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The ones who do online sales will tell you that it takes more than simply getting your platform up and running and having a product catalog full of items to create a successful online marketplace. You have to promote your business, attract new customers and engage users to establish a loyal user base.
If you have yet to start your ecommerce platform, you are welcome to learn how to do it - just read the development guide on building websites like eBay.
But if you already have it built, it's time to put on your marketing hat and get creative! Let's dive into some tips that may help!
Get Quirky with Your Marketing
E-commerce doesn't have to be boring! Show off some personality on your platform and give your brand a unique style by thinking outside the box. You can try Search Engine Optimization (SEO), content & outreach marketing, social media, email outreach, influencer collaborations, or pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, among others.
For example, create TikToks about your product, use catchy slogans or memes in your marketing campaigns to make users want to learn about your platform. You can also hire a songwriter to create a jingle for your platform that you can use in advertising - trust us, these little tunes are a pain to get out of people’s heads which means that the name of your marketplace will constantly be sung by everyone.
Host Contests and Giveaways
Hosting contests and giveaways is a fun way to engage your audience while encouraging word-of-mouth marketing. Though it is very important to be aware of what your users need and want.
Get creative and add some excitement with competitions that are related to your products. For example, you could run a photo contest featuring customers wearing the T-shirts you sell on your website and encourage users to vote for the best or the most creative picture with the winner getting a discount on your platform. Reach out to industry influencers and sponsors to generate interest through your social media channels. Let the competition begin!
Create Compelling Content
Consumers these days want content to convince them to make a purchase and do it in a fun and educational way. You can create a blog on topics that are relevant to your field, make 'How-to' videos, recommend books and documentaries that can offer value to your users.
Shine the spotlight on your best sellers, accentuating your unique selling points, and come up with lots of exciting content that matches your brand voice. You can place yourself as an authority, drive referral traffic, and boost conversions by giving your customers informative content.
Launch a Limited Edition Collection
Nowadays, people want to be different and have unique clothing items, electronics and jewelry. Don’t ignore human nature and create limited editions of products. Introduce items that are recognizable and have some hype surrounding them. Look around - the summer of 2023 was all about Barbie: clothes, makeup, and even burgers were pink and folks loved it. You don’t even need to really create anything new - just follow trends and you’ll be fine.
Work with designers and artists to create new styles and models that resonate with your audience. Promote this collection heavily and make it easy to find via your website's home page or social media channels. But don’t forget that it’s limited - don't hype it up for too long.
Use Social Media in Fun Ways
You should also consider using social media platforms to promote your marketplace. Pick a couple of networks and try to establish your online presence through them. But don't just post product images and descriptions - get creative with your posts. Try some trending hashtags and themes to get your brand recognized. Create posts for every holiday and special occasion. Get to know all the cool features social media platforms offer now, such as surveys, quizzes and polls to engage your audience, attract new customers and get more likes, followers and shares.
Try the Influencer Route
Do you know that Influencer marketing is huge right now? Work with social media influencers who have lots of followers and work in the same field as you. Try to find people who match your vibe and can be helpful promoting your website. They can make videos and post pictures of your products, tag your marketplace in their content and participate in your business’s events. Plus, your audience will love product reviews, giveaways and lime-streams from their favorite influencers.
Reward Loyalty Programs
Give your users bonuses and offer loyalty programs such as exclusive discounts, rewards, or free shipping to increase customer engagement and loyalty. If you create a special reward system and encourage users to get points for buying products and inviting their friends to join, it will be beneficial for everyone - people love free stuff.
You can also provide early access to new products or special services like one-day shipping, which will definitely make your website a service people want to use more often.
Personalize the Entire Shopping Experience
Last but not least, make sure that your customers are always satisfied and fully engaged in the shopping experience on your platform. Personalize the offers and recommendations they get on your platform, offer discounts that only a specific client can use and show your client’s importance to you. Use chatbots or customer support systems that are accessible and can deal with buyers' issues in real-time. Make the process of checking out more convenient and user-friendly. Don't forget, we all appreciate it when we feel that we are being treated in a special way.
Conclusion
Promoting an eBay-like website in this huge world of e-commerce requires being adaptable. It takes a lot of time and dedication to experiment and explore what your clients need.
By using a mix of channels, hosting contests, creating special content and limited products, engaging on social media, incorporating influencer marketing and offering customer rewards, you can increase your website’s traffic and get the client base that will allow your business to thrive.
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