A busy season is coming up with Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner. This means it’s time to boost your online consignment store sales! Shopify wrote about the importance of planning ahead for such events. Most of us judge businesses that promote a holiday way too soon but we should actually be learning from them. According to Forbes, last year’s Cyber Monday set a record of $9.4 billion in sales, compare that number to Black Friday’s $7.4 billion and Amazon Prime Day’s $4.2 billion. This means you can be one of the many consignment stores using their online resources to sell more and grow your clientele. In order to boost your online consignment store sales, you must have a presence on social media. Here are some easy ways to grow your store online.

#1 Boost your online consignment store sales with your platforms

Since we are on our phones all day long, the best way to market is to use your social media. Your posts can be pictures of clothes that can be found in your shop, a current sale, or announcing a new shipment. Get creative with it, the more you post you will start to gain traction. Promote your social media platforms by posting the name you can be found with on social media at the register. This is a time when the customers have nothing else to do except notice their surroundings. On your social media be sure to have valuable information, that will give them a reason to follow. For example, posting sales or coupons.

#2 Boost your online consignment store sales by interacting with your audience

Speaking of free stuff, have contests, and giveaways on your Instagram frequently. First, you must choose a prize that suits the theme of your shop. Second, have criteria such as must follow your page and tag 3 friends in the comments. Make it interesting by adding that for every extra person tagged when entering they get an extra entry in the contest. Third, post this on your social media including the end date for entries. Doing this may seem silly but it’s a way to buy your customer’s love and form a better connection with your community.

#3 Boost your online consignment store sales with your staff

We market ourselves every time we post on our personal social media which means your employees most likely have a good following of friends and family on social media. Have your employees pick out an outfit and go outside your store to have a little photoshoot in the natural light. Encourage your employee to post this on one of their platforms informing their friends of the current sales. This can also be used as a post on your store’s social media. I see this as a win-win, you are creating interesting content and also helping your staff feel more confident in themselves and their job.

#4 Keep boosting your online sales with consistency

Consistency is key when it comes to social media, it may take a while to see any results but get creative with it. You are moving the needle by simply posting. I have noticed that social media has become the new Google when it comes to searching for people and places. They want to see what you have to offer. Take matters into your own hands and make sure that your social media makes people want to come to check out your store!

#5 Use Shopify to sell your consignment

People love to shop online, having an online option puts you in a great position. SimpleConsign’s Shopify plugin allows you to seamlessly transfer your in-store inventory to your online store. During times like this, it’s important to keep as many avenues open. Building an online platform for your consignment store is one of the strongest methods to stay afloat. Once you have the Shopify plugin you may also sell on Facebook Live; this is a fun way to reach those at home.

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How important is it to build a Shopify consignment store?

In 2020 14.1% of all retail sales worldwide were online sales. It is predicted that this will reach 22% by 2023. If you’ve been considering it, now is the time to jump on the bandwagon of e-commerce. With SimpleConsign’s Shopify plugin’s easy setup, now is the time to open your Shopify consignment store.

The growth of e-commerce and Shopify

Not surprisingly, the first e-commerce site in the US was Amazon. Beginning as a bookseller in 1994, Amazon now offers thousands of products. It is the world’s #1 online retailer. China is the fastest-growing for e-commerce sales nationally. In the US alone, online sales could reach almost $566 billion by 2023. Shopify’s stats are just as exciting.

• In October 2019, Shopify estimated over 1 million merchants in over 175 countries
• Last year, Shopify did $1.5 billion in sales
• The US has the largest number of Shopify stores
• As a retailer, Shopify ranks #3 behind Amazon and Ebay for US retail online sales

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Creating your Shopify consignment store

The initial setup for a Shopify site is fairly easy. In fact, they offer a 14-day Free Trial. In addition, Shopify offers a variety of how-to tips and suggestions for what to avoid.

• Like anything, understand the overall costs and responsibilities before you begin
• Choose a template that matches your brand.
• Keep it simple. Avoid having to customize.
• Be specific about your merchandise, shipping charges, delivery times, etc.
• Learn some online merchandise photography skills

If you haven’t signed up for your Shopify site yet, start one. Integrate your Shopify site with phenomenal resale software such as SimpleConsign. Our web-based system lets you manage your brick and mortar store, as well as your online store from anywhere. Plus, features like SimpleConsign’s Photo App let you easily take photos and instantly upload them to your Shopify site.

Marketing your Shopify consignment store

Signing up for a Shopify site is only the beginning. Marketing your online store comes next. Shopify offers a wide variety of apps that work to boost your consignment store sales. Everything from Sales Pop Up and Countdown Timers to Customer Support apps are available. Many of them are free but choose wisely. Don’t overload your site with too many features in the beginning.

For more benefits of our Shopify plugin, read here.

Keep shoppers on your online consignment store longer

Have you heard the good news? SimpleConsign, web based software, now integrates with Shopify! There’s never been a better time to build your online consignment store. Make sure shoppers stay on your site a little longer by maximizing their experience. I’ve got 6 tips.

1.) First impressions matter

It’s Saturday and I’ve invited you to my home for dinner. Pulling up, you notice overflowing trash cans lined up along the driveway. My front door is barely visible because of the overgrowth of weeds. I invite you in, but there’s nowhere to sit. Papers and trash cover the floors, chairs and tables. What’s your first impression? Are you eager to hang around and have dinner? It’s the same with your online consignment store. Keep it clean and free of clutter. Don’t overwhelm your shoppers with too much information. Use plenty of white space. Your logo and a catch phrase lets shoppers know they’re in the right place. Keep in mind your target market. What appeals to them? The image below is from a bridal shop called Twigs & Honey. The name itself tells you very little, but the first image you see tells their story.

2.) Eye-catching images

Avoid stock photos, if at all possible. Your shoppers want genuine images of your business and your merchandise. It builds trust. Use your store surroundings and employees to help convey your message. Shoppers want to build a relationship with you. Include interesting photos of your storefront, front door or street sign, if they’re attractive. Make merchandise photos natural and engaging. Read 10 merchandise photography tips to sell more online. SimpleConsign offers their own Simple Photo App. Take photos of your merchandise and with the click of a button add them to your online consignment store.

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3.) Show ’em the way 

When you entered my cluttered house, you could hardly see the living room much less which way to get to the kitchen or bathroom. Plus, you’d have to push aside a lot of junk just to move. It’s the same with your site. Shoppers want to see immediately where to browse for particular merchandise, special deals or a way to contact you. Avoid labels like “Products,” “Services” or even, “Photos.” Use descriptive labels that are familiar to your shoppers. If you can, limit your list of labels. Notice the Modern Shop’s navigation bar. The easier your online consignment store is to explore, the higher number of sales you’ll make.

3.) Call-to-Action

A good call-to-action (CTA) button is invaluable. Shoppers come to your website. They’re looking at your merchandise. Now, tell them what to do next. Examples of a call-to-action are “Shop Now,” “Search,” “Get Started” or “Go To Checkout.” Use a contrasting color that stands out from the rest of the page. Your call-to-action button needs to call attention to itself. It needs to make the next step in the process of buying completely clear. On Gift Crates website, they’ve tailored their CTA especially for their product.

4.) Testimonials / Success Stories

I don’t think I’ve honestly ever clicked on someone’s Testimonial page. It’s not that I don’t care, I just don’t want to take the time. But, if you place a customer’s quote with a photo somewhere else on your site, I’ll read it. Share short success stories of how your product has changed someone’s life. Younger generations especially rely on customer reviews. Scatter them throughout your shopping pages. Ask your best customers for a sentence or two describing their experience with you. Keep them short. By adding a photo, you increase engagement by over 100%.

5.) Email sign-up form

Once you’ve gained someone’s attention, don’t let them leave without getting some information from them. However, you’ll have to offer something in return. Do you write a fashion or decorating blog? Ask them to sign up. What about a special club for early preview shoppers? Have them add their name and email to the list. Consider offering a special discount in return for giving you their contact information. Get as much information as possible. Research actually suggests people are willing to give more than just their first name and email for a discount offer. Take that opportunity to ask for an address, phone number and even a little personal info. Always send a Thank You response immediately.

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6.) Mobile-friendly

A mobile site is no longer a “maybe” for today’s online consignment store. It’s a must. Shopping on a phone is becoming the new norm. According to BrightEdge, “57% of all US online traffic now comes from smartphones and tablets.” In addition, they claim “69% of smartphone users are more likely to buy from companies with mobile sites that easily address their questions or concerns.” Check your site to make sure the images are optimized for a phone and your labels are clearly listed. Type “Mobile-Friendly Test” into Google and run a quick test. Shoppers no longer tolerate moving the screen to the left or right, pinching it to see all of the information or zooming in to read details. With UGGs mobile site, there are only 4 labels across the top. Images convey their brand and a strong call-to-action is visible. Make your site just as easy.