How to increase online sales for your e-commerce website

Author: Lori Highby

“I miss the days when all you had to do was buy a $200 yellow page ad and the phone would ring off the hook.”We’ve heard this time and time again.Those were the days before these unbelievably useful and simple tools called search engines came along.Slowly but surely the yellow pages have become obsolete to consumers (that article was written in 2010 — obsolete might be an understatement).

The market shifted to the internet, retail was not far behind.Anyone can sell a product online, but not everyone knows how to market products online.There are —literally — thousands of ways to approach gaining traction in search engines.Below are five ways to get your products found online.

1. Content and SEO

There is a fine line between quality content and keyword stuffing for search engine optimization purposes.Make sure the product you are selling is titled with the key phrase someone might use to search for the product online.In the description of the product, put the quality content that will entice the viewer to purchase.The product should have a photo; make sure to add alt-tags to gain traction in image searches.Make sure to enter the keyword tags in order to increase your chances of being found online as well.If possible, review the product in your blog.Attach a link in the description —if you can get the site visitor to read the post, that’s a win as they have spent more time on your site which will hopefully translate into a sale (p.s. —link back to the product in the blog post or create a button that says: “Purchase this product”).

2. Blogging

Google loves new, fresh content.Blogging is a way to get fresh content on your site regularly. Blogging also shows your industry knowledge and expertise.Your blog will fuel your social media efforts (see number three).When you are on social media there are curators and creators.Curators share other users’ content.Creators share their own content and are seen as a source for good information to share.Start a blog if regardless if you have an e-commerce website or not.It is a huge factor in getting found online.

3. Social Media

Social media has been dubbed the new word-of-mouth marketing for business.Social media is a key aspect to getting the word out about your products.The first step is to make a sound strategy to promote your business online.You will find that Facebook might not be the best place to promote your business.Some of the world’s largest companies place their efforts around alternative social media sites.Find out where your target market is and cater to them.Speak their language, share valuable information they care about and consider number four below.

4. Discounts/Contests

Creating discounts and contests are an easy way to market your business.If you promote the contest or discount properly your campaign stands a chance to “go viral.”I.E. – I entered a discount, was requested to share it on my social networks and in turn promoted it to all of the people I am connected with online; who, more than likely have similar interests and/or profession that I am in, or I simply want to share a good deal worth letting others know <—this is how viral begins.

5. Web Design

How can a web design get you found on the search engines?Great question!Not much, to be honest.Remember the title of this article was “how to increase online sales” — without a good design you can have millions coming to your site but they might not be converting into sales.In other words, make sure you have a call-to-action clearly displayed on every page on your site.Start with the basics; find out what is most important to your brand and customers.Quality design is key to convert your leads; some visitors will make judgments in three seconds on whether to stay or leave your site.

How do you promote your e-commerce website?