According to the National Golf Foundation , 37% of golfers purchased golf-related merchandise online last year, and more than half of those sales were made with general online merchants like Amazon. If you don't add an e-commerce option, you're allowing sales to go to other retailers.
Why You Should Sell Online
8 in 10 Americans shop online, according to the Pew Research Center . In 2019, an estimated $3.5 trillion will be spent through e-commerce.
When you enter the world of e-commerce, not only are you tapping into a lucrative market, you're better serving your existing customers and opening your store to shoppers around the world to grow your brand beyond your immediate location.
Maybe someone out of state wants to buy a gift with your club qatar cell phone number logo for one of your members? Or maybe someone who has fond memories of your golf club wants a piece of golf gear with their logo on it? Limiting purchases to your physical store means you’re missing out on these opportunities. And with e-commerce, you’re open 24/7/365 – which is especially important if you’re located in a geographic region that limits your business.
Building Your Online Retail Store
Launching an e-commerce division sounds daunting, but the good news is that you don’t need to hire a web designer or even have a tech background to get started. Today’s e-commerce platforms are simple, low-cost, low-risk DIY, and help bridge the gap between big-ticket retailers or golf clubs and small golf shops.
To choose the right platform, look for the features that are most important to you. As a retailer, inventory management will likely be at the top of your list. When you list your inventory online , you want a system that will track your products and provide alerts when your inventory is running low. You’ll also want an ecommerce platform that can sync with your point-of-sale system so you’re not taking an online order for an item you recently sold to a customer in-store.
Another feature to consider is a platform that collects data about your customers so you can better serve them. For example, by tracking past sales or browsing history, your website can automatically provide product recommendations. Personalized messaging can also help you build rapport with your customers. Another method of personalization is to have an online store that offers different price points, such as membership discounts. 43% of consumers prefer to shop at stores that personalize the customer experience, according to a study by Accenture .
Consider the pricing structure when choosing an eCommerce platform, some charge a flat monthly rate while others charge transaction fees. Make sure you understand the costs associated with launching an online store so you can maximize your budget and measure your ROI.
Designing your online store
Once you’ve chosen an ecommerce platform, explore the available templates. Most will allow you to make changes, such as choosing colors that match your brand. Pick a color scheme and use contrast to draw attention to headlines and call-to-action buttons.
While it’s tempting to want to showcase as many products as possible on one screen, streamline your online offering. Your golf shop may have hundreds of items, but it’s a good idea to start with a smaller selection when you’re starting your eCommerce division. A good rule of thumb is to prioritize your best sellers to start. Remember, you’ll need to ship the items, so choose items that are easy to package and ship.
Choose a clean and simple website template. The human attention span is about 8 seconds, and you want to get your message across in that time frame. This translates into clear, succinct headlines and eye-catching images. If you need some inspiration, visit Apple’s website to see how they make the most of simplicity.
Make sure your product photos are high quality. Hire a photographer or contact suppliers and ask if they can provide you with professional photos. Good images can make your e-commerce site a success!
Plan your logistics
Before you go live with your online store, think about how you’ll handle orders. This could be as simple as checking in on sales regularly throughout the day or preparing and packing products for shipment. If you have a high volume of sales, you might want to assign this responsibility to one of your salespeople.