Promoting Your E-Commerce Site

If you have an e-commerce site for your business, you'll want to let your regular customers, as well as the general public, know about its existence as well as the products that you have available.  Fortunately, in today's digital age, you have many options for promoting your e-commerce site.

Website.
Use your website to promote your online store.  Ensure that navigation to the online store is prominent and easy to spot on your site's homepage.  If the online store is a new addition, consider posting a highlight or feature item near the top center area of the homepage where visitor's sight naturally gravitates.

Email.
Utilize your email customer list(s) to share news of, and information about, your e-commerce site.  Share with recipients any features of the online store, as well as payment and delivery or pick-up information.

Social Media.
Due to widespread use and ease of sharing among users, promoting your e-commerce site, as well as the products available on social media, should be a priority.  Social media posts should include pictures of products and a link directly to the online store. 

Online Marketplaces & Directories.
If you have your business listed on online marketplaces or directories such as PA Preferred, AgMap, your local chamber of commerce, or tourism/visitors bureau, ensure that your website is included with your listing information and that, where possible, you indicate that you offer online ordering.

Printed Material.
Include the web address (URL) for your website or direct to your e-commerce site on printed marketing materials such as flyers and brochures.  If your online store is new, one way to spread the word to current customers is to include a slip of paper with offline purchases or through direct mail. 

Personal Networks.
Put your personal connections to work! Let family, friends, and regular customers that you may have contact information for know about your e-commerce site.  These are the individuals most invested in your success and highly likely to share this information with their personal networks.

To simplify your marketing efforts, develop a few short pieces of marketing copy, making sure that it includes your website, that you can use in various outlets. Share information about your e-commerce site with other local businesses that you know or do business with such as restaurants and shops that you may sell to and other local farms.  By utilizing your existing marketing tools, it should be effortless to promote your e-commerce site.