16 Tips on How to Increase Ecommerce Sales [Implement ALL]

I’ve been around ecommerce long enough to know that there’s no single “magic bullet” for skyrocketing your sales.

Instead, success comes when multiple strategies are stacked together - just like puzzle pieces forming a coherent picture.

Below, I’m sharing 16 tips I consistently use and recommend. They work best as a complete set, since each element addresses a different touchpoint and increases your store’s overall conversion power.

Implementation takes effort, but I’ve seen firsthand how these tactics deliver results that far outperform one-off approaches.

1. Simplify Your Store’s Navigation

I can’t stress this enough: a confusing store’s navigation stops sales before they start. Most visitors won’t stay if they can’t find what they’re looking for within a few clicks.

• Use concise menu labels. Nobody likes puzzling category titles.
• Implement breadcrumbs. This helps shoppers keep track of where they are.
• Group products intuitively. Organizing items is part science, part art—experiment to see what works.

When I redesigned navigation for a clothing store, revenue jumped more than 12% within a month. Shoppers browsed longer and added more items to their carts because it was much easier to move from one category to another.

2. Improve Page Load Speed

A slow website can kill your ecommerce sales. Even a one-second delay in page load time can reduce conversions.

Short story: I once analyzed a store facing abandoned carts and discovered that product pages took over four seconds to load. After upgrading hosting and optimizing images, their bounce rate dropped significantly.

Here’s what I typically do:

1. Compress images with a tool like TinyPNG, ShortPixel or Squoosh.
2. Use a content delivery network (CDN).
3. Minify CSS and JavaScript files.

It might sound technical, but the payoff is huge - faster pages, happier customers, and fuller carts.

3. Optimize Product Pages with Customer-Focused Copy

Something I see too often is bullet points that only list product features without explaining how they benefit the customer. Instead of just noting “water-resistant,” I explain that the product helps you stay dry during unexpected rain.

• Focus on how the product helps, not just what it does.
• Break up text with bullets and bold highlights.
• Use high-quality images (and videos if possible).

For example, I once helped a subscription box company rework their descriptions to explain how each box simplified the customer’s routine. Conversions increased by nearly 15%.

4. Use Social Proof

Shoppers often take comfort in the experiences of others. Testimonials, user photos, and clear ratings can convince on-the-fence visitors to add items to their carts.

• Include customer reviews on product pages.
• Encourage user photos or videos.
• Show real-time sales notifications (if relevant).

Charlotte Bio’s flash sale is a good illustration: they created urgency with a countdown bar and showed recent purchases, letting buyers know others were taking advantage of the deal. This mix of urgency and social proof helped generate 17% of their monthly revenue in just six hours.

5. Simplify the Checkout Process

I have abandoned carts on other sites because the checkout was too complicated. I’ve also benefited from streamlining checkout on my own stores.

Focusing on details like offering an “express checkout” or multiple payment options (PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay) can significantly lower cart abandonment.

Key points for checkout optimization:

• Let users check out as guests (avoid forcing account creation).
• Limit the number of form fields to the essentials.
• Provide clear shipping details and final costs before collecting payment information.

6. Launch Time-Limited Promotions and Flash Sales

Scarcity works. When people know a sale is ending soon, they tend to act promptly. In the Charlotte Bio flash sale mentioned earlier, that sense of urgency was front and center. I run a 48-hour sale every few months for my clients, and it reliably boosts that week’s revenue by 25–30%.

That said, overusing flash sales can lead customers to wait for discounts. I recommend spacing them out and linking them to special events, holidays, or new product releases to keep the offers feeling fresh.

7. Personalize Email Campaigns

Email remains a powerful tool. Using data to tailor emails transforms dull newsletters into effective conversion tools.

My approach includes:

• Using behavior-based segmentation: If someone browsed winter jackets, they receive an email about cold-weather gear.
• Sending abandoned cart reminders: A note like “Hey, you left something behind—don’t miss out!” can work wonders.
• Offering customized discounts based on past purchases.

For example, Asphalte organizes giveaways, product co-creation surveys, and continuous feedback to segment their list and send relevant offers. This combination nets them over 4,000 new leads every month.

8. Integrate Video Ads into Your Marketing Strategy

When Adidas reduced conversion costs by 43% and achieved a 5x return on ad spend using video ads on Facebook, I realized how impactful video can be. Video can show a product in action and highlight its best qualities while creating a strong connection with customers.

• Keep videos short (15–30 seconds).
• Focus on one product or collection.
• Always include a clear call to action, like “Shop now” or “Learn more.”

Video ads can catch the eye among a crowded feed. If you have product demos or behind-the-scenes looks, adding video ads is a smart move.

9. Upsell and Cross-Sell Strategically

If someone is already buying from you, they may be open to a relevant add-on. I have added options like warranties or premium upgrades at checkout and suggested related products that pair naturally with what the customer is purchasing.

For example:

• If a customer buys a camera, suggest a memory card or lens cap.
• If they add electronic accessories, offer an extended warranty.

The key is to keep suggestions relevant. Overbearing upsells can backfire, so it’s wise to test different product combinations and see what works best.

10. Cultivate a Loyalty Program

Rewarding repeat customers encourages them to return. Loyalty programs can be seen as a long-term investment that steadily pays off over time.

• Offer points for each purchase.
• Add extra perks, like free shipping or early access to sales.
• Reward referrals with store credits for both the referrer and the new customer.

Big brands like Starbucks and Sephora excel at this, and smaller ecommerce sites can use similar ideas on a smaller scale. It helps keep customers returning rather than shopping with competitors.

11. Use Popups (But Don’t Overdo It)

Popups sometimes get a bad rap, but when used appropriately, they can be very effective. For example, exit-intent popups can win back shoppers who are about to leave. Timed popups can encourage visitors to subscribe after they’ve been browsing for a few moments.

At the same time, it’s important to consider the customer experience:

• Display a popup after a visitor has explored at least one product.
• Limit how often the same user sees the popup.
• Offer a compelling deal, like a first-time discount or free shipping upgrade.

In one case, Charlotte Bio used select popups during a flash sale event by combining a countdown timer with a clear call to action. That strategy helped boost revenue impressively.

12. Optimize for Mobile Shoppers

Today, many people shop on their smartphones, so a site that isn’t optimized for mobile can lose a significant number of potential sales. I test my stores on various devices to ensure images display well and text remains readable.

A few tips for mobile optimization:

• Use a responsive theme or framework.
• Ensure clickable elements are large enough for finger taps.
• Reduce popups on small screens, as they can quickly become annoying.

I have seen clients triple their conversion rates on mobile just by ensuring their sites worked smoothly on smaller screens.

13. Showcase User-Generated Content on Social Media

Content from real customers is incredibly convincing. Encourage buyers to share photos or videos of your product, or host a contest to spark participation.

• Repost standout pictures on your brand’s Instagram.
• Feature a “Customer Spotlight” in your newsletter.

User-generated content not only builds trust but also strengthens community ties. For example, Asphalte uses customer feedback to help shape their products, turning buyers into active participants in the brand and boosting loyalty.

14. Provide Stellar Customer Support

Lackluster customer service can undo well-planned marketing. I’ve seen how slow responses or generic email replies can damage a brand’s reputation. In contrast, timely and friendly support can turn a one-time buyer into a repeat customer.

• Offer multiple support options: email, chat, or phone, if possible.
• Aim for quick response times—live chat can be a game changer.
• Use a help desk system to track and manage support inquiries.

Taking every question or complaint as a chance to impress helps set your store apart in a busy market.

15. Gather and Act on Customer Feedback

Every piece of feedback, whether praise or criticism, is an opportunity to improve. For example, if you keep hearing that product sizing runs small, it might be time to adjust your size charts or product descriptions. I have seen businesses reduce return rates by 20–30% simply by updating sizing guides based on customer input.

A short post-purchase survey might include:

• Questions about the shopping experience.
• Inquiries about any hesitations before buying.
• Requests for ideas on how to improve the store.

As an example, Asphalte used feedback to co-create product lines, which led to a more engaged customer base.

16. Test & Refine Continuously

Consistent optimization is a common theme in many ecommerce success stories. After putting these tips into practice, it’s important to review the results, make adjustments as needed, and invest more in what works well. Experts advise against launching tactics without monitoring their impact and making data-based improvements.

The cycle is:

1. Apply a tactic.
2. Check its impact on key metrics like conversion rates, average order value, and ROI.
3. Adjust the tactic if results are lacking, or expand it if it performs well.
4. Repeat with the next tactic.

In the end, testing continuously helps keep your store competitive.

Combined Tactics vs. Single Tactics

You can choose to do a few, but the best results are seen when all tips are implemented: