How Important is it to Have an E-commerce Site During the COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be the most imminent event of 2020 that is predicted to have implications that will last for a long time. It has changed the landscape of the entire world so rapidly that business owners probably didn’t even have the time to form a contingency plan. The COVID-19 put almost the entire world under lockdown, deeming it unsafe for groups of people to gather anywhere. This move put a major dent in the business of traditional market places and malls.



The silver lining to this is that people all around the world have come to terms with the realities of our interconnected world through digital means. Traditional businesses that probably wouldn’t have even thought of it eventually had to set foot in the digital world by launching their e-commerce site.

So, why is it important for businesses to launch their own e-commerce website during the COVID-19?

An E-commerce Site is Necessary Due to the Closing down Traditional Markets

Even with the massive evolution in the digital world, many business owners were still operating traditionally through retail outlets and shops. The coronavirus has been deemed an extremely rapidly spreading and contagious disease. To keep the disease from spreading, people throughout the world have been placed under lockdown and cinemas, shopping malls, parks, and all other public places have also been shut down.

The only option left for consumers is to shop online through e-commerce websites. The number of internet users has increased exponentially overnight with millions of users purchasing essential and non-essential items at the touch of a button through the internet. The greatest loss is and will be suffered by physical markets as even after the release of COVID vaccines, many consumers will still be hesitant to visit public places.

Businesses that don’t have an e-commerce website during this pandemic have already faced significant losses and will continue to do so if they don’t launch their site soon.

Moreover, even after the threat of the COVID-19 subsides, many customers will still be very scared and cautious before stepping foot into physical shops and markets.

An E-commerce Site Will Help You Remain in Business

Considering the ban on all public gatherings throughout the world, it’s safe to assume that things won’t go back to normal very soon. It will be months or even years before buyers and sellers will be able to recover from the after-effects of this pandemic. If you only own a traditional shop, it might be nearly impossible for you to survive the lockdown unless you launch your e-commerce website.

An e-commerce website will not only let you remain in business during the COVID-19 lockdown, but it might also give you the opportunity to flourish and thrive. While consumers will forget most businesses that they’d physically visit before the pandemic, your e-commerce website will ensure that they remember you.

An E-commerce Site Helps Collect Consumer Data

The biggest advantage that having an e-commerce site during the COVID-19 will give you is consumer insight. Traditionally, when a customer enters a shop, they often make a purchase on cash or credit without having to provide any of their information. However, placing an order on an e-commerce site requires extensive customer data that extends from their name to their number, home address, and email.

Moreover, with the type of smart websites and tools these days, you will also get the opportunity to assess their buying behavior. When the pandemic ends, this can give you a rather great advantage over your competitors who didn’t focus on creating their e-commerce site.

An E-commerce Site Helps You Control the Entire Customer Experience

The COVID-19 lockdown is the best time for business owners to boost and enhance their e-commerce presence through a stunning website that will wow their consumers. A growing number of people are leaning towards online shopping for both necessities and luxuries, searching for the ultimate personalized experience.

Having an e-commerce website will give you complete control over customer data, enabling you to tailor your website experience according to your customers. This will also help you create loyal customers while helping you keep your costs low through precision marketing. The point is that customers crave for a customized experience as it makes them feel valued and important. Moreover, there’s no better time than now to show your customers that you care and there’s nothing better than a well-functioning e-commerce site to do this!

An E-commerce Site Will Help You Prove Your Worth to Your Customers

If you’re a business that relies on third-party retailers as part of your online strategy, now might be the ideal time to create your own e-commerce website. Due to the COVID-19, logistics have been disrupted to a huge extent that has resulted in a loss of revenue and many dissatisfied customers.

Since third-party retailers such as Amazon cater to a wide variety of businesses, you can expect to experience delayed orders, disturbed logistics, etc. This might raise a lot of complaints and concerns by your customers which may lead to a further loss in profits and make it difficult to even breakeven.

From receiving orders to dispatching them and ensuring that they reach on time, launching your e-commerce site will give you the ability to control every single aspect of your customer’s buying experience.

An E-commerce Site Will Help You Create Innovative Online Shopping Experiences

Digital innovations and tech-focused solutions offer you the chance to form a long-term strategy to adapt to the new normal. E-commerce websites offer you the opportunity to vow your customers through new innovations. These innovative experiences might just inspire your customers to permanently switch towards online shopping. E-commerce websites in China have now been upgraded with a unique tool – live-stream shopping. For instance, one of the world’s largest online retailers, Alibaba, has introduced live stream sessions on its platform.

Since many customers are already prepared to make the switch to online shopping a good, creating a website with an innovative virtual shopping experience might be the push they need.

Conclusion

Setting up an e-commerce website during the COVID-19 will not only help you remain in business but will also help you gather considerable insights into your customers and target audience. This will help give you an edge over your competitors. Moreover, once the pandemic ends, you will be able to target your customers accordingly and effectively.