Are you an online seller who just feels like your single account in a sea of online stores in a vast platform is not enough? Or simply you just want that premium feel for your online store? Or you want to put some extra features in your digital marketplace to entice more customers? Worry no more because Shopify lets you build your own eCommerce website in a few easy-to-follow steps. These easy steps are basically similar to other eCommerce platforms but Shopify lets you do it on your own website, with your own domain, making your store stand out. In this article, we discover the beauty of Shopify eCommerce and shower you with some tips on how to get the best product listings out there in the Shopify platform.
What does Shopify do?
So, if you may ask, Shopify is an eCommerce platform slash website builder which lets you customize the features of your online store according to your desires. Shopify lets you jumpstart your website by providing customizable templates designed by world-renowned designers, making sure that the look and functionality of your online store is optimal. Just think of these templates as the backbone of your store, from which you can put your marketplace’s muscle according to your needs and wants. The themes on the templates can be changed much like what you can do with a WordPress blog site to reflect your brand, mission and vision. You also get your own domain name, which you can maximize for stronger store recall. What’s better is that these Shopify websites are already optimized for mobile apps to cater to customers who prefer shopping via their smartphones.
Apart from these basic storefront features, Shopify also provides you with the Shopping Cart module where you can input all your products and categorize them. This is also where you put the price tags, and where your customer can place orders. Much like other eCommerce platforms, the Shopify platform also provides you with the essential analytics to guide you towards improving your website. Should you encounter problems along the way, you can collaborate with the in-house Shopify experts to troubleshoot all the problems related to your online selling experience with the platform.
Why you need Shopify for your online business
So, let’s go to the lingering question of why do you even need to use Shopify for your online business. There are so many advantages in using an advanced website creation platform such as Shopify. They are incredibly versatile and can provide you with an array of possibilities on how to present your products to attract a larger amount of customers, and in turn, boost your sales.
Quick setup
The user-friendly interface that you start off with in Shopify provides you with a simple, yet very streamlined way of navigating the app and beginning to build your website. It does not require heavy technical skills and pretty much everything in the platform’s dashboard is intuitive and self-explanatory. No wonder a lot of our online sellers are starting to build their stores from the basic Shopify templates because using the platform and setting up your store is as easy as learning your ABCs.
24/7 Customer Support
If ever you encounter some challenges or if you are not quite sure how you can build your website to your liking, Shopify’s customer service staff have got your back. They are available and you can communicate with them around the clock. Bolstering their customer support as reliable and accessible, they also provide you with how-to guides and necessary documents on building your website based on frequently-asked questions, and frequently-encountered challenges.
Mobile optimization
Pretty much every website today must possess a mobile version, suited for smaller screens and adapted for people who would like to access digital features on the go. And Shopify is one step ahead as they make your websites already optimized to the mobile landscape today. In fact, they also provide you with the iOS and Android app, which you can use to manage your store from your smartphone. Here you can respond to orders and view analytics. Pretty neat if you are the adventurous type who just can’t afford to stay in your home or office all day.
Marketing tools to help you
Shopify has some built-in tools that provide you with some assistance in essential marketing strategies such as social media marketing, email marketing and product reviews. Other incredibly great features include a coupon option which you can hand out to customers. Of course, search engine optimization (SEO) helps your website rank higher and Shopify’s features and experts are here to help you learn the ropes.
Integration and streamlining
Shopify is a one-stop shop for all your online selling needs and concerns. From product listing, marketing tools such as the coupon system, to helpful guides on the fulfillment process and delivery (even international ones at that), Shopify has got it all for you. All the more, it allows you to fully integrate and streamline your processes, specifically your product listings across different online selling platforms with the Listing Mirror option.
Security
And of course, nothing beats that feeling of safety and security with the data on your business processes and sales. Thankfully, Shopify offers you with SSL certification and PCI to encrypt all the data in your website. With these, you can have the assurance that no one gets to interfere with your personal and financial information. The encryption covers payment options making Shopify one of the most secure websites on which you can establish a payment gateway to give your customers a breezy online shopping experience.
What to prepare to make a great Shopify product listing
Many Shopify stores have achieved great success by maximizing and being creative in their use of Shopify features. In creating your product listings, some experts recommend keeping in mind four aspects: your product, your brand, your copywriting and your overall page design and user experience. Mastering how to create effective material in each of these aspects will contribute to the holistic development of your sales campaign.
In a nutshell, when we are talking about your product, you must provide all the necessary information pertinent to the features and benefits of your product, what value it adds to the daily lives of your consumers, and its advantages when put in contrast with your competitors.
When talking about your brand, we mean how you approach your marketing strategy. When you sell products, you do so with a message. For instance, quite a number of Shopify stores have maximized their about page to push for consumer advocacies such as reusable materials, healthy and organic food products, fresh produce direct from farmers and environmentally-friendly clothing. So before you get that page online, think carefully about how you want to be perceived by your target audience.
Your copywriting must also be impeccable. Using the right amount and intensity of words, being concise and straight-to-the-point, and of course, optimizing your copy for search engines to rank your store higher is of utmost importance when you are writing your product listings and About page. Copies must be attuned to your overall branding and must reinforce the message that you have decided to pursue.
Your page design and user experience, like your copy, must follow your brand guidelines. We want our online store to be coherent and solid. Your customers would not want something that is messy to look at. If your website is in disorder, or if it comes off as a random mishmash of things, it might strike some of your potential customers as unprofessional and will ultimately impact your sales. Page design and user experience is also not limited to just the looks. Streamlining and striving for optimal functionality helps your customers navigate the site more efficiently, making their shopping experience hassle-free. Who knows? A good user experience might get you a recommendation or two.
Tips to maximize Shopify product listing
Include a call to action (CTA)
When we say straightforward, we mean it. You set up your online store for people to buy your product. So stop beating around the bush, and just say it. Never forget to put a Buy or Add to Cart button within each product listing. This way, when you get that deal, there is no way your customer is getting off the hook.
Have great and correct photos posted
In a product listing, it is best to have the most realistic photos of your product. Like product descriptions, photos must highlight the best features and benefits of your product. When dealing with more complex products, you might want to provide photos from various angles to approximate that customer inspection feel when they buy in a physical store. Also, do not forget to post a photo of the product in use within real-life scenarios. It establishes an emotional connection and highlights your product’s importance and the benefits they hold.
Explain your price
This gets more important when you put a premium price tag on a rather simple product. Nevertheless, it is best practice to include in your copy your best argument on why your product is priced as such. You don’t have to be upfront about costs, or beg for your customers to buy. You just have to justify the pricing and assure your buyers that they get the value for their money.
Communicate, do not just tell
Good copy is a copy that resonates with your audience and helps them in decision-making. Online selling is a two-way process, in case we missed that. Your selling is just one-half of that process. You have to convince the audience to buy and there is no more effective way than to answer their questions. When you have a new product, be mindful of possible questions and it’s actually best to anticipate them. A structured and clear copy can do the trick, but it wouldn’t hurt to be creative and drop an infographic or short video to make your case. As you draw in more comments and feedback, you must learn to adjust and improve your copy accordingly.
Link your product to its variants.
Options, options, options. Sometimes, your customer will land on a page with a variant of your product in yellow, but would want it in green. Or they might prefer an unsalted or slightly salted flavor of your best potato chips. You have to keep your bases covered, and link all variants of similar products to each other. Well, yeah, not only the similar ones but also those that are complementary. When you have the budget, you might also want to try putting them into bundle promos to promote certain product combinations.
Consistency in branding is key
In brand consistency, the keys are knowing and committing. When you have decided and have full knowledge of your brand and message, you stick to it and it has to reflect in all aspects of your website. From the design and copy to your promotional activities. Of course, no one will believe in a self-proclaimed sustainable business that uses single-use plastic in its packaging. You just have to walk the talk, and every step you must.
Your products should be problem-solvers
You have to look at your customers through the lens that they are looking for products that solve their problems, something that they can use for real, specific life concerns. Hence, products must be advertised according to their real-life value and importance and they come into the equation of improving the daily lives of the customer should they decide to buy.
Reviews and testimonials are a treasure trove
As an online seller, customer satisfaction is of prime importance. As you go along with your marketing strategies, you would encounter comments and feedback. Mind you, they will not always be good and favorable. But comments, good or bad, are worthy of your time. Make sure you read them and keep them in mind. Bad reviews are a way to look into your weak points, and will actually help you improve on them. Good reviews, on the other hand, can be a great source material for your marketing copy and web design to attract more customers.
Product listings are simple, yet they require an amount of skill and experience, dashed with a sprinkle of creativity and daring to get the perfect blend that will get you your dream results. Just remember that you might have a few mistakes here and there while you begin your Shopify online selling journey, but don’t let that stop you. Instead, be guided and focused in improving your product listing and overall online store experience while you tread your way towards your target sales record.
