Digital channels to boost your business sales
Use digital channels to connect with your customer and increase your business sales.
All brands seek to be noticed by consumers, making a constant effort to maintain their presence in the market. In this scenario, the Internet is a great window in which you can showcase your brand, connect with your consumer and boost your sales.
According to the study Current state of digitalization of Spanish small businesses and self-employed – 2021 by GoDaddy, the leading global domain registration company, more than 90% of Spanish small businesses agree that having a website improves the visibility of their business. Businesses are beginning not only to establish online sales channels to boost their sales, but also to diversify their communication through the different channels that digitalisation has made available to them.
The relationship between companies and customers has changed: brands seek out and interact with the consumer.
The relationship between businesses and consumers has changed. Businesses no longer wait for the customer to contact them, but are now looking to be present where the consumer is and promote that interaction.
Below, we tell you about the different digital channels through which you can boost sales in your small business.
- Your own digital channels
Let's start by talking about the channels that you can manage autonomously. Firstly, we find your website, an indispensable tool whether you have an online shop or if it is simply a space for information about the products you sell. Most customers, before making a purchase, visit the seller's website in search of information, reviews and, above all, reliability and trust. The online channel has led to the emergence of new purchasing models, such as the ROPO effect (search online, buy offline) or showrooming (looking at the product in physical shops but buying it online for a lower price). These changes in behaviour reinforce the importance of a website design that conveys transparency and credibility, understanding your customer's needs and meeting them. Incorporate a section where they can contact you and a frequently asked questions area so they can resolve any doubts they may have.
The e-mail channel has gained momentum in recent years, as it is one of the channels that provides the highest return on investment: $42 for every dollar invested, according to the article Email Marketing: Still The Most Powerful Tool To Take Your Business To The Next Level, published by Forbes. This channel allows you to offer personalised and, in many cases, automated information to your customers, such as an e-mail with a summary of their purchase or recommended products based on their preferences. It also boosts loyalty, as you can continue to maintain contact with your customer by promoting future transactions.
You can also create a blog where you can share different aspects of your shop or your products. There you can tell the story of your shop, the details of each product and the different ways to use it. Listen to your customer, find out what content they are interested in and offer it to them to attract their attention and strengthen the bond.
- Social media
Social networks have provided your business with a space where you can easily contact your customers and potential customers. According to Digital 2021 April Global Statshot Report, prepared by Hootsuite, a platform specialised in social networks, and We Are Social, an advertising agency, in April 2021 social networks had 4.3 billion users globally. This number is continuously growing, so having a consolidated presence on these platforms provides a wide range of opportunities for your SME.
According to IAB Spain's Top Digital Trends 2021 study, niche social networks such as Twich, Tik Tok and Clubhouse continue to emerge, although Facebook and Instagram are still the leading platforms in terms of the number of active users. Find out which social network is your client's favourite and consolidate your presence on it. You will be able to create dynamic content in a multitude of formats and even sell through the platform itself. You will increase your visibility, strengthen your relationship with your customers and boost your sales.
- Presence on marketplaces
You can choose to have your own online shop, although if you want to boost your sales, having a presence in other marketplaces can help you. According to Statista, Amazon is the marketplace with the highest penetration in Spain, followed by AliExpress and eBay. Many of these platforms have become the new search engines for products, so appearing among their results can be a great competitive advantage for your business.
- Other digital channels
A good positioning in search engines is essential for customers to find your business when they search. You can appear among the first results through different digital marketing techniques, the most commonly used are SEO and SEM. By combining both, you will be able to boost the visibility, notoriety and brand image of your business.
It is also important that you use Google My Business, so that your customer has quick access to your location, reviews, contact phone number and website. It is a very effective tool to drive traffic from the search engine to your website and to interact with all those customers who have decided to leave a comment or suggestion.
All of these channels will allow you to engage with your customer and improve your sales. Don't forget to keep up to date with emerging trends such as communication automation and the introduction of virtual assistants and chatbots on websites to provide a more satisfying user experience. Digital channels mean new growth opportunities for your business, don't miss out!