The Ten Best E-Commerce Strategies

Strategy #1 - Copy

Smaller e-commerce sites must strive to increase their customer base while the
costs are still low. Smaller e-commerce sites can see what the multi-million dollar
sites are doing and simply copy much of what they are doing. Although the
copying strategy is not a strategy of a market leader, smaller e-commerce
ventures rarely have the resources to be market leaders.

Strategy #2 - Build Loyal Customers Base Now

While the costs are relatively low, now is the time to build a loyal customer base
that can serve as the core business. Small e-commerce ventures should be
spending money now to increase the size of the customer base. Lock in
advertising rates and establish ad programs where prices can be grand-fathered
in. It will cost a lot more later.

Strategy #3 - Allow For Frequent Site Updates

Keeping your site fresh will keep your current customers coming back to your
site without being bored or put off because your site has not changed. The
motto, "Content is King" applies to e-commerce sites too! Shoppers and
customers need helpful, educational information that keeps them coming back
to your site.

Strategy #4 - Move Inventory Around

Just like in a bricks and mortar store, you need to move the inventory around.
Place different items on sale. Create timely sales. Put items on special and bring
them to the homepage. Feature items with more information. Put up special
graphics for sale and special items. Offer a clearance sale or a clearance section
to your site.

Strategy #5 - Auctions for Profit

Supplementing your e-commerce sites with selling on auction sites can be an
excellent sales and advertising opportunity. Put items for auction on the auction
sites and make sure it has a link back to your own e-commerce site.

Strategy #6 - Watch the Backend

Now that you have the order, you have to finish the shopping experience for
the customer. You should have in place a system to make sure the order is
shipped in a timely fashion and that the customer is kept informed of the order
status. Email is sufficient for keeping in touch. Make sure you are handing the
shipping in good time.

Strategy #6 - Use Email Lists

A listserver allows you to capture emails so that you can build an email list.
This will allow you can send to the entire list with just one email message or
newsletter. A subscribed list is where users subscribe freely to your list. This is
perfect for sales updates or a newsletter, or just wishing everyone happy
holidays.

Strategy #7 - Get Found in Search Engines!

Unless you are in the top 20 of search engine listings you probably won't be
found by 90% of those using the search engine. By creating an additional home
page that is optimized for your search word and the search engine you are
submitting it to you will vastly increase your ranking in most search engine.

Strategy #8 - Get Linked!

One of the cheapest and best ways for new customers to find your site is
through links. Getting other sites to provide a link to your site involves just a
few things:

1.Have a graphic button that you can provide other sites with which they
can put on their page. This gives them an easy button that can serve to
maybe even dress up their site.
2.Create a standard email message that has the graphic button attached
asking them nicely to put the button with the link on there site

Strategy #9 - For More Sales Have More Product

Too often shopping sites do not have enough of an inventory to make the
shopping experience worthwhile for the shoppers. The likelihood that anyone
actually buys something is directly proportional to the number of items with all
things being equal. You have to catch customers with something they want to
buy.

Strategy #10 - Make Everyone Your Salesman

You can make everyone a paid salesman for your products by setting up
yourself with an affiliate program. Affiliate programs are fast becoming one of
the hottest selling techniques on the internet next to auction programs. By
creating an affiliate program you make it easy for anyone with a web site to sell
your products and receive a commission.
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By Steven Pruner