Website Design Company

Multi-channel Selling Coming Together

Late last year Facebook and Shopify came together and created a new Shop section for Facebook Business Pages. The new Shop section allows Shopify users to showcase and sell their products on Facebook. Shoppers can be directed to your online store, or they can purchase directly through the Facebook site or mobile app.

Unlike the Facebook Store app, the new Shop integration allows mobile users to view your products. This is important as most users are on their mobile when browsing Facebook.

The old Facebook Store app would only add a Shop tab on your page, whereas the new Shop section features on your front page, giving your products a lot more visibility. The new Shop section also allows Facebook users to subscribe to you, meaning they’ll be notified when you list new products.

Purchasing through Facebook is a safe and secure process for both the shopper and merchant. Shoppers can also choose to have their payment information saved with Facebook, making future purchases incredibly easy.

How it Looks

3 Steps to Get Set Up with Facebook Shop

1.     Log in to Shopify -> click Facebook. Go to Account.

2.     Connect your Facebook account to Shopify.

3.     Click on Shop. Double check that your collections are showing, and you can also see how your Shop will look on both desktop and mobile.

How the Shop Works for My Store

Being able to have my Shop on Facebook has meant that my products get a lot more exposure with minimal effort on my part. As a merchant it also allows me to share products or collections from my store with a click of a button.

It also allows potential customers to view my products without having to leave the comfort of Facebook. By being on the same platform as the user, it also makes it easy for them to ‘like’, share or comment on something they like in my Facebook Shop.

As a result, one third of my sales are generated from the Shop on my Facebook page!

Here’s how the Shop looks on my Facebook Page

If you would like to learn more about Shopify join our Shopify NZ Facebook Group! We also have an international group for those who aren’t in New Zealand, you can join here Shopify Worldwide Facebook Group.

If you would like some help getting set up or have any further questions, feel free to contact the team here at Zyber.

Content written by Stephani Lord-Harman for Zyber.

There’s a harsh reality facing ecommerce websites: according to research by the Baynard Institute, shoppers abandon their online shopping carts 68 percent of the time. Why do customers give up on the checkout process so often? Experts in the field of ecommerce website design have identified some of the most common reasons for cart abandonment. Here are some rules of thumb you can follow to make it easier to purchase products on your website. We’ll also cover ways to maintain customer engagement after a purchase is made.
 

Simplify, simplify

When a customer enters the checkout process, their goal is to make a purchase. It’s surprising how many ecommerce websites unknowingly get in the way of that goal. Don’t clutter and complicate your checkout process. Eliminate as many obstacles to buying as possible. That includes email signups, login forms and user registrations. Being forced to register for an account is one of the top reasons for cart abandonment. One usability expert found that 30 percent of users decided not to complete a purchase when they were asked to create an account beforehand. We make the most of Shopify's flexible options to create super simple checkouts, in most cases an email address and shipping address is all that is needed!

Allow your customer to enter their shipping and payment information as early into the checkout experience as possible. Additionally, you may want to rethink the use of coupon codes on your site. When a customer sees a coupon or discount code field, they’ll go offsite hunting for coupon codes, and there’s a very good chance they won’t make it back to you to complete the sale.

Email and shipping address - checkout couldn't be easier!

Optimize your checkout for mobile

Many ecommerce sites are optimized for mobile viewing, but their checkout processes may not be. When it comes to mobile checkout, simplicity is even more important than it is for desktop checkouts, in part because mobile shoppers are more vulnerable to outside distractions and can lose track of where they’re at in the process. A single-page checkout can make a positive impact on your conversion rate. Navigation should be clear, and make sure there’s sufficient spacing between clickable elements. 

Make the most of your 'thank you' page

Most ecommerce sites earn the bulk of their revenue from repeat customers. Once your customer has made their first purchase, continue to impress them with a thank you for buying page that positively reflects your brand and provides a next step for them to take, such as viewing recommended products related to their purchase or sharing the news of their purchase on social media. This can also be an unobtrusive place for the user to sign up for an account since you let them skip that step before checkout.
 

Continue to charm with your order confirmation email

The order confirmation email is also an excellent opportunity to create the kind of excitement for your brand that leads to more sales. A beautifully designed confirmation email that includes a special offer will go a long way toward keeping customers engaged. You can also use it as an opportunity to upsell, promote your social media accounts, or collect feedback. 
 

Help secure the relationship with your shipping confirmation

Most customers are thrilled to receive notification that their order has shipped. Perpetuate those good vibes by making it simple for them to track their package, and provide them with its anticipated delivery date. Extend goodwill and soothe any post-purchase anxiety by reminding them of your return policy and customer service contact information. 
 

Go above and beyond with a follow-up email

Not sending a follow-up email is one of the biggest lost opportunities for ecommerce retailers. Once the order has been delivered to the customer, send an email to check in with them to help them stay engaged with your brand. This is the perfect time to encourage them to share a picture of their purchase on Instagram or to review the product on your website. Additionally, you can use the follow-up email to offer a discount or other incentive to buy from you again.

There are numerous subtleties to designing an excellent checkout experience, but if you follow the guidelines above, your checkout process will perform well above average. As technology continues to improve, the opportunity to create amazing user experiences has grown significantly. However, make sure you have basic usability guidelines down before moving on to more advanced features. You’ll be doing yourself and your customers a favor.

The holiday season provides key opportunities for promoting your business, and have some fun! Many establishments (especially those in retail) rely on the Christmas season for a large portion of their yearly profits, which is why making the most of the holidays is crucial. We've put together a few advertising and marketing options that can be both easy and affordable for any business.

Email Marketing of Promotional Offers

With so many extra purchases to make during the Christmas season, shoppers appreciate incentives and offers more than ever. One of the best ways to bring in business is to send attractive offers conveniently to their inbox. These targeted emails will gain genuine interest, especially since many shoppers feel the need to be extra budget conscious as they are purchasing much more than usual during this time of the year.

Make sure your emails are festively decorated and include direct offers - don't wait for a reader to visit the site, deliver special deals right to their inbox!

Holiday Themed Homepage

To invoke strong holiday connections for site visitors, spruce up your website's homepage with a festive theme. Snowflakes, ornaments, Christmas trees and reindeer graphics are great options during the Christmas season. The cheerful theme will make your website an inviting place for customers to shop from the comfort of home and avoid the holiday shopping crowd. 

Put a section on your homepage for "great gift ideas" - if a visitor isn't originally there to buy Christmas gifts, they soon will be!

Intriguing Ads and Banners

The Christmas season is an ideal time to attract new customers. Promotional web ads and banners are an excellent tool to draw in a fresh audience for your product. Smart advertising on web pages that feature related interests to your business can gather a solid return for your seasonal advertising budget. Run search ads promoting your products so your website is easily discoverable when people are proactively looking for what your selling.

Get Social and Spread Christmas Cheer

Another way to draw in business is to hook your potential customers with intriguing advertisements on social platforms. Facebook is an excellent way to communicate with potential customers directly. Post special offers, great gift ideas, and a mixture of product photos - and people using the products. Make sure you engage with customers, respond to questions as soon as they come up, and encourage dialogue on your posts. People who love your posts and share them with their friends are basically marketing for you!

If you sell through your website, make sure each Facebook post includes a link back to the most relevant page on your site so you are always moving your customers through that sales funnel.

When making a decision about advertising your business, do your research, talk to someone well-versed in the field, and create a strategy that will get you the most impact for your advertising budget. Getting your name out to the right audience is more important than ever before, and sharing useful information about your business during the Christmas season is a perfect opportunity.