You’ve got a website, but now what? When I started Bijouxx Jewels 2 years ago with my partner we were a little naïve, so to speak, in terms of website traffic. Putting up a website is only Step 1. Then comes the hard part, finding the e-commerce solution that’s right for you and getting customers to make a purchase AND come back for more gorgeous jewelry! (or whatever your product may be!)
So how did we do it? Well, once we developed our branding and decided on product we wanted to create and sell, we launched our website. Then we sat there and watched it do very little for the first few months while we pushed and pushed through targeted Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and a few other social media outlet posts. You are not alone!
Then, we connected with some really amazing fashion bloggers who agreed to review some of our pieces in exchange for product as the fee. This is really what started to help our brand grow. We really value our blogger relationships and still continue to grow this circle of our Bijouxx Jewels promotional network. Once people started seeing other people wearing our jewelry, more people trusted us and wanted to buy it for themselves! Sometimes when you have a new brand the potential customers feel more comfortable when someone else will vouch for you.
Another way that we were able to expand our customer reach is through Social Commerce sites such as Etsy, Open Sky, and Fancy. I know what you are thinking. What the heck is Social Commerce?! Social Commerce sites are sort of like Facebook but are meant for direct buying. I’m sure you have gone to the mall, right? Ok, think about if that mall was virtual and you could visit all of your favorite stores in ONE PLACE without having to go to an individual website. That’s Social Commerce. Websites that allow you to build your own store on their website- with a large customer base of shoppers with your own branding and “storefront”, so to speak. Oh, and of course, like Facebook, you can “Like” or “Follow” your favorite stores and products.
From a merchant perspective, this is great because you can actually socialize with your customers who are buying from you- not just following. Welcome to the new age in customer service.
After about 6 months of the experimental phase with Bijouxx Jewels, our online based jewelry store, we had loyal customers and daily sales through several social commerce sites, our own website, and through promotional posts with some of our blogger friends. We are in Year 2 and we are about to open up a brick and mortar location. “If you build it, they will come” rings true for what once was my little experiment, Bijouxx Jewels, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future!
