3 Steps to Being a Competitive E-Commerce Retailer

By Melanie Bremner

There are millions of shoppers online today looking for the best deal. Many of these consumers will spend hours going from shop to shop looking for the best price for both the product and the shipping, and how easy it is to place an order and return an order if needed. Since many online shops are selling the same products, online shoppers look for a few different factors to help them make a decision. In the following article, we will discuss what most consumers use for comparing online stores and how you can take the steps to being a competitive retailer in the e-commerce world.


Price Comparison Shopping

It only makes sense for the online shopper to want to get the lowest price they can. Most retailers will try to sell products around the same price as their competition. But, there are times when a retailer is trying to get rid of inventory so he can get in a new line-up, or is going out of business and needs to sell everything they can. As an online retailer, it is your job to constantly be on the lookout for a cheaper wholesaler or drop ship source so that you will be able to put on more deals without still losing out on your overall profit.
The best way you can build a reputation and trust from your customers is to make sure you are registered with the Better Business Bureau. When a consumer wants to shop at your store but does not know if they can trust you, they will check with the BBB to ensure you are a legitimate and solid company. If you receive any customer compliments or ratings, you should post them on your site for others to read. This will be another way the consumer can feel more at ease shopping from your store.

Shipping Considerations for Comparison Checks

The price of shipping may make or break the deal with an interested online shopper. If a shopper finds 2 shops that supply the item they would like for the same price, the consumer will then look to see if one of the shops has a cheaper shipping rate. Some store owners pad the shipping costs to make more of a profit knowing that they are not making much of a profit on the actual sale due to their wholesale connections. Or if a Canadian is shopping in an American store, the price of shipping could cost more as opposed to if that consumer were to find a store that has a Canadian supplier.
For smaller items with not much weight, offering an express shipping method or overnight shipping may attract an online shopper to make the decision to purchase from your store. If it is cost effective and still gives you a profit, this may be one of the best ways to make a sale.


The Importance of a Return Policy

If a product has a hefty shipping charge and is a heavy item, many customers may not want to purchase the item in case they end up not liking it, or it does not go with whatever they thought it would. In the case of the item being the wrong product shipped or a defect, the retailer will more than likely pay the cost for returns. If you can make it as affordable as possible for shipping, and an easy process for returning, your customers will appreciate it and even though they may have to return an item, they will still have a satisfying customer service experience with you which will keep them coming back again the next time.

About the Author
Melanie Bremner is a Virtual Assistant, Ghostwriter and E-Coach for moms who want to get started making money from home. Her website Moms Assisting Moms.net provides resources and tutorials that help moms learn how to decide on a business and get started setting it up and making money from home. Owning an online store is one of the most popular choices for moms these days as more and more people are finding their way online to purchase things. Her book “Setting Up and Running an Online Store” walks the not so techie mom from start to finish in setting up an online store within as little as a week. Go get more information now: Right Here!