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Top Reasons Customers Don’t Buy Online

April 13, 2021 /

reasons customers don't buy onlineWant to know the top reasons customers don’t buy online?

Do you ever wonder why visitors to your site don’t buy? According to a 2021 survey by Bizreel, the top factors in making a purchase from a website are:

  • Price (89%)
  • Brand (57%)
  • Delivery Method (49%)
  • Return Policy (49%)
  • Shop Reviews (47%)
  • Refund Policy (44%)
  • Business Age (11%)
  • Other (3%)
If Price is the Reason

If you think price might be the reason you are not selling, then you need to take a look at your top competitors and compare prices. Then, before you lower your prices, try a sale that brings your price down to what your competitors are charging, if your profit margins allow for this. Then you will be able to tell for sure, and decide if you need to make changes in order to be able to afford charging the lower price.

If Brand is the Reason

If you think that customers are not confident in your brand, then include your brand story in every listing description. Indicate how long you have been in business, how much you have sold, good customers reviews and so forth. I can write an effective Brand Story for you.

If Delivery is the Reason

A lot of customers expect next day delivery, due to Amazon offering this. However, if you cannot deliver faster, simply be honest with customers so that there are no wrong expectations.

If Return Policy is the Reason

If you do not allow returns, just indicate why. Customers will be understanding. But if you do not indicate why, and just say “No Returns”, it seems harsh and suspicious.

If Shop Reviews is the Reason

If your reviews are not good, you have to do something to fix them going forward. So listen to what customers complained about, make the changes, and indicate you have done so. If you have great reviews, move them to the forefront of your website and mention in your listings.

If Shop Refund Policy is the Reason

If you have no refund policy, that is definitely a game breaker with customers. So always mention what yours is, even if you do not offer refunds, but state why.

If Business Age is the Reason

Again, that can be spun into an effective Brand Story. I can write an effective Brand Story for you.

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About Me

A 20+ year marketing professional, small business consultant, ebook author & blogger, my advice has been featured in the NY Times, Success Magazine, American Express, Big Commerce, Business2Community to name a few – so this is professional advice you can trust!

I have consulted for thousands of small businesses since 2012. It really does help to talk to someone who is objective to get a new, but professional, perspective. I have also written publicity pitches for clients that resulted in them being featured in Real Simple Magazine, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, Vanity Fair, Houzz, Martha Stewart, Glamour Magazine, LONNY, DesignMilk, Emmaline Bride,– just to name a few.

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© 2021 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. Reasons Customers Don’t Buy Online

Marketing Plan Template Example

March 12, 2021 /

Marketing Plan Template Example

If you need a marketing plan template example, my 12-Month Small Business Marketing Plans can help.

I came up with my 12-Month Marketing Plans for small businesses, as a way to inspire you with my easy, proven and sometimes out-of-the-box tactics, so you can effectively market and promote your business – especially if you have little marketing experience and a limited budget.

Marketing Tactics That Really Work

Now, I have been in marketing a looong time. I can tell you first hand that the three most effective forms of marketing, in terms of actually generating sales, are:

  • SEO
  • Advertising
  • Email Marketinglife coach marketing plan template example pdf

Again, I am talking about generating sales, and agreed, this could vary depending on the type of business.

If you are just looking to create brand awareness, then Social Media definitely plays a bigger role. But, as I have proven in past blog posts, both social media and “influencer” marketing does not always result in sales (see my post: Proof that Social Media Mentions Don’t Always Results in Big Sales).

I am also a big believer in free Publicity, but again, that can go either way. It might not always result in a ton of sales, but it has longevity in providing you with creditability.

Add to that Sales Promotions, Alliance Marketing and Content Marketing and you have a well-rounded tactical plan:

  • Social Media
  • Publicity
  • Sales Promotions
  • Alliance Marketing
  • Content Marketing
Some of the Tactics in my Marketing PlansJewelry Marketing Plan Template Example

I have 12-Month Marketing Plans for all types of businesses (with more coming), so here are some sample tactics to try:

  • If you sell baby products, pin a collage of your favorite baby items (include ones you sell) to Pinterest and entitle the pin, “Having a Baby” as this search phrase gets 5 million searches a month on Pinterest. You also need to use the hashtag #HavingaBaby in the pin description. 
  • If you sell skincare, bath or beauty products, ask local AirBnB owners if you could be their official supplier or even just leave free samples for their renters to try.
  • If you sell vintage items, consider also selling your items on the vintage selling app, Evintage.
  • If you sell eco-friendly products, sponsor a reader poll with the blog Earth911 based on a question you provide. You get the exposure as well as the data gathered from the poll.
Try This Idea!

So, let me give you an tactic that can result in free publicity for you. Let’s say that you sell swimwear. Why not have a few product photos taken at a local hotel’s outdoor pool. You give a shoutout to the hotel and they will likely repost the photos on their social media sites as well, giving you exposure to their followers.

You can do this with almost any type of product. If you sell dog collars, for example, post a photo of your dog wearing one of your collars while sitting with you at a popular local outdoor bistro, and give a shoutout to the restaurant. Use location photos to your advantage!Marketing Plan Template Example

I hope you’ll try my 12-Month Marketing Plans, and if there is a business you would like to see a plan for, please let me know!

Download One of My Plans
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© 2021 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved.Marketing Plan Template Example.

My Favorite Marketing Ideas of the Month

March 2, 2021 /

Favorite Marketing Ideas

I love writing about my favorite marketing ideas.

So, I’m always on the lookout for effective marketing tactics that online stores are trying on their websites to make more sales.

Here are three good marketing ideas I found this week that you might want to try with your online store.

Favorite Marketing Idea #1: An Effective Rewards Program

Rewards programs are a great way to maintain customer loyalty, but they can also get your customers to do your marketing for you. Look at the effective way that Urban Outfitters uses their rewards program below, with points for everything from downloading the app to writing a review. I would also add points for sharing purchases on social media and referring to friends. 

favorite marketing ideas

Favorite Marketing Idea #2: New Location for Email Opt-In

Are you finding that people are just not signing up for your email list? Then put the email opt-in right in with your product photos, the way Society6 does below.

favorite marketing ideas

Favorite Marketing Idea #3: Use the Sidebar on Your Blog

If you have a blog as part of your ecommerce site, you should be using your sidebar to direct customers back to the shop, the way the blog Food52 does below, especially if you focus the ad graphic on one product category and add a “SHOP NOW” button.

favorite marketing ideas

About Me

A 20+ year marketing professional, small business consultant, ebook author & blogger, my advice has been featured in the NY Times, Success Magazine, American Express, Big Commerce, Business2Community to name a few – so this is professional advice you can trust!

I have consulted for thousands of small businesses since 2012. It really does help to talk to someone who is objective to get a new, but professional, perspective. I have also written publicity pitches for clients that resulted in them being featured in Real Simple Magazine, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, Vanity Fair, Houzz, Martha Stewart, Glamour Magazine, LONNY, DesignMilk, Emmaline Bride,– just to name a few. Learn more about my services here. 

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My Etsy Store
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© 2021 Gail Oliver. All right reserved. Favorite Marketing Ideas.

Two Proven Marketing Pricing Strategies To Try

February 24, 2021 /

marketing pricing strategiesToday I am giving two proven marketing pricing strategies to try. A lot of people still do not understand how the law of supply and demand impacts their business, and how it can also affect your pricing strategies. So here are two proven pricing strategies to try based on when times are busy and times are slow.

When Demand is High

For example, if your business is crazy busy right now and you have more sales than you can handle, do not turn any business away (because these customers might never come back). Instead raise your prices, if only temporary, and especially if your supply or resources is limited.

Another good time to raise your prices is close to the last days of any major buying time for your business. For example, people who wait until the last minute to buy Christmas gifts or Mother’s Day gifts, will pay a premium for their procrastination, likely due to diminished supply.

Remember, people will spend more when supply is scarce and when the need is urgent. That is why toilet paper and hand sanitizer shot up in price during the initial stages of COVID-19. I am not saying to gouge people, that’s wrong, but a reasonable increase in price of 10 to 25%.

When Demand is Low

Now, what about when demand for your products is low? This happens when a product is nearing the end of its life cycle or the market is saturated with competitors. This is when you should have a sale, especially if your supply is high, and a significant sale to get rid of inventory so you are not stuck with it.

For example, winter fashions featuring a trend that might not be around next winter, are best to get rid of at deep discounts of 40 to 70% in February and March. Better to make some money then to get stuck with the inventory. Plus, these new customers might turn into return/repeat customers.

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© 2021 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. Proven Marketing Pricing Strategies To Try.

What to Post to Social Media in March

February 19, 2021 /
March Social Media Post Ideas

March Social Media Post Ideas

Stuck for March social media post ideas? Here are some from my best selling 365 Day Social Media Post Ideas Calendar, on sale for just $1.95!

  • March 8th: Post a photo or reel of a famous woman from current day or from history that you admire, with a quote from her laid over top, on March 8th for #InternationalWomensDay #womensupportingwomen #womenempowerment. Ask followers the woman they admire most.
  • March 10th: Post something clever, maybe an animation of the Easter Bunny jumping over a clock (read my post, How to Use Canva to Create Social Media Posts) as a reminder that tomorrow is #DaylightSavingsTime #ClocksForward #ClocksAhead #ClocksGoForward #LoseAnHour.

    March Social Media Post Ideas

    Download at my Etsy shop for just $1.95!

  • March 14th: People love taking #polls so post one asking followers their favorite brand or flavor of potato chips (suggest brands for them to choose) for #NationalPotatoChipDay #Question #Poll and tag the brand.
  • March 20th: We always seem to want to know what the #weather will be, so post the #SpringForecast for the various parts of your country from the Farmer’s Almanac for #FirstDayofSpring #Spring2024
  • March 22nd: Post a #shoutout to your favorite #podcast and ask followers theirs for #CurrentlyListeningTo  
  • March 31st: Searches for “How to Cook a Ham” and “How to Cook a Turkey” skyrocket on Easter weekend, so be sure to post a quick reel or video that you can curate from a popular food blogger #Howtocookaham.
More March Social Media Post Ideas
  • March 11th will mark four years of #COVID_19 as this is when the WHO officially declared a #pandemic. Therefore, post an inspirational quote about getting through hard times and ask followers to heart it if they are done with COVID.

    Click to download.

  • St Patrick’s Day on March 17th is always fun for posting your favorite #stpatricksdayoutfit #irishfood #irishwhiskey #irishlimerick or just give a #shoutout to your favorite local Irish pub (who might repost).
  • March Madness starts March 19th, so post an answer to the question “How to Fill Out the NCAA Bracket” , which is the top Google search every year, or another poll asking followers their top pick.
Are You Looking for Personalized Business or Marketing Advice?

I specialize in one-on-one phone consultations, advising thousands of small businesses since 2012. And because I know you are a small business, I make it ridiculously affordable. Click here to learn more and read this post to see the type of advice I give.

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© 2022 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. March Social Media Post Ideas.

Free Profit and Loss Statement Template Google Sheets

February 8, 2021 /

If you’re a small business in need of a simple profit and loss statement template, I have a free one that I did in Google Sheets. Just click the link below to use and edit and customize for your business:

Profit and Loss Statement Template Google Sheets

free profit and loss statement template google sheets

Free Profit and Loss Statement Template Google Sheets

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© 2024 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. Free Profit and Loss Statement Template Google Sheets

Product Inspiration: Cool Ideas of the Month

February 3, 2021 /

cool product ideas for 2021

Sometimes the best way to find a new product idea is to fuse two popular products together. Instantly, you double your market. 

Quilt + Game Board

People are staying home and playing games, so I saw these quilts that have game boards as the pattern and thought it was brilliant!

Other products that could incorporate a game board: a wooden cutting board, a serving tray, a throw pillow, floor pillows, placemats, table cloths, dish towels and beach towels.

Planter + Phone Charger 

Everyone wants a phone stand for the bedside table, but there is only so much space. So why not combine it with a planter!

Other products that could incorporate a phone charger stand: a lamp, bookends, an alarm clock, a tissue box, a Kindle holder, and an eye glasses holder.

Anklet + Ankle Weights

You want to add weights to your walking routine, but you don’t want them to look obvious. These stylish white stretch bangles are one pound each (.45 kilos), and you can wear them on your wrists as well.

Other fashion accessories that could incorporate light weights: belts, socks, gloves, sandals, fanny packs and tank tops.

 

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© 2021 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. Cool Products Ideas Inspiration.

3 Awesome Marketing Ideas to Add to Your Website

January 28, 2021 /

marketing ideas for your websiteI am always searching for new ways to improve ecommerce, and I found three awesome marketing ideas to add to your website.

These ideas work no matter what type of business you have, not just ecommerce, but also real estate, beauty salons, restaurants and so forth.

A Really Effective Email Opt-In

I love what the Woven Nook has done here with their email opt-in. First of all, you have to give an incentive like a percentage off, or depending on your business, it could also be a free download. Otherwise, people will not sign up.

Then, I like that they are also asking for your phone number for text alerts, and your birthday for special offers. Plus, I love the photo with the visual identity of what they sell and their branding.

Awesome Marketing Ideas Website

A Promotional Graphic in with Product Photos

I love how Bauble Bar put this colorful sales graphic right in with their regular product listing photos. Again, you can do this no matter what type of business. For a realtor, put a graphic for a personalized service in between house listings. For a restaurant, use a graphic in between menu options to indicate when you will be open again for in-door dining. For a beauty salon, include a graphic customers can click to send a beauty service gift to a friend. Just think of it as an ad. Get creative!

A Stylish Look Book

The store Viet Trang Handicraft has a very simple but stylish look book, which is actually just a slide show that can be easily added to any site. But it does help to quickly see the range of products they offer and how they work together to upset more items, with a call to action at the end. Plus, you can upload this to your social media sites as well.

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© 2021 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. Awesome Marketing Ideas Website

How to Stay Connected with Customers When Business is Slow

January 21, 2021 /

How to Stay Connected with Customers Want to know how to stay connected to customers when business is slow?

The pandemic has not been kind to a lot of businesses, however, how you use this time can have a positive impact once it’s over and things get back to normal.

Right now, your customers, and people in general, appreciate genuine contact as well as acts of kindness.

For example, in November, when I released a new version of one of my downloads, I sent a free copy to anyone who had purchased the 2020 version in the last quarter of the year, just because I thought it was the right thing to do.

I was amazed by the response. One person even told me it brought them to tears. It was not the reason I did it, but it showed me how much a simple kind gesture means to people, especially when times are difficult.

My feeling has always been when you put out positive it does come back to you. Put out negative, that can come back to you too.

My Advice to Stay Connected with Customers
  • Give a shoutout on your social media site to a local business, charity or organization that you feel might be struggling. Your customers and followers will appreciate you looking out for a business other than yours.
  • Post a kind review about any business you have recently purchased from to your social media sites, encouraging others the importance of giving positive feedback (we all get enough negative).
  • Email your customers a kind message of hope without any type of promotion for your business.
  • Send your customers something free, like a 2021 calendar page download, which really doesn’t cost you anything but might mean a lot to them.
  • Simply post to social media asking your customers how they are doing.

I hope everyone is doing well, considering the circumstances, and that 2021 is a profitable year for your business.

About Me

Do you need your Brand Story written or an SEO-Optimized Blog Post or a Personalized Business Consultation? As a 20+ year marketing professional and small business consultant, all of my services are super affordable.How to Stay Connected with Customers

I have consulted for thousands of small businesses since 2012, and my advice has been featured in the NY Times, Success Magazine, Yahoo Business, American Express, Big Commerce, Business2Community to name a few – so this is professional advice you can trust!

My Publicity Pitch service has also gotten my clients featured in Real Simple Magazine, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, Vanity Fair, Houzz, Martha Stewart, Glamour Magazine, LONNY, DesignMilk, Emmaline Bride,– just to name a few.

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© 2021 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. How to Stay Connected with Customers

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