May 5, 2010 at 12:29Online Store: Bug Fixes
There is an erroneous opinion that it is enough to create an online store and the money will flow by stream. But alas, this is not so. The development of an online store is a permanent job, in particular, work on bugs. What are the most common errors? Let's get it together.
Probably the most common mistake when creating an online store is the wrong choice of goods, i.e. selection of goods that are not suitable for email. commerce:
Standing still leads to "death." It is quite possible that at a certain point in time everything seems to be fine: there are many customers, profit is satisfied, etc. But things can change very quickly. Competitors are not standing still, they are looking for ever new ways to achieve their main goals: increasing conversion, order amounts, the number of visits of potential buyers, i.e. in simple terms, increased profits. Therefore, in order not to be left behind at some point, we need constant work on optimization (for example, improving logistics, accounting, the online store itself).
The courier is the “face” of your online store, and delivery is one of the most important components of any online store. Therefore, it is recommended to constantly monitor the basic delivery parameters: speed, price, human factor (for example, the neatness and politeness of the courier) and, of course, the type of goods delivered (believe me, no one wants to see a rumpled or dirty box with the goods). Regardless of whether you hire a delivery service, have your couriers or send mail, you should know about the quality of delivery. And who, apart from the buyers themselves, will tell you the whole truth? You just need to ask them.
Each buyer, when buying, wants to know the price and characteristics of the goods, speed and delivery price, about the possibility of returning the goods, warranty obligations from the seller, therefore the online store system must inform the buyer of all the necessary information not only on the online store page, but also, for example by email by mail or by phone.
Check if there is enough information. Most often, users are looking for and want to see:
Advertising! Advertising! and again Advertising!
The online store makes profit at the expense of customers, and in order to attract customers you need targeted advertising. And this must not be forgotten. Ways to attract buyers:
The success of your email depends not only on you, but also on the selected partners. the store. If you are not satisfied with the quality of services of your partners, let them know immediately, “don’t pull the rubber”, your profit depends on them, therefore you have every right to demand improvement of services. If you can’t agree, change partners. The main criteria for choosing a new partner:
Someone on Habré wrote that the design and convenience of the online store does not sell. It is true, however, the design and (not) convenience of the online store should not interfere with the goods. The design should be simple, aimed at selling the goods (i.e., the design should help to buy goods, call-to-action calls must be everywhere ), correspond to the audience of buyers, without unnecessary animation and sounds.
Do not forget that not only the store should be convenient, but also the administration system and other other related systems.
In the end, I would like to advise one thing - be constantly up to date with what clients say about you and then work on errors will be easier.
PS As you add comments, I will update the topic.
Product not suitable for email. commerce
Probably the most common mistake when creating an online store is the wrong choice of goods, i.e. selection of goods that are not suitable for email. commerce:
- cheap goods (the price of the goods is less than the delivery price);
- poor quality product;
- a specific product (for example, a wedding dress);
- public goods (if there is no additional motivation to buy via the Internet);
- goods to be measured, tasted, sniffed, etc. before purchase (especially at the first purchase);
- goods that are forbidden to be sold over the Internet (in many countries, for example, alcohol).
- other products that you can write about in the comments.
Process optimization
Standing still leads to "death." It is quite possible that at a certain point in time everything seems to be fine: there are many customers, profit is satisfied, etc. But things can change very quickly. Competitors are not standing still, they are looking for ever new ways to achieve their main goals: increasing conversion, order amounts, the number of visits of potential buyers, i.e. in simple terms, increased profits. Therefore, in order not to be left behind at some point, we need constant work on optimization (for example, improving logistics, accounting, the online store itself).
Delivery errors
The courier is the “face” of your online store, and delivery is one of the most important components of any online store. Therefore, it is recommended to constantly monitor the basic delivery parameters: speed, price, human factor (for example, the neatness and politeness of the courier) and, of course, the type of goods delivered (believe me, no one wants to see a rumpled or dirty box with the goods). Regardless of whether you hire a delivery service, have your couriers or send mail, you should know about the quality of delivery. And who, apart from the buyers themselves, will tell you the whole truth? You just need to ask them.
Lack of information and insufficient training of consultants
Each buyer, when buying, wants to know the price and characteristics of the goods, speed and delivery price, about the possibility of returning the goods, warranty obligations from the seller, therefore the online store system must inform the buyer of all the necessary information not only on the online store page, but also, for example by email by mail or by phone.
Check if there is enough information. Most often, users are looking for and want to see:
- help section or frequently asked questions;
- contacts and details of the online store;
- up-to-date product information;
- detailed product information;
- large quality photographs;
- links to the official page of the manufacturer;
- similar products;
- popular goods;
- only those products that are in stock;
- related products (for example, if the buyer buys a printer, then he wants to see offers with paper and cartridges for the printer;
Lack of fame among potential buyers
Advertising! Advertising! and again Advertising!
The online store makes profit at the expense of customers, and in order to attract customers you need targeted advertising. And this must not be forgotten. Ways to attract buyers:
- optimization of an online store for search engines;
- advertising through traditional and Internet channels;
- forums, newsletters;
- social networks;
- exhibitions, conferences, seminars, etc.
Invalid choice of partners
The success of your email depends not only on you, but also on the selected partners. the store. If you are not satisfied with the quality of services of your partners, let them know immediately, “don’t pull the rubber”, your profit depends on them, therefore you have every right to demand improvement of services. If you can’t agree, change partners. The main criteria for choosing a new partner:
- experience and competence in the selected field;
- quality and quantity of human resources;
- flexibility;
- network of contacts;
- caliper quality;
- the availability of additional services.
Incorrect design and inconvenience of using the online store and system
Someone on Habré wrote that the design and convenience of the online store does not sell. It is true, however, the design and (not) convenience of the online store should not interfere with the goods. The design should be simple, aimed at selling the goods (i.e., the design should help to buy goods, call-to-action calls must be everywhere ), correspond to the audience of buyers, without unnecessary animation and sounds.
Do not forget that not only the store should be convenient, but also the administration system and other other related systems.
Instead of a conclusion
In the end, I would like to advise one thing - be constantly up to date with what clients say about you and then work on errors will be easier.
PS As you add comments, I will update the topic.