Did you realize that ecommerce sales have grown by nearly 13 percent just in the last year? One of the biggest benefits that come with running an online store is the low overhead. For years, brick and mortar retailers have seen declining sales due to the online store revolution.

If you are the owner of an ecommerce business, finding a way to create a competitive edge is a must. This is why you need to focus on constantly improving your website and the level of customer service you offer. Resting on your laurels in the ecommerce world can lead to big losses for your company.

Are you trying to find ways to improve your ecommerce business? Below are some great tips on how to make your ecommerce business venture function better.

  1. Assessing Your Current SEO Strategy

In order to have a successful online business, you have to focus on search engine marketing. Organic search is the engine that drives traffic to your ecommerce website. Failing to have an up to date and comprehensive SEO strategy in place can spell disaster for your online business.

One of the best ways to optimize your ecommerce website for search engine success is by implementing the use of popular keywords in both your page content and product descriptions. Some ecommerce business owners make the mistake of using the manufacturer’s product description on their site.

Not only will this show up as duplicate content, it may fail to provide prospective customers with relevant information. This is why you need to focus on creating your own product descriptions. These descriptions need to be both engaging and filled with keywords that consistently rank high in Google search results.

  1. Fast Turnaround Times are a Must

The modern consumer has a number of online shopping options at their disposal. One of the main things a consumer will look for when researching online stores is the cost and speed of their shipping. Most people are a bit impatient when they order items online, which is why providing them with fast and affordable shipping is a must.

Finding problems with your existing order fulfillment system is easy when using value stream mapping. This method allows you to see the customer’s journey and provides you with information on how to make your shipping and order fulfillment process more efficient. By taking advantage of this information, you can give your customers what they want and keep them loyal to your brand.

  1. Your Site Has to be Mobile Friendly

Over 50 percent of the traffic on the internet comes from people on mobile devices. This is why you have to make sure your ecommerce site is optimized for smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. Failing to do this will only alienate a large part of your audience and decrease the number of sales you are able to make to mobile users.

Generally, you can get your site optimized for mobile users by working with a reputable web developer. The money you pay these professionals for this help will pay off considering the increase in mobile sales you will experience.

  1. Offering Better Customer Service is Essential

One of the biggest concerns you need to have when attempting to take your ecommerce business to the next level is better customer service. Making sure your customer can have their questions and concerns addressed in a timely manner is a must. This is why you should think about putting a live chat feature on your ecommerce website.

Offering this feature will allow you to interface with consumers regardless of how late it is. There are a number of live chat software programs on the market, so be sure to do your research before choosing one.

  1. Showcase Your Good Reviews

Are you trying to find a way to create a sense of trust with prospective customers? One of the best ways to do this is by showcasing the reviews you have received from former customers on your website. In most cases, customers will be more than willing to give you a good review if you have consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty for them.

According to recent statistics, over 70 percent of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase. This stat alone should show you just how important it is to provide consumers with this type of information.

When trying to improve your ecommerce website, you need to also contemplate things like how to speed up the checkout process. Making your ecommerce site easy to use can also be helpful when trying to attract a wider audience. Working with a seasoned web developer is a great way to find and address any issues your ecommerce store may have.