Since the birth of the internet, the world has moved fast, and everything seems to be in overdrive, including shopping. Today, brick-and-mortar stores are just an option in one of the many ways to buy what you want, when it was the only option before the internet came.
The rise of e-commerce during the early 90s was due to the arrival of internet browsing. Now, e-commerce has become indispensable and the preferred mode of purchasing for many. Proof of that is the 2021 global retail e-commerce sales that reached USD$5.2 trillion. This number doesn’t seem to be slowing down. If at all, it’s continuously climbing.
With the world population hooked on the internet and 60% of them having social media, it’s no wonder e-commerce will continue to thrive. Today, everyone with an internet connection and a viable product has the potential to make it big. You only need to know how technology can help you ascend to the top. If you want to make it big in e-commerce, continue here. And read on to give you a better idea about how information technology can help transform your e-commerce business.
1. Provides A Platform For Seamless Communication
Without real physical interaction with a customer, e-commerce stores find it hard to reach out to their customers seamlessly and without making customers feel that they’re talking to robots. Fortunately, this can be resolved by integrating messaging apps in e-commerce stores and saving presets of typical customer inquiries. As a result, customers can click on options and have the answer to a query they’re searching for.
It could be a question about a product variation, shipping concerns, return process, or even complaints. Messaging application software can allow you to answer inquiries anytime. Customers don’t even have to wait for an extended period to receive a reply. The answers to their questions can be instantaneous. This tool is an excellent way to boost sales since it can send offers to customers inquiring about a product.
2. Ensures Accuracy In Delivery Of Orders
By using an e-commerce platform linked to your website, all order details will be exported accurately, including all the customer information like shipping address, email, cellphone number, and even preferred delivery time.
The platform will also be linked to the preferred courier, so all exported orders will transfer to the courier once payment is confirmed. This feature is crucial for e-commerce stores with a global operation since there could be several couriers in each country that you can partner with.
3. Allows Businesses To Reach Clients Easily
Yes, e-commerce has become accessible for everyone, but many customers still long for real interactions. Some would want to see real people talking about a product in front of them. This became possible with the introduction of live streaming in the early 90s and its proliferation in the early 2000s. With live streaming, businesses can demonstrate the product in front of their customers through mobile devices.
During live streaming, customers can ask questions, request discounts, and grab whatever item they fancy. Today, many businesses partner with influencers to create live streams that magnetize thousands of customers and rake in profits.
4. Engage With Customers
You’re missing out on many things if your product doesn’t have a social media page. As previously mentioned, 60% of the world’s population is on social media. And social media is the primary platform many businesses use to engage with their clientele.
Social media presence in this day and age is vital for any business. It doesn’t matter if your market is teenagers, busy moms, or corporate dads; you can find an applicable social media platform for your business. With social media, you can make your brand presence felt, your voice as a brand magnified, and your corporate values highlighted. These are all vital components of building a brand solidly.
A simple interaction on your social pages can make your audience feel that you’re listening and you have empathy. You may also display content that is valuable to your target niche. This way, your audience can feel that they matter to you.
5. Expand The Reach Of Your Business
Information technology makes it easy to reach out to leads through email marketing. If you have minimal leads, you can amass a significant number of them through digital ads hyper-targeting potential leads. You can say goodbye to the scary cold calling techniques and knocking door to door to potential clients. Today, you can send messages to hundreds, even thousands, of potential clients with just a click of a button.
Conclusion
If you’re a new business dreaming of making it big with e-commerce, it’s not impossible. You only have to be updated with the latest trends and technology and ensure that your business efficiently utilizes this. Messaging apps, email marketing, and social media are just a few of the ways you can progress your e-commerce business.