The best ecommerce businesses have easy-to-navigate websites with clear product descriptions. Choosing the right ecommerce platform and learning how to use its plugins can help you increase your revenue. WordPress is one of the most commonly used platforms for ecommerce because of its many built-in scalable tools.Here are seven profitable practices to consider for your WordPress ecommerce business:
1. Use the Domain Generator to Create the Perfect Domain Name
Finding the perfect domain name is important when creating a new ecommerce business. You want a unique domain name that helps customers find you. Domain names can range significantly in cost, with some being as cheap as $10. Other, more competitive domain names can cost thousands of dollars or more. You have a lot of ecommerce platform choices, so you’ll also want to factor in web hosting costs.Using a domain name generator can help you determine what site names are available and how much they cost. The domain generator helps you develop similar ideas if the domain you want is unavailable. You’ll also want to decide on the best web hosting service and domain name extension, with popular options being .com, .net, .org, or .co. Typically, .com web hosting costs more than other options. WP Engine is a popular hosting option for WordPress users. WP Engine even has dedicated ecommerce plans available.
2. Create a WordPress Theme Using Customization or Templates
Once you have a domain name, it’s time to build your ecommerce site. The best ecommerce websites are user-friendly and easy to find by Google bots. Choosing a WordPress theme is one of the easiest ways to build a website from scratch.WordPress templates offer customizable layouts that you can use to input your own business name, colors, logo, and products. Themes are also available at a wide range of price points, with basic ones costing less than more in-depth layouts. If you’re looking for something custom and unique, you can always buy premium from a WordPress developer.Choosing the right theme can set the tone of your online store. Different themes also come with different features, so prioritizing the most important can help you choose the right one. A few things to focus on include a simple check-out process, mobile-friendly design, and the ability to cross-sell or up-sell items.
3. Make Use of Product Customization
Product customization tools allow customers to create products and designs they can’t get anywhere else. This allows you to upsell and provide customers with a unique experience. The more customized products you present, the more interest your online store will generate.Allowing customers to customize products also helps build loyalty with them. When a customer can get exactly what they’re looking for with your ecommerce store, they’re more likely to return to you in the future for their buying needs. Additionally, when customers show off that product to their friends, they’re more likely to tell them where they bought it.
4. Create a Blog Page
A blog page personalizes your brand, allowing you to connect with potential customers. You can also use your blog page to position yourself as an expert in the industry or product that you’re selling. For example, if you sell clothes or accessories online, sharing fashion advice helps you build an audience that may eventually buy. If you sell electronics, publishing information or how-to guides on trending technologies can help customers find your online store and come to trust you.Blog pages also boost your search engine optimization (SEO). Customers often find products they want by searching keywords. Google displays search engine results based on those keywords. You may be limited by how many keywords you can incorporate into product pages and descriptions. But with a blog, you can target specific keywords based on buyer interest and intent. A blog also allows you to build links within your website, helping direct customers from an article to specific products.
5. Add Plugins
Adding plugins to your website is easy once you install WordPress. You can easily search available plugins using WordPress’s search bar. Then, click “install now” to add the plugin to your website. You may consider adding other plugins to your ecommerce store, including a payment gateway, tax calculator plugin, or mobile point of sales. Some plugs can even help you use affiliate marketing with your ecommerce website.
6. Create a Squeeze Page to Build Your Email List for Email Marketing
Email lists allow you to nurture the customer throughout the buying cycle, helping move them from browsing to conversion. A squeeze page is a landing page that collects information from customers. Then, add them to your email or text message list (even if they don't buy an item from your store). Email marketing can be one of the most profitable WordPress ecommerce practices.You can then use your email list to notify buyers of sales or discounts. Sharing new product listings to your email list can also help to generate interest and traffic. You can also use your email list to increase sales of certain products, including best sellers or frequently purchased items from your shop.
7. Share WP Posts on Facebook and Twitter
WordPress makes it easy to cross-share your posts to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Sharing your posts helps you increase website traffic and overall interest in your company. Social media is a great way to generate interest and participate in trending topics, and set up retargeting campaigns.You can display ads on social media to customers who recently visited your website but didn’t convert. Remind these customers of the items they left in their cart or offer them an incentive to buy them.A good mix of social posts can help generate brand interest. Occasionally, posting tips or tricks to use the products you sell can be helpful to existing customers. Sharing information about your brand or the products you sell can help earn the trust of your followers. You can also use social media to cross-post specific products. Best sellers are great to share since your previous customers have already demonstrated they enjoy the product.
More Tips for a Profitable WordPress Ecommerce Website
Here are a few additional tips for a profitable WordPress ecommerce site:
- Choose an ecommerce-friendly WordPress theme: WordPress has over 30,000 themes available. However, some of them are better suited for ecommerce stores than others.
- Optimize your product titles and descriptions: Optimizing your product titles and descriptions with keywords helps the right audience find them.
- Invest in high-quality images: Images are important in selling products to your customers. Capture images that highlight the best aspects of the product.
- Show off your product on video: Sometimes, photographs don’t do any justice to a given product. Consider showing videos, including “how-tos” and (if possible) customer reviews.
- Simplify navigation: The easier things are to navigate on your website, the more likely customers are to convert. This includes navigating products and the checkout process.
- Define clear policies: Defining clear policies on your website helps customers understand what to expect and helps them establish trust.
- Follow up: Following up with your customers, either by email or text, is a great way to find out any areas of improvement and offer exceptional customer service. You can also use this as an opportunity to request reviews for your ecommerce site and individual products.
- Monitor analytics: Monitoring analytics using Google Analytics can help you track progress toward your goals.
Need help with your ecommerce business? Not sure which ecommerce platform to choose for your small business? Want a customized strategy to create a web design that makes your WordPress website more profitable? Call us today for your free, personalized strategy call to learn how to make your ecommerce business profitable.