Whether you’re new to Shop Where I Live or you’ve been selling for some time, there are always ways to drive even more traffic to your online shop and get more eyes on your products/services, and ideally more sales. Here are 8 ways you can drive more traffic to your online shop.
- Share link on social media posts
- Add a link to your shop in your social media “About” information
- Add a link to your shop on your website
- Add SEO information to your products/services
- Post great products to Pinterest
- Share with like-minded people & groups
- Create a newsletter
- Add a link in your email signature
1. Share your shop link on social media posts
If you’re promoting your latest products, specials, or other offers on social media, it’s a good idea to also tell your followers where they can go to purchase those products. By providing a link to your shop on your social posts, you’re allowing customers to further investigate that product, read more about the item, dimensions, size availability, etc. Those that are interested can then purchase the product right away if they want, and/or they may end up browsing other products in your shop. Make it easy for customers to get to your shop by giving them a link to it regularly.
2. Add a link to your shop in your social media “about” information
Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and more all have a space for your website address. If you don’t currently have another website you’re referring customers to, you should add your Shop Where I Live website address into that space. This makes it easy for customers anytime to learn more about your business and browse your products/services when they want.
3. Add a link to your shop on your website
If you already have a website, adding a link to your Shop Where I Live shop is a great idea. It will provide a direct link for them to browse your latest products, which is why they may be visiting your website in the first place. If you already sell on your website, a link back to the main website may be a great way to show you support your community.
4. Add SEO information to your products/services
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. In other terms, it means the words that someone types into Google (Bing or other) to find what they’re looking for on the internet. Algorithms have changed over the years, and favors content that provides the best resource/directly answers the question of the searcher. So, if you were to be selling a product that appeals to police families, get as specific as possible in the product title, meta description of your product, and keywords. Eg. Police Thin Blue Line Home Decor Sign, or Thin Blue Line Gift for Police Officer. Help those looking for such a product find it with great SEO.
It is also especially important to SEO your images. Many times online shoppers may browse internet photos first before reading through all of the internet content. Images that are SEO’d for that content help to drive those searchers back to your content first. Often times these photos may come up higher than your content, as many people forget to SEO their photos and leave the camera information as the photo name. No one is searching for 6498457_2354.jpg if they’re looking for a specific product. Change the photo name and SEO keywords & metadata.
5. Post great products to Pinterest
Pinterest is a great tool for many who are searching the internet for unique solutions to their problems, and it is highly image focused. If you have products/services that may appeal to anyone outside of your community, it is worth the time to make sure you have a great photo of your product/service and add it to Pinterest. With a few clicks of a button, you can have your content living on a huge platform, and make it easy for customers to come back to that specific product within your shop.
6. Share with like-minded people and groups
Who shares a commonality with your business or products? Who needs your services? Who may be crazy for what you have to offer? If you make garden products, join online communities for gardeners or join a local gardening meet up. Get in front of those who are likely to buy your products and help them to know that your business/products exist to make their life easier or more enjoyable by utilizing it.
7. Create a newsletter/private group
While social media algorithms change over time and so can SEO, a group of dedicated followers may be of most value to your business. You can gather a group of people and engage with them through a newsletter. Past clients often are your highest source of revenue, so engage with them regularly. There are many free newsletter services like MailChimp where you can get email signups. Even if your list starts off with 10 people, it can continue to grow over time. Additionally, a private Facebook group of followers allows them private access to your best content and may help them feel more committed to your brand.
8. Add a link in your email signature
An email signature, something that is pretty common in corporate culture, is often overlooked for small/individual business owners. However, this tool allows customers, clients, and acquaintances to see that you are online and be able to go directly to your shop from your email address. It is a simple, one-time effort, that can help drive traffic over and over to your shop.
Take your shop even further and try at least one of these new efforts to help drive more traffic to your online store.
