7 Ecommerce Marketing Strategies that Help Future-Proof Your Business

Why do you need an ecommerce marketing strategy? The ecommerce industry continues to grow exponentially on a yearly basis. Year over year, growth in the online storefront space makes it one of the most rapidly expanding industries.

In 2021, ecommerce sales reached a total of a near-5 trillion US dollars worldwide, a figure projected to increase 50% in the next five years.

Over 50% of all internet users make a weekly online purchase, with the two most common product lines being fashion and consumer electronics.

On average, China alone can generate a whopping $350 billion in online revenue, strictly by utilizing social media to market products.

Suffice to say, ecommerce isn’t going anywhere. It’s important that business owners, executives, administrators and anyone involved in marketing understand how to future-proof an online business.

What is future-proofing Ecommerce Marketing

Future-proofing your ecommerce venture means keeping up with competition, personalizing marketing and finding new ways to foster long-term relationships with consumers.

In this article, we’re going to outline a number of concrete ecommerce strategies, to help you future-proof your business no matter the challenges you face today or in the future.

What is ecommerce marketing?

Ecommerce — sometimes also called internet commerce or electronic commerce — refers to a digital business model where items and services are sold and bought online using electronic money transfers.

Every single time a customer clicks “Place Order,” they directly contribute to the remarkable world that is the ecommerce economy.

Sometimes, Ecommerce can serve as a total substitute for physical store locations. In other cases, ecommerce stores supplement a brand’s in-person storefronts. Typically, ecommerce stores are accessible through a mobile or desktop device.

Examples of ecommerce storefronts include retail, dropshipping, subscriptions, physical or digital products, processional services and wholesale transactions. Today, it isn’t at all uncommon for entrepreneurs and influencers to offer a variety of these ecommerce forms under a personal  or professional brand.

Why is ecommerce important?

So often, we take for granted our ability to make purchases online at the click of a button. Many consumers forget that this technological advancement has changed our lives and our world forever.

Ecommerce marketing is important for many different reasons:

• Reduces “maintenance” costs for your business;
• Targets a broader clientele and enables global expansion;
• Requires less overhead and far less risk than conventional startup ventures;
• Allows for passive income and 24/7 store operations;
• Provides easier, more convenient buying options.

To keep your online business ahead of the curve, you’ll need an actual ecommerce marketing approach to drive success.

Implementing proven ecommerce strategies can help your business grow, keep pace with competition and drive informed conclusions about key demographics.

Top ecommerce marketing strategies for future-proofing your storefront

No business is above future-proofing. Whether your company is a century old or a day old, it’s important to prepare your business for change before change occurs.

Appropriately future-proofing your business means anticipating “what if” scenarios and implementing strategies that help your organization adapt to market shifts.

Reference seven proven, future-proofing strategies below — to help your company achieve success in the face of your evolving market.

1. Be personal, not disturbing

There’s a sort of paradox when it comes to how consumers feel about targeted advertisements, or personal marketing strategies. Typically, customers remain reluctant to share information online; at the same time, people strangely resonate very well to personalized offers and recommendations.

One of the keys to a successful marketing strategy is the responsible management of personal data, to keep customers comfortable — even excited — when they experience curated,relevant offers.

Above all, make sure that you don’t make your customers feel violated or over-exposed by the customized content they receive online.

Learn how to personalize your ecommerce store in a way that makes your viewer say “that’s me!” without feeling like you were spying on them. Finding this perfect balance will enhance both customer satisfaction and loyalty.

2. Develop a social media presence for ecommerce marketing

Social media is arguably the most important platform for businesses looking to interface personally with customers. As an ecommerce brand, you can leverage your social media real estate in ways that keep customers informed, engaged and eager to try new and existing product offerings.

Social media is not only an excellent way to connect with your audience — for general bonding, trust-building and market research — it’s also a great way to generate traffic to your website or store.

3. Prioritize long-term relationships over one-click customers

There is no substitute for brand loyalty; you either have it or you don’t. In the age of instant gratification, many sellers and consumers are so hooked on the thrill of new brands, new sales and new customers; they’ve all but rejected the concept of developing a relationship with your customers.

Still, a happy customer who trusts you is a customer you don’t have to convince to repeatedly buy from you. A brand new customer requires far more convincing, a sometimes extensive nurture process that might not even result in a sale.

Treat every customer like your very first, prove your quality and build brand loyalty to keep all customers returning for more.

4. Integrate voice search-ability

Siri, Alexa and Google are common household names for one distinct reason: convenience. Why take the time to grab a piece of paper and a pen to write what you’re thinking, when you could just… ask Alexa?

Voice search is still a relatively new development in the realm of technology, so it’s not a feature you have to worry about integrating into your website or shop as soon as possible. Still, as voice search grows in popularity, integrating voice search capabilities for your website should certainly remain on your list of priorities.

5. Practice sustainable ecommerce

Sustainable, eco-friendly operations aren’t always as expensive or convenient as conventional methods. That’s besides the point. Today, the world is rapidly developing a much more conscious approach to resource use.

Consumers actually stop to consider your efforts toward sustainability, before making a purchase. Non-sustainable brands are boycotted, just as often as environmentally sustainable brands are embraced.

Do yourself — and our planet — a favor, and begin implementing sustainable practices better for our planet, and your wallet.

6. Execute an omni-channel marketing strategy

Gone are the days when it was enough to have a one-channel strategy. Today, ecommerce experts recommend that you saturate as many channels as possible — social media, blogs, video platforms, email marketing, mobile applications, even physical marketplaces.

Make sure that you establish a presence wherever your consumers spend time, particularly if there are destinations where your customers go to learn or network.

7. Continually optimize your ecommerce marketing store

Even experienced marketers often look at ecommerce like a one-and-done business model. They choose one product, one audience, one method of marketing and one transaction type; while there’s nothing wrong with a strong focus, realize that customers, strategies and industries change regularly.

Even if your products or services don’t change on a weekly basis, your consumers are always changing. They’re visiting new websites, using new terminology and interacting with digital touchpoints in new ways.

In order to provide the best experience possible for your users, you have to consistently analyze, enhance and optimize your online storefront. This is how you keep your clients happy: shifting with them when their preferences change, and adapting to new needs.

Your future in ecommerce marketing starts today

The future of ecommerce is bright — and you can make it brighter.

The world of ecommerce marketing is made better with every new voice, every new contributor. That’s why we created an online course to help you truly future-proof your ecommerce business. Make sure you’re prepared to help your business thrive, not just survive, with every new market trend or change.

Our mentor-led programs are designed to help goal-driven professionals like yourself achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself, by empowering you with a deep ecommerce skillset. Master industry best practices, experience substantial growth and work to future-proof your ecommerce business, no matter your market.

Connect with our Admissions team today to discover everything that our Ecommerce Training Bootcamp can help you accomplish.