One of the greatest advantages of the digital age is its ability to put money in your pocket, or even more your bank account. From Jumia to OLX, there are thousands of examples that show how e-commerce opens up a whole new world for your business.

Be known for a particular product
Websites like ebay.com and alibaba.com offer buying and selling functionalities where customers can buy or and sell items. This type of e-commerce is called Business to business, B2B. Other websites like slot.ng offer ‘buy-only’ functionality where customers can only shop for mobile phones and other gadgets on the site. e-commerce sites often specialize on a particular type of service or products. Ebay.com for example specialize on offering it’s users the opportunity to trade-in their used items. If you have a used phone one of the best place you can re-sell it online quickly is ebay.com.

Identify your selling point
Most e-commerce sites have a niche product or service they offer.  You should ensure you have one thing that differentiates you from others. To have customers shop at your online store, ensure you have one thing they will always come to your store for. Have a good customer service, and make sure you have a refund policy whereby you allow customers to return an item that they bought but which didn’t meet their requirements. Make sure you state clearly on your website what your refund policies are. Customers to know under what conditions goods can be returned after purchase.

Go the extra mile
To make sure your store stays on top of the game make sure you have product available at all time, offer special incentives like coupons, Christmas offers, or other offers whenever there special holidays or festivities.

Create awareness
It is advised you open an account for your online store on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google plus, LinkedIn. All these social sites allow you to pay to promote your brand or site to it’s members. advertising your product you have to create a targeted campaign by selecting the demography (age, gender) of the people you want to see your advert. If using Google you can even choose the behavior of your potential customers. Example, you can target what your potential customers search on the internet. You can also choose the geography (location) you want your customers to come from. You can choose to advertise your goods or services to Nigerian only.

Use Cash On Delivery Service
In countries like Nigeria where e-commerce is fairly new it’s advisable you also add an option for your customers to pay cash on delivery COD.  Do make sure you have a method of verifying a genuine customer before embarking on COD sales.

After Sales Services
When marketing online it’s advisable you have a physical address where you can offer after sales service. One of the reason slot.ng remains the best mobile phone store in Nigeria is because they have a physical office address all over Nigeria where customers can walk in after sales  and have SLOT staff attend to them should they want to replace or repair their gadgets. Even after the sale is made, be sure to keep in touch with customers. Customers love the fact  they can talk to someone, if and when the need arises. Also, a robust web host is highly recommended. When purchasing a domain for your e-commerce site make sure to host your website with a reliable web hosting provider.

— NIGER AZU.
Online Marketing Specialist