I realize that home business are small and are on limited budgets.
You probably don't have dedicated customer service reps to answer the phone. I also realize that many online stores are operated as part-time endeavors in the hope that some day they will take over supporting the family on their own.
In order to boost your sales and have your business support you, you'll need to project a big company or big store image as much as you can possibly afford to.
I sometimes visit online stores that don't even have a phone number published anywhere on the website. A number of your online shoppers might rather look for merchandise online and then call and place an order by phone. All of those shoppers are being lost to competitors when there is no phone number to call. Even if the call goes into voice mail, most of your customers will leave a message for you to get back to them. "All of our representatives are currently assisting other customers" goes a long way to projecting a big store image compared to a phone that rings off the hook or worse yet, an online shop with no phone number.
Keep in mind that online merchants - especially those without a brick and mortar presence - are asking their customers to take a leap of faith to make a purchase. Don't make that leap insurmountable.
What if your customer has a question? Wouldn't you want to allay any fears your customers might have so they'll go ahead and make a purchase from you instead of having them go elsewhere to shop (and buy)?
Is your product or service really so unique that you don't have any competitors? In that case, they're likely to just do without.
More Website Conversion Tips in this Series
- Conversion Tip 1: Use your return policies to convert visitors to customers
- Conversion Tip 2: Offer multiple payment options to attract more buyers
- Conversion Tip 4: Offer a toll-free number and make it visible
- Conversion Tip 5: Be your own mystery shopper
- Conversion Tip 6: Make your site secure and make it known
- Conversion Tip 7: Visit your competitors sites often
- Conversion Tip 8: Solicit and welcome feedback
- Conversion Tip 9: Offer special discounts and promote them heavily