How to Get Customers to Your Online Store: 24 Tips for 2025

After 15 years of trying every ecommerce platform, tool and strategy under the sun I’ve learned one thing: getting customers to your online store isn’t down to luck.

It’s about combining the right strategies that work for your audience and your niche.

I’ll show you the proven methods I’ve used to drive traffic, sales and help hundreds of online stores grow.

If you’ve been wondering why your store isn’t getting traffic or converting visitors into buyers, this will show you how to fix that.

Let’s get started.

Key Points

• SEO for consistent organic traffic.
• Social media to connect with your audience.
• Discounts to boost interest and sales.
• UX for better conversions.
• Email marketing to nurture and retain customers.
• AI to Stay up to Date

Basic Strategies to Get Customers

1. Optimize Your Website for SEO

I can’t say this enough: SEO (search engine optimisation) is the foundation of free traffic to your store.

Start by identifying the keywords your target audience uses. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Semrush or Ahrefs will help you find terms with high search volume and low competition.

Don’t just focus on generic keywords like “shoes” if you sell footwear. Go deeper with phrases like “affordable running shoes for men” or “women’s hiking boots for beginners.”

Here’s what to focus on:

• Optimize product titles, descriptions and meta tags.
• Use long-tail keywords like “affordable men’s running shoes” instead of generic terms like “shoes.”
• Write blog posts around questions your audience asks.

For example when I ran a store selling hiking gear we wrote blog posts like:

• “How to Choose the Right Hiking Boots for Long Trails.”

That content ranked on Google and brought thousands of targeted traffic.

SEO isn’t a one-time task; it’s ongoing. Regularly update your site, track your rankings, and focus on building quality backlinks to boost your authority.

2. Use Social Media

Social media has become a powerful tool for attracting customers. With billions of active users, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok allow you to showcase your products and connect directly with potential buyers.

Find where your audience hangs out. For example:

• Instagram: Great for fashion, beauty and lifestyle products.
• Facebook: Perfect for promoting deals and building communities.
• TikTok: Goldmine for younger audiences and viral videos.

Once you identify the right platform, focus on creating engaging, visual content. High-quality photos, short videos, and reels showcasing your products in action will grab attention. Post consistently and use relevant hashtags to increase visibility.

A proven strategy I swear by is running social media contests. For example:

• “Tag three friends, follow us, and win a $50 gift card!”

Contests like these generate massive engagement and expand your reach quickly. Additionally, social ads—like Facebook and Instagram Ads—allow you to target customers with precision based on age, interests, and location.

3. Start Content Marketing

Content marketing isn’t just about writing blog posts; it’s about building trust and educating your audience. When customers trust your brand, they’re far more likely to buy from you.

Here’s how I recommend approaching content marketing:

1. Blog Posts: Write helpful, SEO-optimized guides that answer common questions your audience asks. For example, if you sell coffee makers, you could write, “How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Coffee at Home.”
2. Videos: Product demos and tutorials are incredibly effective. A quick YouTube video or Instagram Reel showing your product in use can convert viewers into buyers.
3. Infographics: Simplify complex information into shareable, easy-to-digest visuals.

When I worked with a client selling eco-friendly kitchen tools, we produced blogs like “5 Ways to Make Your Kitchen More Sustainable” and videos showcasing how their products reduced plastic waste. Not only did traffic skyrocket, but sales also increased because visitors felt connected to the brand’s mission.

Content marketing positions you as an authority in your niche, drives traffic through SEO, and builds long-term trust.

Result? More traffic and sales.

4. Offer Discounts and Promotions

Discounts can bring in new customers – if done right.

Here are a few I recommend:

• Flash Sales: Limited time offers like 24 hour discounts.
• BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free): Great for clearing old inventory.
• First-Purchase Discounts: “Get 10% off your first order.”

Promotions like these attract new customers, clear inventory, and encourage impulse purchases. Just make sure to promote them through email marketing, social media ads, and on your homepage.

For example, during a Black Friday campaign, we offered a “Buy One, Get One 50% Off” deal. Coupled with targeted Facebook Ads, sales tripled in just three days.

5. Improve User Experience (UX)

Your website is your online store so it needs to be fast, clean and easy to use.

Here’s how:

1. Speed Up Your Website: Use Google PageSpeed Insights. Slow websites lose customers.
2. Optimize for Mobile: Over 60% of traffic comes from mobile devices.
3. Simplify Navigation: Make it easy for customers to find products.

I always recommend adding a search bar and improving your checkout process.
Studies show complicated checkouts lead to cart abandonment.

When I worked with a client in the home decor niche, improving site speed and simplifying navigation increased their conversion rate by 18% in a month. Small UX improvements can lead to massive results.

Advanced Techniques to Attract Customers

6. Use Email marketing Campaigns

Email marketing remains one of the most cost-effective ways to attract and retain customers. Unlike social media, where you rely on algorithms, email gives you a direct line to your audience.

First build an email list with:

• Pop-ups offering a discount.
• Exit-intent messages like “Don’t leave yet! Get 10% off now.”

Once you have a list send:

• Welcome emails with a special offer.
• Cart abandonment emails to customers who left without buying.
• Product updates and seasonal promotions.

For example, when I ran a skincare brand, our abandoned cart emails recovered 20% of lost sales simply by offering a small discount.

7. Influencers and Affiliates

Working with influencers who align with your brand can bring your store to thousands of potential customers.

For example:

• A fitness influencer promotes workout gear.
• A mommy blogger features baby products.

When I worked with an influencer for a client’s beauty line they promoted the product on Instagram stories and reels.

A beauty store I helped partnered with a TikTok influencer. The influencer’s short video showcasing their lip gloss went viral, generating thousands of dollars in sales overnight.

8. Invest in PPC Advertising

Paid ads (PPC) like Google Ads or Facebook Ads give you instant visibility.

Start small. Focus on targeted campaigns that:

• Use keywords your customers search for.
• Show best-selling products.

I’ve run hundreds of PPC campaigns and the key is to monitor cost-per-click (CPC) and conversion rates.

If done right PPC ads are a game-changer for traffic.

9. Retargeting Ads

Most people won’t buy on their first visit. That’s where retargeting comes in.

Retargeting ads remind visitors about your products after they leave.

For example:

• Show ads for items left in their cart.
• Offer 10% off to bring them back.

Facebook Pixel and Google Retargeting make this easy.

10. Customer Service

A happy customer isn’t just a buyer; they’re your best marketing tool.

Here’s what I do to wow customers:

• Live chat support for instant answers.
• Personalized thank-you emails after purchase.
• Follow up to make sure they love their order.

Trust me—great customer service = loyalty and repeat business.

11. Customer Testimonials and Reviews

Positive reviews build trust and convince potential buyers to take the plunge. Display reviews prominently on:

• Your website product pages.
• Google or Trustpilot.

You can even show user-generated content (UGC) like photos of customers using your products. Encourage happy customers to share photos or videos using your product, then repost this user-generated content on your site and Instagram.

12. Loyalty and Referral Program

Loyalty programs turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.

For example:

• Give points for every purchase.
• Offer rewards for referrals.

I use tools likeSmile.io to automate loyalty programs.

One client grew sales 25% just by offering referral discounts.

13. Sell on multiple platforms

List your products on Amazon, eBay, and Etsy to increase visibility. Integrate with social commerce platforms like Instagram Shopping and Facebook Marketplace to reach more buyers where they already shop.

I also recommend integrating with Instagram Shopping and Facebook Marketplace.

This way you meet customers where they already shop.

14. Analyze and Optimize

Use tools like Google Analytics to track your traffic, conversions, and customer behavior. Optimize your strategies based on what works:

• Which products are selling the most?
• Where is your traffic coming from?
• What pages are visitors abandoning?

Data tells you what’s working and what’s not so you can optimize for better results.

AI has become a game-changer for ecommerce businesses looking to attract more customers to their online stores. I’ve been experimenting with AI tools for years, and the results are impressive. From automating marketing tasks to personalizing customer experiences, AI can help you reach the right audience faster and convert more visitors into buyers.

Here’s how you can use AI to drive traffic and grow your online store:

15. Use AI-Powered SEO Tools

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving organic traffic, and AI tools can make the process faster and smarter.

How AI Helps with SEO:

• Keyword Research: AI tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs analyze search trends and recommend the best keywords for your store.
• Content Optimization: Tools like Surfer SEO or Frase analyze top-ranking content and suggest improvements for your blog posts or product pages.
• Technical SEO Fixes: AI can crawl your site and identify errors like broken links, duplicate content, or slow page speed.

For example, I once used Surfer SEO to rewrite product descriptions with better keywords and structure. Within a month, traffic from Google increased by 40%. AI removes the guesswork and gives you actionable SEO insights.

16. Automate Your Marketing Campaigns with AI

Running successful marketing campaigns takes time and effort, but AI tools can automate tasks while improving accuracy and efficiency.

AI Tools for Marketing Automation

• Email Marketing: Tools like Klaviyo and Mailchimp use AI to segment your audience, predict customer behavior, and send personalized emails at the right time.
• Social Media Ads: Platforms like Facebook Ads Manager use AI to optimize your ad campaigns, targeting users most likely to buy based on past behavior.
• Content Scheduling: Tools like Buffer or Hootsuite use AI to determine the best times to post on social media for maximum engagement.

For example, I recently used AI-powered email automation to send personalized follow-up emails after cart abandonment. With dynamic product recommendations, I recovered over 20% of lost sales.

17. Personalize Customer Experience with AI

Personalization is no longer optional; customers expect a tailored shopping experience. AI helps you deliver that.

AI-Powered Personalization Techniques

• Product Recommendations: Tools like Nosto and Dynamic Yield use AI to recommend products based on customer browsing behavior and purchase history. Think about how Amazon recommends “Frequently Bought Together” items—that’s AI in action.
• Chatbots for Instant Customer Support: AI chatbots like Tidio and Zendesk provide real-time customer support, answering questions 24/7. They can also recommend products or assist during the checkout process.
• Dynamic Pricing: AI tools can adjust pricing based on demand, competition, and customer behavior.

In one store, adding AI-based product recommendations increased average order value (AOV) by 15% because customers discovered items they didn’t know they needed.

18. Generate High-Quality Content with AI

Creating content that drives traffic can be time-consuming, but AI tools streamline the process without compromising quality.

Top AI Content Tools

• Blog and Product Descriptions: Tools like Jasper AI or Copy.ai can generate SEO-optimized blog posts, product descriptions, and ad copy in minutes.
• Video Content: Platforms like Pictory or InVideo use AI to turn product photos or blogs into engaging videos for social media.
• Image Generation: Tools like MidJourney or DALL·E create unique, eye-catching product images or promotional visuals.

For instance, I once used Jasper AI to write a blog post titled “Top 10 Gifts for Dog Lovers” with relevant keywords. It ranked on page one of Google within weeks and brought thousands of pet lovers to the client’s store.

19. Improve Ad Targeting with AI

AI can analyze customer data to improve the targeting and performance of your ad campaigns.

AI Tools for Advertising

• Google Smart Campaigns: AI automatically optimizes ad targeting and bidding to ensure you reach the most relevant audience.
• Facebook and Instagram Ads: AI identifies lookalike audiences who share similar traits with your existing customers, increasing your ad success.
• Predictive Analytics: Tools like Adzooma or WordStream use AI to forecast ad performance and recommend changes for better ROI.

In one campaign, I used Facebook Ads’ AI targeting to create a “Lookalike Audience” based on high-spending customers. The result? A 25% lower cost-per-click (CPC) and a 30% increase in sales.

20. Use AI for Customer Insights and Analytics

Understanding your audience is key to attracting and converting customers. AI tools analyze massive amounts of data to uncover customer preferences and trends.

AI-Powered Analytics Tools

• Google Analytics 4 (GA4) uses AI to predict customer behavior, such as which visitors are most likely to make a purchase.
• Heatmap Tools like Hotjar and Crazy Egg show where visitors are clicking or abandoning your site.
• Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) like Segment use AI to create detailed customer profiles for better targeting.

With these insights, you can optimize your website, ad campaigns, and product offerings to better match your audience’s needs.

21. AI for Retargeting and Cart Recovery

Did you know that over 70% of carts are abandoned? AI helps you re-engage those customers and recover lost sales.

How AI Improves Retargeting

• AI tools like AdRoll or Facebook Pixel analyze customer behavior and show personalized ads to remind shoppers about their abandoned carts.
• Email automation tools send AI-driven follow-up emails with product recommendations or discount codes to bring customers back.

For instance, I ran a retargeting campaign offering 10% off to cart abandoners. AI automatically created and optimized ads, resulting in a 25% recovery rate.

22. Enhance Customer Service with AI Chatbots

AI chatbots can transform your customer service experience by providing instant, 24/7 support. This reduces cart abandonment and improves customer satisfaction.

Benefits of AI Chatbots

• Answer frequently asked questions in seconds.
• Help customers navigate the site and find products.
• Provide support during checkout to reduce friction.

Tools like Tidio and LivePerson allow you to set up smart chatbots that handle common queries while collecting valuable data about customer preferences.

I’ve seen businesses reduce their customer service costs by 30% while improving customer satisfaction simply by implementing AI chatbots.

23. AI-Powered Retention with Predictive Analytics

Keeping existing customers is cheaper than acquiring new ones. AI tools use predictive analytics to identify high-value customers and send personalized offers to keep them coming back.

How It Works:

• AI identifies trends in purchase behavior to predict which customers are likely to churn.
• Send personalized re-engagement emails or loyalty rewards to keep them engaged.
• Use AI tools like Klaviyo to automate win-back campaigns.

For example, I set up an AI-powered campaign for a store that identified at-risk customers and offered them a loyalty discount. We retained 15% more customers and increased repeat purchases.

24. AI for Voice Search Optimization

Voice search is booming, and AI helps optimize your store for voice queries. Tools like AnswerThePublic and Google Trends can help you understand the natural language questions customers ask.

Tips for Voice Search Optimization:

• Use long-tail keywords and question-based phrases like “Where can I buy eco-friendly yoga mats?”
• Create content that answers specific questions.
• Add FAQ sections to product pages.

Optimizing for voice search ensures you stay ahead of the competition as more shoppers use smart assistants like Alexa or Siri.

FAQs

How do I get customers to my online store fast?

Paid ads (PPC) and social media promotions are the quickest.

How do I get customers to review?

Send follow-up emails after purchase and offer small incentives like discounts.

How important is SEO for an online store?

SEO is key for long-term free traffic.

Conclusion

Attracting customers to your online store isn’t about luck; it’s about using the right strategies consistently.

From SEO to social media, content marketing to PPC ads, I’ve shared everything I’ve learned over 15 years of building successful ecommerce stores.

Focus on what works for your audience, test different strategies, and keep optimizing. Your next customer is just a click away.