Must-Know Ecommerce Copywriting Tips to Boost Sales

Writing ecommerce copy can sometimes feel like you’re trying to read minds. It’s the sort of thing that requires an impossible amount of insight into a customer’s psyche. But when you nail it, when you find that perfect blend of short, sweet, wallet-opening magic, the results make all the effort worthwhile. It’s not about clever one-liners or flowery descriptions. It’s about squeezing every drop of sales potential out of every. single. word.

So, how do you do that? As an award-winning copywriting agency, we know how to find that sweet spot that can get customers to hit the Buy button. In this post, we’re sharing six actionable tips that will take your words from ‘meh’ to ‘must-buy’, whispering right into your customers’ ears, ‘Hey... You need this product. Buy it right now.’ Let’s dive in!

Tap Into the Power of Microcopy

Microcopy refers to those small but mighty bits of text that pop up during crucial, high-stress moments in the customer journey. Think about the seconds before someone clicks 'Add to Cart'- that’s when a thousand last-minute jitters can creep in, and it’s your job to shut them down. Strategic microcopy, like “100% Secure Checkout” or “30-Day Money Back Guarantee,” can help diffuse tension and reassure customers at decision points.

But it’s not all about calming nerves - sometimes, you need to dial up the urgency. Using scarcity triggers like ‘Only X Left in Stock’ or ‘Last Chance to Grab This Offer’ can light a fire under hesitant shoppers by tapping into their FOMO.

And don’t forget: personality matters! Inject a little fun into your microcopy with witty touches like ‘Great pick!’ when they add an item to their cart or ‘You’re almost there!’ at checkout. These small moments of personality build rapport and make the shopping experience feel more human. Besides, a little extra charm can go a long way in driving that final click to purchase.

Psychological Copywriting: Subtle Triggers You’re Not Using Yet

Embedding psychological triggers into your ecommerce copy can seriously level-up your conversion rate. It’s all about understanding and taking advantage of cognitive biases. For example, social proof is a powerful way to convince potential buyers that your products are the right fit.

Now, most people use this by showcasing positive reviews, but we’d advise taking it a step further with smart, targeted copy like “X people added this to their cart this week” or “[Product Name] is trending now in [Customer’s City].” This taps into the herd mentality (AKA the human desire to fit in with the crowd) and encourages quicker purchases.

Here’s another effective psychological trigger: loss aversion. It’s like the opposite of social proof - instead of focusing on gains, it highlights what the customer might miss out on if they don’t buy. Try out copy like “Free Shipping Ends Today – Don’t Miss Out!” or “Avoid Paying Full Price Later – Buy Now!” to create urgency and drive action.

Multisensory Copywriting

Even though writing is a visual medium, it has the power to excite the other four senses as well. By using sensory language in your copy, you can trigger positive feelings that customers will associate with your products, increasing the likelihood they’ll click “Buy.”

This technique is especially effective when writing product descriptions, since you can immerse your customers in an experience instead of just listing features. For example, tell them they can “Feel the soft, luxurious texture of the fabric” or “Slip on these featherlight headphones and lose yourself in crisp, crystal-clear sound.” These vivid descriptions paint a sensory-rich picture of the product experience.

But it’s not just about the words. Pairing sensory language with dynamic, interactive visuals can amplify the impact of your ecommerce pages. For example, place “Hear the sizzle” next to a video of food being grilled on your cast iron pan, or write “See the stunning glow” beside a high-resolution image of a diamond necklace.

Sensory language also plays a crucial role in driving action, making it perfect for CTAs and email subject lines. Incorporating phrases like “Feel the comfort” or “Taste the adventure” can boost click-through rates—and ultimately, sales!

Create a “Wow” Moment With Post-Purchase Copy

The power of your copy doesn’t end with the sale. Post-purchase emails boast an impressive 40.5% open rate, showing that they capture customer interest. These emails can boost customer satisfaction, reduce buyer’s remorse, and, most importantly, foster long-term loyalty. A well-crafted post-purchase message can even turn a satisfied customer into a vocal advocate for your brand.

A simple, personalized thank-you note can create a memorable “wow” moment, especially if you pair it with a free resource like a guide, ebook, or other exclusive content. It’s also a great opportunity to upsell in a subtle, friendly way with copy like, “Complete your look with these matching items” or “Others who bought this also loved these.”

If nothing else, post-purchase emails provide the perfect chance to ask for feedback, after your customer has had enough time to enjoy their purchase of course. A follow-up message with copy like, “We’d love to hear how much you’re loving your new product!” frames the request in a positive light and helps build a lasting relationship with the customer.

Write Like a Friend, Not a Brand

No one likes dry, corporate-sounding copy, so it’s definitely not going to get you any sales. Conversational copy makes customers feel like they’re talking to a real person, and makes your brand seem more approachable and down-to-earth. Unsurprisingly, you get a deeper connection with your audience as a result. An easy way to do this is by swapping out stiff phrases like “Thank you for your purchase” with more casual, friendly lines like “You’re awesome for choosing us! Thanks!”

A touch of humor goes a long way too. Instead of “Click here to buy,” try “Grab ‘em while they’re hot!” or “Don’t leave me hanging - add to cart!” A playful approach like this makes the buying process fun and engaging for customers.

Basically any hiccups during the customer journey can be addressed with some conversational, friendly copy. Has the customer been hanging around a product page for ages but still hasn’t made a buy? Shoot out some copy like “We get it, finding the right fit can be tricky. Let us help!” or “Not sure which style suits you? We’ve got your back!” This positions your brand as a helpful ally, not just someone trying to make a sale.

Copy Not Converting? Call in the Pros!

At Content Development Pros, we know just how crucial it is to reel customers in and make sure they finish their buying journey. But at the same time, we recognize how difficult it can be to write copy that converts, especially in today's saturated e-commerce landscape. The good news is, our team of highly skilled ecommerce copywriters are at your disposal. Whether you need a complete rehaul of your web copy, or if you’re starting from scratch, we’re here to help.