5 E-Commerce Tips & Tricks From Pink Plush Boutique

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GoDaddy business shares its learnings on running an online store

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1. Engagement

   Engagement

With online companies, it can be difficult to engage with your customers like you would with a brick and mortar store. It is important to build some type of relationship with your customers before you even make the sale. For example, we promote and advertise through our Facebook page. This allows our customers to ask questions and give feedback. When customers receive quick responses to the information they need to make a purchase, they become loyal customers and are less likely to return their purchase.

2. Logistics/Inventory

   Logistics / Inventory

No one wants to make a purchase only to find out it is out of stock. In addition, if an item is out of stock, customers want to know if and when it will be restocked. We schedule inventory checks as often as possible to ensure our inventory levels are sufficient. When we are out of stock in an item, we immediately put a date for customer to expect the item to be restocked. They allows customers to ability to come back on that date and make their purchase.

3. Speed is life!

   Speed is life!

In today’s age, speed is critical! Customers want their purchase yesterday. So finding a reliable, fast and affordable shipping option is extremely important. Offer customers a flat rate shipping cost that won’t break the bank. If you charge shipping per item, customers may want to delete items from their cart. You can also offer free shipping when customers place an order above a certain amount, to encourage customers to get everything they are “eyeing” in the store.

4. Packaging

   Packaging

First impression is everything! When a customer buys from a website for the first time, they are excited and really looking forward to their purchase. Surprise them! We sell girl’s dresses, clothing and accessories, so we use colorful wrapping paper, pretty bows and sometimes even include stickers. Our packaging is sparkly and pink and truly makes our little customers feel like they are receiving a package fit for a princess. Such a small, inexpensive gesture can go a long way.

5. Feedback and follow-up

   Feedback and Follow-Up

Feedback is extremely important! Almost the most important part! So you shipped out your orders on time, but did your customers like their purchase? Were they happy? Would they buy from you again? If you don’t ask these questions you will never know and miss opportunity to create return customers. We use a review generating app called Yotpo that integrates seamlessly into our store — and is free. It allows verified customers to leave reviews directly on the product pages. This is informative for potential customers and allows us to generate real customer responses to our product.

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This post is contributed by Shippo customer Ebony Scott, founder of Pink Plush Boutique. Pink Plush sells little girls dresses, personalized pillows, blankets & more

Shippo is a multi-carrier API and web app that helps retailers, marketplaces and platforms connect to a global network of carriers. Businesses use Shippo to get real-time rates, print labels, automate international paperwork, track packages and facilitate returns. Shippo provides the tools to help businesses succeed through shipping.