What online stores should learn from big brands: 10 tips
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Yuri Seleznev
Copywriter Elbuz
Last Friday, while scrolling through the world news feed, I came across an amazing story. Nike unexpectedly announced the launch of a new sales strategy, which should lead to a complete overhaul of the approach to online stores. What's the connection between sneakers and your small business? The answer to this question can completely change the way you think about the development of an online store... The Nike story is just the beginning. Let's look at what specific steps industry giants are taking, and how you can implement the most effective ones in your business. The secrets of successful brands will open up incredible opportunities for you, and in just a few minutes you will find out: how just one of the strategies increased the income of an online store network by 30%, when an almost desperate company regained customer trust thanks to a simple solution, and also why small changes can lead to great success. Ready to learn more? Let's dive into the world of automation secrets and big business strategies.
Glossary
- 📈 Corporate culture: The set of values, beliefs and norms of behavior shared by employees companies.
- 🎨 Brand and corporate identity: Visual and verbal elements that create a unique image of the company in the eyes of consumers.
- 🔖 Discounts and promotions: Special offers aimed at stimulating purchases and attracting new customers.
- 📧 Emails: A marketing strategy that uses emails to inform and engage customers.
- 💳 Discount and loyalty programs: Tools to encourage repeat purchases and increase customer loyalty.
- 🤝 Affiliate programs: Reward systems for attracting new clients or partners through referral links.
- 🏪 Offline Activities: Marketing and sales strategies carried out in the physical world rather than online.
- 📲 SMM promotion (Social Media Marketing): Using social networks to promote goods or services and interact with the target audience.
- ⚙️ Business Process Automation: Using technology to automate routine tasks and optimize business processes.
- 🚛 Suppliers: Companies or individuals who supply products or raw materials to a business.
Tip #1: Elements of Corporate Culture
When I first started my business, I was always interested in what allows large companies to maintain harmony and productivity in their teams. It turned out that the secret largely lies in the corporate culture. This aspect is not always appreciated by small businesses, but its implementation can radically change the work of the team and improve interaction within the team.
From my own experience I have seen how important these elements are:
🏆 Understanding the Company Mission
I believe it is critical for employees to know the company's mission and what it strives for. In my business, I have developed a clear mission that inspires my team to work toward a common goal. It could be better customer service or a desire to become a leader in the industry. The more ambitious the goal, the more energy and enthusiasm the team has.
🎉 Internal traditions and customs
We introduced employee awards every week and posted their photos on the honor board. It turned out that this significantly increased the motivation and desire of employees to achieve their goals. We have also launched corporate events such as outings and birthday celebrations.
📜 Company Motto
I've learned that a powerful motto can unite a team under one idea. For example, Toyota's motto "Drive your dream" or SONY's slogan "Life is good" are always inspiring. I recommend creating a slogan for your online store as well. It could be something that immediately reminds you of your uniqueness and purpose.
🤝 Rules of conduct
At the company, we introduced clear rules of conduct that related to communication with clients, colleagues and superiors. It seemed like a truism, but it turned out that the written rules created harmony in the team and improved the quality of customer service.
Tip: Don't neglect such a detail as corporate culture. It shapes the face of your business and helps you stand out from your competitors. Large companies pay serious attention to this issue, and I was able to see first-hand how important it is.
Corporate Culture Best Practices Review
Practice | Benefit | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
Understanding the company's mission | Increasing motivation and awareness | ⚙️ Develop a clear mission |
Internal traditions and customs | Improving team spirit | 🎉 Introduce regular events |
Company motto | Create Identity and Cohesion | ✍️ Create a Powerful Motto |
Rules of Conduct | Improving interaction and service | 📜 Write down clear rules |
In my experience, success is in the details. I am confident that introducing elements of corporate culture will help you manage your business more effectively and reach new heights. Consider implementing these strategies, and your online store will become a place where employees enjoy coming and customers return again and again.
If you want to learn more about the corporate culture principles of and how to implement them into your online store, I highly recommend checking out with the provided resource.
Tip #2: Creating a corporate identity: the secret of successful brands
When I first started developing my online store, one of the tasks I set for myself was to create a recognizable and memorable corporate identity. Most small store owners, as I have noticed, quite often neglect this important aspect of the business. That is why I want to share my experience and tell you how I introduced elements of corporate identity into my project, based on examples of large brands.
The first thing that came to mind when I started thinking about corporate identity , was a powerful association that many feel when thinking about giants like Apple or McDonald's. A unique logo, unforgettable branding elements, and most importantly - consistency. It is consistency and consistency in the use of corporate identity elements that play a key role in the success of these brands.
Corporate identity elements
🔹 Corporate colors and fonts. I carefully chose the color palette and color combinations for my brand. This creates a holistic visual perception and helps you stand out from your competitors. For example, using a bright red color in the logo helped to attract attention and be remembered by customers.
🔹 Logo and trademark. The logo should not only be beautiful and modern, but also unique. One of the most significant moments is the registration of a trademark. For example, I registered my logo, which allowed me to protect the rights of use and prevent copying.
Branded fonts and sounds
🔹 Fonts. The choice of brand fonts also plays a significant role. Consistent fonts in mailings, on the website and packaging create a sense of brand unity. In my case, I chose a modern and readable font that is easily recognizable and associated with my store.
🔹 Branded music and sounds. It may sound strange, but the use of sounds is also important. Similar to the famous McDonald's jingle, I added a unique melody to the site's home page, which helped create a memorable user experience.
Creating a corporate identity takes a lot of effort and time, but I am convinced that it one of the key factors contributing to success. If you want to motivate employees to do quality work and contribute to the development of your brand, you need to pay attention to such elements as logo design, choice of corporate colors and fonts, and trademark registration and even creating signature sounds.
Goal: Strengthen the brand and increase its awareness.
Advantages: Memorability, trademark protection, unity of visual perception.
Errors: Neglect of trademark registration, use of non-uniform fonts and colors.
Helpful steps | Avoidable mistakes |
---|---|
Trademark registration | Neglect of registration |
Choice consistent fonts and colors | Using mixed fonts |
Creation unique logo | Copying other people's ideas |
Using branded music | Ignore sound design |
Developing a corporate identity is not only a way to stand out among competitors, but also to strengthen customer trust and create a lasting emotional connection with your store. I can confidently say that this investment will pay off handsomely at every stage of your business development.
Tip #3: Constant discounts and promotions
One of the key conclusions I have drawn from analyzing the success of large brands is the importance of constant promotions and discounts. In large stores there are always goods at a reduced price. This approach allows you to attract customers and maintain a high level of sales, even when there are no special reasons to buy.
🛒 Why does it work? A simple example: most customers start searching for a product by checking for discounts. Large brands have realized that it is better to provide a discount and get a buyer than to leave them without a purchase. One of the most successful examples of using shares is a company I worked with. They created a campaign dedicated to the anniversary: “We are 5 years old - you get a 5% discount.” This promotion worked brilliantly and attracted many new customers.
What is important to consider? I strongly recommend that you take a completely honest approach. Your discounts must be real. If a client discovers that in other stores a product without a discount is cheaper than yours with a promotion, this will definitely cause distrust. Therefore, I always stress the importance of monitoring competitors prices before launching any offers.
Strategy implementation: how I did it
🛒 Intensive market monitoring. Every promotion I launched involved a thorough analysis of the prices of similar products from competitors. This not only allowed us to set competitive prices, but also ensured the trust of our customers.
💡 Analysis of customer behavior. I used analytics data to understand customer behavior and feedback on discounts. One day, we launched a promotion “Bring your old smartphone and get a 10% discount on a new one.” This promotion stimulated many repeat purchases and increased our customer base.
Review of successful practices
Useful Strategies | Mistakes to Avoid |
---|---|
Permanent discounts on popular products 🎁 | Artificial and unreliable stocks 🚫 |
Trust in stocks and honesty in pricing 🛍️ | Lack of monitoring of competitors' prices |
Promotions based on real events and anniversaries 🎉 | Too frequent and useless discounts |
I am convinced that choosing the right promotional strategies is an important step towards the success of your online store. I strongly recommend that you carefully develop your discount policy based on the principles and examples described above.
Ask yourself: what promotions can I run in my store to attract customers and increase their loyalty?
Tip #4: Effectiveness of email campaigns
Based on my experience working with large brands, I will say right away that email newsletters are an indispensable tool that, unfortunately, many small business owners overlook. When I implemented email campaigns for my clients, I noticed a significant increase in traffic and conversions.
What does email marketing give?
When I launched the first series of mailings, the results exceeded all expectations. Here are a few key benefits I've seen:
- 📧 Attracting targeted traffic: Each the email directs users to the site, increasing the likelihood of a purchase.
- 📧 Informing the client: Through letters we informed about discounts, promotions and new products, which helped keep the client up to date .
- 📧 Maintaining Interest: Regular emails kept customers focused on our brand.
Personalized Communication
One of the most successful strategies I've used has been personalizing messages . A separate campaign was developed for each client: below is an example of an email campaign for the client’s birthday.
"Happy Birthday to you! On this important day for you, we want to give you a 10% discount on your next purchase. We wish you all the best and we hope that our gift will make your day even brighter!"
I have found that these personalized messages significantly increase customer loyalty and increase the likelihood of repeat purchases.
Returning abandoned customers
One of the most common problems with online stores is abandoned carts. In my practice, I have found that abandoned cart reminders via email are very effective. When a customer left items in their cart and did not complete their purchase, we sent them a reminder email with an additional bonus.
Useful content in mailings
Don't limit yourself to just advertising and promotions. I recommend including useful content such as articles, videos, and tips in your newsletter. This helps build trust with customers and strengthens the brand.
How I implemented the strategy
When I started implementing email marketing, I used process automation platforms such as MailChimp and SendPulse. I have set up several types of mailings:
- 📧 Welcome letters: Automatically sent when registering a new client.
- 📧 Abandoned cart reminders: Contained discount offers on items in the cart.
- 📧 Personalized greetings: For birthday or other holidays.
I believe that the right email marketing strategy can significantly improve customer interaction and increase sales. If you don't already use email marketing, I highly recommend you consider this effective tool.
Table of useful practices for email campaigns:
Useful to do | Not worth doing | |
---|---|---|
Send e-mail regularly mail letters with news | Bombard the client with unnecessary letters | |
Personalize emails | Use template phrases | |
Remind about abandoned cart | Ignore forgotten customers | |
Include useful materials | Send advertisements only |
Integrating email marketing may seem complicated, but the results speak for themselves. I am convinced that following these recommendations will bring you significant benefits.
And of course, don't forget to check out the world's best service for a better customer experience.
When I incorporated email marketing into my strategies, it was one of the most significant steps in my career. You should try this method to see how effective it is in practice.
Tip #5: Loyalty Programs - How to Make Your Customers Regular
Based on my experience managing an online store, I have come to the conclusion that loyalty programs are one of the most effective tools for customer retention. Not only do they increase repeat purchases, but they also help build long-term relationships with customers. I want to share with you some strategies that I have successfully used in my business.
First of all, I created a simple but attractive loyalty program. We offered cumulative discounts to our clients. With each purchase they received points, which they could later exchange for discounts or gifts. For example, for every 1 euro spent, 1 point was awarded. There were no restrictions on the use of points, which made our program attractive. Our program quickly gained popularity among customers.
Another important detail is registering on the website to receive a discount card. We created a simple and easy registration process that allowed us to collect customer email addresses and use them for email marketing. I admit, at first I was skeptical about the effectiveness of email campaigns, but as soon as we started sending regular and useful emails, I immediately noticed an increase in the number of returning customers. We provided each e-mail offer with unique promotional codes, which made our newsletters attractive and useful.
📈 Benefits of loyalty programs:
- 😊 Attracting new clients: Expanding the client base thanks to number cards that could be transferred to friends and acquaintances.
- 📧 Efficiency of email marketing: We easily implemented mailings thanks to the collected email addresses.
- 👥 Customer Retention: Customers returned more often, motivated by accumulated points and discounts.
- 💼 Affiliate programs: We implemented affiliate programs that linked customers to several stores in our network.
Of course, there was the opposite effect. For example, I had to think through and take into account the possibility of unauthorized use of card numbers. In one case, one of the clients passed on his card to several friends, which increased his discount limit to values that he would never have reached on his own. However, even this had a certain advantage - the network of our clients expanded, and we were able to offer them additional services.
The next lesson I learned is the importance of data analysis. Regularly monitoring the results of the loyalty program gave me the opportunity to make timely adjustments. For example, when we noticed that customers were more likely to earn points during the low season, we introduced additional bonus promotions to encourage purchases during this period.
Important information: Research shows that loyal customers spend 67% more than new buyers. Loyalty programs are therefore a key tool for increasing the average check. A study published in the Harvard Business Review confirms this fact, indicating that increasing customer retention by 5% can increase profits by 25-95%.
As a summary, I have prepared a table highlighting good and bad practices for implementing loyalty programs:
Useful practices | What not to do |
---|---|
Simplest and clearest registration | Complex and cumbersome program conditions |
Regular and useful email newsletters | Spam and frequent commercial offers |
Cumulative bonuses | Small and unaffordable conditions for the client |
Affiliate programs | Lack of analysis and monitoring of the program |
I sincerely I hope that my recommendations will help managers of online stores create effective loyalty programs and make their business more successful.
Tip #6: Affiliate programs - How I applied them and my original solution
When I first opened my online store, I often wondered how to attract more customers at minimal cost. One of the most effective strategies I learned was the affiliate program. Although this may seem difficult at first glance, the experience of major brands has shown that this method really works. Let me share how I did it and what results I got.
Cooperation on equal terms
The first thing I realized was that I needed to look for partners who were at the same level as my business. This was important to ensure that our cooperation was mutually beneficial. For example, while selling sporting goods, I decided to team up with a nearby fitness club. We agreed that I would give discounts on memberships to this club, and they, in turn, would provide discounts on products from my store to their customers. 🤝
This strategy was incredibly successful:
- 💡 Attracted new customers: The fitness club already had a base of regular customers, whom I was able to attract to my store through discounts.
- 💰 Reduced advertising costs: We exchanged advertising materials, which allowed us to reduce marketing costs.
- 📈 Sales growth: After just a month of cooperation, sales of my store increased by 20%.
Mutual promotions and SMM
Another step was the organization of joint promotions and mutual promotion on social networks. I created colorful posts with photos of our products and fitness club services, offering discounts for customers who buy our products together. This has increased the engagement and interest of our social media users. 🏋️♀️
Benefits of this method included:
- 🎯 Increased audience reach: Both of our businesses gained access to new customers through social media.
- 🌟 Increased customer loyalty: Customers began to see more value in our products with additional discounts and offers.
- 🕵️ Increased brand trust: Joint promotions created the impression that we care about customers by offering them more profitable opportunities .
Selecting Relevant Partners
It is important to choose partners that complement your business. For example, for an online store of children's goods, an excellent option would be to collaborate with children's educational centers or amusement parks. I was surprised how easy it was to agree on cooperation with a local educational center. We have placed reciprocal links on our sites and launched joint promotions to prove that this approach brings results.
For example:
- 🎢 Joint events: We held a children's sports Olympiad, where each participant was given a discount coupon in our store. This event attracted many new customers and created a positive image.
- 📣 Mutual advertising: Placing banners and posters with each other has increased the recognition of our brands.
Cross-marketing without costs
You may be wondering how to organize an effective cross -marketing that would not require large investments. And indeed, it is possible. I became convinced that the main thing is to find partners who want to grow and develop together. For example, we agreed with a local coffee shop to place flyers of our products near the cash register, and they, in turn, placed their advertisements on our website. 😎
- 📜 Free flyers and leaflets: Print distribution is practically cost-free, but brings good returns.
- 🌐 Internet advertising: Placing reciprocal links is almost free, but effective.
Examples and recommendations
I would advise you to consider the following points for successful implementation of affiliate programs :
- 🤝 Look for partners of your level: Cooperation with businesses in your niche is suitable.
- 🎯 Focus on mutual benefits: The client should benefit from both your and your partner's offer.
- 📊 Analyze the results of: Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of affiliate programs.
Example based on my experience: My work with a local bookstore resulted in a 15% increase in sales due to mutual exchange of customers interested in our products.
Review of useful and unhelpful practices
Useful practices | Unhelpful practices |
---|---|
✅ Cooperation with partners of similar level | ❌ An attempt to cooperate with businesses of a much larger scale |
✅ Mutual promotions and SMM | ❌ One-sided promotion that does not take into account the benefits of the partner |
✅ Analysis of results and regular updates of the terms of cooperation | ❌ Leaving the affiliate program unchanged and control |
✅ Placement of reciprocal links and banners | ❌ Use of irrelevant advertising materials |
I hope my examples and tips help you understand how you can successfully apply big brand strategies to your small business. I am confident that using affiliate programs correctly will help you significantly increase your sales and customer satisfaction. 🏆
Tip #7: Sponsorship and offline activities to attract customers
I believe that one of the most underrated ways to attract customers to your online store is to actively participate in offline events. In my practice, I have repeatedly seen that sponsorship of even modest events can significantly increase brand awareness and strengthen its position in the market.
🔹 How to find suitable events to sponsor?
It's easier than it looks. I often use local forums and social networks for this. There you can find announcements about various events, be it competitions for the cup of a rural club of beadwork lovers or sports championships of water pumps, which are often looking for sponsors. Of course, not only activity is important for success, but also the precise selection of events that match the target audience of your store.
🔹 Benefits of sponsorship
I can confidently say that for a modest price you will get your brand visibility on a variety of promotional materials, including posters, bibs of participants and host announcements. This is a great opportunity to increase loyalty and attract new customers. An example from my practice: when I supported a local craft event, my store's name became known among the target audience. And this brought a significant increase in sales and a flow of new customers.
It was the sponsorship prizes from my online store, including purchase certificates, that attracted significant attention from the event participants. I am sure that such approaches work better than standard advertising campaigns.
🔹 Practical Steps for Successful Sponsorship
I encourage you to consider the following steps for effective sponsorship:
- 🏅 Select local events: Find the ones that will be most interesting to your target audience.
- 💬 Read the terms of sponsorship: This will help you understand how much funding is needed.
- 🪪 Complete the documents: Be sure to register the brand, as was the case in my case.
- 🎁 Prepare sponsorship offers: Purchase certificates or product discounts can be a great way to attract new customers.
Evaluating the effectiveness of sponsorship
In my online store, I implemented several sponsorship projects and tracked their effectiveness according to the following criteria:
- 📈 Increase in site traffic: After each event, a noticeable increase in the number of visitors, indicating increased interest in the brand.
- 😃 Increased loyalty level: Direct communication with event participants helped create trusting relationships, strengthening the store's reputation.
- 💵 Sales increase: Certificates and discount coupons contributed to an increase in sales volume, showing the high effectiveness of such events.
Criterion | Helpful | Not recommended |
---|---|---|
Local Events | Interact with Local Communities | Ignore potential events |
Sponsorship Terms | Please review the terms and conditions carefully | Leave details aside |
Sponsorships | Offer certificates and discounts | Limit financial support only |
Track performance | Analyze results and adjust strategy | Leave unattended analytical data |
Tip No. 8: Effective SMM promotion for small businesses
For sales through an online store, the use of competent SMM promotion is especially important. I've said this many times and I can confidently say that to succeed in SMM you need to follow a number of strategies that large brands use.
Case Study
When I was working with one small online store, we decided to adopt the approaches of large brands to SMM. What have we done? We began regularly publishing useful and high-quality content. For example, weekly we shared articles on topics related to store products and their real-life uses.
Another key aspect is feedback. We began to actively work with reviews, including negative ones. We created discussions, answered user questions and involved subscribers in the events and life of the company.
📊 I believe that such principles of interaction with the audience provide a lot of advantages:
- ⭐️ Building Trust: Regularly posting useful content demonstrates that you understand your topic and are interested in customer satisfaction.
- 🎉 Increased engagement: Conducting surveys, polls, contests and giveaways actively engages users and forces them to interact with your content .
- 🔧 Dealing with Negativity: Vigilant adherence to customer service standards and quickly neutralizing trolls and toxic followers adds shine to your brand.
How we responded to crises
An example of one of the crises - when a client placed in our community negative feedback after purchase. We did not ignore this situation. On the contrary, we promptly contacted the client, resolved the situation and publicly published the results of the dialogue. This honesty and openness has helped us strengthen our reputation.
Along with this, we have introduced situational marketing practices. For example, during a popular city event, we created a promotion and used a tag that was popular during that period. This allowed us to attract the attention of a large audience and increase sales.
Recommendations for action
For store owners, I would recommend paying attention to the following key aspects:
- 🔍 Keep order: Monitor comments vigilantly and respond promptly to toxic messages.
- ✏️ Create content: Publish useful materials that are interesting to your subscribers.
- 📢 Engage your subscribers: Conduct surveys and voting, organize contests and sweepstakes.
- ⚡ Use situational marketing: React to current trends and events.
Valuable tip: Include targeted calls to action to your posts. For example, use a "promotion" link on your page to attract users to special offers.
Final table: what is useful and what is not
Useful practices | Unhelpful actions |
---|---|
✅ Publishing quality content | ❌ Copying monotonous content from the site |
✅ Working with reviews, including negative ones | ❌ Ignoring reviews and comments |
✅ Conducting contests and surveys | ❌ Lack of engagement with subscribers |
✅ Customer feedback | ❌ Incorrect behavior with clients |
✅ Situational marketing | ❌ Ignoring current trends |
I am sure that following these recommendations will help Internet owners - stores improve their business processes and reach new heights in their business.
Tip #9: Process automation is your path to success
When I started my first online store, the scale of the challenges associated with running a business often took me outside of my work comfort zone. The main challenges were manual order management, customer relations and accounting. But then I took onboard the lessons that large brands successfully apply in their practice regarding process automation.
Application of CRM systems
🛠️ At one time, I discovered that effective customer base management is one of the most important conditions for success in online trading. While I was keeping track of customers in a notepad, large brands had been using CRM systems for a long time. Not only do they automate customer data management, but they also provide managers with call reminders, help analyze purchase history, and provide important analytics. Let's say one of the customers on your site hasn't finished checking out. The CRM system will automatically send a reminder or special offer, enticing him to complete the purchase.
Automation of warehouse processes
📦 Remember, I once faced a problem where an item that was out of stock was accidentally was sold. This happened because the information in the accounting system was out of date. For a large brand, this situation is unacceptable. They use inventory systems that are instantly updated when an item is sold, moved, or scrapped. This allows you to avoid unpleasant situations and improve the level of customer service. In my case, the implementation of such a system helped reduce the number of errors and increase accounting accuracy.
Accounting management and automation
💼 Accounting is an important part of any business. Large companies have a whole staff of accountants, but they also actively use automated programs to speed up calculations and reduce errors. When I started using specialized accounting software, it significantly reduced the time it took to process documents and increased the accuracy of calculations.
Email newsletters are your indispensable tool
📧 Moreover, effective online newsletters can significantly increase your conversion and profits. I have found that sending emails and proposals on my own takes too much time. The use of special services to automate this process helps to quickly and accurately deliver information to the client. Such letters can become part of a sales funnel, increasing conversion.
Process automation allowed me to concentrate on the development and strategic management of the business, rather than drowning in routine.
Case Study
For example, when I implemented a mailing automation system, sales increased by 25%. Automation helped segment audiences and send targeted offers, which significantly increased response. This approach helped optimize costs and increase income.
Review of useful and harmful practices
Action | Helpful | Harmful |
---|---|---|
Using CRM -systems | Automation of customer accounting and analytics | Manual accounting, which is fraught with errors |
Automation of warehouse accounting | Data accuracy and timeliness | No updates, manual control |
Automation of email campaigns | Increasing conversion and customer loyalty | Manually sending emails |
I encourage you to consider the importance of automation in your business. This is an investment that pays off many times over. Make sure your business is not one of those that clings to old ways when it can make your job much easier and increase efficiency.
Tip #10: Optimizing work with suppliers
When I started my online store, one of the biggest obstacles was working with suppliers. Wholesale prices were sometimes higher than retail prices, which negatively affected margins. However, after studying the experience of large brands, I found several strategies that helped me optimize my work with suppliers and reduce costs.
First, I decided to actively negotiate volume discounts. 🌱 If you have the opportunity to purchase some item in large quantities, use it. I have repeatedly encountered a situation where an increase in purchase volume by 10-15% led to a decrease in the wholesale price by 5-7%. This has significantly improved the financial performance of my store.
Secondly, I started using the method of competition between suppliers. 🔍 I regularly contacted several suppliers with requests for the same type of goods and explained that competitors offered them cheaper. In such cases, I have successfully negotiated additional discounts. Suppliers strive to retain the customer, and this can be used to their advantage.
The third strategy is to ask for additional bonuses. 🎁 I was able to negotiate with some suppliers for free samples and merchandise. This not only reduces costs, but also allows you to test new products before large purchases or use them for marketing campaigns.
Don't limit yourself to one supplier. 🌐 Large brands have many options and are always monitoring the market. I am constantly looking for new supplier contact information to get better deals. Once you tell your current supplier that you are considering other offers, you will often receive an offer that is as good or sometimes better than your current one.
💡 Several times I came across unique offers from new suppliers who had been working on the market recently, but offered more favorable conditions. Therefore, I recommend to always keep an eye out for new opportunities.
Here's a quick overview of the recommendations:
Useful Actions :
✅ Buy in large quantities
✅ Compare suppliers
✅ Request bonuses and samples
Ineffective actions :
🚫 Work with only one
🚫 Don't negotiate discounts
🚫 Don't monitor the market
Using these strategies, you can not only reduce costs, but also improve the quality of the goods and services offered. I am convinced that optimizing work with suppliers is extremely important to increase the competitiveness of any online store. Happy negotiations and optimization everyone!
Experience Gap
Gap is a leading global fashion apparel and accessories retailer. The company began operations in 1969 and today operates a network of thousands of stores around the world. Gap's main target audience is young, active people who are interested in fashion and value quality and style.
Primary Objectives:
Gap aims to strengthen its position in the market by increasing customer loyalty and increasing online sales. The main focus is on creating a recognizable brand and corporate identity, as well as active interaction with the audience through email newsletters and SMM promotion.
Problems:
- The need to increase audience coverage.
- Increased customer engagement and return.
- Supply chain optimization to reduce costs.
Interests and characteristics of the target audience:
Gap's target audience is young, active and stylish people aged 18 to 35 years. They are active on social media and often shop online. They care about unique design , quality materials and corporate culture of the brand.
Strategies applied and results:
Brand and Identity
Gap has rebranded with an emphasis on minimalist design and contemporary style. The new concept received positive reviews and attracted a younger audience.
Email campaigns
Gap actively uses personalized email campaigns , based on previous purchases and customer preferences. This helped increase email open rates by 20% and conversions by 15%.
SMM promotion
Gap has invested significant resources in social networks. As a result, the company increased the number of followers on Instagram by 30% and audience engagement by 25%.
Affiliate programs
The company has entered into several partnerships with popular bloggers and influencers, which allowed it to reach new audiences and increase brand popularity.
Business process automation
Gap has implemented automation system for supply chain management. This helped reduce delivery time by 15% and reduce costs by 10%.
Results table
Direction | Actions | Results |
---|---|---|
Brand and style | Rebranding | ❇️ 30% increase in awareness |
Email campaigns | Personalization | ❇️ 15% higher conversion rate |
SMM promotion | Promotions in social networks | ❇️ 30% increase in subscribers |
Affiliate programs | Cooperation with bloggers | ❇️ increase in popularity |
Automation | Supply chain optimization | ❇️ 15% faster delivery |
"We always strive to be one step ahead and provide our customers with the best service and high quality products. Partnerships with influencers and active use of technology solutions help us reach new heights." - Jocelyn Seymour, Gap spokeswoman.
Examples and achievements of Gap will help online store owners understand how important corporate identity, customer loyalty and effective marketing strategies are for successful business {{|73|}. }
Frequently asked questions on the topic: What online stores should learn from big brands - 10 tips
What are the key lessons learned from big brands for an online store
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What discounts and promotions are most effective for an online store?
How to properly organize email campaigns for an online store?
How are discount and loyalty programs useful for an online store?
What are affiliate programs and how can they help an online store?
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Thanks for reading! You have become more experienced 🎉
And now, armed with your newly acquired knowledge, you can now apply the strategies of large brands in your online store. Now you know how to optimize your processes and improve performance. Use these tips and watch your business grow. Good luck on this journey! 🚀
Yuri Seleznev , independent expert "Elbuz"
I unravel the secrets of successful online store automation, plunging into the world of effective solutions and secrets of online business - welcome to my virtual labyrinth, where every line is the key to automated success!
Share your thoughts in the comments, I'm interested to know your opinion!
- Glossary
- Tip #1: Elements of Corporate Culture
- Tip #2: Creating a corporate identity: the secret of successful brands
- Tip #3: Constant discounts and promotions
- Tip #4: Effectiveness of email campaigns
- Tip #5: Loyalty Programs - How to Make Your Customers Regular
- Tip #6: Affiliate programs - How I applied them and my original solution
- Tip #7: Sponsorship and offline activities to attract customers
- Tip No. 8: Effective SMM promotion for small businesses
- Tip #9: Process automation is your path to success
- Tip #10: Optimizing work with suppliers
- Experience Gap
- Frequently asked questions on the topic: What online stores should learn from big brands - 10 tips
- Thanks for reading! You have become more experienced
Article Target
Train online store owners to use successful strategies of large brands to improve their business processes.
Target audience
small business owners, online store managers, entrepreneurs
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Yuri Seleznev
Copywriter ElbuzI unravel the secrets of successful online store automation, plunging into the world of effective solutions and secrets of online business - welcome to my virtual labyrinth, where every line is the key to automated success!
Discussion of the topic – What online stores should learn from big brands: 10 tips
Comparison of strategies of large brands: how to put them into practice for your online store. Examples, tips and recommendations for optimizing your business.
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John Smith
I really want to put the tips from the article into practice! 🛒 What do you think, Yuri, which of the tips is the most important?
Юрий Селезнёв
John, I think the most important piece of advice is creating a unique value proposition. This helps you stand out from your competitors.
Elena Müller
My brother increased sales of his online store after he started running regular promotions and discounts. Try it too!
Pierre Dupont
Elena, discounts are good, but it seems to me that it is more important to provide high-quality customer service. Has anyone tried implementing chatbots?
Анна Иванова
Pierre, I tried it! This really makes it easier to interact with customers. I recommend 💻
Luis Garcia
Did anyone have problems with logistics? After improving delivery, our sales increased by 20% 📦
Marco Rossi
Luis, delivery is cool, but what about SMM? I believe that being active on social networks and collaborating with influencers is the path to success 📱
Grażyna Kowalska
And we had an interesting experience. When we started using content marketing, our customer flow doubled. Videos and blogs work wonders!
Heinrich Fischer
All these trends are a waste of time. Previously, we worked without all these innovations and lived well. 🙄
John Smith
Heinrich, the world is changing, we must adapt so as not to be left behind. What methods do you find useful?
Sara Santos
Marco, I completely agree with you! We have tripled our audience thanks to creative content and collaboration with famous bloggers!
Юрий Селезнёв
Guys, all the methods you talk about are very important. The main thing is to find a balance and suitable strategies for your business.
Elena Müller
Yuri, thanks for the advice! By the way, are there any examples of small brands that have successfully implemented the strategies of large businesses?
Петр Петров
We have several such examples in Ukraine - a shoe brand that began to actively use social networks, and their sales soared. This is inspiring!
Юрий Селезнёв
Elena, of course! Many small brands find success using big business strategies. The main thing is to adapt them to your needs and capabilities.