5 value-added services for eCommerce

When competition is high, there is no other option but to look for resources that allow us to stand out (and it is not always going to be the price). Online shoppers are increasingly opting for those stores that give them some "added value".

 

On this post we are going to suggest 5 ideas to seduce your target audience.

We live in the era of the shopping experience. That is why it is necessary to adapt our offer to customers' expectations. What is more: the more we are able to exceed them, the easier it will be to achieve objectives such as:

 Advantages that value-added services bring us in several of the phases of the Customer Journey. Let's get to it.

As a general tip, which is applicable to all value-added service proposals in eCommerce: put yourself in the customer's position, think about what they want and what concerns them. In this way, you will be able to turn a brake into an opportunity.

 

Manufacturers give a legal warranty period: this is something that is public and we all know. But we can always offer an extension of that warranty, an additional period in which we bear the cost of repair or replacement.

 

We know it is a "risk", but for customers you are giving them extra confidence. It will be much easier for them to decide to buy in the first instance, but also on a recurring basis.

You have to be very clear and decisive in your return policy, and provide solutions that are very clear even before the purchase.

 

In fact, it is enough to anticipate and enclose pre-printed labels and return instructions with the order. If you have physical stores or use pick-up points, they are a fairly simple solution for returns. You can always communicate this and "sell" it as a value-added service.

 

Make it easy for customers and they will thank you by coming back to buy; they may even turn the tables if necessary, turning a negative experience into a positive one.

Did you know that Apple itself uses this strategy? When you buy a device, you have access to courses that give you training on photography, productivity, computer maintenance...

 

Take this to your niche and take advantage of the fact that you are an expert in your field to help your customers get more out of their purchase. With technology it is obvious, but you can also apply it to any other type of business: makeup courses for the cosmetics niche, cooking tips, mechanics, style... There are thousands of options.

 

 It is an action that has a marginal cost but changes buyer´s perception.

This is a true modern classic, but there are still many eCommerces that are reluctant to do so. We have already said that social proof is of paramount importance when it comes to generating trust in the buyer. And where is this credibility needed more than in the product file?

 

People place a lot of trust in other people´s opinion, those who are external to the company. So it goes without saying that there is an impartiality.

 

You can include different elements, such as the famous star ratings or user-generated multimedia content (photos, videos, unboxings...): anything that adds truth to the comments and makes them useful.

In addition, it can help as an asset for internal search filters, providing more possibilities for user interaction and, at the same time, adding transparency.

 

These are some extras that will help you stand out from direct competitors, small gestures that create a superior shopping experience.