“Marketing is telling the world you’re a rock star. Content Marketing is showing the world you are one.” – Robert Rose.
*Updated 7/11/2024
As an eCommerce business, it's not hard for you to compete with more prominent players and marketplaces. You must carve a unique brand positioning and create great content that attracts staunch fans and followers.
Doing it consistently and using content marketing to tell a story can help you boost eCommerce sales many times over.
Ready? Let's go.
You must remember that people are least interested in what you're selling unless you call them over for a free cup of coffee. But it isn’t feasible to invite your thousands of eCommerce prospects for a complimentary beverage. So why not help them in some way?
Content marketing allows eCommerce business owners to generate audience interest by offering them help. For instance, providing content that solves common skin-related problems makes sense if you sell skin-care products.
Take a look at this example from Blume, a famous self-care brand:
Creating valuable content helps you rank your website on search engines, earn organic traffic, and generate awareness about your brand.
What if you could go one step ahead and offer everything around a specific topic in a single place?
The great news is that you can build a content hub where you can publish blog posts, videos, checklists, social media content, and even host podcasts.
Here’s an excellent example of a content hub from Soul Insole, a well-known foot care brand.
The education hub offers website visitors everything they need to know about foot ailments, including blog posts, videos, and FAQs. Using POWR’s free media gallery app, you can quickly put different content formats in a block-style gallery with customizable fonts, layouts, and sizing.
With a content hub, you can set yourself up for success by building topical authority that converts into precious organic traffic.
Wouldn't it be fun to visit a cafe that allows guests to brew a cup themselves? Similarly, content marketing works better when you make it a playful experience.
According to a study by Content Marketing Institute, 81% agree that interactive content grabs the audience's attention more effectively than static content.
Look at this offer from Airmid Beauty Secrets, a personal care brand that produces natural products for hair and skin.
Some product-related words and phrases can be difficult to understand. It may lead your customers to pull out their hair in confusion. Don't worry; creating an eCommerce glossary page helps you kill two birds with one stone.
Here’s a superb example of a fashion glossary page from Zalora, a clothing e-retailer.
Promoting your eCommerce business is about getting those conversions rolling. So how do you do it?Product-related content is a great way to convert decision-stage buyers—people who’re ready to buy but still researching.
Niche-specific and trending content is a sure-shot winner. For instance, publishing blog posts and videos about upcoming and seasonal clothing trends is ideal if you're running an online fashion store.
In such a situation, you need to focus on offering cool ideas on how your audience can look their best.
Here’s an excellent example of a Friendship Day post from Proflowers, an online flower delivery service.
Imagine yourself as a prospective customer who can read blog posts and newsletters from five online shops selling similar eCommerce shop owners. Why would your ideal customer choose your content over others? Make an effort to be unique.
Try to tell stories that other eCommerce shop owners aren’t telling. For instance, you can decide to entertain your audience with a dash of humor and some dose of fun. Here’s a good example:
Creating and maintaining a unique content tone strengthens brand recall and helps improve your content conversion rate.
Here is the thing. Successful eCommerce content marketing is about going social.
Social media is where most of the action takes place. Instagram is one platform where content creators post Instagram Reels and Stories by the dozen. Also, many of these videos get pretty decent traction as well.
Here’s an excellent example of influencer collaboration by Debenhams:
ECommerce content marketing is about offering your audience content that they can enjoy. You need to hook prospects with exciting stories and get them to engage with your branded content.
Work on creating value-driven infotainment that solves problems and builds a deeper emotional connection with prospective customers.
Abhishek Talreja is a seasoned international ghostwriter, content strategist, and columnist. Abhishek has been published on MarketingProfs, AllBusiness, Techinasia, Sitepoint, and more. He is the founder of Prolific Content Marketing.