4 E-commerce Store Essentials for a Great Customer Experience

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Today, online shopping is quickly taking over from the high street in terms of popularity. When shopping for products and/or services online, customers are afforded a higher degree of convenience and are often able to snap up bargains, saving money in the process.

But, when you run an online store, encouraging new customers to shop there can be challenging. Not only will you be up against an immense level of competition, you’ll also need to ensure that you meet the changing, high demands of today’s consumers. So, what can you do to improve the experience for your e-commerce customers? Let’s find out.

Tip #1. Hire the Right Professionals

At times, you may find that you’ll need to hire a professional to help you improve and update your e-commerce store. But, hiring the wrong people for the job can be a costly mistake. Whether you’re looking for a product photographer, web hosting service, web designer, content writer or an API platform management company, you should always take the time to thoroughly research and check out potential companies before signing any contracts. Online reviews, forums and blogs are a good way to check out potential professionals.

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Tip #2. Be Friendly to Mobiles

Online shopping is certainly taking over the world of commerce, however, more people today are shopping on their smart gadgets than ever before. With smartphones and tablets that can do everything that your PC or laptop can and then some, it’s no surprise that shopping apps are rising in popularity. But, if developing a shopping app isn’t yet in your budget, then at least ensure that your company provides customers with a mobile-friendly shopping experience from start to finish. Failing to do so could damage your reputation and hurt your website’s SEO.

Tip #3. Have a Clear, Fair Returns Policy

Although there’s no denying that e-commerce is quickly becoming the preferred method of shopping, it’s impossible to get away from the fact that often, purchases made online don’t go to plan. Since all customers have to go by is a photograph and a product description, they are unable to see and feel the product beforehand, which leads to a higher number of returns. So, be sure to display a clear and fair returns policy on your e-commerce website. This will give your customers peace of mind, knowing that if the item doesn’t suit, it’s possible to send it back for a refund. Extra points for offering free returns!

Tip #4. Offer Accessible Customer Services

Even when shopping online, many customers still prefer to talk to a customer service representative if they have a problem. An innovative way to provide your visitors with the best experience on their site is to use a web chat service, where they can instantly access a member of your team with any questions or queries. Additionally, you should also make sure that you clearly display alternative contact methods on your website, such as your contact telephone number, e-mail address, and physical office address if applicable.

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