Secrets to making a profit for ecommerce businesses
Ecommerce is fast taking over the business of buying and selling. Did you know that Africa has a massive 400 million internet users, making it one of the world’s most digitally connected continents?
Technological innovations have played a key role in adopting eCommerce businesses in Africa, and ecommerce has become vital to extending retail services to several towns and rural areas where goods and services are limited.
Statista reported that the value of the ecommerce business in Africa is expected to reach $29 billion dollars by 2022, making it one of the most profitable businesses in 2021.
Do you own an ecommerce business? Do you feel like you aren’t doing enough to make profit? Every business must implement strategies that will increase revenue generation and ultimately keep profits on the positive.
In this article, we will unlock secrets to help you make profits for your eCommerce business. Let’s dive in!
1. Integrate Social Media
The easiest way to increase profits on your ecommerce business is to attract new customers interested in buying your product. What other way to do this than integrating social media? Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube are a great place to promote your Ecommerce business. Through content marketing on social media, you can promote your brand and attract interested customers.
People are likely to interact with your ecommerce business if they can get value from your social media content and relate with your brand.
You can host interactive live videos and share valuable content that will interest your audience. You can also organise online giveaways and contests that will promote your brand and keep customers engaged. Facebook allows ecommerce platforms to sell directly through Facebook and tie it back to the online store.
2. Include Social proof
It is no news that customers are likely to buy your product after getting positive opinions and feedback from former buyers. On your ecommerce platform, embedding social proof is a great way to increase the chances of getting interested buyers.
You can do this in several ways:
- By putting the number of products sold
- By adding testimonials to your product page
- By listing how many people added your product to their wishlist
Adding social proof can drive more sales and inform customers of the latest products sold. This will ultimately increase conversion and profits.
3. Improve user interface
For an ecommerce platform, your website is very important since it acts as your store. A friendly user interface will keep interested buyers on your site.
It is important that your website has a friendly interface and is easy to navigate. Confusion can cause customers to leave your site. Customers must be able to tell what your e-commerce business does immediately when they land on your website. Make sure you use a clear and concise call to action. You must also make sure the shopping cart and checkout is easy to access and is in view.
Make sure you embed engaging content like videos, games and images to keep customers on your page.
Most customers will most likely be shopping using their mobile phones, so make sure your eCommerce website is mobile friendly.
4. Invest in Quality images and good product description
Remember that your store is online and your customers can’t physically view your products.
Firstly, you must think about your target audience and why they need your product, then present the product in a compelling way using quality images and good product descriptions.
Write compelling copy that will connect with your target audience in an emotional and personal way and ultimately increase the conversion rate. The goal is to get your target audience to envision their life with your product.
5. SEO
As an SME in Africa, you would need SEO to stand out amongst the ever-increasing competition online. Implementing SEO into your page allows Google to sift you out of the crowd.
To stay in your audience’s minds and faces, you would need to search for relevant keywords that your audience is searching for. Apps like ubersuggest and Google Adwords Keyword Planner are good places to start.
To stay on top of your game and increase profit in your ecommerce business, you would need to make sure you evolve with the trends of technology and customer behaviour. Remember to always put the user in mind and offer valuable products that will improve their lives.
Do you have any questions or comments on SMEs in Africa? Kindly drop them in the comments section below!
