These brands leave no stone unturned to make their users’ lives easier and fulfill their wants across touchpoints, from awareness to retention.

Learn strategies to boost customer engagement, improve retention, and drive higher profits with an optimized digital customer journey.

What is the digital customer journey?

The digital customer journey is the process a customer goes through when interacting with a brand online, from first awareness of a product or service to the final purchase and return. It maps the steps and touchpoints that customers experience as part of their decision-making process.

These include websites, social media platforms, email campaigns, search engine results, chatbots, mobile apps, and digital ads. A well-designed digital journey ensures that all of these marketing channels are cohesive and aligned with customer expectations.

Stages of the digital customer journey

Your customers embark on a journey from the discovery stage (point A) to the purchase (point B) point. Along the way, they interact with your brand to guide their decision, forming the basis for the digital customer journey.

For instance, your potential customers start their digital customer journey by becoming aware of your products and services. Through a series of virtual interactions, they learn more about your company, what you do best, and how you fare against your competitors before making a purchase.

To understand the digital customer journey, let’s explore its different stages, including: 

• Awareness: the first step in the digital customer journey is kick-started when an individual realizes a need for a product or service, like a new pair of sneakers or house cleaning. This need encourages them to go online and become aware of digital brands poised to fulfill their needs and desires. 
• Consideration: by this point, the individual has an inkling of what you do and is considering your company. So, they might engage with your brand, ask questions, and research further.
• Decision: when the individual decides to move forward with your brand, they make a purchase or complete a transaction and go from a qualifying lead to a paying customer.

• Retention: customer retention is the stage where companies offer post-sale service and ask customers for their feedback or leave a review, to turn them loyal and retain them for the foreseeable future.

Dive deep to discover your customers’ pain points and the decision paralysis keeping them from completing the cycle. However, not every customer will face similar issues or falter at the finish line for the same reasons. That’s where the personalization and digital footprint solution comes in.

Tips and tricks to improve the digital customer journey

Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure your customers always have a seamless digital customer journey.

1. Integrate CRM systems for better customer data management

Integrating CRM (customer relationship management) tools with customer mapping solutions will provide valuable insights. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes peek at their needs, wants, and preferences, ensuring your online advertising budget is put to good use and enhances your conversion rates.

Simultaneously, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of their points of contention. These insights will help you troubleshoot the issues, tweak the touchpoints based on consumer feedback, and offer customized solutions to users on the fence.

2. Create seamless transitions between channels

Although you want to meet your customers where they are and engage with them to drive awareness and boost conversion rates, a disconnect between your digital channels, like your social media channels and email marketing, can lead to confused users. You could also integrate social media into your website to enhance success.

To ensure your users have a seamless transaction each time, your digital channels must all work in tandem. Additionally, you don’t want to miss lucrative opportunities to answer their queries or engage with them, so be active and interact with your customers every step of the way.

3. Collecting feedback in the customer journey

You can follow the customer mapping journey best practices and still not see the desired results if you aren’t collecting feedback regularly. Make it a practice to share feedback forms with customers to discover the things you need to refine.

Go a step further and conduct interactive surveys with potential and existing customers to find their pain points in general and improve their digital journey with confidence.

4. Use A/B testing to optimize digital touchpoints

Want to become a customer-focused brand? Conduct split testing, aka A/B testing, and put forward two versions of your digital touchpoints for your users to test and vote on. 

Segregate them into two groups and expose each group to one variation of your ad, UX, or another digital touchpoint to gather data about which variation performs the best. As an example, you can test your cookie banner to find the version that gains the most consent and collects more customer data.

5. Incorporate reviews and social proof to build trust at critical stages

Incorporate reviews and social proof to build trust at critical stages and make it easier for your customers to make actionable decisions. This will help you build trust, ease their concerns, and show them how happy your existing customers are with your product or service, encouraging them to take similar action.

Common pitfalls to avoid in digital customer journeys

To anticipate and fulfill customers’ demands and stop your e-shop from losing customers, businesses must avoid common pitfalls. 

For instance, not optimizing their site for mobile devices. Ignoring to optimize your site for phones can become a glaring issue for your consumers.

Similarly, avoid overcomplicating the checkout process. Try to make it as smooth and seamless as possible. Offer one-click checkouts if possible.

You also don’t want to lose any opportunities to personalize communication, like various types of pop-ups, emails, or special offers, for different buyer personas. 

KPIs for digital customer journeys

While following a few tips and tricks will improve your customer’s digital journey, how do you measure their success? Through KPIs (key performance indicators) like: 

• Conversion rate: shows the number of website visitors that reach the fulfillment stage.
• CLTV (customer lifetime value): it measures the earnings of your company from a customer during the course (lifetime) of their account with you.
• CAC (customer acquisition cost): refers to the amount you spend to acquire a new consumer.
• Bounce rate: highlights the number of website visitors who leave without taking the desired action.
• CSAT (customer satisfaction score): this score conveys whether your product, service, and mapped digital journey satisfy user needs.
• Cart abandonment rate: computes the number of consumers who add your products to their shopping cart but leave without placing an order.
• NPS (net promoter score): this indicator looks at your customers’ willingness to recommend your business to their social circle to quantify customer loyalty.

Conclusion

By understanding the stages of the customer journey, from awareness to advocacy, businesses can deliver personalized experiences that meet customer expectations at every touchpoint.

An optimized customer journey isn’t just about driving sales; it’s about fostering loyalty and trust. By focusing on the customer needs and pain points, you can build lasting relationships, and keep customers satisfied.

Read also about ways to increase user engagement on your website

The post Digital Customer Journey: Stages, and How to Optimize It for Sales appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

In this post, we’re diving into 18 e-commerce features that can take your online store from average to thriving. By implementing these essential features, you can significantly reduce shopping cart abandonment, streamline your checkout process, and create a seamless shopping journey that keeps customers coming back. 

How the Right E-Commerce Website Features Can Boost Your Business?

With more people shopping online than ever before, having a well-designed e-commerce website isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity.

There are over 24 million e-commerce sites globally and new ones popping up daily, so your website’s features can be the make-or-break factor for your e-commerce business. It’s not enough to just list your products; you need to create an experience that makes shopping easy, enjoyable, and secure for your customers. 

Here’s why having the right e-commerce features is so critical: 

• Builds Brand Credibility: A sleek, professional-looking website instantly makes your e-commerce business appear more trustworthy. People are far more willing to shop when they feel secure and confident in your brand.

• Encourages Customer Loyalty: An e-commerce website that is designed well doesn’t just attract first-time buyers—it encourages them to return. By delivering a consistent and enjoyable shopping experience, you increase the chances of repeat purchases.

• Drives Sales Growth: Optimized e-commerce features streamline the buying process, reducing obstacles for customers and making it more likely for them to complete their purchases, ultimately boosting your sales.

• Increases Visibility: When your website is optimized for search engines, more people find you. This leads to more organic traffic, expanding your reach and increasing the chances of attracting new customers.

Crucial E-commerce Website Features for More Conversions

In this section, we’ll break down crucial e-commerce features to look for when creating an online store. Not only do they enhance the user experience, but also directly contribute to higher conversions. So, what do you need to consider when choosing an E-commerce platform?

1. Site Search

A seemingly subtle but impactful feature of e-commerce websites is site search. When customers visit your e-commerce website, they don’t always want to browse through categories—they often know exactly what they’re looking for. That’s where an efficient internal search feature comes into play. 

A powerful search bar helps users quickly find specific products without having to navigate through multiple pages. In fact, 69% of e-commerce visitors use the search bar and 80% leave due to a poor experience. 

Nordstrom sets a great example with their advanced search feature, offering product suggestions and autocomplete options to help customers find items faster. 

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Additionally, their search function includes filters like brand, size, and price range, making it even easier for users to pinpoint exactly what they need.

In Webnode: YES – Profi and Business Premium Plan

2. User Accounts

User accounts are key to building a personalized shopping experience and boosting customer retention. When customers create accounts, they can save shipping information, view order histories, and receive personalized product recommendations, which makes future shopping faster and more enjoyable. 

It also allows businesses to foster loyalty through rewards programs, special discounts, and tailored offers based on users’ purchase history.

A great example is Myntra, which uses user accounts effectively by offering features like wishlists, order tracking, and personalized product recommendations based on browsing history. Customers can also save their payment details for faster checkouts, making the shopping process quicker and more efficient. 

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In Webnode: NO

3. Customizable Product Pages

A detailed product page is critical because it’s where potential customers make their purchasing decisions. It doesn’t just list the product—it tells a story about it, giving customers everything they need to feel confident about their purchase. 

Why is this important? Because customers are less likely to return products if they know exactly what they’re getting. In fact, 87% of online shoppers say that detailed product content is a key factor when deciding to make a purchase. 

This includes high-quality images, detailed descriptions, dimensions, customer reviews, and even videos or tutorials.

For example, IKEA is known for its highly informative product pages. Every product includes multiple images, a detailed description of materials and dimensions, and even assembly instructions. 

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They go the extra mile by including customer reviews and related product suggestions, making it easier for shoppers to get all the information they need to feel confident about their purchase.

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Customers who feel informed are more likely to buy and less likely to return items. By providing all necessary details up front, you build trust and reduce post-purchase regret.

In Webnode: YES – All E-commerce Premium Plans

4. Product Variants

Offering product variants is crucial for e-commerce sites because it allows customers to choose different options like size, color, material, or model without searching for separate listings. 

This not only enhances the shopping experience but also makes it more convenient for customers to find exactly what they need. Having all product options under one listing reduces friction and simplifies the decision-making process.

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This seamless experience keeps shoppers engaged and prevents them from leaving your site to search for alternatives.

In Webnode: YES – Profi and Business Premium Plan

5. Product Reviews

93% of consumers say that online reviews impact their purchasing choices. Allowing customers to share their honest feedback gives potential buyers social proof that your product delivers on its promises. Reviews provide authentic insight into the product, often answering questions that aren’t covered in the product description.

Including a review system on your e-commerce website builds trust and also increases conversion rates, making it an essential feature for any store looking to boost sales.

In Webnode: Only manual adding by HTML

6. Product Videos

Videos provide a dynamic way to showcase your products in action, allowing customers to get a better sense of the product’s features, functionality, and real-world use. They also improve engagement—visitors are more likely to stay on the page longer when there’s a video to watch, which increases the likelihood of making a purchase.

This is especially useful for products that benefit from visual demonstrations, such as electronics, clothing, or home goods. 

Zappos does a great job of integrating product videos into their listings. For most of their shoes, they include short video clips where a representative explains the product, its key features, and shows it in motion. 

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This allows potential buyers to get a closer look at the product, which can help reduce uncertainty and lead to higher conversion rates. Besides increasing browsing experience and sales, product videos also level up the quality of SEO content of your product pages, helping you get more organic traffic and revenue.

In Webnode: YES – All E-commerce Premium Plans

7. Product Feed

A product feed is a dynamic and essential tool that allows your e-commerce store to showcase your products across various platforms and marketplaces.

By integrating a product feed, you can automatically share updated product information like titles, descriptions, prices, and images with external channels and marketplaces. This not only saves time but also ensures your product listings remain accurate and consistent across multiple sales channels.

For example, Webnode’s product feed feature makes it simple to connect your online store to platforms like Google Merchant Center or Meta Commerce Manager (Facebook). This helps boost your store’s visibility and attracts customers who are actively searching for the products you sell.

In Webnode: YES – Profi and Business Premium Plan

8. Discounts and Promo Codes

Shoppers love the feeling of getting a deal, and limited-time offers or special discounts create a sense of urgency, encouraging them to buy now rather than later. Promo codes also give you an opportunity to reward loyal customers, encourage new buyers, and even reactivate abandoned shopping carts. 

ASOS is an excellent example of how discounts and promo codes can be effectively utilized. They frequently offer student discounts, seasonal promo codes, and exclusive app-only offers, which not only entice new users but also keep regular customers coming back for more. 

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By offering easy-to-apply promo codes at checkout, ASOS ensures that customers feel they’re getting added value with their purchase.

However, the key to success with discounts and promo codes is to balance enticing offers with clear communication. Make sure the discount is easy to apply and the terms are transparent to avoid frustrating customers. 

In Webnode: YES – Profi and Business Premium Plan

9. Clear Call to Action (CTA) Buttons

A well-designed Call to Action (CTA) button can make all the difference between a visitor and a buyer. The importance of clear CTAs is huge, with studies showing that specific, clear CTA can increase conversions by up to 161%. 

If your CTA buttons are unclear or hidden, you risk losing potential customers who might not know what to do next. On the other hand, CTAs like “Buy Now,” “Add to Cart,” or “Sign Up” guide users toward the next step in their shopping journey.

To optimize your CTA buttons, ensure they are easy to spot, use direct language, and are strategically placed throughout the user journey to encourage customers to take action.

In Webnode: YES – All E-commerce Premium Plans

10. Membership Registration

Membership registration allows you to lock individual pages of your website. This function is useful if you need pages for registered users only. By registering, customers can access exclusive content.

For instance, membership registration enables you to offer perks like early access to sales, members-only discounts, and personalized emails that showcase products relevant to the customer’s interests. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also increases the likelihood of repeat purchases.

In Webnode: YES – Page locking is possible with all plans, including free, but registration and allowing access to users is only possible with the Premium Plans – Standard (100 users), Profi and Business (Unlimited)

11. Multiple Language Versions 

Reaching a global audience is essential for scaling your e-commerce business, and offering multiple language versions of your site is a powerful way to achieve this. By providing content in your customers’ native languages, you create a more inclusive and user-friendly experience.

Webnode allows you to create multiple language versions of your website, enabling you to connect with customers from different regions effortlessly. This feature helps you cater to diverse markets and build stronger relationships with your international audience, ensuring no potential customer feels left out due to language barriers.

In Webnode: YES – Standard, Profi and Business Premium Plan

12. International Shipping

Expanding your e-commerce store’s reach means enabling international shipping. This feature allows you to sell products globally, unlocking a larger customer base and boosting your revenue potential. Customers expect transparent information about shipping costs, delivery times, and options.

Webnode’s international shipping feature simplifies the process by allowing you to set shipping zones and rates, ensuring accurate calculations for each order. Different shipping methods and rates can be set for different continents or countries around the world. The price is then automatically recalculated for the e-commerce customer based on the address they choose for delivery.

In Webnode: YES – Profi and Business Premium Plan

13. Multiple Currencies 

Offering multiple currencies on your e-commerce website is a must for global shoppers. It removes the hassle of manual currency conversions and enhances the trustworthiness of your store, as customers feel more comfortable purchasing in their local currency.

Webnode ensures that currencies automatically adjust based on the customer’s location, creating a seamless and localized shopping experience. This small but significant adjustment helps reduce friction and shopping cart abandonment, increasing your chances of closing international sales.

In Webnode: YES – Business Premium Plan

14. Secure Payment Gateway

E-commerce fraud is on the rise, and 17% of customers will abandon their shopping cart if the payment page looks untrustworthy. 

A secure payment gateway ensures that your customers’ sensitive data—like credit card information—is safely encrypted and protected from fraud. When customers feel confident that their transactions are secure, they’re far more likely to complete a purchase. 

Webnode offers multiple secure payment gateway options, including PayPal, Stripe, Paytrail, or Klarna, which use SSL encryption to protect customer data.

Using a reliable payment gateway helps build trust, encourages repeat purchases, and ensures your customers feel safe shopping on your site. Implementing features like SSL certificates and displaying trusted payment badges (logos) can further reassure customers that their transactions are secure​. 

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In Webnode: YES – Standard, Profi and Business Premium Plan

15. Easy Checkout Process

A smooth and easy checkout process is essential for converting visitors into buyers. If your checkout process is too complicated, long, or requires too much information, customers are likely to abandon their shopping carts. 

Simplifying the steps, offering guest checkout, and providing auto-fill features can make the experience quick and hassle-free, encouraging customers to complete their purchase.

Apple provides one of the best examples of a streamlined checkout process. They allow customers to check out as a guest, provide multiple payment options, and use auto-fill features to make form-filling effortless. Additionally, the entire process is clearly laid out, which reduces confusion and helps customers feel confident that their purchase will go through without a hitch.

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Additionally, the entire process is clearly laid out, which reduces confusion and helps customers feel confident that their purchase will go through without a hitch.

In Webnode: YES – Standard, Profi and Business Premium Plan

16. Automatic Invoicing 

Automating the invoicing process saves time and minimizes errors, offering a professional touch to your e-commerce operations. With automatic invoicing, customers receive accurate and detailed receipts immediately after completing their purchase, enhancing their trust and satisfaction.

Webnode generates invoices with all the necessary details, such as order numbers, products, prices, and tax information, making it easier for customers to keep track of their transactions. For businesses, it simplifies bookkeeping and ensures compliance with financial regulations.

In Webnode: YES – Business Premium Plan

17. Automatic Notifications

Keeping customers informed at every stage of their purchase journey is key to building trust and providing a smooth shopping experience. Automatic notifications ensure that your customers receive timely updates, from order confirmation and shipping updates to delivery notifications.

Webnode allows you to send customized emails or messages at critical touchpoints, reducing customer inquiries like “Where’s my order?” and improving overall satisfaction. These notifications not only enhance the post-purchase experience but also create opportunities to engage customers further, such as sending thank-you emails or suggesting related products.

In Webnode: YES – Business Premium Plan

18. Order Tracking

97% of customers want to be able to track their orders at all times. Order tracking enhances the post-purchase experience and provides customers with peace of mind. 

By allowing customers to track their package from the moment it’s shipped until it arrives at their doorstep, you reduce anxiety and build trust. This transparency also cuts down on “Where’s my order?” inquiries, leading to fewer customer service calls and emails.

Myntra provides excellent order tracking through its app and website, allowing customers to follow their order at each stage of the delivery process. Customers receive notifications when their package is shipped, in transit, out for delivery, and successfully delivered. 

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Myntra even offers real-time delivery updates, showing customers exactly when their package is expected to arrive, making the experience smoother and more reliable.

In Webnode: YES – All E-commerce Premium Plans

Empower your Online Store with Webnode’s E-commerce Features

Compare Webnode’s premium plans and e-commerce features and choose the best one for you. Whether you’re just starting or looking to upgrade, Webnode’s e-commerce features make it easy to build an e-shop that sells.

The Key to E-Commerce Success: It’s All in the Details and Features

E-commerce is constantly evolving, and to keep up with it, it’s essential to have the right features in place. From site search to order tracking, each element we’ve discussed plays a crucial role in enhancing the customer experience and driving sales. 

By optimizing your website with these features, you not only improve usability but also build trust, encourage engagement, and increase conversions.

Ready to take your e-commerce business to the next level? Start with Webnode, where you can easily create a professional online store.

Author’s Bio:

Vanya Gupta is a content writer writing in various niches but has experience in SaaS and marketing niches. She is currently helping SaaS companies enhance their visibility through SEO optimized content. In her spare time, she enjoys improving her writing skills.

The post 18 E-commerce Website Features for a Thriving Online Store appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

Learn how to implement SEO and attract the attention of your market. This article will provide SEO strategies with the highest impact to help you with ecommerce website optimization.

What is Ecommerce Website Optimization?

E-commerce SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of optimizing an online store to improve its visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). This involves optimizing product pages, category pages, the homepage, blog content, and technical elements of a website to drive organic (non-paid) traffic.

The goal is to make it easier for potential customers to find your products through search engines. Ecommerce SEO organically attracts and converts customers. It provides a long-term, sustainable way to grow your business and improve brand awareness.

How to Do SEO for an Ecommerce Website

SEO for an e-commerce website involves a combination of strategies to optimize your site for search engines, improve user experience, and drive targeted traffic.

1. Optimize Product Pages

Customers will spend most of their time on product pages. As a business looking to attract customers, you should optimize these pages to be searchable, informative, and descriptive. Here are some ways you can achieve ecommerce website optimization on your product pages:

• Meta Titles and Descriptions: Think of meta titles and descriptions as your opportunity to make a first impression. They’re what your customers see even before they click on the link. Keep them short and interesting. Integrate your keywords naturally to achieve higher rankings while telling your customers exactly what they’ll find on your page.

• Product Descriptions: Your customers need to know what they’re buying and whether it’s worth their hard-earned money. This is where the product detail page matters. To optimize your descriptions for SEO value, write a description detailing what your product is, how it differs from competitors, and how your customers can benefit. Also, use primary and long-tail SEO keywords, but don’t overcompensate.

• Image Optimization: Product images show your customers what they’re buying and allow you to increase your search engine ranking. You can use keyword-optimized titles and file names. You can also use ALT tags that tell the search engine what your image is.

• Internal Links: You can keep your customers’s attention on your website and brand by using internal links to promote related products or posts. These links keep your customers on your page. They also tell search engines how your pages are related and structured, allowing them to recommend high-value pages on your site.

2. Leverage User-Generated Content

User-generated content, like customer reviews and testimonials, proves to search engines and other potential customers that your business can be trusted. Here’s how you can invite your customers or users to create content for you:

• Customer Reviews: When a customer publishes feedback on your product page, they improve your site’s SEO. They introduce new keywords, address common potential customer questions, and improve rankings. You can ask customers to leave a review on your product page to generate this content.

• Social Proof Widgets: Publishing testimonials and photos of your customer’s experience with your product makes your page more optimized for conversions and rankings. Beyond new keywords, this type of content also inspires trust. It also makes Google and other search engines more likely to recommend your page.

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Answering common customer questions through a dedicated FAQ section on your page allows you to use long-tail keywords. Though customers might not be specifically looking for a product, a search engine can still recommend your e-commerce site because it answers a question.

3. Utilize Long-Tail and Voice Search Keywords

According to Google’s statistics on marketing strategies, 20% of searches are conducted through voice. Long-tail and voice search keywords target these types of searches, and integrating them into your e-commerce website can increase your traffic and conversion. Here’s how you can maximize this trend:

• Research Long-Tail Keywords: Platforms like Google Keyword Planner can help you discover long-tail keywords relevant to your products and services. You can sort through the results by relevance or competition to identify the most applicable long-tail keywords that you can use in your blog posts, product pages, and other content.

• Voice Search Optimization: Using everyday, conversational language for your content makes it more likely to be recommended by search engines for voice-based queries. You can use long-tail or question keywords, though questions may be more likely to improve your rankings. Your answers should be clear and straight to the point.

• Featured Snippets & Answer Boxes: Utilizing featured snippets and answer boxes signals search engines that your page has the answer to question keywords. It’s more likely to be recommended to users.

4. Do Technical SEO for E-Commerce

Ecommerce website optimization involves more than using SEO keywords in your content. It also includes all the work that goes into ensuring an excellent customer experience, from browsing to checking out. Here are some technical strategies:

• Mobile Optimization: Most adults today own a smartphone. As a result, Google and other search engines rank websites optimized for mobile higher than their counterparts. Ensure your customers can navigate your e-commerce site through their smartphones.

• SSL Certification: Search engines consider an SSL certification, or an HTTPS, as part of their algorithm when choosing which pages to recommend to users. They prioritize their users’ safety and secure connection. Get an SSL certification for your online store.

• Site Speed & Performance: If your page loads slowly, your customers will likely look elsewhere for the information they need. Search engines, too, may overlook your pages because of your site’s performance. You can improve this by compressing your images, using browser caches, and minimizing JavaScript.

• Crawlability & Indexation: Search engines need to understand your website structure to recommend pages to their users. Creating an XML sitemap and submitting it to the Google Search Console ensures the search engine can crawl your site and provide visibility for all your essential pages.

5. Build High-Quality Backlinks

Backlinks are an SEO element that establishes your authority on related topics, products, or services. Search engines will increase your rankings if credible websites mention your e-commerce page as a source.

Many of the top ecommerce platforms offer built-in tools to help streamline backlink strategies and ensure your content reaches the right audiences. Here are tips to get relevant backlinks for your online store.

• Outreach Strategies: Identify your niche and determine the websites likely to use your backlinks to support their content. If your online store sells car parts, reputable online vehicle magazines can use your backlinks. Have valuable content like research and statistics on your website.

• Partnering with Influencers: You can reach out to influencers within your niche. You can request content featuring your products or services to create promotions and backlink usage opportunities. Consider your brand and choose influencers who align with your identity.

• Guest Posts and Content Contributions: Some reputable and high-authority websites can accept content you write. Check their guidelines for submission and incorporate your links into the content to lead users to your online store.

6. Create SEO-Optimized Content

You should have SEO-optimized content outside your product pages. Examples of content you can use to improve your rankings and reach a wider audience include blog posts, guides, and videos. Here are some tips for each type of content:

• Blog Posts & Buying Guides: Launching a blog where you can post relevant content and buying guides offers space to introduce your own keywords and internal links. Post regularly and promote your content to drive organic website traffic. Buying guides are particularly attractive to your target audience as an e-commerce business.

• Product Comparisons and How-To Guides: Well-written, long-form content keeps your readers on your site longer, increasing your page’s engagement metrics. Comparisons and how-to guides allow you to delve deeper into related topics and use various keywords, including long-tail, question, and competitive keywords. Be engaging and use images and visualizations to break up your content.

• Videos: Product demos, walkthroughs, and user interviews may be better presented through videos. Optimizing this content for SEO involves using keywords in video titles, links in descriptions, and publishing transcriptions.

7. Implement Structured Data

Structured data gives search engines extra information about your products and content. It’s a type of code that enables search engines to include details like pricing, availability, and star ratings when your products appear on the results page. Here’s how you can use it for your ecommerce website:

• Structured Data Platforms: You can use structured data platforms to submit this code to search engines. E-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce provide plugins that automate lifting and adding structured data from your product pages. Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper generates the code for your product pages.

• Relevant Information: Beyond pricing, availability, and ratings, you can include product images. Google supports image carousels, allowing potential customers to browse your product on the results page. You can also include structured data on where your product is on your site to enable your customers to see if clicking on the link will lead to similar products or categories.

• Monitoring: Check how your rich snippet compares to competitors on the results page. See if you can display more competitive pricing to increase click-through rates (CTR). Choose the best review to display on your snippet to make your product a more attractive choice. Update your structured data as necessary.

8. Let AI SEO tools help you

With more than 330 million e-commerce users expected by 2029, you should put your best foot ahead of the competition. Considering all the SEO strategies you can implement, you may need to explore AI and automation tools to streamline the process and reduce errors. Here are some that may apply to you:

• AI SEO Tools: There are tools available today that streamline keyword research. Platforms like SEMrush and Ahrefs provide keywords you can use, competitive analysis data, and suggestions for your content. These tools use machine learning to provide accurate and actionable results.

• SEO Audits: To ensure your e-commerce website’s optimization at all times, conduct regular audits to check technical SEO strategies, especially crawlability and indexation. SEO audit platforms like Sitebulb can help you save time and effort for these necessary audits.

• AI Chatbots: Despite your FAQ and long-form content, you could miss out on customer engagement because you haven’t explored specific topics. Implementing a chatbot on your online store resolves this issue by addressing customer queries and allowing you to mine content ideas from customer interactions.

9. Use SEO for New Product Launches

Starting an online store means launching new products and implementing SEO strategies for your pages. Planning how you’ll achieve this can ensure success before, during, and after launch. Here are some tips you can implement at every stage of your new product launch:

• Pre-Launch: Inspire customer interest by publishing content related to your new product. You could create blog posts that address topics related to your new product. You could also publish teaser posts on your page or create landing pages to countdown your launch.

• During Launch: Collect customer feedback as they come in and choose the snippets and testimonials you can add to your page and structured data. You can also monitor questions and conversations to get content ideas and possible keywords.

• Post-Launch: Maintain momentum by publishing SEO content based on the results of your research during launch. Address customer questions through long-form content and publish tutorials for any pain points that come up. Keep promoting customer testimonials and engaging with your customers through social posts.

• Seasonal Planning: E-commerce businesses can leverage seasons and holidays for competitive pricing, discounts, and events. Understand your target audience by knowing when your products are most relevant.

Conclusion

Ecommerce website optimization enhances visibility, engages customers, and drives sales. It’s an ongoing process that requires you to combine technical skills and creative thinking. Adapt to the new requirements of search engine algorithms and SEO trends, and pay attention to the quality of your content.

Apply SEO strategies from product page optimization to technical SEO and backlink building to help you attract more customers and increase rankings.

Want to make the most of SEO? Learn about advanced SEO strategies

The post Ecommerce Website Optimization: Strategies to Drive Sales appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

But diving into the online craft marketplace raises a lot of questions. Where should I sell my crafts? How can I stand out in a competitive market? and What types of products to sell? are common hurdles for beginners. In this article, we give you the answers. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to develop your craft business.

How to Sell Crafts Online

Before you start to sell your crafts online, it is crucial to identify your niche, work on your brand, choose a suitable selling platform, and think about the pricing. Let’s look at each point in detail.

1) Identify your niche

What are the specific crafts that you enjoy making? Is there a niche for you already, and if so, what could make you stand out? Sometimes it takes a bit of research, honing your skills, and expanding your interests in order to respond to market demand.

You might even consider doing a survey online or a quiz on social media to see what crafts might be in demand at this moment or in your area. Once you combine what you are passionate about with what the market needs, you are on the right track.

2) Establish your brand

When your niche and your range of products are set, it’s time to select a company name, logo, and brand colors to give your future shop a distinct character. Building a brand is crucial—think of it as your visual business card. It’s how you present yourself and your products to the world.

Look at your competitors—analyze their approach and think about what would make you stand out. Your brand should reflect your story, your unique approach, and your values.

3) Create an Online Store

Now it’s time to choose the best platform to promote and sell your products. In deciding which platform to use, consider how easy it is to use, the options for customization, and the price. 

When you create your online store, make sure you have high-quality product photos and appealing descriptions. Your customers should feel inspired right away to click on your unique products. Not sure which provider is best for you?

Let’s have a look at Webnode’s advantages:

1. Interface that is easy to use: Regardless of technical proficiency, anyone can easily develop a professional-looking website for their craft company with Webnode’s user-friendly platform.
2. Options for Customization: Webnode makes it simple to alter the look of your website to fit your brand identity and best present your distinctive crafts. 
3. Integrated E-commerce services: Product catalogs, easy store management, and the ability to apply discounts are just a few of the integrated e-commerce services that Webnode provides. Additional features like product variations, site search to locate products, and secure payment gateways make it easy to sell your products online. View our premium e-commerce plans.
4. Tools for SEO: Regarding search engine optimization, Webnode has you covered, offering resources to assist you in making your website more search engine friendly so that prospective clients can quickly locate your company online.

4) Pricing Your Crafts

In order to price your products, it is crucial to take into consideration the cost of materials, your own work, and a potential profit margin. Don’t forget to add any other costs, such as shipping, packaging, and other overhead costs.

Before you settle on a final price tag, look at your competitors with similar products and their pricing to make sure your prices are competitive.

Where to Sell Crafts Online

Now you may be wondering where to sell your products. If you have an active social media account, like on Instagram or TikTok, you might start off right there. Let your online community know that you’ve delved into a new business. This way, you can also directly connect with an existing potential target audience.

Online Marketplaces

In addition to promoting your products via social media channels, you may want to venture out to online marketplaces such as Folksy, Etsy, or ArtFire. Certain features and restrictions come with the territory when joining some of these platforms, such as the way the products are listed, the payment options, and customer support.

Your Own E-shop

If you’ve started selling online but feel like you still aren’t reaching your full potential, online might be a potential way to expand your reach. Your own online store would also allow you to have full control over how you promote and showcase your products. 

When optimized for SEO, it could bring you substantial traffic. This is a piece of cake with Webnode. As we mentioned earlier, Webnode is extremely user-friendly and intuitive, allowing you to add products, a blog, and more to your e-commerce website for reasonable prices.

Tip: Check out our post on how to create an online store if you need additional help

Online Marketplaces vs. Own E-shop

With all the different ways you can sell your crafts, you might be wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are for each option. The advantage of online marketplaces, for example, is that you get to join an already existing community. This might make it easier to attract customers, but it has its limitations as well.

However, your own e-shop will allow you to build your own brand; you can optimize it for search engines, add new content, and even have a blog about your products, which will allow you to grow long-term.

Social Media Platforms

While having your own e-shop is great, combining it with social media channels is even more crucial if you want to target the young generations that have a knack for handmade products and support sustainable materials.

Connect your e-shop to Instagram, TikTok, or even Pinterest, where you can share photos and videos of your products. You can also give your audience a sneak peek behind the scenes—share your savoir-faire, how you pick the materials, or make a tour video of your studio. People love to share and see the unique creative process that is connected to your inspiring products.

Another option is also YouTube, which has become increasingly popular with Gen Z for seeking tutorials, product demos, and vlogs. You can create, for instance, how-to tutorials and become a credible source in your sector. This will allow you to establish your online presence, build brand awareness, and drive traffic to your e-shop. It will also allow you to build a strong, loyal customer base.

Most Profitable Crafts to Make and Sell

What craft products are the best-selling and in-demand? Get inspired by trends and ideas.

Trends in Crafting

When you are in the craft business, it is always crucial to be open and available to respond to the trends. Trends are ever-evolving, yet when you get ahead of the curve and offer your customers what they are looking for, you will find success. Whether it is eco-friendly products or products crafted from sustainable materials, the sustainability trend is here.

People often buy handmade products because they feel they symbolize a unique part of themselves, and from there stems the desire to customize the products. Custom-painted mugs and embroidered pillows are examples of personalized presents that are highly sought after since they showcase the recipient’s distinct interests and preferences.

Craft business ideas

• Jewelry 

A profitable niche for people who are passionate about materials and design is jewelry creation. Jewelry that is built to order, according to specific tastes, is especially popular.

Another favorite option is beaded jewelry, which offers countless variations in terms of color, texture, and style. A genuinely unique object can be produced by hand using materials such as metals, jewels, or even natural elements.

• Home decor 

Since the pandemic, people started paying more attention to their interior design and the objects they surround themselves with. Home decor is a growing market, and from creating wall art, paintings, or hand-woven tapestries, there is a target audience for everyone.

Handmade candles, often with the possibility to customize designs and scents, have been very popular recently. As with jewelry, reusing materials, for example, for furniture, is trending as well, as customers search for originality and uniqueness in every piece while adhering to sustainable living.

• Accessories

In the spirit of upcycling and eco-friendly fashion, among popular accessories are bags, scarves, and other knick-knacks made from recycled materials. Upcycled accessories are experiencing growth and are expected to increase annually over the next few years.

When looking for accessories from a variety of materials, such as hats, belts, or jewelry, customers seek the synergy of functional and fashionable.

• Health and wellness

In line with customized accessories or home decor pieces, health and wellness products are also a growing market. People gravitate towards vegan and eco-friendly products even in this market niche. You can offer handmade soaps that are infused with special essential oils or fragrances for baths.

Aromatherapy is also a growing market, as are natural skincare products that use, for instance, shea butter and coconut oil. Customers prefer natural ingredients with no animal testing as a sustainable alternative to commercial products.

• Personalized gifts 

Personalized gifts are on the rise as people seek genuine ways to connect with each other. Not sure what crafts could be personalized? The platform Etsy has a whole array of examples. Whether it is printed bags with your name or a quote that characterizes you, handmade jewelry, towels, or mugs, you name it, there are no limits to the artistic imagination.

Very often, personalized gifts are crafted for special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries. In case your company gifts are lacking inspiration, you can also consider customized gifts for clients and loyal customers.

• Seasonal crafts

Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with handmade decorations, crafted ornaments, wreaths, or stockings?

During Easter, there are a myriad of ways to decorate eggs, bunnies, and any additional decorations to welcome the spring season. Seasonal crafts are a recurring market, and every year you can add new product lines and expand your product portfolio

Conclusion

Selling crafts online can be a very rewarding journey and a great way to channel your artistic talents. You may realize that customers are often willing to pay extra for customized items. It is crucial to define your unique selling point and offer special craft products.

Online marketplaces offer an easy way to get started. However, as your business grows, relying solely on these platforms can limit your potential. Creating your own e-shop offers an opportunity to take full control of your business.

Take the next step in your journey as a craft entrepreneur. Empower yourself by creating your own e-shop, and unlock the freedom to grow your business on your own terms. Your creativity deserves a platform that’s as unique and limitless as you are.

Take Control of Your Craft Business with Your Own E-Shop

The post Selling Crafts Online: How, Where and What to sell appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

Explore the best e-commerce tips for beginners to help you set up and sustain your business. 

9 E-commerce Tips for Successful Business

“The keys to success are patience, persistence, and obsessive attention to detail.” 

– Jeff Bezos

Successful business owners identify with this statement more than new entrepreneurs. It’s because they understand the importance of not giving up, making mistakes, but being persistent in their efforts. Also is good to know the following e-commerce tricks.

1. Understanding E-commerce Basics

E-commerce basics are the fundamental principles about which you must have a solid understanding to build a successful online store. Be clear about the differences between different business models, delivery models, setting up a platform, business goals, and product research. 

Furthermore, you should be familiar with, if not have expertise in, the art of product visualization, product descriptions, e-commerce marketing, and SEO. While you are still in the research phase, know all about e-commerce store analytics and customer service setup. Understanding the fundamentals helps lay the groundwork and create a strong foundation to build your online store. 

2. Choosing the Right E-commerce Platform

You need a good platform to build, run, and manage your online shop. While offering all the required e-commerce features, the platform must be easy to use and help manage everything from adding products to payments and analytics. 

Spend some time on finding an all-inclusive platform with the following features;

• Content Management System (CMS)
• Add product media and descriptions
• Multiple payment options
• Robust security features
• Marketing integration (social media and email)
• Inventory management
• Business analytics and reporting
• Customer support

Tip: Webnode offers an intuitive e-commerce website builder to help you create an online store quickly. Use the power of artificial intelligence and several in-built features to create websites in just few minutes, or use one of the responsive e-commerce templates and customize it to your liking and requirements. 

3. Optimizing Your Website’s User Experience

It took 8.25 seconds in 2023 for a human being to lose their attention span, a number which has come down from 12 seconds in 2020.

Even more alarming is that it takes only 50 milliseconds for a human to form an opinion.

Since you can’t risk losing a potential customer’s attention and them forming a negative opinion of your store, make sure you streamline it. Optimizing includes everything from having clear images to well-written product descriptions to an intuitive design, smooth functionality, and a seamless workflow. 

One of the important points here is not to overdo or focus too much on beautification. Your e-commerce store doesn’t have to be fancy, but it must be simple, functional, and easy to navigate. 

4. Following Strategic Marketing Methods

Until 2023, there were 26.5 million ecommerce stores operating worldwide. Don’t expect people to start visiting your digital storefront as soon as you launch. Without effective marketing, your store can go unnoticed, leading to low traffic and sales. 

To promote your store, build a robust e-commerce marketing strategy and practice the following;

• Use e-comerce SEO practices (keyword research, backlinks, and optimized product descriptions) to improve rankings.
• Establish a strong social media presence. 
• Invest in email marketing, ad campaigns, and influencer marketing. 
• Product valuable and customer-centric content like blog posts, videos, etc. 
• Focus on marketing tools for B2B marketers.
• Run referral and affiliate programs to get more traffic. 

While implementing marketing strategies account for the shopping behavior of the target audience. The GenZ cohort of your customers may have different opinions than millennials. So, instead of building a general marketing strategy, divide your total addressable market into different categories and align your strategies with their preferences. 

Source

5. Having High-Quality Product Photos and Descriptions

In online shopping, customers have limited options to check and feel the product. So, they base the decisions on visual cues and detailed product descriptions. 

When you add high-quality images, it creates a positive visual appeal. High-resolution images make it easier to showcase product features and materials while adding to the product’s trustworthiness. 

Step into a customer’s shoes and see for yourself. Would you buy if the product photo is blurry and clicked on a dark background? Such images won’t help anyone know the details, which are crucial to make a decision. 

As opposed to considering a high-quality product image (as shown in the image above) which shows every product detail. When such images are complemented with detailed product descriptions, it helps customers understand the product and make a decision. 

High-quality images and descriptions also reduce post-purchase queries and product returns. 

6. Experimenting with Social Media Platforms

Social media will let you connect with potential and existing customers, promote your products, and direct traffic to your website. Build your social media on the same networks where your customers are most active and start posting relevant content. 

Source

Work on building a community through engaging content, customer interaction, contests, and giveaways. Promote your products with high-quality visuals while asking customers to share their personal experiences while using your products.

GenZ customers emphasize social proof more than any other cohort. So, while doing strategy development for Gen Z e-commerce, it’s imperative to leverage social media and user-generated content. 

Run social media ads on different networks, but know that this will require substantial investment. So, you must work with a marketing strategy rather than creating ads without any precedents. 

7. Finding Your Unique Selling Point (USP)

Small businesses need to find their USP. It’s difficult to find a USP when there are thousands of businesses selling similar products. However, to compete with them, finding your USP is crucial. 

Analyze your competitors and identify what they don’t have and what you can deliver. Even if you can add a single unique aspect to your store, it can make a lot of difference. 

Source

For instance, Bonobos introduced Guideshops in addition to their online stores. While customers can browse Bonobos, which deals in men’s attire, they can also visit Guideshops to find their right style and fit. “Guides” in these shops help customers try different clothes, take the right order, and ship the product to the customer’s address. 

8. Managing Logistics and Shipping

For a new e-commerce business, efficient logistics and shipping management are important for timely product delivery and minimizing costs. To achieve this,

• Choose the right fulfillment method, like choosing between in-house fulfillment (which requires substantial upfront investment) or 3rd-Party logistics (3PL) provider.  

Source

• Ask for volume discounts from the carrier and consider working with regional carriers rather than global ones, as they can offer more competitive rates. 

• Use a minimalist mindset when it comes to packaging while ensuring your products are adequately packaged to minimize damage and returns. 

• Use shipping-related key performance indicators (KPIs), which you will find integrated into ecommerce platforms, to know all about logistics performance. 

While you are preparing for everything here, consider offering free shipping to your customers. 82% of online shoppers consider free shipping as an important factor for choosing a business to buy from on the web.

9. Understanding and Complying with Legal Aspects

It’s essential to understand and comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements. For legal and compliance requirements, consider the following;

• The legal and compliance requirements differ with sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, and corporation. 

• Account for taxation. Although several countries, in the hope of promoting startup culture, offer tax holidays, make sure you consult with an expert before launching. 

• Get all business licenses and permits required for your business to run smoothly. For permissions and licenses, consider local, regional, and national requirements. 

• Understand the consumer protection laws in your industry and ensure all your claims, products, and services comply with the requirements. 

• Since you are running an online business, account for PCI DSS compliance, data security, and privacy requirements. 

For all legal matters, ensure you consult with a legal professional who can guide you and help ensure compliance in all matters. 

Growing Your E-commerce Business

E-commerce is a booming industry offering plenty of opportunities for online shops to succeed. However, success in this industry depends on your approach and strategies. 

One of the e-commerce tips for small businesses that will help you grow is providing excellent customer service. Customers are more likely to return to a business that has good customer service. 

Source

Another way of entering the e-commerce industry is by dropshipping. It’s a business model where you can sell products without keeping a stock and shipping them.

All you have to build is a platform your customers can use, add products others are selling on your website, receive orders, and pass them on to the seller. Alternatively, you could also consider using an existing platform: TikTok dropshipping, for example, can work really well.

You pay less and get more, which becomes your profit margin. Offering a few unique products from popular dropshipping niches can boost your profit margin to a larger extent.

Conclusion

To build a successful e-commerce business, you should be familiar with all the basics. Use the right platform to build your website, optimize the store to enhance user experience, and promote your store with effective marketing. Using these e-commerce tips for small businesses, you can build the right foundation for your online store.

See also what are the best products to sell online

Author’s Bio:

Alex is a Content Marketing Specialist with over two years of experience. She helps SaaS businesses drive organic growth through SEO and data-driven content marketing strategies. When she’s not experimenting with new strategies, she can be found traveling and exploring new places.

The post E-commerce Tips for Beginners and Small Businesses appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

In this newest edition of the Webnode Blog, we introduce you to iubenda, a clever compliance solution that integrates smoothly into your Webnode website. Discover why iubenda should be your ultimate choice for guaranteeing global data privacy compliance.

Why do you need to make your website compliant?

With the introduction of regulations for online data privacy in Europe (GDPR), Brazil (LGDP), and the US (CCPA), in addition to the updated Google Consent Mode, website owners like you are probably already aware that data privacy is as serious as the judge’s gavel.

Every time your online store, blog, or website is opened, scrolled, and clicked through, data is transferred and tracked in the form of cookies. Your website visitors have the right to know and decide how their data is used in what way.

This is done by displaying a consent or cookie banner that pops up as soon as the visitor opens your website. By agreeing or disagreeing with the form of data processing and cookie tracking, the power is in the visitors hands, ehmm… clicks.

Moreover, by explaining how their data is used, you show transparency. This will not only make you a fair player but also a more credible and trustworthy person.

What are these cookies again?

Cookies are small data files saved in your browser whenever you open a website. There are “good and bad cookies“. The “good ones” make it possible to fully see the web content in any browser (necessary function cookies). The “bad ones” transfer information (like your IP addresses, and demographics) to analyze the collected data further (with Google Analytics) for the website owners’ specific purposes.

What does a consent solution contain?

Apart from the cookie consent opt-in and out buttons, a consent banner’s purpose is to inform and educate the visitor. It highlights which cookies are used for what reason and includes a more detailed cookie policy.

Furthermore, it links to other legally important policies, such as your data privacy policy where you reveal if you collect personal information, such as email addresses for newsletters or form data.

Laws about data consent are still shaping, and regulations vary from country to country. This is why Webnode has decided to offer a new smart multi-compliance solution that automatically adjusts whenever the rules change.

Advantages of iubenda Compliance Solution

iubenda is a data compliance solution that understands your website. It adapts to your (website’s) purpose. Here is why it is so essential:

1. iubenda lets you define your target audiences by country.
2. Your cookie banner, as well as the automatically generated cookie policy, are created according to your selected target groups. For example, if your e-commerce business focuses on Brazilian customers, it automatically follows the LGDP.
3. It adjusts to your website type, e.g. a blog, an online store, or a portfolio.
4. iubenda automatically detects which third-party services you use on your website, for example, social media icons, or calendar plug-ins.
5. You can design the look of your consent banner to match the look of your site. Choose your colors and add your logo for better branding.

And most importantly, it updates when the law updates, so you no longer need to worry about being compliant!

Everyone who has a website project with Webnode, whether Premium or free, can activate the iubenda plug-in. We have a detailed description of how you can activate the iubenda Compliance Solution in our knowledge base. The iubenda plug-in is an exclusive add-on and is available starting at 5.50 USD per year.

Make your website or online store compliant

The post iubenda Compliance Solution for your Website and E-commerce Business appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

First, the good news: Webnode has already implemented the new technical parameters of Google Consent Mode v2, so you do not need to do anything. However, we recommend that you check the settings of these tools in your website interface by following the instructions below.

What is the Digital Markets Act?

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is the European law that came into force in 2022 and regulates the protection of user privacy in the online environment. At the same time, it is one of the legal documents that regulates the powers of the largest digital companies. It prevents the big online platforms, the so-called gatekeepers (Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc.), from abusing their market power and empowers end users to decide how their personal data is used.

This is another reason why companies should generate privacy policy when dealing with customers’ data, to ensure greater transparency and control for users.

A few examples of the DMA’s key obligations and regulations:

• Prohibition on combining data: Gatekeepers may not combine the data extraction process from different sources. For example, Meta must not combine data from Facebook and WhatsApp.

• User protection: Gatekeepers must protect users of their platforms, including advertisers and publishers. This includes privacy, transparency, and fair treatment.

• Prohibition of favoring own products: Gatekeepers must not favor their own products or services to the detriment of others. For example, Google cannot favor Google products in its search engine.

What is Google Consent Mode v2?

Google Consent Mode v2 is an updated version of the tool that responds to the legislative changes to data protection resulting from the DMA described above. It helps sites communicate to Google how individual website visitors have consented to the use of cookies and the tracking and sharing of personal data. This gives end users more control over what personal data they share.

What is the deadline to implement Google Consent Mode v2?

The deadline is March 6, 2024. After this date, Google will start requiring stricter cookie bar data collection rules in its services, such as Google Analytics 4 and Google Ads. This change will ensure that Google’s services comply with current regulations governing the processing of personal data in digital marketing.

Changes in practice:

•  End users will have more control over how Google uses their data.
•  Advertisers will be required to obtain cookie consent in a more transparent manner.
•  Google Analytics 4 and Google Ads will work with these new rules in mind.

Do you need a cookie bar to use Consent Mode v2?

Yes. The cookie bar and Google Consent Mode v2 go hand-in-hand. The cookie bar serves as an interface to obtain consent from users to store cookies and track their activity on the website. Google Consent Mode v2 then passes this consent to individual Google services such as Google Analytics 4 and Google Ads.

In this way, the cookie bar communicates with website visitors and allows them to control the processing of their own personal information. Consent Mode v2 is a technical solution that communicates with Google in the background and passes on information about the user’s decision from the cookie bar.

What are the new key differences of Google Consent Mode v2?

Google Consent Mode v2 gives your website visitors more control over how Google collects and uses personal data from end users. The main difference between the old and new versions of the consent mode is the addition of two new consent parameters:

• ad_user_data: controls whether non-anonymized data can be used in advertising systems (e.g., Google Ads).
• ad_personalization: controls whether user data can be collected from remarketing audiences.

The previous parameters (analytics_storage and ad_storage) were only about data collection, while the new parameters are about how to use and share data.

Google also offers two modes to choose from:

1. Basic Mode

•  Allows users to simply select “yes” or “no” to consent to data collection.  
• If you opt out, Google will not collect the information.

2. Advanced Mode

• A detailed setting that allows users to control what information Google can collect about end users.
•  Site visitors have the ability to control what information Google uses and for what purpose.

It is recommended to use Advanced Mode for better accuracy of your remarketing campaigns.

How to implement Google Consent Mode v2 on a website?

Webnode has already set up both parameters for proper data collection for Google services (Google Analytics, Google Ads, etc.). You can easily check the settings in the editor interface.

If you are looking directly at the site code, look for the following parameters:  

• ad_user_data 
• ad_personalization

You can also adjust the visual side of the cookie bar to give your visitors full control over the data you collect about them and may send to Google services such as Google Ads or Google Analytics 4.

Click on Advanced Cookie Settings.

Here, you can customize your cookie bar settings.

The cookie bar design may look like this:

What if a website does not have Google Consent Mode v2 implemented?

Google may restrict certain features of its online marketing tools if you do not comply with the legal requirements.  

• Google Remarketing is broken: Without consent, users cannot be included in remarketing audiences. This means you can’t show them ads based on their past web behavior. 

• Disabling conversion modeling in Google Ads: Conversion modeling allows you to calculate conversions from users who have not consented to cookies. Without Consent Mode V2, this feature will not work properly. 

Google does not explicitly state what other features may be restricted. However, there is a risk that not implementing Google Consent Mode V2 may affect other data and the functioning of Google Analytics 4 and Google Ads.

Implementing Google Consent Mode V2 is a necessary change to ensure that your marketing activities based on the collection of user data function properly. Without Google Consent Mode V2, this data will be significantly limited and skewed, affecting the accuracy of some of the features of Google’s analytics tools (particularly GA4 and Google Ads).

The post Google Consent Mode v2: What is changing for your website, analytics, and marketing? appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

Index:

1. Choose What to Sell Online
2. Select a Suitable Platform
3. Set up Payment Methods
4. Set up Shipping Options
5. Promote your Online Store
6. Develop your Brand and Reputation
7. Build Customer Service

With the e-commerce landscape expected to grow in 2025, there’s never been a better time to consider starting an online store. Entrepreneurs have the potential to thrive in the online marketplace as it continues to expand. Creating an online store is a great way to start a business with a low initial investment.

1. Choose What to Sell Online

The success of your online shop hangs on one crucial decision – what products to sell. The profit margin, the competition, the sales and marketing costs, and even the branding all depend on it.

To begin with, there are two major product categories, consumer products and niche products.

• Consumer products are those essential, high-demand products that we all use on a daily basis. They have high competition and are controlled by well-established brands. They are the typical products you can find in big stores such as fashion items or smartphones.
• Niche products are those that target a specific need or a type of customer. They are often subcategories of more generic products. They have less competition so it is easier to position yourself as a brand. Two examples of niche products are snacks for vegans or backpacks for carrying laptops.

It is highly recommended to choose a niche product. With less competition, you won’t have to compete on price against giants. With a more defined audience, it will be easier to create content and advertising campaigns and you will also be able to build your brand image faster.

For example, handmade items are often very successful on the Internet. These products allow you to control the whole process, they don’t have much competition and the public appreciates their value. If you are good at crafts, these might be the perfect products to start with.

However, don’t just guess what might work. If you want to ​​make an online store, do your research to identify trends and understand customer demand. This will help you come up with a great product idea that will sell.

How to choose a profitable niche for your online store?

There are several factors to consider when choosing a niche to specialize in.

Price

Cheap products will be easier to sell, but you will have to make many sales to cover the costs of your online shop. On the other hand, if you choose a very expensive product, the sales margin will be higher and you will have to make fewer sales of the same product.

It is advisable to choose an intermediately-priced niche with an average cost between $80 and $120. This price range allows you a good margin per sale without being too difficult to reach a sufficient volume of sales to easily cover the costs.

Competition

Do a Google search. Are big brands competing for the same niche? Do you think you can do a better job than them? If there are a lot of companies already selling similar products, it might be worth directing your focus to a different product or niche with less competition.

Search trends

Go to Google Trends and look at the search trends for your niche or major products. Is there a positive trend? It’s better to choose a niche with a progressive trend over time rather than choosing fashionable products that grow quickly but then disappear.

Seasonality

Google Trends will also show you the seasonality of your niche. There are some niche products with demand focused on specific months, for example, Christmas jumpers or swimming pool toys. This kind of niche can be profitable, but most orders and sales will happen around the same time of year with only a few sales made during the rest of the year.

Recurring sales

Selling to someone who’s already bought something from you is easier than looking for new customers all the time.

For example, the wedding niche seems very lucrative, but customers usually don’t come back to shop for wedding dresses more than once. On the other hand, pet products or personal care items have great potential and a satisfied customer can return many times.

Shipping

Shipping costs will play an important part in the success or failure of your store. Prioritize small and lightweight products when identifying your niche. The cost of shipping will be lower and you will be able to offer more competitive prices without losing your margin.

Personal interest

Choose a product niche that you have prior knowledge of or at least are interested in. This will make it easier for you to create valuable content and position yourself as an expert. If you pick a niche just because of its economic potential, you likely won’t be as passionate about your online shop and it will be easier to lose interest in it.

Finding your unique selling proposition

While it’s important to have a product that stands out, it’s not always necessary to reinvent the wheel. Introducing something that is already successful in another country or giving it a different focus could work well. It’s ok to be inspired by others, just make sure you’re not stealing their ideas.

When creating an online store, understanding your unique selling proposition (USP) is key. What sets your product apart from others on the market? Why should customers buy your product over the competition? This could be the price, the type of materials used, who the product is tailored for, etc. If you aren’t clear on what makes your product special, you’re going to have a hard time convincing people to buy it.

2. Select a Suitable Platform

The next thing to consider if you want to open an online store is which platform you will host it on. A quick search online will reveal that there are many systems for building online shops. The key is to choose a platform that allows you to invest most of your time in getting customers. There are several things to consider when trying to find the most suitable platform including:

• Ease of use – How easy is the platform to use? You’ll want to look for an intuitive platform that will make uploading and selling products a breeze.
• Features – Is the platform set up to function as an online shop? Many features will be essential for running your store such as a simple checkout, payment methods, and product variations.
• Price – How much does the platform really cost? Some platforms operate on a flat fee whereas others will take a percentage of each sale. Be sure that you understand what the true cost of the platform is and how that will impact your margins.
• Design – Does the platform offer design options that will resonate with your audience? Look for a platform with appropriate website templates for the products you want to sell and customization options, so you can create a store that resonates with your brand.

If you’re not sure how to make an online store, Webnode is a great place to start. Webnode is a user-friendly platform that aligns with the needs of modern e-commerce entrepreneurs. Because it allows you to create an online store in a matter of minutes, you can test your market niche and business model without having to invest a lot of time. 

Webnode also includes key features such as responsive online store templates, a quick and simple checkout, comprehensive store analytics, and more.

Build an online store with Webnode now

How to Set up an Online Store (using Webnode)

Once you have your product niche down and platform identified, you’re ready to start setting up an online store. First things first, you’ll need the following:

• Hosting platform: this is the web server where the files that make up your shop are saved
• Domain: the name of your store, it allows visitors to easily find the server where your store is located. (e.g., www.my-store.com)
• Content management system: the tool where you will build the visible parts of your shop (homepage, categories, product pages)
• Order manager: the place where you receive and manage orders

It is unrealistic to think that once your shop is online, you will start receiving orders without doing anything else. For your store to become successful, you will have to invest time in building it out, attracting visitors, and managing orders.

Basic planning

First of all, it is advisable to plan the general structure of your e-shop. Find paper and a pencil and draw the layout of your shop’s pages.

Pay particular attention to the organization of the products in categories. You can organize your products according to the type, their use, who they are intended for, price, or color. It all depends on the niche of your store and the number of products.

You can also create dynamic categories such as best-selling products and special offers.

In general:

• Find the balance between the smallest number of categories possible and an intuitive organization of your products. It should be possible to reach any category in less than 3 clicks.
• Limit the number of subcategories. The simpler, the better.
• Keep about the same number of products in each category.

For example, if we were creating a shoe store, this could be its structure:

Of course, the fewer products you have, the easier it is to organize and manage your store. Start small with a specialized niche and a limited number of products. Focusing your efforts in this way will allow you to be more efficient and attract more visibility than the big online retailers.

Design

Once you have defined the structure of your shop, it is time to think about the design. Webnode will show you various templates that will serve as a guide when creating your online store. All the templates are customizable, so don’t worry if there isn’t one that meets the exact criteria you’re looking for.

Do you like a template that’s not included in the Online Store category? No problem, you can add an e-shop feature to any of the templates. If you want, you can have a website with both a blog and an online shop.

Using a template to create your online store has important advantages. The templates have been created by professional designers, so you can rest assured that the design of your store meets all the professional standards.

This allows you to focus on the content of your store instead of minor decisions such as the font size for subtitles or the alignment of text on a particular page. You can just upload your products and be sure that the design and usability will work perfectly on computers, smartphones, and tablets.

Do you want to design your online shop from scratch? Follow the tips below to get the best results and maintain a professional appearance.

• Less is more: the simpler the website, the better. When there’s too much going on, it’s more difficult to focus on just one part of the page. It can overwhelm potential buyers and make them leave the store. Find the balance between providing the necessary information and keeping your store design clear and simple.
• Visual hierarchy: Sort the elements from the most to the least important. You can play with sizes, positioning on a page, or the background’s contrast. A good visual hierarchy helps direct buyers’ attention to where it matters.
• Text color and typography: As far as text is concerned, functionality is more important than design. The font you choose should be easy to read and have optimal contrast against the background of the page.
• Responsive design: A high percentage of visitors will use smartphones to enter and shop in your store. Although Webnode offers templates that work perfectly on any device, don’t forget to check how your store looks on smartphones.
• Visual Aids: Use small clues to draw attention to calls to action, forms, or purchase buttons. Arrows and pictures of people looking or pointing to where you want your visitors to go work very well.

Content and Multimedia

Once you have chosen a template and taken care of the design, it’s time to add content. This is the most important part of any e-shop, blog, or website.

In general, when we buy a product we go through these stages:

Discovery >> Interest >> Selection >> Purchase

The content of your online store should help the visitor advance through this shopping process. When working on the content of your store, think about the stage the visitor is currently in and how that particular content will help move them forward in the shopping process.

There is no one-size-fits-all strategy and each phase requires a different type of content. For example:

1. Discovery: The objective in this phase is to show visitors the benefits of the product you’re selling. This can be done through blog articles or videos. A good strategy is to compile a list of questions that people search for on Google about the products you sell. In our shoe store example, we could create an article about how to choose the right shoes if you’d like to take up running or explain why hiking through the mountains in tennis shoes is not a good idea.
2. Interest: At this stage, the visitor probably already has some idea about the advantages of your product. It’s time to present your brand and provide more information about the product itself. This includes the content on the product pages, information about your company, tutorials on how to use your product, and product reviews. In our imaginary shoe store, we could add a page introducing ourselves as specialists in running and hiking shoes, insert a video on the product page explaining their advantages, or make a tutorial on keeping these shoes in good shape.
3. Selection: By now, the customer has almost definitely decided to buy your product. This is the moment to define exactly which product (if there are several similar products) and where to make the purchase. The product pages are vital for this objective and if the product is complex, it is a good idea to add side-by-side comparisons. Continuing with our example, we can provide a comparison of shoes according to the type of runner, include detailed information on a product page, and explain the price and shipping costs.
4. Purchase: It would be a shame to lose the sale at this last moment. At this point in the process, the most important thing is to build trust. Making a purchase online, especially in a new store, requires a vote of confidence. Every potential customer will have similar questions: Is it safe to pay here? Will they send me the product? What if it’s not what I expected?

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to build trust:

• Clear contact information: Show who you are and how to contact you. It’s very important to include a phone number so your customers can talk to someone if there is a problem.
• Shipping and return policy: Explain how the shipment works and how long it takes for the product to arrive. The possibility of returning the purchased product if it is not what you expected also generates a lot of confidence and often the benefits of this practice exceed their costs.
• Payment methods: Describe the payment methods and how secure they are. With a Webnode-based website, you can highlight elements such as HTTPS, external payment gateways, or the option to pay with PayPal
• Opinions of former customers: We are social beings. Proving that someone else has shopped here and was satisfied will help persuade more people to trust your store.

When creating your online store, it is normal to first focus on the main pages (product pages, categories, brand pages). As soon as you can, also try to build trust and create content for those visitors who are in the Discovery and Interest phases of the purchase process.

Images and video

Although shopping online continues to increase in popularity, online stores face a serious disadvantage compared to physical ones – potential customers can’t directly touch the products.

To overcome this obstacle, images and videos on the product pages are very important. It is highly recommended to use professional images taken from different angles. If you can’t, try to light the product properly by using a good camera.

Video is one of the best ways to present a product in more detail. The more professional a video is, the better. However, its quality is not as important as the images on the product page. We are getting used to seeing amateur product demonstrations on YouTube and social media.

If you have a short video presenting the product, you can place it at the top of the page. Longer videos with additional information are better suited for the bottom of the product page.

3. Set up Payment Methods

Once you have convinced a visitor to press the buy button, it’s crucial that they’re able to complete the order easily. If there is a problem, some customers will try to contact you, but the vast majority will simply go to another online store and you will lose the sale.

If you use Webnode to create an online store, you don’t have to worry about how the payment process works. The system is designed by experts to make shopping easier. Among other things:

• A customer doesn’t have to register to make the purchase
• It shows the steps of the process in the checkout
• It is compatible with smartphones and other devices
• It includes the boxes that need to be checked in accordance with GDPR

However, there are still two elements that you have to set up in your online store – payment methods and shipping options.

Payment methods

Although the most used payment methods differ depending on the country, these three are popular worldwide: Cash on Delivery, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card payment.

• Cash on delivery offers customers the maximum security. You pay once you have the product in your hands. Although it usually comes with an added cost, many are willing to pay for the increased security. However, some of the customers who choose this method may then decide not to pay, whereas the shop still has to cover the shipping costs. In this case, what’s secure for the customer is insecure for the shop. It is a good idea to include this payment method in the online store initially but if customers often choose not to pay when they receive the product, consider to deactivate this method.
• Bank transfers allow you to avoid the anxiety that many people feel about using their credit cards on the Internet. The disadvantage is that the shipment typically occurs a bit later, once the store receives the money in their account.
• Credit card payments allow the store to receive the money on the spot and the shipment takes place as quickly as possible. As with any business, the store has an increased cost in the form of a commission or a flat rate.

In addition to these 3 options, other external payment gateways such as PayPal or Stripe are very common. They both allow the buyer to benefit from the speed of the credit card without the need to share its details with the online store.

As you can see, each form of payment has its advantages and disadvantages. Offering several forms of payment makes a lot of people happy, offering too many options can mislead the buyer. Make sure you find the balance.

The integration of credit card payment gateways is a little more complicated. Usually, you need to cooperate with your bank to get a special account with virtual POS or use intermediaries like Stripe or PayPal.

With Webnode, the integration of credit cards is done through both Stripe and PayPal. The exact service and transaction fees vary by country, but Stripe usually comes out as cheaper. However, the PayPal brand is well known all over the world and there will be buyers who feel more secure shopping with PayPal. It is therefore recommended to add both payment methods to your online shop.

4. Set up Shipping Options

Logistics are one of the most important parts of setting up an online store. Not only do they influence the cost of sales, but also the shopping experience. Receiving the product in a week simply doesn’t feel the same as getting it the next day.

Approximately 25% of your turnover will go to the company providing the logistics. You must take into account that this company will also be perceived as the face of your company when a customer receives the product.

Therefore, along with the product niche you are going to sell, the choice of the logistics company is one of the most important decisions for the success of your online store.

How to choose a logistics company for your store

First of all, you have to take into account your organizational model and the characteristics of the products you ship.

Drop shipping or e-fulfillment

Drop shipping means that the products are in the supplier’s warehouse. After the sale, the transport company collects them there and takes care of packaging and shipping. In this model you are an intermediary – when you receive an order, you buy the item from the supplier and the transport company takes care of the shipping.

E-fulfillment, on the other hand, means that you take care of storing the product and packaging it when you receive an order. The transport company collects it from your warehouse and takes it to the customer. This is typically the method used by online stores that sell handmade products.

What to consider when choosing a logistics company:

• Type of product
• Number of monthly orders
• Destination of the shipments
• Shipping speed

5. Promote your Online Store

It is unrealistic to think that as soon as you publish your online store, sales will come on their own. To be successful, you will have to spend most of your time attracting visitors.

This is where the main advantage of platforms like Webnode comes in. By saving hours on maintenance and programming, you can maximize the time spent promoting your business – an activity that has a high impact on sales.

There are a few main ways to promote a store and get visitors interested in your products:

• Pay per click (PPC): Promote your store among the paid results on Google or Bing when a visitor searches for your product
• Content Marketing: Create engaging content on the topics your customers are already searching for
• Search engine optimization (SEO): Optimize your content using keywords that make it easier for customers to find it
• Social Media: Build an audience and promote your online store on social media platforms 
• Email Campaigns: Reach people who have already expressed interest in your store by giving you their email address with targeted messaging delivered straight to their inbox

PPC (Pay per click)

With a PPC campaign, you can get your products in front of potential customers quickly. These types of payment campaigns are called PPC because you usually pay per click, in some cases there are also campaigns that are paid by impressions or even conversions.

You can start with a small budget of just a few dollars at the beginning. Invest this budget in the products that sell the most (or that you expect to sell the most) and in the geographical areas that are easiest and cheaper to ship the products to. Remember, the cost of the ad campaign plus the cost of the product and shipping should be low enough to still leave a sufficient profit margin.

Content Marketing

Content Marketing is a great way to attract new potential customers. You’re not selling directly with this approach, but rather creating and promoting content that is interesting to your target customer. This can include informative blog posts, videos, or social media posts that help educate, address a pain point, and demonstrate why your product is needed (without directly mentioning it).

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO means optimizing your online shop so that Google and other search engines show it in their organic results. This type of traffic is free, but it requires a good deal of time and work. The best way to position an online store in search engines is to create content, for example, in a blog, and be sure to include keywords that your target customer is likely searching for. Webnode makes it very easy to add a blog to your shop.

Social Media

Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest are great places to build an audience of raving fans who are interested in your company and products. Posting engaging educational or entertainment content can help build your ‘know, like, trust’ factor with potential customers.

While social media platforms are generally free to use, keep in mind that you don’t own these platforms so while they’re a great tool to use, it’s important to not rely on them exclusively for your online store promotion. If your account gets hacked or deleted, you may end up having to start over from scratch.

Email Campaigns

Email campaigns are a powerful promotion tool as you’ll be promoting to a warm audience. By opting into your email list, your subscribers have already made clear that they’re interested in hearing from you and about your products. Through email campaigns, you’ll be able to reach them with direct messaging, offer exclusive discounts, and retarget previous customers.

Google Analytics implementation and conversion target

As soon as you can, add Google Analytics to your online store. This way you can find out how people come to your shop (eg. through email, Google, Facebook, etc.), which pages they visit most, and which products are bought most often. You will also be able to see if more sales come from organic or paid traffic and which landing pages are performing best.

6. Develop your Brand and Reputation

One of the most powerful ways to build your store’s brand and reputation is to gather reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers. Build this into your sales process so that customers are prompted to leave a review after they’ve received your product. Positive reviews have the power to sway potential customers who are on the fence into making a purchase.

Offline events are another great way to build your reputation as it allows you to get your products into the hands of potential customers. As with physical stores, this gives people the opportunity to touch and possibly test out your product before committing to buying it. Offline events also provide an opportunity to network and share more information about the big vision and story behind your online store.

7. Build Customer Service

Responsive customer service is an essential part of creating an online store and should not be overlooked. How well you handle customer questions, concerns, and issues can directly impact your online store’s reputation–for better or for worse.

Be sure to create a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page where potential customers can find useful information.

Implementing a live chat function is also beneficial as this makes it possible for any customer questions to be dealt with immediately. This can be done manually or with the help of AI chatbot tools. In our world of immediacy, the quicker you’re able to provide thorough support, the happier the customer will be.

Conclusion

From deciding on your product niche and designing your digital storefront to navigating logistics and promotion, you are now equipped with the knowledge of how to start an online store. As the digital market continues to expand, today is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to build an online store. With Webnode, it’s simple and fast.

Start an online store today

The post How to Start an Online Store in 2025 (Complete Guide) appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

What’s the next step for your e-commerce? Take a moment to review the tree diagram below, it will lead you to the resources to help you find the most profitable products for your e-commerce:

Are you just about to start your online store? Or are you already familiar with the world of e-commerce? The following section holds insights that could significantly enhance your range and appeal. If you’ve already got a specific item in mind, feel free to skip ahead to the product research below.

Passion for your products

A good product with a detailed convincing description will not sell on its own! It is only as good as the seller thinks it is. Be passionate and be the expert on your goods. Stand 100% behind them.  

Consider your personal interests and hobbies. What brings you joy? Things you are passionate about are more likely to keep you excited and engaged. By extracting aspects of your favorite activities, you can create products that resonate with both you and your customers. The questions below will give you some ideas about possible goods that you will love selling to others:

Product ideas

If you haven’t already, start by downloading the product idea list (above) to investigate which products sell best for you. The goal is to identify the products that resonate most with you.

Start by listing your favorite genres, hobbies, interests, or activities, at the top of each column. The key is to focus on something that truly excites you. Now, as you think about each activity or hobby, in the list, fill out the rows with ideas that come to mind. Let your creativity flow! What are you thinking about? I am thinking about a versatile champagne bottle holder, which can be used in a bathtub. Double bubble. 😉

Consider the connections between these ideas. Can some of them serve multiple purposes or be combined with one another? If the answer is yes, you’ve got a keeper! 

What not to sell

Your spirit is high, and you are in the flow, but -if you are a novice in selling online- let’s take a moment to navigate some common pitfalls.

Question all your products that exhibit the following habits:

• Oh, I am fragile and break easy! 
• No, do not wrap me! I go moldy in 2 days! 
• I am a flower, don’t move me! 
• Someone like Einstein invented me, and only he can sell me. 
• I kill peoples’ headaches and I am responsible for other sensations.

Fly-trap carnivorous plant from “The Little Shop of Horrors” does not want to be packed or moved. 

In other words, be careful with medications, harmful items, and perishables. Check online if products are patented or trademarked. Also, be careful with possible import restrictions. More detailed information will give you the international shipping article. 

Now, as you’ve crossed the impossible ideas out, have a look at your list again. Perhaps you come up with a synthesis of a completely new item or spot a market gap? Compare your product idea list with what the competitors are doing.

Product research

Back to those who are already navigating the e-commerce world: Perhaps your assortment needs an update to optimize sales? Time to tackle the product research list (download above), which will help you with analysis.

To complete this list, go ahead with these steps: 

• Use Google Trends to envision future demand  
• Check the keyword search to understand how people search for what they need 
• Identify who is the top seller of the product (or a very similar) that you want to sell on Amazon, Etsy, or other marketplaces. 
• Search for your goods on social media to see trends and demands 

In a world where we seek familiarity, where people tend to copy and remake, totally unique products are rare. Finding a niche that caters to a specific community, people you share the same hobby with, for example, is easier to find. 

Your research revealed that some of your existing products are no longer in need? Find new products that complement existing ones by going back to the idea sheet and filling it out with activities related to your existing products. 

How to know if the product is profitable

You have your list, have done your research, and have found a unique, high-demand product. Perfect. It’s time to weigh the numbers and assess your product’s potential profitability.

Decide on your product price

If your competition sells a similar or same product for XYZ, going cheaper is not always the solution. Make your offer better by clearly highlighting its advantages. Offer subscriptions or add little extras that will raise the price slightly.

The diagram to define your price

Price is not profit

If the goods are profitable for you, depends on the following: 

• Will you create the product yourself or others?
  • Evaluate if you are going to spend the needed amount of money and energy to create the dream product or if others could make it for you. And if so, how much this will cost you. 
• How much money can you make selling your products?
  • Products that are easy to produce, have little shipping cost (because they are light). Products that sell for a higher price than production cost have a good profit margin. This margin depends on the income you like to reach. Let’s say you invested 63 USD in producing, shipping, and advertising. To profit from it, you would have to sell it for more. If people buy it for 64.50 USD, you will make a better profit margin (2.3%) than the company Lenovo (with 1.9%). Just to give you some dreams. 
• Can you find a balance between the pressure of selling enough (if the price is too low) and comfortably selling the items?  
  • There is a point where prices are at optimum. This price point lies according to ABLS between 75-100 USD.
• Price anchor
  • People tend to be more flexible in spending more if the product they buy is a one-off. For example, something they can use for many decades, like a sofa, in comparison to a cake. You can find more about anchoring and other selling tricks in the psychology of selling.

Will it sell well? 

If your item meets three or more of the following criteria, it will likely sell with success:

• Easy to pack 
• Difficult to break (no glass) 
• No electronics (anything that requires a special warranty) 
• Lightweight (below 1kg) 
• Attractive price where impulse buyers never hesitate 
• Compliments other products (not necessarily yours) 
• Can easily be upsold or cross-sold with other products
• Is on trend
• Can be customized (printed, engraved, gift-wrapped) 
• Is evergreen (that people will still know for centuries) 
• Used frequently 
• Not restricted to ship to certain countries 
• Product niche 
• Part of a product line with a low turnover (meaning it does not change seasonally)

Notice that some characteristics contradict each other. Something that is on trend probably will never become evergreen. Something that is a one-time purchase for people cannot be a cheap everyone would buy on a whim.

Now you know the basics of how to conduct product research, find products that fit your business or existing goods, and determine your market niche. You can use this information whenever you want to start a store or need to expand your offering. Do your research, add profitable products to your online store, and make money today.

Start your online store profitable

The post Product Research: How to Find Products to Sell Online? appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

Gaining insights into consumer behavior and mastering effective influence techniques is crucial to positioning your products as their top choice. In this article, we’ll delve into sales psychology and reveal 7 sales techniques to boost your e-commerce success.

Consumer Psychology: More than understanding customer needs

What you want, others will too.

“The brain analyzes and captures information to weigh pros and cons, but decisions are made emotionally”

-Adrian Davis 

According to Brian Tracy’s ‘Psychology of Selling,’ the following are our basic instincts, needs, and aspirations:

• Love 
• Recognition  
• Health and Fitness 
• Be liked  
• Money 
• Status  
• Security 
• Growth and self-realization 
• Power and popularity 
• Leading the field 

Primary customer needs

When it comes to sales, no one cares much about YOU! But to be a successful salesperson, YOU must care about everyone–at least for the group of individuals you are selling to. Read our business plan steps to find out what you need to know about personas and target groups.  

Buyer persona examples

Sales psychology distinguishes between 6 types of buyer personas. These do not depend on any particular demographic group or market niche. 

Types of buyer personas.

People who know exactly what they want, like the self-actualizing buyer, cannot be convinced to change their minds. The good side: Once you have them, they stick with you.  

The analytical buyer cross-checks everything. Here, social proof through reviews, product comparisons, and pro lists will help to convince them.  

Persuade the “Mother Theresa persona “of the relater buyer by shedding light on your product’s good cause and the mission behind it. Consider donating a percentage of your sales to charity if this is the type of buyer you aim to attract.  

Vague and lengthy communication is not the right sales technique to get to the driver-buyer. They do not waffle. Make them steer to the cashier with concise product demo videos, obvious discounts, and fast checkout.  

Reviews and ratings get the socialized buyers’ attention. They will be impressed with guarantees, subscriptions, affiliate programs, and awards. These people are achievement orientated and they want to see results immediately with any deal.  

Do not invest your energy into the indifference of the apathetic buyer. It’s an uphill battle you likely won’t win.  

Sales Psychology 

In advertising, the following principles of sales psychology are commonly used to attract attention and make prospects want more. 👀 You will see all advertisements with new eyes after reading this. 

Familiarity Principle (Cognitive Fluency) 

Also known as the mere exposure effect. It suggests that a person needs to see something 7 times to be able to notice and remember it!  

To sell something surprising, make it familiar; and to sell something familiar, make it surprising

Raymond Loewy

Priming in Advertising

Subtle hints or messages cause the brain to think in a certain way. For many years this technique has been used in advertising to evoke certain thoughts. For example, a Kentucky Fried Chicken ad disguised a dollar bill in the form of a salad leaf to suggest it is cheap. The sci-fi magazine SFX consciously covers the letter F to imply, you know… 

Reciprocity in Sales Psychology

Reciprocation is the natural inclination for individuals to feel obligated to give something back when they receive something unexpectedly. As it taps into the human desire for fairness and mutual benefit, this is a powerful persuasion principle.

The Pratfall-Effect and Vulnerability Loop 

Remember Jennifer Lawrence’s fall when she accepted her Oscar for Best Actress in 2013? The effectiveness of imperfection. A test carried out by Elliot Aronson in the mid-1960s showed that if highly regarded people make silly mistakes, like spilling a coffee, they will be seen as more likable. So, admitting your mistakes will make you more authentic and likable.

The IKEA-Effect

Assembling Ikea furniture is like opening a Kinder Surprise egg, isn’t it? This effect draws upon the sense of accomplishment humans feel when they create something on their own. Invite your customers to invest a little effort into creating something uniquely their own that they can be proud of.

The Primacy or Recency Effect

Read the following words out loud: 

humor, verve, bubble, stick, monkey, carrot, money, satisfaction, button, sharp 

Now, no cheating! 

Cover the words and scroll down.   

Which words do you remember? 

The first and last impression counts. That is also why you see products in a certain order.  The regency emphasizes the importance of making a memorable first impression and leaving a lasting impact on the customer’s mind. 

The Power of Novelty

We love something new. It does not have to be cutting-edge technology or the newest thing on the market. It is how it is presented–using a different shocking headline, a new video, or a unique infographic that makes the difference.  

Illusory Truth and the Impact of Repetition

This is believing false information after repeated exposure. Use different words to repeat your message. Familiarity overpowers rationality. This effect is used in the news all the time. 

Authority in sales psychology

If something is medically proven or tested by experts, people prefer it. This is why we all fall for signs like trusted badges, dermatologically tested, ISO standards, and patented products.  

Commitment, Consistency, and the Role of Liking

Commitment and consistency is a principle that describes a person’s firm belief to do something to such an extent that they justify their actions. Combined with positive experience or liking these actions, such a person will stay committed and become loyal.

For instance, it might lead someone to go the extra mile for better bread from a preferred bakery over a cheaper one nearby. Whether we like something or not is influenced by what is called “confirmation bias”.

Understanding Confirmation Bias

If we see something, we form an opinion about it in just a few seconds. Why is this? Because humans have pre-existing ideas and beliefs that lead them to assumptions. It explains why people have prejudice or are gullible. The inclination to stick with pre-existing beliefs is controlled by familiarity and can be changed by priming. 

All these principles are intertwined. Psychology is an exciting and vast subject. With the most common principles noted, let’s concentrate on 7 more essential tricks in marketing psychology that you can immediately use in your online store. 

7 Sales Psychology tricks to sell more

You are always the runner-up to your competitors. Prospects may not choose you now, but they can return to you later. Always make them feel good, and be positive. Avoid negativity on your e-shop pages and in your communications.

Positive sales–person

1. Persistency 

Follow up on renewals, new members, and customers. Being persistent does not have to mean being annoying. There are 2 ways:   

• Collect leads (e.g., email addresses) from your potential customers by giving something away for free   
• Show appreciation by providing a discount code for a new customer to use on their next purchase  

2. Describe the problem to sell the solution

Make your customers articulate their problems and challenges first. Help them understand their current difficulties and frustrations. Emphasize these issues to evoke emotions and then introduce the solution for them. Illustrate the change they can achieve.

Stories – like the young, overweight mom who lost 25 pounds with that new diet and gained her confidence back – never get old. Why? Because people connect with real-life experiences and identify with others facing similar challenges.

Importantly, find out during the problem-solving process if the prospect is: 

1. held back by spending extra or more money for the solution 
2. lost or finds a solution choice too overwhelming 
3. afraid that switching to your solution may make them look like a fool because they are not sure that your solution will work out 

Overcome all three of these points by offering:

• a trial period
• a tester 
• a first time ½ price 
• an extra help hotline or a guide for new customers 
• extra material about your products for 1st-time buyers (with product comparison lists and exclusive video reviews) 

3. Curiosity -gap 

Using phrases like “This might not be for you…” or “Are you thinking it might be?” leaves your audience in suspense and eager to find out more. It increases interest in your message or product.

This technique is particularly effective when used in the headline of your blog article, product promo video, or even in your product page title or Google ads. For example: 

• Don’t make these mistakes when buying new Christmas lights! 
• 5 clever ways to save money on your Black Friday shopping 
• Things you should not eat on an airplane 
• This thing blew my mind! I’ll tell you more about it in a second… 

4. FOMO & Scarcity 

FOMO is the fear of missing out on something. Create a sense of urgency by: 

• Limiting your product availability 
• Displaying the remaining stock 
• Counting down the days till your sale ends  
• Introducing a one-time opportunity 

5. Box sell technique and decoys

Both techniques prevent what is known as decision fatigue. When faced with many choices humans can become overwhelmed and cannot make a decision. According to Hicks’ Law, an increase in the number of options can slow down the decision-making process.

Hicks law. Too many choices slow down reaction time. The ideal number is around 3 options.

Apple does it too. The 3 boxes. They follow a 20/60/20 pattern.

3 boxes sell technique example 

20% of people will go with the starter package or cheaper service. Whereas 60% will go for the mid-range option and 20% for the advanced option. The options are often coupled with a decoy effect. An offer that contains more value for a higher price. 

6. Justification

The simple word “because” is a powerful one. It provides reasons and adds meaning to a claim. Using “because” in your ads and product descriptions effectively substantiates choices and buying decisions. 

Consider these examples: 

• They use XYZ because … 
• I like XYZ better than ABC because … 
• If you like ABC, you’ll like XYZ because … 
• You don’t want to miss XYZ because … 

Now it is your turn! Download and use this template to highlight your best product or product line by forming sentences with the word because.

7. Gamification

Gamification makes your audience engage with what you have to offer. The aim here is to entertain and make them feel as if they are the smart ones who struck the deal of the year. These applications can all be embedded into your website or newsletter program: 

• Spin the wheel to win: Whelio widget and alternatives, like Optinspin or other pop-up makers are great options.
• Abandoned cart emails: Mailchimp offers automated email marketing to remind your e-shop visitors that they left something precious in their cart. Have a look at the abandoned cart email templates. 
• Timers: Create scarcity with countdowns and timers. 
• Reviews: Next to Google Reviews, use Trustpilot with Yotpo so you can include referrals for your reviewers, or power reviews that also create user-generated content (UGC–screens). 
• Upsell or cross-sell: Offering existing customers a better-value-for-money option is easier than finding new customers. This action is called upselling. Do this through pop-up windows or email marketing. Cross-selling means offering your customers complimentary products. You can do this by adding a list of suggested products on your product page.

We’ve introduced you to the vast field of sales psychology, giving you insights and tips to enhance your selling strategies. Remember, the world of selling is ever-evolving, and there is always more to learn. Keep on striving for excellence in your sales.

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