For your brand to succeed, you need a well-structured plan that guides your store visitors from the first point of interaction with your store to the final purchase.
This sales structure is commonly known as the Sales Funnel. It helps boost revenue, increase your customer base, and build a trusted brand.
In this guide, we’ll talk about steps to create a Shopify sales funnel, strategies that ensure it is well-optimized, and the benefits of implementing one on your Shopify store.
Let’s get right into it.
- Steps for Building an Effective Shopify Sales Funnel
- Strategies for Implementing an Effective Sales Funnel
- Benefits of Implementing Shopify Sales Funnels.
Steps for Building an Effective Shopify Sales Funnel
Creating an effective Shopify sales funnel involves several steps which are as follows;
1. Identify your Target Audience
To create an effective Shopify sales funnel, you first need to know who your customers are. This means understanding their age, gender, interests, and shopping habits. When you know who your target audience is, you can create products and marketing messages that appeal directly to them.
For instance, if you sell eco-friendly products, your target audience might be people who care about the environment and prefer sustainable living. You would focus your marketing efforts on these individuals.
2. Let Customers Know About Your Business
The first step in building a successful Shopify sales funnel is making potential customers aware of your business. This involves using various marketing strategies to reach your target audience.
Studies have shown that digital marketing can increase brand awareness by up to 80%.
However, before you proceed, you need to set up your Google Analytics or Meta pixel to help you track your ad performance and identify the channels and events driving potential customers to your website.
How to set up your Google Analytics accounts
- Sign in to Google Analytics: Go to Google Analytics and sign in with your Google account.
- Create Account: First, click Admin at the bottom left. Then click Create Account in the Account column. Provide an account name and click Next.
- Add Property: Enter a property name, reporting time zone, and currency. Then click Next and then Create.
- Set up Web Data Stream: Select Web as the platform. Then enter your Shopify store URL and stream name. Next is to Click Create Stream.
- Retrieve Tracking Code: After creating the stream, note the tracking ID and Global Site Tag (gtag.js) code snippet.
- Log in to Shopify: Go to your Shopify admin panel.
- Navigate to Online Store: Click Online Store and then Preferences.
- Paste Tracking Code: Scroll to the Google Analytics section. Paste the Global Site Tag code into your Google Analytics account field. If you are using the newer version of Google Analytics (GA4), click Use Enhanced Ecommerce and follow the additional setup steps.
- Enhanced Ecommerce Setup: In your Google Analytics account, go to Admin > Ecommerce Settings. Enable E-commerce and Enhanced E-commerce Reporting. Then click Save.
- Check Real-Time Reports: In Google Analytics, go to “Realtime” > “Overview.”
- Visit Your Shopify Store: Open your store in another tab and check if your visit appears in the real-time report.
- Create Goals: In Google Analytics, go to Admin > Goals. Click New Goal and follow the setup wizard to define your goal (e.g., purchase completion).
- Google Ads Linking: In Google Analytics, go to Admin > Google Ads Linking. Follow the steps to link your Google Ads account.
Now that you have set up your Google Analytics, here is how to let potential customers know about your brand and drive them to your website.
Social Media Marketing
With 33% of all digital ad spending going to social media marketing, this marketing method has proven itself to be effective. For this purpose, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) are powerful tools for reaching a wide audience.
To make the most of these platforms, create quality content, run target ads, and analyze the performance of your ads and content. Thankfully, These social platforms have built-in advertising and analytic tools that allow you to set up ads and monitor your campaign performance.
Suppose you don’t want to run paid social media ads. In that case, you can simply stay active by posting regularly about your products, sharing customer testimonials, and engaging with your followers through live sessions, stories, etc. to build a community around your brand.
Content Marketing and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
If you want to attract traffic to your website, use this method Start by optimizing your collection and product pages with relevant keywords like “face care collection” and “ Paraben-free hair care set” to boost visibility.
Add new collection pages for different key terms, such as “ache set” To complement your collection pages, start a niche blog about topics that interest your audience.
For example, Dang Skincare brand can blog about “Is mineral or chemical sunscreen better?”
Don’t forget to build high-quality backlinks and implement internal linking to enhance SEO further.
Also, optimize your website for search engines to increase organic traffic. Use relevant keywords in your product descriptions, blog posts, and meta tags so customers can easily find your business when they input the related search queries.
Influencer Marketing
Another effective way to boost your brand visibility is to partner with influencers in your niche to promote your products. Influencers can help you reach a broader audience and build credibility.
According to a study by Influencer Marketing Hub, nearly 80% of respondents say influencer marketing has helped them generate more sales.
In the image above, you can see Strollinthecity, an influencer account promoting the Haagen-Dazs ice cream brand.
3. Capture Leads Using Opt-In Form
Once you’ve attracted visitors to your Shopify website through your digital marketing strategies, the next step is to capture their contact information so you can nurture them into paying customers. Adoric’s opt-in form is a great tool for this purpose.
You can use the Adoric Popup App to design eye-catching opt-in forms that encourage visitors to sign up for your email list. To make the tool more effective, offer incentives such as discounts, free shipping, or exclusive content in exchange for their email addresses. Everyone loves incentives.
Position your opt-in forms in high-visibility areas on your website, such as the homepage, blog posts, and checkout page. You can also use exit-intent triggers to ensure you capture leads before they leave your site.
Furthermore, customize your opt-in forms to match your brand’s look and feel. And regularly test different form designs, placements, and offers to see what works best. Use A/B testing to compare different versions and necessary changes to boost your conversion rates.
4. Remind Leads About Your Business
After capturing leads, it’s crucial to keep your business at the top of the minds of your leads. This involves sending regular messages to nurture and guide them further down the sales funnel.
This is where email and SMS marketing comes in. First, you need to ensure that your store is connected to an email and SMS marketing tool such as Klaviyo, Mailchimp, etc. Luckily, if you have used Adoric as your opt-in form builder, the app easily integrates with these several email marketing apps, making it easier for you to handle.
Now you can proceed to send email and SMS messages to your leads to bring them back to your website and get them to buy something. Here is an example of how Caspers uses SMS marketing for this purpose.
Also, don’t underplay the power of social media engagement. Constantly staying active on social media by posting regularly and engaging with your followers can help keep your business in the minds of your audience. Share user-generated content, respond to comments, and run contests or giveaways to keep your audience engaged.
5. Reduce Cart Abandonment Using Free Shipping and Discount
When customers eventually return to a website, cart abandonment becomes another challenge to deal with. To combat this, consider offering discounts or free shipping to your customers to encourage them to complete checkout.
Adoric’s Free Shipping Bar tool enables you to display the free shipping offer on your website. You can easily create a free shipping bar offer with captivating text and configure your shipping setup within the Adoric app.
See the images below to get a glimpse of what is obtainable;
This will inform customers that they can get free shipping if they reach a certain order value. This can motivate them to add more items to their cart.
If offering free shipping sounds like a lot for you, another option would be to offer discounts. Studies by Statista have shown that 88% of responders use coupons for shopping. This shows how effective incentives can be when it comes to e-commerce. You can use the Adoric Bundle Quantity Breaks app to create discounted bundle offers on your website.
Or use the Popup app to display any other type of discount you wish to offer.
Creating the discount is only half the battle, getting it in front of the right audience at the right, is the other.
Use triggers (exit intent, page scroll, etc) and the right targeting (device, visitor type, traffic source, etc.) to determine who will see your discount offers and when they get displayed. For instance, you can offer new customers a 20% discount on all discounts when they signal to exit your website at the cart section.
Also, if the customer leaves before checking out, send automated emails to remind them of the items left in their cart. Mention the discount, free shipping, and other incentives they stand to get when they complete their purchase.
6. Optimize Your Shopify Checkout Page
Now that you have gotten your potential customers to get to this stage, a smooth and optimized checkout process is essential to seal the deal. Make sure your checkout process is user-friendly and streamlined.
To create a well-optimized checkout page you need to;
- Use prominent and clear call-to-action buttons that guide customers through the checkout process. Make sure these buttons stand out and are easy to click.
- Only ask for essential information to reduce the time and effort required to complete a purchase. Too many fields can lead to cart abandonment.
- provide a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, bank transfer, and other popular options on your website. This will help reduce the chances of customers abandoning their carts at the checkout stage
- Make it mobile-friendly. Since many customers shop on their mobile devices, ensure your checkout page is mobile-friendly.
- Give your customers the option to checkout as guests without creating an account
According to Baymard Institute, 26% of customers say they will abandon their cart if they have to create an account before checking out.
Below is an example of a checkout page that allows customers to checkout at guest.
A seamless mobile experience can increase conversion rates. To crown it all, display security badges and trust signals to reassure customers that their payment information is safe. This can increase their confidence in completing the purchase.
A poorly optimized checkout often has the following errors
- Asking too many questions
- Slow in response
- Asking for account creation before checkout
For example, we can see this on the Zara website. The platform requires shoppers to first an account before checking out.
7. Convert Buyers into Loyal Customers
Once a customer makes a purchase, your next priority is to turn them into a loyal customer who will continue to buy from you. Here are some strategies to achieve this:
- Send follow-up emails after a purchase to thank customers and provide them with order details. You can also include product recommendations based on their purchase history.
- Provide excellent customer service to resolve any issues or concerns quickly. A positive customer experience can cause first-time buyers to become repeat customers, leading to more sales.
- Personalize future offers to capture your customers’ attention. According to Adobe, 89% of marketers see a positive ROI when they use personalization in their campaigns.
- Introduce a loyal program. You can create a loyalty program that rewards customers with gifts and incentives for every new buyer they bring.
With Adoric on your side, you can collect customer data and use it to segment and create personalized offers. Also, the app allows you to offer targeted product recommendations on your website.
For instance, you can display frequently bought-together items after a shopper buys or adds a related item to their cart.
Another way to convert your first-time buyers into repeat customers is to request feedback and testimonials. This signals that you value their patronage and are open to criticism. You can also display these reviews prominently on your website to build trust and credibility.
8. Analyze Your Sales Performance Using Analytic Tool
Tracking and analyzing your sales performance is crucial for understanding what works and what needs improvement. If you have used the Adoric app at any point for your sales funnel to create a campaign, the app has a built-in analytic tool that provides valuable insights such as click-through rate, conversion rate, customer retention/churn rate, etc.
Here are some tips for analyzing your sales funnel or campaign performance using Adoric Analytic, Meta, or Google Analytics;
Monitor Key Metrics: Track important metrics such as conversion rates, average order value, and customer lifetime value. These metrics can help you gauge the effectiveness of your sales funnel.
For example, If your conversation rate is poor, then, you could consider changing your Call to Action or revamping your marketing messages. You could improve low AOV by offering bundled products.
Identify Bottlenecks: Use the analytics tool to identify points in the sales funnel where customers drop off. This can help you pinpoint areas that need improvement, leading to better customer satisfaction.
Customers dropping off after adding items to cart could be an indication that your checkout page is not easy to navigate or that the shipping cost is high.
A/B Testing: Conduct A/B tests to compare different versions of landing pages, opt-in forms, and checkout processes. Test different headlines, images, or call-to-action buttons.
Use the data to make informed decisions. For example, if a particular version of a landing page increases conversions, you can implement those changes across your site
Customer Behavior Analysis: Analyze customer behavior to understand how they interact with your website. This can provide insights into what motivates them to buy and what deters them.
For instance, if a particular segment of your customer base only buys products below $50, giving them a coupon can encourage them to shop more, increasing your AOV.
9. Turn Satisfied Customers into Brand Ambassadors
Satisfied customers can become powerful advocates for your brand. Encourage them to share their positive experiences and refer others to your business.
If it is within your means, create a referral program that rewards customers for referring new buyers to your store. Offer incentives such as discounts, points, exclusive access to new products, or free products for successful referrals.
Also, you can encourage your customers to share user-generated content such as reviews or pictures and videos of them using the products on social media. Repost the content on your business social channels and feature them on your website as social proof for building trust.
For example, in the image above, Buchymix, a kitchenware brand has partnered with one of its customers, Gretes Etukudo, to promote their product.
In addition, to get more satisfied customers engaged and onboard your plan, consider organizing online or offline events to connect with them. This can include webinars, product launches, or community meetups.
Strategies for Creating an Effective Shopify Sales Funnel
1. Choose a Unique Selling Point (USP) and Display it Visibly
Your Unique Selling Point (USP) is what makes your product or service different from your competitors. It’s the main reason why customers should buy from you and not from someone else.
Choose a USP capable of making you stand out from the crowd and make sure it is visible on your website so visitors can see it right away.
A good example of a captivating USP would be displaying on your homepage a banner that says “Get Your Order in 24 Hours!” if you offer the fastest shipping in your industry.
2ptimize your Website to Grab Attention
Your website needs to be attractive and easy to use. This means having a clean design, high-quality images, and clear navigation.
The goal is to make visitors stay longer and explore more of what you offer. A well-optimized website helps in capturing and keeping the attention of potential customers.
To optimize your website;
- Use a simple layout that is easy to navigate
- Upload engaging, high-quality images with easy-to-read text
- Compress the images using compression plugins to improve site load speed
- Make your site mobile-friendly to accommodate mobile shoppers
3. Add a Call-to-Action Text on Your Website or Product Page
Ideally, visitors are supposed to know exactly what to do when they arrive on a website. However, this is rarely the case. And making such an assumption can harm your business growth.
To ensure that your website visitors take the desired actions, you need to add a CTA text. A Call-to-Action (CTA) is a piece of text that tells visitors what you want them to do next.
It could be Buy Now, Sign Up, Add to Cart, Learn More, or any other action you want them to take. A clear and compelling CTA can guide visitors through the buying process and increase your sales.
4. Add Social Proof to Build Trust
Social proof means showing that other people trust and like your products. This can include customer reviews, testimonials, ratings, or even the number of followers on social media. Social proof helps build trust with new visitors, making them more likely to buy from you.
There are many Shopify apps and tools for adding social proof to your website such as Ali Reviews, Instafeed, qikify sales pop-up and proof, etc. You can use these apps to display customer reviews and ratings on your product pages.
You can also upload user-generated content on your home page or highlight media mentions and awards your business has received.
Benefits of Implementing Sales Funnel on Shopify Stores
Shopify stores are created as a catalog to display your products and tell your customers more about your brand. Setting up your Shopify store without marketing or advertising does not guarantee sales.
A strategic sales funnel lifts you over the no-sale hurdle. Some of the benefits of setting up a Shopify sales funnel include:
1. Increases Sales and Conversion
A sales funnel helps guide potential customers step-by-step from discovering your store to making a purchase. This clear path encourages more people to buy, which means more sales for your store.
It’s like leading shoppers through a well-organized store where they can easily find what they want and are prompted to buy. Studies have shown that businesses with a structured marketing funnel are 15% more profitable than others.
For example, imagine a customer who visits your Shopify store and sees a special offer for a 10% discount on their first order when they sign up for your newsletter. After signing up (the first step in the funnel), they receive a follow-up email with the discount code. This guide leads them from just browsing to making a purchase, leading to an increase in your sales.
2. Builds Customer Relationships and Boost Retention
Your sales funnel doesn’t end at conversion. It also includes the post-purchase stages such as upselling and building customer relationships. According to a study by Aberdeen Group, companies with aligned sales funnel enjoy a 36% customer retention rate.
With a sales funnel, you can create several touchpoints with your customers at different stages. This could be through emails, special offers, or helpful content. These interactions help to build trust and a connection with your customers, making them more likely to buy from you again.
For instance, if a visitor signs up for your newsletter through a sales funnel form. They receive a welcome email with useful tips and a special discount. Later, they get personalized product recommendations based on their interests. Each interaction helps build a relationship, making them more likely to return and buy again.
3. Improves Marketing Efficiency
A sales funnel helps you target your marketing efforts more effectively. You can tailor your messages to address customers at different stages of the funnel rather than sending random messages that may never convert.
22.1% of Hubspot survey responders say implementing a structured marketing helped boost their marketing effort by enabling them to close more deals.
Having a defined sales funnel helps you identify the conversion stage a customer falls under, allowing you to streamline your marketing efforts.
For example, you can show ads to new visitors to get them interested or send emails to existing customers to encourage repeat purchases. This targeted approach makes your marketing more effective and efficient. This targeted approach increases the chance they’ll complete a purchase, making your marketing more efficient.
4. Reduces Cart Abandonment
One part of a sales funnel focuses on reducing cart abandonment, which is when people add items to their cart but don’t complete the purchase. You can use strategies like sending reminder emails, offering discounts, or providing free shipping to encourage these shoppers to finish their purchases.
This helps turn more visitors into buyers. Offering discounts has proven to get 88% of Shoppers to complete a purchase according to Statista.
For example, if a shopper adds items to their cart but leaves your website without checking out. Your sales funnel automatically sends a cart abandonment email with a reminder and a discount code.
5. Provides Valuable Insights
A sales funnel gives you detailed insights into your customers’ behavior. You can see where people drop off, which steps are most effective, and where improvements are needed. This data helps you make informed decisions to optimize your store and marketing efforts, leading to better results over time.
A study by Marketing Experiment shows that A/B testing and adjusting marketing campaigns can help boost conversion by as high as 300%. This can only be achieved first by identifying existing bottlenecks and making necessary corrections.
You can use Google Analytics or Facebook Insight to analyze your sales funnel performance, then use the information at hand to address the challenges, leading to fewer drop-offs and more completed purchases.
Expert Comment
“An effective Shopify sales funnel guides customers seamlessly from initial interest to completing a purchase and beyond. Key components of a sales funnel include attracting targeted traffic, crafting compelling product pages, optimizing checkout, and nurturing post-purchase relationships.
In addition, prioritizing user experience, data-driven decision-making, and strategic marketing are crucial for maximizing conversions and customer lifetime value. This guide has shown how these factors and strategies can be put together to attract and nurture potential customers until they become paying customers. And how Adoric can help you achieve your goals” – Tal Revivo, founder of Adoric
Conclusion
Creating an effective sales funnel for your Shopify store is a continuous process involving constant refinement and adaption. By understanding the different stages of a sales funnel, you can create campaigns that fit each stage.
This way, you’ll consistently provide values and optimize your funnel, setting your Shopify store up for a steady run of massive sales.
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