7 advantages of an e-commerce over a physical store
The growth of the e-commerce sector, even during the economic crisis, has been attracting entrepreneurs with promises of expanding sales, increasing profits and reducing operating costs. Virtual and physical stores have advantages and disadvantages, therefore, they require a business plan .
If you are still undecided on which type of store to invest in, this article can help by presenting 7 advantages of e-commerce over physical establishments. Check out!
1. Store always open
The availability of the business to serve customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays, is one of the great advantages of virtual stores.
Although the opening hours are limited to working days, the e-commerce can receive visits, sell and even answer the most frequent questions through the website pages. This makes it easier for the customer to buy, especially for those who don't have time to go to a physical store.
2. Richness in product descriptions
Products can be described in a wealth of detail that is often not possible in a physical store due to limited time, resources, or a lack of salesperson knowledge.
For this, images and videos can be used on how to use the product and, in the future, this may be even easier with technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality.
3. Diversity of digital marketing strategies
In addition to product descriptions, online stores can invest in content marketing on their own website through a blog to attract the target audience, create authority and close more deals.
This makes the store more easily found on Google, the largest search engine in the world, and the relationship with customers is optimized with other marketing strategies , such as social networks and email.
Easy measurement is also one of the great advantages of digital marketing and, for this, the manager can use services such as Google Analytics for free .
4. No geographical barriers
E-commerces can be accessed from anywhere, just have a device with internet, such as a smart phone, tablet or a notebook. It is not surprising that this is a great advantage compared to physical stores, since in the virtual environment the entrepreneur can sell to the entire national territory or even export products in a more automated way.
5. More convenience for the customer
The convenience of buying products and receiving them at home is a great advantage of e-commerce and this, together with the low prices, pleases many consumers who usually buy on the internet without having to spend time in parking lines or mall stores.
In addition to innovating sales, this benefit can be communicated as a company differentiation , especially if it has good delivery times and/or free shipping.
6. Low investment
This is another great benefit of an e-commerce, especially when compared to a physical store. The initial investment is low , especially as there is not a large need for furniture and rent.
Expenses with other activities inherent to the business, salespeople's salaries, cleaning and security are reduced. Even investment in digital marketing can be better targeted and controlled. This allows entrepreneurs to practice lower prices and gain more competitiveness.
7. Shorter deadlines
A virtual store saves time with searches for a commercial room, signing contracts, organizing stock on shelves, business license, among other bureaucracies. Construction is much faster and the site can be up and running in a few days.
The advantages of e-commerce are many in relation to physical stores, as we have shown throughout the article. To choose the best option, the manager needs to analyze the advantages and disadvantages for the company and its customers, but it is important to say that one does not exclude the other. Both can be used and integrated, gaining more market through sales channels.
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