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How to make more sales online - even if you don't have a website...


The world has changed and so has consumerism.

Lots of businesses are now temporarily closed and the businesses who have online systems in place are flourishing, as more consumers shop online, following governments advice to stay home.

Online shopping behaviour has changed and on a massive scale because consumers can no longer carry out their normal routines, therefore they are only buying what is essential to get them through the Coronavirus.

E-commerce as a platform has already seen an exponential growth and is expected to accelerate throughout the outbreak, and whilst businesses are being presented with many new challenges, the ones who are still active inevitability need to ask the question how best their strategies should adapt.

Retail needs to focus on home deliveries and as we have seen a surge in enquiries from small businesses without a website, or businesses without an online store on their website, we wanted to go through some of our ideas to making more sales online without a website shop.

Businesses can instead use Social Media as a selling platform.

1. Facebook

Facebook is an amazing platform and in times like this we are more grateful to stay connected. There are a number of ways you can sell on Facebook, which are:

- Facebook Groups. Find groups that are relevant to your product and share posts within them. Often groups have a large network of 1000 + members, which enables you to find more people suitable to your product. Advertise your product photo and description with a call to action on how they can order and make payment.

- Facebook Marketplace. This feature does all the hard work for you! Once you enter your product details, other members actively looking for products with your description can message you personally to arrange collection. Keep in mind the social distancing rule when they collect and encourage the buyer to make payment via BACs to avoid the handling of cash.

- Facebook Profile. At times like this do not be afraid to reach out to your personal connections and let them know what is available to them. If they are isolating at home and unable to go to the shops, they may be really appreciative that you have shared your offer. Include a call to action on how they can order and make payment.

2. eBay

eBay is a well known buy & sell platform and is more beneficial than selling via social media, because they do the marketing for you. They use their built in algorithms to get your product in front of the buyer searching for similar products. Buying via this platform is very secure and you are reaching people that wouldn't necessarily be connected to your social media.

Another advantage to selling on eBay is their customer service and peace of mind policy, which may result in a faster sale. Here you have the option to advertise delivery or p&p.

You will be charged 10% eBay fees as well as 2% Paypal fees. Additional fees will also incur if your listing is displayed as an auction or 'buy now' listing.

3. Instagram

The perfect visual platform to really show off your product. With reduced activities to do throughout the day and having more time on your hands, now is the time to focus on creating more stylish images of your product. Why not get creative with photography and lighting?! Once you upload your images, describe your product and how it benefits the Quarantine life. A lot of your potential customers will be thinking why they need this product now. Change your bio to your PayPal link so that payments can be made directly here. Encourage customers to DM you to order.

In addition to Instagram's powerful newsfeed, there is also the option to upload creative content to Instagram stories. If you are confident presenting, a video would be highly engaging and also a way of your potential customers to trust who they are buying from. If video is not your jam, then you can upload images here too with text overlay.

The tip is to have content going out daily both on the newsfeed and story, so that you are memorable.

4. Influencers

Tap into influencers who like what you sell. These guys love featuring products on their social platforms and their audience are very engaged with their promotions. Instantly your business is exposed to their following and takes you less time than it would to follow thousands of new accounts on your social media.

Usually you can offer your product free in exchange for them to promote your product on their social media, or some may ask for a fee.

These platforms are some of the ways you can generate interest and sell your products effectively, without the need to have a website.

How you approach the social selling is entirely dependent on your marketing strategy.

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