The lockdown has sent shockwaves through every retailer which thought it didn’t need to sell online.
Businesses, from a family butcher through to global fast-fashion giant Primark, have found themselves without any way to make sales. And that means no income, no way to pay the bills, and an uncertain future.
Looking back almost two decades, when EKM was just getting started, ecommerce was already established but there were still some businesses who thought it wasn’t for them, that their customers wouldn’t be interested in shopping online.
Amazingly, we are finding that that mindset still exists. Well, not for long. This is a wake-up call for every business who doesn’t understand the importance of ecommerce.
Because this is not just about the here and now, getting products to customers while they’re quarantined in their homes with limited options. This is about a generation of adults who have never shopped online before, have now been forced to, and who are going to find out that it’s a much simpler and less risky process than they feared.
When the lockdown is over, whenever that may be, shopping online will be the new normal. If you don’t already have an ecommerce operation, you’ll struggle to do business throughout the lockdown. And it won’t suddenly get much better when the restrictions are lifted. If you don’t act, you’ll be left behind.
The good news is, setting up online needn’t be complicated. It’s affordable, simple, and the great thing about small businesses is that they’re agile; nimble enough to change and adapt to current market demands.
What you should do
Wake up!
The lockdown may be temporary, but the popularity of shopping online certainly won’t be. Huge amounts of your potential audience are using ecommerce for the first time, and it will remain an important part of their daily lives from now on. If you haven’t already launched an online shop, act now. Do your homework, get online, and market it to all your customers and potential customers before you lose them to your competition. And check out Obodo, which we specifically designed to help local businesses sell to local customers.
Market and network
Whether you’re an established online retailer or a newcomer, now is the time to spread the message about who you are and what you can offer. It is a tough time for retailers, but the British public understands this and there is a strong, grass roots movement to support local and independent businesses. As part of your marketing, make sure you join in campaigns run by organisations such as the local chamber of commerce to ensure you’re benefiting from the momentum
Make the most of shopping channels
The ultimate goal is to have customers buying directly from your website, where you will have greater control of the process and keep a larger slice of the profits. But other sites can be a valuable gateway. Many shoppers buying online for the first time will be drawn to the names they know: Amazon, eBay, Google. Ensure your products are listed in as many places as possible to catch the influx of new demand, then turn on the marketing to secure repeat sales.
The post A wake-up call for every business that doesn’t sell online appeared first on Ecommerce Blog.
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