Online shopping has become extremely popular in recent years. Businesses worldwide are thriving by offering an efficient online experience to their customers that is easier than physically visiting a store, but is still just as enjoyable.

But it's not as simple as having an online shop section on your website, or putting up an advert on your Facebook page. Attracting your customers to switch to your online shopping experience requires a lot more thought and preparation than you might expect. Here are a few tips to help you get started!

Market properly on social media

Everyone browses through social media quickly while they're procrastinating. Dropping random links directing people to your online store will not really grab anyone's attention well enough to turn them into loyal customers. Create relatable stories that will interest your audience and intrigue them to try out your online store, or to at least give it a visit. Consider all possible social media platforms, and allocate boosting with specific targeting. As long as you don't go cheesy or overboard, it should work.

 

Hold a sale or run a competition

A great online sale is sure to bring in new customers, as well as keep your already-established audience happy. Makeit as attention-grabbing as possible, and a good general representation of your business. This will interest both new and familiarcustomers. An online competition can also do the trick, and be a perfect way to increase your audience on social media. Just be sure to make it purposeful and relevant to your brand, rather than resorting to all-out clickbait.

Bonus tip: You can incentivise immediate purchases too. Offer customers who buy something online first a small discount, and make the offer obvious and tangible.

 

Partner up with popular bloggers

Targeted content is key. Blogging not only improves SEO, it also brings in new customers through organic searches, and enables existing visitors to share and promote your content. If you lack enough resources and/or personnel to maintain a blog in-house, partner up with popular bloggers who would be interested in reviewing and writing about your products or services.

 

Launch a new product or service

It doesn't really have to be anything out of this world. This could be as simple as re-packaging or re-pricing a product or service that you are already offering, especially if it is already doing well as is. Link the launched offer to your online store, and you should be able to see a rising surge in your amount of online customers and visitors.

 

Invest in Google Ads

You should not rely solely on social media posts, and nor should you expect people to visit your website without somehow being led to it. Google AdWords is a simple pay-per-click service which allows you to create and run ads for your business, no matter how small or online-based it is. These clickable ads are then displayed in Google's search results, which are sure to increase the flow of visitors and potential customers to your online store. By using the right keywords for your target audience, you can directly reach people who have an interest in the type of product or service that you are offering.

 

Establish a strong online connection with your customers

Remember that your customers are also human beings. They will be attracted to what you're offering if you provide them with a worthwhile online experience, that will make them want to buy from you because of the personality you project. Being online-based doesn't mean that you shouldn't be personable or inviting. Providing customers easily accessible content, as well as honest and transparent information, will encourage them to stay.

Bonus tip: If your company doesn't have a website yet, and you want to increase your online audience, you can promote your business on Yellow with your own Mini-Site. This will help you reach a ready-to-buy Maltese and Gozitan audience on both the Yellow website and app.

Are you completely new to the world of promoting your business online, and you're looking into building an audience for it?

There are 13 Companies specialising in Internet Marketing listed on yellow.com.mt to to help you become more familiar with attracting more customers towards making use ofyour online services.