When it comes to running an ecommerce business successfully, there are many elements that come into play. In addition to picking the right niche market, and connecting with the right ecommerce drop shipping companies, you need to think about marketing. However good your ideas and products, you aren’t going to get anywhere without marketing. This isn’t ordinary shopping anymore; it’s online shopping, which means that you have to think about how you’re going to look to your customers online. And this is especially the case if you want to sell your products to Gen Zers, the youngest consumer generation in America.
That said, though, marketing to Gen Zers can be quite the challenge. They don’t trust companies, especially new ones trying to get their attention. They have an aversion to traditional marketing. But there are some hacks you can use to get their attention–and here’s how.
Spend a ton of time on social media
Gen Zers have grown up with tablets and phones in their hands, and they’ve mastered social media. What’s more, their entire lives are run on social media. They catch up with their friends over Snapchat and follow their favorite celebrities on Instagram. So if you want your business to be taken seriously by this generation, you need to be spending a lot of time on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. And don’t stop there: interact with Gen Zers, use the same hashtags they use, and understand what trends they’re sharing the most.
Additionally, if you haven’t already, make your Instagram account one specifically made for business. An Instagram for Business account will give you more views, allow you to connect your account directly to Facebook, and provide your customers with direct contact information such as your email and phone number. You’ll also get free insights about who’s visiting your profile and which posts are doing well. Considering that 32 percent of teenagers think Instagram is the most important social media platform, you’re bound to get their attention using this platform correctly.
And even though it can be challenging at first, use the stories feature on Instagram. It’s most definitely trending.
Make your values valuable
According to Adweek, “Gen Z considers providing good value for a fair price a socially responsible behavior that delivers a greater good. Beyond that, studies have shown that Gen Z is interested in racial, gender and income equality, as well as environmental issues. Standing up for these values is becoming a differentiator for brands.” Considering that this generation is the most diverse and inclusive so far, it’s no surprise that these issues matter to them. So now, you have an excuse to do good things, whether that’s paying your dress designers more or having a percentage of each purchase go to a good cause you’re passionate about.
But it doesn’t stop there. You also need to make this part of your whole mission and write content about it. And something else Gen Zers love is getting involved–so if you can, ask them for advice on how to better promote your values. This will make them feel like you value them, too, which will help you stand out from competitors who aren’t listening. It’s for this same reason they appreciate direct engagement and personalized content, too.
Be mobile- and tech-friendly
Gen Zers spend a huge amount of time on their phones, which is why you need to be as mobile-friendly as possible. Optimize your website for mobile use, and if you can, make it mobile-first completely. Everything should load quickly on a phone, and you need to test out your site to make sure it doesn’t look funny on a differently-sized screen. If your customers are going to be filling out lots of forms, consider designing an app to make the entire process easier. Gen Zers are engaging with ten hours of content a day, in part because it’s always available to them–so this is how they’re going to be engaging with your brand.
Additionally, think about offering nontraditional methods of payment. According to Vend, “If you’re only accepting cash and credit cards, consider expanding to other payment options such as mobile payments. This is particularly important if you’re selling to younger customers.” Do your research to find out what your target customers are using the most for payments.
These are some of the best ways to target Gen Zers when you’re creating a marketing strategy for your ecommerce business. What other strategies do you think would be most effective for marketing your store to Gen Z?