How is COVID-19 transforming e-commerce?

• During the pandemic, there has been over a 129% growth in US and Canadian e-commerce orders as of April 21 and an impressive 146% growth in all online retail orders.

• Online conversion rates increased 8.8% in February reflecting a level of shopping urgency typically seen getting cyber Monday is according to Quinton metrics.

Coronavirus Results in an influx of E-commerce.

Dutch Ink has noticed a significant increase in the amount of online and e-commerce enquiries during the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that the reason for this increase is the fact that e-commerce stores will be the most profitable income stream during this time. Online stores, unlike physical stores, do not run the risk of creating social distancing issues. This inherently stops the spread of the pandemic by allowing customers to do the majority of their shopping online.

What are the reasons people are moving towards online stores?

This is because delivery services are currently available in South Africa. It means that it is possible to conduct business successfully online when you have a product that can be delivered. A great example of this is the delivery of ink cartridges which saw a great increase since the start of the pandemic.

Just as the pandemic had started, learning institutions realised that they would not be able to come to a complete halt. This meant that they would need to implement successful learning tactics remotely. These tactics, including online classes as well as PDF deliverable worksheets, would be sent out to students and then printed via their printers. This meant that students would without a doubt need printing facilities available to them. The need for these printing facilities warranted the sale of and delivery of ink online. As a result, businesses who sold ink cartridges online flourished.

Consumers Do Not Feel Safe Going Shopping!

We have also come to realise at Dutch Ink that even once the lockdown has been completely lifted, consumers will not feel safe returning to busy malls where they may be able to contract the virus. It has been found via a survey that many are reluctant to go back to their old shopping habits for fear of getting sick. A recent study found that 24% of consumers said they wouldn’t feel comfortable shopping in a mall for more than six months. Only 16% said they would feel comfortable in the next three months. The results are based on surveys of 2200 US adults between April 7 and April 9. Consumers are motivated now more than ever to stay home and shop online, this creates the ideal online market experience. The best thing that Dutch Ink can recommend at the moment is for all businesses and services to create their online presence.

What is an Online Presence?

An online presence means being active on as many social media platforms as possible, as well as conducting online business via a website. We believe that with this strategy implemented people and their businesses will see an increase in revenue as buying culture moves more towards online purchasing.

Social Media can Save Your Business

In South Africa alone we have a staggering number of social media users as well as smartphone owners. This means that it is viable for businesses to target these users with the power of social media and Internet marketing. Advertising online is not only affordable but allows the advertiser to specifically target their target audience. As the target audience is accessing the advertisement via their phones, it is also possible to target specifically based on location. This form of targeting is especially useful when considering physical businesses and service-based businesses such as builders, plumbers and painters. It is these types of businesses who will suffer most doing the pandemic. However, COVID-19 has presented the opportunity for these businesses to get their businesses online and into cyberspace where they can be seen and heard 24/7 during a lockdown.

The benefits of having an online store

• Operational costs of an online store are low
• People feel safe shopping online
• Shopping online does not interfere with social distancing
• The delivery of products is allowed during a lockdown
• Whether it is 8 am or 8 pm your online store is working for you
• Online sales are trackable which means that you will always be able to take note of who is shopping at your store and when they are shopping there
• An online store provides a system where you will be able to reconnect with customers if you need to message them about new stock or tell them that something has returned.
• Communication is key with customers and having an online business means that you will have direct access to your customers 24/7
• Remember that it is easier to sell to somebody who has purchased from you before compare to acquiring a new client.

The Cons of having an online store

• Online stores have a learning curve there is a necessary management position that will need to be filled in terms of this online store
• Most clients have been able to manage their online stores by themselves as online stores are not overly complicated. We would, however, recommend that new users take advantage of Dutch Ink’s management service
• We do not recommend that those without prior knowledge manage online stores. Online stores involve the transfer of customers money over a secure network. A connection which we believe needs to be managed by professionals.

COVID-19 E-commerce Conclusion

Thank you for taking the time to check out this addition to Dutch Ink’s blog.

Millions of online customers have changed their behaviour at the same time to opt for more timesaving and convenience. This has put considerable strain on e-commerce and online retailers today.

As a business owner, your aim should be to remove the friction of business by creating an easy to use online store that is customer-centric. This means creating an easy to use e-commerce website that is dedicated to providing information about your products and services to your client over their mobile device.

Retain these clients by opening multiple streams of communication via social media email and more. Use these platforms to create loyalty between your business and your client with the power of Dutch Ink today.

Allow your new online business to flourish, and NEVER fear a pandemic EVER again!