Online shopping has become increasingly popular among consumers due to convenience, flexibility, and affordability.
However, online shopping does bring along its share of challenges, especially during holidays where stores experience high levels of traffic and customers.
A recent study by the Internet Retailer reported that shoppers are spending more time on mobile devices than ever before. In fact, they spend almost 10% of their shopping trips on mobile devices and this number is only expected to rise.
The report also found that the top two reasons for shopping on mobile devices are convenience (50%) and price comparison (35%). This means that mobile users want a quick way to find great deals or compare prices from all over the web on one device.
Hence below are some ways that major shopping portals improve online shopping before the holidays to make sure that both buyers and sellers have a good time. Also, you learn about how to improve your online shopping experience.
1. Optimized Inventory Management
Major ecommerce platforms provide inventory management tools to optimize the flow of orders between buyers and sellers. By optimizing inventory management, merchants can increase order fulfillment productivity and improve customer service.
One easy way to see this is by integrating shipping information into the checkout process. Shipping information is automatically populated based on the buyer’s address, allowing shoppers to check the status of their order quickly and efficiently. Merchants can also use this information to determine the optimal delivery time frame for each order. In addition, inventory optimization tools allow merchants to schedule shipments according to demand patterns and forecast future stock needs.
2. Cross Sell/Upsell Opportunities
Shoppers expect to receive personalized recommendations and offers as they shop. Major portals offer cross selling and upselling opportunities to improve the overall personalized online shopping experience.
With cross sell, retailers can leverage existing data to recommend products that complement a shopper’s current selection. Upselling allows merchants to target specific items that are likely to result in higher conversion rates. A recent study found that 67% of mobile users would purchase additional products after viewing an ad recommending similar items.
3. Enhanced Customer Service
Merchants looking for ways to enhance customer service can turn to online shopping portal solutions. These solutions enable merchants to manage multiple channels from one dashboard. For example, a merchant may be able to view customer reviews across multiple social media networks or integrate with third party services like Facebook and Twitter.
This helps ensure that all messages are sent out consistently and that shoppers have a seamless online shopping experience when making purchases. Additionally, these features allow businesses to monitor conversations about your brand across various social media outlets and respond to any issues or complaints.
4. Social Proof & Brand Advocacy
Another important aspect of improving customer service is creating a positive social proof experience. According to the 2018 Millennial Consumer Survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, more than half (52%) of millennials surveyed said that they trust brands they read about online over those that they physically interact with.
In fact, 88% of millennials say that they prefer brands that make them feel good about themselves. It is no surprise then that many marketers are turning to major portals such as DC, Amazon, Apple, eBay, Google, and Microsoft to drive awareness and brand loyalty.
5. Secure Payment Options
This is another marketing strategy for an online shopping portal. Major e-commerce sites now accept payments via credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal through secure payment gateways. In fact, the number of transactions processed through these gateway systems has increased rapidly.
Consumers and merchants should take advantage of these options when it comes to security. They allow customers to pay securely without sharing sensitive account details and they protect businesses against fraudulent transactions.
6. Mobile Commerce Apps
This is one of the online holiday shopping trends. With 77% of smartphone owners using their phones while shopping, major ecommerce websites are taking note. While major ecommerce sites often focus on desktop traffic, they are also increasingly rolling out mobile apps.
The best ones let you browse categories, search, add products to cart, view cart contents and track orders. Other apps include price comparison tools, maps, coupons, gift card finders, and even QR codes! Many major ecommerce sites also provide free mobile apps to help promote their business and boost sales. They usually feature special promotions, exclusive deals, and other incentives.
7. Real-Time Inventory Management
Ecommerce platforms offer inventory management functionality so that merchants can easily update their product catalogue and see what is currently available. Some international online store solutions also allow merchants to automate order fulfillment processes to minimize human error and increase efficiency.
8. Shipping Options
While most e-commerce platforms ship items to buyers within 24 hours, some offer expedited shipping services at additional cost. Shoppers who want fast delivery can opt for same day, next day, two day, three day, and even overnight shipping options. Most ecommerce stores will charge between $10-$60 for each shipping option. If you sell high priced items, a premium shipping rate might also apply.
9. User Reviews
Some international online shop platforms support user review systems that allow clients to leave reviews about products and services after purchasing. These reviews can be very helpful in determining if a product will work for a particular shopper. Furthermore, they can be used to determine whether a company offers excellent customer service.
10. Customer Support
If a customer has questions or concerns about an item, he or she must get answers quickly. Many e-commerce sites offer live chat, phone support, email support, and frequently asked question sections to ensure this happens. Live chat allows shoppers to contact companies immediately and ask questions directly. Phone support helps people get immediate answers when they need them.
Email support lets users send questions through e-mail and receive responses quickly. Finally, FAQs sections contain commonly asked questions and answers about products and services. By providing quick access to information, e-commerce sites encourage visitors to return again and again.
Final Words:
All in all, the major portals are making sure shoppers feel comfortable, secure, and satisfied with their holiday online shopping experiences this holiday season.
With improved virtual experiences, engaging content, and robust security measures, these portals provide shoppers with the tools and resources they need to do international shopping for the holidays confidently. As more shoppers turn to digital platforms for their holiday shopping needs, portals will continue to develop innovative strategies to enhance the shopping experience further.
