An increasing number of sellers are turning to digital platforms to sell their products and services. This is primarily because buyers in Tier-II and Tier-III cities now eliminate the need to visit physical markets for purchases.
The COVID-19 pandemic made this clearer because shopping online became a necessity more than a convenience. Thus, brands like Amazon, Flipkart, FirstCry, Jabong, Swiggy, Zomato, Big Basket, Myntra, etc., have been seeing a rise in their sales ever since.
How can you sell your products on an eCommerce platform?
The following options exhibit how you can sell products and services online:
1. Owning an eCommerce portal
The primary way to become an independent eCommerce seller is to create a platform for yourself to sell products and services directly to your potential customers. For this, you need an eCommerce development agency that facilities the development. The expert team will help you build your website and also help you reach out to your target audience.
2. Being an eCommerce operator
You can become an eCommerce operator and enrol in an online portal to sell their goods and services. For example, if you become an Amazon seller, you can list your products on Amazon and sell through the eCommerce giant.
3. Being an eCommerce participant
You can also become an eCommerce participant by selling your products and services to end-users through an eCommerce operator, who act as vendor and registered with eCommerce platforms like Flipkart and Amazon on your behalf.
What is Affiliate Marketing for eCommerce businesses?
One of the most economical ways to promote your business is affiliate marketing. First, let us discuss what it is and then we will share why it is economical.
To make it easily understandable, affiliate marketing is a form of referral program. People who decide to become affiliates earn commissions by promoting your products and services.
An affiliate can help you indirectly by promoting products and generating sales. In return, you share a certain percentage of your profits as commission.
Types of affiliate marketing strategies
As an eCommerce seller, you must know the indirect ways affiliate marketers can boost your sales. The following points will help you understand why affiliate marketing is a credible way to increase sales and generate more income:
1. Web content
Affiliates usually own their websites and blogs. They create content and link them to products they want to sell and earn from.
They spend a lot of time and money to make use of search engine strategies. Such investments include Facebook ads, paid advertising models, and much more. However, once their content has a good reach, they help you generate income through increased sales.
2. Coupon sites
People look for coupons all the time to receive any tiny amount as discounts for their purchases. The benefit of this strategy is that these websites usually have significant traffic, increasing revenue chances. Due to an established member base, these websites can enhance your chances of sales.
3. Monetize microsites
Affiliates monetize microsites to generate sales. Such sites share advertisements with another site they partner with. It can also be in the form of sponsored listings of search engines.
Microsites are distinct from the official site of the organization. These sites offer focused content that is relevant for a particular audience. Such sites can enhance conversion with their direct call-to-action.
4. Email marketing
Most affiliates who use this strategy have a list of email addresses to promote the eCommerce sellers’ products. In contrast, others use email newsletters and include hyperlinks to those products. When people click through those links and purchase a product, you generate more sales.
How is affiliate marketing economical for eCommerce sellers?
The best part about affiliate marketing is that most of the strategies are commission-based. Affiliate marketers are only entitled to a certain percentage of profit that they earn as a commission. So, an eCommerce seller does not spend money that can go in vain; they can only spend money after generating sales.
Final thoughts
eCommerce sellers must consider the value affiliate marketing can add to their sales and choose the type they want for their business. The form of brand promotion gained popularity due to increasing digital presence and it is a comparatively cheaper way of generating sales than traditional advertisements. If you are an eCommerce owner, then get in touch with a reputed digital internet marketing agency to get support in affiliate marketing for your business. All the best!
