If you run an e-commerce store, you’ll know exactly how competitive the marketplace can be. What if we told you there was an easy way to leverage your data to boost your numbers?
Brits are expected to spend upwards of £60bn online in 2016, giving the UK the world’s third largest e-commerce market in the world. With online spending on the rise, the opportunities for growth and promotion of your e-commerce store are also increasing. Are you taking advantage of them?
If you’re not using the data you have about your customers, you should be. The more you know about your target market and their shopping habits, the better you can make your business. Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you snoop on your customers and collect data without their knowledge. All of these suggestions are simple, non-intrusive ways of using the free data provided to you by your customers to make powerful, noticeable changes to your business and bottom line.
Why should I collect customer data?
Every business needs to have a clear idea of who they are selling to in order to fine tune products, services, and marketing activities. Customer data can help you to:
Grow: Customer data is the key to unlocking the hidden shopping patterns of your e-commerce store’s regular visitors. Once you understand what they want and search for, you’re in a much more powerful position.
Engage: Social media is an incredibly powerful tool for brands. It helps to influence customers’ purchasing decisions and enables businesses to engage easily with the world.
Sell: If you look at your customers’ buying and browsing habits you will be able to recommend products they are likely to be interested in.
Build strong relationships: It’s easier than ever before to respond to enquiries and create an active community of like-minded shoppers online.
Improve customer service: Poor customer service can break a business quickly. Using customer data to improve customer service should be a no-brainer.
Which data should I collect?
Email addresses: Perhaps the first thing most people think of when asked to describe an examples of e-commerce customer data. Want to get in touch with your previous customers? Or reach out to potential customers who have expressed an interest in your brand? You’ll need to collect their email addresses. Whether you choose to send sales emails, offers or company updates is up to you, just be sure to target your emails carefully to avoid a scattergun approach.
Social media information: Connecting with your customers on social media is a great way of engaging post-purchase. And, once a shopper is connected with your business online, they’ll be more likely to remember your brand and mention you in their posts.
Purchase frequency: Do you know who your regular customers are? Do you reward them for their loyalty? By tracking the buying patterns of your most loyal customers, you can further strengthen your relationship by sending them exclusive offers and discounts.
Analytics: Are you serious about understanding your customers’ shopping habits? It’s definitely worth taking a look using analytical software, such as Google Analytics. Want to know where your most profitable customers come from? Track conversions and see what people are searching for on your site.
Get help from the experts
At Fluid Digital, we know that understanding your target market is key to the success of your business. Our team of digital marketing wizards can drill down into your customer data and advise you on the areas of your business that may benefit from support and development.
Whether it’s designing a social media strategy, PPC campaign, or email marketing drive, we’ve got the knowledge and expertise to help your e-commerce business grow and thrive online. For more information, call 0161 762 4920 or use our contact form.
