At first glance, e-commerce may seem like an easy way to grow sales. The web is overflowing with tools for creating e-shops and there is plenty of easily accessible information on how to start selling online. However, creating a thriving online business is not that easy a task.
According to the data from Lithuanian Statistics Department, this year’s annual online retail sales in Lithuania have already grown by 46.7%, which indicates that a strong position in the e-commerce market will undoubtedly require increased effort.
Tomas Petryla, the founder of the ceramic BBQ grill brand Kamado Bono, shares some precise tips on how to successfully expand your e-commerce business.
“Having a neat and tidy online shop is not enough these days. The secret to a successful business and customer satisfaction lies in the overall shopping experience. It covers everything from the first visit to a website to unpacking the goods and receiving the proper after-sales service. These things can be burdensome and we believe that some challenges are best left to the experts.”
Tomas Petryla, founder of Kamado Bono
1. Let Customers Speak for You
Kamado Bono produces the highest quality ceramic grills, sells them in 19 countries, and receives excellent feedback from the customers. According to Petryla, this is due to three important goals the team has raised:
- Ensure that the product is accessible to the widest possible audience and is available on the e-shop, in physical stores, and for retailers;
- Implement a clean and customer-friendly e-shop experience with a wide range of payment options;
- Provide high customer experience throughout the transaction, including consultation before the purchase and useful after-sale service.
“When you feel confident that your product vision is complete, three simple extra steps will help you move towards one of the most powerful tools in marketing – people, spreading a positive word of mouth about your brand.”
A constant search for ways to invest into your own similar goals only increases the likelihood that the customers will eventually start spreading a natural, positive message about your products in their social circle.
2. Build a Community Around Your Brand
65,000 people currently follow Kamado Bono posts on the Facebook group Lithuania grilling & smoking.
According to Petryla, the work does not end after making a sale. It is no less important to keep the customer’s attention and interest not only in their purchased item but in the product’s overall potential too.
“From the very beginning, we were interested not only in selling the product, but also in educating our customers and helping them. Getting the newcomers involved in a unique culture encourages them to enjoy the product even more.”
After trying out various communication models, Kamado Bono chose to create a Facebook community for BBQ enthusiasts. This way, the brand not only attracts newcomers but maintains close communication and trust with regular customers too.
3. Deliver the Product Fast and Reliably
It is widely agreed that the quality of delivery will become an essential factor in e-commerce. Kamado Bono’s founder notes that entrusting all the logistics to a specialized partner was an excellent solution that greatly contributed to the company’s growth.
“When Kamado Bono started to grow, we searched for a solution to deal with logistics – it was crucial that we focus on other business issues. We were the first to try out the 3PL service, offered by our partners at Venipak. It allowed us to entrust all of our logistics procedures to the experts. The customers were genuinely amazed when their 128kg grills showed up on their doorstep the next day.”
Today, the Venipak Fulfillment service guarantees a modern and optimized logistics chain from the direct delivery of supply to Venipak warehouses to quality packaging and the next-day delivery. The whole process is automated and can be monitored in real-time.
“We believe it is essential that our logistics experience contributes to the development of e-commerce and gives the businesses all the necessary tools to let them focus on the essentials.”
Justas, General Manager at Venipak