Topics

  1. What Is eCommerce Marketing?
  2. Types Of eCommerce Marketing
  3. What Is The Best Marketing Strategy For Your eCommerce Business?
  4. Need a Hand? Or Maybe a Whole Team?

What is eCommerce marketing?

What types of eCommerce marketing are there, and which one works the best?

All these questions can make one's head spin.

So, let's start at the beginning.

eCommerce isn't just the way of the future anymore; it is here, and it isn't going anywhere.

Online shopping has taken over the world!

If you're one of the lucky ones and already have an eCommerce store up and running, you know this is true.

But to stay competitive and continue growing your business, you need to have a solid eCommerce marketing strategy in place. Otherwise, you'll lose against eCommerce giants like Takealot, Amazon, Superbalist, and more.

Let's explore eCommerce marketing, the types of eCommerce marketing that are available, and how you can use them to increase your online sales.

What Is eCommerce Marketing?

Marketing is marketing, right?

Not necessarily.

eCommerce marketing is a specific type of marketing that focuses on promoting and selling products or services through an online platform.

It involves using various digital marketing channels such as social media, email marketing, search engine optimisation (SEO), pay-per-click advertising (PPC), content marketing, and more to drive traffic to your eCommerce store and convert visitors into customers.

Types Of eCommerce Marketing

There are multiple eCommerce marketing platforms and strategies that you can use.

Each one has its own specific goals and tactics.

Social Media Marketing (SMM)

Social media marketing is a fantastic platform to use, especially for brand awareness and building trust.

With a variety of social media platforms to choose from, your eCommerce site can reach a vast audience.

SMM allows you to create organic content and paid advertisements through "Meta Ads". This means you can post your products on Instagram, for example, and promote them through paid advertising to reach a larger audience.

Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC)

PPC is a form of paid advertising where you pay for each click on your advertisement.

It's an excellent way to drive traffic to your eCommerce store and target specific keywords and demographics.

Google Ads is the most popular platform for PPC advertising, but as we mentioned, Meta Ads are also another effective option.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

An eCommerce store is often a complex and heavy website and can be susceptible to slow loading times, images not loading, or missing product descriptions and metadata.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a marketing strategy that aims to optimise your website's content and structure to improve its ranking on search engine result pages (SERPs). A good website that aligns with Google's recommendations will rank higher on search results, driving more traffic to your store.

Influencer Marketing

Who doesn't love to watch a video of their favourite influencer trying out a product they've never seen before?

Influencer marketing allows you to tap into the large and loyal fan base of these social media stars by partnering with them to promote your products.

This strategy is particularly effective for reaching niche markets or targeting a specific demographic. It also adds credibility to your brand, as influencers are seen as trusted sources by their followers.

Email Marketing

Email marketing may seem outdated, but it's still an incredibly effective tool for eCommerce businesses.

With email marketing, you can send personalised messages and promotions directly to your customers' inboxes, increasing engagement and driving sales.

You can also use emails to send abandoned cart reminders, exclusive discounts, and product recommendations based on previous purchases.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is not a very popular term used in South Africa yet, but eCommerce giants like Amazon and Alibaba have been using it for years.

It involves partnering with other websites or individuals who promote your products in exchange for a commission on sales.

This can be a cost-effective way to increase brand awareness and reach new audiences, as you only pay when a sale is made.

Content Marketing

What is content?

Is it just words on a page? No, it's so much more than that.

Content marketing involves creating and sharing valuable and relevant content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience.

This can include blog posts, videos, social media posts, infographics, and more.

People want to see more than just product descriptions; they want to be entertained, informed and engaged.

What Is The Best Marketing Strategy For Your eCommerce Business?

The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.

The best marketing strategy for your eCommerce business will depend on your unique products, target audience, and goals.

It is best to start with one or two strategies and then test and analyse their effectiveness before expanding.

However, an all-round marketing strategy that combines SEO, social media, paid, email, and content marketing can be a great way to reach your eCommerce marketing goals.

Also, don't forget the power of word-of-mouth marketing – happy customers are your best ambassadors!

Need a Hand? Or Maybe a Whole Team?

If you don't see results from your current marketing efforts or just haven't started yet - it's never too late to get help.

Starbright is a digital marketing agency in Pretoria that has helped numerous eCommerce businesses achieve their marketing goals.

From crafting a customised strategy to implementing and managing campaigns, we offer a full range of services to support your eCommerce marketing needs.

Partner with us today!