Top 8 Ecommerce Growth Strategies for Filipino Entrepreneurs

The ecommerce industry in the Philippines has been growing rapidly in recent years, driven by the increasing number of internet users and the shift towards online shopping. However, with the competition getting tougher and the customer expectations getting higher, it's crucial for ecommerce companies to stay ahead of the game. In this article, we'll be sharing six proven strategies that ecommerce companies can implement to grow their business in all aspects, from attracting more website traffic to improving customer retention. So whether you're a startup or an established player in the market, get ready to take notes and unleash the full potential of your ecommerce business.

1. Increase website traffic:

The first step to growing an ecommerce business is to increase website traffic. This can be achieved through various means such as search engine optimization, paid advertising, content marketing, and social media marketing.

1. Search engine optimization (SEO): By optimizing their website for search engines, ecommerce companies can increase their visibility in search results and attract more organic traffic. This can be achieved by conducting keyword research, optimizing website content, and building high-quality backlinks.

2. Paid advertising: Ecommerce companies can use pay-per-click (PPC) advertising on search engines and social media platforms to drive traffic to their website. This involves placing targeted ads that appear when people search for specific keywords or browse social media.

3. Content marketing: Ecommerce companies can create valuable content such as blog posts, infographics, or videos to attract visitors to their website. This content should be optimized for search engines and shared on social media to increase visibility.

4. Social media marketing: By using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, ecommerce companies can reach potential customers and drive traffic to their website. This can be done by sharing product information, promotions, or valuable content.

5. Influencer marketing: Ecommerce companies can partner with influencers in their niche to reach their followers and drive traffic to their website. Influencers can promote products, provide product reviews, or share their experience with the company's products.

6. Email marketing: By building an email list and sending targeted emails to subscribers, ecommerce companies can drive traffic to their website. This can be done by promoting new products, offering discounts or exclusive deals, or sharing valuable content.

2. Improve website user experience:

Once you have website visitors, you need to ensure that they have a great user experience. This can be achieved by optimizing website navigation, providing clear product descriptions, offering customer reviews and ratings, and providing a smooth checkout process.

1. Optimize website navigation: Ecommerce companies can use clear and concise navigation menus that make it easy for visitors to find what they're looking for. For example, they can use drop-down menus to categorize products or provide a search bar to allow visitors to quickly find specific products.

2. Provide clear product descriptions: Ecommerce companies can provide detailed product descriptions that include specifications, materials, and dimensions. They can also use bullet points and highlight important features to make it easy for visitors to understand the product.

3. Offer customer reviews and ratings: Ecommerce companies can allow customers to leave reviews and ratings on their website. This can help visitors trust the products and the company and make informed decisions. For example, they can use a star rating system or include a section for customers to leave written reviews.

4. Provide a smooth checkout process: Ecommerce companies can provide a simple and intuitive checkout process that makes it easy for visitors to complete their purchase. For example, they can use a progress bar to show visitors how far they are from completing their purchase or allow them to checkout as a guest to reduce friction.

3. Expand product offerings:

To attract new customers and retain existing ones, it's important to regularly update and expand your product offerings. You can do this by sourcing new products, offering customizations, or bundling products together.

1. Sourcing new products: Ecommerce companies can research and identify new product categories or products that complement their existing offerings. For example, a clothing retailer could expand into accessories or shoes, or a beauty retailer could add new skincare products. They can also consider sourcing products from new suppliers or manufacturers to offer a wider range of options.

2. Offering customizations: Ecommerce companies can offer customization options to allow customers to personalize their products. For example, a furniture retailer could offer customers the option to select the color, fabric, and size of a sofa, or a jewelry retailer could allow customers to engrave a piece of jewelry with their name or initials.

3. Bundling products together: Ecommerce companies can bundle complementary products together to offer customers a discount or an enhanced experience. For example, a home decor retailer could offer a bundle of coordinating pillows and curtains, or a fitness retailer could bundle together a set of resistance bands and workout gloves.

4. Optimize pricing and promotions:

Offering competitive pricing and promotions is key to attracting and retaining customers. You can use pricing tools and data analysis to optimize your pricing and test out different promotions.

1. Use pricing tools: Ecommerce companies can use pricing tools, such as dynamic pricing software or competitor price tracking tools, to monitor their competitors' prices and adjust their own prices accordingly. For example, if a competitor lowers their prices, an ecommerce company can use a dynamic pricing tool to automatically adjust their prices to remain competitive.

2. Analyze data: Ecommerce companies can analyze sales data to identify patterns and trends in customer behavior, such as which products are selling well and at what price points. They can use this data to adjust their pricing strategy, such as increasing or decreasing prices for certain products based on demand.

3. Test different promotions: Ecommerce companies can test different promotions, such as discounts, free shipping, or buy-one-get-one-free offers, to see which ones resonate with their customers. For example, they can offer a 10% discount on a certain product category for a limited time or offer free shipping for orders over a certain amount.

4. Offer personalized pricing: Ecommerce companies can offer personalized pricing based on customer behavior, such as offering a discount to a customer who has abandoned their cart or offering a loyalty discount to a repeat customer.

5. Improve customer service:

Providing excellent customer service can set you apart from your competitors and help you retain customers. You can do this by offering multiple channels for customer support, providing quick and helpful responses, and regularly seeking customer feedback.

1. Offer multiple channels for customer support: Ecommerce companies can offer multiple channels for customer support, such as email, phone, live chat, or social media. This allows customers to choose the channel that works best for them and ensures that their questions or concerns are addressed quickly.

2. Provide quick and helpful responses: Ecommerce companies should aim to respond to customer inquiries or concerns as quickly as possible, ideally within 24 hours. They should also provide helpful and informative responses that address the customer's issue or question.

3. Regularly seek customer feedback: Ecommerce companies can regularly seek customer feedback through surveys, reviews, or social media. This feedback can help identify areas for improvement and highlight areas where the company is doing well.

4. Offer personalized support: Ecommerce companies can offer personalized support to customers, such as assigning a dedicated customer service representative to handle their account or offering recommendations based on their past purchases.

6. Expand to new markets:

To grow your business, consider expanding into new markets. This can be done by offering international shipping, translating your website into different languages, or partnering with local businesses.

1. Offer international shipping: With the rise of cross-border ecommerce, Filipino entrepreneurs can expand their reach and tap into new markets by offering international shipping. This allows them to cater to the growing demand for Philippine products and reach customers in different countries. However, it's important to research and comply with different international shipping regulations and laws to ensure a smooth and compliant process.

2. Translate your website into different languages: To cater to the diverse and global market, Filipino ecommerce entrepreneurs can translate their website into different languages, such as English, Mandarin, or Spanish. This allows them to provide a more personalized experience for customers and make it easier for them to navigate the website. Professional translation services can be sought to ensure accuracy and cultural sensitivity.

3. Partner with local businesses: Filipino ecommerce entrepreneurs can expand their reach and tap into local expertise by partnering with local businesses in different countries. For example, they can partner with a local distributor or logistics provider to handle shipping and delivery in a particular region. This allows them to adapt to local preferences and market conditions while leveraging the strengths of their partners.

4. Adapt to local preferences: When expanding into new markets, Filipino ecommerce entrepreneurs may need to adapt their product offerings and marketing strategies to cater to local preferences and cultural differences. For example, they may need to offer different payment options or adjust product descriptions to align with local norms and expectations. This requires research and a deep understanding of the local market, consumer behavior, and competition.

7. Develop a loyalty program:

A loyalty program can encourage repeat purchases and help you retain customers. Offer rewards for repeat purchases, referrals, and social media engagement.

1. Points-based system: Create a points-based system where customers earn points for every purchase they make, and can redeem those points for rewards like discounts, free products, or exclusive access to new products. This system can also be extended to referrals and social media engagement, where customers can earn additional points for sharing your brand with their friends and followers.

2. VIP program: Create a VIP program that rewards your most loyal customers with exclusive perks, such as free shipping, early access to new products, and special discounts. This can make your customers feel appreciated and valued, and can encourage them to continue purchasing from your store.

3. Tiered program: Create a tiered loyalty program where customers can unlock different levels based on their purchasing behavior. Each level can offer increasing benefits, such as larger discounts, free products, or personal shopping experiences. This can motivate customers to reach the next level and keep coming back to your store.

4. Gamified program: Create a gamified loyalty program where customers can earn rewards by completing challenges or participating in activities, such as leaving reviews, sharing your products on social media, or taking quizzes. This can make the loyalty program more engaging and fun for your customers.

8. Embrace new technology:

Staying up-to-date with the latest technology can help you streamline your operations, reduce costs, and offer a better customer experience. Consider implementing chatbots, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality technology.

1. Chatbots: Implementing chatbots on your Shopify store can help you provide 24/7 customer service and support. Chatbots can be programmed to answer frequently asked questions, provide product recommendations, and even process orders. This can help you save time and resources, while also improving customer satisfaction.

2. Artificial Intelligence: Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology on your Shopify store can help you personalize the customer experience, automate marketing campaigns, and even predict customer behavior. For example, you can use AI to recommend products based on a customer's browsing history, or to send personalized emails with relevant offers and promotions.

3. Virtual Reality: Implementing virtual reality (VR) technology on your Shopify store can provide a more immersive shopping experience for customers. For example, you can use VR to showcase your products in 3D, allowing customers to see the details and features of the product before making a purchase. This can help improve customer engagement and boost sales.

By implementing these strategies, ecommerce companies can grow their business in all aspects and achieve long-term success.