Whether you’ve just started an online business or you’ve been operating on the web for several years now, you’ll want to follow the best online practices in order to make a profit. But it’s not all about the money. You also want a strong online presence to help increase your credibility and stand out against your competitors.

No matter what you sell online, you want to be the first port of call for your customers every time. But if you’re not sure where to start or you feel as though you’ve lost motivation in that department, this can seem very daunting. So to help you get back (or on) the right path, here are 5 steps that you can take to improve your e-commerce business.

#1: Integrate Customer Reviews

If you don’t already integrate reviews into your e-commerce website, then it’s time to start doing this. By showcasing positive customer reviews on your site, others will be drawn in and tempted to purchase from you. If you don’t include any, then they might not think what you’re selling is trustworthy or worth their investment.

You can easily include these in your website, by including third-party integrations such as Trustpilot. Once you start to get them, then your business will start to become more prominent within the industry and more successful worldwide.

#2: Quality Content and Imagery

There’s no better way to catch your customer’s attention than through killer content and imagery. By hiring an experienced photographer to take images of your products your business will look more professional and legitimate. It will also give your customers the chance to get a better insight into what you have to offer.

#3: Rethink Your Payment Methods

Most e-commerce stores have the integration that allows them to accept credit cards online. And while this is an essential payment method to offer along with debit cards, now is the time to take it that step further.

Consider adding more payment methods, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and American Express. This will entice customers who are looking for a more convenient and efficient way of buying things online.

#4: Utilise Social Media

Now, your business might already have a strong social media presence. But if this is lacking or non-existent, now is the time to change it up. In the modern-day, many customers turn to social media to read reviews and gain an idea about what an online business has to offer.

So you should follow suit and ensure that you have a business social media account across several sites including Facebook and Twitter. Not only will this help your business to be noticed, but it also gives you a platform to answer any queries that your customers might have.

#5: Improve Your Marketing and Advertising

Another way of making your online business more lucrative is through marketing and advertising. If you’re currently doing this and it’s not working as it should, consider altering this. You can do this by introducing a new, exciting and extraordinary strategy – for example, an interactive advert or email marketing.