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Important E-commerce Trends You May Be Missing Out On

Tag: online payment

Important E-commerce Trends You May Be Missing Out On
Mohab Growth Hacks 0

Important E-commerce Trends You May Be Missing Out On

More than half of the global population today loves to shop online from the comfort of their homes. Clearly, the e-commerce boom has brought about remarkable changes not only in consumer buying behaviors but also in the retail segment. For most companies, having an online presence isn’t optional; it is necessary for survival in the current internet-oriented market. You should be able to showcase your products and take payments online.

If you truly want to be a leader in the e-commerce marketplace, you’ll need to know all the online shopping trends. Below are some ever-changing trends you can explore to stay relevant in the industry.

Increased Mobile Use

Mobile devices have become an important factor in online shopping, and this isn’t about to change. According to estimates, it’s projected that 50% of revenue will come from mobiles this year. A large part of consumers now reach to their smartphones and other mobile devices to place orders rather than logging onto websites through their PCs. What’s more, Google’s announcement regarding the ranking algorithm that counts on the responsiveness of a site on mobile devices has made these devices even more crucial.  Mobile shopping is set to increase the overall e-commerce revenue since people can shop online irrespective of their location.

Increased Voice Purchases

The recent mobile devices come with voice assistants that consumers can rely on to operate the gadget or search the internet via speech. Additionally, smart home speakers such as Google Home and Amazon Echo have gained a lot of popularity too. E-commerce has managed to leverage this to provide more customized shopping experiences to their customers. An e-commerce application can deploy the feature to help buyers search products simply by voicing their wants. 40% of millennials have used the voice assistant before making an online purchase.

Enhanced Payment and Fulfillment Options

Other than the flexible shipping options, e-commerce owners are providing offers like free shipping above a specific order amount or within a certain distance. More lucrative fulfillment is being provided to beat the competition. Currently, businesses are creating premium shipping options such as speedy, same day delivery, etc. New options have also been unveiled on the payment side such as mobile pay, e-wallet, purchase now pay later, etc. Therefore, consider all these options if you wish to secure your position in the current competitive market.

Big Data Analytics

Due to big data and analytics, all types of industries have been transformed, including e-commerce. Almost all actions users conduct online can be converted into data, which can be later used to analyze and optimize e-commerce websites.

Through big data analytics, businesses can predict the demand, optimize pricing to boost sales and personalize consumer experiences.  You should always keep in mind  that a slight increase in price can lead to a huge increase in profits. Simply put, big data analytics will help you make informed decisions to increase sales and also offer your customers the best experience.

Chatbots and Messenger Apps

The chatbots which operate via messenger applications like Facebook Messenger are on the rise in the e-commerce sector. Online businesses can use these technologies to send special coupon offers and deals, send customized marketing content, and suggest a purchase to customers. Furthermore, chatbots also help retailers to heed to their client’s queries and requests and free up staff to handle more complex customer service problems, among other projects. Since the technology is still improving, chatbots and messenger application marketing are going to become even more popular and useful.

Personalization

Through online shopping, businesses get the opportunity to create unique consumer experiences for each individual client. For instance, a platform like Amazon suggests products depending on consumers past purchases, and streaming services such as Netflix recommend similar shows to those you watched in the past. Personalization will likely be common in the future so your business should adopt it to improve customer experience in order to retain old customers and attract new ones.

It is clear that e-commerce has become a substantial segment of the overall marketplace and companies that do not plan to make their presence felt in this segment do so at their own peril. If your business doesn’t have an online presence or you haven’t implemented any of these e-commerce trends, you are likely missing out on a significant section of your potential sales. By keeping up with the ever-changing trends, you will be able to capture the growing online audience and convert this into more sales and profits.

5 years ago
Tips to increase revenue and brand loyalty
Mohab Growth Hacks 0

Tips to increase revenue and brand loyalty

One of the most difficult aspects of managing a business is increasing revenue.  As a business owner, you have to grapple with increased competition in the backdrop of increasing operation costs. While most businesses focus on customer acquisition to boost revenues, research shows building brand loyalty can have an even greater impact. A recent report shows that 43% of customers spend more money on brands they are loyal to highlighting the importance of building brand loyalty. The same report shows that the probability of selling to an existing customer is 60-70%, while the probability of selling to a new prospect is 5-10%. If you want to increase your revenue base, you have to start thinking about strategies that will build loyalty.

From integrating secure online payment systems, customer referral programs, and excellent customer service to responsiveness, there are many ways of building loyalty with an eye on increased revenue. This article explores some of these strategies in detail. Keep reading.

  1. Create a customer reward program

One of the best techniques to retain customers is through gifts and rewards. This is the shortcut to customer loyalty and today; it is possible to personalize such gifts for better impact. With the data collected from your systems, it is possible for instance to wish a customer a happy birthday and even send them a personalized card and a gift.

This gesture will not only help in retaining the customer, but also promote your business by way of word-of-mouth marketing. Your business revenues will increase through return purchases and from referrals by your satisfied customers.

  1. Prioritize customer service

Businesses today struggle to increase revenues due to high customer churn rates. One of the main reasons for customer defection is poor customer service. According to the American Express 2017 Customer Service Barometer, 33% of customer say that they would consider switching brands in case of poor customer service. The same report shows that more than half of Americans have scrapped a planned purchase due to poor customer service.

These numbers emphasize the importance of providing excellent customer service. You must be there for your customer at all times because this is the only way to ensure they complete a purchase and remain loyal to your brand. If you want to improve your revenue numbers, you should invest in the best customer service.

  1. Provide value

Your customers already know many other brands selling the same goods and services as you. As such, your main focus should not be on the products themselves but on the value they add to the customers’ lives. You need to distinguish your brand as one that provides value, not just through what you sell, but also through community participation among other things.

  1. Engage with your customers

In today’s wired world, your customers are everywhere and they want to interact with your brand on all platforms. It is no longer enough to build a website because your target customers are on social networks and this is where you should also be. Make sure you connect with your customers as this gives them a sense of belonging and makes them loyal to your brand.

Use available platforms to inform your customers of new trends in the industry, your company activities, and anything else that is relevant to your relationship with the customer. Your customers should feel a part of your business as this will keep them coming and they will also promote your brand. This is a smart way to increase revenue for your business.

  1. Offer conveniences

If you make life easier for your customers, they will keep coming back and this will improve your revenue base. For instance, if you accept payments online free, offer feedback on social media, do free deliveries among other things this will retain your customers and increase revenue.

There is no denying that the current business environment is tough but if you focus on customer retention, it is possible to stay ahead of the competition. These two-prong customer retention strategies will not only build customer loyalty but also increase revenues.

5 years ago
Benefits of mada for merchants
Mohab Partners & Partnerships 0

Benefits of mada for merchants

All about mada and how it benefits online merchants

Saudi Arabia now has an advanced electronic payment network known as mada that works throughout the country and involves the use of a debit card, which can be used at ATMs, POS or point of sales as well as for online shopping! Those who have mada cards can use it to withdraw money from their bank accounts through ATMs, shop for goods and services online, and even pay utility bills. mada cards are issued by local banks in Saudi Arabia and come with the latest security features and value added services. The mada payment network connects with other major payment systems like MasterCard, American Express, GCC Net and VISA so that mada debit card holders can make cashless online transactions both locally and globally, seamlessly. Just like a regular ATM card, a mada card features a 16-digit number, CVV and expiry date.

mada is not just for consumers

The best thing about mada is that, it encourages people in Saudi Arabia to shop from local online merchants, as the latter can accept payments through this card easily. Rather, this card will be the primary mode of payment! If you are wondering how far the mada network is going to boost the growth graph for e-stores, here are some figures that will help. Currently, there are 16 local banks in Saudi Arabia that are issuing mada debit cards for use at POS, ATM as well as web stores. 29 million mada cards have been issued already and 22 million out of them work smoothly with international payment schemes like MasterCard and Visa.

mada and PayTabs

Being one of the leading online payment gateway services’ technology in the Middle East, PayTabs now supports mada debit cards that are used on e-stores, websites and merchant portals in Saudi Arabia. This ensures that online transactions are secure, fast and protected against frauds like identity thefts, phishing etc. Besides mada, PayTabs also lets merchants offer many other payment options to shoppers, making it easy for small businesses to grow.

PayTabs is enabling mada as a new accepted card scheme, just like VISA, American Express and MasterCard. This means that the customer will go through the same payment steps as before, and the checkout experience will be as smooth with a mada card as it is with a VISA or others.

What benefits does mada offer to merchants?

Accepting mada debit cards as the primary mode of payment on your website through PayTabs, has multiple benefits:

  • Your sales will receive a boost as more and more people in Saudi Arabia are embracing mada and carrying out their online transactions through this versatile debit card.
  • Shoppers will be able to make payments seamlessly and without any hassle, just like when they do with their regular debit or credit cards. By accepting mada as a payment, you will simply give them more flexibility and convenience when they are buying products or paying bills online.
  • Thanks to the special value added services that mada provides, you will gain more financial control over your business, and daily purchase volume will go up.
  • Human processes like bookkeeping, tracking daily inventories and revenues will become automated with mada, thereby reducing the risk of human errors.
  • You will be able to keep an eye on cash flow and all sales transactions with better ease and efficiency.

How should merchants get started?

As you are now aware of the many benefits that accepting mada cards on your website can bring you, here is what you have to do to get started with this process:

  • You will need an active account with PayTabs first, as this gateway ensures smooth, secure transactions as well as more growth opportunities for your business.
  • You will also need to have an active account with any of the partner banks in Saudi Arabia
  • A business or commercial license will have to be issued to you by Saudi Arabia.
  • Next, you will need to sign the Bank/mada agreement, as the banks and the mada payment network work together to offer you the many benefits mentioned above.
  • Finally, you can integrate mada service into your website and start accepting safe, simple and smart payments from mada cardholders.

Do note that this process can take anywhere from 5 to 7 working days. However, once it is set up, you will see significant improvement in website traffic and sales. So, choose PayTabs and mada together if you wish to stay ahead of competition in the cut-throat eCommerce landscape.

 

6 years ago
6 Effective Ways to Boost E-Commerce Conversion Rate
Mohab Growth Hacks 0

6 Effective Ways to Boost E-Commerce Conversion Rate

If you are running your e-commerce business, you don’t just want traffic; you want as many conversions as you can. So how do you actually get the traffic to convert without looking desperate. Here is a list of ways you can use to boost your conversions when your budget is restricted and the year is winding down.

Customizing Checkout Experience

Based on a study conducted by the Baymard Institute, the average cart abandonment rate is 69.89%. If you can optimize checkout experience, you can drastically boost the conversion rate.  There are various options to do so. If the customer plans to exit at the last moment, you can give an exclusive offer like a discount coupon. Ensure that the integrated payment gateway offers enough payment methods to take payments online. In addition to these, let users log in using their social media credentials, and keep the checkout process short and simple.

Make Product Pages Look Better

The website layout plays a crucial role in the user experience, and when it is an online store, product pages must be organized neatly to boost conversions. The most prominent aspect is to include influencing visuals, comprising of images, 360-degree photos, videos, and so on. Adding a countdown, depicting the number of units left of a product, works wonders by instigating visitors to buy at the earliest. Focus on filters so that buyers can streamline products as per their requirements. At the same time, avoid adding too many filters to avoid confusion.

Call-to-Action Prompts

The aim of call-to-action (CTA) is to engage visitors and prompt them to take an action. The simplest way is to add sharing options, ensuring an extended reach of your online store. If the visitor decides to bounce off the website, a popup should emerge showing exciting deals or exclusive discounts or other product options. Placing a floating “Add to Cart” button impels buyers to conveniently add a desired product in the cart, thereby, boosting conversion rate.

Welcome Offers

A new customer or a visitor is a special person because this is the first interaction of yours with the visitor. Be ready with welcome offers such as giving freebies, sign up discounts, and so on. You can also give them a referral code. If they promote or share your online store link with their contacts, they will earn a commission or a gift voucher. One of the most effective strategies is to offer free delivery on the first few orders.

Sell on Marketplaces & Social Media

Other than selling on your e-com store, you can exploit social media platforms for selling products and services. Social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest let you add a “Shop” option on your website’s social media page. Once a user clicks on the shop icon, the link redirects to the payment gateway process, allowing the user to check out instantly. And since mobile e-commerce is on an exponential rise, it is wise to expand your presence on social media apps.

Enabling Customer Reviews

Humans are influenced by humans, at least when it comes to online shopping. Enabling reviews and ratings on your store assists in building connections with your visitors. When real humans, not robots, leave genuine reviews, whether positive or negative, buyers become aware of product attributes. This further convinces them to buy. Let customers log in using social media credentials to write a review of their purchase or send them a personalized email asking to write their views.

 

Now we cannot say that a particular strategy will work for you if it has worked for others. It is recommended to continue with A/B testing to identify the right strategy for increasing conversion rate. And this is an ever-going process since the online shopping experience is always evolving.

6 years ago
PayTabs Wins Best Global Online Payments Solution of the year
Mohab Events 0

PayTabs Wins Best Global Online Payments Solution of the year

Every once in a while there comes a brand that disrupts the old way of working and replaces drudgery with excitement. Most entrepreneurs behind such brands have been told that their ideas are implausible. And yet, here they are, not only revolutionizing our lives but also empowering businesses, generating jobs, skilling workforce and changing perceptions. Such brands were recognized and awarded at the World Payment Congress on 14th February 2018.

The World Payment Congress recognizes players in the fintech industry who are working to create the next level of possibilities in payments. Globally, 35% internet users buy online from outside their home country. The cross-border market value is expected to surge to 994B in 2020. With a 27% YoY growth in eCommerce, India offers huge profits and potential opportunities to players worldwide.

For entrepreneurs who are looking to sell outside India, having a single payment interface across countries and currencies was a must. It had to be easy to use for merchants and hence a lot depended upon the global appeal of a clean and easy to use UX. Besides, changing times required the latest and most secure way to conduct transactions. All these requirements pushed PayTabs to create a new system that could change the way transactions were conducted internationally, especially by Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Keeping their focus on SMEs proved to be a game changing strategy for PayTabs. They leveled the playing field between larger enterprises and SMEs thus creating a Blue Ocean for themselves and their customers. In addition to developing features that were in clear demand, PayTabs also understood several latent needs that existed in the market. They allow users to create and send online invoices, use API plugins to integrate with your website and even create an online store. They also allow instant global activation and don’t require an on ground local establishment.

PayTabs agility is demonstrated by the fact that they are quick to recognize local payment preferences and adapt their system to mimic these effectively. This ensures that people don’t have to step out of their comfort zone to use PayTabs. This also became a governing factor on why merchants adopted PayTabs with ease.

On receiving the award, PayTabs CEO Abdulaziz Al Jouf said, “At Paytabs, we are honored to accept the Best Global Online Payments Solution of the year award. Coming from World Payment Congress, this prestigious award is a recognition of the hard work from the entire team, without whom we couldn’t have grown to where we are today. We are thankful to our customers who’ve walked with us through the years, put their trust in our brand. We would also extend our gratitude to all our partners who made it possible for us to extend this solution to 17 countries. We look forward to making PayTabs a brand that people can use to build their businesses in the coming years.”

For PayTabs, the award is yet another feather in our cap. It validates our efforts in providing seamless B2B solutions in multiple currencies across multiple markets. It gives PayTabs added credibility as a service provider. If you would like to take your business to a global audience, do check this out to see how PayTabs can help you.

6 years ago