How much does a website increase sales?

Twenty years ago, many brick-and-mortar shop owners might have shrugged at the internet, because sales happened in-store and in person, and the old rules of advertising were still going strong. Ecommerce was just starting, and having a website seemed like something only tech companies needed to worry about.

Fast forward to now—it's 2024, and the global ecommerce market is expected to reach US$6.3 trillion this year. Every business should be asking themselves: “How can being online actually boost my sales?” These days, no matter what you sell, a website can seriously increase your brand awareness, attract more potential customers.

But what does that mean? How much of an impact can a well-built website actually make? Well, that’s what this guide is here to break down. We'll explore exactly how a strong online presence can drive sales, what features really matter, and how you can turn your website into a sales-generating machine.

The value of online sales in the current business industry

The ecommerce world is exploding, with online sales making up a huge chunk of all retail sales. In fact, last year, 22% of retail sales happened online. If your business doesn’t have a solid digital presence, you could be leaving sales on the table. An online business never closes, and businesses with websites grow between 15-50% more relative to similar enterprises that aren’t online. So, whether you’re selling handmade candles or high-end services, having a winning website is no longer just a “nice-to-have,” it’s a must-have. Here's what it can bring to your retail or hospitality business:

Reach more target audiences

Going online doesn’t just mean reaching the folks who stroll by your shop. It means reaching everyone. In 2024, 59% of people admitted they prefer to shop online (because, obviously, it’s easier), and a massive 99% said they check out products online before buying. No website? No sale. You’ve got people ready to buy, but without an online presence, they’ll never find you! 

With the right web design and digital marketing strategies (think SEO, email marketing, and Google Ads), your website can bring in way more traffic. And not just any traffic, the kind that’s ready to buy. Plus, optimizing your site for mobile devices means you’ll grab the attention of those scrolling on the go. A mobile-friendly design is super important as mobile users make up a huge chunk of today’s shoppers. 

Provide better sales and customer support

Websites aren’t just for showing off products—they’re also like having a 24/7 customer service team. According to a study by Tidio, customers who use live chat support are 513% more likely to buy from you. Your site can answer FAQs, troubleshoot problems, and guide potential customers through the buying process. All of this happens without you lifting a finger or being face-to-face, which means more sales and happier customers. 

By incorporating features like live chat, FAQs, and easy-to-find contact forms, you’ll keep website visitors engaged and offer instant help. It’s all about creating a positive experience, because a smooth customer journey makes for more sales.

Offer more information about your products or services

Today’s online shoppers want all the details. They’re not just window shopping, they’re digging for information before clicking “buy now.” Having a website lets you showcase everything, product specs, customer reviews, FAQs, tutorials, you name it. This kind of social proof and detailed info helps nudge people toward hitting that purchase button. And since organic traffic is all about ranking higher in search engines like Google, make sure your website’s design is optimized with SEO in mind. The more helpful content you create, the better your search results will be, which equals more visitors and, yep, more sales.

So, whether you’re a small business owner or part of a larger company, a strong online presence is the key to driving more traffic, increasing sales, and growing your brand. With smart digital marketing tactics, you’ll take advantage of today’s online trends and skyrocket your website sales.

5 Strategies to increase website sales 

So, you’ve got a website. Great! But how do you make sure it’s actually bringing in those sales? Let’s break it down:

Attract more potential customers with search engine optimization

Search Engine Optimization (or SEO for short) is all about making sure people can find your website when they search for products or services online. If your site isn’t popping up in those search results (we're talking first page of Google), you’re basically invisible to potential customers. So, how do you get your site to rank higher and attract more website visitors? Here are some actionable tips:

• Use the right keywords: Start by doing some keyword research. Think about what your target audience is searching for. What questions are they asking? What words are they typing into Google? These are the keywords you need to sprinkle throughout your site. Include them in your blog posts, landing pages, product descriptions—wherever it feels natural. For example, if you’re own an online boutique, you might want to focus on keywords like “trendy women’s clothing,” “affordable fashion,” or “best online boutique.” Think about seasonal trends, popular styles, and specific products you offer. But, if you run a small SEO agency, you'd focus on keywords like “how much does a website increase sales,” “online business,” and “increase online sales.” The more relevant keywords you use, the more likely your site will show up in search results.
• Optimize your website design for mobile users: Over 61% of website traffic comes from mobile devices, so if your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re missing out on a huge amount of potential customers. Make sure your site’s design is mobile-friendly, with fast load times, easy navigation, and high-quality visuals that look great on smaller screens.
• Create engaging content: Content is king when it comes to SEO. Regularly creating engaging content like blog posts, FAQs, or product guides not only gives you a chance to target more keywords but also helps your site rank higher for organic traffic. Plus, Google loves fresh content, so the more frequently you update your site with new, valuable info, the better your chances of getting on that coveted first page of search results. And the higher you rank, the more website visitors you’ll get!
• Don’t forget about local SEO: If you run a local business, take advantage of local SEO by listing your business on Google Maps and Google Business. Add your business’s location, hours, and a link to your site, so people can find you when they search for services in your area. Plus, ask happy customers to leave Google Reviews—social proof like reviews can make a huge difference in boosting your online presence.
• Analyze and adjust using Google Analytics: Once you’ve implemented these digital marketing strategies, track your results using Google Analytics. This tool lets you see which pages are driving the most traffic, what’s converting to sales, and where you might need to make improvements. By understanding the behavior of your website visitors, you can fine-tune your SEO to bring in even more traffic and increase sales.

Follow these tips, and you’ll see more online searches lead to more website traffic, more engagement and, ultimately, more sales!

Implement conversion rate optimization (CRO)

So, you’ve got people visiting your site… but how do you turn those visitors into paying customers? That’s where Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) comes in. It’s all about making your site easy to navigate so that when someone decides to buy, they can do it without any hassle.

First, look at your checkout process. Make sure it’s smooth and straightforward. If it feels complicated, customers might bail before completing their purchase. Simplify the steps: fewer clicks means happier shoppers. Also, make sure your payment processing is top-notch and you can accept all different types of payment options. You don't want someone getting all the way to checkout to find out you don't accept the credit card they wanted to use.

Next, focus on your call-to-action buttons. They should be big and easy to spot. Use clear language that encourages action, like “Buy Now” or “Get Yours Today.” Make it obvious where customers need to click.

Don’t forget to include trust signals. Showcase customer reviews, ratings, and any certifications you have. This helps build confidence and shows potential buyers that others have had a positive experience with your business.

Improve your site’s customer journey 

The customer journey is basically the road a potential buyer travels from the first time they hear about your brand to the moment they hit “purchase”—and even after that. A smooth journey can turn casual browsers into die-hard fans.

There are a few steps in the customer journey process, including:

1. Awareness: This is when customers first stumble upon your brand for the first time. Maybe it's from their Instagram, or maybe a Google Ad.
2. Consideration: Here’s where they start doing their homework. They’re checking out your offerings, comparing prices, and figuring out if you’re the right fit for them.
3. Decision: Customers might add items to their cart and scroll through reviews.
4. Purchase: This is where they pull out their wallets. If this step is a pain, you might just lose them.
5. Post-Purchase: After buying, they should get a warm fuzzy feeling from a confirmation email and know you’re there for any questions. This is where you start building loyalty.

Now that you've got a good idea of the customer journey steps, let's give you some tips on improving it on your website.

• Simplify navigation: Make sure your website is easy to navigate. Use clear menus and categories so visitors can find what they’re hunting for without getting lost.
• Engaging content: Use blog posts, videos, and FAQs to answer their burning questions. The more helpful you are, the more they’ll trust you.
• Personalization: Use data to recommend products based on what they’ve checked out or bought before. Tailored experiences show customers you care.
• Follow up: After they buy, don’t ghost them! Send a thank-you email, ask for feedback, and encourage them to leave reviews.

Build trust with a professional website design

Your website is the face of your brand online, and if it looks like it was made in the 90s, you’re gonna lose trust fast. 75% of users judge a business’s credibility based on web design alone.

A slick, professional-looking site with a modern layout and clear info? That screams trustworthy. And trust = sales.

Don’t skimp on design—make sure your website reflects the quality of what you’re offering.

Use ecommerce integrations for better online management

Want to streamline your whole operation? Hook your site up with some killer ecommerce integrations. Tools like Shopify, WooCommerce, or payment gateways can make managing online sales easy.

Plus, with things like automated emails, real-time stock updates, and easy shipping options, you can focus on what really matters, growing your business. These integrations help keep everything running smoothly, giving you time to boost more sales.

How Epos Now can help your business grow

Epos Now is here to help you level up your business. With our easy-to-use POS solution for hospitality businesses and retail, you can create a strong online presence and reach more customers:

• Simple online setup: Our website builder is super user-friendly. You can whip up a professional-looking site in no time with our modern templates, all optimized for phones, tablets, and desktops. Your customers will love it, no matter how they’re browsing.
• Make it yours: Customize everything with our drag-and-drop features. Change layouts, pick your fonts, and add your own images. Plus, we support over 55 languages, so you can connect with customers around the globe.
• Awesome tools for sales: Epos Now gives you a bunch of handy widgets like pop-ups, menus, and scheduling tools. Use these to engage customers and boost your sales. Retailers can create urgency with coupons, while restaurants can make online reservations simple.
• Payment processing made easy: With Epos Now, you get seamless payment processing that works with all major credit and debit cards.
• Powerful POS features: Our POS solution keeps everything organized. Manage sales, track inventory, and get real-time reports, all in one place. It’s designed to help you make smart business decisions on the fly.