Selling online can be difficult when you're trying to make a name for your online store. It might be difficult getting new people to come without resorting to ads. Unfortunately, once they're there, sometimes they just buy once and never come back.
While it's important to get your shop visible to new people, selling to your previous customers is also important. You'll get more sales out of your most loyal customers than all your other customers, so you need to get started making them happy!
The good news is that you've already done half the work. They already bought from you! Now you just need to get them to come back.
How? Check out these sweet tips.
Tip #1 - Call Them By Their Name
Take the time to type out their names when you're talking to them on email or Messenger. Those few seconds of effort on your part can make them feel that they have a personal connection to you and your brand.
Don't just copy paste answers without some kind of personalized message. They'll love feeling like a VIP with you, and they just might make another purchase.
Tip #2 - Check In on Them After a While
If they haven't made another purchase in a while, you need to say hello. Check in on them with an interesting promotion, or a cute tip for what they purchased.
Sometimes they might have just forgotten. A short and sweet hello might be just the trick to get you in their radar again.
Tip #3 - Answer Questions Quickly and With a Smile
We know it's tiring to keep answering the same "hm" question again and again. But a friendly and quick answer to their questions can mean a purchase!
If they feel that you're not serious about entertaining their questions, they'll prefer to find another business who will. Don't lose that sale!
If keeping on top of your inquiries is getting to be a problem, look into using a chatbot like Chatbuddy. You won't have to worry about "hm" questions any more, since your chatbot will handle answering these questions for you.
Tip #4 - Choose the Right Freebie
Filipinos love freebies. So go ahead, add that freebie to your customer's package.
But make sure that the freebie is doing its job, too. Use this chance to show your new customers what other amazing products you have. Try to think about what product they'd be interested in based on what they purchased from you.
Remember: the goal is that they try your freebie and decide that they need to buy it from you, too.
Tip #5 - Give Them a Reason to Buy Again
This is where you need to roll up your sleeves and get some promotions going. We all like a good deal, and this is a great time for you to show that buying from you again is a good deal for them.
How do these deals sound?
- Free shipping on your next order
- 10% off when you purchase again
- Buy a month's supply of what you purchased for 20% off
- Better together: since you bought X, take 10% off when you buy Y now
Tip #6 - Ask How They Like Their New Purchase
After a few days when they receive their order, ask them how they like their new purchase. Ask if they have any questions about using their new item. Check in on them and assure them that you're around if they have any questions.
They'll love the feeling of being a VIP!
Tip #7 - Sell What They Will Need Next
When you're thinking of what to sell next, think about your new products in terms of what your customers will need next. If you sell pet food, why not expand into what pet owners will need when their pets give birth? And then how to train their pets?
This way, you'll slowly become the go-to shop for these people. Win-win!
Tip #8 - Make it Easy for Them to Buy Again
Make sure that it's super easy for your customers to buy from you. They might put up with a little frustration the first time around, but they'll have even less patience if they see that it's still difficult to buy from you.
Turn on online payments if you can. A speedy payment and confirmation will make them feel more assured about their order.
If they're a returning customer, why not show them their last order and ask if they want to purchase it again?
Any improvement to make their checkout process smoother is always a big plus.
Take It Slowly, But Start Now
You don't have to go out and do everything all at once. But make returning customers a priority for your store. Your brand image will benefit a lot from better relationships with your customers.
And the faster you create loyal customers, the better your sales will be. Now isn't that a great reason to get better?