How You Can Utilise Your Offline Sales Techniques Online
Today’s society is driven by technology. From mobile phones to electrical gadgets, technology has fundamentally shifted the way the world operates. Take the Internet as a prime example; the majority of the 1.5 billion people online have used it to make a purchase.
Testimony to the growing popularity of online shopping, in recent times, figures have increased considerably. And there are some strong arguments as to why it is essential for businesses to have an Internet presence.
It is important to understand that there are a range of ways to get your business online, dependent on your needs and expertise. For those with the technical know-how, setting up a website, complete with payment facilities and state-of-the-art graphics is child’s play. However, for many, the initial outlay can be expensive and complicated.
So, now you have established your Internet presence, how do you effectively sell online? Many find the prospect daunting, but in reality there are a vast range of offline sales principles you can employ. According to the experts, it’s vital to follow the AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire and Action) communication model. Although techniques may vary between on and offline selling, the underlying ideology is the same.
Firstly, it’s important to get the customer’s attention. This can be achieved in a number of ways, such as advertising. And, just as you put an advertisement in a magazine, for example, you can place an online advert similarly. In fact, there are many benefits to promoting your business within an online marketplace, since it allows you to upload pictures or make use of video technology.
Once attention has been grabbed, you then need to stimulate interest, which can be done through the content of the advert. As it goes, a well thought out and creative advert that clearly offers your customers something they want can help stimulate a lot of interest. Again, similar to having promotions such as 3-for-2 deals in store, you can also offer online discounts or free online consultations to further entice the customer.
Finally, and most importantly, you need to make sure it is easy for the customer to navigate their way to the payment section, since complicated processes will turn people off. In addition, another key consideration is the layout of your web presence. Think about shops – most have been designed with ease in mind and this should be the same for your online presence. If you make it too text heavy, or impossible for customers to find things, they will simply go elsewhere!
There are many things you can to do to effectively sell online. Indeed, with a little research and some creative thinking, it doesn’t have to be difficult to generate revenue. Therefore, why not transfer some of your offline sales skills online and see what benefits you can reap?
—
Bian Salins is the Managing Editor of BT Tradespace — an online community where businesses can advertise and sell products & services and everyone has the opportunity to shop, chat and share their opinion.
