When you own a storefront you pay attention to displays and how your product is presented. You will also pay attention to sales flyers and product descriptions. Sales associates will be well versed in what products are new and what products are well suited to accent virtually any purchase. In a clothing shop this means knowledge of what clothing choices work well together and what accessories will work well with a given ensemble. In a cosmetic shop is may be helping a customer find just the right shade of lipstick or a scent that matches personality and taste.
Its interesting that for many ecommerce businesses less attention is paid to this dynamic. Certainly you dont have a personal online sales force, but you can have an impact on secondary purchases. You can provide a grouping of popular items that have worked well for other customers. You can pay attention to product descriptions and you can re-dress your online presence to allow your customers to experience the feeling that things are always new with your ecommerce business.
Far too many ecommerce startups look at the whole concept of ecommerce as a get rich quick mechanism that is essentially hands-free. You...