The events of 2020 have seen many high street stores close temporarily, and disruption in the market has driven a surge in ecommerce in the UK. A switch to selling online has been a change that has allowed many retailers to continue to trade with their customers and suppliers in a time that has made face to face commerce very difficult. A vital lifeline for many businesses, trading online does also come with its own set of challenges, especially for those having to adopt it rapidly.
Aside from location, one of the main differences between high street shopping and trading online is that retailers have to rely on couriers and postal services to deliver their goods to buyers. This is a logistical element that can be mystifying for retailers looking to begin trading online; there are plenty of things to consider such as insurance, which couriers are reliable and good value for money, and how goods can be properly packaged and protected in transit.
One of the most popular ways to sell online is to invest in an ecommerce website, or provide an online catalogue which people can then find contact details from to make their purchase through mail order systems. Websites can be incredibly expensive, with custom builds often reaching costs of multiple thousands of pounds. Of course, there are cheaper options, many of which are quite DIY, which give you a basic yet functional site, but in a saturated market these can be easily lost among the competition.
If you choose to go for a website then be aware of the costs involved in building and maintaining it, and if you intend to use it in the long term, definitely consider choosing a custom built site that can grow with your business. For a cheaper alternative, you can try selling online via social media.
A truly modern option, many brands have found great success in selling through social media. Paid and organic posts are great ways to connect with your customers and are one of the best places to showcase your products. Be sure to include strong branding on your profiles and on your packaging such as postal boxes and gift bags.
Online marketplaces like Etsy can be a great way to set up shop online and start taking those all important orders. These are particularly useful as you do not need to invest in a website or social media management for your page, just create your branded storefront and start listing your items. Marketplaces like these do have fees associated with them, but they do tend to be low giving online sellers good value for money.
Content management systems help you to keep track of all your orders so they are always sent out on time. Every online retailer wants their goods to arrive with the buyer in perfect condition in a way that reflects positively on the brand. The packaging you choose, therefore, really does matter so spend some time thinking about how you can keep the goods protected in transit. Spend some time researching the various packaging options on the market, and don’t be afraid to ask wholesalers to provide you with samples of their packaging products.
Strong cardboard is one of the best and most budget friendly ways to package your wares for delivery. Most kinds can be recycled by the recipient, making them very easy to dispose of for most households, and they can be printed and designed any way you would like to match your brand’s personality. The right packaging gives your customers the assurance that they are buying from a brand that cares and wants their products to be enjoyed. It is a great opportunity to add those thoughtful finishing touches too.
If your brand is sustainable, make sure your packaging is too and opt for recyclable packing materials such as shredded paper, cardboard, hemp fibres and bioplastics. Many consumers are looking to decrease their environmental impacts when they shop, so this can also be a great unique selling point that resonates with potential customers, encouraging them to choose your product over ones that don’t meet their personal ethos so well.