The Internet is a fantastic place which enables you to sell your services / products 24 hours a day to customers anywhere in the world and what is more appealing is that the sales process can be fully automated with just the click of a button. Shopping online is growing rapidly with more consumers turning to finding bargains on search engines as opposed to trawling round the shops for hours. Web users are also using search engine platforms to gather information in relation to product reviews, service reviews, latest fashion trends and much more so that they can make an informed decision.
The Internet is a fantastic place which enables you to sell your services / products 24 hours a day to customers anywhere in the world and what is more appealing is that the sales process can be fully automated with just the click of a button. Shopping online is growing rapidly with more consumers turning to finding bargains on search engines as opposed to trawling round the shops for hours. Web users are also using search engine platforms to gather information in relation to product reviews, service reviews, latest fashion trends and much more so that they can make an informed decision.
So if you want to sell online or carry out some email marketing then here are some quick tips:-
1) If you’re selling via the Internet or by email then all sales are governed by the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) regulations and any data collected in this process is governed by the Data Protection Act.
2) When taking online transactions / orders you must provide customers with written confirmation of their order, including your full contact details, a description of the goods or services sold and of course their rights to cancellation if they feel they need to do so.
3) Any agreements created over the Internet or via email are just as binding as any other agreement you would ordinarily make.
4) Always ensure that the customer fully understands at what point during the transaction process was the contract formed.
5) During the transaction process ensure that customers have the chance to check an order and amend it if necessary, before they finally “click” to commit.
6) Ensure that all your terms and conditions are clearly displayed and agreed to before you accept an order. Also during the transactional process always allow the customer to download a copy of your terms and conditions for further safekeeping.
7) Within your Terms of business ensure that there are conditions which relate to how customers can return goods for a refund or exchange should the need arise.
8) When email marketing be aware that you must not send emails without the recipient’s prior consent — unless their email address was gathered in the course of a previous transactional process.
9) If an email is sent to an international recipient, then that country’s laws could well apply to its content.
10) When conducting any direct marketing campaigns you must not use an individual’s details or pass these on to a third party.
Finally, periodically ask your customers how you are performing online and if they have any suggestions for improvement. As the saying goes “every bit helps.”