Common social media shopping scams

1. Fake or cloned websites: One of the most common scam tactics involves directing shoppers to websites that look identical to those of reputable brands. These sites use similar branding, logos, and layouts, but have subtle differences in the URL, such as .co instead of .com or .co.za. The pressure of losing out on the Black Friday deal can make consumers less vigilant, which fraudsters exploit by creating fake sites that lure shoppers in with unbeatable offers.
2. Deceptive dropshipping ads: Several ads on social media lead to dropshipping sites masquerading as local businesses, promising quick delivery and premium products. Shoppers may not realize they’ve purchased low-quality knockoffs until their orders arrive, with little to no recourse for returns or refunds. These ads often present as South African-based companies but are sourcing cheap goods from overseas, relying on the perception that because the advert appears on a reputable social media platform, the store is 100% legitimate too.
3. Phishing for personal and payment details: Social media scams frequently employ fake checkout pages or order forms to harvest sensitive information. These sites often display trusted payment icons, creating a false sense of legitimacy. If a site linked to social media seems suspicious, avoid entering personal details. Scammers often use this information for fraudulent transactions.
4. Black Friday giveaways and limited offers: Scam ads offering Black Friday giveaways or urging users to act quickly are designed to bypass normal caution. These pages might ask users to claim a prize by entering personal information or paying a small fee. Countdown timers and ‘last chance’ messages are used to create a sense of urgency, but it’s worth keeping in mind that legitimate retailers don’t use these methods like this to pressure shoppers.

Tips for social media shoppers

• Only trust ads from verified brand accounts, indicated by a blue checkmark, and review their post history and follower count to ensure you’re engaging with the real account.
• Double-check URLs carefully. Scammers use slight URL variations to mimic official sites. When in doubt, type the brand’s website into your browser directly.
• Take a second look at deals that seem too good to be true. While Black Friday discounts are enticing, extreme markdowns, especially on high-end products, are red flags not to be ignored.
• Check for clear contact details. Legitimate sites usually display a customer service phone number, address, or live chat. A lack of contact options should be viewed with suspicion.
• Ensure your security is up to date. Cybersecurity solutions like antivirus, firewalls, and internet protection must be installed on any connected device, especially your mobile phone.

It’s important to balance the excitement of shopping with a healthy dose of caution. By being a bit more vigilant, consumers avoid cybercriminals looking to make a quick buck. If a deal or an ad feels off, take a moment to double-check because protecting yourself online is just as important as finding a Black Friday bargain.

Editor’s Note: This article is written by Cybersecurity specialists at ESET Southern Africa

The post How to Stay ahead of Social Media Shopping Scams this Black Friday appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Here are seven best tips to follow for smart shopping with a credit card:

1. Pick the right credit card

For smart shopping, begin with a dedicated shopping card. Different types of credit cards serve various purposes. However, each card has a different reward structure and purpose to fulfill based on your goals. For example, there’s an online shopping card available that can get you the best rewards and cashback every time you make an online purchase of a product. Hence, choose the best card for online shopping if you frequently shop online.

2. Pay for all purchases through a credit card

Making all of your purchases, whether on large or small items, on a credit card can get you maximum reward points. With small transactions, you can slowly build substantial rewards, while large transactions can lead to good cashback offers, unlocking more benefits and value of your spending. However, when making purchases through a credit card, you should know that these come with interest rates. So, never make purchases beyond your repayment capacity.

3. Match your spending with a reward structure

If you enjoy shopping online, why not pick a credit card that gives you extra points for your purchases? It’s a great way to get more back on every buy! Regular online shoppers can take advantage of cards that offer higher cashback on digital deals.

It’s also a good idea to keep more than one card in your wallet for different spending needs and a good credit mix. For instance, you could use one card with great dining rewards when eating out and another one designed to give benefits on fuel purchases. This way, you’ll maximize your reward points across multiple spending categories without much effort.

4. Shop through online portals

Most credit card companies tie up with online retailers and come up with the best rewards and benefits to entice more customers. Shopping through these online portals will get you more benefits and rewards. Hence, considering these portals to shop from can be considered a smart shopping tip as who would want to be foolish enough to let go of earning extra rewards and benefits?

5. Make the best use of the convenience offered

Smart shopping includes making the most of the convenience offered to you. Nowadays, you can see the option of purchasing certain things on EMIs, and you can even convert your previous purchases on EMIs to ease your repayment load. Take benefit of this feature by converting a payment into affordable EMIs for better repayment opportunities and a great collection of reward points in the future.

6. Remember to redeem

Your reward points and benefits on your credit card come with an expiry date. Make sure to tally this period on the credit card provider’s website or application to avoid missing out on the amazing benefits and reward points that you have accumulated over the period. Redeem the points before they expire!

7. Check terms and conditions regularly

A key tip for cardholders who want to shop smart is to stay on top of their credit card reward programs, as these can change without notice. Credit card issuers control the terms for points and cashback. Regularly checking your card provider’s website keeps you updated on changes and helps you avoid surprises.

Also read:

• • 10 tips to follow when shopping online
  • Online shopping is good, but poses many risks

In the era of smart technologies, it’s time to turn to smart shopping by making the best use of credit cards. It’s about time you overcome your debt cycle fear and start using a credit card wisely. Begin by making small and easily repayable purchases to gain confidence.

The post How to Use Your Credit Card to Maximize Shopping Rewards and Benefits appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

To build a successful online business these are the essential steps the entrepreneur should take;

1. Conduct thorough market research and planning

Before diving into the world of e-commerce, it’s crucial to conduct comprehensive market research to understand your target audience, competitors, and industry trends. By gaining insights into consumer preferences and market demands, you can tailor your offerings and strategies accordingly.

Additionally, developing a solid business plan outlining your goals, strategies, and financial projections will provide a roadmap for success and guide your decision-making process.

2. Choose the right e-commerce platform

Selecting the appropriate e-commerce platform is fundamental to the success of your online business. Whether you opt for Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce, it’s essential to choose a platform that aligns with your business needs and objectives.

Look for features such as secure payment gateways, inventory management, and mobile responsiveness to provide a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

3. Prioritize website design and user experience

Your website serves as the digital storefront for your business, making a positive first impression critical. Invest in creating a professional and user-friendly website with a clean layout, intuitive navigation, and fast loading times. Moreover, optimizing your site for search engines (SEO) will improve visibility and attract organic traffic, driving more visitors to your online store.

4. Offer high-quality products and services

The success of your online business hinges on the quality of your products or services. Ensure that you offer offerings that resonate with your target market and address their needs effectively. Provide detailed product descriptions, high-resolution images, and authentic customer reviews to instill trust and credibility in your brand.

5. Implement a multi-channel marketing strategy

To drive traffic and generate sales, it’s essential to implement a multi-channel marketing strategy encompassing social media, email marketing, content marketing, and paid advertising. Engage with your audience through regular updates, promotions, and personalized communication to foster brand loyalty and encourage repeat purchases.

6. Prioritize excellent customer service

Exceptional customer service is paramount in building long-lasting relationships with your customers. Address inquiries promptly, resolve issues effectively, and implement features such as live chat support, FAQs, and a hassle-free return policy to enhance the overall customer experience.

7. Utilize analytics and data tracking

Harness the power of analytics tools like Google Analytics to track website performance, user behavior, and sales data. By analyzing this data, you can make informed decisions, optimize your strategies, and drive business growth effectively.

8. Invest in cybersecurity and data protection

Protecting customer data and ensuring the security of your e-commerce operations is non-negotiable. Invest in robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive information and comply with data protection regulations such as GDPR to build trust and credibility with your customers.

Also read:

• • My cybersecurity preview for 2024
  • Navigating the digital maze: A guide to online safety and cybersecurity
  • Hackers predict: The biggest cybersecurity worries in 2024
  • OP-ED: architecting cybersecurity for Uganda’s fintech sector

9. Develop scaling and growth strategies

As your online business expands, it’s essential to have a growth plan in place to scale efficiently. Explore opportunities for diversification, partnerships, and entering new markets to sustainably drive growth and solidify your position in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

Building a successful online business requires careful planning, meticulous execution, and a commitment to delivering exceptional value to your customers. By following these essential steps and staying adaptable to changing market dynamics, entrepreneurs can create thriving online ventures poised for long-term success and growth.

ALSO READ: OP-ED: DIGITAL MARKETING, A BLESSING FOR UGANDAN BUSINESSES IN NEED OF GROWTH

The post How To Build a Successful Online Business appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Advertisers are charged a fee for listing their products or services on the platform with an option to boost the reach of their advert at an additional charge.

For MTN customers, tesadeals.com is a zero-rated-on data, allowing advertisers to list adverts and potential buyers to view adverts without being charged for data.

According to Susan Kayemba, Senior Manager of Digital Services at MTN Uganda, “Uganda is one of the world’s most entrepreneurial countries with SMEs and micro-SMEs fueling the economy and therefore tesadeals.com is an ideal marketing channel for entrepreneurs because it’s accessible worldwide and affordable with a standard listing for a month at only UGX1000.”

The telco said this year it will embark on its digital media business rolling out services to cater to the promotion needs of both SMEs and Large Enterprises. Tesadeals.com is indeed the first of many services to come, said the company.

MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer Sen Somdev in a press briefing said they are committed to extending the benefits of a digital economy in all their markets. “Through MTN Digital Media, we want to harness our Network Infrastructure and the Mobile phone to create platforms for local business to promote their services,” he remarked. “By digitizing advertising, we will provide advertisers the much-needed scalability, measurability, and affordability.”

How to advertise on Tesadeals.com

• On your web browser, launch/open tesadeals.com.
• Once opened, select Post New Ad and follow the instructions to continue.

Advertisers have until April 31st, 2024 to advertise their products or services for free. After this, they will incur a monthly charge when advertising on the platform.

Buyers will be able to view the listed deals/Ads as soon as they launch/open tesadeals.com. They can go ahead and contact the advertiser in case they ought to buy the product or acquire a service.

The post MTN Uganda Launches Tesadeals, an Online Marketplace For SOHOs and SMEs appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Historical data and transactions show threat actors prey on consumers during the holiday season. Visa’s data shows that for the top merchant categories targeted by fraudsters, 2022 holiday fraud rates increased 11% over their non-holiday fraud rate and saw an increase of 8% over the previous year during this time.

The Holiday Edition Threats Report warns that threat actors will seek to exploit consumers’ increased interest and urgency in finding deals and one-of-a-kind gifts.

“Crooks prepare all year for the holiday shopping season, taking advantage of increased activity and consumers who let their guard down searching for the perfect gift,” Paul Fabara, Chief Risk Officer at Visa Inc. said in a press statement. Adding “At Visa, we are committed to security and reliability, with a promise of 24/7 threat monitoring, even during the busiest time of the year.”

Highlights of the report’s findings include:

1. Phishing and Social Engineering: The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) over the past year allows threat actors to create highly customized phishing campaigns, making it harder for consumers to spot fakes. Fraudsters also create phishing websites, often using malvertising (malicious advertising) and other illicit search engine optimization (SEO) tactics on retail or service websites to entice victims.
2. OTP Bypass and Provisioning Fraud: Visa identified many one-time-passcode (OTP) bypass schemes to gain access to cardholders’ accounts. In this scheme, OTP templates are sent to the consumers that appear to be associated with the desired purchase.
3. Physical Theft: Threat actors may attempt to physically steal payment cards and/or phones from unsuspecting consumers in crowded retail stores, shopping malls, or parking lots.

Visa Inc. also unveiled a list of habits consumers can follow to practice safe and secure shopping. Visa’s habits for good security hygiene can guide consumers who are planning to shop this holiday/festive season on best practices to stay safe. Key highlights from Visa’s tips include:

• Shop from Reputable Retailers: Stick to trusted and well-known retailers. If you’re considering a purchase from a store you’re not familiar with, do some research to check their reputation and authenticity.
• Secure Your Personal Information: Make sure the website uses secure technology. When at the checkout, the website address should start with ‘https://’. The ‘s’ stands for secure and means that your data is being encrypted and sent over a secure connection.
• Always Check Details in the OTP Message: Before entering the OTP, verify the purpose of the OTP (e.g., is it for a purchase or issuance of a device token) and review the purchase details such as the merchant name, and transaction amount. Finally, you should not disclose your OTPs over the phone, email, or messenger.
• Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Shopping: Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, which makes it easier for hackers to steal your information. Always use a secure, private internet connection when you’re making purchases.
• Beware of Deals That Are Too Good to Be True: Offers on websites and in unsolicited emails can often sound too good to be true, especially extremely low prices on hard-to-get items. Consumers should be suspicious of such deals, as they often are.

At Visa, security and reliability are a top priority year-round. Over the past five years, the digital payments company has invested more than USD$10 billion in technology, including to reduce fraud and increase network security. More than a thousand dedicated specialists protect Visa’s network from malware, zero-day attacks, and insider threats 24x7x365. In fact, in the first six months of 2023, Visa helped to proactively block USD$30 billion in fraud, preventing many from ever knowing they were at risk of a potentially fraudulent transaction.

The company is highly encouraging consumers to stay alert during this festive season and think about where they are shopping and who they are sharing their information with to keep it safe.

Top merchant categories include home improvement and supply, telecommunications, business-to-business, healthcare, automotive, entertainment, education and government, lodging, insurance, airlines, and drug stores and pharmacies.

The post Visa Inc. Cautious Consumers to Stay Alert in This Holiday Shopping Season appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Choose the Right e-Commerce Platform

Selecting the right e-commerce platform is a critical decision that will determine the functionality and flexibility of your online store. Numerous e-commerce platforms are available, each with its features, pricing plans, and customization options. You can come up with an online store using Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento. Consider the ease of use, scalability, payment options, inventory management, and third-party integrations when choosing your platform. But defining your business and identifying your target audience is essential before diving into the technical aspects of building an online store. Determine the products or services you will be offering and establish a clear brand identity. Knowing who your target market is will shape your store’s design, marketing strategies, and overall user experience.

Register a Domain Name then Set Up Hosting

A domain name is your online store’s web address, and it should reflect your brand and be easy for customers to remember. Choose a domain name relevant to your business and align it with your brand identity. Register your domain name through a reputable domain registrar, and ensure it is unique and not already in use. On the other hand, hosting is the service that makes your online store accessible. Opt for reliable and secure hosting that can handle your website’s traffic and provide fast loading times. Many e-commerce platforms offer hosting services as part of their packages, simplifying the process. If you choose a self-hosted platform like WooCommerce, you must find a hosting provider separately.

Customize Your Store’s Design

Make your online store visually appealing and align it with your brand’s aesthetics. Most e-commerce platforms provide ready-to-use templates or themes that you can customize, effectively matching your brand. Choose a clean, user-friendly, and responsive design across various devices. Customize your store’s logo, color scheme, fonts, and layout to create a cohesive and engaging user experience. Then add your products or services to your online store. Organize them into relevant categories and subcategories to help customers navigate your store easily. Include detailed descriptions, high-quality product images, and pricing information for each item. Consider implementing a search function and filters to enhance the shopping experience.

Set Up Payment Gateways

Selecting the proper payment gateways is crucial for smooth and secure transactions on your online store. Research and integrate payment gateways that are trusted and widely used in your target market. Standard options include PayPal, Stripe, Square, and Authorize.Net. Ensure that the payment gateways you choose are compatible with your chosen e-commerce platform and offer a seamless checkout experience for your customers. Additionally, shipping and tax configurations are essential aspects of an online store. Determine your shipping options, such as free shipping, flat rate, or calculated rates based on weight or location. Set up shipping zones and rates accordingly. Also, configure tax settings based on your business’s site and the regions where you’ll sell your products.

Optimize for Search Engines (SEO)

To drive organic traffic, optimizing it for search engines is essential. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords and phrases your target audience will likely search for. Incorporate these keywords into your product descriptions, page titles, meta tags, and URLs. Create unique and informative content that adds value to your customers and improves search engine rankings. Additionally, optimize your images by adding alt tags with relevant keywords.

ALSO READ: 7 WAYS SEO CAN HELP YOUR E-COMMERCE BUSINESS

Implement Marketing Strategies

Once your online store is up and running, it’s time to implement marketing strategies to attract customers and drive sales. Utilize various marketing channels, such as social media, email marketing, content marketing, and paid advertising, to promote your products and engage with your target audience. Develop a comprehensive marketing plan that includes organic and paid strategies to reach your potential customers effectively. Tracking and analyzing your online store’s performance is crucial for making data-driven decisions and optimizing your sales strategy. Set up Google Analytics or other tracking tools to monitor website traffic, user behavior, conversion rates, and sales. Use these insights to identify areas for improvement, such as optimizing your marketing campaigns, refining product offerings, or enhancing the user experience.

Building an online store requires careful planning, attention to detail, and ongoing dedication. Following this step-by-step guide, you can create an engaging and successful online store that effectively showcases your products or services, attracts customers, and drives sales. Remember to adapt and evolve your strategies based on market trends and customer preferences to ensure your online store’s long-term success.

ALSO READ: HOW OTO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL E-COMMERCE STARTUP

The post How To Build An Online Store? A Step-By-Step Guide appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

So, for those who are curious, what exactly is online shopping? Well, online shopping is the act that allows consumers to directly buy goods or services from a seller(s) over the internet using a web browser or a mobile app. Customers may browse an online merchant’s product selection, find a product of interest adds the item(s) to their shopping cart, then complete the transaction using a credit card, debit card, or other secure payment methods. Customers can shop online using a range of different computers and devices, including desktop computers, laptops, tablet computers, and smartphones.

An online shop evokes the physical analogy of buying products or services at a regular “bricks-and-mortar” retailer. While shopping online offers the convenience of making purchases from the comfort of your own home, there are a number of tips to look out for to help you shop online safely and confidently —among which include;

1. Shop from reputable websites: Always make sure to shop from websites that are well-established and have a good reputation. You can check for customer reviews, ratings, and feedback to ensure that the website is reliable.
2. Use secure payment methods: When shopping online, it is important to use secure payment methods such as credit cards or PayPal to protect your personal and financial information. Avoid using debit cards as they offer less protection.
3. Check for security certificates: Before entering any personal or financial information on a website, make sure that it has a secure connection by checking for security certificates such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security).
4. Read the privacy policy: Make sure to read the website’s privacy policy to understand how your personal information will be used, stored, and protected.
5. Compare prices: Don’t settle for the first price you see. Take the time to compare prices from different websites to find the best deal.
6. Check for return policies: Make sure to read the website’s return policy before making a purchase, to ensure that you can return the item if necessary.
7. Read product descriptions: Always read the product description carefully before making a purchase, to make sure that you understand what you’re buying.
8. Be cautious of too-good-to-be-true deals: Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. Scammers often use deep discounts to lure customers into making a purchase.
9. Check the website’s contact information: Make sure that the website has valid contact information, such as a phone number or email address, so you can get in touch with them if needed.
10. Keep records of your purchases: Always keep records of your online purchases, including receipts and confirmation emails, in case you need to dispute a charge or return an item.

Online shopping is a modern phenomenon that has transformed how people buy products and services. With the growth of eCommerce, people can now purchase products and services from the comfort of their own homes, reducing the need to physically visit a store. However, with the good comes the bad —and thus, the tips above can protect yourself while shopping online and make confident and safe purchases online.

ALSO READ: ONLINE SHOPPING IS GOOD, BUT POSES A NUMBER OF RISKS

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In-app chat is a vital feature that every modern eCommerce app should include. Here’s why.

Keeping Customers Engaged

To begin with, in-app chat helps you keep customers engaged. If someone has a question about one of the products featured in your app, there’s no quicker way for them to get answers than in real-time chat. Similarly, chat features allow users to reach out to sellers or to customer support quickly and with minimal friction.

Embedding these features directly in your app has several crucial advantages. For one, this allows you to custom-tailor your chat solutions to your app’s specific requirements. For another, it also eliminates the need for customers to leave your app in order to communicate.

Overall, this boosts customer engagement.

Decreasing Cart Abandonment

Another way in which in-app chat can boost the success of your eCommerce app is that it helps decrease cart abandonment.

Imagine you’re a potential buyer who has a last-minute question about an item already in their cart. Does the dress really have pockets? Does the size of the pants fit my frame? Can I return the item if I don’t end up liking the color? Such doubts can easily lead to cart abandonment. Either, people will click back to the item description to look for answers. Or they’ll leave the app entirely and come back another day — maybe.

However, if a chat button to contact the seller is right there, it’s a different story. The threshold to sending a quick message and getting immediate answers is suddenly very low.

Overall, this helps buyers settle any doubts, get their questions answered, and make purchase decisions.

Boosting Trust

A third way that chat features can help you level up your eCommerce app is by boosting trust in sellers and your app.

For one thing, an app is a much more secure environment in which to communicate with sellers. If you’re a potential buyer with a question or concern about an item, chatting with a seller in the app is much more trust-inspiring than texting a random number or writing to an unknown email address. Similarly, having the option to reach out to customer support via chat is a hallmark of a trustworthy app in many customers’ minds.

Improving Customer Support

Finally, in-app chat can help you improve your customers’ overall experience.

Chat features and video calls are among the most popular methods for customers to reach out if they encounter technical issues or problems with sellers. In fact, global satisfaction with live chat customer service lies at 84%, according to Statista.

Conclusion
In-app chat can be an essential asset for your eCommerce app. It helps you keep customers engaged, reduces cart abandonment, builds trust, and improves customer support. This will level up your overall customer experience — and supercharge the success of your eCommerce app.

ALSO READ: ONLINE SHOPPING IS GOOD BUT POSES A NUMBER OF RISKS

The post How in-App Chat Can Boost Your eCommerce App appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Appealing and logistically reliable packaging enables improved customer satisfaction, increased brand recognition, high product reliability, and less shipping damage. The suitable eCommerce packaging makes your brand stand out. The wrong choice of packaging can damage your products and weaken customer retention and brand connections. Below are packaging tips for online stores.

1. Showcase brand personality
Customer perception of your brand is essential for retaining old customers and increasing market share. When buying from eCommerce stores, consumers want to be certain of the brands they’re interacting with. Brand features such as appearance, brand identity, and color can be used to ensure consumers connect with your packaging. Customize your product packaging design and make it simple and easy to understand. This assures your customers you will deliver a quality customer experience as your packaging connects your products to your brand.

2. Focus on product security
Maintaining product security when shipping is essential. Use protective padding materials such as packaging tissue and bubble wrap to avert potential product damage when shipping. Packaging foam can also securely hold your items in place, ensuring security. Poor packaging options result in damaged products, negatively impacting the customer experience.

3. Use sustainable materials
Sustainable packaging is a great way to attract repeat purchases and increase brand loyalty. To cater to environmentally conscious consumers and satisfy them, use recyclable or reusable packaging to eliminate waste and enhance environmental health. Embracing sustainability will keep such customers loyal to your business, increasing profitability.

4. Use good liners
Without good liners, your products may reach the consumers in a leaking mess. If you anticipate your packages will experience harsh conditions such as humidity, high heat, or careless handling, invest in vented liners to ensure reduced packaging distortions, less costly modifications, simpler quality control, and eliminate the need for fluorination treatment.

ALSO READ: HOW TO UTILIZE DIGITAL E-COMMERCE IN BUSINESS

5. Include a personal touch in your packaging
Being minimalist with your packaging design lowers the appeal of valuable, high-quality products. First impressions are essential, especially when looking for ways to grab your customers’ attention, showcase your brand, and improve customer service. Customizing gift boxes, personalizing branded tape, and paying attention to detail can improve customer satisfaction while projecting a positive brand image. Quality personalized packaging creates brand awareness and enhances marketing.

6. Add easy-to-use-guides for your products and use package inserts
Adding easy-to-use guides in your packaging promotes ease of use and convenience, helping you retain existing customers. This demonstrates your interest in meeting their needs, boosting their entire shopping experience, and making them return for future purchases.

Packaging inserts are additional items you put in customer shipments such as small gifts, thank you cards, and future discount notices, increasing customer loyalty and ensuring customers keep returning. This personalizes your customers’ shopping experience, making them feel appreciated and valued. Since inserts aren’t expected or requested, they can satisfy clients and build goodwill.

7. Wholesale customized shipping boxes

Wholesale customized shipping boxes can play a crucial role in maintaining product security during shipping. When combined with protective padding materials like packaging tissue, bubble wrap, and packaging foam, they create a robust defense against potential product damage. This attention to secure packaging ensures that products reach customers in pristine condition, ultimately enhancing the overall customer experience.

Conclusion
To create a memorable, lasting impression on your customers, you need to satisfy their overall shopping experience using creative strategies like attractive, sustainable packaging. Consider the above packaging tips for your online store.

ALSO READ: OUR 20 BEST FREE AND PREMIUM E-COMMERCE THEMES

The post Packaging Tips For Online Stores appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Notably, Covid-19 has transformed the way we shop and live our lives. With the ease of restrictions taking place now, there is maybe some thinking that our old habits may come back into play, but with the massive adoption of online purchases and home delivery, there is no denying that millions of consumers are creating and reinforcing new online buying behaviors and habits. Consumers are more motivated than ever to shop online and have deliveries made to their doorsteps.

As the online retail space continues to expand, consumers are choosing click-and-mortar retail over traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Online retail presents a unique opportunity to have a positive impact on the environment and mitigate the effects of climate change.

An online consumer’s behavior is more efficient and sustainable than a traditional consumer. This shift in consumer behavior, coupled with the advent of Covid-19, has seen the growth of on-demand delivery startups such as Glovo, currently causing a major technology disruption in the Ugandan market.

ALSO READ: GLOVO LAUNCHES ITS OPERATIONS IN UGANDA

The safety of our customers during the Covid-19 pandemic period is paramount. Consequently, we have instituted a number of changes including contactless deliveries, in which case human interaction is avoided as products are picked up from the stores or restaurants and delivered by Glovo riders wearing masks. Deliveries are then dropped off at a consumer’s door in a seamless and cashless transaction.

The current consumer trends are unlikely to change even post-Covid-19 and in response to this, companies all over the world are investing heavily in developing their logistics and last-mile delivery operations, as the demand to serve customers fast, efficiently, and effectively increases in importance.

Since the demand for both on-demand deliveries and environmental awareness from brands is here to stay, the onus is on businesses to tackle these corresponding revolutions in consumer behavior. It is against this background that in June this year, Glovo purchased an initial 30,000 tonnes of carbon credits — certificates representing one tonne of carbon dioxide or the mass of another greenhouse gas (GHG) — from Pachama, the Silicon Valley-based carbon credit marketplace for verified forest carbon projects, offsetting its carbon footprint by 25% by the end of 2020.

Glovo’s long-term strategy is to offset 100% of carbon emissions across its entire value chain, from procurement to end-of-life products sold through the app, before the end of 2021.

Alongside its offsetting plans, Glovo also aims to reduce its GHG emissions through initiatives including food waste management, order-bundling, providing partners with sustainable packaging, and supplying couriers with backpacks made from recycled and fully recyclable materials.

This strategy is in tandem with the Paris Agreement, which contemplates a need for business and consumers, as well as government and citizens, to step up to the plate and contribute solutions. In the last few decades — in a trend that culminated in the Paris agreement — experts have been increasingly unanimous that government alone cannot solve the problem of climate change.

Locally, Glovo’s strategy is in keeping with Uganda’s National Climate Change Policy and the 2016/21 five-year National Development Plans as well as the Country’s vision 2040 which recognize that dealing with the challenges of climate change is important in promoting sustainable economic and social development. The policy is clear on the fact that this needs concerted efforts of multiple stakeholders including the private sector where we fit.

ALSO READ: UGANDA TO BE REGION’S TOP ICT HUB — SAYS ICT MINISTER, CHRIS BARYOMUNSI

Ultimately, the onus will be on companies to figure out how to satisfy consumer delivery needs while reducing their carbon footprint and maintaining — or in some cases, even improving their last-mile delivery operations.

Unless we change the rules of the game, consumerism will continue to have a negative effect on the environment. We need to focus our efforts on models that have sustainability at their very core. One such model, the circular economy, which focuses on eliminating waste and the continued reuse of resources, can reduce the rise of negative environmental impacts by making the most of natural resources.

Secondly, with high customer expectations creating a demand for better courier services, on-demand startups need a reliable courier partner in ensuring that customers benefit from the best delivery service including same-day delivery.

Editor’s Note: Mr. Saqib Munir, Glovo’s Country Lead for Uganda wrote and provided the article to PC Tech Magazine

The post OP-ED: Sustainability of on-demand Delivery Startups Beyond Covid-19 appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.