With all the buzz around supply chains and shipping issues in the world, business owners are increasingly concerned with the delivering of their products. Smaller businesses, though, have the unique ability to pivot much quicker based on their customers’ needs, as well as provide local sources. So, if you’re looking for how to boost sales in 2024, take advantage of these ecommerce preparedness tips.
Editor’s note: Interested in checking out a demo site that showcases all of the features mentioned below? Click here to try it out.
Ready to jump in? Let’s go.
1. Create a visually compelling store experience to boost sales
Consumers tend to decide whether they want to buy at the store within the first few seconds of browsing. For this reason, it’s important to provide great visuals, make the information as easy and accessible to digest, and provide consumers with the right “proof” to make the purchase decision.
Here are some helpful tips on how to design your store to pack a visual punch:
Include a variety of in-context and product-only images
Images are essential in helping customers make purchasing decisions. When you’re creating images for your products, make sure you understand the specific needs of your customers and to include the following:
In-context shots that show products in use
These create an emotional bond and tell a story. It’s also the perfect way to show your products in action or suggest a particular use for your product.
Product only shots
High-quality images of all your product angles, ideally with a white background for greater appeal.
Customize your product images
Using the GoDaddy E-store, you also have a lot of flexibility on how to best showcase images throughout your store. Here are a few options for your store:
Featured products
If you have a featured product section and product images that have a square orientation, use the Spotlight layout to make them stand out. From the GoDaddy E-store editor, select the Featured Product section, and choose the Layout option.
Product gallery
You may also sell products that have a certain size or shape, so the product images will likely look better in a specific orientation. To customize the shape in which those product images appear on your store, go to the store page, choose the Product Gallery tab and then click Image Options.
Product detail pages
You can also make your product images stand out further on product detail pages by selecting the Hero Image layout. This is great for showcasing beautiful product shots as the main focus of your product detail page.
To choose this layout, go to your store page, choose the Product Page tab, then select the Layout option.
Create a stunning first impression and urgency to buy with a header
Provide a powerful visual image (an in-context shot, or aspirational image of your product being used) and pair it with an action button to shop.
How to? Go to the Website editor, click Header, and select the Cover Media to use.
You can also add an Action Button and specify the message. For an added touch, the message should emphasize an urgency to buy.
Use the Photo Gallery to feature helpful product images
You can also take advantage of merchandising beautiful product images through the photo gallery feature in the GoDaddy E-store.
From your website editor, simply select Add a Section and choose Photo Gallery.
You’ll see various options on layouts to choose from and how your images are displayed. This is a great opportunity to show photos of customers using your product or in-context product shots, to create an appealing connection to your potential customer.
For more details on this feature, take a look at our photo gallery help guide.
Enable a promotional banner with limited time only messaging
Let your customers know that you’re having a sale or special offer so that they have a strong reason to purchase right then and there.
You can have multiple sales happening throughout the year but run one sale at a time so there is more urgency to purchase during those specific timeframes.
Your message should include content that mentions perks customers get for buying (for example, free shipping, sale pricing, free gift wrapping, etc.).
Learn more here.
Showcase similar products in your store
Similar products are an excellent way to cross-promote more of your products. To enable this option, you’ll want to edit your Online Store page:
Once enabled, you’ll need to publish your site in order to see the suggested items section:
Draw immediate attention to your promotions using the announcement pop-up add-on
This will help let customers know immediately what promotions you are running and can also guide them to specific areas of your store they may be likelier to buy (such as sale or clearance items).
To increase urgency, make sure to include a reason to buy now (for example, sale ends soon, limited time only, etc.) and an action button that directs users to the store products that are on sale.
Learn how to create a pop-up box here.
Create excitement with a countdown timer
This feature offers you a fun way to add a visually appealing countdown timer for new products, sales, events, etc.
Feature store categories in a compelling, visual way
Product images aren’t the only visual that needs to look great. Ensure your categories stand out.
There are a set of actions that must take place:
Create a sale category
Creating a category specifically for sales helps your customers easily find limited edition sales that you may be offering. You can create a category for items that are specifically on sale and then rearrange the order of that category so it shows up at the top of the list.
Our help center has more information on how to create and manage categories.
Enhance a category’s appeal with beautiful images
Add a beautiful image for each category as well as a description so that it stands out to consumers and is instantly recognizable when they are browsing through your store.
The category image that you select will display as a banner for your customers.
Showcase select featured categories throughout your store
You can also feature select categories with beautiful imagery throughout your store. Go to the GoDaddy E-store editor, select Add a section and then choose Featured Categories.
By selecting add an image, you can also specify where the image links to and point to a specific category.
Create and showcase categories that help consumers narrow down what to buy
Guide customers on what products they should be looking at if they’re not sure where to start.
Consider creating “new arrivals,” “best sellers,” and any “limited availability” categories at the top of the category list to immediately draw in consumers.
Having too many categories can distract customers.
Focus on creating distinct groups of products and a narrowed down list of categories so customers aren’t bogged down with too many details and have trouble finding or understanding what they’re looking for.
if you’re interested in seeing these features in Websites + Marketing in action, check out our demo site.
Showcase product reviews
This is an important part of the entire sales process, Your target customer will feel confident in their purchase decisions if they know others have purchased products from you and gave that purchase a thumbs up.
Related: Generate reviews — 6 strategies to leverage the power of online reviews
Enable product reviews
For each of the products you sell, allow customers to provide a review that’s visible to other potential consumers. This is an excellent way to communicate your company’s social media standing.
You can find more information on how to do this here.
Showcase customer testimonials
While product reviews allow your customers to rate your products specifically, you also have the option to add a more general testimonials section as well.
Adding a testimonials section in addition to your product reviews allows you to drive home what customers think about your store and your customer service.
You can view the steps on how to add testimonials to your site here.
Showcase your Facebook and Instagram presence on your store
You can highlight your social presence for added legitimacy as well as a broader connection to your customers. Learn how to enable links to your social presence — as well as any reviews you’ve received on social media — here.
If you are on Instagram, you can also connect your Instagram feed to your E-store. Learn more here.
Related: How To Sell on Instagram: Your step by step Guide
2. Boost sales and capture more customers
Once customers have found a product they’re interested in, here are a few tips to increase the likelihood they’ll purchase it which will eventually get the sale of your product to increase
Provide a sales price for each product
Entering a sale price for your product will show both the original and sales pricing. You can do this by going into Store > Products > Add/Edit Product > and filing in the Sales Price field.
Offer free shipping, local pickup or delivery
Offer customers an extra nudge to purchase by providing free shipping and showcasing it on your store, this is a very important tip to boost sales. This is also a great way to prevent users from abandoning their shopping cart if they are surprised by the cost of shipping.
To offer free shipping on select products, go to Shipping under your product details page, and select the option for This item always ships free. It will display a free shipping badge on your store.
You can also offer site-wide free shipping. To learn more about how to do this, visit our help guide.
If your customers are local to the area, it’s becoming more common to offer local pickup and/or delivery, especially in response to the ongoing pandemic.
You can add local pickup and delivery options by going to the shipping options page.
![add local pickup and delivery options on the GoDaddy E-store to boost sales in 2022]](https://www.godaddy.com/resources/ae/wp-content/uploads/Picture23.png)
Offer free returns
Give your customers peace of mind with free returns. This option allows sellers to offer free returns on any or all of their products. This will increase the trust which in return will increase sales. The free returns option can be found on each product detail. You can find the products list under Commerce > Products.
Abandoned cart recovery
Another route to increase sales and to capture more customers would be to leverage the abandoned cart feature offered in the GoDaddy E-store. This feature reminds customers that they’ve left items in their cart via email.
To enable this feature, see the help guide here.
Recognize gifts and offer gift wrapping
Many purchases are meant to be gifts. Allow your customers to specify this in the check-out so you can prepare the order appropriately.
Offering gift wrapping will lower the cost on your customers which will translate into increased sales on your store.
To enable this, go to your Store Settings and under General, select Check-out, and then select Allow customers to include special instructions during check-out.
You can ask your customers to provide the recipient’s name, as well as describe what you’ll do if the order is a gift (e.g. include a gift note so we can place this in the package).
Also, as a way to stand out from competitors, you can also offer free gift wrapping. You can provide this for all products and specify this in the check-out instructions mentioned above.
Or if you’d like to enable this for only specific products, you can include gift-wrapping as an add-on for each product.
Offer gift cards
Gift cards offer a perfect gift option for any customers that may be looking for quick and easy gift options. Adding such an option will relieve customers from searching for the perfect gift and will help boost sales of the store.
Highlight your limited-edition items
If your business tends to offer seasonal or limited-edition items, you can showcase those products through the new limited-edition option. Showcase those products through the new limited-edition option. You can find this option in the Inventory section for each of your products:
A limited edition will subconsciously send a message of urgency to purchase the product which will eventually contribute to boosting sales of the store.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to publish your site after enabling this option the first time. Here’s how it’ll appear on the live site:
Use Smart Ribbons to make your sales stand out
With the Smart Ribbons feature, you’re able to highlight the desired products with Bestseller and New Product tags.
To use these Smart Ribbons, you will need to ensure that you’ve selected the desired tags on any qualifying products.
Note: Keep in mind that you can only display one ribbon per product, and the On Sale category takes top priority, then Bestseller, and then New Product.
Create and share coupons
Coupons are another great way to incentivize users to buy now which boosts sales of the store. Learn more about how to create coupons.
To showcase the coupon, you can also highlight it in the promotional banner on your site.
Add an email subscription form coupled with a coupon incentive
A newsletter is a great way to connect with your consumers and provide them email promotions on new products, on-going sales, and any new worth noting. GoDaddy’s E-store makes it easy to add new subscribers to your company newsletter.
Learn more about adding an email subscription form.
To enable a coupon, simply turn on the option to enable coupons for sign-ups and customize the discount amount and message content.
3. Boost your sales by selling everywhere
Besides selling on your online stores, you may want to consider selling popular marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, etc. and social networks like Facebook, Instagram that draw billions of users every day.
GoDaddy’s E-store makes it easy for you to sell your products on all of the major marketplaces, as well as on Facebook marketplace and Instagram
Sell anywhere with GoDaddy Payments
With GoDaddy Payments, you’re able to sell in person through a retail store or physical location, book appointments over the phone or sell remotely via mobile app at farmer’s markets or pop-up events. GoDaddy has been partnering with local payment providers in the MENA region to make it easier for your customers to pay on your E-store which boosts sales as well as building trust.
Additionally, with a unified experience across online and in-store, customers can buy online and pick it up in-store, book online and pay in person, or order in-store and have it shipped to their home.
Sell on Facebook and Instagram
The use of mobile devices around the world is increasing and more people are turning to social media for finding new products to purchase, which is a great opportunity to sell products there to boost sales on the store.
With the GoDaddy E-store Facebook Commerce integration, you can upload your Online Store product catalog to Facebook and keep your inventory synced up all the time.
Once the products are on Facebook, you can create shoppable posts on Facebook and Instagram, promote a product or a collection on a Facebook Shop page or create dynamic product ad campaigns, all with a nominal budget to drive sales.
For a detailed rundown on selling your products on social media, check out our post on selling products via Facebook and Instagram.
Share your products on social media
With the GoDaddy E-store, you can easily share your products directly to multiple social media platforms.
Promoting your products on each of the different social media platforms will help increase your product visibility and can help reach potential shoppers which on its end boosts sales on the store.
Make sure to have enticing images of your products to post so that you’ll look your best on social media.
Sell on marketplaces
In addition to selling on your online store, it’s also a good idea to sell where your shoppers will likely be browsing in their free time.
With the GoDaddy E-store, you’re able to easily sell your products on multiple marketplaces at the same time.
These popular marketplaces attract high volumes of online shoppers and can be a big boost for your online sales. Having your products where the traffic is high can be a major boost to your online sales.
GoDaddy E-store also keeps your inventory synchronized across the various marketplaces, so you don’t have to worry about keeping separate sites up to date.
Ready to get started with Marketplaces on Websites + Marketing? You can use this guide to connect to Marketplaces for the first time.
List your products for sale on Google
Another way to boost sales is to list your products on Google. On Google, thanks to a deep integration, you can quickly and easily list products on Google’s Shopping channel. If someone is searching for a product using Google, your products can now appear on the shopping page.
You can also create a campaign and grow your sales by advertising your products on high traffic Google properties, like Google Search, Shopping, YouTube and more. If you’re new to advertising using Google, you can read this article to introduce you to digital marketing and advertising on Google.
4. Boost sales and engage your audience with email and social posts
To boost sales, you must stay in touch with your current customers and get them to return to your store and purchase more, this is what we call, customer retention.
The key to retaining customer interest is through active engagement with your customers. Two ways to engage with your customers are through email newsletters and social media.
Email campaigns
Websites + Marketing offers seamless integration with GoDaddy Email Marketing to help you to easily keep in touch.
An editorial calendar can be immensely helpful when planning what you’d like to send and when.
Related: Not sure where to start? We recommend this guide for creating your first newsletter in 30 minutes or less.
Social media campaigns
With a pandemic keeping people isolated, social media has increasingly become a lifeline for people wanting to stay in touch.
With GoDaddy Studio, creating a stunning social media campaign for your business is simple and allows you to make and maintain connections with your customers.
Need more information on how to create a social media campaign using Over? Check out this help guide for more information.
As with email marketing, there are some important considerations when launching a social media campaign. Here is a guide to get you started: Time-saving social media tips for business owners.
Social media campaigns
With a pandemic keeping people isolated, social media has increasingly become a lifeline for people wanting to stay in touch which makes it a great place to showcase your products.
With GoDaddy Studio, creating a stunning social media campaign for your business is simple and allows you to make and maintain connections with your customers.
Need more information on how to create a social media campaign using GoDaddy Studio? Check out this help guide for more information.
As with email marketing, there are some important considerations when launching a social media campaign. Here is a guide to get you started in advertising to generate leads.
5. Increase sales by creating a winning customer experience wherever you are
Having the ability to be flexible as a business owner is invaluable. And, despite the pandemic keeping people closer to home than normal, there are times where you need to be able to manage your business on the fly.
Here are a couple of features to help you do just that.
Support your customers via chat
With the GoDaddy E-store, you have access to a built-in chat feature for your website. This allows you to provide instant customer service and is the perfect way to respond to any questions or concerns a customer has which will solve their issues quickly which leads to increased sales on your store.
To use this feature, you’ll need to enable the Website Messaging service inside of the E-store from GoDaddy. You can view the full set of instructions on how to do that here.
A wrap: boost your sales this year and beyond
No one can fully predict what 2024 will look like for retail businesses, but it’s safe to say that ecommerce will continue to be an important feature for businesses into the future. Hopefully, these tips will help to boost your ecommerce sales into 2024 and beyond.
Ready to get your business ecommerce-ready? GoDaddy’s E-store will help you build a beautiful and functional online store in no time at all.
