Many businesses are more than ever dependant on their online presence to help them through the current economic crisis. With 17% of all retail spending being done online in the UK, money is still being spent in the e-commerce sector by companies employing search engine optimisation and e-marketing specialists to boost their online presence.

If your organisation is not getting the most out of your online sales capability, then it’s time to combine your sales training course and soft skills training knowledge to put together a strong customer service offering for your website.

Many UK businesses managed to make good profit over the festive season online, and now must ensure they retain and develop their customer base. Some of the following options are tried and tested to improve your customer service online and boost your sales:

Online discounts
Consumers are more price sensitive than ever at the moment, and now is the time to utilise the cost savings of an online sales service to offer the best deals you can.

Free Deliveries
Many online companies are offering promotions whereby free shipping is offered on a certain day, a certain product line or for orders over a certain amount.

Functionality
Make sure your site’s ease of navigation and purchasing options are regularly tested and reported by people outside of your organisation. Many companies fall into the trap of not realising how awkward some transactions can be – minimum clicks, minimum time and minimum fuss should be the goal.

Customer Support
Ensure that you offer a variety of ways for clients to contact you with queries or have their questions answered. This can range from ‘frequently asked questions’ pages to online live chat from a customer service representative.