Innovative ecommerce marketing ideas are crucial for any online store aiming to increase conversions. Effective marketing strategies are indispensable, as even the most aesthetically pleasing websites may fail to convert without them.
To distinguish your brand in a competitive marketplace, adopting creative ecommerce marketing ideas that capture attention is essential. These strategies will ensure that your ecommerce site or app not only stands out but also fosters enduring customer relationships.
To help you achieve this, we’ve compiled 11 insane ecommerce marketing ideas that are proven strategies for driving conversions, improving retention, and ultimately growing your business.
11 Ecommerce Marketing Ideas That Work
1. Personalize the Search Bar
Most marketers are unaware of the huge untapped opportunity your search bar contains.
The search bar is often the most utilized feature on your ecommerce website. When customers efficiently locate their desired products, research indicates that your conversion rate can increase by 1.8 times—a significant boost by any standard.
This underscores why the search functionality is second only to your product offerings in importance on your ecommerce site. It is imperative to personalize the search bar to maximize its effectiveness and capitalize on your ecommerce potential.
Remember that the ability to quickly find the right product is a critical aspect of the customer’s purchase journey. If your site fails to deliver on this front, customers will likely turn to your competitors. Therefore, optimizing your search functionality is not just an enhancement; it’s a necessity.
2. Use Gamified Exit Intent Pop-ups
Customers may not always find what they want on the website, but this doesn’t mean they’re lost customers.
You can use exit-intent pop-ups as a last resort to keep your customers on your website. An exit-intent pop-up is a final attempt to get customers to stay on your website or incentivize them to come back.
This is also a very good ecommerce marketing idea for collecting first-party customer data, such as email addresses for your email list. You can set up nurture sequences and email drip campaigns to engage them and cross-sell or up-sell relevant products.
Most ecommerce websites use static popups like the ones above. This is not a bad idea, but there are dynamic gamified popups that will perform better. They’re not only interactive but also provide a better experience.
For example, look at the image below. A simple game like “spin the wheel” exit intent with options offering discounts and other benefits is an amazing ecommerce strategy that will keep your customers engaged and incentivize them to return.
Just remember to use exit intent popups only when customers have not taken any action. Triggering the pop-up at the wrong time will upset the customer’s shopping experience.
Pro tip – Consider using countdown timers in your exit-intent pop-ups to create urgency. Research indicates that popups with countdown timers converted 112.93% more than normal pop-ups.
3. Create Personalized Landing Pages
Your ecommerce website should be like your customers’ personal wardrobe. Each time they open it, the experience should want them to come back for more.
Generic and one-size-fits-all ecommerce websites won’t cut it today. Personalized websites (and apps) are all the rage for your target audience if you want your website to stand out.
Someone looking for running shoes should see athletic apparel suggestions, while a visitor browsing jewelry should be greeted with a curated selection of gift ideas. The benefit? It shows you care about their needs and makes them feel valued, increasing the chance of a conversion.
In fact, 91% of customers are more likely to shop with brands that recognize, remember, and provide them with relevant offers and recommendations.
Every visitor should be given a VIP experience.
4. Leverage Social Proof
Social proof is often an overlooked yet very effective ecommerce marketing idea. It can significantly enhance your chances of conversion by influencing visitors’ behavior and everyday interactions with your website.
Use social proof to create a sense of urgency (FOMO) and product desirability. These real-time notifications will enhance the shopping experience and boost purchasing chances by 67%.
Social proof comes in several forms, such as reviews, likes, purchases, ratings, or highlighting other people’s behavior.
It also plays a big role in creating trust and influencing buying decisions. People are more likely to buy something if they see others buying it, making it an effective marketing strategy.
5. Video Shopping
Video has emerged as a popular shopping channel. In fact, 89% of consumers reveal that viewing a video has tipped the scales in favor of purchasing when deciding on a product or service.
It has become a popular trend among the youth, especially on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Imagine live streaming events where a host or influencer shows off products and takes orders right from the viewers or pre-recorded videos where you can click and shop straight from the website. It’s a reality now.
In the coming years, the number of people purchasing through videos will only increase. This is the next big thing in ecommerce marketing to drive traffic to your website and boost conversions!
This means if you’re an ecommerce business owner or ecommerce marketer and you’re not planning on joining the video commerce bandwagon, you’ll be left behind.
Download our State of MarTech Report 2024 – A panoramic tour of the marketing trendscape. A marketing guide to keep you ahead in the game.
6. “Add to Wishlist” Option
The “Add to Wishlist” feature is another powerful ecommerce marketing idea.
Your shoppers can save items for future reference, encouraging repeat visits and providing valuable insights into your customer preferences. Use this data for targeted marketing, offering personalized promotions that increase sales.
Additionally, wishlists promote social sharing, driving new traffic through personal recommendations. Integrate your ecommerce store with an ecommerce marketing platform, and you can send reminders to customers of their wishlist items, prompting purchases and boosting overall engagement.
Incorporating the “Add to Wishlist” feature effectively can lead to higher customer satisfaction, increased sales, and deeper insights into shopping behavior, making it a crucial element of a successful ecommerce strategy.
7. Price Drop Alerts
Price drop alerts are a great way to keep your customers excited about your products.
When an item they’ve shown interest in has a price reduction, sending a timely notification can spur them to make a purchase they were considering. This tactic drives immediate sales and fosters trust and anticipation among your customer base.
Customers are more likely to act quickly if they know the deal won’t last forever. This sense of urgency can significantly boost conversion rates, especially for items that have been on their wishlist for some time.
Price drop alerts can also help you efficiently clear out old inventory. Instead of having products sit in your warehouse, you can use these alerts to move items faster and make way for new arrivals. This keeps your inventory fresh and your customers coming back for more deals.
8. Back-in-Stock Alerts
When a popular item that was previously sold out becomes available again, a quick notification can reignite interest and prompt a purchase. This feature is particularly useful for high-demand items that customers have been waiting for.
These alerts can help you recover potential lost sales. Why worry about losing a customer to a competitor when you can inform them as soon as the item is back? This shows that you value their interest and are attentive to their needs.
To top it off, back-in-stock alerts provide valuable data on which products are most popular and frequently sell out. This information can inform your inventory management and ordering processes, ensuring you maintain optimal stock levels and more effectively meet customer demand.
9. New Arrival Alerts
Notifying customers about fresh products as soon as they hit your shelves can create a buzz and draw immediate interest. This keeps your audience looking forward to what’s next and encourages regular visits to your site.
These alerts will also establish your brand as a trendsetter. You can position yourself as a go-to destination for new and exciting items by consistently showcasing the latest and most innovative products.
This attracts new customers and retains existing ones who are always looking for the latest trends.
Moreover, new arrival alerts can drive early sales for new products. Early adopters and loyal customers eager to get their hands on new items will appreciate being the first to know. This can help you gauge initial customer interest and demand, providing insights for future product launches.
10. Leverage Web Push Notifications
Web push notifications are a powerful tool for engaging with your audience directly through their web browsers.
These notifications are short, clickable messages that appear on a user’s desktop or mobile device even when they are not on your website. They are a great way to deliver timely updates, special offers, and important information to your users, ensuring they stay connected with your brand.
One key advantage of web push notifications is their high visibility. Since they appear directly on a user’s screen, they are more likely to catch attention than emails or social media posts.
This makes them highly effective for time-sensitive messages such as flash sales, event reminders, or breaking news. Additionally, users do not need to provide personal information like email addresses to subscribe, making it easier to grow your subscriber base.
Keep in mind that it’s important to get your users to opt in before you can send them notifications. However, once you get their permission, research shows you can achieve an ROI of up to 2200% and a website traffic increase of up to 25%.
Looking to implement these alerts for your ecommerce website? Book a demo to see how it’s done.
11. Harness the Potential of Email Marketing
Despite the rise of other popular channels, the power of email marketing is still strong. You can leverage email marketing in the following ways:
Welcome Emails – Introduce new customers to the perks of subscribing. Highlight the benefits they can enjoy right away.
Newsletter Emails – Add a personal touch with updates that boost your website traffic. Keep your audience engaged and informed.
Thank You Emails – Capitalize on the moment customers check their inbox post-purchase to promote offers and deepen engagement.
Promotional Emails and Gifts – Showcase products and sweeten the deal with a discount. Entice customers with irresistible offers.
Abandoned Cart Emails – Gently remind customers about the items left in their cart, encouraging them to complete their purchase.
Referral Emails – Encourage existing customers to refer friends or family in exchange for rewards or loyalty program points.
Pro Tip – It’s now possible for shoppers to engage, add-to-cart and checkout their items right from the inbox with interactive AMP Emails (Inbox Commerce).
Also Read: Inbox Commerce – The Renaissance of Email Marketing
Conclusion
These ecommerce marketing ideas not only lead to higher traffic to your online store but also better engagement, conversion, and retention.
From personalized emails to optimized product listings, these strategies are designed to elevate your ecommerce store’s presence. Implementing these ideas is crucial for developing a successful ecommerce platform that consistently delivers exceptional customer experiences.
The best ecommerce marketing strategy will vary for each business. Customize these ideas to suit your ecommerce website, ensuring they align with your specific goals and audience.
While several tools are available to execute these ideas, using an all-in-one ecommerce marketing platform can prove to be the best choice. You can easily create such campaigns, track their performance, and optimize strategies to maximize your chances of success.
