| Almost everyone wants to get online | | | | bugs and problems before it is released |
| these days with an e-commerce website/ | | | | for actual public use. Test the |
| online store and start selling to the | | | | e-commerce system yourself and get your |
| global masses. But before you build or | | | | friends to do it with you before you |
| design your e-commerce website, keep in | | | | open your ‘store’ to the |
| mind the below tips. | | | | world. Launch your online store only |
| Remove customers’ fear | | | | when you are completely satisfied with |
| How easy is it to use your product? How | | | | the ordering process. Otherwise, go back |
| easy is it to place an order? How easy | | | | to the drawing board. |
| is it to get a refund if I am not | | | | Check out the competition |
| completely satisfied? If your customers | | | | It’s always healthy – not to |
| are not convinced that using your | | | | mention fun – to watch your rivals |
| product is as easy as ABC, they | | | | and learn from them. It’s easy to |
| won’t buy it. They may need it but | | | | do this on the Internet because you can |
| they won’t buy it unless you show | | | | always surf into their websites and |
| them that it is easy to use/install. | | | | check out what they’re doing right |
| Since there’s nothing to touch or | | | | and more importantly, what they’re |
| feel online, give your customers a demo | | | | doing wrong. Observe and apply what is |
| version if you can. Let them have the | | | | interesting to your own online store but |
| freedom to try out your product before | | | | never copy! It’s not being sneaky, |
| they decide to buy. If you sell tangible | | | | it’s called checking out your |
| products, give away samples. Many people | | | | competition. |
| are hesitant until they get a free trial | | | | Make them trust you |
| version or samples. Also, make it clear | | | | Trust is important if you are selling |
| that you will be there to guide and help | | | | online because if your customers |
| them in case of any problem. | | | | don’t trust you, they won’t |
| Make it easy to buy | | | | buy from you. To enable them to trust |
| If they’re going to buy from you | | | | you, be as explicit as possible. Display |
| online, ensure the ordering process is | | | | your privacy policy and return policy |
| easy and uncomplicated. Don’t have | | | | clearly. State how you will ship |
| too many steps – people may not | | | | products to customers and what happens |
| have the patience to go through | | | | if there are returns. What else can you |
| different pages and clicking on a dozen | | | | do to grow trust? Put up a money back |
| yeses before they finally get to | | | | guarantee so that the risk is completely |
| ‘buy’ the product. Value the | | | | on you, not on the customer. Assure the |
| input from your web developer but take a | | | | customer that others have bought safely |
| closer look at the ordering process | | | | from you by putting up customer reviews |
| before the website goes live. | | | | or testimonials. Use real customer names |
| Try beta testing – this is what | | | | for greater credibility when you are |
| web developers call real user testing of | | | | putting up testimonials. |
| a completed system to weed out potential | | | | |