It’s no secret that understanding the world of e-commerce can be a considerable challenge, and without the right know-how, businesses tend to fail.
But this doesn’t have to happen to you and your Shopify store. You’ve got the products, and you’ve built a beautiful website. Now, it’s time to harness the potential of your Shopify store and set it on a course of steady growth.
The question is—how do you drive traffic and increase sales to avoid the dreaded failure so many businesses experience? If you want to learn the path to success, this post is here to help with 10 tips that’ll help you expand and grow your sales on Shopify.
Why do you have low sales in your Shopify store?
So, you have a fantastic product and a sleek Shopify store to match, but the sales aren’t rolling in as expected. As a business owner, trying to increase your sales rate can be a frustrating and somewhat daunting process: Shopify states that around 48.4% of new businesses that started in 2017 shut down by 2022, and no one wants their business to become a statistic! (At least, not that kind of statistic.)
The good news is that you can find ways to optimize your sales strategy by recognizing these normal sales hurdles. By addressing these common challenges head-on, you’ll set yourself on the fast track to increased sales.
Poor social proof
Ever heard the saying, “People trust people”? It holds particularly true in the ecommerce world. Social proof, be it reviews, testimonials, referrals, or success stories, plays a pivotal role in building trust and credibility with your potential customers.
Tips to boost social proof:
- Encourage reviews: Offer incentives for customers to leave product reviews after a purchase.
- Showcase testimonials: Reserve a dedicated section on your website for genuine customer testimonials.
- Success stories: If your product has transformed someone’s life or business, showcase it on your storefront with other customer reviews.
Lack of mobile-friendliness
In today’s digital age, many customers will shop from their mobile devices. If you don’t optimize your store for these small screens, you might send potential sales out the door.
Tips to enhance mobile-friendliness:
- Have a responsive design: Ensure your Shopify store website adjusts intuitively to accommodate any device it’s viewed on.
- Encourage smooth mobile shopping: Make sure the mobile checkout process is seamless, from product selection to payment.
Forgettable store design
First impressions matter! A captivating Shopify store design doesn’t just attract visitors—it makes them stay and, importantly, return.
Tips for a memorable store design:
- Brand consistency: Make sure your landing page uses colors, fonts, and themes that showcase your brand’s identity.
- Create interactive elements: Incorporate engaging elements like animations, videos, or interactive product views.
Wrong message for the audience
Speaking the same language as your customers doesn’t just mean English, Spanish, or Mandarin. It means aligning your message with what resonates with them. Your messaging should provide purpose and value to customers to show your brand’s identity in its best light.
Tips to nail the right messaging:
- Conduct audience research: Start by understanding who your customers are and what they value.
- Craft compelling copy: Speak directly to your audience’s needs, desires, and pain points.
Confusing navigation or setup
Your Shopify store should be as intuitive as your favorite app. A confusing homepage setup or poor site navigation can deter potential customers from making a purchase.
Tips for seamless navigation:
- Organize with clear categorization: Arrange your products systematically and clearly.
- Create a simplified checkout: Minimize the steps needed to finalize a purchase, ensuring a smooth process from shopping cart to purchase confirmation.
Best tips to increase sales on Shopify
Running your Shopify store can be both exciting and challenging, but these 10 tips can help you increase sales and conversion rates over time.
1. Focus on SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) isn’t just a buzzword—it’s your online store’s visibility cloak, helping you increase organic traffic. By optimizing product titles with relevant keywords and enhancing product descriptions, you make it easier for customers to find you on search engines.
And a captivating meta description? That’s your store’s elevator pitch before potential new customers even visit your website.
2. Use customized URLs
A custom URL is like giving your link a tailored suit. It stands out and is memorable. Bitly offers this subtle sophistication with its Link Management features, including click tracking, custom brand URLs, and more.
It’s not just about shortening—it’s about branding. Plus, you’ll get all kinds of insights into how your links and ad campaigns perform. Handy, right?
3. Create an email marketing strategy
Personalized, segmented email marketing campaigns are a great way to engage with new or existing customers. A catchy subject line doesn’t just capture attention—it starts a conversation. And a sprinkle of exclusive offers or a rewarding customer loyalty program? That’s your secret ingredient for keeping them engaged.
4. Improve user experience and web navigation
Imagine browsing a store that feels intuitive, where everything seems to be just where you need it. That’s the online customer experience you want to offer. Clear product categorizations and spot-on filters help visitors smoothly transition from browsing to buying.
5. Consider a paid advertising strategy
Paid ads are the digital version of spotlighting your products on a store shelf. Engaging ad content, featured on the right platforms, helps you reach your target audience effectively and boost sales. And as with all things digital, keeping an eye on performance lets you tweak for better outcomes.
6. Use social media
Social media isn’t just a pastime—it’s a platform where your brand story can unfold. Genuine interactions (not blatant promotions) build trust in the e-commerce world. And with unique features on each social media platform, there’s always a fresh way to connect.
7. Work with influencers
Influencers are today’s trendsetters. Their endorsements can introduce your e-commerce business to audiences you haven’t yet reached. Finding the right influencer marketing fit ensures your brand story is told authentically and resonates with potential customers, increasing your brand awareness.
8. Track performance analytics
In the world of e-commerce, data is your friend. A/B testing, traffic tracking, and other analytics can help you revamp your marketing strategy, leading to more sales.
With every custom link or QR Code you craft, Bitly opens up a world of data, from click-through rates to geographic engagement. Understanding who interacts with your links and how allows you to fine-tune your marketing strategies. It’s akin to holding a magnifying glass over your audience’s behaviors, preferences, and habits.
9. Use retargeting strategies
Retargeting helps you cut down on cart abandonment and get more customers past that checkout page. With tracking pixels and compelling ads, you can remind potential buyers of what caught their eye, leading them back to your e-commerce store.
10. Offer free shipping
Free shipping is often the gentle push a shopper needs. It’s not just about cost savings—it’s about convenience.
In some cases, you can use free shipping as an opportunity to cross-sell or upsell additional products and boost your average order value. Either way, whether it’s a standard offer or a one-time discount code, free shipping earns you more customers and reduces those abandoned carts.
Harness the power of Bitly to boost your Shopify sales
Successfully scaling your Shopify sales hinges on the right blend of strategy and tools, including SEO, personalized email marketing, social media, and advertising.
Bitly can be a game-changer, adding nuance and precision to your marketing efforts, so you can increase your conversion rate and build a loyal customer base. Its link shortening, customization, and in-depth tracking features help you reach your audience where they are and forge meaningful connections.
Curious to see it in action? Check out Bitly’s plan options and find your perfect fit. Your Shopify success story awaits.