have all your product categories figured out!)
Related Post: How to Upsell & Cross-Sell on Your Online Store
Send an Automated Email to Follow Up
Go beyond the standard order confirmation email and send a customized message automatically to your customers or clients. Automated commerce emails that are linked to your products or services can be a great way to follow up with additional information, check to see if customers enjoyed their purchase, or ask them to share about their experience on social media. So many options!
Related Post: How to Set Up Product-Specific Email Automations with Squarespace Campaigns
Add Live Chat
Live chat is proven to be one of the most impactful ways to connect with potential customers and clients before, during, and after they purchase from you. How do you use this as part of your marketing strategy? Easy! Every interaction with a real person (you or a member of your team) is an opportunity for you to help, engage and provide support and build strong brand affinity.
Related Post: 3 Live Chat Tips for Your eCommerce Website
Inject Your Branding Wherever Possible
The standard order fulfilled, order confirmed, and order refunded emails are functional enough that if you don’t want to write anything custom you’d certainly be just fine. However, these are all great opportunities to show off some of your unique brand personality and voice! Make the writing sound like you and match the rest of your site, make sure your logo or branding is incorporated, and invite customers to have a conversation with you if you’d like. If you ship physical products, make sure things arrive in a branded box or with some other brand material. A little personalization goes a long way in building loyal customers!
Related Post: A Minimalist’s Guide to Branding
