Between 2017 and 2019, the number of online buyers in Nigeria increased steadily. In 2019, the number of shoppers reached 76.6 million, out of a population of over 200 million people. The statistics of this shows that between 2020-2021, a heighten chance of expanding to 89.9 million is possible showing the presence of multiple online stores and an array of their goods and services sort after and bought by persons in Nigeria.
eCommerce is one of the useful tools needed for startups. If properly utilised, startups can expand the already growing online business venture. Although, lately, it has been faced with a lot of challenges as a result of its poor conduct by startups on the internet, there are ways to avoid some of these mistakes and grow the business.
Enumerated below are the common mistakes made by startup owners (otherwise known as either online marketers/online vendors) that should be avoided:
1. The use of context “DM for more details”
2. The sentence, “It is very affordable”
3. Referring to clients as “dear”
4. Little or no apologies for delays
5. Lack of product information
6. No proper contact point
7. Less interactivity between seller and customer
8. The absence of brand storytelling
1. The Use Of Context “DM For More Details”
Personally, I’m not one to consider you as a serious businessman once your post carries these four words. Your inbox is a private place, agreed, but what if you give the price accompanying your post? This gives a certain sense of validity to what you wish to sell.
Read Also: Why “DM for price” is killing your Online Business here
2. The Sentence, “It Is Very Affordable”What gives online vendors that their goods and services are very affordable? Is it as a result of past sales? Or present day network of clients? Your client is one to determine whether or not a particular good or service is very affordable to his pocket, not you indicating so.
3. Referring To Clients As “Dear”
Courtesy is a very quintessential ingredient in opening doors to business but the need to overstress its worthiness can leave you vulnerable to loosing a potential client. The term “dear” may seem or sound nice, cordial, warm and welcoming but a certain sense of professionalism is needed.
4. Little Or No Apologies For Delays
One of the mistakes to avoid is not to have a delay. Also, apologising for it can soften a provocative heart. Apologise if a certain occurrence has happened and preferably add a little benefit to win back your client.
5. Lack Of Product Information
Your product which is on display should have a proper product information. If it is a bag, kindly indicate the make, the quality and price. If it is a shirt, what colours are available, what sizes are ready and how can pickup or delivery be made.
6. No Proper Contact Point
Your address (contact point) is a key factor in the business world. How can people reach you? Via what network or location? Are your mobile numbers displayed functioning? A proper contact point gives a sense of seriousness to whosoever that wishes to patronise you. If you’re making great use of a social networking or instant messaging application, kindly indicate it in your posts.
7. Less Interactivity Between Sellers And Customer
How does one build trust if there are no forms of communication? Many sellers are tagged with a sense of “pride” owing to the facts that after their DM have been met with a customer’s message, they tend to leave such individual unattended to, which is wrong. There should be a sort of mutual interaction between both parties whether or not the first business activity was successful or not. He/she is your number one interest priority and can be your chief promoter if properly communicated to and well served.
8. The Absence Of Brand StorytellingTell a story. A good, credible one. Invite the brand storytelling with past testimonies or a common element that’s relatable to your desired target audience. Many startups tell no stories. They’re not communicating to their primary audience, hence, a drop in patronage.
The eight mistakes are the most notable judging by experiences from people who have either patronised or wished to patronise a startup online. They should be avoided and if done, properly corrected.
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