It is no secret that the internet can be a fantastic resource for brands to engage with their target customer but it can also cause a few problems and many brands struggle to utilize the power, reach and speed that the internet can provide them with. There are a few common issues that tend to arise when businesses use the internet and it is important to be aware of what these are and their solutions so that you can stop them from interfering with the success of your company. Here are a few of the more common problems that businesses have online.
1. Lack Of Traffic To Website
Perhaps the most common issue is a lack of traffic to the website. This is something that many smaller businesses and/or ones that have only recently launched will have problems with. A lack of traffic can be a real problem as it means that you are losing out to the competition and struggling to make an impact on the market.
To increase traffic to your company website, you need to increase your online presence and visibility. This can be achieved with digital marketing and it is important to use a reliable and experienced agency that can help with this. Additionally, it is worth using both PPC and SEO so that you can get results in both the short and long-term.
2. Failure To Convert Visitors To Customers
If traffic is not an issue but you are struggling to convert visitors into customers then it can be highly frustrating as you are getting your products/services seen but not purchased. This could be for a few different reasons but there are a few good solutions to try.
The problem could be with the website itself in which case you would need to make improvements such as rewriting the text, using high-quality images and ensuring that the website is easy to navigate. It is also important to use customer reviews on your website for social proof. Alternatively, it could be an issue with the products/services in which case you should consider adjusting your prices and comparing with your competitors.
3. Abandoned Shopping Carts
There is nothing more frustrating for eCommerce businesses than an abandoned shopping cart. This is because you will have gotten so close to a sale only for it to fall through at the last minute.
Sometimes abandoned shopping carts are simply down to the consumer and unavoidable but if it is a common occurrence then it is a cause for concern. More often than not, an abandoned shopping cart is because of the cost of shipping so it is worth reducing this or even making it free if possible (you could use a smart promotion such as spend X amount for free shipping).
4. Slow Website
A slow website can cause you to lose customers so this is an area that needs to be addressed immediately if it is an issue. Modern day consumers expect fast loading times and will simply find a better website if they have to sit and wait for a few seconds.
Switching to an experienced website hosting provider like Krystal is the best solution to this problem. You need to have a host that you can rely on so that your website performs to a high standard each day and lives up to your target customers’ expectations.
5. Lack Of Social Media Followers
Social media can potentially be an incredibly powerful tool for businesses, yet most find that once they get up and running it is actually quite difficult to get followers. This can make social media feel like a waste of time and stop you from using the platform.
The key to acquiring followers on social media is creating content which is of value to your target audience and shareable (entertaining, informative and will spark discussion). A great tip for quickly acquiring new followers and increasing brand awareness is to run a promotion where people have to like your page and share a post so that it opens up to their network. Additionally, do not shy away from asking people to follow your business on social media and include links on all forms of communication and on the company website.
6. Negative Social Media Feedback
While social can be a fantastic tool for businesses, it can also be dangerous and you hear of many horror stories of brands either ruining their reputation online or being victims of “trolling” where they get bombarded with negative social media feedback.
First, you need to make sure that nothing that you post could be viewed as offensive or cause a divide in your followers. In terms of dealing with negative comments, if it is a genuine complaint, then you need to act swiftly, apologize if necessary and take it out the spotlight by handling the matter either by direct message or by phone. Additionally, it is important to be aware that sometimes people simply want to just cause trouble which can be irritating. In these cases, it is either best to ignore them or state that their comment is unfair and incorrect (with facts that support this).
7. Cybersecurity Issues
Finally, cybersecurity issues are a huge threat and an area that all businesses need to consider. Data breaches can completely ruin a company and with cybercrime on the rise and new threats being developed, you need to make sure that you are protecting your business, your employees and your customers.
This means that you need to have high-quality cybersecurity products in place, including antivirus software, a firewall, and a VPN, and you need to make sure that your website is secure. It is then a case of educating yourself and your team on how you can stay safe online and protect sensitive data.
These are a few of the more common online issues that businesses tend to run into. The internet can be a brilliant platform for a business to find success but it is also common to run into a few issues. Therefore, it is worth being aware of these and how you can find solutions so that they do not end up negatively affecting your company.
