Online store advice

Hi

Me and my business partner have an online store selling supplements. We're getting the odd sale every now and then, but I really want to get these sales up so we can get repeat customers and break even.

So what can I do? Google ads are good but they tend to cost quite a bit and usually cost more than what we get in profit by sales.

Help!

 

[mit74]

Hi

Me and my business partner have an online store selling supplements. We're getting the odd sale every now and then, but I really want to get these sales up so we can get repeat customers and break even.

So what can I do? Google ads are good but they tend to cost quite a bit and usually cost more than what we get in profit by sales.

Help!

you tried an SEO company, improving website, improving products etc?

 

[alexandersmith1992]

I work part time for and SEo company, feel free to PM me if you would like to know some more about what we do.

Alex

 

[Christine Hough]

For repeat customers you need to give your clients TLC.

Newsletters
Offers
Auto repeating for regular requirements
loyalty rewards,
referral incentives
case studies
priority services ( eg free postage if 3 orders in three months or something along those lines)

 

[Antony Warnes]

Hi

Me and my business partner have an online store selling supplements. We're getting the odd sale every now and then, but I really want to get these sales up so we can get repeat customers and break even.

So what can I do? Google ads are good but they tend to cost quite a bit and usually cost more than what we get in profit by sales.

Help!

Do you sell supplements which are a specific brand or is it a range? A lot of the supplement companies themselves do a lot to advertise including sponsorship and endorsements of things like athletes or sportsmen and women.

If you keep track of who is doing what and feature these things they do on your website or as a blog then when people googling whatever supplement these athletes are plugging are more likely to find you.

Do you have any deals with the local sports clubs and gyms etc? Could you sponsor a bodybuilder or boxing team? Some of these sponsorships could be in the form of stock so there would only be the outlay for any thing you want your website or logo to be printed on.

Also have you tried selling maybe even just your short dated items or special offers through eBay. You might have to sell a lot of stock to make the same amount of money with their hefty cut but once you've made the sale you've got a customer to who you can then offer discounts if thy buy direct.

 

Thanks a lot, we're selling a range, unbranded technically.

I'll have a think about the points you brought up!

 

[city_web_studio]

Hi,

Before suggesting anything I think most of us will like to have a look at your website.

For Ecommerce website, the overall feel and credibility matters a lot ?

Please post a link so that we can advice.

Cheers

 

[Antony Warnes]

Hi,

Before suggesting anything I think most of us will like to have a look at your website.

For Ecommerce website, the overall feel and credibility matters a lot ?

Please post a link so that we can advice.

Cheers

I'm not anything to do with web design myself but as someone who buys a huge amount online I gotta say that the look and feel of a website will always influence whether i'll make a purchase and if I do how much i'll be willing to spend as a first time customer.

Maybe i'm a web snob but an overly basic site will always make me cautious about parting with my cash.

 

[sarahessex]

Have you tried competitions? both on your site (and then on loquax, MSE etc..) and giveaways in health magazines.

Does the new EU directive affect you?

 

[euraffiliates]

Florida,

I understand your feeling about google adoword. Sometimes a click costs more than 2£, to risky to run such adverts. Also the main problem with google adwords that its effect is not long term.

I will suggest you to make some solid visitors of your own. I admit it is not an easy job and cant be done overnight, but it has a big long term effect. You can consider following

1. Write some articles/case studies on the products you are selling. Promote those articles in different forums, but please never spam. Only place link where it is relevant and really help the users with right information.

2. Get a SEO check of your website along with the article pages. The main factors plays the correct keyword concentration at placement of keywords in the page. Get it done by a professional initially or but learn it yourself. You may not afford to pay a professional for an indefinite period. You need him when you make a page or google has changed the algorithm.

3. Run an affiliate program and generate some affiliates who will sell for you. We are an affiliate software vendor and can help you if you are interested.

Thanks

 

[JPincas]

I think no matter how you look at it, most serious buyers you get are going to come from google. If you aren't ranking top, or near top, in the organic listing, your best best is always going to be adwords.

If done right, it doesn't have to be that expensive. Look to spend less than 20p per click by targeting as specific keywords as you can. You have to really learn the system well to get the best value out of it. Even then, there will still be an initial period during which your spend might not quite be covered by the profit you are making on orders, but this is the investment needed to launch your business. Meanwhile, you can build your organic ranking (slow) and launch other sales channels such as Amazon or Ebay (faster).

As others have said, the quality and feel of your website counts a huge amount. It must feel totally professional - even if you're a small company, people like to think they are dealing with an efficient outfit.