Running an eCommerce business and being an entrepreneur can be both a rewarding but complex process that requires time, investment and effort. Whether you’re new or a seasoned eCommerce entrepreneur, you are going to face challenges at every step of your journey, no matter what you do. It’s up to you to make sure that you learn how to deal with them, and arm yourself with the right tools to keep moving forwards.
So what can you do to overcome some of the common obstacles as an eCommerce entrepreneur? Here are some evergreen strategies to overcome common challenges:
Develop a clear vision
Having a clear vision for your business is one of the most important tools to help you overcome obstacles. This includes your company’s goals, values and mission. Ask yourself why does the business exist, what are we trying to achieve and why does it matter that you achieve your aim? When you have a clear vision for where you want to go and what you want to achieve, it is easier to focus on your objectives and positive outcomes, and make decisions that align with your goals.
Understand your audience
Whether you’re launching a new product or service, understanding who your audience are is the first step towards success. Knowing your target allows you to focus your marketing efforts and minimize chances of your marketing campaign failing. Take time to research and understand your audience’s needs, preferences, and behavior. You can then tailor your marketing and sales strategies to meet those needs.
Remain agile and adaptable
The eCommerce landscape is constantly changing and many companies find it difficult to move or change quickly enough to adapt to customers’ needs. Being agile in your eCommerce approach helps you to be adaptable, open to new ideas and deliver an enhanced shopping experience that will keep customers coming back for more.
Be consistent
Brands that are consistent are more successful in building and growing their business. Being consistent can help you to build your credibility as well as reliability with your customers, especially when you’re just starting out. This will lead to a more seamless and satisfactory shopping experience for your shoppers. Maintaining a consistent level of service is also essential, ensuring that your customers always receive and expect high standards from your business, which is important for building relationships.
Build loyalty
Building a steady relationship with your customers will definitely be rewarding over time. However, building customer relationships takes both time and effort. You need to ensure customer service is always a priority for your online business and part of your loyalty strategy. Providing exceptional customer service is more likely to transform one-time purchasers to brand advocates. Engage with your customers in different ways to make them feel valued. Offer a better experience on the website with a personalized communication strategy. Respond promptly to inquiries and complaints, and make sure your customer service team is knowledgeable and ready to assist.
Personalize your store
Creating a brand identity seems simple enough, but it’s actually one of the toughest eCommerce challenges you are going to face as a business owner. You will want to make sure that you personalize your online store to reflect your company’s identity and image. What do you want people to think of when they think of your brand? It’s important that you maintain a consistent tone and brand voice on different channels, including email and social media.
Devise growth strategies
It’s challenging to figure out areas for growth and take advantage of marketing tactics, but if you are running a small business, it is important to identify areas and opportunities for growth. One of the best ways to deal with eCommerce problems is to join a few marketing groups and forums. There are many resources, such as Lazada’s own Lazada University, where you can get interesting and engaging information to gain knowledge, skills and connections that can help you overcome obstacles.
Learn from failure
The truth is, failure is inevitable. However, it doesn’t mean it’s the end. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. When you learn what doesn’t work, it is also a guide for you to improve on what works and move forward.
Entrepreneurship can be challenging, especially when you’re just starting out. Having a clear vision, adaptability, and the ability to pick yourself up when things go awry can help you to build a successful eCommerce business. As long as you don’t give up and continue to persevere, success will eventually come your way!
