Pets are a huge business opportunity. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), spending on pets reached an estimated $66 billion in 2016 and are expected to hit $96 billion by 2020. That’s a booming market with plenty of space for newcomers.
A pet-themed ecommerce store selling treats, training guides, toys, grooming products or really anything you think pets and pet lovers would love to own has the potential to be a huge hit—if properly managed.
These tips for pet-focused ecommerce vendors will help you get started.
Step One: Build a Cute Website
First things first, create an ecommerce website that is visually appealing and easy to use. While some e-store vendors choose to build their sites from scratch, others have opted for quicker and more affordable options. Ecommerce website builders, like Shopify, offer beautiful sites complete with payment processing, security features and more while simultaneously allowing for custom design elements. This is a great suggestion for entrepreneurs who don’t want to be weighed down by cumbersome coding or expensive website agencies. And, since you’re targeting pet owners, you have an opportunity to make your website cute and fun. Post images of adorable animals with your products. Add a little color and flare to really make your brand stand out.Step Two: Engage Shoppers with Social Media
Digital marketing can seem intimidating to newbie vendors, but in reality it’s cheaper and simpler than you might think. Start by opening brand pages on several of the top social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Next, find out what your customers want and give it to them. Online shoppers love coupon codes, contests and news about the latest product releases. Pet fans enjoy photos or memes of cute animals, discussions about pet-related topics and suggestions for activities to do with their cats or dogs.Combine all of these suggestions and you have an almost unlimited source of content for your social media pages where you will encourage your followers to share your store with friends and family.
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Step Three: Start a Pet-Themed Blog
Do you love reading about animals? So do your shoppers. That’s why many ecommerce entrepreneurs embrace blogging as a way to build customer trust. Further, a well-crafted blog increases SEO and drives shoppers to your virtual store. Do the smart thing and build a blog, either through your ecommerce platform provider or by linking back to your e-store. Hurting for content ideas? Share training tips for anxious puppies or discuss common issues faced by reptile owners. There are plenty of ideas out there. All it takes is a little practice to get the creative juices flowing.Step Four: Get Creative with Order Fulfillments
So, you’ve attracted customers with your digital marketing expertise and coaxed them to make a purchase using your beautiful new website. All that’s left is to send them their packages.But wait a minute, you have another chance to make this last step special. Instead of sending your buyer a plain brown box, customize your packaging to reflect your brand identity. Covering your box or envelope with silhouettes of puppies and kitties is an easy way to excite your customers.
It will also behoove you to insert limited-time coupons, news about upcoming specials, company fliers or even freebie treats or stickers. In addition to encouraging brand loyalty, it will restart the marketing process, which leads to more sales.
These tips for pet-focused ecommerce vendors will set you on the path to a successful and fulfilling (see what we did there?) business making pets and their owners happy every day.
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