Ecommerce Expert | Overcoming digital hurdles

Ecommerce Expert

The ecommerce industry is growing rapidly, and more retailers are now moving their businesses online to reach a wider audience. However, with the growing competition in the digital space, retailers may face a number of challenges that can hinder their success. This is where an ecommerce expert can be of great help.

WARNING RANT COMING:

On average in-store conversions are at 30%, food retail at 90%, and digital converts at 2%, which clearly shows we are doing something really wrong with this digital stuff.⁠ ⁠ This is what you can do about it:⁠ ⁠

✅ Good product images get 30% more conversions.

⁠✅ Write in the “voice of the customer”, look at your reviews, listen to your customers in-store and use their language in your product descriptions.

✅ Simple checkout. Reducing the number of fields on a form from 4 to 3 can increase conversion rates by 50%.⁠

✅ Speed – having a fast website is so important that Google ranks you on it.⁠

✅ A strong call to action. Make sure your buttons clearly stand out and use colour psychology. Don’t use red!⁠ ⁠ 

Want to hear more… Listen below. Thank you to Humble Brags & Shopping bags for having me.

Common digital hurdles faced by retailers

  1. Increased competition: With the rise in ecommerce businesses, the competition has also increased significantly. Retailers may find it difficult to stand out among the crowd and attract their target audience.
  2. Lack of expertise: Many retailers may not have the necessary expertise to successfully run an ecommerce business. This can lead to poor website design, ineffective marketing strategies, and low conversion rates.

  3. Limited budget: Ecommerce businesses require a significant investment in marketing, website development, and other operational costs. Small retailers may struggle with limited budgets, making it difficult to compete with larger businesses.

  4. Inadequate data analysis: Retailers may struggle with analyzing their website and marketing data, which can lead to poor decision making and ineffective strategies.

How an ecommerce expert can help

  1. Digital strategy development: An ecommerce expert can work with retailers to develop a comprehensive digital strategy that includes website design, marketing strategies, and operational procedures. This can help retailers stand out in a crowded market and attract their target audience.

  2. Expertise and guidance: Ecommerce experts have the necessary expertise to help retailers design effective websites, implement marketing strategies, and analyze data. They can provide guidance and support throughout the entire process.

  3. Budget optimization: They can help retailers optimize their budget by identifying areas where costs can be reduced and developing cost-effective marketing strategies.

  4. Data analysis: Ecommerce experts can help retailers analyze their website and marketing data to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions

The ecommerce industry is highly competitive and retailers may face a number of digital hurdles. However, by hiring an ecommerce consultant, retailers can overcome these challenges and achieve success in the digital space. Ecommerce experts like myself can provide expertise, guidance, and support throughout the entire process, from developing a comprehensive digital strategy to analyzing data and making data-driven decisions. By doing so, ecommerce experts can help retailers optimize their website, marketing strategies, and budget, ultimately leading to increased sales and long-term success in the ecommerce industry.

BIO

Kelly Slessor, is an Ecommerce Coach and a digital marketing expert. Passionate about retail, hospitality and retail service providers. As the founder and CEO of Shop You, an AI powered personalised virtual shopping mall she has spent 20 years building retail technology that responds to customer needs, drives conversions and increases revenue. Over the past year she has worked with over 1000 retailers and hospitality providers. If you want discover more about digital growth and optimisation, work with me.

Google Gemini for ecommerce

Bridging the Gap: Bringing an Ecommerce workshop to Remote Communities

I was honoured to run an Ecommerce workshop with the outstanding First Nation founders of Make It Happen HQ (MIHHQ), Adele and Cara. We co-created a 2-day Ecommerce workshop to assist the fantastic First Nation-owned businesses in Broome. This aligned with our mission to bridge the gap between remote communities and the digital landscape.

Digital Marketing for Remote Community – An Ecommerce workshop  

I was excited to work with MIHHQ! It’s a beginning to my goal of working with First Nation businesses in remote communities and delivering digital education. My plans are offering participants opportunities via Ecommerce workshops to learn and develop skills in a variety of areas fundamental to success in the ecommerce space. This includes:

  • Content creation.
  • Customer identification strategies.
  • SEO basics.
  • Marketing strategies.

In addition to assisting participants to develop and refine their familiarities with social media, platforms and plugins enabling them to better succeed in their ecommerce goals.

Read More HERE.

remote communities
BIO

Kelly Slessor, is an Ecommerce Coach and a digital marketing expert. Passionate about retail, hospitality and retail service providers. As the founder and CEO of Shop You, an AI powered personalised virtual shopping mall she has spent 20 years building retail technology that responds to customer needs, drives conversions and increases revenue. Over the past year she has worked with over 1000 retailers and hospitality providers. If you want discover more about digital growth and optimisation, work with me.

Google Gemini for ecommerce

Reduce your digital marketing costs | Retail World Magazine

reduce digital marketing costs

reduce your digital marketing costsUnderstanding your customer is key to reduce your digital marketing costs to drive sales and increasing the average order value. According to Hubspot, 42% of businesses do not know their customers. Understanding who your online customer is and what their motivations are provides the foundation for a successful and sustainable eCommerce strategy.

With the cost of acquisition in Australia and globally rising, paying Facebook, Google, or Tik Tok to target “everyone” is fast becoming an unsustainable and expensive digital marketing activity. The average cost to acquire a customer using online advertising is around $30. For most retailers with an average basket size of sub $100, this does not add up. Taking into account production costs, digital platform costs, and shipping, many retailers are losing money on their digital media spend. Knowing your customer reduces the cost of acquisition, increases the average basket size, and drives more in-store and online customers, who are more likely to buy.

At a time when customers are shopping around for the best deal, loyalty is at an all-time low. The costs of digital are escalating. Now is the time to focus on the customer and to review your customer to ensure you are still aligned.  In order to reduce your digital marketing costs.

Read the full article on how to reduce your digital marketing costs at the retail world magazine, page 20.

BIO

Kelly Slessor, is an Ecommerce Coach and a digital marketing expert. Passionate about retail, hospitality and retail service providers. As the founder and CEO of Shop You, an AI powered personalised virtual shopping mall she has spent 20 years building retail technology that responds to customer needs, drives conversions and increases revenue. Over the past year she has worked with over 1000 retailers and hospitality providers. If you want discover more about digital growth and optimisation, work with me.

Google Gemini for ecommerce

The power of social proof | Retail World Magazine

The power of social proof
Social Proof

Social proof is one of the most powerful tools retailers, and hospitality providers have at their disposal. When used correctly, it can help persuade potential buyers to make a purchase they may not have otherwise considered.

According to a study by Nielsen, 92% of people trust recommendations from friends and family over all other forms of advertising. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that social proof has become an important factor for online businesses.

Studies have shown that adding social proof elements such as trust seals or badges can also help build confidence for potential buyers.  In addition it  reduces shopping cart abandonment rates. By following these tips, retail and hospitality businesses can use social proof to boost their sales and increase profits.

Think of the last time you visited a new restaurant, beauty salon, or hairdresser or bought a pair of jeans from a brand you generally don’t buy from. What was the process you went through? 

If you are like most of the population, you probably searched on Google, read a few reviews, and then made your decision to buy a product or visit a venue.

Online reviews drive behaviour, conversions and revenue.  In fact, the average customer is willing to spend 31% more on a retailer that has excellent reviews.

Read the full article at the retail world magazine, page 14-15.

I was fortune to work with the retail world magazine and I will be contributing an article each month apart of their monthly magazine.

BIO

Kelly Slessor, is an Ecommerce Coach and a digital marketing expert. Passionate about retail, hospitality and retail service providers. As the founder and CEO of Shop You, an AI powered personalised virtual shopping mall she has spent 20 years building retail technology that responds to customer needs, drives conversions and increases revenue. Over the past year she has worked with over 1000 retailers and hospitality providers. If you want discover more about digital growth and optimisation, work with me.

Discount codes and Exclusive deals | Sunrise

Discount codes and exclusive deals/ sales

Discount codes and Exclusive deals Sunrise

This video was originally published on Sunrise. Kelly Slessor talks about the demand for discount codes and exclusive deals while online shopping. 

2.5 million searches a month for discount codes and there is a current spike for these codes online. 50% start their shopping search online, retailers should take advantage of online discounts and exclusive deals. 

 Discover more in the sunrise video below.

Feel free to contact us for more information. 

BIO

Kelly Slessor, is an Ecommerce Coach and a digital marketing expert. Passionate about retail, hospitality and retail service providers. As the founder and CEO of Shop You, an AI powered personalised virtual shopping mall she has spent 20 years building retail technology that responds to customer needs, drives conversions and increases revenue. Over the past year she has worked with over 1000 retailers and hospitality providers. If you want discover more about digital growth and optimisation, work with me.

discount codes

Creating Your Story | The Global Human Intelligence podcast

Everyone has a story to tell and storytelling is important for business, personal life, connection and networking. 

One of the best parts about what I do is getting to hang with ridiculously smart people. I absolutely loved our conversation about technology, the importance of story-telling, and the diversity in technology. Love your work, Kiri-Maree Moore thanks for having me on the Global Human Intelligence Podcast.

Listen to our insightful podcast about creating your story HERE.

Connect with Kiri-Maree Moore on Linkedin and Facebook.

Kelly Slessor has been in retail and technology for 20 years and has worked with hundreds of retailers, from Woolworths to the local fishmongers, from Gluestore to hairdressers. She uses a proven methodology to grow your digital presence.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

  • The importance of taking care of your physical health (03:32)
  • Technology and human intelligence (06:47)
  • Narrowing the gap between what we want and where we are (10:17)
  • Are online meetings as effective as face-to-face meetings? (12:08)
  • How to stay above the digital noise? (17:38)
  • Creating story as a brand (19:26)
  • Do the stories you create define you? (25:31)
  • Finding out who you want to grow and teach (28:51)
  • Navigating tricky conversations (33:34)
  • Woman discrimination in the corporate world (40:13)
  • How to be smart in the decision table (45:02)
  • What is the HR tickbox? (49:50)
  • Helping others to do better (54:44)
  • Having diversity and inclusivity in the decision table (57:39)
  • The greatest challenge that Kelly has faced (01:00:35)
  • Kelly’s takeaways (01:03:04)
BIO

Kelly Slessor, is an Ecommerce Coach and a digital marketing expert. Passionate about retail, hospitality and retail service providers. As the founder and CEO of Shop You, an AI powered personalised virtual shopping mall she has spent 20 years building retail technology that responds to customer needs, drives conversions and increases revenue. Over the past year she has worked with over 1000 retailers and hospitality providers. If you want discover more about digital growth and optimisation, work with me.

Sky News Interview: The Future of Retail

Digital growth expert and CEO of Shop you, Kelly Slessor, discusses the personalised shopping experience that a “virtual mall” connected to a physical store can have for people with Sky News. The future of retail lies in the opportunity of a virtual mall.

Shop You is a mobile application that uses artificial intelligence to enhance the shopping experience. It matches people with brands and styles.

“The virtual mall sits on top of your physical mall”.

“It knows you”. It presents things to customers based on their personal attributes.

“You can add events; you can speak to a personal stylist”.

“The main thing it does, which is the most important thing, is it connects to the physical store”.

What we saw during COVID is more people shopping online. More importantly, we saw more people shopping locally. However, the future of retail is online.

Kelly Slessor is an ecommerce coach and digital marketing expert passionate about helping retails grow. She has helped global leading companies such as Westfields, Woolworths, Big W and Gluestore, and small independent brands and restaurants.

Retail will never be the same again: the future of retail

The coronavirus pandemic has convinced many CEOs that what is actually happening was going to happen in the future. Retail has been hit badly. 

“Retail will never be the same again. There is no turning back and no returning to normal; the future just happened,” said Kelly Slessor, founder and CEO of personalised mobile shopping app Shop You.

“The retail industry was already on course for a huge shake-up and with lockdown forcing the closure of shopping centres and retail stores. The industry has been forced to act.”

COVID-19 has spurred a massive change for the retail industry. Retailers have been scrambling to adapt. As physical stores closed, consumers have shifted to online shopping. As a result, this has forced retailers to create new ways to ensure business continuity and optimise ecommerce business functions. To survive and thrive, retailers need to take advantage of online technology and tools.

Many trends will come out of a post-COVID world. Moreover, the drastic shift from in-store to online is not going to change to its previous state, after the pandemic has passed. Shoppers will continue to go to the physical store. However, their behaviours will change. It is more likely that customers will visit physical stores less and spend more when they do come.

Retailers will need to provide an immersive experience.

Read more at The CEO Magazine.

Ask the Experts: Home Decor & Furniture Retailers

As Australians remain inside during the pandemic, the popularity of housewares have gone through the roof. We look to leading ecommerce experts to rank three home decor and furniture retailers. 

Shoppers are redecorating, updating their home office and keeping themselves occupied during lockdown. We sat down with ecommerce expert, Alita Harvey-Rodriguez, the Managing Director at MI Academy, Kelly Slessor, the Founder and CEO of Shop You, and Jane Magoffin, the Senior Account Manager at Reload Media. We examined and broke down the good, bad and the mediocre.

We’ll be looking at are Temple & Webster, Brosa and Zanui. What do these leading ecommerce experts think of these three retailers?

Temple & Webster - Home decor and furniture retailer

Temple & Webster is a retailer that understands its customers. It is one of the market leaders and experts in Australia.

With so many people searching on their phones for home decor, it is crucial that the homepage is easy to navigate. 

Product review systems is a strong selling point. It shows user-generated content of real customers who own that product and how they have used it.

“Huge range of product images and great size easy to see the product in detail on mobile.”

Brosa - Art-inspired furniture and decor retail

Brosa provides art-inspired furniture and decor. This retailer is design-led and environmentally-friendly.

The homepage gives the user a push into taking action. Customers are faced with options. Calling a stylist, finding a physical store, a virtual conversation or browsing their top product categories. Homepage is focused on sales and uses GIFs to show different products.

“Great imagery on the homepage, but the fonts on imagery are too small to read.”

“Clean imagery coupled with design inspiration.”

Product page has rich information with detailed and visual product descriptions. It is clear that Brosa uses a personal approach. This can be seen by their call to actions – ‘We’re here to help’ and ‘Call us’.

Zanui - Homewares and furniture retail

Zanui is an online leader for Aussie homewares. It provides the trendiest furniture for Aussie online shoppers.

Zanui does a really nice job of adjusting their homepage to whatever device the customer is on. Either mobile or desktop. The mobile experience is slightly different from the desktop experience.

On each product page, there is product description, live stock updates and shipping quotes.

“Image navigation on the homepage is clear and well designed.”

“Two pop ups on mobile product page can be distracting, but there’s great product imagery.”

Kelly Slessor is an Ecommerce Coach and a digital marketing expert passionate about helping retailers grow. Kelly has worked with 100’s of retailers, shopping centres and property groups to develop their digital marketing plans, ecommerce platforms and technology strategy. Companies include Westfields, Woolworths, Big W, Sainsburys, Gluestore and small independent brands and restaurants.

Read the full story at Power Retail.

Personalisation in Retail – Let’s Get Personal

Online retail is becoming more personalised with every click. As technology advances, so does the customer behaviours that customers present to retailers. In this article, we sat down with Kelly Slessor. To discuss the power of personalisation in retail and the future of ecommerce. In addition, we talk about the changes within the industry and how tech is helping retail reach its full potential. Kelly Slessor is the CEO and founder of Shop You.

Online retail has soared in the last six months. Many trends will come out of a post-COVID world. According to Kelly, the primary trend would be consumer-driven and focused technology. Consumers focus on convenience and safety. Additionally, there will be ongoing growth in contactless and cashless technology.

Two Key Steps

Many retailers have moved towards ecommerce platforms, including but not limited to small-medium enterprises and local retailers. There are two ways that these retailers can grow and survive in the digital environment.

  1. Develop a clear vision of its customers. Target them with the right keywords and messages.
  2. Treat Google as the shop’s front. More than half of customers’ buying decisions start online. Investing in SEO and optimising Google is found to be essential for growth.

There is enough room for existing ecommerce retailers to grow. For example, video chat, guided selling, and immersive experiences.

Opportunities and Impacts for Retail

The retail model is broken. We are not serving what the customers need. The opportunity is in collaboration. Cooperating between technology companies, shopping centres, retailers, the government, and the customers. This helps to build out solutions that address the pain points.

The problem is connecting individual platforms to create one seamless journey. It is a job that sits with the retailer. However, it requires skill and expertise that many retailers do not have.

If platforms can be connected flawlessly, there will be huge growth opportunities for retailers.

Retailers that continue to provide disconnected experiences and barriers between physical and online will not survive. This is one of the biggest reasons for failure. As a result, these retailers go bankrupt and close down.

The Future of Retail

With an increasing number of digital experiences, retails are moving at a faster pace. The significant impact that we will see in retail is using artificial intelligence for personalisation. Personalisation in retail can take of huge amounts of data in real-time and provide the customer with what they need. There is a demand for many touchpoints that allow customers to spend their time and money.

To sum up, online will become an immersive experience. Each customer would have a personalised experience. These experiences will have a seamless connection to the physical store and provide a journey that is connected. From intent to fulfilment.

Read the full article at Power Retail.