You’ve probably heard of the old idiom that goes, “time flies so fast.” It does indeed, and with it comes the constant development of technology. As we advance towards the 21st century, you might have noticed how quickly our behaviors changed as we embrace the benefits of the digital age.
Unfortunately, plenty of businesses were unable to keep up with this pace. This is one of the leading causes of why only 25% of new businesses can last for more than 15 years. We know you don’t want your business to be another casualty, and this article will teach you how to be part of the 25%.
Why Use eCommerce?
Gone are the days when people needed to step outside, drive to the supermarket, and bring everything they bought inside their homes. Sure, you can still do that, but you don’t have to, especially at this time when everything you want and need can be found online.
The convenience of having everything delivered right to your doorstep is an offer you just can’t refuse. That’s why businesses should use their time, effort, and money in investing and developing the eCommerce side of their operations.
One of the most notable benefits of integrating eCommerce into your business is reaching a wider market. Most eCommerce platforms operate nationwide, with some capable of reaching customers anywhere in the world. This allows you to focus more on product development and how you can satisfy the consumers’ expectations.
As people prefer to stay at home, they earn more time to use their gadgets and browse online. This makes it easier for them to access various shopping websites and place their orders. Making a business successful is almost impossible nowadays without technology, especially eCommerce.
eCommerce Business Integration
Now comes the crucial part. If eCommerce is such a vital part of a business’s success, how can you integrate it into your operations? It’s actually not that difficult, especially for small businesses. You just need to follow these simple steps.
Research Your eCommerce Platform Options
The first thing you need to do is to research the different eCommerce platforms you could use for your business. These websites or mobile applications are where your target market can find you. More often than not, these platforms already have a payment option available, and all you have to do is to register your business into their database. If you’re already currently using a business management software program, you might need to research a bit more on how you can transfer your data and information into the platform. For example, SAP eCommerce software needs a third-party company to integrate it onto online marketplaces such as Amazon, Shopify, and Magento, among others.
Include the eCommerce Option in Your Website
Once you have established an eCommerce platform from which you can sell your products, make sure that you include this option in your website. If you don’t have a website, build one. Having a website is an essential part of establishing your business’s presence. Customers need to know that they’re buying from a reliable company, and it would be a huge loss for your business if they can’t find any information about you online. On the other hand, customers still prefer ordering from an eCommerce platform, which means that instead of having to build a website from which they can order, it would be more convenient for you and your customer if you can redirect them to the platform to purchase your products.
Figure out Your Shipping Options
Once they have filled out an order form, you then need to figure out your shipping options. Some eCommerce platforms can only receive and transfer information from the customer to the seller. This means that you would have to arrange how you can deliver the product to the customer and how they will pay you. On the other hand, more advanced eCommerce platforms already have their own shipping options. This means that when a customer sends out an order, a courier will pick the order up from your business location, and they’d be the one to deliver it to the customer. Of course, this means that there will be additional fees for availing of the shipping services.
Starting a business is one of the most difficult and highly demanding ventures we could ever take in this life. However, thanks to the continuous development of technology, we are now capable of conveniently connecting with our customers, making our presence known, and increasing your business sales. While there would definitely still be challenges along the way, eCommerce solves some of the hardest problems we face and makes it easier to sell our products.