Why Your Online Store Is Underperforming

This article delves into why your Shopify store might be underperforming. Common issues include lack of traffic, lack of trust, and a lack of unique selling proposition.

• A lack of traffic: New online stores often lack a loyal following, leading to low traffic and minimal sales.
• A lack of trust: Customers may be hesitant to purchase from unfamiliar websites, leading to cart abandonment due to trust issues.
• A lack of content: Engaging content like blog posts, social media updates, and PR helps highlight your product's benefits, building trust and driving organic traffic.
• A lack of USP (unique selling position): Customers respond to compelling stories and brands that differentiate themselves. A clear USP helps attract customers and increase sales.

11 Ways to Increase Sales on Shopify

This section outlines 11 effective strategies to boost your Shopify sales, addressing common issues and setting your store up for success.

1. Unintrusive Onsite Popups

Onsite popups, when used strategically, can encourage website visitors to stay and complete a purchase. They can also collect valuable email addresses for future marketing campaigns.

• Use exit-intent popups: These popups appear when visitors move their mouse to the top of the screen, often indicating an attempt to leave the website. They provide an opportunity to offer an incentive or encourage signup for your newsletter.
• Consider Just Uno: Just Uno is a popular Shopify integration that offers flexible options for customizing popups to suit your brand's needs.

2. Develop an Email List

Building an engaged email list is crucial for nurturing potential customers and driving repeat business. It allows you to target specific segments with relevant content and promotions.

• Incentivize signup: Offer discounts or free shipping to encourage visitors to provide their email addresses.
• Include an opt-in in your website footer: Make it easy for visitors to subscribe to your newsletter from any page.

3. Upsell Existing Customers

Maximizing sales from existing customers is essential for sustainable growth. Upselling encourages customers to add related products to their orders, increasing average order value without requiring additional fulfillment.

• Offer relevant products at checkout: Present customers with complementary items based on their existing purchase.
• Learn from brands like Moonpig: Moonpig effectively upsells by offering related products like flowers and teddy bears alongside cards.

4. Optimize for Mobile

Mobile commerce dominates the online shopping landscape. Optimizing your Shopify store for mobile is crucial for seamless user experience and increased sales.

• Prioritize responsive design: Ensure your website adapts flawlessly to different screen sizes and devices.
• Regularly test your mobile experience: Double-check your store's mobile-friendliness after every new product or page addition.

5. Improve Your Navigation

Clear and intuitive navigation is critical for a positive customer experience. It reduces confusion and ensures visitors can easily find the products they're looking for.

• Use a clear navigation menu: Create a menu that organizes your products into easily identifiable categories.
• Include links to essential pages: Ensure easy access to your most important pages, such as contact, about, and shipping information.

6. Test and Learn

Continuous testing and optimization are essential for maximizing your Shopify store's performance. Testing different strategies helps identify what works best for your audience.

• Experiment with call-to-action buttons: Compare different CTAs, such as "Buy Now", "Learn More", and "Click to Purchase", to see which drives the most conversions.
• Apply learnings across your website: Implement successful test results across your entire website for consistent improvements.

7. Build Customer Loyalty

Building customer loyalty is crucial for long-term success. Encourage repeat purchases and cultivate a positive relationship with your customer base.

• Establish a customer loyalty program: Reward customers for their ongoing business with points, discounts, or exclusive benefits.
• Create a community page for your brand: Foster a sense of belonging by providing a space for customers to connect, share their experiences, and engage with your brand.

8. Promote Referrals

Word-of-mouth marketing remains a powerful tool for building awareness and driving sales. Encourage customers to refer their friends and family to your Shopify store.

• Offer incentives for referrals: Reward both the referrer and the referred customer for successful referrals.
• Utilize user-generated content and influencer marketing: Leverage authentic customer testimonials and reviews to build trust and credibility.

9. Add Live Chat

Live chat provides instant support to customers, addressing their queries and concerns in real-time. It enhances customer satisfaction and reduces website exits.

• Use AI-powered chatbots: Automate responses to common inquiries, allowing your team to focus on more complex issues.
• Offer personalized assistance: Provide helpful guidance and tailored solutions to meet individual customer needs.

10. Get Physical with Your Customers

While online presence is crucial, physical interactions can create a stronger connection with your audience. Consider local pop-ups to promote your brand and engage directly with potential customers.

• Participate in local markets and fairs: Reach a targeted audience and gain valuable exposure in your community.
• Collaborate with other local businesses: Network with complementary businesses to broaden your reach and create cross-promotion opportunities.

11. Offer Free Shipping

Free shipping is a compelling incentive that can significantly increase your conversion rates. It eliminates an extra cost for customers at checkout, encouraging them to complete their purchase.

• Factor shipping costs into product pricing: Ensure profitability by incorporating shipping costs into your product prices.
• Clearly communicate shipping policies: Be transparent about shipping terms and conditions to avoid customer confusion.