While brick-and-mortar retail stores persist, online shopping emerges as the future. The catalyst behind this shift is eCommerce enablement.
Consider eCommerce enablement as the use of software and tools to manage an online store. It has features like an online shopping cart for tracking customer products and integrations facilitating online payments.
In 2024, many tools of this nature are accessible to eCommerce business owners.
This guide reveals the latest tools and tips for business owners to provide great eCommerce experiences. You'll learn how to use these tools well and check out different software options for displaying your products online.
ECommerce enablement involves employing tools and strategies to create and maintain online stores and sales channels. It facilitates effective online product or service sales. That includes platforms enabling shopping, ordering, and online checkout. It also has payment gateways for processing payments and integrations for inventory and shipping management.
You can set up your store and add products using eCommerce platforms like Shopify, Bigcommerce, or WooCommerce. Then, integrate payment options such as Authorize.net and Stripe into your website for secure transactions.
If you've connected your inventory system, ordered items will be taken off your stock automatically. You can also add order tracking. This way, once you ship out an order, your system will follow it to your customer.
Using eCommerce enablement for your business involves creating the right plan. Follow these five tips to maximize the eCommerce tools available today:
Crafting a great website is crucial for your eCommerce journey. So it shouldn't be rushed. It's not just about looks—it's about combining design, mobile-friendliness, speed, and ease of use.
Use these web design tips to build your eCommerce store and guarantee an outstanding online shopping experience:
A secure customer payment portal is crucial to having a safe payment system for your online store. E-commerce fraud is a significant concern nowadays, so customers must feel confident when entering their payment details at checkout on your website.
Set up a secure sockets layer (SSL) to encrypt all data transmitted on your website, including customers’ credit card numbers. A lock symbol will appear in the address bar, assuring visitors that their payment information is safe to enter.
Choosing a trusted payment gateway is crucial for secure online transactions. Opt for gateways with strong security features, such as Stripe, Braintree, and Authorize.net.
These days, customers have diverse preferences for receiving their online orders. For instance, someone purchasing medication may need quick doorstep delivery. Or, someone buying a surprise gift might opt for online ordering with in-store pickup.
That's why providing different shipping options can help convert more website visitors into customers.
The initial step is to identify suitable shipping partnerships and technologies. Request quotes from different shippers, assess their shipping speeds, and use this data to select partners. Make sure that they align with your shipping requirements.
Curbside pickup (gaining popularity lately), is another excellent option to provide for local customers.
Social media presents ample opportunities to connect with your audience online, where they frequently spend time. Its interactive nature allows you to share relevant content and provide customer service directly through these platforms.
Here are some tips for maximizing social media as part of eCommerce enablement:
Data collection is a significant benefit of integrating technology into the selling process. It allows you to track business metrics before, during, and after the shopping experience.
For instance, tracking the most-viewed products by your visitors shows where you should concentrate your marketing efforts. Additionally, utilizing customers' order history enables you to showcase related products on each product page. That prompts visitors to purchase more items and boosts the average order value.
Data is also valuable for streamlining internal operations. For example, monitoring sales through order management allows you to enhance inventory levels of specific products by prioritizing those in demand.
Today, you have many options for establishing an eCommerce store. Below are the top five eCommerce management systems worth considering in 2024.
Shopify is an online platform that simplifies the process of setting up a website for eCommerce businesses. It manages many technical aspects of your eCommerce store, requiring minimal effort from you.
Shopify features a straightforward administrative area where businesses can effortlessly add products, set prices, and install and customize online store themes. Additionally, it includes a secure default payment gateway. There is also the option to integrate alternative ones if desired.
Currently, Shopify offers a three-day free trial, which transitions to a $1 per month fee for the initial three months. Following the trial period, starter plans are priced at $29 per month, with the option to save by opting for an annual payment instead of a monthly one.
As the largest online retailer globally, Amazon stands out as one of the premier eCommerce enablement platforms for store owners.
Becoming an Amazon seller grants you access to Amazon's vast network of over 197 million active monthly users. This is particularly beneficial for store owners who sell their products or for dropshippers who ship directly from manufacturers.
Selling isn't the sole advantage provided to Amazon sellers. The Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service is also available. It enables eCommerce sellers to store their products in Amazon warehouses, thereby assisting with logistics.
Amazon caters to businesses of various sizes, ranging from new startups to large enterprises. Pricing for a seller's account begins at a reasonable $0.99 per item for the Individual plan or $39.99 per month for the Professional plan.
NetSuite serves as a cloud ERP backend platform for eCommerce businesses seeking a centralized hub to oversee their operations. It aims to streamline data management, automate processes, integrate software, and handle accounting tasks, all in one place.
NetSuite's cloud-based system enables eCommerce teams to collaborate in real-time from anywhere. Additionally, it simplifies business management by consolidating accounting, supply chain, and other software functions, reducing the need for many applications.
The price depends on the package you select. They provide software for tasks such as accounting and customer relationship management (CRM). Or, you can choose their comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) package, which includes financial, supply chain, and order management, among others.
Adobe Commerce, formerly known as Magento, is an eCommerce platform that aids businesses in creating an online presence. It caters to both B2B and B2C operations and offers many customization options to fulfill your requirements.
This platform provides advanced features such as customer segmentation, SEO tools, extra languages, themes, and more. Unlike other cloud-based eCommerce platforms, Adobe Commerce can be installed on a local server. That gives you full control over your website.
The pricing for Adobe Commerce isn't publicly available, so you'll need to reach out to Adobe for more information.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud is an eCommerce platform renowned for its scalability and seamless integration with other software. That makes it a great option for streamlining your business operations.
It employs an AI-driven personalization engine named Einstein. The engine allows you to craft personalized shopping experiences tailored to customer needs. This gives Salesforce an edge by delivering more customized customer experiences.
Salesforce doesn't provide monthly pricing. Instead, they charge $4-8 per customer order (based on the plan tier), or a percentage of your merchandise value (starting at 1%).
Due to its advanced features compared to other options, Salesforce Commerce Cloud may be better suited for medium to large eCommerce operations.
In the evolving world of eCommerce, staying competitive means adopting the right tools. It involves building a tech stack that streamlines operations and maximizes efficiency. That is crucial for keeping pace with new startups emerging annually.
Two crucial aspects are data analysis and automation.
Data analysis provides valuable insights, aiding in trend identification and informing strategic decisions. This optimization enhances customer experiences and keeps you ahead of market shifts. Automation eliminates redundant or manual tasks, freeing up time for more impactful work.
For instance, eLogii offers sophisticated route optimization software that streamlines delivery operations. Its intuitive platform automatically generates the most efficient routes, saving time and fuel costs.
With real-time tracking and dynamic routing adjustments, eLogii ensures timely and accurate deliveries, enhancing customer satisfaction.