25+ Ecommerce Tips To Boost Your Sales
Fast forward ten years and I still encounter these issues. Online retailers are continuing to fall short despite their longing to meet best practices and do everything by the book. Policies, tradition, brand image (or maybe inclement weather again) often stand in the way of those concerns raised by marketing departments, media agencies or PPC individuals.
As a consultant to many online shops of all shapes and sizes and a manager in Elementary Digital, I encounter this question more than I’d like:
How to Boost E-commerce Sales?
Well, here’s the good news: Add just one more word to this sentence, changing the scope from “anything” to “almost anything,” and you’ll be in with a shot.
That said, we have prepared some of the best tips and tricks on what you can do to improve your e-commerce conversion rates. These should be used when you really have to do something, but you don’t have the knowledge to code, or your developer is drinking Sangrias in Ibiza for the next two weeks! These are also handy if the policymakers in your organization aren’t in a rush to support your marketing efforts.
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But what if you could do more without totally rewriting your business model? The smallest tweaks often make the biggest difference. Changing just a few words on your checkout web page, adding a pop of color to the call-to-action buttons, or reorganizing your product categories might significantly increase your sales.
Another important factor is understanding that your customers' needs and wants are constantly changing. What worked last year might not work today. Hence, being open to experimentation—like A/B testing elements of your site—can reveal what makes your customers click that "Buy Now" button. Even if you have limited resources, small, incremental changes can produce significant improvements in the long run.
Also, do not ignore customer feedback. Regularly reviewing comments, reviews, and direct feedback can uncover pain points you might not have noticed in the customer journey.
26 Effective Ways to Increase Ecommerce Sales
1. Improve Your Sales Funnel
Optimizing your sales funnel is key to guiding potential customers smoothly from awareness to purchase. Start by analyzing each stage of your funnel—from attracting visitors to converting leads into buyers—and identifying any bottlenecks or drop-off points. Produce targeted content, refine calls to action, and simplify the navigation to help make the buying experience as simple as possible.
2. Partner With an Influencer
Influencer marketing could be a helpful choice for your online industry when targeting a particular market. Partnering with influencers who match your brand gives you access to their credibility and following. Influencers could share your products with a broader audience via product reviews, sponsored posts, or giveaways and drive visitors to your website. Choose influencers who genuinely appeal to your target market to ensure a real endorsement that will increase trust and engagement with your brand.
3. Build an Email List
Building and nurturing an email list is one of the most effective ways to maintain ongoing customer communication. By offering value—such as exclusive discounts, early access to new products, or insightful content—you can encourage visitors to subscribe to your email list.
Once they subscribe, use personalized email campaigns to keep them engaged, informed, and interested in your offerings. Regular email communication keeps you at the top of your mind and drives repeat traffic to your site and more repeat purchases.
4. Embrace Reviews
Let’s face it, the opinion of other customers is essential. If there are no reviews on a product page, visitors will look to those shops that offer this visibility. Reviews or testimonials show you’re open, honest, and qualified for the job (if they’re good!). Nowadays, there are plenty of plugins that will help you manage reviews without major developer involvement.
While it’s good to have control over what’s being said, you’re likely to encounter at least one unhappy and very vocal ex-customer. They’re ready to spoil the fun, but as they say, if you can’t beat your enemy, join them!
As such, you’ll want to keep all reviews—good and bad—on your site. If it’s published on your page, it shows your customers that you have nothing to hide. What’s more, you can leverage it to showcase your excellent customer service by resolving the complainer’s issue. This works universally on Facebook, Twitter, and so on. By soothing their disappointment in a professional way and solving their problems, you earn kudos in the eyes of your prospective customers.
5. Pick the Payment Gateway That is Right for Your Business
This could save you a lot of money, but before you can benefit, there are decisions to be made. Is the potential gateway supported by your e-commerce platform? How expensive is it? Do you want to offer PayPal payments? What about the security? Additional features?
It may seem overwhelming, but it’s a crucial decision to make. In the long run, a little research into payment gateway options can go a long way. It will cut future costs and save countless hours of stress. If you’re in the early stages of setting up an e-commerce business, schedule some time to take special care of this aspect.
6. Add a Price Promise
If you know you’re not the cheapest, guarantee you’ll match the lowest price given by rivals. Adding that simple marketing ploy had a huge 9% impact on the conversion rates of one major US-based sports goods retailer. Not bad for a minor change!
Beyond just boosting conversions, a price promise can also differentiate your brand in a crowded market, giving you a competitive edge. Customers are more likely to choose your store over others when they know you stand behind your pricing, which can lead to increased repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
7. Build the Trust
We’re all familiar with the tell-tale signs of credibility—trust badges, secure checkout, etc. According to an Actual Insights study, over 75% of shoppers declared that trust logos affect their sense of trust in a website. The same percentage of respondents also stated that on at least one occasion, they didn’t purchase a product due to a lack of trust badges.
This highlights how critical these visual cues are in the online shopping experience. Prominently displaying trust badges, security certificates, and other safety indicators can significantly reduce customer hesitation and boost your conversion rates. Additionally, consider adding customer reviews and testimonials to further build trust, as real user experiences can be a powerful tool in reassuring potential buyers that your site is credible and reliable.
8. Make Use of Your Google Analytics Internal Search Data
This powerful feature can be harnessed to create categories and landing pages for the most searched products. First of all, this will rank you on Google for those terms. Secondly, people will be searching for the item they are interested in a lot quicker. This means fewer clicks and more conversions. What else do you need?
Sometimes we think we know exactly what our customer wants, and yet investigating the internal search terms in Google Analytics is often a big surprise for the business owner. Take for example a major UK & Europe based jeweler retailer that I worked with. They couldn’t believe that in the middle of the rubber band craze, their potential customers were strictly after dream catcher necklaces.
Or there was the aspiring clothing brand that was frustrated by its efforts to position itself as posh and fancy, but the customer just wanted plus-size dresses. Take it or leave it; at least you know what they really want! Even if it is Disney princess costumes! Princess Dress Up is what the users of this site want!
9. Display Your Physical Location and Phone Number
New visitors who are unfamiliar with your brand will always shop with apprehension. It’s not surprising, given we live in the ocean of digital spam and credit card misuse. Give them the reassurance they need with the possibility of picking up a phone and giving you a call.
Displaying your physical location and phone number prominently on your website shows that your business is legitimate and accessible. It helps establish trust, as customers feel more confident knowing they can reach out to a real person if needed.
This often-overlooked no-brainer can increase the conversion rate, especially for those who value direct communication and prefer the assurance of being able to contact you easily. A visible contact option can make all the difference in converting a hesitant visitor into a paying customer.
10. Free Returns
It’s an obvious one, right?! That said, you’d be surprised how many online shops do not offer free returns. It’s shocking given the new age of shopping giants such as ASOS, where free returns are a given.
According to Comscore, at least 51% of users expect this postage option, and 89% stated that they would use the shop again if the experience was seamless.
In the long term, it makes sense. Don’t lie to yourself: how many times have you returned £200 worth of clothes to ASOS because it wasn’t 100% perfect, only to spend this £200 back the following day? Indirectly, you paid ASOS in the delivery costs or even the Prime membership service.
How many options?!
11. Get Your Wording Right
For international sellers, this is of particular importance. If you’re based in the UK, use the term ‘delivery’ instead of ‘shipping’ as the latter has connotations of delivery from further afield. Hence, it gives the misconception of longer delivery times. It’s creating the image of a truck versus a plane (or, even worse, a boat).
The right terminology not only helps in setting accurate expectations but also in building trust with your customers. They are more likely to understand and relate to the language you use. Small changes in wording can significantly impact how your customers perceive your service speed and reliability.
Make sure your privacy policies and return policies are easy to find and understand, as transparency is another key component of building trust. Customers are more likely to complete a purchase when they feel secure and confident in the legitimacy and professionalism of your business.
(If you are wondering, that’s the only video under “Truck vs. Boat” we have found on YouTube.) Something is telling me it might be a new niche to try out!
12. Include Estimated Delivery Time
An option to select a delivery date would be even better but may not be practical. Giving estimated delivery times on your product pages helps establish customer expectations. Shoppers today want transparency, and knowing when they can expect the purchase is a key factor in the decision-making process.
Including the ability to select a delivery date would also enhance the user experience, but it isn't necessarily feasible for all companies. Even if you can't offer date selection, clearly communicating your delivery timelines can make a difference. This small change can decrease cart abandonment and improve customer satisfaction to drive repeat business.
13. Go Where Your Audience Hangs Out
Rather than bringing your audience to you, why not start going to them via channels such as eBay or Amazon? You’ll have to pay a commission, but it’s a good way to expand your reach and start to build a database.
These platforms charge a commission, but the reach and potential customers are worth it. They also carry built-in trust: customers are often more comfortable buying from known sites. These platforms increase your sales and create a customer database for future marketing use.
Additionally, leveraging these platforms can help you test new products or market segments without the immediate need to invest in driving traffic to your site. It’s cost-effective to tap into a broader audience while building brand recognition and trust.
14. Consider the Lifetime Value
Never think about your customers as a one-off sale. Instead, look at their lifetime value and the possibilities for repeat orders. In that way, you’ll be more proactive in communicating with your audience. Start building a database from day one and email your customers as often as possible.
By shifting your mindset toward lifetime value, you'll be more likely to communicate with your customers regularly with special offers and loyalty programs. Begin creating your customer database from day one and use it to keep connected with your customers. Regular emails, personalized offers, and customer appreciation can turn one-time buyers into regular patrons.
15. Use the Best Images
Always invest in professional photography. Product images will be seen both on the site and off-site (Google Shopping). Visually striking images could be the difference between someone purchasing and looking elsewhere.
This is especially important if your images appear on external sites like Google Shopping. Customers cannot physically touch or try on your products, so the images have to speak for themselves. Customers can choose your product or go to a competitor's because of visually striking images.
16. Choose a Platform Wisely
It’s essential to take plenty of time when choosing your platform. For those in the early stages, be sure to think ahead. Will the e-commerce platform be able to scale/adapt as your business grows, or do you want a starter platform? If you believe that long term, you’ll save costs as you won’t move from one to another.
Selecting a scalable, flexible platform will save you the headache and effort of moving to an alternative system later. Think long-term when selecting a platform; it will affect everything from your website to your customers 'experience.
Beyond scalability, analyze the platform's integration with other tools and services you need, including payment gateways, CRM systems, and marketing automation tools. Ease of use and support from the platform are important factors if you're not tech-savvy. Assess the security features and how well they can protect customer data—this directly impacts your brand's reputation. The right choice at the outset can result in even more smoothly operating operations, happier customers, and long-term success for your e-commerce business.
17. Learn About Your Target Audience
Knowing your target audience is the key to any highly effective e-commerce strategy. The more you know about your customers, their tastes, requirements, habits, and pain points, the better you can tailor your shopping, marketing, and product experience to them. Start by collecting data through web analytics, customer surveys, social media insights, and purchase history.
Segment your audience by demographics, interests, and buying behavior to create buyer personas. These personas will help you create targeted marketing messages, determine the right products to promote and determine the best platforms to reach your audience. Understanding your customers and their needs helps you develop better campaigns, stronger relationships, and improved sales.
18. Develop a Content Marketing Strategy
Content marketing is a highly effective tool for establishing brand recognition, traffic, and interaction with your market. By creating helpful, relevant, and consistent content, you can engage a clearly defined audience that will take action. Identify your customers’ needs and pain points and create content that addresses them through blog posts, videos, infographics, or guides.
Regularly publishing quality content helps with SEO and establishes your brand as an authority in your industry. Eventually, this strategy will create trust with your audience and lead them to select your services or products if they wish to buy.
19. Use A/B Testing to Fine-tune Your Marketing Messaging
A/B testing, or split testing, is a powerful method for optimizing your marketing efforts by comparing two versions of a webpage, email, or advertisement to see which one performs better. Whether you’re testing headlines, call-to-action buttons, email subject lines, or page layouts, A/B testing allows you to make data-driven decisions that can significantly improve your conversion rates.
Start by hypothesizing what might work better—for example, a different color button or a more engaging headline—then run the test with a sample of your audience. Analyze the results and implement the version that resonates more with your customers.
20. Market to All Stages of the Funnel
A successful marketing strategy targets potential customers at every sales funnel stage—from awareness to consideration to decision. For the awareness stage, focus on broad-reaching tactics like content marketing, social media, and SEO to attract new visitors to your site. As prospects move to the consideration stage, use more targeted approaches such as email marketing, retargeting ads, and personalized content to keep them engaged and informed about your products.
Finally, in the decision stage, provide clear calls to action, special offers, and customer testimonials to encourage purchase. Creating custom marketing for each funnel stage can help you move customers along that journey more effectively, increasing conversion rates and sales.
21. Personalize Your Marketing Messages
Personalization is more than a nice-to-have in the competitive e-commerce landscape; it is the secret to distinguishing yourself and connecting with your consumers on a greater level. Personalizing your marketing messages means tailoring your communications to your client's wants, habits, and requirements. This can be done through personalized email campaigns, targeted ads, or dynamic website content.
For instance, you could send emails recommending items based on a consumer's prior purchases or browsing history or show advertisements based on a customer's preferences. Making your customers feel like you know them and value them as people increase engagement, loyalty, and conversion rates. Personalization improves the customer experience and improves the business results.
22. Strive for Customer Service Excellence
Outstanding customer care is essential to an e-commerce business. When customers cannot physically interact with your products online, the quality of your customer service is crucial. Make sure your support team is available, knowledgeable, and empowered to resolve issues quickly and easily.
Offer multiple communication channels—such as live chat, email, and phone support—so customers can reach you in the most convenient way. Additionally, consider implementing a comprehensive FAQ section or chatbot to address common questions instantly. Going above and beyond in your customer service efforts can turn a dissatisfied customer into a loyal advocate for your brand.
23. Encourage Repeat Business
Securing a sale is great, but turning that one-time buyer into a repeat customer is where true growth lies. Encouraging repeat business involves creating a customer experience that is so satisfying that they want to return. Start with loyalty programs that reward customers for repeat purchases (points, discounts, or special offers).
Another effective strategy is to send follow-up emails after a purchase, offering related products or thanking them for their business with a special discount on their next order. You can even make use of retargeting ads to remind consumers about your brand and get hold of them back. Concentrating on retention and long-term relationships will improve the lifetime value of each customer and develop a loyal client base that supports your business.
24. Focus on Cross-selling and Upselling
Cross-selling and upselling are two techniques that can improve your average order value and sales more generally for your online business.
Cross-selling involves recommending complementary products that enhance the main item a customer is considering or has already added to their cart. For example, if someone is purchasing a laptop, you could suggest accessories like a laptop case or an external mouse.
Upselling, on the other hand, encourages customers to purchase a more expensive version of the product they’re interested in, highlighting additional features or benefits. Incorporating these strategies into your sales funnel via product pages, the shopping cart, or follow-up email messages will help customers discover much more of what they want and also boost your sales.
25. Showcase Your Top-selling Items
Highlighting your best-selling items on your website can be social proof that leads customers to purchase. If shoppers see that other people like certain products, it reinforces the idea that those items are trustworthy and top-notch.
You can feature bestsellers in a section on your homepage, within category pages, or in email campaigns. To draw more attention, add labels like “Best Seller” or “Most Popular” to these products. By highlighting your best-selling items, you can advertise extra sales and encourage potential buyers to try them out.
26. Showcase Popular Items Using Videos
Videos are a good way to expose your products to interested parties. Making videos of popular items being used or highlighting the best features can give potential buyers a better sense of the product. Videos can be particularly effective for items that can be demonstrated visually, such as electronics, fashion, or home goods.
Position these videos on product web pages, share them on social networks, or use them with your email marketing. Video content can grab attention and allow customers to see the product in action, helping to dispel doubts and increase confidence in the purchase decision. Adding videos to your product showcases can increase engagement, conversions, and connection with your audience.
Final Thoughts
Increasing your e-commerce sales requires thoughtful planning, customer-centric enhancements, and constant optimization. The trick is to be flexible, use data to inform your choices, and be responsive to changing customer actions. Whether improving site speed, implementing chatbots for instant support, or creating urgency with time-sensitive offers, each step you take maximizes conversions and long-term success.
Voila! There you have it. Make a big impact by changing petite. Try some of these tips, and you won’t be disappointed.