The popularity of e-commerce has grown fast recently, and it seems to bloom more during the Covid-19 pandemic. With the fact that online sales have increased by 40% since the state emergency declaration, every business should offer an online shopping experience for their customers.
In this article, we will find out how important e-commerce is during the pandemic. Check it below!
E-commerce Mitigates The Shutdown Impact
Quarantine and social distancing mean that SMBs are forced to shut down temporarily, and most of them will not be able to survive if the losses continue to grow every day.
E-commerce, therefore, is a solution for them. Even when the stores are closed, merchants are still able to sell goods on online platforms, helping their business to stay healthy until they can open their door again.
E-commerce Provides Customers With Convenience
Together with the passing of time, the term “convenience” also has some considerable change. A few years ago, convenience meant that we could walk or drive to a local store in just several minutes. However, this still required time and some movement - we had to change clothes, put on shoes, walked out of the house, and came back with some bags in hand.
In this century, convenience is when we can buy everything with a click, and the items will be shipped to us immediately! Besides, an online shopping platform also offers customers the most detailed insight into your store, allowing them to know about all of your products and make some price comparison if they want.
Your online store is also available 24/7, which means that audiences can make a purchase whenever they like.
E-commerce Increases Market Size For You
Imagine that you only operate a brick-and-mortar store in area A, but the majority of customers are from areas B, C, or even D. How unfair it is! Unless your products are unique and highly specialized, people won’t go a long way just to support your business.
In that situation, the existence of e-commerce has eliminated geographical barriers for you. When people search for the product types you’re selling, you have a chance to connect with customers from everywhere in the world. Increasing market size has never been so easy and effortless!
E-commerce Shows An Insight Into Consumer Behavior
The last advantage of e-commerce platforms is their trackability. Once customers visit your site, they give you a lot of information; and what you need to do is use that information to improve the shopping experience for your visitors.
Some important things you should pay attention to include:
- Factors to segment customers
- The interaction of customers with your site
- How customers reach your site
- The preference of customers - try to find out where they seem to visit most
- What customers use to access your site (by mobile or by desktop)
This is a precious time to understand your customers thoroughly. Grab the opportunity and turn them into loyal consumers of yours!
