Specific issues that need to be addressed during the epidemic: 1. Update relevant information about target markets
E-commerce platforms should communicate clearly with consumers around the world and clearly convey whether online shopping is open to them. In addition, platforms must provide consumers with a streamlined, localized customer experience.
2. Launch promotions and discounts
Promotions and discounts have always been an effective way for merchants to convert traffic into sales and increase customer conversion rates.
3. Adopt a multi-carrier model in international logistics
Cross-border travel has been hampered by border closures and home quarantines, resulting in a significant reduction in international cargo flights, resulting in delivery delays in some markets. The multi-carrier model allows freight companies to use their own fleets, which means merchants can avoid delayed deliveries as much as possible, mitigate the impact of the epidemic on cross-border e-commerce logistics, and improve customer service quality.
4. Communicate openly with global consumers
For e-commerce platforms, in order to meet customer expectations as much as possible and provide high-quality services, they must be honest with global consumers and clearly inform them of the delivery of goods. Delays may occur and real-time tracking of orders is provided. This is especially important during the epidemic. In addition, platforms must provide simple return options and adjust return policies to allow consumers sufficient time for returns.
Conclusion
The closure of borders and social isolation in various countries have prompted more consumers to choose online shopping, and e-commerce channels have naturally become the first choice for consumers. Even though physical shopping malls in some markets have resumed business, consumers’ enthusiasm for online shopping has not diminished at all. McKinsey believes that the process of online shopping will only accelerate, and the new crown epidemic will not prevent it from continuing the explosive growth of the previous decade.
The epidemic has accelerated the transformation of global online brands to the D2C model (directly facing consumers). This will not only help brands effectively cope with the subsequent decline in physical store traffic, but also preserve the brand’s identity and value during the transition to e-commerce retail. The performance differences across major markets highlight the importance of diversification, which also points the way for the future of e-commerce platforms. Relying on e-commerce platforms, merchants can not only expand the global market, but also diversify risks.
As the two fastest-growing economies in this century, China’s e-commerce field is booming. Led by China, cross-border trade will inject new impetus into the future of e-commerce and have a significant impact on the development of the industry itself and the country as a whole. As the current restrictive measures are gradually relaxed, the domestic e-commerce market structure will undergo a sudden change. Truly valuable companies will be able to cross national borders and undergo the brutal test of real-life global markets. Therefore, both the national government and business organizations should strive to improve their competitiveness in order to win in the market competition.