The world of online shopping offers so many possibilities to so many people. In this day and age, just about anyone can set up their own e-commerce store online and get selling. However, with the sheer amount of choice that comes with online retail, how do the smaller online businesses get themselves noticed? They’re facing more challenges than ever, but if they overcome them, the reward is bigger than ever.

e-Commerce Challenges

Crowded Market

More and more people are shopping online and as a result, the online market place is more crowded than ever. Even the big retailers are trying harder to get themselves noticed.  Lesser-known online businesses can struggle to get customer attention amongst increasing number of competitors, both big and small. Thankfully there are number of things they can to get their site found by potential customers. They can offer unique products, competitive rates and have a strong social media presence. The latter can potentially be helped with the help of online influencers.

Social Media

Moving on from the last point, social media itself is another challenge smaller e-Commerce will face. It is vital for online businesses to have an online presence in order to keep up with the crowd. This can make for some great customer engagement and grow a larger consumer base. However, it does come with its own challenges. Social media is 24/7 so online businesses have to make themselves available all the time to deal with customers, rather than the standard working day.

Keeping Products Secure

Once the e-Commerce site has managed to sell their product to a customer, the challenge doesn’t end there. A huge problem they will face is making sure the products remains safe until it gets delivered to the customer. With the help of a professional delivery company – such as Whistl– they can ensure any products will be handled safely and effectively. It takes the stress away from the business and the e-Commerce can focus on selling rather than sending.

Keeping Up With Demand

The best outcome for a small online business is for them to keep growing. Once this begins to happen, it’s fantastic but also presents the business with another challenge: keeping up with the demand. What could have started as selling a few parcels a week could escalate, and they’ve got to keep up to keep the customers happy. By employing more staff or using a third party delivery service a smaller e-Commerce can keep growing and maintaining a profit.

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This is blog post number 471.

The post Important Challenges all International e-Commerce SMEs Will Face appeared first on Marketing Fundamentals.

I was interviewed by the lovely Melinda Yeaman for the Outlier Podcast series. Click here to listen to the interview.

Click here to listen.

B2B Content Marketing Agency London

Marketing Fundamentals Ltd is a B2B Content Marketing Agency in London that creates Content and manages Social Media for Professional Services firms.

If you would like our help creating and executing a Content Marketing Plan for your business or organisation give us a call on +44 (0) 845 2264 247. You can also email us via mail@marketingfundamentals.com

On our YouTube channel you will find marketing advice, business advice & inspiration. Subscribe if you work in Marketing for Professional Services or are a business owner or solo-preneur trying to grow your business. New uploads on Wednesdays.

I hope you find this information useful.

Best wishes,

Mike Pitt

Founder & CEO

Marketing Fundamentals Ltd

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The post Mike Pitt – ‘Unleashing the Power of Content’ Podcast for Outlier Magazine appeared first on Marketing Fundamentals.

Mike Pitt, Founder & CEO of Marketing Fundamentals Ltd explains what Content Marketing is and how it has proven very effective for his company’s clients. For more marketing advice give us a call on +44 (0) 845 226 4247

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I think technically we have reached the season known as Spring – if you are in the UK you will understand why I added the word technically. Lots of trade shows and business exhibitions take place during Spring and Summer. Many of you will already have booked your stands and some even produced your display stands. Exhibiting at a trade show is rarely cheap so it important that you have a plan to maximise your return on investment. How do you plan to do that? – Below are five pointers.

Business Exhibitions – 5 Pointers to maximise your ROI

1. Social Media – Pre-promote your appearance at your trade show on the relevant social media platforms. Not just once or twice but on a consistent basis in the run up to your event.

2. Imaginative collateral – If you are printing branded merchandise and brochures to distribute at the event be more original than a standard brochure, branded bags, mugs and pens. Pick something relevant to your business sector and memorable.

3. New Business conversations – Do not make the mistake of treating all new business leads equally. Prior to the event you should identify the most profitable leads and brief your sales team to make these a priority and to be more expansive in these conversations.

4. Big on Data – If your stand is well received you’ll have high traffic and there will be lots of potential leads to process. Ensure that you have enough staff and they have the requisite technology to record customer and prospect data quickly.

5. Stand Appeal & Interactivity – Your stand must be appealing and interactive to attract and retain the interest of attendees long enough for your staff to interact with them. Ensure that you have enough activities scheduled throughout the day to create the required buzz around your stand.

If you’d like to discuss business exhibitions or any aspect of your marketing requirements feel free to give us a call on +44 (0) 845 2264 247 or drop us an email via mail@marketingfundamentals.com – We look forward to hearing from you.

We hope you have found this information useful. We are a leading Content Marketing Agency in London.

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Marketing Fundamentals Team

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