Learn from the best eCommerce websites in South Africa
These days there’s no excuse for businesses – from retailers to those who own hotels in Pretoria – to not be online. In fact, to not be doing business online means losing out on a huge chunk of revenue, which just doesn’t make business sense. While some retailers have a brick-and-mortar store and simply use their website as a marketing or networking platform, there are large and small retailers whose primary business is online and they sell goods and services via their eCommerce website. There are also companies like Tsogo Sun who own hotels and leisure properties, whose online business is to market their properties as well as to provide a booking service. The possibilities for business growth are endless in the online sphere – you just have to know how to take advantage of your positioning.
The eCommerce Awards provide a platform to recognise eCommerce dealers and retailers who are doing it online… and doing it well! They are recognised by their online customers as well as others in the industry, and awarded for elements such as website ease of use, great after-sales service, pricing, shopping process, as well as quality of products. The following eCommerce sites received the top places in the 2012 eCommerce Awards for meeting the necessary requirements. Needless to say, they’re doing great business online.
Yuppiechef.co.za
Founded in 2006, yuppiechef.co.za has come a long way in officially becoming the Best eCommerce Store in 2012. They sell unique kitchenware and utensils that make life in the kitchen pleasurable and convenient. They also won the 2012 award for Best Shopping Process.
bidorbuy.co.za
Bid or Buy is now officially the Best eCommerce Services Website for 2012. They have plenty of experience in the market (starting in 1999) in bringing buyers and sellers of original and secondhand goods together to trade.
groupon.co.za
Groupon has made group buying cheaper for consumers and created a space of brand and product awareness for businesses. There are a number of group-buying websites out there, including wicount.co.za, but in 2012 Groupon (My City Deal) took the prize for the Best Group Buying Website.
property24.com
Property24 provides a property marketplace for buyers and sellers of property, a marketing platform for real estate agents, as well as a platform for landlords to find tenants for their properties and tenants to find a place to stay. property24.com was voted Best Classifieds Website 2012.
travelground.co.za
In 2008, TravelGround was founded by avid explorers who wanted to provide the best way for travellers and holidaymakers to find and book their accommodation in South Africa. Searchers have access to information and reviews based on previous travellers’ experiences at the accommodation, and can make their decisions based on what they see on the website. TravelGround won the award for Best Design, Standards and Ease of Use Website 2012.
If you want to know how to do online retail, spend some time on these – the best eCommerce websites in South Africa – and see how it’s done. The main criteria are all about customer experience online. Get that right, and you’ll have a successful eCommerce website.
