Even before the pandemic hit, consumer behavior had been shifting to the digital stage. As more people discovered the benefits of e-commerce, businesses were forced to accept the changing situation. Still, the trend had been a slow and steady evolution. While it was inevitable, businesses had plenty of time to catch up. And then the pandemic hit.
The COVID-19 virus accelerated the timeline for the digital transformation. It made this change a necessity for virtually all businesses. Industries must expand or at least switch to e-commerce for them to survive in today’s business landscape.
While there is no question that making the shift to online shopping is the only way to go, retail shop owners are left asking one question: How can customers experience the same level of shopping satisfaction online that they experience in retail shops?
Their ability to answer this question would determine the success or failure of their transition to e-commerce. And to help them face the challenge, here are a few suggestions.
The Power of Product Customization
Product customization offers the ultimate experience in a consumer’s purchasing journey. The ability to determine a product’s appearance, size, fit, or any other critical feature is one of the most compelling reasons why customers today choose certain brands.
However, customization came at a price. Anything that was bespoke was seen as expensive. But while this concept may have been true until a few years ago, it is becoming more difficult to support.
With the emergence of customization software solutions, the continued improvement of product supply chains, and increasing demand for things bespoke, a perfect environment for mass product customization is brewing. This has allowed brands to offer customized products close to the price point of mass-produced items.
Enhancing Customer Satisfaction with Product Customization
If you ask online shoppers, one of their biggest concerns is getting a product that meets their expectations in terms of size, appearance, or quality. Without the ability to physically interact with the actual product, getting the right product is sometimes hit or miss, especially for first time purchases. That is why product returns are some of the most pressing issues for e-commerce, whether you are a consumer or an e-commerce brand owner.
Product returns can damage a brand in many ways. It diminishes your credibility among current customers and makes them less likely to purchase from your website again. They could also discourage friends and family from choosing your brand, which means more potential losses on your part.
In terms of logistics, the cost of reversing the purchasing process can be very expensive. You have to provide a refund, take back the rejected product, and potentially dispose of it. This does not even include the implication of packaging materials wasted. Based on studies by industry experts, half of the returned products offer little to nothing in terms of retrievable value.
Consumers today have a certain level of expectation that is hard to meet. But for a business to succeed, there is no way around it. If you want to make a successful transition from a retail store to an e-commerce website, make sure that you invest in product customization.
Trust the Professionals
There is no question that product customization is essential for today’s businesses. A great way to do this is by using the Zakeke plugin, a web empowering service that optimizes product visual personalization to enhance customer satisfaction.
Our Product Customizer lets customers personalize any product and visualize how it will look before checking out. Customers see and interact with a live 3D model of their products and see it in their real-world thanks to the Augmented Reality.
They’ll always know what they are going to get before buying, which means fewer refunds, fewer complaints, and more 5-star ratings.
Visit Zakeke demo to learn more and Start a free trial now!
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