Top 7 Most Effective Online Sales Channels of 2020

While Facebook boasts a massive user base, it also presents a significant challenge for businesses due to fierce competition, and running ads to attract followers can be costly for many online sellers. This has led many businesses to shift towards Instagram. This platform allows users to follow accounts they like directly, which means instead of waiting for customers to 'like' a business page, shop owners can follow customers back to grab their attention. Although Instagram has only recently exploded in popularity, its rapidly growing user base has made it a favorite among younger entrepreneurs. It is expected to become a major competitive marketplace for business products.

Today, everyone knows YouTube as the largest and most diverse video-sharing platform in the world. As a result, it has become an attractive channel for businesses. YouTube offers an excellent opportunity for both businesses and individual online sellers to advertise, market their products or services, and connect with customers more effectively. People tend to prefer watching videos over reading lengthy texts, which makes YouTube a powerful tool for delivering your message to customers. It's an incredibly effective method for driving traffic to your online store.

Online store websites have distinct advantages over other forms of online selling: they offer the most effective interaction with customers through features like live chat or other contact options. Customers can quickly provide feedback or reviews about products or services directly on the website.

A website allows you to reach customers anywhere with an internet connection, removing geographical limitations. Your market is no longer restricted. Selling is quicker and more convenient as all sales processes are integrated within the website, from product display (descriptions, images, prices) to contract agreements, payment, shipping, and post-sale customer service.

Customers can select products and make online payments via bank cards, Visa/MasterCard, etc., directly on the website with ease, thanks to features like shopping carts and integrated payment gateways. You can also fully customize the website's interface, content, layout, images, and promotional campaigns to create an attractive and engaging experience for visitors.

Email Marketing is a proven revenue-generating channel for many businesses. Not only is it an affordable communication method with concise newsletters, but it's also a fantastic way to promote new or upcoming products.

If leveraged well, the effectiveness of email marketing is impressive. It allows you to reach millions of potential customers in an instant. Moreover, email marketing is a targeted form of marketing – meaning you can reach people who are already interested in the content you're sharing. It also helps build trust and customer loyalty by providing useful, relevant information in the emails you send.

Online marketplaces are similar to physical markets or retail stores, where businesses and individuals can register an account and upload product information to the platform’s admin system before it’s displayed on the website.

Sellers must provide detailed product information, including images and descriptions, to attract potential buyers. Listing products on e-commerce marketplaces increases your visibility and access to a wider customer base. This is a low-cost but highly effective business model. Some well-known and reputable online marketplaces today include Vatgia, Adayroi, Tiki, and Lazada. In addition to selling on these platforms, businesses often build their own online stores, such as Thegioididong and FPT.

Facebook has reported that the average number of monthly active users in Vietnam is 30 million, which is impressive compared to the 41 million Internet users in the country. According to WeAreSocial's report, Vietnamese users spend about 5 hours online via desktop and nearly 3 hours on mobile devices.

On average, people spend at least 2 hours a day on social media (as of March 2015), highlighting the immense potential of social networks as a market for online businesses. Especially on Facebook, where it’s easy to connect with customers and quickly receive feedback or inquiries.

However, despite Facebook's significant benefits, there is also intense competition within the platform. To sustain and grow a profitable business through Facebook, sellers need to differentiate themselves and consistently offer value that justifies the costs customers pay for their products.

Zalo, a messaging app developed by VNG since August 2012, has reached tens of millions of users and consistently tops the charts for the most downloaded apps on Android, iOS, Java, and Windows platforms.

What started as a simple messaging and calling service has evolved, thanks to the adaptability of young users, into a highly effective tool for online business. The app’s major advantage is that it offers free calls and messaging, making it popular not only with younger users but also with business owners looking for a cost-effective way to run their online operations.