Put the magic into e-commerce

What’s on the inside isn’t all that counts – four simple steps to put the magic into online shopping. KIRSTY DUNPHEY

By Kirsty Dunphey

I ordered a book online earlier this year and eagerly checked my post box daily waiting for it. Two weeks later, nothing.

No contact to say it had been delayed. No email to say my order had been dispatched or even received. No reply to my email politely asking them where my book was.

Fast forward over four weeks before my book finally arrived (it must have been an arduous trek from Sydney to Tasmania). The anticipation of the read was definitely diminished because of the wait and the lack of service.

It got me thinking, with so much trade happening online these days what are retailers doing to contribute to the excitement of the experience? I’ve surveyed a few friends of mine in retail and I’ve come up with a few ideas.

1. Email your client when they make their order (either have this automated or shock horror do it manually) and let them know:

• When they can expect their order
• When it will be shipped
• How it will be shipped

And if you can, make it sound like a human wrote the email.

2. Inject a bit of personality into your order. We often send out our orders from www.unleashedknowledge.com addressed to “Fabulous Jody Smith” or “Rock Star Robin”.

This comment left on a blog shows (think free publicity for your company) the impact this tiny gesture can have:

Saturday, June 28, 2008: I got wowed!

Today I received a package that I had ordered from Kirsty Dunphey.

It cost nothing to address it to me with the title as “The Awesome…” but it made me feel like a million dollars (is that how she got her first million by the time she was 23?).

They also included a mobile phone sock & a CD, but it was the title that made this package memorable.

It made me think how I can make my clients feel extra special …

Posted by Tony

Friday, June 20, 2008 from https://tonysideaspage.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-got-wowed.html

3. As Tony mentioned in point 2 – we like to include some extras when people purchase directly from us. Sometimes they’re cards, a mobile phone sock (a Mock!) or a DVD of me speaking – a nice little surprise (as opposed to a boring invoice) when people open their package.

Bex Gold, founder of the divine range of glamour cleaning products at www.cinderella.com.au told me: “I often add microfibre cloths or stain removal sachets – the feedback from consumers is really positive.”

Lara Solomon founder of www.mocks.com.au also includes a whole swag of kit for her online purchasers including pins and loot directly targeted to her major demographics.

4. This is something we’re not doing yet, but I really noticed the importance of it when I received my new Borne Naked Handbag liner.

Amanda George, founder of www.borne.com.au is the queen of style and branding. She sent me through these images showing her packaging. Gorgeous personalised label, pretty pink ness and fabulous branding all round.

Sammie Appleyard founder of www.funkyhomes.com.au and Lara Dall’Alba founder of www.destinationstyle.com.au pay the same attention to their packaging – and if their customers are anything like me, they appreciate the extra care.

So there you have it, four simple steps to make online shopping with YOU an experience.

1. Get in contact quickly with all the info.
2. Have a personality (and show it).
3. Consider a bonus extra.
4. Pack it like you care.

Kirsty Dunphey is one of Australia’s most publicised young entrepreneurs and is the founder of www.reallysold.com – a tool to help real estate agents create advertisements. The youngest ever winner of the Australian Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year award, Kirsty started her first business at 15, her own real estate agency at 21, was a self-made millionaire at 23 and a self-made multi-millionaire at 25. For more information on Kirsty or either of her books – Advance to Go, Collect $1 Million and Retired at 27, If I can do it anyone can, or to sign up to her weekly newsletter head to: www.kirstydunphey.com

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