The Founder, Chairman & CEO of Market America Worldwide | SHOP.COM, JR Ridinger, has some strong words about e-commerce strategy and why nearly all businesses should have one. He believes that if a company’s leadership is not thinking about how to incorporate e-commerce into their business model, they are behind the times. “E-commerce is no longer an up-and-coming trend — it’s here to stay,” says Ridinger. “And if companies want to stay relevant and competitive, how to sell online needs to be part of their strategy.”
Ridinger is not alone in this belief. Many experts agree that e-commerce is quickly becoming the new norm for businesses of all sizes across all industries. In fact, research shows that global e-commerce sales are expected to reach $4.5 trillion by 2023. So, what exactly is an e-commerce strategy? And why do nearly all businesses need one? An e-commerce strategy is simply a plan for how a business will sell products or services online.
The key is to have a well-thought-out plan that considers any unique business goals and objectives. Without a clear e-commerce strategy, it’s all too easy to get lost in the sea of online options and miss out on important opportunities to grow your business. There are many advantages to selling online, including reaching a wider audience, increasing sales and improving customer service. Perhaps most importantly, an e-commerce strategy can help a company stay ahead of the competition. “If you’re not selling online, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity,” says Ridinger. “E-commerce is the future of business, and those who don’t embrace it will be left behind.”
Anyone ready to take a business to the next level must consider that it is time to develop a comprehensive e-commerce strategy. Market America can help. As a leading digital marketing company, it has the experience and expertise to help build a successful online store or marketplace. Market America will work with individuals to understand their unique needs and goals and create a custom plan to help them reach their target audience. Market America can also provide the tools and resources needed to get started, including a custom website, shopping cart and payment gateway.
E-commerce marketing does the following:
- Drives traffic to an e-commerce website
- Puts the company in front of its target audience
- Makes it easy for people looking for the kind of products a company sells to discover its website
- Converts website visitors into new customers
- Reengages people who’ve visited a website before to encourage them to buy again
- Enhances the post-purchase experience to increase customer satisfaction and drive loyalty
- Reactivates current customers with well-timed, relevant offers and information, so they enjoy shopping from a specific vendor
- Stimulates more regular and bigger orders
Without e-commerce marketing, a company wouldn’t make any sales. Launching an e-commerce site is not enough — people need to discover it before they spend money. More than this, a company or entrepreneur needs to constantly remind them of its brand so that they come back again and again, generating revenue.