recessionproofecommercesite's Blog

ACU Web Services opened its electronic doors with Austin Coulson at the helm. Web design and Internet marketing have been passions of Austin’s for many years. He has managed marketing efforts for several companies in the technology industry and has been involved with every aspect of several businesses, allowing him to truly consult his clients in many respects. A website is one component of a successful strategy; Austin recognizes that marketing a website and using it efficiently with other business efforts is key. Under his leadership ACU’s offerings have flourished as this Riverside, CA-based web design firm continues to amass more and more satisfied clients.

We are indeed in a recession, but the numbers are up among ecommerce sites. Despite these times of economic downturn, you can cultivate a successful online business by keeping a few things in mind.

1. Hire Experts
During a recession when unemployment is at peak percentages, many self-employed writers, developers, and graphic designers are willing to reduce their rates as they compete for freelance project bids. Business entrepreneurs developing an online presence can search for field experts by placing free ads on sites like craigslist.com, or browse hubs of freelance experts on sites such as mediabistro.com’s freelance marketplace. Freelancers competing for your business provides you with greater options, and ensures that you are able to hire top professionals at bargain rates.

It is especially vital to have professional website design for your ecommerce site. Eye-catching colors and an easy-to-navigate pages will increase the likelihood of customers being drawn to your site, professional interface will help them feel more at-ease entrusting your site with their purchasing information.

A word of warning: be on the lookout for freelancers who have professional affiliations with other businesses. Getting recommendations from one freelance professional about others is one thing, but developers who are affiliates for a specific software vendor may introduce influence that isn’t in the best interests of your business.

2. Effectively Market Your Store
A key success factor with online marketing—or any marketing—is to know your target audience. If you seek younger customers, place a pay-per-click ad on Facebook. To cast a wide net, try campaigns with Google or MSN. Keeping SEO (Search Engine Optimization) principles in mind while your site is developed will also help keep your business at the forefront of searches.

A key element of good marketing tactics is measurability. If you find that a campaign isn’t brining in the numbers to justify its cost, jump ship and seek out other ways to effectively market your store. Marketing might be another situation you want to hire a consultant or expert for, to actually save you money and time in the long run.

3. Prioritize Customer Service
Word of mouth among satisfied—or dissatisfied—customers is among the most influential factors that will make or break your business. Providing stellar customer service is an essential element you cannot afford to ignore. Customer loyalty and repeat business from those you treat with great service will go a long way in keeping your online business afloat during tough economic times, especially in cases where there may be a better bargain price among a competitor.


Final Note: thinking outside the box. Times of economic turmoil often lead to a shut-down of the traditional ways of cultivating cash flow. Maybe you don’t need to auction off your clothing as ad space, but don’t be afraid to get a little more creative in your approaches to establishing your online presence.