The wine industry has long since been built on intentional, personal connections. Customers craving a great bottle of wine visit their local tasting room to discover a new favorite, or chat with a sommelier to determine the type of wine they might like best. But in an increasingly digital world, wineries can no longer rely on these in-person interactions to keep up and maintain sales – their customers want to take advantage of wine deals online.
Many wineries have remained resistant to the idea of selling wine online, preferring to lean into the traditional methods of selling their wines. But in an age where social media trends can determine sales patterns and the ease of online shopping has become the standard instead of an added convenience, utilizing eCommerce platforms is crucial for wineries that want to thrive for years to come.
Keep reading to discover why online sales are so important – and how a great online wine shop can set your winery apart.
Why Do Wine Deals Online Matter for Your Winery?
The statistics speak for themselves – online sales are soaring.
In 2024, 2.71 billion people across the world shopped online – roughly 10% of which were Americans. 20% of all retail sales worldwide are taking place online, and these numbers are only expected to grow with each passing year.
If your winery isn’t selling online, you’re missing out on a huge market – and might be losing customers completely if they only shop online or aren’t local to your area.
The Shift Toward Online Sales
As online sales continue to skyrocket, consumers are widening the range of products that they buy online. While they may have initially relied on online shopping for just a few specific items – customized Christmas gifts, for example, or their favorite clothing brand that isn’t available locally – the ease of online shopping can be intoxicating. The more frequently someone online shops, the more comfortable they become with the process, and the more likely they are to do more and more of their shopping from the comfort of their couch.
Let’s consider a few different reasons customers prefer to shop online:
- It’s convenient. We’ve all been there – you’ve had a long day and don’t feel like going out again, or it slipped your mind to stop by a local spot on your way home from work and now they’re closed for the day. Shopping online is simple because you can do it anytime, anywhere – no stress.
- It’s easy to browse a range of products. Say goodbye to realizing mid-shopping trip that you can’t find the brand you were looking for. When shopping online, you can compare different products and brands with ease, ensuring you find exactly what you’re looking for.
- It’s affordable. Everyone wants to save, and online shopping allows for easy price comparison. Online shops also often offer great deals, sales, and even free shipping.
eCommerce Sets Your Winery Apart
Developing a strong online presence gives your winery an immediate leg up on competitors. Many wineries still don’t have eCommerce options for their customers – and many of the wineries that do utilize online sales platforms aren’t using them to their fullest potential.
If you make it easy for your customers to shop your wines online, they’ll remember – and they’ll keep coming back.
Increase Your Winery’s Reach
One of the biggest benefits of selling wine online is the extent to which it increases your winery’s reach. When selling wine locally, you can certainly build a strong customer base from people in your area and tourists passing through – but the market you’re able to reach is limited.
When you begin selling wine online, those limits dissolve. Suddenly, you can make your wine available to customers states – or even countries – away. Someone living in South Carolina or Virginia might not be able to swing a trip to your Napa Valley or Sonoma winery – but they can easily purchase a bottle of your wine online and experience the magic of California wine country for themselves.
Now, not only have you been able to connect with a customer who might never have known about your winery, but you’ll likely receive repeat online orders when they discover how great your wine is. Plus, if they ever plan a trip to your area – or have a friend heading there – you’ll be top of mind for their first stop or recommendation.
Strengthen Customer Relationships
Online sales expand your reach and make your winery more accessible. But we want to let you in on a secret: they’re also a phenomenal way to strengthen your relationships with existing customers.
When you use eCommerce systems for your business, you gain access to a wide selection of analytics that allow you to understand what your customers care about and curate targeted marketing that reflects that.
For example, a quick analytics check can show you a list of customers that most frequently purchase your sparkling wines. From there, you can segment those customers out and send email campaigns their way with a curated selection of sparkling wines, or access to a weekend of discounted prices for being a valued customer. When you understand your customer’s favorite wines, you can market in a way that increases their likelihood of adding a bottle or two to their cart.
Additionally, you can take the opportunity to share team updates with your most frequent online shoppers, give them a behind-the-scenes look into recommendations from your own wine collection, or share personalized recommendations of wines they would enjoy based off of their own purchase history – all thanks to the unique power of online wine sales.
Develop Your Winery’s Online Presence With OrderPort
At OrderPort, we want to help you curate an online shopping experience that wine aficionados love – a process that’s simple, intuitive, and makes them click the checkout page every time. Your winery’s online presence matters, and we’re here to help you get your online wine shop on its feet quickly and easily – no hassle required.
Ready to get started? Request a demo today to learn how OrderPort can help your business thrive in the digital era.
