When trying to sell something, there are actually some pretty smart things you can do to get great results – and some pretty not so smart things, too. It’s about more than simply creating a product you think is great and putting it online or in store. You need to take the overall customer experience into account, amongst other things.
Below, we’re going to talk about some of the biggest mistakes that you can make when trying to sell something – if you’re making any of these mistakes, they could be seriously hindering your results. Take a look and see what you can change:
- Choosing The Wrong Platform
First off, you need to make sure that whatever you’re selling, you’re selling it on the right platform. You shouldn’t take a bunch of your worn clothes and set up a physical store – you’re unlikely to justify paying the overheads, unless your clothes are high end and very expensive to begin with (and you’re in an area where you know people are looking for clothes like that). Second hand clothes are usually better off sold online, on sites like eBay, Etsy, and Depop. That’s just an example, and of course there can be exceptions.
You’ll need to take into account what you’re selling, who you’re hoping to sell it too (locally or worldwide?), what you’re willing to pay in terms of overheads, insurance, etc, and so on. There’s a lot to consider, so make sure you work through all of it and find the correct platform for your needs.
- Using The Wrong Technology (Or No Technology at All)
Technology can be a huge help when it comes to selling. There’s technology that can help you to nurture customer relationships, recommend products based on past purchases, and more.
If you choose to use something like Templafy, you’ll want to get the most out of your sales enablement to ensure your company’s sales team can work as efficiently and effectively as possible. There are all kinds of pieces of tech and software out there you can use to help, and if you’re not using it, chances are you’re just making your job harder.
- Not Actually Caring About Adding Value
Going for the hard sell might seem like a good idea, but you should be adding value to the people you’re trying to sell to. Wherever possible, you should aim to find out what they really need and what their issues are so you can recommend things to them effectively, rather than just trying to take their money. They can tell when you really want to help, too!
- They Make The Check Out Process Too Difficult
If you’re selling online, one of the biggest issues people may find is that your check out process is too difficult. If there are too many steps, or worse, they can’t figure out how to buy, you’re not going to get results. This is why guest check outs are usually necessary – not everybody wants to have to sign up.
- Not Knowing Exactly Who Your Audience Is
You should have an accurate idea of your target demographic and the personas that come with them. Once you know things like:
- Where they live
- How much they earn
- What they like/don’t like
- What problems they face
- Whether they have a family
And more, you’ll be able to create marketing plans perfectly tailored to them.
- Failure To Prioritize Customer Service
Customer service is one of the most important things you’ll focus on, whether you’re a big business or a sole proprietor. In the digital age, it’s so easy for people to leave bad reviews of your service online. You should aim to go above and beyond for your audience, every time!
- Bad Pictures And Descriptions
Taking great pictures of your product is essential – and remember, they should be accurate. Your pictures shouldn’t make it look like people are getting more, when in fact they are getting something much smaller to the product, for instance. Your descriptions should be compelling, but they should be accurate too. You want to create the desire to buy your product, but you should be truthful and authentic.
- Failure To Create A Consistent Brand Experience
A consistent brand experience is another important part of the sales process. You should be consistent with things like logo, colors, brand voice, service, and other elements of your brand across multiple platforms. Your audience should know what to expect; this builds trust and loyalty.
