In a bold move that indicates the increasing impact of artificial intelligence, OpenAI has appended shopping hallmarks to ChatGPT, its well-liked conversational AI. The development allows users to scour for prices, peruse evaluations, and access direct links to make purchases, all within the app. OpenAI was at pains to point out that these recommendations are made without any sort of sponsorship, distinguishing them from the usual way that most products in the app are recommended.
This shift isn’t simply a technological enhancement. This is intentional; they’re moving into online shopping, an area that’s currently under the control of Amazon, Google, and content-driven review platforms like the New York Times. Now, with its new functionality, ChatGPT is more than a chatbot. It’s also your digital personal shopper, serving as a discovery layer for e-commerce, streamlining choices that seem infinite and that some would argue are a little too curated.
A New Front in the Search Engine War
OpenAI’s update also escalates the profit in the search engine market. Although Google holds 89% of the traffic, it seems to be loosening its grip. OpenAI’s search tool, introduced last year, reaches over one billion web searches a week. Some users have found that OpenAI’s search tool yields richer results for certain prompts.
OpenAI now competes with Google not only in information retrieval but also in consumer intent, in which search leads to purchase, by integrating shopping directly into search. This reflects what Amazon is doing; the company launched its own AI shopping assistant earlier this year. And it puts OpenAI on a more direct competitive footing with emerging players like Perplexity.
Streamlining the Shopping Experience
OpenAI’s latest feature has a clear aim: to make online shopping quicker and more efficient. It takes customer reviews, prices, and purchasing links, and puts them all in one place. This update is designed to make it easier for consumers to get what they want, when they want it. It lets them query its large language model and get back all the info they need to make a buying decision, without having to traverse the internet itself.
Take, for instance, the question of how well this works in reality. ChatGPT itself can be a bit hit-or-miss. It excels when there’s a clear answer to a question (like a math problem) but often struggles when the answer involves synthesizing a lot of different kinds of information (like comparing multiple products). This may resonate particularly well with younger, tech-savvy users who place a premium on speed and personalization in their online lives. OpenAI says the rollout will take several days to reach all users but assures that when it is complete, all users will have access to the feature.
The Home Depot was founded on 6th February 1978 by co-founders Bernard Marcus, Arthur Blank, Ron Brill, Pat Farrah, and Ken Langone. In the 46 years since its inception, the company has grown to operate big box-format stores across the United States of America including the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, 10 provinces of Canada, 32 states of Mexico and the City of Mexico. Home Depot also owns the MRO company Interline Brands, which boasts 70 distribution centers across the US. By the year 2023, Home Depot boasted 471,600 employees and a revenue of more than USD 157.40 billion.
The Home Depot Highlights
Company Name
The Home Depot
Headquarters
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Sector
Home Improvement Retailer, Consumer Discretionary
Founders
Bernard Marcus, Arthur Blank, Ron Brill, Pat Farrah, and Ken Langone
The Home Depot was built with the idea of home-improvement superstores that were larger than any of their competitors. The first two stores of The Home Depot opened on 22nd June 1979 in metro Atlanta, followed by stores opening in Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale in 1981. Three months later, by September of the same year, it got listed on NASDAQ and was able to raise USD 4.093 million.
By the year 1984, The Home Depot had grown and was operating in 19 cities, clocking sales of more than USD 256 million, and had joined the New York Stock Exchange as well. In the same year, it acquired Bowater Home Centre for a total of USD 40 million. However, this quick rate of expansion and growth landed the company into troubled waters financially as it struggled with its earnings, which dropped by 42%, and debt rose to USD 200 million, causing a reduction in its stock price as well.
The Home Depot management took swift action and reduced their store expansion to only 10 outlets in 1986 and offered 2.99 million shares at USD 17, which helped the company restructure its debts. By 1989, The Home Depot surpassed Lowe’s to become the largest home improvement store in the United States of America. A few years later, in 1994, The Home Depot acquired the Canadian hardware chain Aikenhead’s Hardware for a total of USD 150 million. With this, all the Aikenhead’s Hardware stores were re-branded as The Home Depot. The Home Depot was operating 350 stores and clocking sales worth USD 10 billion by 1995.
In 1997, The Home Depot acquired Maintenance Warehouse, a maintenance and repair supplies company, for USD 245 million. This acquisition was a strategic move by The Home Depot as the Maintenance Warehouse was a leading direct-mail marketer of maintenance, repair, and operation supplies. It increased market penetration for The Home Depot.
In 1999, the Atlanta-based company Apex Supply, a wholesale distributor of plumbing, HVAC, industrial pipes, and fittings, was acquired by The Home Depot and re-branded in 2004 as “The Home Depot Supply”.
A large plumbing distributor focusing on special order fulfilment called Your Other Warehouse was the next to be acquired by The Home Depot in 2001. A year later, in 2002, The Home Depot entered the Mexican market with the acquisition of the home improvement chain Del Norte. It also began constructing stores in Mexicali and Tijuana. In a bid to integrate professional landscapers and start a plant nursery retail chain, it launched The Home Depot Landscape Supply. Unfortunately, The Home Depot Landscape Supply stores were closed in 2007, a mere five years after their launch.
The company, however, was an unstoppable force as The Home Depot Direct launched its online home-furnishings store in 2005, following it up with its online lighting store ‘Paces Trading Company’. Strengthening its brand further, it acquired the Home Decorators Collection in 2006 and placed it as an additional brand under its Home Depot Direct Division.
In the same year, The Home Depot also acquired Hughes Supply for USD 3.2 billion. Hughes Supply was the largest home retailer in the United States, and the acquisition was integral in serving B2B customers.
In 2015, it acquired Interline Brands and its management for a total of USD 1.6 billion. A year later, in 2017, it acquired the online presence of ‘The Company Store’.
Internationally, The Home Depot has expanded its footprint to Canada with 22 stores and Mexico with 126 stores. Its brief foray into South America in 1993 only lasted for one year when its only store in Peru shut down due to low sales and weak promotion. Its entry into China in 2006 through the acquisition of the Chinese home improvement retailer The Home Way was also not highly successful, and by September 2012, it shut all of its stores within the country.
Some of the Notable Acquisitions of the Home Depot Since Its Inception
The Home Depot’s success can be attributed to strategic acquisitions and a concentrated effort to grow into one category. As the e-commerce business has grown, The Home Depot has strategized and acquired companies that have helped them to grow in this segment as well.
Of all of the major retail sectors, the home improvement sector is one of the most difficult to shop. Hence, shopping in stores makes this experience easy for consumers as they have easy access to expert advice. They can also physically examine the products, which is an advantage not available in online shopping. Additionally, the delay in delivery in online shopping also makes it disadvantageous as home improvement products are mostly an immediate need.
This is where The Home Depot has succeeded and is an exception to what is a general rule. Its e-commerce business accounts for almost 6.4% of the company’s total revenue. There are a couple of reasons that have contributed to The Home Depot’s success.
Omnichannel Strategy Leveraging Online and Offline Stores
An effective omnichannel strategy leverages both online and offline stores for maximum impact. The company has used its 1980 shops across the US as both warehouses for online stock and points of collection for online orders. This has resulted in considerable systems overhaul but the strategy has worked to the company’s advantage. Almost 43% of all online orders are collected in-store and 90% are returned in-store. These stores also play a significant role in driving online sales for the company.
Ease of Online Shopping
A comprehensive level of detail is available for every product sold online at The Home Depot. This information is in-depth covering a basic bullet-point product description to a comprehensive review and a detailed specification table. There are video tutorials available on DIY projects as well as ideas on home decoration and design. The website is an immersive experience supporting all stages of purchase, from ideating to the final checkout.
Excellent Customer Service
Home Depot’s dedication to offering quality products at competitive prices has resulted in increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and profitability. Home Depot has a vast selection of products, including tools, appliances, hardware, and building materials, which are all backed by expert advice and support from their knowledgeable staff. Whether you are a professional contractor or a DIY enthusiast, Home Depot has everything you need to complete your home improvement projects successfully. With a focus on customer satisfaction, Home Depot continues to be a trusted source for all your home improvement needs.
The Home Depot – Challenges
Annual Revenue of The Home Depot
Home Depot faces challenges, including a 3.3% drop in sales, higher operating expenses (up to 18.3% of sales), and lower net profit margins (9.7% vs. 10.5% 2023). Fewer customers are taking on big projects due to high interest rates and economic uncertainty. Despite being priced below its fair value, its high P/E ratio (26.4x vs. 15.7x industry average) makes it less attractive to value investors.
Conclusion
The Home Depot has a deep understanding of the customer psyche and has shown expertise in the category it specializes in that is difficult to replicate by any general retailer. It has succeeded in integrating systems to create a seamless shopping experience for its customers both online and offline. It is no wonder that it has created a niche for itself and carved out a place on the global stage.
How Home Depot Became the World’s Largest Home-Improvement Retailer
FAQs
What types of products does The Home Depot sell?
The Home Depot sells a variety of products related to home improvement, including building materials, tools, hardware, plumbing and electrical supplies, appliances, flooring, paint, and outdoor equipment.
Does The Home Depot offer any rewards or loyalty programs for frequent shoppers?
Yes, The Home Depot offers a loyalty program called “Home Depot Pro Xtra” for its frequent shoppers.
Does The Home Depot offer installation services for products like appliances or flooring?
Yes, The Home Depot offers installation services for many of the products they sell, including appliances and flooring.
What type of people shop at Home Depot?
The store serves two core groups of customers: DIY and pro segments. DIY shoppers turn to the store for supplies to complete their projects, while pros are typically contractors and tradesmen, like electricians, plumbers, and painters.
Why is Home Depot successful?
Home Depot is successful due to its wide product range, strong customer service, efficient supply chain, and focus on DIY and professional customers.
How did Home Depot start?
Home Depot started in 1978, founded by Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank, with a vision to offer a one-stop shop for home improvement products at affordable prices.
Who are the competitors of The Home Depot?
The main competitors of The Home Depot include Menart, Walmart, Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, and Target.
What time does Home Depot close?
You can check the Home Depot website or call your local store to confirm the exact closing time.
The fashion store Myntra, which is owned by Flipkart, is supposedly testing a four-hour delivery service in four cities, including Bengaluru and New Delhi, according to various media reports.
This represents a considerable departure from the platform’s typical delivery period of two to three days, and it is in line with the growing demand for faster deliveries in India’s rapidly expanding quick commerce industry.
During this trial period, the company is providing a limited selection of items for speedier delivery. However, by the end of the year, the company intends to expand the service to include additional cities.
Increasing Need for Rapid Trade
The decision to investigate the possibility of implementing a four-hour delivery window comes at a time when speedy commerce is rapidly gaining popularity in India. This is especially true in industries like as grocery and office supplies, where companies such as Blinkit and Zepto have created delivery times as fast as 10-15 minutes.
The shift towards faster delivery that Myntra has made is reflective of a broader trend that is occurring across many sectors, as customers are increasingly anticipating shorter wait periods for online purchases.
Effects on the state of eCommerce in India
Myntra’s foray into the world of fast commerce is indicative of a more widespread shift in the marketplace for online shopping in India. Additionally, competitors such as Amazon and Flipkart are paying attention to the growing demand for services that are delivered more quickly.
Flipkart, which is the parent company of Myntra, has already introduced its own fast delivery service, which is called Flipkart Minutes, in a few cities. This is in contrast to Amazon, which has not yet completely embraced the competition to become the fastest retailer.
As an increasing number of eCommerce platforms make investments in reducing delivery times in order to seize a portion of this fast expanding market, the rivalry is expected to get more intense.
Constraints Faced by the Fashion Sector
Due to the extensive selection of products and the greater rate of returns from customers, the fashion category has always been one of the most difficult categories for e-commerce platforms in India since its inception.
Although Myntra has over 40 million users that transact on an annual basis, the company is still exploring new ways to improve the pace at which it delivers its products.
A number of the company’s services have been gradually improved over the years. In 2022, the company introduced a service called “M-Express,” which had the objective of delivering things within 24 to 48 hours in certain cities. The continuing trial of a delivery service that operates for four hours represents the next stage in the company’s quest to meet the ever-changing expectations of its customers.
Valentine’s Week is going to begin on 7th Feb and will continue till the day of love,14 February. Valentine’s week is the week for people to celebrate love, and lovers come together to celebrate this occasion.
Valentine’s Week is also a week for producers and companies to launch their best products in the market, which allows couples and lovers to celebrate their love. Valentine’s week market is a great way for companies to come up with their most creative and loved-up products.
So, here are the best selling products during Valentine’s Week for your loved one:-
The most obvious gift for Valentine’s week is chocolate, the most sold item on Valentine’s Day. With a day of the week dedicated to chocolate, the Valentine’s market is the best time for selling chocolates that celebrate love and are cute and pretty in nature. Regular chocolate sales also increase during this time, so chocolates with very unique creative ideas are more of an eye-catcher in the market. Chocolates with heart-shaped wrappers in heart-shape, letters attached to them, flavoured chocolates, and dark chocolates are some great ideas for Valentine’s week for the producers as these attract customers and are huge sellers during the week.
Watches & Perfumes
A more universal and diverse gift for gifting during Valentine’s week is watches and perfumes. Both the products are available for both parties and have a lot of choices and options to be picked from. This is the time period when companies come up with their best product and have limited editions for Valentine’s week. These special edition products are more price-oriented but can be customized for the people. Watches and perfumes are good products to sell, and the more customizable they are, the more popular they will be in the market.
Salon Cards
A great way to treat your loved ones is by providing them love in the form of Salon vouchers. The parlours and spa stations have a great scope in the market to come up with great ideas of salon spree and spa collections for couples. The couple packages for the couple are the best products to sell during Valentine’s week. Valentine’s week is the time for people to relax with their beau, which makes it a great product to sell during Valentine’s.
Flowers
Flowers – Best Selling Items for Valentine’s Day
There is no Valentine’s without flowers, so flowers are one of the best selling items for Valentine’s Day. The first day itself is the day of Rose, so the florists and the gift shops get a huge market to sell flowers to loved-up people. There can be a single flower or a bouquet; the options should be wide and varied for the people to choose. The most popular flowers to sell during Valentine’s week are roses, lilies, Orchids, carnations, and daisies. The flowers can be decorated in a more beautiful manner using red ribbons and bow packaging material to make it more selling during Valentine’s week.
Apparels & Shoes
Apparel and shoes are appealing to every individual, and Valentine’s Week is a great way to sell apparel and shoes. The couple-matching t-shirts, Couple-coordinate clothes, shoes with matching messages, gift hampers, clothing, and shoe vouchers are great gifts to sell. Apparel and shoe companies can also launch limited-edition Valentine’s specials for more effective sales of their products. The accessories are also a good item to sell during Valentine’s week and for the week, launch a wide variety to allow the couples to choose from a wide variety.
A girl loves Jewelry. So this is for the boys: if you want to make your girl or the girl you would like to make happy, buy jewelry for her. Valentine’s week is a great time to sell jewelry including bracelets, rings, earrings, hair accessories, anklets, necklaces and neck pendants. From simple gold and silver jewelry to heavy jewelry, jewelry has a great market during Valentine’s week. The most popular type of jewelry is customizable and name-based because of the potential to show love to loved ones. Not only girls’ jewelry for guys is also very popular to sell during Valentine’s week. The best things to sell for guys are bracelets, lockets, bandanas, earrings, etc.
Lingerie and Make-up
Lingerie and makeup, considered the girls’ best friends, are among the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts. The best way to appeal to girls during Valentine’s week is by offering these coveted items. The demand for lingerie and makeup surges during this romantic period, with makeup companies launching special Valentine’s makeup collections tailored for the occasion. These collections become highly sought-after products during Valentine’s week. Similarly, lingerie designed specifically for Valentine’s week becomes a top-selling item during this time.
Gym Memberships
The couple who trains together stays together can be the motto during Valentine’s week to sell gym memberships during Valentine’s week. The couple memberships are a special gift for those couples who are into the gym and health and fitness. The gyms and fitness centres can come up with interesting packages for couples to get into the gym and health during this loved-up week. Nutrition companies can also sell health and nutrient packages for couples and singles who are dedicated to health instead of finding love.
Romantic Dinners and Movie/Concert Tickets
Romantic Dinners – Best Selling Items for Valentine’s Day
The 14th of February is V-day, the day to celebrate the ultimate love, and for most people who are either couples or singles, it is romantic dinners and movie/concert tickets.
The restaurants and food outlets get a chance to come up with various themes of romantic dinner tables for people to celebrate their best days. Movies and concerts are also some good things to sell during the V-week as the favourite bands are in town or the movie is released during the V-Week. The V-Week is a week to celebrate love and also a great week for selling the above-mentioned products.
Gift Cards/Vouchers
Gift cards and vouchers, a Valentine’s Day card suit for Valentine’s Day gifts are perfect for those who tend to shop at the last minute. Buying gift cards requires no shipping time, and vouchers can be activated instantly. To ensure effectiveness, it’s crucial to offer gift cards with appropriate values. Utilizing social media to promote these gift cards can be highly beneficial, and consider using boosted advertisements to remind busy shoppers about them. Additionally, emphasizing the convenience and versatility of gift cards can further attract last-minute buyers.
Valentine’s Day Cards
Valentine’s Day Cards – Best Selling Items for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day cards are a timeless and sentimental choice for expressing love and affection, making them one of the best products to sell during Valentine’s Week. With their charming designs and heartfelt messages, these cards offer a personal touch that resonates with customers looking to convey their emotions to loved ones. From traditional romantic themes to quirky and humorous options, a Valentine’s Day card suits every relationship and taste. Moreover, the growing trend of personalized and customizable cards allows sellers to offer unique and tailored experiences to their customers.
Valentine’s Week is a great time for beauty and skincare products sales, as they offer a perfect balance of pampering and self-care. These products make thoughtful gifts for personal care enthusiasts and those seeking relaxation, ranging from luxurious facial serums and moisturizers to indulgent bath bombs and scented candles. Retailers can capitalize on this market by highlighting romantic packaging or limited edition Valentine’s-themed collections to attract shoppers. With the rising trend of self-love and wellness, beauty and skincare products present an ideal opportunity to treat loved ones or oneself.
Personalized Gifts
Personalized gifts are one of the best products to sell during Valentine’s Week. They capture the essence of the holiday by offering a unique touch. From customized jewelry to bespoke photo albums and engraved keepsakes, personalized gifts allow customers to express their love in a deeply meaningful way. These items hold sentimental value, making them cherished keepsakes for years to come. Personalization adds a special touch that resonates with both the giver and the recipient, whether it’s a name, date, or heartfelt message. Thus, it is an ideal choice for Valentine’s Day shoppers who want to create lasting memories with their loved ones.
Free DIY Gifts for Loves Ones
Candles
Candles are a timeless and romantic product that holds significant appeal during Valentine’s Week. Their soft, flickering light creates an intimate ambience that is perfect for romantic dinners or cosy evenings. With a wide range of scents available, from classic floral notes to exotic blends, candles offer something for every taste. They make for versatile gifts that can be enjoyed by both individuals and couples alike. Whether marketed as standalone items or as part of curated gift sets, candles are sure to be a popular choice among shoppers looking to create a warm and romantic atmosphere for their loved ones during Valentine’s Week.
Tech Accessories – Best Selling Items for Valentine’s Day
In recent years, the market for personalized print-on-demand technology accessories has expanded remarkably, and phone cases have emerged as the most popular products. Phone cases are practical and affordable, making them an ideal choice for Valentine’s Day gifts. They not only protect phones from scratches and dents but also add a touch of fun, style, and novelty. Successful print-on-demand phone case vendors often incorporate personalized features such as photo uploads, text customization, and clipart options. Additionally, creating complementary designs for pairs of phones, such as matching halves of hearts or adorable characters, can further enhance their appeal.
Where To Sell
There are many online shopping websites where you can sell your products and services. Some of these are as follows :
Amazon
It takes a few minutes to set up your Amazon selling account. To get started with selling on Amazon, you will need to have a selling plan and strategy. With the Amazon Seller app, you will be able to track sales, fulfil orders and much more. With all these facilities, Amazon stands as the best place to sell products.
To start selling on Flipkart, you need 1 product and two documents. The lowest cost of doing so on this portal is another good reason to start your online selling journey.
Valentine’s week is a great opportunity to start an online business if you don’t have one yet. If you already have one, then make the most of it by selling the right products at the right time.
FAQs
What are the top 3 jewelry items purchased for Valentine’s Day?
The top three jewelry items purchased for Valentine’s Day are diamond earrings, heart-shaped pendants, and personalized bracelets.
What are the top 7 best selling products or services for Valentine’s Day?
The top 7 best-selling products or services for Valentine’s Day include chocolates, flowers, jewelry, greeting cards, romantic dinners, spa treatments, and personalized gifts.
What is the most sold item on Valentine’s Day?
The most sold item on Valentine’s Day is chocolate. It is a classic and beloved gift that symbolizes love and affection.
The Indian government’s initiative to make eCommerce accessible to every pin code in the country has resulted in the Open Network for Digital Commerce. Since then, ONDC has been touted as the next UPI (Unified Payments Interface) for eCommerce transactions. A one-stop online shopping web for buyers and sellers to transact with complete price transparency. It has rightly created the buzz to take eCommerce to the next level in India.
Already, ONDC is showing signs of buzzing activity. In the festive week leading up to Diwali, ONDC recorded almost 1.2 million transactions across 600 cities! In November itself, transaction value spiked to 4.7 million.
The big question, however, is whether ONDC will have enough muscle power to replace the shopping experience on huge aggregator platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart.
ONDC has only taken baby steps, experts opine.
“ONDC is in its early growth stage. But we are hopeful that it will start peaking in the next 2–3 years,” said Aashish Guglani, senior policy associate at the Digital India Foundation.
In this article, we take a closer look at how ONDC is expected to transform the shopping experience and what room for improvement some participants see within the ONDC universe.
From the word go, ONDC’s potential has been promising, given the sharp rise in online transactions by Indians.
The open network protocol is expected to act as a force multiplier for various segments—businesses, consumers, application developers, governments, and other relevant participants—through the creation of an interoperable and open playground for various sections to function and compete, ONDC said in a note when it announced the launch.
According to ONDC, India has the third-largest online shopping market, with 14 crore eRetail shoppers in 2020. Despite the large base, the eRetail penetration level is only 4.3%, compared with 25% in China and 26% in South Korea. This goes to show the untapped potential for eCommerce in India.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced people to shop online. Slowly but surely, Indian shoppers have now started digging their heels into the online shopping experience. The sudden boom in UPI payments only made shopping a seamless experience.
ONDC is trying to replicate the UPI experience in the eCommerce space by offering a more transparent framework.
McKinsey expects India’s digital commerce with ONDC to surge five times to around $340 billion by 2030.
With aggregator platforms reportedly charging commissions of 23-25%, ONDC does look attractive as of now. According to media reports, ONDC could start charging a small fee from participating platforms going forward in the range of 2–3%. As of now, seller network participants on the ONDC network may charge a marginal fee to the buyer. Even with these charges, the buyer has the choice to pick a seller based on their pricing points.
Number of Digital Buyers in India in 2021, With Estimates Until 2025
ONDC Network
ONDC offers a network for buyers and sellers. Consider it to be a digital land parcel hosting a township of malls, where buyers and sellers meet and transact their goods and services. As of now, some of the sellers on the platform range from food delivery apps to retail giants, small retail stores, and electronic stores, among others.
When it comes to the ONDC platform, the more, the merrier. The higher the number of participants, the greater the price discovery. As of now, ONDC hinges on buyers’ and sellers’ apps to route customers onto the network.
Buyer Apps/Seller Apps: For example, Paytm, Mystore, Craftsvilla, and Yatri are some of the buyer applications that allow customers to access the ONDC network through their respective apps. Similarly, there are seller-side apps that allow the onboarding of customers, including Magicpin, Bitsila, Growth Falcons, uEngage, and Mystore.
Gateways: Gateways are applications that aid the discoverability of goods and services for the buyer based on his or her search request and location.
Retail Boom
As of now, a chunk of Indian shoppers prefer to buy products from offline outlets. The Kirana store, infamously termed a ‘mom-and-pop’ store, forms 80% of India’s retail sector. Getting smaller retailers onboard the ONDC network is vital for its success.
Realizing the massive potential of ONDC, retail giants are doing their bit to onboard smaller retail outlets. India’s largest retailer, Hindustan Unilever, reportedly plans to help onboard around 1.3 million Kirana stores, which directly purchase from the giant.
Meanwhile, some companies from other sectors, such as electronics, are in a wait-and-watch mode.
We will get onboarded when we see a large part of our customers themselves upgrading and taking up this platform. As of now, we are just waiting and watching how this pans out. It seems promising on paper, but let’s see how it gets picked up in our industry, said Ujjwal Sarin, founder of audio electronics company Nu Republic.
Increased traffic on the ONDC platform holds the key for participants to reach a fair price discovery. Placeorder.com founder and CEO Thomson Skariah says it’s important for businesses to be available on the ONDC network to begin with.
“It’s about businesses being available on the network to receive orders. You need to make sure that you know this is one more revenue channel for you,” Skariah said.
Digital India’s Guglani says, “If the stakeholder and the market ecosystem come in, ONDC will be able to reach $500 million as UPI did.”
In June of this year, ONDC launched the B2B trade on its platform, which allowed merchants to transact with other businesses and undertake wholesale transactions. This is likely to be a game-changer for businesses going forward.
With the launch of B2B on ONDC, brands can establish connections with retailers or facilitate their distributors’ entry into new markets. With “plug and play” capabilities (such as real-time ordering, swift delivery, and credit management) offered by eco-system participants, ONDC will enhance the experience for both brands and retailers, said Sathish Gopalaiah, President, Consulting, Deloitte South Asia, in a press release.
“Retailers (such as grocery stores and pharmacies) could access a wider distribution network, saving time and costs. Direct linkages between retailers and manufacturers would be likely to cut prices, improving margins in sectors such as agriculture and construction,” said a McKinsey report.
Some experts hope that the network could also provide the elusive answer to questions about access to credit. The Open Credit Enablement Network, like the ONDC, is part of the India Stack of digital infrastructure envisaged by the government of India.
“Right now, with open credit, because everything will be catalogued, you are digitized. I would like to know what kind of sale you have in a month; we would have that kind of information collateral. Therefore, it becomes easier, cheaper, and less risky for a bank to give you a loan,” Guglani said.
Room for Improvement
Although the advantages seem to outweigh the risks at the moment for ONDC, the scope for improvement has nevertheless been expressed by experts.
Customer Service
The Digital India Foundation has named three key risks to ONDC, namely: access and ownership of data, customer service, and evolving roles and responsibilities. It has pegged the risk of the absence of clarity over customer service at 74%.
“Most of those associated with ONDC claimed to have faced no problem while onboarding, though few wished the process could be faster and the customer care segment more responsive,” said a survey released by Shiprocket on ONDC in August.
Data Privacy
Data privacy is also a concern shared by a few participants. At the very outset, ONDC has made it clear that it will not be storing or viewing any transaction data. Despite these assurances, data phishing continues to remain a risk.
“The government and ONDC are facilitating e-commerce. But, with so many people handling online transactions, their data could be misused by people with technical knowledge,” said Dr. Himanshu Talwar, executive board member of the Young Leaders Council (YLC) Executive Board Member – Young Leaders Council, under the All India Management Association.
User Experience
ONDC will have to put up an experience that remains on par with, if not exceeds, global standards.
“ONDC’s main challenge is to match the platform’s technological viability with the increasing number of transactions and clients. It needs to compete with some of the finest apps in the world, like Amazon, Flipkart, and Uber. There’s growing pressure on ONDC to keep up with the latest mobile apps and meet customer demand,” said the International Journal of Engineering & Technology in its research note.
Conclusion
Like any digital innovation, ONDC too may overcome its initial technical hiccups and upgrade with better versions going ahead. Going by the steady rise in the number of transactions on the platform, it’s only a matter of time before ONDC can become the big disruptor in India’s gargantuan eCommerce space.
Havas Media report reveals how technology is shaping e-commerce and consumer experience in India. Increased smartphone usage and internet connectivity are providing comfort and accessibility to shoppers across the country.
The recent report- ‘Shaping Consumer Experiences: How India Buys & How Tech is Shaping E-Commerce Adoption & Experience’, published by Havas Media in collaboration with YouGov and NFX across 10 key markets, dug into the core of the Indian e-commerce realm. The report reflected the extensive incorporation of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality/ Virtual Reality (AR/VR), AI-driven Chatbots, Web 3.0, and Open Networks for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and its pivotal role in facilitating business growth. The study also sheds light on how these technologies are playing a catalytic role in evolving consumer behaviors, preferences, and expectations.
Data collected from tech enthusiasts and online shoppers between 18 to 45 years old revealed that comfort and convenience are more important to both millennials (78%) and Gen Z (76%).
In terms of consumer behavior, gender-based segmentation reflects that women are conventionally more discerning by nature. User reviews have been the major decision-making factor for 85% of consumers while 81% of them check for offers and deals before shopping.
There is also a major change in behavior with a shift in geography from the North to the South. While 78% of consumers in the north and 80% in the west prefer to have a wider range of products, the consumers from the south and tier-3 cities, about 76%, are more budget-oriented. The study also showed that a large number of people from tier 2 and 3 cities end up spending more while shopping online than they would have spent while shopping traditionally.
Number of Annual Online Shoppers in India from 2019 to 2021, With an Estimate for 2027
Category-wise, grocery, personal care, fashion, and F&B are ranked higher in shopping habits. While appliances are the least shopped online products, online medicine/pharmacy shopping has seen a surge of 33% in the last year. The study also showed that social media has emerged as the main platform to discover new brands for 44% of shoppers. The platform is a stronghold in the category where visuals play a pivotal role, like fashion, make-up, grocery, and smartphones. While Instagram has the highest traffic among younger consumers, the older generation is still relying on Facebook.
Comfort and accessibility have been the key elements of online shopping. For the time-crunched urban residents, it brings the shopping experience to the comfort of their fingertips, thus enabling them to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city. On the other hand, it makes it more accessible for the smaller town people, providing them with wider choices and alluring deals. The shoppers are mostly in favor of shopping from top e-commerce websites like Amazon and Flipkart which offer facilities like easy returns, better service, and superior quality products.
Challenges and Concerns
However, the digital advancements still have left the users with uncertainty about the quality of the products. Even data privacy issues have ranked higher among shoppers across most regions barring the North, where there are more concerns regarding returns and limited control over the sellers.
Leadership Insights
Mohit Joshi, CEO, of Havas Media Network India said that the findings of this report emphasized the transformative power of technology in reshaping the retail landscape in India. He also shared that as consumers embrace the convenience and possibilities offered by e-commerce, businesses must adapt to these changing dynamics.
“At Havas, we recognize the significance of these trends and remain committed to innovating strategies that bridge the gap between businesses and tech-savvy consumers. Our data-driven approach enables us to create resonant and meaningful connections, ensuring that brands thrive in this evolving business environment,” Joshi added.
Sanchita Roy, Chief Strategy Officer, Havas Media India, added, “Understanding the nuances of consumer behavior at various city tiers is pivotal for brands to connect meaningfully with their audiences. The insights from this study underline the importance of localized strategies that align with distinct preferences.”
She also added that, as the retail landscape evolves, customization of marketing approaches becomes a powerful tool for capturing consumer loyalty and driving growth.
An agricultural system that avoids the use and application of man-made fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, and livestock feed additives produces organic food. The label on the food packet that reads ‘organic food’ is a reassurance to consumers that toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) aren’t utilized in meal production, and the cattle have now no longer been fed antibiotics. In addition to this, organic food is also an assurance that strict cultivation standards have been adhered to concerning the impact on soil, water, and air. Organic food cultivation is a great support for environmental protection.
India introduced the organic farming policy in 2005. Since then, organic foods’ public profile has been continuously rising as more and more consumers see the connection between diet, health, and the environment.
The Indian government’s strong support for organic farming is acting as a catalyst for the rise in demand for organic food. The government is providing financial support to farmers who are adopting organic farming, under various government schemes like the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), etc.
The major factor driving the growth of organic food in India is the increasing awareness about health in the country. The rising demand for organic food is due to the attention that Indian consumers are now giving to the nutrient content and the quality of the food they consume. Moreover, the increasing consumer expenditure on health and wellness products is also driven by strong economic growth, urbanization, and rising income levels.
Organic Brands Bloom in the Indian Food Market
Market Overview
While still in its nascent stages, the Indian organic food industry has a promising future. It has received a major boost post the covid-19 pandemic. Currently, India ranks first in Asia and fifth in the world with 23 lakh hectares of land under organic farming as per the Organics International Report of 2021 by IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements).
The Indian Organic Food Market has steadily grown from USD 200 million in 2018 to USD 820 million in 2020. The omnichannel presence of organic food stores has also registered huge growth due to consumers moving to digital grocery shopping. While the pre-covid revenue split of the organic food brands was 5% online and 95% in-store, this number went up to 20% online and 80% in-store during the peak of the pandemic.
In the future, the organic food market in India is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 25.25% between the years 2022 and 2027.
💡
Sikkim is India’s first fully organic state.
Best Organic Brands, Foods, and Distribution Channels
The idea behind the consumption of organic food is to go back to survival basics which prompted sustenance on natural food. Organic Food brands in India have grown over the years and registered the highest growth in the pandemic and post-pandemic era. The best domestic organic food brands that have withstood the time and quality test are –
Praakritik – Brand owned by Praakritik Natural and Organics LLP
Organic India – Brand owned by Organic India
Pure and Sure – Brand owned by Phalada Agro Research Foundations Pvt. Ltd.
Nutriorg – Brand owned by Rattan Organic Foods Pvt. Ltd.
Nourish Organics – Brand owned by Nourish Organics
Adya Organics – Brand owned by Adya Organics
Avadata Organics – Brand owned by Avadata Organics Pvt. Ltd.
Pro Nature – Brand owned by Pro Nature Organic Foods Pvt. Ltd.
Through these brands, various types of organic food items are now freely available in the market through Hypermarkets, Supermarkets, Specialty Stores, Convenience Stores, Online stores, and other channels. The organic food item list consists of –
Organic Beverages
Organic Cereal and Food Grains
Organic Meat, Poultry and Dairy
Organic Spices and Pulses
Organic Processed Food
Organic Fruits and Vegetables
Challenges Faced by the Indian Organic Food Market
As growth-oriented the organic food market is within the country, it faces real challenges in terms of scalability, growth, and market share.
Limited Awareness
The current level of prejudice in Indian society has made organic food a status sign and luxury rather than a basic staple. The word-of-mouth publicity has increased awareness about the word ‘organic’ but not as a sustainable solution.
Choice of a Lower-Priced Product
The Indian consumer is price sensitive. This is also because of the huge variance in disposable income capability. This means that the automatic choice of product is led by price than quality, resulting in a large fraction opting out of the organic food market products.
Non-Friendly Retail Market
Retailers, understandably, prefer to fill shelves with fast-moving products. The lesser-known organic brands do not get premium shelf spaces or even a large amount of shelf space. This creates a gap between the buyer and the seller of organic foods.
Traditional Farming Habits
The results of chemical fertilizer-driven farming are quick and lucrative. Farmers are wary of the results of the organic way of farming. This is, however, slowly changing as the Indian government is taking steps to support farmers who are shifting to organic farming.
Demand and Supply Gaps
The supply of organic foods, currently, is not in tandem with the demand. Many times, the gap is quite visible with more supply than demand, or more demand than supply. This gap needs to be covered and balanced so as to even out the demand-supply scenario.
Conclusion
The Indian Organic Food Market has a long way to go. Currently, it is highly fragmented with the presence of several small and large players competing for price and quality. However, the past few years have seen organic brands gaining the spotlight and popularity. In the coming years, India is set to not only register growth in Organic Food brands but also innovatively deal with the challenges posing in front of this industry.
FAQs
Which organic food brand is best in India?
The top organic food brands in India are –
Organic Tattva
Prakritik
Nutriorg
Organic India
Nourish Organics
Adya Organics
Avadata Organics
Pro Nature
24 Mantra
Pure and Sure
Why organic farming is popular in India?
Pesticides and chemicals in Indian agriculture contaminate water and soil. To address this, companies are emphasizing organic farming, which promotes food security, improves farmers’ livelihoods, and eliminates harmful chemicals.
Is organic farming the future of India?
Organic farming has seen a drastic overall development in almost every crop type due to an increase in awareness of food security and environmental safety. Health-conscious consumers today will support the growth of the organic agricultural sector in many ways.
What are the challenges faced by the Indian Organic Food market?
A few challenges faced by the Indian Organic Food market are –
We all love to buy from online portals and set ourselves free from the hassle of visiting brick-and-mortar stores for shopping. According to a report, the number of online shoppers will surpass 500 million by 2030 in India. Although buying online has its perks, however there are certain limitations too one needs to consider before purchasing from e-commerce websites. With the availability of inter-country payment gateways, it is now possible to buy products from any country without payment-related problems. Did you know most of the online products sold in India are imported from China?
One such e-commerce website which makes up for the bulk of products imported from China is AliExpress. Before you get too excited to drop-ship from this portal, you need to be aware of the rules and regulations before buying from AliExpress to ensure a smooth and satisfactory shopping experience, one of the largest e-commerce websites in China that offers a wide range of products at affordable prices. It is owned by Jack Ma. Jack Ma which is a famous business tycoon and his rags-to-riches backstory provides invaluable motivation.
This post will tell you everything about how to buy products from AliExpress while sitting in India. The impact of AliExpress in the Indian market shall also be covered. Indians have a mixed response towards AliExpress. Some find it highly useful, whereas others have had an unsatisfactory experience with the e-commerce portal. Whether you’re a seasoned shopper or a first-time buyer, this blog will provide valuable insights to help you make informed purchases on AliExpress. So, let’s get started.
Things To Keep In Mind Before Making A Purchase From AliExpress
AliExpress isn’t an India-based shopping website which means certain import rules are applied every time you buy products from AliExpress. The normal time to ship products from AliExpress is 30 days and it may increase based on government regulations. AliExpress provides you with a tracking ID to trace the location of your product; other than that, you can’t do anything else but wait. If your delivery gets stuck somewhere, you are in for a really long wait. The shopping website uses Chinese delivery companies for product disposal and items tend to get misplaced enroute to you. If you have selected the free shipping option, you may receive your item after months.
However, AliExpress has identified these issues and is working on improving its delivery network. It is integrating fast and quality-driven delivery partners into the network to boost sales and enhance customer experience.
You need a trade license and a registered shop establishment if you plan to buy from AliExpress and sell in India. You also need an export-import license. And then there is the job of reaching out to a customs clearance agent. Licensing is one of the biggest obstacles when it comes to buying items from AliExpress and selling them in India.
Buying from AliExpress is completely Legal
It is totally legal to buy from AliExpress and trade products in India. Your purchases should not cross INR 10,000 per year and the products should be for personal use. If you want to purchase products in bulk, you need to get yourself registered, obtain an import-export license, and pay taxes and duties.
If you have any queries such as the loss of your products in the course of delivery, your only option is to contact the AliExpress agent through chat support. You cannot contact AliExpress sellers by a call; chat is the only medium and there is a high chance the seller won’t reply. Hence, you need to be mindful of the possible delays, lost deliveries, and other factors before ordering from AliExpress.
How to buy safely from AliExpress
AliExpress Rules
There are some other rules and regulations you need to know before making a purchase from AliExpress. For example, you need to pay around 30% of the total amount in customs and duty charges.
Without import/export license
The maximum amount of order without customs duty is INR 2000, i.e, you can import only up to this limit without customs duty and that too for personal use.
If the order amount is above INR 2000, the package gets retained at the customs office.
You will then have to prove/convince the customs officer that the items are meant for personal use and pay the customs duty to get your package out of there.
With import/export license
With the license, you can import goods of higher value and pay the standard customs duty on the product as per Indian customs regulations.
Currently, AliExpress is not available in India and is not delivering here as well. After the India and China situation, the Government banned many Chinese mobile apps in 2020, amongst AliExpress is one of them. Therefore, AliExpress is not available in India.
AliExpress Banned in India. Now How to Do Dropshipping? & What To Sell in Winters?
Is It Safe to Buy From AliExpress Now?
It is definitely safe to buy from AliExpress now as it is owned by one of the most popular and well-known multinational companies Alibaba. The reputation of Alibaba makes AliExpress a reputable company to shop from.
You can set up a successful business in India using AliExpress. But unfortunately, the shopping website got banned in India along with more Chinese apps for engaging in activities that are prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. The government had banned 59 apps on June 29, 2020, and on September 2 it had banned 118 more apps including AliExpress. Previously apps like TikTok, Bigo Live, PUBG Mobile, which were all very popular in India, were banned.
FAQs
What is AliExpress?
AliExpress is an online shopping website based in China owned by the Alibaba Group. It is an online store to buy products at much cheaper rates than Amazon.
Is AliExpress from China?
Yes, AliExpress is a China-based online shopping retail store for buying products at much cheaper rates.
How to buy from AliExpress in India?
If you want to purchase products for personal use, your purchases should not cross INR 10,000 per year.
If you want to purchase products in bulk, you need to get yourself registered, obtain an import-export license, and pay taxes and duties.
Is AliExpress banned in India?
Yes, AliExpress is banned in India.
Why AliExpress is banned in india?
AliExpress is banned in India along with more Chinese apps for engaging in activities ‘prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country’
How to buy from AliExpress in India after ban?
This is the top trending question on Google with no clear-cut answer. However, Indian users of AliExpress were able to purchase products “unofficially” from AliExpress vendors. All you need is to change your route, consider using a VPN on your mobile devices or laptops, or partner with Oye Express. This is the perfect way to enjoy the ease of shopping online while keeping your data secure.
What’s the difference between Alibaba and AliExpress?
Both the platforms are sister companies owned by Alibaba Group.
Alibaba focuses on the B2B marketplace while AliExpress focuses on the B2C marketplace cross-border.
Usually, manufacturers, wholesalers, trading companies and exporters sell their products via Alibaba whereas, in AliExpress, the typical seller is retailers.
Prices can be negotiated in Alibaba whereas AliExpress offers fixed-rate products.
On Alibaba.com sellers have to pay 0% on most transactions when it comes to the commission while AliExpress sellers pay up to 8%.
You may have seen a YouTube video about creating a Shopify online business. Or perhaps your homie keeps bringing up Shopify, and you’re too ashamed to inquire. Fortunately for you, we will explain what Shopify is, what it offers, the benefits and drawbacks of utilizing it, and much more. So let’s get started.
You may create your store on the Shopify e-commerce platform both online and offline. Bloggers use WordPress. Shopify is used by shop owners. You can use Shopify POS to sell in person or online using your own website. This e-commerce website builder provides features for both novices and e-commerce professionals.
Basically, Shopify itself is an e-commerce platform that also allows others to create and run their stores on it. It provides you with the foundation to run an e-commerce business. As you venture into the online selling space, you’re expected to open a storefront, showcase products, engage with customers, accept payments, and more. Shopify offers all the tools you need to manage each of those activities.
People prefer to buy from well-known brands. A professional-looking Shopify website is among the simplest means of earning their trust. Your brand must be outfitted with a few core components. Aside from the main page & the merchandise page, each e-commerce site should have the mentioned pages. So let’s go through them one by one.
Shopify – About us Page
An Example- The above image shows the about us page of a Shopify store named Haus
This page is crucial because when a customer walks into your shop but isn’t ready to purchase, they’ll visit this page to discover more about your company. It’s much about the firm, also known as our story. This page typically contains additional company information, who you are, your label, and the offerings.
You’ll need a better overview of your company, including who you are & why you’ve established it. The more personalized you’re about us section is, the better. It would be fantastic if you could entail a pic or greet clip.
The drawback is that cliched themes are often used, which are uninterested in the about page. You, however, are. You might like to add several fun effects and more elements to upsell, but Shopify does not provide these features right away. You must focus on specific themes which have the necessary personalization in place to modify if and when required.
Shopify – Homepage
An Example- Haus is a Shopify store with its homepage on view in above image
It is the center of attraction for each and every customer. Irrespective of the customer’s mentality, the most essential page that has the highest probability of attracting a customer’s attention is the Homepage. This page can contain a door to all other pages and links. Shopify homepage is also the first page any customer will be introduced to.
By knowing its importance, Shopify has provided a number of themes and customization options for Shopify users to get their desired results. The homepage allows the user to get the basic idea of products available in their ranges. It can also give other information like ongoing sales, links for other essential pages that customers can visit as a second step, etc.
The above graph shows the different information that is required on the homepage as per the visitors in percentage
Shopify- Happy Customers Page
It all comes down to social evidence. It’s a good way of making one feel safe about purchasing from you when they see some folks purchasing from you are pleased and sharing images of themselves.
A satisfied customer is the best business strategy.
Shopify – FAQ Page
An Example- The above-shown image is the FAQ page from Shopify store The Candi Factory
Many folks will have concerns about shipments and refunds, so you can include all that in this segment then they can get answers without having to message support. It reduces the workload from responding to multiple emails regarding the same topic, but it is optional.
Ensure it’s presented simply for visitors and that you can keep all the queries in bold text and all the solutions exactly as they are. If you’ve distinct queries, group them under a header so that it appears to be split into parts.
Shopify – Contact us Page
An Example- The above-image is from the contact us page of a Shopify store named The Candy Factory
This page contains contact details such as phone numbers, email addresses, location data, social media URLs, and more. If they have concerns, they wish to learn whom to ask and where they can get answers. The more contact details you could give, the better. It’s basic, and every E-commerce website can include a simple inquiry form on that page alongside all other details.
Shopify – Policies Page
More shops should have a user agreement page and a privacy policy. These two are extremely crucial, particularly if you run ads. This page is critical if you’re running Facebook or Google ads. If Fb discovers that you don’t use one of these, they may forbid you to run ads. They’re required to run any Shopify store.
Writing them will be more difficult because the verbiage will be slightly different. However, Shopify makes it extremely simple. It primarily has layouts created for policy sections, so you don’t get to do much legwork; read through the policy and make modifications that seem vital for your biz.
Shopify – Collection Page
An Example- The above image shows the collection page of a Shopify store named ZeroGravity
This page one will give a clear insight to the customers about what products are available in the store. The main focus of this page is on visualizing different categories of the products as per each store. This page has to be added to provide easy access to customers for different category products.
Apart from the category, this page also has to include different options mainly filtering options and a guide to other pages. This page can be customized as per the user’s preference, but with only one aim of providing a clear look at the page. This can avoid confusing the visitors and can also increase the chance of purchasing a product.
Shopify – Product Pages
The name itself shows the work of the page. But in reality, the actual work of the page is to showcase a product but in a different way. Product pages can help the customers to know about a single product in detail but can also help them with other information like similar products or products falling under the same category but within different price ranges.
All these can be easily showcased by adding the Shopify product pages in the Shopify store. One can also consider adding these pages in order to simplify the store. As visiting a product page is like a third step after selecting the category to shop from.
An Example- The above image shows the blog page of a Shopify store Bucket Bike
The basic need for adding blog pages in your Shopify store is to increase organic traffic. Each store needs to be marketed in order to gain much popularity and sales. For the same reason adding a blog page can be a great idea.
Shopify allows easy organization and management of Shopify blog pages. Shopify also allows a number of tools and options for the better management of the page. With all these services, adding a Shopify Blog page is a must for every store if they plan to attract customers by content marketing.
Other Shopify Pages
An Example- The above image shows an additional page of the payment plan from a Shopify store Bucket Bike
Multiple pages are essential to incorporate based on what you offer and your sector. You can also consider the following pages while you create your Shopify website.
Members
If you’ve more than one member working around the clock, creating a section with a picture of every staff, and their designation and impact on the company, can be a brilliant platform to thank your diligent staff and instill trust in your company. While I don’t advise “inventing” employees, there’s hardly anything inappropriate with highlighting anybody who contributes to the success of your business.
Functionality
If your marketing strategy includes any distinctive features, including a membership, it is an excellent spot to clarify your procedure. Other shops use this section to learn how their goods perform, mainly if they are distinctive or intricate. While this data is included on retail sites, creating a dedicated team can be very beneficial in terms of trust-building.
Shipment
If you’re trading tangible goods online, several folks will wish to learn how and when their orders will be supplied, so having a section that explains it can be useful.
Special offers
A consumer browsing for your brand with the words “special offers” or “vouchers” on a web browser is frequently a final hindrance to the payment page. As described here, some shops post links that cater to these lookups.
Returns
This column should likely be with the “should include” list, but because not all Ecommerce retailers are selling returnable goods, I include it here. Utilize it to clarify your return policy, and even when you don’t take back returns. You should also better articulate this policy.
Why Use Shopify Pages?
The process of adding pages on the Shopify store: Store setting-Online Store-Pages-Add Page
As previously stated, these sections create a favorable impression of your shop in the hearts of targeted consumers. Your shop can exude a proficient feel when high-quality illustrations are blended with perfect textual material, which, when blended with other aspects of your page, can greatly affect a transformation. It may also raise the effectiveness and notoriety of your webpage, which is generated by search engines.
The real impact of performance and notoriety rating that are frequently ascertained by individuals assessing sites and deciding if they’ve well-thought-out material is debatable, as with several aspects of SEO. Given the resources needed to deliver creative substance, it’s easy to see how possessing high-quality sections on your page can become extremely relevant.
Although if SEO experts don’t use the efficiency of these sections at all, it’s important to note the other perks, like gaining buyer trust. This means that possessing these sections won’t impact you either, as they offer useful, well-written material.
Creating these types of intriguing sections inspires visitors to focus on them, and it’s a wonderful way of signaling to SERPs that your site has high-quality, pertinent goods and material.
As a virtual merchant, you must provide your clients with a personalized experience to which they can connect to persuade them to purchase from you. You can customize every aspect of your store with these Pages to focus on making it more user-friendly & consistent with your label. Create these pages in a way you wish to portray your brand to the potential and current customers. I hope this article was insightful to you.
FAQs
What are the pages in Shopify?
In simple words, Shopify pages are the ones that will showcase the Shopify store details on the web page and through which a customer can interact with the store. They are web pages that give out information about the store and also allow the customers to visit the store in detail.
What pages do you need on a Shopify store?
The exact need for the Shopify store pages can differ for each individual. However, adding these five pages can complete the basic pattern of a store. They are the homepage, privacy policy page, product page, about us page, contact us page, and marketing page.
Order confirmation emails have better engagement rates than other sorts of emails. Their open rates are as high as 70%, the average click rate is 17%, and the average order rate is 3.77%. That makes confirmation emails pivotal for your business. And you can use this opportunity to achieve your branding and marketing goals.
Customers are more likely to respond to order confirmation emails than to full-fledged advertising communications, and these numbers are a huge testimony of the potential of order confirmations.
To capitalize on these opportunities, you should employ well-thought-out techniques. And to help you out with that today we are going to give you all the necessary information on how to create the best order confirmation email.
WooCommerce Order Confirmation Email Customization
What Is an Order Confirmation Email?
An email confirmation is an automated email sent to the client after they place an order. Unlike a promotional email that is sent to a group, this transactional email is sent to a single user in response to the action they have performed, like in this case making a purchase.
While you already get an indication that your purchase was placed successfully on the website or app, an email confirmation is a great follow-up that most customers anticipate.
The email confirmation includes information such as your transaction, purchase, delivery address, payment method, list of ordered products, tracking data of the package, and delivery date. These emails can be used for confirming your appointment, reservations, subscription, or any other form of service.
An order confirmation email is an excellent way of keeping the customer’s trust especially if they are a first-time buyer, as it fulfills the psychological requirement of keeping things in good faith. It can also be used for marketing purposes and as a tool to improve customer satisfaction. You can also add similar products as the ones brought by the customer or attach a discount offer to make them your recurring customer.
What Purpose Should Your Confirmation Emails Fulfil?
Confirmation Order Email
An order confirmation email is a significant element of upscaling your company. You may not be able to see its direct impact on your business, but in a long run, this works as the catalyst for increasing brand loyalty.
Consider the following subpoints when you craft the template of the order confirmation email.
It should Aid in Maintaining Long-Term Relations With the Client
Your order confirmation email should speak the language that makes your customers want to purchase from you again. This is possible when your email is successful in providing an amazing customer experience. You can attach an invitation for your customers to join you on social media or a loyalty program to maintain long-term relations with them.
It Should Pique the Interest of Customers in Your Products
Whenever a customer sees the confirmation email of their product or service it helps to subside their worries. Now they have the assurance, they start looking at the finer positive points of the services that you provide. This email alone promotes favorable thoughts and creates a base for future interactions of customers with your brand.
It Should Build Trust
When a customer makes a purchase from your online store for the first time they want to know whether your firm is legitimate or not. A confirmation email works as a trust-building factor that their payment information is safe and their order will be delivered to them successfully.
It Should Include All the Important Details
A confirmation email includes all the important information like mode of payment, list of products, expected delivery date, tracking details, and all the valuable information that a consumer expects from the seller. More about it in the upcoming section.
Your Email Should Give Customers Peace of Mind
When your customer sees a confirmation email in your inbox, it automatically gives you peace of mind that you haven’t been duped and the amount you have paid on that item is in safe hands.
Things to Include in an Order Confirmation Email
A customer seeks several important components in an order confirmation to ensure the proper delivery of their product. These details can differ depending on your email marketing strategy. However, there are a few aspects that you must include in your emails. Here’s a list of all those components:
Your Brand Name
Adding your brand name to the email will communicate to the customer that the communication has come through your company and it will also help to create awareness among the clients about your brand name.
Order Number
An order number streamlines the whole process of resolving customer queries. It helps the customer care executive in locating all the specifications of the purchase and provide instant solution to the customer.
Summary of Order and Contact Details
Including details regarding customer billing address, method of payment, product name, quantity, size and color of product, weight, and stock-keeping units along with a photograph of the items will provide the buyer with visual confirmation of their purchase in a proper way.
A Proper Breakdown of the Costs
Sometimes a customer may get confused about the price of a product, hence a proper breakdown of the cost will help them to comprehend the cost easily. Including details like the cost of the product, taxes, shipping cost, and any discount or promotional codes that are used by the customer or included by the platform itself.
Confirmation of Order Amount and Mode of Payment
This one’s quite easy to understand, a display of the payment method and overall amount of the order gives the customer assurance and an idea of the charges they have paid.
Confirmation of Order and Payment Mode
Tracking Details and Estimated Date of Delivery
Tracking details make your brand appear trustworthy and genuine. It also assists the customer in monitoring their package. The estimated delivery date will help the customer know when your item is scheduled to be delivered and if the payment mode is cash on delivery then the customer will be ready with the amount on the specified date.
Thank you Message and Customer Service Details
A thank you message will make a customer happy. It will also show them that you can go the extra mile to give maximum customer satisfaction. Providing customer service details gives the customers an accessible way of reaching out to you in case of any issue with the product or cancellation.
Some Fantastic Examples of the Order Confirmation Email
After gaining so much information on a confirmation email, let’s have a look at some great order confirmation email samples so that you can create one of your own!
1) Show Some Excitement!
Since an order confirmation email is your first opportunity to communicate with your consumer, show them how grateful you are that they purchased your product. The degree of excitement you display in your email will make the consumer delighted and a returning customer.
order confirmation email
2) Use Some Catchy Lines and Follow-up Information
Using some catchy phrases that fit with your product will create an impression on your customer’s mind. It also demonstrates your level of inventiveness and the work you put into providing a positive user experience for them. Customers may be certain that their product is in good hands and will be delivered to them shortly if they receive follow-up information such as “we will send you another email after delivery.”
3) Send a Personalized Thank You Message
A personalized thank you email will show your consumer that they are valued and will remind them that they made the correct decision. This will help to establish an instant connection between the consumer and the business.
Personalised order confirmation email
Conclusion
We hope you can see how crucial a flawless order confirmation email is for a business by now. An email confirmation creates positive ideas in the head of the consumer and aids in growing potential earnings.
Not only that, but it also demonstrates your genuineness and builds customer confidence in future transactions. Online business is all about risk and certainty, but with a purchase confirmation email, you can make it a little less perilous for your consumers.
FAQs
How do you respond to a customer order?
Show your gratitude towards them for buying your product and craft a personalized message to build trust and offer them a discount and then close your message with another thank you note with your email signature.
Why are order confirmation emails important?
Order confirmation email verifies that order has been successfully placed. It provide an opportunity for relationship building and create potential cross-and up-selling.
How long do order email confirmation take?
Ideally order confirmation email takes around 5 mins to 60 minutes. Sending an order confirmation email early at helps in making good customer relationship and building brand image.
What should be the length of the order email confirmation?
There is no defined length for it. But it must have all the details like- Order number, cost breakdown, purchased items, delivery timeline.
