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Paisley’s business community is rightly proud of its technological achievements. However, many enterprises in the area don’t make sufficient use of the internet to either market themselves or increase their sales. Of course, numerous Paisley-based businesses are geared up to meet the needs of local people. However, there’s nothing to stop them from reaching a much wider audience by leveraging the power of e-commerce. What are the best ways of converting a traditional business to an e-commerce one?
Set Up an e-Commerce Website
Although the majority of Paisley’s businesses already have websites, this doesn’t mean that they are able to sell goods through them. In many cases, websites provide information about products and services and little else, perhaps encouraging would-be customers to get in contact by email or over the phone. E-commerce works differently by having customers place orders directly so the point of sale process is largely automated. Since this requires an e-commerce store, not all websites have the capacity to deal with all the transactions that will take place. Setting up a new website which can replace the old one might be the best way forward depending on your current web presence. If so, check for available domain names with IONOS or a similarly reputable hosting service. Remember that you can keep your old website name and simply link from it to the new one. Alternatively, set up the web store using a new domain name that links back and forth to your current site. Either way, business owners should prioritise web store memory capacity – for an increasing number of product pages as the enterprise grows – plus cyber security to ensure customers can place orders with confidence.
Design a Web Store That Stands Out
There are numerous ways an e-commerce store can look and feel better than competitors. Faster loading times, more eye-catching designs and social proofing websites are common ways to make e-commerce sites more amenable to potential customers. All of these aspects are particularly important if you want to attract a certain demographic and need to appeal to them directly. What you don’t want, on the other hand, is a site that is too generic or that doesn’t have a local angle. After all, customers in the area want to know they’re supporting a local, Paisley-based business even when they order online.
Provide Multiple Shipping Options
If you’re sending goods from your shop or warehouse or simply drop-shipping them from your supplier, then you should offer customers the chance to choose their preferred shipping method. Some people will pay a premium for direct shipping or next-day deliveries, while others will be happier to wait if it means saving. These days, a one-size-fits-all delivery service is no longer the norm. Therefore, you should offer at least two shipping options, or your e-commerce site will look old-fashioned and potentially lose custom as a result.
Conclusion
Scottish e-commerce businesses are on the rise, with over a third of firms reporting that they receive digital sales in some form or other these days. Don’t get left behind in the digital age even if your business is well-established.
