11 Major Sales-Blocking Misconceptions College Stores Have about eCommerce

11 Major Sales-Blocking

MISCONCEPTIONSCollege Stores Have about

eCommerce...

And How to Overcome Them

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Your store needs aneCommerce solution.


After all, nearly 81% of young adults own and

shop with mobile devices.

http://heidicohen.com/67-mobile-facts-from-2013-research-charts/


But there’s a lot of misinformation and uncertainty

out there about your eCommerce options.


Here are 11 myths college retailers might have, and how they can overcome them on the way to

providing better service and convenience to students.


Myth 1:“We can’t match online competitor’s prices,

so what’s the point?”


Price is important, but so is customer service. In an

eCommerce setting, that means helping students save and being

attentive to their needs.


With the ever-presence of technology in students' lives, that

means your eCommerce store needs a range of price options and the ability to engage students and respond to questions quickly on

social media.

https://econsultancy.com/blog/65018-what-social-customer-service-is-really-worth-stats#i.yruikc2jzejj10



Myth 2:“If I o�er price comparison, I’ll lose sales.”

$10.95 $8.95


Three out of four college-age customers are comparison-shopping online already. By o�ering it on your

site, and as long as your prices are competitive, students are more likely to buy from your store. (Plus, you can

often earn a�liate revenue if your students buy elsewhere.)

http://www.statista.com/statistics/306617/us-generations-comparing-prices-online-for-big-purchases/



Myth 3:“A website’s a website —

anyone can view it on any device!”


If not mobile-friendly, your store can be virtually impossible for

customers to navigate, driving them away. More than 25% of online

transactions are now mobile — be sure your store is optimized for

omni-channel.

https://www.adyen.com/home/about-adyen/press-releases/mobile-payments-index-april-2015



Myth 4:“Students will automatically and easily find

my store online.”


Students are shopping online, but that doesn’t mean they’ll instantly

discover your web store. Market and promote your store so your

customers know where to look, and rest assured your web store is a�liated

with their school.

https://www.godaddy.com/garage/smallbusiness/market/promote-online-store-without-spending-dime/



Also, try to get buy-in from your school to help promote your store on

your campus' website, as well!


Myth 5:“It’s tedious to o�er freebies, sales and more.”


An eCommerce tool designed with college stores in mind will

make it easy to o�er the sales and incentives you want. Whether it’s

flash sales, buy-one-get-one deals or more, your store can do it all and

keep customers happy.

http://foreword.mbsbooks.com/?p=10332#sthash.z0OIfGca.dpbs


Myth 6:“Students can’t earn in-store loyalty online.”


Loyalty isn’t just for brick-and-mortar purchases. With

the right eCommerce solution, your students can use your loyalty

program wherever they’re buying. This can even drive up in-store

tra�c by up to 13%!

http://blog.accessdevelopment.com/customer-loyalty-statistics-2015-edition#lmktg


Myth 7:“eCommerce cuts students o� from

proprietary tenders.”


An optimized, college retail-focused eCommerce

solution will integrate with your system, so you can accept student financial aid, credit, debit, gift cards

and more!


Myth 8:“Online shopping isn't secure.”


A secure system makes a secure store. Your web store can utilize your system's security features,

keeping customer data safe and preventing you from processing

one of the fraudulent transactions that cost retailers

$3 billion last year.

https://www.internetretailer.com/2013/03/28/online-fraud-costs-e-retailers-35-billion-2012


Myth 9:“It’s too di�cult to keep your inventory updated

in real time.”


It’s not impossible when your system does it for you! Integrated

eCommerce solutions use the same inventory as your physical store, so

what you’re displaying is always up to date.


Myth 10:“Students will always prefer the convenience of

a physical store for all types of transactions.”


The majority of shoppers like buying online and picking up

in-store. O�ering an online store which still gives students the

convenience of in-store pickup can boost your sales tra�c.

http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Why-Retailers-Should-Offer-Buy-Online-Pick-Up-In-Store/1012579



Myth 11:“We don't have a web designer, so it will be

too hard to brand or update our store.”


You can easily customize your site's look and functionality with a turnkey solution that includes a content design manager for easy updating. Plus, the right solution will have a dedicated support rep

on hand when more extensive changes are needed.

http://marketing.mbsbooks.com/hubfs/MBS_Textbook_Exchange/downloads/RS868_inSite.pdf

Sources

Cohen, H. (2013, October 21). 67 Mobile Facts To Develop Your 2014 Budget - Heidi Cohen. Retrieved February 26, 2016, from http://heidicohen.com/67-mobile-facts-from-2013-research-charts/

What social customer service is really worth: Stats. (2014, June 16). Retrieved February 26, 2016, from https://econsultancy.com/blog/65018-what-social-customer-service-is-really-worth-stats#i.yruikc2jzejj10

U.S. generations: Comparing prices online 2015 | Statistic. (2015). Retrieved February 26, 2016, from http://www.statista.com/statistics/306617/us-generations-comparing-prices-online-for-big-purchases/

Over 27% of global online transactions are now on mobile devices - Adyen. (2015, April 30). Retrieved February 26, 2016, from http://www.adyen.com/home/about-adyen/press-releases/mobile-payments-index-april-2015

Rowland, A. (2014, November 17). Promote your online store without spending a dime - The Garage. Retrieved February 26, 2016, from https://garage.godaddy.com/smallbusiness/market/promote-online-store-without-spending-dime/

Asher, D. (2014, November 17). ISU Cross-Promotes like Crazy on inSite. Retrieved February 26, 2016, from http://foreword.mbsbooks.com/?p=10332

Carter, B. (2015, December 31). Customer Loyalty Statistics: 2015 Edition. Retrieved February 26, 2016, from http://blog.accessdevelopment.com/customer-loyalty-statistics-2015-edition#lmktg

Demery, P. (2013, March 28). Online fraud costs e-retailers $3.5 billion in 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2016, from https://www.internetretailer.com/2013/03/28/online-fraud-costs-e-retailers-35-billion-2012

Why Retailers Should O�er Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store - eMarketer. (2015, June 8). Retrieved February 26, 2016, from http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Why-Retailers-Should-O�er-Buy-Online-Pick-Up-In-Store/1012579

http://heidicohen.com/67-mobile-facts-from-2013-research-charts/





http://foreword.mbsbooks.com/?p=10332#sthash.PiCLp14D.dpbs

http://blog.accessdevelopment.com/customer-loyalty-statistics-2015-edition#lmktg

https://www.internetretailer.com/2013/03/28/online-fraud-costs-e-retailers-35-billion-2012


11 Major Sales-Blocking Misconceptions College Stores Have about eCommerce

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