The forecasts are in and analysts are expecting a consumer spending boom in the post-pandemic period. As vaccination efforts increase and lockdown restrictions are eased in more and more regions, consumers are returning to pre-pandemic activities and routines. Are you prepared to meet your customers in the post-pandemic rush? Here are 4 eCommerce strategies to get you started.
Offline Interaction
Consumers are expected to flock to physical stores. At the same time, the pandemic rise in eCommerce means customers are more accustomed than ever to discover and learn about products using online channels. As a result, the expected rise in brick-and-mortar visits in the post-pandemic period will mean more visits to your online store as well. To bridge the gap, it’s a good time to finesse and update your product pages with detailed descriptions and imagery that captures the attention of your customer. A site update is especially advisable for businesses that operate online only, to differentiate themselves from brick-and-mortar competitors. Ultimately, businesses should strive for a cohesive experience for customers across all portals – both online and in-store – to achieve success.
Online Presence
With predictions that eCommerce penetration will increase by 25-40%, there’s no question that digital channels must appeal to modern consumers. These days, that means using agile, adaptive technology that responds to individual customer needs, and making the most out of modern marketing techniques. More and more businesses are improving their online presence and enhancing the experience for site visitors by implementing mobile shopping apps and chatbots that assist with product and purchasing decisions. The objective is to create a seamless and immersive omnichannel journey for your shopper that’s accessible, efficient and convenient. If your store has a physical presence as well, that all-important consumer journey should flow between digital and physical channels.
Fast and Affordable Shipping
Supply chain and logistics challenges during the pandemic often left customer orders late or unfulfilled. The COVID-19 situation was unprecedented, and many customers were forgiving – but that’s rapidly changing. As businesses recover and return to normal operations, the pandemic ceases to be a reasonable excuse for late delivery. Geographical location has simply become less relevant to many shoppers and the pandemic rise in eCommerce has helped make delivery the cornerstone of the consumer experience. If they haven’t already, businesses need to strategize ways to shorten the wait between the customer pressing “Buy” and opening that package at home. If a free shipping model is not an option, shipping costs should be transparent and affordable.
Companies also need to plan for the growing customer preference for making purchases online and picking up in-store or curbside. In fact, 37% of consumers say they intend to do more of this in the future. That might mean exploring last-mile approaches such as dark stores. Big chains like Best Buy and Kohl’s are already making the most out of the shift and their existing resources by using their stores as fulfillment centers.
Social Media as a Primary Engagement Strategy
The use of social media for brand engagement was on the rise even before COVID-19, but the pandemic amplified and accelerated the need. Businesses are exploring new modes of virtual engagement and implementing social media marketing to expand their brand beyond their sales platforms and into the social space. It’s an excellent way to reach existing customers, get feedback, share promotions and communicate values and brand image – and direct customers back to your sales portals. If your business doesn’t already leverage these channels, it’s a good time to start, since social media channels reward presence and consistency.
You may already know OTT Pay as a leading payment provider of Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay in Canada. OTT Pay also offers a range of marketing services to businesses that can help you prepare for the post-pandemic period. To learn more about our service offerings, click [here]. Get in touch with OTT Pay to get started!