Listen along
This blog was written by The Good Food Collective - find out more about them here.
With a plethora of culinary options for consumers to choose from, sometimes it can be hard for small businesses to get noticed and convince customers to buy your product. eCommerce is a cost-effective way to distribute your food and beverage to a national audience – but the gap between purchasing and receiving goods presents challenges and opportunities. Here are some tips to help create a great eCommerce customer experience:
Focus on saliency
Take the time to explain what makes your product unique and why it’s relevant to the customer. For example, is your product better for them? Does it save them time? Are there positive impacts they hadn’t considered? Really help the customer understand the features and benefits of your product. As well as images of the product, try to include images of it being used or combined with other products.
Build whakawhānaungatanga
Foster relationships that mutually support and connect you as a way to build community and enhance awareness of your mahi. Are there local business associations you can join? Can you share brand insights to inform stockists about your target consumer? Could you run a collaborative event or joint giveaway with another business?
Packaging
eCommerce customers have to wait for their products to be delivered, but this can be turned into a positive unboxing experience when it arrives so it’s important to think about all aspects of how you present your offering. Does the packaging reflect your brand identity? Does it look good? Did you leave a thoughtful note? Have you protected the food or beverage you were shipping?
Inspire loyalty
You can surprise and delight your shopper by offering them incentives such as loyalty benefits and discount cards, including samples in their order and slipping in bonus items with their purchase to introduce other products and encourage repeat business.
Communicate
One of the things online shoppers value the most is understanding when their order is going to arrive. By sharing shipping updates customers can trace their products after their purchase which helps reduce customer service inquiries and saves you time.
Use the data
eCommerce platforms naturally generate valuable data which you can use to understand your customers and their buying habits. This information can guide your decision-making and allow you to adapt your strategy. Use the data to take advantage of social media, email marketing, relevant traditional marketing channels and search engine optimisation (SEO) to target audiences effectively, raise awareness of your product, drive traffic to your site, and ultimately boost sales.
About The Good Food Collective
The Good Food Collective is a social enterprise dedicated to the incredible gourmet food and drink made in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is an eCommerce platform that features talented Kiwi artisans from 14 different regions showcasing award-winning pantry staples, alcohol, small goods, sweets, and many other unique products that suit a variety of lifestyles.
An offer to New Zealand artisans
The Good Food Collective was started in 2020 to connect Kiwis to the gourmet food and drink made by local artisans. We showcase deliciously tasty products in one, easy to use, online shopping platform and only feature items that are 100% NZ made - even our website and packaging are locally sourced.
If you know a New Zealand artisan who could benefit from being part of The Good Food Collective, we are offering a 50% discount on our joining fee to all members of the Digital Boost community. To find out more, please email info@thegoodfoodcollective.co.nz.