Article by Cody McBride.

If you're considering entering the ecommerce field, there's never been a better time. The industry is thriving and growth is anticipated to continue, with online retail sales forecast to increase by 50% in four years. That said, there's a lot of competition in the ecommerce field right now, so you have to strategize carefully if you want to succeed.

Presented to you below by My CreativePixel, this guide explains what ecommerce entrepreneurs can do to attract and retain a loyal customer base.

Take the time to research your competition and carve out a unique brand

Your brand is what sets you apart from the competition in your field. A strong brand emphasizes your values and conveys a unique identity for your company. When building your brand, ask yourself critical queries, like what customers you want to attract, what feelings you want to incite in your clientele, and what sort of personality your brand will have. It can also be helpful to check out your competitors and see what they're doing.

Set up a website that's visually appealing and engaging

A strong website is essential to any ecommerce business' success. You want a platform that is clear, comprehensive, and easy to navigate. In addition to engaging text, it should feature clear, crisp images. If you’ve been using a DIY site up until now, it’s time to make a change. Connect with the seasoned pros at My Creative Pixel to develop and design the perfect website for your ecommerce business.

Look into affordable yet effective digital marketing techniques

Digital marketing is an affordable way for ecommerce businesses that are just getting started to attract interest. Easy options include blogging and email. Social media is another great way to reach people. Plan out your content in advance, creating calendars with the material you plan to share. When creating social media content, use the 80/20 rule, providing 80% informational posts and 20% promotional posts.

Provide unique incentives that keep customers coming back again and again

One great way to maintain customer loyalty is to reward it. Incentive programs are a positive step in the right direction. Get inspired by looking at programs that are proven to work. Sephora's Beauty Insider program and Anthropologie's AnthroPerks are two great examples. You can even do something as simple as offering customers punch cards, like "buy nine items and get the tenth for free".

Invest in a quality accounting platform for your invoicing

Setting up an invoicing system is critical for keeping track of your sales and ensuring you get paid on time. Choose invoicing software that does the heavy lifting for you. The ideal system allows you to set up automatic invoicing, and offers a payment button that makes it easy for customers to settle their bill. Of course, the best part is that a great invoicing system is really part of a larger accounting platform that can help you manage your finances to the letter.

Make sure your customer service is meeting client expectations

Happy customers will return to your business. They will also champion it, telling their friends about it. To make sure customer satisfaction is maintained, implement a comprehensive customer service system. Provide Support offers tips for enhancing customer service, such as pinpointing customer needs, respecting customers' time, and building a strong problem-resolution procedure. Having diverse customer support channels is also a plus.

Solicit feedback from your existing customers to see where you can improve

The best way to make sure your customers are happy and going to stay loyal to your company is to solicit feedback from them. Survey tools are one great way to do this. Follow best practices when implementing customer satisfaction surveys, such as using clear-cut formats and encouraging a culture of honesty.

If you're thinking of starting an ecommerce business, you've made a wise decision. The field promises great potential in terms of growth and profits. That said, attracting and retaining customers in a crowded field can be a challenge. That’s why it pays to make an effort to help your brand stand out, particularly with a stellar website and effective marketing techniques. You’ll also do well to provide incentives for customers and make customer service a priority. Proper accounting is also a must, since that’s what helps you keep track of the bottom line. It’s a lot to manage, but it’s all worth the effort if it means a successful ecommerce business.

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