5 Reasons Why Ecommerce Is Important For Your Business

If you’re wondering why ecommerce is important for your business, then you’ve come to the right place.

From startups to small businesses right through to huge brands, lots of companies can benefit from an ecommerce website where they can sell their own products or services direct to the consumer.

Especially in todays competitive and convenience-focused society, consumers no longer want to venture out onto the high street to buy items. Instead, they prefer to shop from the comfort of their own homes at a time that’s most suitable for them, making ecommerce a flexible solution for businesses and buyers alike.

If you’re still on the fence about launching an ecommerce store then look no further as we’re exploring the top 5 reasons why ecommerce is important for your business and how you can benefit from moving online.

We’ll also be looking at why ecommerce is growing and why this is predicted to continue going forward. These insights further solidify why ecommerce is important for your business, not just in the present, but to future proof your offering in the long-term.

First thing’s first – what’s an ecommerce platform?

What's An Ecommerce Platform?

An ecommerce platform is a system designed to allow consumers to explore and buy items over the internet.

These items can include:

• Physical products
• Digital goods
• Services (such as subscriptions)

Ecommerce platforms cover a range of options, from standalone online stores owned by individual businesses to third-party marketplaces such as Amazon which provide a range of products and services from different vendors.

Your ecommerce channels serve as an essential ‘shop window’ for your business, showcasing your offerings to potential customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Moreover, they must facilitate the whole customer journey, from research and discovery, to delivery and post-purchase support. Ensuring a seamless experience across all touchpoints is key for maintaining customer satisfaction so that customers return to your brand in the future.

Why Ecommerce Is Important for Your Business

There’s numerous reasons why ecommerce is important for your business which we’re exploring in more detail below.

Accelerates brand expansion

Ecommerce takes your brand from a traditional brick-and-mortar store to an innovative brand that connects with your audience wherever they are.

Regardless of whether they’re shopping from home, the office, or around a pool, having an ecommerce website is accessible 24/7. Customers no longer need to worry about making the journey to the store which can be difficult when they have other commitments.

However by offering great products around the clock, you’re increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase as you’re seamlessly slotting into their existing schedule. They don’t need to worry about the commute to your physical store as they can shop how and where works best for them.

Having an ecommerce stores also allows you to expand your product range more easily. With an online store, you’d have to consider things such as shop floor space and resources to handle more products, but with online, you can easily add them to your website. You can also add visually appealing imagery, videos, and reviews in just a few clicks allowing customers to feel close to your products without physically being able to see them.

There’s so many ways to make your ecommerce platform media-rich and engaging so that despite a computer (or phone) screen being present, customers don’t feel detached from your brand. In-depth product descriptions are also a key part of this as you can explain all of the same key info as you would if a customer approached you in-store.

Offers greater convenience

Ecommerce offers greater convenience by streamlining the customers shopping experience through features such as personalised recommendations, quick and secure checkout processes, and easy access to customer reviews which help reaffirm their purchasing decisions.

From their own device, customers can browse products, compare prices, and read detailed descriptions without the need to travel or wait in long queue which can be very offputting.

Additionally, the ability to save payment information and shipping addresses allows for faster repeat purchases, improving overall convenience and increasing the likelihood of customers returning in the future.

Returns and exchanges are also made easier as lots of companies offer free pre-printed labels and clear instructions making it more hassle-free to send items back.

With the removal of the physical store, customers are still supported throughout their purchase thanks to the integration of chatbots and customer service portals. By ensuring they receive quick replies and useful resources to answer their query, you can still deliver the same level of customer satisfaction when moving online.

Increases your reach

Another reason why ecommerce is important for your business is the ability to reach more customers.

Thanks to the internet and its widespread accessibility, millions of people worldwide can view your website at any given time. This global reach means that for businesses aiming to expand, there are lots of opportunities to attract a larger and more diverse audience.

When you compare the number of potential customers accessible through a website to those you might reach with a high street store or local advertising, the benefits of establishing an online presence are evident.

Unlike a physical store, which as we’ve mentioned, is limited by geography and hours of operation, an online business can operate 24/7, reaching people across different time zones and regions.

Furthermore, online platforms offer robust tools for targeted marketing, allowing you to tailor your outreach efforts based on customer preferences, behaviour, and demographics.

Additionally, the data and analytics provided by ecommerce platforms can help you better understand your audience and tailor your strategies accordingly for maximum engagement.

In light of these advantages, taking your business online is an effective way to improve your reach and grow your market share.

Provides more marketing opportunities

Your website is one of the most powerful marketing tools available to your business.

Using effective SEO strategies during the development of your site significantly increases the likelihood of your business being discovered through search engines. This improved visibility can drive more organic traffic to your site, providing countless opportunities for customer engagement and conversion.

In addition to SEO, your website can seamlessly integrate with a variety of other marketing techniques to amplify your reach.

For example, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising can direct targeted traffic to your site through ads placed on search engines and other platforms. Social media marketing is another critical component, as it can generate interest and direct followers to your site via engaging content and links.

Email marketing campaigns can also be highly effective, offering personalised communication that encourages recipients to visit your website for further information or special offers. Your website can also host valuable content such as blogs, videos, and customer testimonials, improving your credibility and providing resources that potential customers find useful.

Allows you to scale up

As your business grows it’s very likely you’ll want to grow your product range and your target audience, as well as develop your business for customer requirements and consumer demand.

An ecommerce site lets you scale your business accordingly, allowing you to add more lines, add more payment options, and even grow where you choose to ship to, without having to worry about changing your location or moving to a larger premises like you might with a brick and mortar store.

In turn, you can reach international markets without the logistical challenges associated with a physical store expanding your customer base even further.

You can also leverage data analytics to monitor trends and consumer behaviour, helping you make informed decisions about which products to introduce or discontinue. Moreover, you can implement automated systems for inventory management and order processing, ensuring that your operations remain scalable as your business grows.

The Future of Ecommerce

Having an ecommerce business isn’t just a trend or a ‘nice to have’.

It’s an essential part of growing your businesses and can significantly impact your sales and revenue. What’s more is that ecommerce businesses are here to stay.

They’re not just a fad that will eventually drop off, as the world continues to move online. So many of our interactions, whether that’s connecting with friends and colleagues, looking for a new home, booking our next holiday, or anything else for that matter, is conducted online.

Pretty much every single person owns a mobile (can you name 5 people you know that don’t?) which makes the importance of ecommerce even more prevalent.

According to research, in 2022 online grocery orders had increased by 22% compared to 4 years prior, whilst it’s predicted that ecommerce warehouses could be fully automated by 2029. Both of these statistics demonstrate the importance of ecommerce and the expected rise of online shopping habits.

People often attribute this surge down to the pandemic when people were forced to shop digitally.

However, this trend has been apparent for years as in 2021, a reported conducted by Thinkwithgoogle revealed that 63% of all shopping starts online. It’s important to highlight that this doesn’t mean 63% of all shopping occasions result in an online purchase, but more often than not, it’s where the journey begins.

As such, having an online presence is key otherwise you could be missing out on valuable opportunities.

What Makes A Good Ecommerce Website

An effective ecommerce website is one that keeps customers coming back to shop for more. Aside from it looking visually engaging, it’s really important that it’s easy to use, otherwise this will discourage people from making a purchase. Imagine going to add something to your shopping cart and it taking ages, or experiencing a glitch where it keeps adding unwanted items?

Either of these scenarios would likely make you exit the website and shop elsewhere. That’s why you need to make sure your ecommerce website delivers a seamless and enjoyable experience, so you can enjoy more customers and repeat sales. Here are five key factors that make an ecommerce website stand out:

1. User-friendly: A well-designed website is one that is easy to navigate. This includes having clear menus, organised categories, and a simple checkout process so that customers can quickly find what they’re looking for, and buy it.
2. Mobile design: We all use our phones and tablets to shop online so your ecommerce site must look and function well across all devices. This means adjusting to different screen sizes, ensuring customers can shop however they please.
3. Quick loading times: Shoppers aren’t going to wait long if your website doesn’t load as they have so many other options to choose from. By ensuring your site loads quickly, you can keep customers engaged and reduce bounce rates.
4. High-quality images and descriptions: This is your chance to showcase your products in the best light, so make sure you use high-resolution images alongside detailed, compelling descriptions that highlight key features and benefits.
5. Secure payment options: Security is key when it comes to ecommerce. With this in mind, offer a range of trusted payment options, like credit cards, PayPal, and other secure gateways, gives customers confidence when making a purchase.
6. Customer support: Customer support can make all the difference in the ecommerce shopping experience. Provide multiple contact options, such as live chat, email, and phone support, and ensure that your team can handle inquiries and resolve issues quickly.

By focusing on these factors, you can create an ecommerce website that not only attracts visitors but also converts them into loyal customers who come back time and time again.

How to Get Started With Your Ecommerce Website

Building your own ecommerce website involves several steps to ensure your website is both functional and engaging. The first step is to clearly define your business goals and understand your target audience’s needs as these are the people who will be buying your products. This information will guide your website’s design and functionality, ensuring its easy for your customers to navigate.

Next, select an ecommerce platform, for example there’s Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento to name a few. Make sure you choose.a platform that aligns with your budget and technical needs as it needs to support various functions such as payment processing and mobile optimisation.

While it is possible to create a website yourself, partnering with a professional ecommerce web design agency is often the best approach as these people have a wealth of experience in creating visually appealing and high-performing websites. This means they can help you navigate complexities such as optimising user experience, integrating advanced features, and ensuring security measures. This not only saves you time and effort, but also reduces the risk of expensive mistakes.

At Discovery Design, we’ve partnered with various clients to help them create an ecommerce website that drives results. Get in touch with our team to find out more about how we can help!

5 Reasons Why Ecommerce Is Important For Your Business

Hopefully we’ve answered why ecommerce is important for your business and the reasons why you should take your brand online.

Ecommerce offers business a whole range of opportunities, from diversifying your marketing channels, to increasing your products ranges, to generating more sales, there’s lots of advantages to having an online store.

With an optimised and well developed website you can not only achieve these goals but also offer your customers a 24 hour, convenient service, that can boost your business and your sales as a result.

Managing this alone can feel like a big task, but by partnering with a professional agency, they manage it on your behalf. At Discovery Design, we’ve worked with numerous clients helping them make their online store a success. Get in touch with our team to find out more about how we can help you achieve your goals.