Daily sales, happy customers, but improvement needed before budget runs out!

[jamesbleep]

Hi,

I started the store https://bleep.store/ late last year (dropshipping, using designs I supply) and started running Google Ads in January 2024 running on a budget of about  400 SEK ($40) / day. I sell to EU, and in the last two weeks, opened up to the UK.

I was getting barely 1 sale a week, but it has been improving at a decent rate since I switched to PMax, now currently getting about 3 sales (2-3 tracked conversions in Google Ads) a day on average, lots of happy customers, and a return rate of about 1 order/month (usually because they ordered a phone case for the wrong model by accident). That's good, however due to the costs of Google Ads, plus the dreaded quarterly EU tax bills (OSS), accountant fees etc, I can't seem to enter profit, and my funds are running out. Plus I can't seem to get past an average of 3 orders / day. 

I've recently had a video created by a professional influencer, plus used photos from that video around the site, but that barely made any difference. I just feel like I'm missing something. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would like to get Google Product Ratings up and running, but barely anyone writes reviews, which means that I can't meet Google's requirements to get a rating.

[jamesbleep]

Thanks for the response, but most of your suggestions are generic and I have already been through. I cannot use an alternative reviews platform like Trustpilot, since that is very expensive for a small business. I have already consulted with my accountant - there are no cost savings I can make, and VAT "thresholds"  do not apply so not really sure what you refer to here. 

1. What's your average order value (AOV)?

About €30 (actual cost of product from my supplier is about €16 of that)

2. What's your current customer acquisition cost (CAC)?

Cost/Conv (which I am assuming you mean?) is about €18

3. Have you explored alternative payment gateways or shipping options?

Not really sure what you mean. I'm using the most common payment methods/gateways available in Europe (Klarna, Paypal, Apple Pay, Google Pay etc). Shipping options cannot change. There is only one method available via my supplier and there are rarely any issues with shipping.

[jamesbleep]

"Have you implemented sales funnel"

I'm not to sure specifically what you are referring to. Are you referring to the journey from clicking on a Google Ad through to checkout? What more can be implemented, since the checkout flow is handled by Shopify.

[Bundler-Manuel]

Hey there James @jamesbleep i couldn’t view the store because I’m not in an EU based country at the moment. Have you tried reaching out to customers (both previous and current) directly maybe by my mail to help make reviews on your store? Reviews are very important in taking your store to the next level so I think it’s worth a shot as long as you keep it respectful. I think it would help a lot.

[jamesbleep]

Hi, yes, review emails automatically get sent about 2 weeks after an order is made. There is also the option to leave a Google review on the checkout "thank you" page, but no-one has done this, though the functionality works fine. People just seem to ignore it.

[PageFly-Kate · Accepted solution]

Hi @jamesbleep,

This is Kate from PageFly - Shopify Landing Page Builder app. You're doing a great job with your store. I noticed the clear layout, high-quality images, social media integration and easy navigation during my visit.

Drawing from my extensive knowledge in eCommerce development and CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization), I'd like to offer a few suggestions to enhance your conversion rates: 

MARKETING STRATEGIES

1) Implement ads strategically 

Regarding paid advertising tips, some people might advocate solely for ads, while others suggest that developing a long-term and consistent brand is the better path. In my opinion, combining both ads and brand building is an excellent strategy. Here are some recommendations:

• Initiate with Ads: Ads are an effective and fast way to spread awareness of your brand, especially when you are new to the market. It’s important to focus on the time frame, set an appropriate period for your campaigns, and test various products/designs to identify the winners.
• Leverage Other Marketing Tactics: Once you have some winning items, shift some focus to long-term strategies. Consider investing time in producing engaging content like blog posts, SEO-optimized articles, lookbooks, and active social media engagement.
• Promote Winning Products with Ads: Continue to make ads for your best-selling designs to sustain momentum and increase visibility.

2) Implement localization strategies 

As you mentioned, you're selling in the EU. While your current site is in English, it's important to consider the needs of local customers (for example, I’m in France and I would prefer a French site). By using a translation app, you can easily translate your store's content into French and other relevant languages. This will enhance the customer experience and make your products more accessible to a wider audience.

STORE DESIGN

1) Make your hero banner more appealing and attractive 

The hero banner is pivotal for capturing customer attention immediately. It sets the tone and establishes your brand identity. Include:

- Engaging Visuals: Use engaging images or videos that clearly depict your product's applications, especially highlighting its suitability for DIY, construction, etc.

- Prominent Call-to-Action (CTA): Position a clear CTA, like a 'Shop Now' button or a special offer, prominently within the hero banner. Ensure the CTA message is concise and not duplicated within this section and well aligned.

For example: 

Hope my opinions can help you in your journey. 

Best regards, 

Kate | PageFly