eCommerce for Service-Based Businesses

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As a service-based business, you may be wondering if eCommerce is right for you. The answer is a resounding YES!

Implementing an eCommerce platform can take your business to the next level by increasing your online visibility, and improving customer satisfaction.

By taking the time to research and plan your growth strategy for your service-based business, you can make the transition to eCommerce seamlessly and reap the benefits in no time. Let’s explore how eCommerce can help you achieve your business goals.

What is eCommerce?

First thing’s first – let’s define eCommerce. eCommerce, or electronic commerce, is the buying and selling of goods and services online. eCommerce has been growing steadily for years, and today it’s a $4.2 trillion global industry.

And with the COVID-19 pandemic, users’ behaviour has changed, resulting in a significant acceleration in eCommerce activity. In fact, eCommerce sales have increased by 55% in the United States during the pandemic.

Can a service be listed on an eCommerce platform?

The answer is yes! eCommerce platforms are not just for businesses that sell physical products – they can be used by service-based businesses as well. In fact, eCommerce can be a great solution for service-based businesses, as it offers a number of advantages and opportunities for growth.

Here is some example of service businesses that have made the transition to eCommerce:

Business services: Web design, marketing, consulting, etc.

Home services: House cleaning, laundry, pet sitting, etc.

Health and beauty services: Haircuts, manicures, massages, etc.

Personal services: Tutoring, resume writing, personal shopping, etc.

eCommerce can be used by businesses of all types and sizes. And with the right eCommerce platform and strategy in place, your service-based business can thrive online.

Now that we know the basics, let’s explore the benefits eCommerce can bring to your service-based business.

eCommerce store demonstration to show the difference between BigCommerce and WooCommerce

The Benefits: Why should your service-based business use eCommerce?

There are many reasons why eCommerce is a great option for service-based businesses. Here are just a few of the benefits eCommerce can help you grow your business:

1. Increased Visibility

By putting your service-based business online, you’ll be able to reach a wider audience of potential customers. eCommerce provides you with an opportunity to showcase your services to a global marketplace.

2. Improved Customer Satisfaction

When you implement eCommerce, you’ll be able to provide your customers with a better overall experience. eCommerce platforms are designed to be user-friendly, so your customers will be able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.

A better customer experience leads to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty – two things that are essential for any business looking to grow.

3. Cost transparency for your customers

Cost transparency can help you win your customers’ trust. When customers can see the prices of your services up front, they’ll be more likely to do business with you.

4. Increased efficiency

You’ll be able to automate many of your business processes, such as billing and invoicing. If you provide a subscription-based service, you can set up automatic payments which will save you time and hassle. Most eCommerce platforms also give you the ability to track your schedule in real-time.

5. To be able to offer a variety of payment options

eCommerce provides you with the ability to offer a variety of payment options to your customers. Your customers can pay with credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, mobile wallets, bank transfers, and more.

6. Collect potential sales leads for remarketing

When potential customers visit your eCommerce site, you can segment them based on their behavior and use this information for remarketing purposes. For example, if you see that a customer has visited your site but didn’t purchase anything, you can send them a targeted email with a special offer to try and close the sale.

Or you can collect their contact information by offering a free e-book or white paper in exchange for their email address. Then you can add them to your marketing list and continue building a relationship with them until they’re ready to buy.

As we’ve now explored the benefits of eCommerce for service-based businesses, let’s take a look at how to choose the right eCommerce platform.

Online store illustration on website or mobile application

Choosing the Right eCommerce Platform for a Service-Based Business

There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing an eCommerce platform for your service-based business:

Your budget: eCommerce CMSs can range in price from free to several thousand dollars per month. It’s important to choose a platform that fits within your budget.

The type of services you sell and the features you need: eCommerce platforms can be used to sell physical products, digital products, or services. If you sell services, you’ll want to make sure the platform you choose has features that are specific to service businesses, such as scheduling, delivering tangible outcomes of your service, managing appointments, invoicing, and automatic payments.

The level of customization you require: eCommerce storefronts can be customized to a certain degree. If you have specific design requirements or need to integrate with other business systems, you’ll want to choose a platform that offers a high level of customization.

Your tech skills: Some eCommerce platforms are easier to use than others. If you don’t have much experience with website design or coding, you’ll want to choose a platform that’s user-friendly and doesn’t require any technical skills.

The platforms your competitors are using: It can be helpful to see what eCommerce platforms your competitors are using. This will give you an idea of what’s popular in your industry and what features you should look for.

When you’re looking at eCommerce platforms, be sure to take a free trial or demo to get a feel for how the platform works. This will help you determine if the platform is a good fit for your business.

I personally recommend using a free eCommerce platform such as WooCommerce to start with. Once you have a feel for how the platform works and your business starts to grow, you can upgrade to a paid eCommerce platform or start using paid add-ons if you need.

But still, don’t forget to check our eCommerce CMS reviews to get an unbiased opinion on the various platforms such as WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Shopify.

Takeaway

If you’re a service-based business, eCommerce can be a great way to grow your business as it provides a number of benefits.

When choosing an eCommerce platform, be sure to keep your budget, the type of services you sell, and the level of customization you require in mind. I recommend taking a free trial or demo of the platform before making a final decision.

Get started with eCommerce today and see how it can help you grow your business!

Duda Website Builder

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Emir E.
Emir E.
I've been working in the digital marketing space since 2012. My main focus is SEO consulting, helping businesses improve their search engine rankings and drive more website traffic.