My top 5 eCommerce tips to help you sell more effectively online
Back in July I had the opportunity of chairing the Small to Medium Business (SMB) Paypal stage at Online Retailer Conference in Sydney, and as part of this I shared my top 5 eCommerce tips to help you sell more effectively online which I will share with you here as well.
These tips are all about helping you build the right foundations, the essentials that set you up for sustainable growth, repeat customers, and fewer costly mistakes.
Let’s jump in!
First up: Choose the right platform.
Your eCommerce platform is the backbone of your store and your business.
It affects everything from site speed and payment options to your ability to scale.
Choosing the right platform early, one you can grow into, helps you avoid costly migrations, downtime, and unexpected expenses later on.
Also, make sure it offers strong local support.
Take Maggie Beer Shop as an example
They started on a simple platform but quickly moved to Shopify Plus to handle growing traffic and to integrate with their logistics and payments. This switch helped them avoid downtime and grow from a family business into a nationally recognised brand.
2. Thoughtful design across all channels
Make sure your brand feels the same wherever customers find you: whether online, in-store, at a market, socials and beyond. Focus on creating a intuitive and enjoyable customer “experience” through storytelling, branding, mobile-first design, and accessibility.
It should be easy to shop, feel trustworthy, and reflect who you are as a business.
Take Haigh’s Chocolates a premium brand with over 110 years of heritage. They bring their story to life through every touchpoint: from factory tours and tastings to elegant packaging and a seamless website. This consistent approach builds trust and loyalty, which is crucial in food and gift retail, where sensory experience (like the taste and smell ) and quality are everything.
3. Get creative with “Offers” beyond price cuts
Instead of sales, discounts or free products, offer value:
Such as free shipping, exclusive bundles, loyalty points, or early access.
These keep customers excited without hurting your margins.
Take Who Gives a Crap as an example
They rely on subscription and bundled offerings instead of slashing prices to sell their toilet paper. By 2024, they’d grown to a $60 million direct-to-consumer business from these offerings and combined with their social mission of donating half of their profits to sanitation.
4. It is OK to Charge for Shipping!
Australian customers expect clear, reasonable shipping costs: whether standard, express, or click-and-collect. Using a shipping aggregator like Shippit, Starshipit or ReadytoShip simplifies managing multiple carriers, saves on postage, and offers flexible delivery options and even makes it far easier to sell to international customers.
In fact, retailers using Shippit have seen a 26% increase in orders year-over-year, thanks to improved delivery experiences. The Australian
5. Finally, Work with an Expert!
As a consultant, I’ve seen firsthand how valuable it is to have expert support - especially when you’re trying to scale.
Sure, you can do it by yourself, but should you?
Partnering with someone who knows the ins and outs of eCommerce saves you time and money by helping you avoid costly mistakes and can help you launch and sell faster.
They’ll ensure your site is professional, secure, and compliant with the latest standards—so you can focus on what matters most: Building and running your business!
An experienced partner will keep you accountable, motivated, and guide you through the complexities.
Plus, collaboration makes running a business far more enjoyable!
I hope these tips are helpful!
Need further help and Strategy on how to sell more effectively online, schedule a time to discuss your project here.