eCommerce Marketing Tips for Businesses in the UK to Increase Sales

Are you excited about starting or improving your new e-commerce store, selling to clients from the UK? 

You may have picked an amazing product or designed a fantastic website. You were then ready to see customers roll in. But just maybe, your sales have been a little slower than expected.

Do not worry, building a successful online business takes more than just a launch. We will show you some simple strategies to boost your sales without getting overwhelmed. It is all about small tweaks that work together to make your online store a success! Let’s not forget, a little bit of patience is also needed. 

In this article, we will show you exactly how to put these points into action for your business. Get ready to see more traffic on your website, build trust with your audience, and turn shoppers into loyal long-term fans!

Here are 11 tips for E-commerce Marketing:

1. The Secret Weapon You Need: Building your email list

Feeling a bit overwhelmed building an email list for your store? Do not worry, it is much easier than you think. Here is why having an email list is a game-changer:

• Reach people already interested: You are connecting with customers who already like your products. No cold-calling is required here.
• Save money on ads: Skip expensive social media promotions and send deals directly to inboxes.
• Build a community: Create a space to connect with your customers, beyond just selling. The best part? People choose to hear from you, unlike impersonal ads. You also control your email list, unlike ever-changing social media platforms. 

So, how do you build this magic list? We will explore this next.

A: Popups Done Right: Capturing emails without annoying customers

Popups can be a great way to build your email list, but no one likes those annoying ones that block the entire screen! Here is the key: timing is everything.

Instead of popping up right away, you can trigger them to appear after a customer has spent some time browsing your store. This shows they are interested and more likely to want to hear from you.

Here are some examples of non-intrusive popups you can use:

Slide-in form: This appears after a visitor scrolls down halfway on the page, giving them a chance to explore before seeing the offer.

Floating bar: This small bar sits at the top of the page, staying out of the way while still being noticeable.

These options let people browse freely while giving them a chance to join your email list for special offers if they choose to. Win-win!

B: Sneak Peak This Easy Way to Grow Your List (Plus a Checkout Option!)

Looking for more ways to build your email list without being annoying? Here are two ways. 

Opt-in at checkout: This is a super convenient way to market to customers who are already interested in buying your products. Since they are entering their email address anyway, just add a checkbox to ask if they want to hear about new products and deals.

Pro tip:  Offer a discount as an incentive! A 10% off coupon can be that little push they need to complete the purchase and join your list.

Clear call to action: The words you use are important. Instead of a boring “Sign Up,” try something more exciting like “Get Exclusive Offers” or “Join the Community.” This makes it clear what they will receive by subscribing.

As you can see? Building your list does not have to be complicated. These simple methods will help you grow your audience and reach more potential customers. 

2. Level Up Your Email Marketing: Sending the right message to the right person

You have built your email list, now what? Sending the same email to everyone will not work. People are interested in different things, so personalizing your emails is the only way to proceed. 

Imagine getting emails about products you do not care about. Annoying!!!

Here is the trick:  Segment your list. This means grouping your subscribers based on what they like.  For example, if someone buys a lot of sports gear, send them emails about products based around sports. 

But how do you know what people like? That is easy. Most email providers in the UK let you ask subscribers about their interests when they sign up. You can offer checkboxes for things like:

• Product categories: Are they into fashion, home goods, or electronics?
• Deal preferences: Do they want daily discounts or exclusive offers?
• How they found you: This helps you see which marketing efforts are working best.

By segmenting your list and personalising your emails, you will send more relevant messages that people actually want to read. This means more happy customers and more sales for you!

3. Create a Buzz with Scarcity: Why customers love limited-time offers

Have you ever seen a cool product online and worried it might sell out? That feeling of “I have to get it now!” is called scarcity, and it’s a powerful marketing tool.

Here is the deal: When something seems limited, people are more likely to buy it. They do not want to miss out.

So how can you use scarcity in your store? Here are some ideas:

• Flash sales: Surprise your customers with limited-time discounts! These are perfect for clearing out old stock or generating excitement for a new product.
• Countdown timers: Tick-tock! Add a timer to your sale items to show how much time is left. This creates a sense of urgency and encourages people to buy before the deal disappears.
• Limited quantities: Let people know how many of a popular item you have left. This can spark a need to not miss out and drive sales.
• Free shipping with a twist: Offer free shipping, but only for a limited time. This incentivizes people to buy now and avoid missing the free shipping window.

Bonus tip: Use popups to highlight your scarcity offers. Keep the message clear and concise, and include a call to action like “Shop Now” or “Get This Deal.”

By using scarcity strategically, you can create a sense of urgency and excitement around your products. This can lead to more clicks, more sales, and a happier bottom line for you!

4. Shopping Cart Surprise: How upsells can benefit you

Ever add something awesome to your cart?  Would it not be amazing if stores helped you find other things you might love?

That is where upsells come in. Upsells are basically suggestions for related products that might complement the purchase.

Here is the surprise: stores that use upsells make a lot more profit. In fact, they can get up to 95% of their revenue from upsells. That is indeed a win-win, because

• The store makes more profit, and
• You might discover other cool products you did not even know you wanted!

Additionally, it is much easier to sell to someone who already likes your products.  So next time you see an upsell suggestion, do not be afraid to check it out. You might find the perfect addition to your purchase.

5. Mobile Mania: Why your store needs to be mobile-friendly

Did you know almost 40% of people shop online use their phones? That is a huge chunk of potential customers you do not want to miss.

Here is the deal;  Having a website that looks great and works smoothly on phones is crucial these days. People are shopping on the go, and if your store is clunky and slow on the mobile, they are more likely to take their business elsewhere.

The good news? Mobile shopping is getting more popular, and conversion rates (meaning people buy something) are on the rise. This means happy customers and more sales for you.

However, there is a catch: Competition is fierce. If your mobile store is a hassle to use, you will lose those customers (and their sales).

What can you do? Make sure your website is mobile-friendly. This means:

• Easy to navigate on a small screen
• Fast loading times (no one likes to wait)
• Clear buttons and text
• A smooth checkout process

By prioritizing a great mobile experience, you will tap into this growing market and keep those sales rolling in.

6. Ouch! Stop Carts From Being Abandoned (and Boost Sales)

Ever see someone fill their cart with goodies in your store, only to have them vanish before checkout? It happens to everyone. Fear not, there are ways to win them back.

The culprit of the dreaded cart abandonment? People add products to their cart but then change their minds. But why?

There are many reasons, but sometimes they just need a little nudge to complete the purchase.

Here is where exit-intent popups come in:

Imagine a friendly reminder that pops up just as someone is about to leave your store. It could offer a discount or special deal to convince them to finish their order.

For example:  “Hey there! Leaving so soon? Get 15% off your entire purchase if you complete your order now!”

These popups are super effective because they target people who are already interested in your products. They just need a little extra motivation to hit that “buy” button.

The good news? Creating exit-intent popups is easy. Getsitecontrol can help you set them up in minutes.

So stop feeling helpless about abandoned carts. Use exit-intent popups to turn those almost-sales into real sales.

7. Make a Lasting First Impression: Showcase best-selling products

Your landing page is like your shop window. It is the first thing customers see. What kind of impression do you want to make?

Here is a nice tip: Showcase your best-selling products on the front page. Why?

• Great first impression: Seeing popular items sets a positive first tone and shows people you have great products.  
• Easy shopping experience: Featured products give visitors a starting point to browse, instead of feeling overwhelmed by all your product choices.
• Proven winners: These products are popular for a reason. Let their success entice new customers to explore your store.

By featuring your best sellers, you will grab attention, make shopping easier, and get people excited about what you have to offer.

8. Turn Your Instagram Followers into Customers (Easy Tips)

Did you know you can sell directly on Instagram? If your business is approved, you can turn your Instagram account into a sales machine. Here is how:

• Shoppable Posts: Tag your products directly in your Instagram photos. This lets people tap the picture and go directly to your store, TO BUY. 
• Huge audience: With billions of monthly users, Instagram is a goldmine for reaching potential customers.

But how do you get them to stop and look?

• Eye-catching photos: High-quality images of your products are key. Showcase your products in a way that makes people want to learn more.
• Link to your store: Make it easy for people to buy what they see. Include a link in your bio or captions that directs them to your website.
• Show your feed on your website: Let people see your awesome Instagram right on your store. This keeps them engaged and reminds them of your brand.

By using these simple tips, you can turn your Instagram followers into paying customers.

9. Second Chances for Sales: How retargeting could bring back window shoppers

Have you ever noticed people browse your store but then leave without buying anything? It happens to everyone, but do not worry. There is a way to win them back. You can try re-targeting them via social media ads and Google ads. 

Here is the deal: Re-targeting lets you show ads to people who already visited your store. Imagine someone checking out a cool jacket but not buying it, for whatever reason. With retargeting, you can show them that same jacket again on social media. Maybe even with a special discount this time. 

How can you use retargeting?

• Target people who look at specific products: Show them those products again with a tempting offer.
• Reclaim abandoned carts: Did someone fill their cart and then vanish? Remind them about it and offer a bonus to complete the purchase.

The key is to stay on people’s minds and expose your brand to them as many times as possible. The more they see your store, the more likely they are to remember you and eventually will buy something. 

Guess what? Getting someone to buy once is great, but turning them into a repeat customer is even better.  Loyal customers are easier to sell to than new ones, so retargeting is a win-win. You can do it on your own or you can hire a Digital Marketing Agency like Mind and Matter. 

10. The Power of Reviews: Why do they matter to Your Business (and how to get them)

Did you know that 90% of people read online reviews before buying something? That means reviews are like magic words that can convince people to trust your store and buy your products.

So how can you leverage this review power?

• Show product ratings: Let people see what others think of your products with star ratings and reviews.
• Ask for feedback: Do not be shy. After someone makes a purchase, politely ask them to leave a review.

But reviews are not the only important thing:

• Get testimonials: These are like mini-success stories from happy customers. They talk about their overall experience shopping with you, not just one product.
• Reach out to loyal customers: Your best fans are the perfect people to ask for testimonials. Use your email list to find them.

Pro tip:  Use real names and photos with your testimonials. This adds a personal touch and makes them even more believable.

By showcasing reviews and testimonials, you build trust with new visitors and show them why your store is awesome. More trust means more sales, and that is a win-win. 

11. Make Checkout a Breeze: Offer the payment options your customers want

Nobody likes getting to the checkout and realizing they cannot pay using their preferred payment method. Avoid frustrated customers by offering a variety of payment methods, especially on mobile where people shop most of the time these days.

Here is the deal: Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are getting super popular.  Make sure you offer these options along with the classics such as PayPal, Stripe, Credit cards and Debit cards.

The key is to give your customers choices. By offering a variety of payment methods, you make checkout easier and faster, which means more happy customers and more sales for you.

Bonus tip:  Pay attention to what your customers say. If you hear complaints about missing payment options, take note and add them, if possible. Keeping your customers happy is key to success.

Conquer E-commerce with the 11 Tips above you can use.

Running an online store is tough, but it can be super rewarding too. Above are 11 practical tips to help you stand out from the crowd, win over customers, and boost your profits. 

Feeling overwhelmed? Do not worry, you are not alone. If you are new to Digital Marketing in the UK, you can try using the tips above or learn from online resources. 

Here is a shortcut: Consider hiring an e-commerce expert in the UK like Mind & Matter. We are like programming ninjas of the online sales world. We have over a decade of knowledge and experience from working with Clients around the globe. This means we have unique insights across multiple markets and know how to strategize selling a product. We can create personalized marketing strategies that fit your business perfectly.

So, take a deep breath, choose a few of these tips to try, and do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it. With a little effort, you can turn your e-commerce store into a success story.