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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 15 2007, 9:37 AM EDT (current) | amycool2 | |
| Oct 15 2007, 9:36 AM EDT | amycool2 | 484 words added |
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You have a small online retail store and it is doing good business – until now that is. Then before you know it, some big retail store enters your market and threatens to infringe on your market base! It’s probably every small business’s worst nightmare come true. Well, you don’t have to go through the same grind – not if you follow these tried and tested tips.
Niche vertical
Let’s face it. At the end of the day, you know you cater to a niche target audience – something no big
retailer does. In fact, most big online retail stores don’t even take the time or the effort to focus on more specialized segments. Their goal is to achieve large traffic volumes – every single day. Well, you can turn this into your advantage. The way you position and market your products will largely affect how well you’re able to propagate your brand in the niche segment. Use refined keywords that perform more exact matches. You could even look at high-end target audiences who actually don’t mind spending a little more on your products.
SEO
There is a definite reason why good SEO tactics can do you a world of good. In the world of search engines and page rankings – there is no such thing as big or small. All players are treated equal – which is where you stand to gain. By using ethical, high quality SEO tactics you can improve page rankings and gain more traffic than even the big players!
Your home page
Look at the websites of some of the biggest retailers online. They all have highly professional, great looking home pages. The reason they have devoted the time and effort to creating stunning home pages – is because it’s the home page which lands you the most traffic! It’s a forerunner of the rest of the site. Customers gain first impressions on your site based on your home page. Besides if you look at the home of a small store, a large retailer or any other company – the home page can never give away the size of the organization. So try and create an impression that you’re big in the industry. Devote sufficient time and skill towards developing the home page.
The personal touch
Come to think of it, small sized online retailers have certain distinct advantages. They have known their customers for much longer than the larger stores. So you can use this to your advantage. Make your customers feel extra special by gifting them customized gifts, or freebies. Note down their birthdays and special occasions in their lives. Send them gifts on these days. It is these gestures which go a long way in gaining loyalty from your customers. This way, even if a big player enters the market, you can be sure to continue receiving a steady flow of customers – every single day.
Niche vertical
Let’s face it. At the end of the day, you know you cater to a niche target audience – something no big
retailer does. In fact, most big online retail stores don’t even take the time or the effort to focus on more specialized segments. Their goal is to achieve large traffic volumes – every single day. Well, you can turn this into your advantage. The way you position and market your products will largely affect how well you’re able to propagate your brand in the niche segment. Use refined keywords that perform more exact matches. You could even look at high-end target audiences who actually don’t mind spending a little more on your products.
SEO
There is a definite reason why good SEO tactics can do you a world of good. In the world of search engines and page rankings – there is no such thing as big or small. All players are treated equal – which is where you stand to gain. By using ethical, high quality SEO tactics you can improve page rankings and gain more traffic than even the big players!
Your home page
Look at the websites of some of the biggest retailers online. They all have highly professional, great looking home pages. The reason they have devoted the time and effort to creating stunning home pages – is because it’s the home page which lands you the most traffic! It’s a forerunner of the rest of the site. Customers gain first impressions on your site based on your home page. Besides if you look at the home of a small store, a large retailer or any other company – the home page can never give away the size of the organization. So try and create an impression that you’re big in the industry. Devote sufficient time and skill towards developing the home page.
The personal touch
Come to think of it, small sized online retailers have certain distinct advantages. They have known their customers for much longer than the larger stores. So you can use this to your advantage. Make your customers feel extra special by gifting them customized gifts, or freebies. Note down their birthdays and special occasions in their lives. Send them gifts on these days. It is these gestures which go a long way in gaining loyalty from your customers. This way, even if a big player enters the market, you can be sure to continue receiving a steady flow of customers – every single day.
