3 Marketing Strategies To Consider For Your eCommerce Store

Marketing an eCommerce store can be a task even the best marketers find challenging. After all, with such a competitive field, it can be tough not only to get ahead, but continue to thrive in the long-term. However, with a little bit of knowledge about effective strategy, your store will start shining (and gaining lasting momentum) in no time.

Social Proof

Perhaps one of the oldest and most effective means of marketing your eCommerce store, social proof is the practice of utilizing other’s testimonials to promote your brand. This can be found in a number of different places, from a celebrity endorsement to a customer leaving a positive review on your website. Regardless of the source, as long as people are speaking positively about your business, this is a wise strategy to employ; as noted by KissMetrics, nearly 63 percent of consumers are more likely to buy a product that has positive reviews. If you’re looking to increase the number of conversions in your online store, social proof can be highly advantageous.

Depending on your budget and industry, try to brainstorm who would be ideal for your business versus who you can afford. For example, if you’re into fashion, having a popular blogger talk about your brand is potentially more appealing than even a celebrity endorsement, depending on your audience. It can be useful to look around at what other successful businesses have done to initiate social proof, finding inspiration in the strategies they’ve employed. Remember, the name of the game is ROI; even if it’s just a normal customer, the quality of their testimonial could result in major returns for your business.

Be Informative

If you’re hoping to become an authority in your industry, exploring thought leadership is a must. Although a common practice in the tech world, you shouldn’t discredit it as a worthwhile strategy for your eCommerce shop. While often mistaken for being an influencer, the practice of thought leadership is a completely different ball game, with approximately 43 percent of marketers staying it’s a top priority in their business (as noted by Curata). If you’re looking to hop on this trend, there are a few things you should know.

No matter what goods you’re selling, start by looking around to what topics of conversation are trending in your industry and whether you can provide any valuable insights. Even if it’s something simple, like posting pieces about creating a budget for building your closet if you have a fashion company, content that adds real value to your customers will go a long way. Additionally, don’t be afraid to reuse content that may not have hit successfully the first time you posted it, especially if it contributed to a relevant topic. The overall goal is to provide consistent content that teaches your audience about something in your field, which can be tough to keep up with on a regular basis.

That’s why a content calendar is a must; map out what type of blog posts you could produce, as well as a general schedule for publication. Make it a goal to produce at least two or three pieces each week, with one being the bare minimum. It’s imperative to get into the habit of consistently generating high-quality content for your followers if you want to be successful as a thought leader. Plus, this is one of the best inbound marketing strategies your store has, with an incredibly low cost in comparison to the ROI.

Run Full-Circle Campaigns For Social

As an eCommerce store, social media is going to be your bread and butter. However, while most people know they need to post regularly, actually implementing campaigns is a practice that requires a great deal of time, energy, and money. Still, it’s a critical component of social media marketing; according to SproutSocial, using just a single hashtag on Instagram increases engagement by 12.6 percent.

Start by looking at items you believe would produce the best ROI if sold, whether it be custom baseball gloves or a new line from an up-and-coming fashion brand. Try to calculate which item is worth the effort of promoting, including breaking down the time and labor to post versus how much you’ll make off each sale. Once you have some items chosen, create a calendar for your campaign, including what and when you’re going to post. Additionally, consider creating a custom hashtag, since it only keeps things organized but increases engagement as well. Finally, this is a time to both showcase your brand and engage with your audience, so embrace it as a good time to be enjoyed!

What are some marketing strategies that have been successful for your eCommerce shop? Comment with your answers below.