While jewelry shopping was once dominated by the high street, eCommerce is a rapidly growing model for many businesses, both large and small. So, whether you’re a sole trader who makes their own jewelry and is looking to make some money out of it, or you’re an established business hoping to expand online, then there are some tips and tricks that you should know.
Over 29 million people purchased jewelry from jewelry brands online each day last year, and that’s a customer base that you can’t miss out on. Jewelry is purchased by young and old, men and women, making it one of the most versatile products out there. So, how can you get your jewelry to your potential customers?
- Market Research
Jewelry is a part of fashion, and fashion changes with time. Trends come and go, but catching onto a trend before it blows up is a fantastic way to sell a lot of products. You can track these trends by following certain jewelry blogs and social media influencers to see what people are interested in.
Of course, this isn’t a viable model for every business. A steadier business model is to either create your own signature look that attracts customers by being unique or to focus on timeless designs that never go out of style. You won’t get the same business boom, but it may work better for smaller businesses that don’t have the resources to catch every trend.
Finally, explore established jewelry websites and see what aspects you feel work well, and which you would change.
- Reliable Suppliers
This applies whether you produce your own jewelry or not. If you do, then you will need a regular supply of materials. If you get your jewelry from a wholesaler, then secure a reliable one that won’t let you down if things do take off.
This is a principle that you’ll need to bear in mind whether you sell online or not, but the larger customer base makes it especially important for eCommerce businesses.
- Setting Up the Store
This is the part where many potential eCommerce stores struggle. After all, you aren’t a website designer, you sell jewelry. However, there are plenty of resources out there, if you know where to look.
Popular store builders include Shopify and WooCommerce, but you may want to use a marketplace such as Amazon, eBay, or Etsy. Using a marketplace is far simpler, but building your own online store allows you to better build a brand.
If you do decide to build your own eCommerce site, then you will need to figure out how to encourage customers to find your website. Using a friendly web design with mobile optimization and easy-to-use payment systems is a great way to retain customers, but you will also need to implement SEO (search engine optimization) in order to get them there.
One thing that is increasingly important lately is content. Well-written product descriptions or even a blog telling your stories will not only connect the customer to your brand but will also provide search engines with more data points and links. This, in turn, encourages the search engine to prioritize your site. So, when someone searches for a jewelry store, they’re more likely to see your website.
You will also need to pay attention to what customers are doing on your website and which products are more successful. Some website builders allow you to track “shopping cart abandonment”, which will let you know that there is a potential issue preventing sales.
- Online Marketing
Another great way to attract customers to your website or to your brand is by using online marketing. One of the most well-known methods of online marketing is creating a social media presence and keeping active. This can also put you in contact with social media influencers, who can influence trends.
As you gain followers, you gain more and more potential customers. As word of mouth spreads, you may see a steady increase in business and experience company growth. Even if you choose to focus on a brick-and-mortar business, a social media account is still very important and can attract far more customers.
- Support Staff
If online selling is implemented well, it can lead to a great deal of growth in your business. In time, this may allow you to either hire dedicated staff to run the online side of your business or to involve a third-party company that specializes in these services.
These measures will ensure that your business and website will continue to run smoothly and reach new heights.