[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Introduction” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
When it comes to ecommerce, many small businesses focus on selling and shipping physical products, but there\u2019s plenty of opportunity to use ecommerce for services as well. To make this happen, SMBs need to develop effective marketing strategies, conduct market research, and provide branding and advertising advice.<\/p>\n
Help local business clients make the move to digital. Download the \u201cEcommerce post-pandemic playbook\u201d today for actionable tips.<\/a><\/p>\n For business owners offering services, ecommerce isn\u2019t the most obvious connection, but if it\u2019s done right, it can be a great way to attract new customers, retain and re-engage with current ones, and increase sales overall. And for agencies supporting SMBs, offering service providers with ecommerce website development<\/a> and other ecommerce services can open up a new revenue stream.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Why service-based SMBs need ecommerce solutions” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Service-based SMBs face a unique set of challenges compared to businesses selling products. A few of those challenges include:<\/p>\n Service-based SMBs can use ecommerce tools for a variety of things: subscriptions and service packages; online booking for classes, consultations, or appointments; digital products like ebooks, course content, templates, or other downloadables; online payments; and customer relationship management.<\/p>\n SMBs who embrace ecommerce for services can see the following:<\/p>\n \n There are plenty of examples of extremely successful service-based businesses that use ecommerce, such as Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon Home Services, TaskRabbit, Mindbody, ServiceTrade, and Zenoti.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”How to create an ecommerce strategy for service-based businesses” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you\u2019re going to support service-based clients with their ecommerce website design, you\u2019ll need a strategy. Once you have a solid game plan laid out, you can use white-label website design services<\/a> to expand your client roster \u2014 growing your business sustainably without over-extending your team or resources.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also need to choose a website builder that supports ecommerce for services. If you\u2019re weighing which website builder is best for ecommerce<\/a>, you need to consider not only your clients\u2019 needs but which solution will make your life easier as well since you\u2019ll be managing the website design and development. Website Pro<\/a> by Vendasta offers white-label WordPress hosting on the Google Cloud Platform<\/a> with WooCommerce to meet your clients\u2019 ecommerce needs.<\/p>\n But before you can take on multiple service-based clients, you need to develop your strategy.<\/p>\n Like with any other business, identifying and marketing to your target audience is the first step before you can begin selling anything. If your clients don\u2019t already know who their target audience is, you can help them create customer personas to really understand the needs, preferences, and pain points they\u2019re solving for.<\/p>\n With your buyer persona, you can develop targeted marketing to attract the right customers at the right time. If you\u2019ve never made one before, you can use a buyer persona worksheet<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Not all services can (or should) be offered online. Work with your clients to determine which services they can use ecommerce for \u2014 remember, even if the actual service being delivered is in person, ecommerce tools can be used for things like booking appointments, payment, courses, and downloadable content.<\/p>\n The right price can make or break a service-based business. Pricing that\u2019s too low or too high can send potential customers packing, and you have to find the balance between profit and what the competition charges.<\/p>\n Work with your clients to analyze their costs, competitor rates, and perceived value of the services they offer.<\/p>\n Once prices are established, you can use ecommerce tools to collect payment. If you\u2019re using Website Pro, it\u2019s easy to make your website ecommerce-ready<\/a> in just a few clicks.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re using ecommerce for services, it\u2019s critical to be as descriptive and compelling as possible. Product descriptions are the best place for your clients to show potential customers why and how their service will solve their problems.<\/p>\n Good product descriptions should highlight the features and benefits without being long-winded. Create engaging, unique copy that focuses on your clients\u2019 value proposition, and include images and video whenever possible.<\/p>\n Integrating ecommerce for services into your clients\u2019 existing marketing strategy is key. Ensure this by:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”How to optimize the ecommerce experience for services” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve got a strategy, it\u2019s time to optimize your clients\u2019 ecommerce websites for services. There are a few things you can do to help convert potential customers and keep current customers coming back for more.<\/p>\n Wherever possible, minimize the number of steps and amount of information. Avoid unnecessary mandatory account creation or offer guest checkout alongside a sign in option. Offer multiple payment methods, and make sure they\u2019re secure. You can utilize messaging during and after the process so customers know exactly when and how their services will be delivered.<\/li>\n You don\u2019t need to do a lot of extra work to enable personalization: there are a lot of great ecommerce plugin options for WordPress<\/a> that will do the heavy lifting for you.<\/li>\n While focusing on product descriptions, don\u2019t forget to ensure customers can actually find what they\u2019re looking for. Using the right search engine for ecommerce<\/a> so can reduce friction and make the customer\u2019s experience seamless.<\/li>\n You can ask for reviews with a popup or email after a sale to encourage customers to leave feedback, even offering discounts on future purchases.<\/li>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Frequently asked questions” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Common service-based ecommerce businesses include online consulting (business or career coaching, marketing, legal services, etc.), tutoring, personal training, freelance services\u00a0 (graphic design, content writing, social media, etc.), event planning, and digital marketing agencies. As the digital landscape evolves and more people choose to work remotely, more service-based businesses may turn to ecommerce to find and retain customers.<\/p>\n Many service-based businesses can benefit from ecommerce. Companies offering home services such as cleaning, landscaping, or repair; beauty and wellness businesses like salons and spas; businesses in the health and fitness industry; event planners; companies offering classes and training; and professional services such as therapists, accountants, financial advisors, and business or life coaches can all utilize ecommerce.<\/p>\n Ecommerce tools can be used for a number of things regardless of what product or service you offer: selling subscriptions and packages, booking appointments, classes, or consultations, selling downloadable content such as ebooks, courses, templates, or worksheets, facilitating online payments, and managing customer relationships.<\/p>\n [adrotate banner=”98″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code – FAQ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]{“@context”:”https:\/\/schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What are the most common service-based ecommerce businesses?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Common service-based ecommerce businesses include online consulting (business or career coaching, marketing, legal services, etc.), tutoring, personal training, freelance services (graphic design, content writing, social media, etc.), event planning, and digital marketing agencies. As the digital landscape evolves and more people choose to work remotely, more service-based businesses may turn to ecommerce to find and retain customers.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What are some service-based businesses that can benefit from ecommerce?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Many service-based businesses can benefit from ecommerce. Companies offering home services such as cleaning, landscaping, or repair; beauty and wellness businesses like salons and spas; businesses in the health and fitness industry; event planners; companies offering classes and training; and professional services such as therapists, accountants, financial advisors, and business or life coaches can all utilize ecommerce.\\nEcommerce tools can be used for a number of things regardless of what product or service you offer: selling subscriptions and packages, booking appointments, classes, or consultations, selling downloadable content such as ebooks, courses, templates, or worksheets, facilitating online payments, and managing customer relationships.”}}]}[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Service-based SMBs can use ecommerce tools to attract and retain customers. Read more to find out how to help your clients unlock ecommerce.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":81790,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[558],"tags":[1364],"class_list":["post-81783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ecommerce","tag-web-design-and-development"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy service-based SMBs need ecommerce solutions<\/h2>\n
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The benefits of ecommerce for services<\/h3>\n
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How to create an ecommerce strategy for service-based businesses<\/h2>\n
Step 1: Determine the target audience and customer personas<\/h3>\n
Step 2: Identify which services to offer online<\/h3>\n
Step 3: Establish pricing and payment options<\/h3>\n
Step 4: Develop effective product descriptions and content<\/h3>\n
Step 5: Integrate ecommerce into existing marketing and sales strategies<\/h3>\n
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How to optimize the ecommerce experience for services<\/h2>\n
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Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
What are the most common service-based ecommerce businesses?<\/h3>\n
What are some service-based businesses that can benefit from ecommerce?<\/h3>\n