9 Ways eCommerce Helps Small Businesses
May 23, 2022
March 9, 2023
Did you know that 36% of small and new businesses do not have a website? This statistic seems crazy to think about, considering the amount of opportunities that come from the internet in the digital era. However, things are changing as many companies are finding out how eCommerce helps small businesses achieve their goals. If you own a small business, these are the benefits you’ll gain from setting up an eCommerce website.
Great Analytics
An abundance of data is collected when operating an eCommerce website. The information provides a way for you to understand your target audience better. As a result, new features and products can be offered, knowing that they’re likely to be well-received. The small business’s physical location benefits too, with the information enhancing the in-store experience.
Increase Your SEO
Search engine optimisation (SEO) helps customers find your website and the products on it. When they search on Google, Bing or other search engines, results appear relating to the search term. An eCommerce site provides the opportunity for businesses to show up higher in search results, helping increase sales.
Provide Greater Convenience
The beauty of purchasing items through the internet is how effortless the process is. There’s no need for customers to rush after work to get what they need from a physical location. All that’s required is a few taps on a smart device. By offering a quick and simple way for customers to purchase goods online, your business is more likely to attract a wider amount of people.
Promote Your Business To Your Target Audience
Along with SEO, there are many other ways for you to promote your business that simply can’t be done offline. A major benefit is personalised advertising. You can look at all the information gained from analytics, and personalise your ads to only reach your specific target market. You then channel this data through to your eCommerce website.
Physical Store Locations
One of the biggest advantages of eCommerce for small businesses is that physical store locations aren’t needed. Businesses often need to spend thousands of pounds on a physical store in a good location to get customers. This is redundant thanks to eCommerce, where you have an online-only presence and reach thousands of customers. Therefore, it provides the opportunity for small businesses to pivot their business model completely.
In fact, during the lockdown, there has been a massive increase in startup eCommerce businesses which proves this point. UK startups were up by 30% during Covid compared to 2019, and online retail in particular was the most popular type of startup. This phenomenon played out across the Western World.
24/7 Access to Customers
Unlike a physical location that is only open for certain hours, an eCommerce website can be viewed at any time of the day. Store items that are listed on the website can be purchased out of hours and then processed in the future. Customers also have the power to browse products on the eCommerce site to find out more information about them. Although they may not necessarily make a purchase straight away, the information provided could lead them to purchase from your business, either online or in-store later on.
Enhance Business Revenue
When done correctly, an eCommerce site has the power to grow your customer base, increasing the amount of sales made. The extra revenue generated can be a great way to invest in the business, from improving your current product line or spending more on marketing to attract a higher number of customers.
Perfect for Smartphone Users
Over 55 million people in the United Kingdom have smartphones. This provides the ability for individuals to easily access the internet and the various platforms on it. In fact, mobile traffic has now become more important than desktop traffic, with more than half of all online shopping traffic coming from mobile devices. What’s more, at the end of 2021, a study showed 79% of all smartphone users made a purchase with their mobile devices in the preceding six months. Because of this, having a mobile-friendly e-commerce platform is a must to reach this large segment of potential customers.
Customer Feedback Advantages
Another advantage to how eCommerce helps small businesses is receiving high volumes of customer feedback. When you gain positive customer feedback online, everyone can see it. This creates a positive way to encourage more people to visit your website and eCommerce store, all without you having to pay a penny. It will also give constructive criticism too!
Final Thoughts
There are many great opportunities for small businesses looking to make the jump to eCommerce. From greater convenience to saving money on physical locations, there are many ways you could benefit and make your business stand out from the crowd.
Need help?
We are a marketing agency in Kent. If you have any inquiries about marketing and communications, please do not hesitate to contact us. Call us or send us an email, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We can also arrange a 30-minute free consultation call or a Zoom meeting to discuss your needs and how we can help.
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Here's how eCommerce helps small businesses - making the jump can help your website drive revenues while saving money.
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At the end of 2021, a study showed that 79% of all smartphone users made a purchase with their mobile devices.
9 WAYS ECOMMERCE HELPS SMALL BUSINESSES
23/05/2022
category,post_tag,post_format,new_category
Business
Ecommerce
SEO
Small Business
Marketing
