Building a Solid Digital Foundation: Essential for Small Businesses to Thrive in the Ecommerce Landscape
The Department of Trade and Industry’s latest Digital Economy Report shows that 64% of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines are now selling their products or services online, up from 51% the previous year.
To maximize the benefits of an online sales strategy, GoDaddy Inc. (NYSE: GDDY), a company that empowers entrepreneurs, emphasizes four essential keys that Filipino businesses can adopt to achieve success in ecommerce:
- Proper website hosting:
Web hosting services serve as the foundation for any ecommerce venture, enabling entrepreneurs to store and access all the essential information and files that make their online store accessible on the Internet. By subscribing to a web hosting plan, entrepreneurs can have their website data stored on secure servers, ensuring its availability at all times. GoDaddy goes a step further by offering plans with unmetered bandwidth, allowing for unlimited data transfer between the hosting server and the customer’s device. Additionally, GoDaddy guarantees an impressive 99.9% uptime, ensuring minimal downtime and uninterrupted operation of the system.
2. Website security:
Ensuring the security of a small business website is of utmost importance. Instead of leaving it to chance, business owners should proactively implement reliable and user-friendly security solutions. GoDaddy suggests the installation of an SSL certificate, which encrypts data exchanged between web servers and users’ web browsers, enhancing the security of communications. Alongside this, implementing a web security firewall and website monitoring system provides active protection against potential attacks. These measures help safeguard the website from unauthorized access and malicious activities. Furthermore, regular malware scanning helps detect and alert business owners to potential threats, allowing for prompt action and mitigation. By prioritizing website security, small businesses can instill trust and confidence in their online presence.
3. Payment methods:
Offering a diverse range of payment methods is essential for the success of an ecommerce business. By providing multiple options, entrepreneurs can cater to the preferences of their customers, simplifying the sales process and ultimately boosting revenue. GoDaddy recognizes the importance of this and offers various payment options, including bank transfers, debit and credit cards, and popular mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Embracing emerging payment methods ensures that small businesses stay agile and accommodate the evolving needs of their potential customers. By adapting to these new methods, businesses can create a seamless purchasing experience that enhances customer satisfaction and drives growth.
4. Fresh content:
In today’s market, it is essential for small businesses to utilize various communication channels to connect with both current and potential customers. Maintaining an updated website with high-quality images, clear product descriptions, and an easy-to-navigate purchase process is critical, as it may be the first point of contact for customers. In addition, having a strong social media presence is equally important as it helps to reinforce and strengthen the brand’s image and attract and retain customers. With GoDaddy Studio, even those without design skills can quickly create professional-looking content that is consistent, compelling, and branded, to be used on their website and social media platforms.
Selina Bieber, Commercial Strategy Senior Director, International Markets at GoDaddy, emphasized the importance of establishing an online presence for small businesses in order to thrive in the digital marketplace. This allows them to tap into ecommerce opportunities and reach a wider customer base that may not have been accessible otherwise. Selina Bieber added, “At GoDaddy, we are dedicated to empowering Filipinos to embark on their online business journey. We provide comprehensive tools and resources to help them start, grow, and manage their businesses online.” In conclusion, GoDaddy is committed to supporting entrepreneurs in their digital endeavors and enabling them to succeed in the online realm.
