Jewelry may be classic, but the process of buying it has modernized. Many people don't go to a physical store anymore to look for what they like. Nowadays, they go online to find a specific piece before they drop by the shop; in some cases, they don't even bother to visit if there's an option to buy online and have the item shipped to the home.
According to a projection made by online statistics portal Statista, retail e-commerce sales worldwide will hit 1.9 trillion US dollars in 2016. It will grow continuously to reach 3.4 trillion US dollars by 2019. These numbers clearly show that people are leaning toward online shopping as a first option. Thus, retailers who don't have an online product showcase are at risk of losing customers.
If you want to remain competitive in the face of ever-changing shopping behavior, you have to embrace technology and give your customers what they're looking for -- convenience, variety, privacy, and affordability. When you have an online product showcase, people can browse through your jewelry pieces wherever they are and whenever they want. Even with thousands of choices, they can simply use search to whittle down their options, then buy what they like without anyone else having to know.
On your end, you'll be able to give better deals and lower prices to your customers because of:
- Less labor -- You need to fill and arrange display cases at a physical store, something you must do every day. But you don't need that kind of arrangement for an an online shop, so you can cut down on labor costs.
- Bigger audience -- The customers of a physical store are limited to the people within the vicinity of its location. However, the whole country is your market when you have a website. You can even get international customers if you offer worldwide shipping.
- Simpler maintenance -- You don't need a complex design to have an online product showcase. Inventory management can be performed by a plugin specifically designed for the jewelry industry. You won't need to spend a lot of time and money on maintenance because it will be taken care of for you.
Change can be overwhelming, but if you explore and understand your options well, you'll see that it's a win-win situation for you and your customers.
Find out how your website can be transformed into a full-scale jewelry showcase. For a limited time, GemFind is offering a free website consultation. Schedule your consultation now to learn more.