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e-commerce setup
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There’s no doubt that online shopping is having an impact on the Coffs Coast retail industry. In fact, online purchases are increasing annually by just over 10 per cent. Moreover, shopping online has become a daily routine for many families, and with the cost of living continuing to bite, this trend is likely to continue. Fortunately for the Coffs region, many businesses can still thrive when tourists boost foot traffic in the summer. Ultimately, though, most stores and businesses can remain competitive with a hybrid mix of bricks-and-mortar premises plus a well-integrated online presence. This blend is the perfect solution to the changing retail environment and helps to smooth out the peaks and troughs created by the seasons. So, how can an e-commerce setup improve your profitability?
The Online Shopping Boom
Online shopping offers keen pricing, ease of use and an incredible choice for consumers. These are major draw cards, especially for folks living in rural and regional areas such as Coffs. The rise of online giants such as Amazon and Chinese fast-fashion outlets is testimony to e-commerce’s popularity. However, the chink in the armour is the inability to see and feel the actual product. Plus, shoppers often want the product immediately and will forgo the ‘best price’ for instant fulfilment.
The Return to Retail
Many local stores on the Coffs Coast are already discovering the benefits of a hybrid offering. This includes click and collect, social media site sales and an e-commerce setup. It’s a little paradoxical because although stores going online will be competing in a much larger marketplace, they’ll also have the potential of many more customers. In addition, by deploying clever local SEO tactics, a local store is much more likely to be found by local customers. Because of this, many customers will browse a local store’s products and then head down to the store to experience the physical reality.
Achieving A Successful e-Commerce Setup
Ensuring success in e-commerce is a tailored process. A business could be anything from a clothing retail store to a bookstore. The likelihood of success often relies on having a variety of products, competitive pricing, and an excellent online experience.
If COVID has shown us one thing, we can do more online and locally. For instance, we have seen excellent outcomes for the Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Co-Op with their Christmas seafood orders. And there is huge potential to extend this success further (coffsfishcoop.com.au). Online shopping has become integral, creating additional revenue. The same is true for the business model of Flowers On First in Sawtell, which also enjoys online shopping success (flowersonfirst.com.au).
E-commerce setup can also be an effective way to produce extra passive income, as in F1RST’s case with My Coffs Harbour (mycoffsharbour.com.au) – local stock photography and CoffsHarbour.biz (coffsharbour.biz) – local business community and business directory.
