Sustainability has become more crucial for all kinds of business with the escalating environmental concerns. Most customers prefer the convenience, availability, and range of options that online shopping promises.
The interest in eCommerce opportunities among customers has remained the same over the years but there has been a change in behavior. They may consider the product and its price but the company values also factor into their decision.
Many customers are currently interested in sustainability and the preservation of the environment. According to research conducted by Nielsen, 73% of consumers express readiness to modify their shopping behaviors if it positively affects the environment.
Benefits of Sustainable Digital MarketPlaces
1. Prepares Your Business for the Future
Sustainability also benefits your brand by preparing it for the future. Fossil fuels are finite meaning businesses will have to switch to sustainable practices at some point. These changes are already in motion as governments across the globe announce tighter laws to curb unsustainable business practices.
2. Competitive Advantage
By incorporating sustainability into the core of your eCommerce strategies, your business gets a unique edge. With growing consumer consciousness surrounding environmental concerns, embracing sustainable practices presents your brand with a rare chance to stand out amidst the competitive market.
It can also help you attract better employees since most prospects would accept a lower salary to work for organizations that have embraced sustainability according to a study by the IBM Institute for Business Value.
3. Cost Savings for a Sustainable Shopping Online
As a retailer, cost savings can be achieved by minimizing packaging waste and optimizing delivery routes. Integrating energy-efficient technologies further contributes to lowering operational expenses, thereby enhancing profitability through reduced utility expenditures.
Tips to Make Your eCommerce Business More Sustainable
1. Embrace Green Logistics and Shipping
Your business should partner with logistics services that offer carbon free shipping options. They can help reduce carbon emissions with different environmental projects. Also collaborate with major shipping companies and carriers who can offer paperless invoicing and other green alternatives. Using thermal printers can help you save on ink. Instead of express shipping, you can get your clients to accept slower shipping options by offering incentives.
2. Rethink Your Packaging for a Sustainable Shopping Online
Your business can also switch to the use of biodegradable and eco-friendly package fillers or bubble paper. Also pay attention to the size and weight of your packaging material. Extremely large cartons mean that you’ll have to use more fillers. Excessive weight, on the other hand, will affect your shipping costs and carbon footprint.
3. Source Products Sustainably
Your business should stock products made from sustainable materials. This includes organic textiles and products made from recycled waste. Your supply chain should practice fair labor and sustainable sourcing. Focus on providing durable, reparable, and recyclable products and emphasize their longevity and circularity.
4. Educate Your Customers for a Sustainable Shopping Online
You can never underestimate the ability of your business to drive change by spreading awareness. Clearly communicate the efforts you are making in favor of sustainability through your website and social media platforms.
Put out content that educates your customers on topics related to the sustainability of your products. Explain how they can use them and dispose of them responsibly. Encourage them to make eco-conscious choices by offering incentives.
5. Update Your Returns and Complaints Policy
Every customer has the right to return purchased goods. However, there are customers who abuse this right resulting in additional costs and increasing carbon footprint through greenhouse gas emissions.
Ensure you provide non-defective products and meet customer requirements with your orders. Provide accurate descriptions of the product complete with photos and videos to reduce the chances of dissatisfaction. You can reduce the number of returns by offering discounts to customers on subsequent purchases and or lowering prices on non-refundable goods.
6. Offer Organic Products for a Sustainable Online Shopping
The easiest way to become more sustainable is by enriching your existing offer with eco-friendly products. Research current market trends, analyze the bestselling products on available market places, and check your competitors’ products for inspiration.
You can get your customers to choose organic products by offering incentives such as weekly meal kits’ discount codes if you are in the food industry. You can start with a few products and scale up as you gain a new group of customers.
Adopting sustainable practices for your eCommerce business is not about ethics only. It is also a business strategy to align with changing customer demands. You have a responsibility to contribute to a more sustainable future while promoting your brand reputation and building relationships with your customers.
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