Myths and Misconceptions About e-Commerce

The e-commerce industry is only a few decades old, and new technology continues to give consumers unique ways to buy products and services online.
As e-commerce has evolved, several myths and misconceptions have formed about the industry.

Here’s a look at three e-commerce myths you might believe are true:

Traffic Drives Itself

The site is live, you love the look, and now it’s time for the inventory to fly off the digital shelves, right? This assumption is far too common in today’s e-commerce world. Just because you can create a site within 24 hours doesn’t mean you can drive traffic to it as quickly as you created it.

Getting on the first page of a Google search is challenging and will require some work. You’ll have to focus on search engine optimization (SEO) to ensure your website ranks high in search results.

Content marketing can also help drive traffic. The more you populate your site with great content, the higher you climb on the search engine ladder. Patience is required with content marketing. It doesn’t offer instant gratification; it’s a cumulative effect that nets results over time.

The same can be said for buying online ads as part of a search engine marketing (SEM) tactic. It’s a long-term approach to increase website traffic.

It’s All About the Products

Sometimes a product alone can be the reason a company is successful — but that’s pretty rare.

Great products can’t engage with customers or build trust. To make sales via e-commerce, you have to define your audience, understand what they need, and work to make your website an accommodating shopping experience for them.

Yes, you need a great product — but you have to build relationships with customers to move your products.

All e-Commerce Platforms Are the Same

E-commerce sites are not one-size-fits-all. They have similar functionality, with a shopping cart and a checkout process, but every online business should work to create a unique experience.

If you run an e-commerce store, collect feedback on the usability of your website to make sure customers can easily shop and check out with a few clicks.

Customer service sets e-commerce sites apart too. Make sure customers have multiple ways to get help, ensure hassle-free returns, and follow up with customers after the purchase to see how they like the product.

Creating a profitable e-commerce business is about establishing and maintaining an online presence with a foundation of trust. If you need help attracting and converting visitors, reach out to a marketing agency and put a plan in place.