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5 Best Strategies for eCommerce Retailers to Make the Most of the Amazon Great Indian Festival 2024

5 Best Strategies for eCommerce Retailers to Make the Most of the Amazon Great Indian Festival 2024

Amazon was initially founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos as an online book retailer to capitalize on the burgeoning emergence of a brand new concept to the general public -the internet. Fast forward to 2024 and Amazon has transformed from a relatively unknown startup that was pioneered during the internet boom to one of the most successful and renowned online selling platforms in the world. In a similarly enterprising move to its initial founding, the company started operations in India in 2013 and has been largely responsible for the explosive growth of the eCommerce sector in the country and has introduced revolutionary new technologies that have since been adopted by the competition in an attempt to keep up. While Amazon sells millions of goods every year, it experiences a significant amount of success during its Amazon Great Indian Festival. In this blog, we will delve deeper into what the Amazon Great Indian Festival is, important statistics that showcase its success, 5 tips to make the most of it and important details about the upcoming Amazon Great Indian Sale in 2024. What is Amazon Great Indian Festival? The Amazon Great Indian Festival, also referred to as the Amazon Great Indian Sale, is an eCommerce sale that is run every year by Amazon.in. Being one of the largest flagship Amazon sales, it is usually conducted anytime between September and October and consists of lucrative Amazon deals on a whole spread of product categories ranging from electronics and furniture to sporting goods and household items. The company generates a large portion of its annual sales and revenue from this event and more than 78% of retailers suggest that they will gain more visibility because of the sale than in their conventional operations. The company expects to generate a gross merchandise value (GMV) of upwards of $9 billion, a more than 23% jump from the previous year. Additionally, the Amazon Great Indian Sale has historically been used to launch new products, owing to the immense popularity that it receives from customers. [contactus_lilgoodness] Impactful Statistics of the Amazon Great Indian Festival The Amazon Great Indian Festival has given multiple opportunities to Amazon as well as the large number of retailers that use Amazon sales to boost their brand visibility and generate as many sales as possible. The eCommerce business is a numbers game so the sheer success of the Amazon Great Indian Sale can be reflected by the performance and statistics of previous iterations of the event. We have taken the liberty of listing some of them below: During the Amazon Great Indian Festival in 2021, more than 30,000 retailers generated more than $100,000 in salesThe Amazon Great Indian Festival was able to serve 99.7% of pin codes across the countryAmazon’s net income increased to $14.3 billion, almost double in relation to Q4 of 2020As a direct result of the Amazon Great Indian Sale, the company was able to attain a 9% growth rate to total revenue of $137.4 billion during Q4 in 2021The Amazon Great Indian Festival saw the highest recorded sales numbers in 2021 since the inception of the event79% of new customers during the Amazon Great Indian Festival came from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns and citiesIn addition to global brands and large nationwide companies, an estimated 75,000 local retailers from 450 cities participated in the Amazon Great Indian SaleLast year’s Amazon Great Indian Festival featured more than 1000 product launches from reputed brands such as Samsung, OnePlus, Boat, Lenovo and moreThe Amazon Great Indian Festival in 2024 managed to create more than 110,000 provisional jobsThe company expanded its storage capacity by more than 40% during last year’s Amazon Great Indian Festival 5 Tips to Have a Successful Amazon Great Indian Festival in 2024 as an eCommerce Retailer Enhance the Attractiveness of Your Products In a similar vein to how products are displayed in the most strategic and attractive way by brick and mortar stores, eCommerce retailers that take part in Amazon sales such as the Amazon Great Indian Festival, need to make their product listings stand out from the rest by making them as visually appealing as possible. This includes the use of high-resolution photos and videos of the product in multiple use case scenarios, well-written product descriptions, and any other element that will add to the appeal of their products. Amazon offers various services such as professional photoshoots and workshops on product listing guidelines to follow so retailers can opt to take part in them to get better results. Improve the Visibility of Your Commodities Amazon is filled to the brim with products in multiple categories so the impetus is on retailers to make sure that their products are as visible as possible to their target audience, especially during Amazon sales where competition is fierce, such as the Amazon Great Indian Festival. Improving product visibility is mostly done through strategically placed keywords and ensuring that all the keywords that pertain to a retailer’s products are covered in the listing so it will rank higher on search engines such as Google and within Amazon itself. Again, Amazon offers courses on SEO listings so be sure to take part. Offer Deals and Discounts The entire reason for running the Amazon Great Indian Festival is to offer goods to customers at reduced prices or better deals than conventional, off-season pricing plans. Retailers need to do their part by running various discounts on offers on various products, either to increase the sales of their latest offerings to get rid of outdated or slow-moving stock. Amazon provides personal account managers on request and for an additional fee to help determine what the optimum pricing would be depending on the nature of the business, competition in the sector and type of products so retailers can take advantage of that. Streamline Your eCommerce Operations Retailers need to be aware of the fact that they are sure to get a much larger number of orders than they are used to so they need to make sure that their operations can handle the extra traffic. Tasks such as inventory management, stock replenishment, storage, picking and packing services, transportation and more will all be under more stress in addition to suppliers having to produce more goods in a shorter period of time in order to meet demand. If all these processes are not equipped to handle the extra influx of orders, it might result in delays and poor customer satisfaction, leading the company to be penalised by Amazon. Get Assistance Directly From Amazon Since Amazon has extremely strict guidelines, low tolerances for mistakes and seeks to standardise the customer experience as much as possible, they make many customer support services available to retailers to assist with many different types of queries, especially during periods of high demand and sales such as the Amazon Great Indian Festival. From online workshops, direct communication, in-person training and more, the company ensures that no sellers are left lacking in the information they need to be successful during Amazon sales. You May Also Like: Amazon Festive Sale vs Flipkart Indian Festival Sale Important Details of the Amazon Great Indian Festival in 2024 Dates The last sale commenced on 6th of October, 2022 and ended on the 10 of October, 2022. Users will have an opportunity to purchase finished goods at significantly discounted prices for the 5-day period. Offers and Discounts Amazon offers discounts of up to 90% on certain categories with free gifts also available during the purchase of eligible items. Additionally, the various categories are subject to the following discount rates: Mobiles and Accessories: Up to 40% off Home and Kitchen Products: Up to 70% off Electronics: Up to 75% off Fashion Items: Up to 80% off Televisions and Household Appliances: Up to 50% off Everyday Essentials: Up to 60% off Benefits for Amazon Prime Members Amazon Prime members will get an additional 24 hours to explore and shop compared to regular users. They are also eligible for additional discounts and offers in certain categories in addition to the usual benefits such as same-day shipping. Benefits for Various Banks and Payment Options SBI Credit Cards: 10% Discounts up to ₹2,000 Amazon Pay / ICICI Credit Cards: 3% cashback and a reward worth ₹1,800  Bajaj Finserv Credit Cards / Debit Cards: No-cost EMIs on up to ₹2 lakhs Conclusion: Fulfill Your Amazon Orders With WareIQ The Amazon Great Indian Sale is one of the biggest eCommerce sales in the country and is a chance for the company and retailers alike to make the most of the increased demand and sell as many products as possible in addition to being able to launch new products, get exposure to a larger audience, enhance their brand image and much more. Amazon also offers plenty of helpful tools to enable sellers to reach their goals as their success and reputation are also in the best interests of Amazon. An Amazon sale such as the Great Indian Festival can also be the nudge that many retailers need in order to achieve long-term, sustainable growth and success. If you are a retailer that sells on Amazon and requires assistance to fulfill their orders during the festival and otherwise, you can consider partnering with WareIQ. WareIQ is an up-and-coming, homegrown eCommerce fulfillment company that provides a wide swathe of services that encompasses every aspect of eCommerce. Some of the facilities we offer that would be beneficial to you if you plan to expand your services for the Amazon Great Indian Sale and operate on multiple eCommerce marketplaces are: A nationwide network of warehouses and fulfillment centersA custom WMS that can integrate with multiple online selling platforms including Amazon and can consolidate order data, manage inventory across multiple fulfillment centers and more.An ultra-fast shipping service that provides same-day and next-day shippingA choice of more than 20 of the biggest shipping aggregators in the country that automatically assigns the fastest and cheapest option for every orderA custom app store with multiple applications to enhance productivity in different areas of your eCommerce business Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale: FAQs How much can consumers save by shopping during the Amazon Great Indian Festival?Products in almost every category are subject to a wide range of discounts of up to 90% in some cases, though it depends on the product, company and category. How can retailers benefit from the Amazon Great Indian Sale?Retailers can gain more product visibility from wider audiences, generate more sales and revenue and boost their growth by capitalizing on the Amazon Great Indian Sale. Why is it necessary to prepare for sales in advance?Sales often bring higher demand and more orders which can put additional strain on a company’s supply chain and fulfillment procedures. To successfully combat this, retailers need to start making preparations in advance and be ready by the time the sale starts. Does Amazon offer assistance to retailers?Yes, Amazon not only offers customer support but also training on various topics in the form of online workshops, webinars and in-person demonstrations. Can you use WareIQ to fulfill orders on other platforms?Yes, retailers that sell on multiple platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, eBay, Meesho and many others can use WareIQ to fulfill orders and gain access to all the services we provide.

August 15, 2022

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15 Important Strategies for Checkout Page Optimization to Reduce Cart Abandonment & Improve Conversions in eCommerce in 2024

15 Important Strategies for Checkout Page Optimization to Reduce Cart Abandonment & Improve Conversions in eCommerce in 2024

There are many eCommerce retailers that receive a good amount of website traffic every month but cannot find a way to convert that traffic into sales. Checkout page optimization is frequently the first action they can take because it can boost sales right away by reducing cart abandonment. The checkout page is one of the most crucial component of an eCommerce website. It is the page that generates conversions for you and where potential customers become actual customers. Your website may have a user-friendly interface and a beautiful layout. Even if you have a big selection of goods, this will only serve to draw more people to your website. Yes, everything is significant but none of it counts if a significant portion of website traffic leaves the checkout page without buying anything. It means that shoppers are adding items to their carts but then choosing not to make a purchase once they get to the checkout step. Read further to know ways for checkout page optimization. What is Checkout Page Optimization? The method a retailer employs to raise the conversion rate of their online store by making certain modifications in the checkout page or payment page is known as checkout page optimization. Optimising your checkout page is intended to reduce distractions and strengthen trust, leading each customer to a purchase confirmation email and away from situations of an abandoned cart. [contactus_gynoveda] Importance of eCommerce Checkout Page Optimization The primary importance of optimising your checkout page is to prevent cart abandonment. Owners of internet stores worry about these two words at night. If you're not familiar with the phrase, it refers to when a website user leaves with things in their shopping basket and chooses not to purchase them. According to research, the average cart abandonment rate is around 70%, costing eCommerce companies $18 billion in annual revenue. You must optimize your payment page if you want to decrease these abandonment concerns. 15 Strategies to Optimize Checkout Page in eCommerce to Reduce Cart Abandonment and Improve Buyer Conversions in 2024 Making purchasing from your eCommerce store as simple and quick as possible is the essence of checkout page optimization. This entails getting rid of any roadblocks, including superfluous processes, doubts about the sequence, eye-catching design features, and more. Here is a list of the best checkout page strategies: Reduce the Checkout Duration Your clients are more likely to get sidetracked, interrupted or lose interest in finishing a purchase if the checkout process is difficult. Because of this, it is crucial to keep your checkout procedure as quick as possible while still capturing the data you require. Cut back on the steps. Only the customer's contact information, delivery preferences,and payment details are required. Everything else is superfluous and needs to be removed. About 15 form fields make up the typical checkout which is twice as much as is required to collect the client information necessary to process and dispatch an order. Utilizing a "Full name" field in place of "First name" and "Last name" fields, compressing "Address Line 2" and "Company name" fields behind a link, enabling users to use their shipping address as the billing address and other techniques can reduce the number of form fields. Prompt Customers to Signup With Your Website In the same line, giving new customers the option to "Checkout as Guest" helps speed up the checkout process. However, you can also encourage customers to register so you can send them emails, customize product recommendations and simplify future transactions. But don't let that take your attention away from the current purchase. For instance, Sweet Defeat, a business that sells organic lozenges to reduce sugar cravings, encourages customers to register for an account while also giving them the choice to checkout as guests. Additionally, you can enable a customer to register an account after they have made their first purchase and then auto-fill it with all the data you have already collected. Publish Product Ratings and Reviews Customers are less likely to purchase from independent online businesses if they typically only shop on large eCommerce websites. Enabling and promoting user feedback and showing star ratings for products at the checkout are two ways to tackle this. Online reviews, according to 55% of consumers, affect their purchasing decisions. Customers who may be on the fence about placing an order may get the extra push they need if you display positive reviews to optimise your checkout page. Make the Checkout Procedure More Visible Most people learn best visually. Give customers a progress indicator to follow during the checkout process so they can know what they need to do. They'll be less likely to quit if they can see the goal in sight. Keep in mind that you should only request information throughout the checkout process that is strictly necessary for processing the order. The remainder can wait. Provide Ultra-Fast Shipping A cart was abandoned by 45% of clients due to unsatisfactory delivery alternatives. Meeting client expectations and guiding them through by optimising your checkout page can be accomplished by providing both inexpensive and quick shipping alternatives. You can offer 2-day shipping to your consumers without going broke by working with a 3PL provider like WareIQ. By distributing your product around the country to be nearer to your clients, a 3PL can help you reduce transportation costs and times. Additionally, you can ensure that your shipping choices remain lucrative by limiting the availability of free 2-day delivery to purchases that exceed a specific amount. By providing free 2-day shipping and employing checkout page strategies, WareIQ customers noticed a 97% increase in average order volume. Include Taxes and Shipping in the Mentioned Price Of course, free shipping isn't always an option. There is also the sales tax. Customers who were shocked by an order amount they were unable to predict in advance account for 23% of shopping cart abandonments. Due to variables including cart amount, shipment location, and others, shipping rates could vary depending on the customer. Inform customers of your delivery alternatives and whether you offer free shipping over a particular cart size or expedited shipping for an additional fee. Customers can avoid being taken by surprise if it is made clear that shipping and taxes are included in the price.  Mention Your Return Policy A consumer Report found that 49% of internet buyers research the return policy before making a purchase. People are fully aware that ordering anything online may result in them receiving goods that fall short of their expectations. Because of this, it is crucial to develop an excellent return policy for checkout page optimisation and make sure that it is visible to your customers. During the checkout process, reminding the buyer of your return policy helps relieve last-minute concerns and reduces any perceived risk of purchase. Provide a Variety of Funding Options If there is the opportunity to pay in numerous installments, a product that initially seems out of reach frequently becomes cheap. Customers should have the option to divide their purchases into four interest-free, automated installments. To achieve checkout page optimization through funding options, you can pay upfront while the client immediately receives the product. Offering finance options for online purchases is still a relatively new trend for small eCommerce businesses but as it continues to make higher-end products more accessible, it is likely to become ubiquitous. Offer a Variety of Payment Methods Speaking of payments, various payment methods are preferred by various people. Of course, you should allow clients to pay with a credit card or debit card, but it would also be a good idea to include additional payment methods like Venmo, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and even cryptocurrency. By enabling customers to forgo entering their credit card information, trusted one-click payment solutions like PayPal or Apple Pay can also assist in boosting perceived security and optimise your checkout page. Optimize Your Checkout Page Security In addition to the aforementioned secure payment options, using "trust signals" can help demonstrate the security of your website and checkout process. Over 75% of customers stated they didn't buy because they didn't identify the trust logos utilized, while 61% said they didn't buy because trust logos were missing. These include easily identifiable security seals from McAfee, GeoTrust, or Norton, all of which work to protect user data. By using an SSL certificate, you can also increase client confidence. This certification indicates that a website is secure and encrypted, ensuring that payment information and customer data will be protected and it causes your browser to display that small green padlock in the address bar when you visit specific sites. Give Customers a Tracking Number and ETA eCommerce sites make us all impatient, especially now that Amazon is setting the bar for quick, trackable deliveries. Customers want to know when they can anticipate receiving their orders. Thus, to optimise your checkout page, give them an anticipated delivery date. After paying, provide them with a tracking number so they can follow their order. For customers who choose to use real-time tracking, you can even provide text notifications. Allow Clients to Reserve Their Carts for Later Customers who aren't quite ready to make a purchase can save the products in their cart for a later time by using the “save for later" button that many online retailers have introduced. Making the procedure as simple as possible for customers when they are ready to buy ensures that they will go through with the purchase, despite the fact that it may seem paradoxical to urge customers to delay checking out. Use Automated Pre-Filled Fields To maximize efficiencies and utilize checkout page optimization, include the “use billing address” option for the shipping field to reduce extra input. Use data validation and autocomplete to speed up the checkout process and reduce input errors. Provide All the Important Details Checkout page optimization entails providing all the necessary information that a customer requires in relation to their product, order, ETA, payment options, receipts, etc. This ensures that they are aware of all the details and will not be apprehensive about purchasing from your business again. Conclusion You're presumably reading this because you're worried about your conversion rate. The good news is that this article should assist you in resolving that. We constantly suggest paying greater attention to your consumers' issues and making adjustments to improve things for them by using checkout page strategies to achieve checkout page optimisation. Prospective clients dislike drawn-out checkout procedures, so only request the information that is absolutely necessary. If you need assistance with fulfilling eCommerce orders, you can opt to partner with WareIQ. WareIQ is a fast-growing eCommerce fulfillment company that handles a wide range of eCommerce services from inventory storage to order fulfillment. We provide facilities such as a custom WMS that can integrate with multiple eCommerce platforms, a nationwide network of fulfillment centers, a choice of more than 20 shipping companies, and much more. Checkout Page Optimization: FAQS What happens throughout the checkout procedure?The series of actions a consumer takes to pay for the items in their shopping cart is known as the checkout process. This comprises each step a consumer takes to complete the checkout process. A fluid, seamless checkout process will provide the best user experience. What are the key elements of a well-designed checkout page?A well-designed checkout page should be simple, with minimal distractions and essential form fields only. It should use clear and concise language, highlight the most important information, be optimized for mobile devices, provide clear feedback, optimize the form and use trust signals. How can I ensure that my checkout page loads quickly for users?To ensure that your checkout page loads quickly for users, you can optimize images and videos, minify code, use a content delivery network, and reduce the number of HTTP requests. What is checkout page optimization needed?Checkout page optimization results in a higher conversion rate and provides a simple, quick, and convenient checkout process. What is checkout or payment page optimization?By consolidating all the checkout fields onto a single page, checkout optimization streamlines the checkout process so that customers have the best possible experience while checking out and making the final payment. How can I optimize my checkout page for mobile devices?To optimize your checkout page for mobile devices, you can make sure that the page is responsive, easy to navigate on a small screen, and that the form fields are large enough to be easily filled out with a finger.

August 13, 2022
10 Best Tips to Write Better Product Descriptions and Increase Online Conversions in 2024

10 Best Tips to Write Better Product Descriptions and Increase Online Conversions in 2024

A deal, advertisement, or marketing can only be successful when your customers understand the message. You need to write product descriptions in a simple and attractive way so that when a customer comes to your product page, the message will resonate with them and they will consider buying it. Thus, you need eCommerce product descriptions that will communicate with visitors and answer frequently asked questions related to your product.  Providing good product descriptions should be just as important as the quality of your website or the quality of your product's images. Not only does it enhance the online consumer experience, but it also adds credibility to your business, raises the ranking of your online store, and increases the number of people that convert to your website. Let us look at the best strategies to attract customers to your online business with persuasive product descriptions. What are Product Descriptions? A product description is a marketing paragraph that describes a product's features and benefits and emphasizes its unique selling proposition (USP). A product description's main goal is to persuade people to buy the product by giving them all the important details about its qualities and advantages of it. However, creating product descriptions that merely explain your products as a supplement to product pictures is a common mistake that occurs frequently. This mistake can be made by business owners, marketers, and even expert copywriters. A solid product description not only sells your products to actual customers but also provides additional optimization for search engines. [contactus_gynoveda] Benefits of Product Descriptions for Online Buyers Are you aware that your SEO could be impacted by your product reviews? Your product reviews may wind up showing up in Google searches, particularly in Google Shopping, if you use review services. They can significantly boost website visitors. Effective product descriptions can increase conversions, establish your brand image, increase credibility and enhance the SEO capabilities of your website. To understand this point, imagine how absurd it would look if a product listing has no product description examples. A buyer will have doubts about the authenticity of the product as well as the availability. Product details help buyers in the following ways: They will be redirected to the exact product they are searching forThey will get to know the available size, colours, fittings, etc.It lists down all the features in an easy-to-view wayThey can understand the use cases for the product and tips for better decision makingThey can use this information to compare it with other productsIt works as a user guideIt enhances the available insight about the product Sample Product Description Suggested Article: How to Effectively Start an Online Business? 10 Tips to Write Better eCommerce Product Descriptions to Sell More and Sell Faster in 2024 Highlight the Features and Benefits We become passionate about certain product features and specs when we market our own products. We are completely devoted to our business, website and offerings. The issue is that our prospective customers are not as interested in unimportant features and specifications. They want to know how it will satisfy their demands and what benefits they can expect. You must therefore emphasize the advantages of each feature. Sell an experience rather than a product. Understand Your Ideal Buyers When you write eCommerce product descriptions with a large number of potential customers in mind, your descriptions end up being vague and addressing no one in particular. The finest product descriptions speak immediately and personally to your target market. You converse with them by posing questions and providing answers in this way. Address them directly with words like “you”. Start by picturing your ideal customer while creating your own product descriptions. What sort of trend do they find enjoyable? What phrases do they use? What phrases irritate them? Do they accept phrases like "sucky" and "crappy"? What inquiries do they make that you ought to respond to? Think about how you would communicate with your ideal customer if you were selling your goods in person in a store. Try incorporating that language into your eCommerce site so you can have a more meaningful dialogue of that nature there. Use Common and Relatable Words In general, lengthy product descriptions are not required. The product description examples that you can use depend on the type of product you are describing and the list of features that it has. However, you should generally try to keep product descriptions concise and simple to read. This is where bullet points can be quite helpful. The facts about the material, available colours and size options are some of the significant features that can be noted in bullet points. Keep in mind that users may occasionally only read the bullet points and ignore the rest of the description. It is crucial to draw attention to the most significant qualities and advantages in your product descriptions. Appeal to the Imagination of Buyers According to scientific studies, holding a product in your hands makes you want to buy it more. Since you're selling online, your customers can't physically see or hold your goods. Additionally, there is a copywriting technique to increase desire - have your reader visualize what it would be like to own your goods. This can be done by using large, clear photographs or exciting language. Start your paragraph with the word “imagine” to use this copywriting strategy and then describe how you imagine the reader would feel after purchasing and using your product. Use Small Storytelling Techniques Think about if there is any relatable backstory of your product that holds any special meaning for you before writing your product descriptions. There's a good chance that your audience will find it to be especially unique, lovable, and memorable. Use that tale in your eCommerce product descriptions to give it more personality, draw customers in and win them over. Use Superlatives of Powerful Words You can convincingly demonstrate why your product is the best, simplest or most sophisticated by using superlatives and powerful words. As Amazon explains, “the Kindle Paperwhite is the most sophisticated, patented e-reader in the world”. The reader gets the impression that this is something remarkable because of the phrase "patented." Going along with product description examples like this, Amazon claims that “Paperwhite boasts higher contrast and spectacular resolution” and Amazon goes on to provide various percentages to support this claim, as well as one crucial benefit: “Paperwhite provides glare-free, clear, crisp text and images even in direct sunshine.” Add Facts and Figures Never boast about your product or give wrong information. It may skyrocket your product sales for a while but it will never work in the long term and can ruin your brand reputation and generate negative feedback from unhappy customers. Always try to give facts and figures to support what is mentioned in the product description examples. Numbers in bullet points always appear immediately on the first look and make a mark on the viewer. Utilize a Specific Format When the product description has a clean, scannable design, your product descriptions will be easier to read and be more appealing to potential customers. When creating your product description, consider the following areas: Use headlines to draw website visitors inUtilize scannable bullet pointsProvide lots of white spaceEnlarge your font to improve readability. Use SEO to Make it More Visible Online It is crucial to keep your keywords in mind, even though this will probably happen naturally if you create a decent product description. Using the appropriate keywords will assist your sites to move up in the search results from the perspective of search engine optimization (SEO). In addition to enhancing trustworthiness, gathering and showing customer feedback has SEO advantages for your product pages. Consider that easily searchable keywords from an SEO standpoint will have a huge positive impact on your page. The main advantages are: Includes pertinent keyword phrases on your product pagesProvides regular "new content" updates to your product pages Use Good Quality Images & Videos The greatest approach to describe your goods isn't usually through text. Consider how you can simplify your writing if it starts to grow overly wordy. Customers are more likely to retain information when it comes to visual representations. If at all feasible, showcase your product in a visual way that demonstrates how it works. Even though they typically lack words, images do provide answers to customer questions. Include as many details about the many applications and perspectives of your product as you can in the pictures. Keeping this in mind, take care that the quality of the image of the video is good otherwise it will reflect poorly on your business. Conclusion The above advice will help you create eCommerce product descriptions that encourage customers to buy from your eCommerce company. Connecting with customers through language and imagery when they are unable to physically connect with your products can make the difference between them just browsing online and actually completing a purchase. If you need assistance with fulfilling orders that are the result of enhancing your product descriptions, consider partnering with WareIQ. WareIQ integrates with multiple selling applications through our custom WMS Software such as Amazon, Flipkart, eBay and more, and also has facilities such as a nationwide network of fulfillment centers, a custom app store, partnerships with more than 20 shipping carriers, and more. Your customers can keep up to date with their orders through our branded tracking pages and you can check on your inventory through real-time updates. [signup] Product Descriptions: FAQs How do you write a marketing description?Create an overview of what your company does first. Then, describe your justification for selecting this market, including any favourable market trends, fewer taxes or a lack of competition. Why are product descriptions important?Customer decision-making is aided by product descriptions as it would be foolish to simply display products and their prices without providing the customer with any information about them. They also help your website look professional. What are product descriptions?A product description is a marketing phrase that is used to describe and clarify the advantages of your product. In other words, it displays all of your product's information and specifications on your eCommerce site. This product information may consist of a single sentence, a brief paragraph or bullet points. They may be sombre, humorous, or eccentric.

August 13, 2022
Pre Orders for eCommerce Stores: Meaning, Best Practices, Strategies & How Does Pre Ordering Supercharge Growth in Sales and Affect Bottom Line of the Business in 2024

Pre Orders for eCommerce Stores: Meaning, Best Practices, Strategies & How Does Pre Ordering Supercharge Growth in Sales and Affect Bottom Line of the Business in 2024

Pre-orders for eCommerce stores are the best option when demand is higher than supply. Pre-ordering offers a completely new way to sell your goods, assess interest in them and decide whether to manufacture or refill them. Of course, a pre-ordering approach must be executed with finesse. The last thing you want to do is scare away customers from your website by having an excessive number of out-of-stock items. Before implementing pre-orders for eCommerce stores, there are many things to think about, such as when to add a pre order button to your store, how to set up your inventory management system for pre orders, and which manufacturers to partner with.  What Do Pre-Orders Mean for eCommerce Stores? Pre-orders for eCommerce stores are anything you provide on your website or in your store that isn't now for sale but will be at a later time. Pre ordering provides your consumers the chance to buy an item in advance, relieving them of the anxiety that it will sell out. When placing a pre-order, clients typically have 3 choices - they can pay a small deposit to hold the item and the remaining balance when it is released or they can pay in full upfront. Sometimes, the down payment is entirely omitted. The item is simply added to your basket and checked out as normal when you place a pre order but no payment is taken until the product is shipped. Regardless of how you go about it, using pre orders for eCommerce stores enables their clients to skip the rush on launch day to receive a new product and gives them a variety of payment alternatives. It benefits both parties. There are a lot of pre order apps in Shopify too that enable pre ordering for ecommerce. Source [contactus_gynoveda] Why is Pre Ordering Important for eCommerce Stores in 2024? Pre ordering for new products is made available by eCommerce shops on their website for a number of different reasons. The importance of pre orders for eCommerce stores is listed below: Assesses Demand  Depending on your manufacturing process, gathering pre orders might help you predict the demand for your goods and tell you how much you should manufacture or order. An online firm can predict the quantity of pre order product sales and prevent the problem of any unsold stock by estimating demand ahead of time and also keeping track of estimated inventory required. Reduces Financial Risk You should have the money to produce or buy products before the release date if you collect payments when clients submit their pre orders. This can be especially helpful to newer merchants that are searching for a different way to pay for products that may or may not sell than borrowing money from a credit institution. Creates Anticipation Pre orders for eCommerce stores can generate buzz around your business and your goods, particularly if you apply the scarcity principle and only accept a limited number of them for a brief period of time. Customers who purchase limited pre orders may feel exceptional and like trendsetters, which is likely to create buzz on social media and in person through word-of-mouth advertising. By leveraging influencer marketing, email marketing or even content marketing to increase sales, you can further the excitement. This can significantly increase awareness before your product's official debut. Retains Customers Pre-orders can help you keep the sale even when your inventory reaches zero if you have a fast-selling product that is always on demand and runs out of stock faster. You may also promise unique pricing for customers who take advantage of pre-order discounts to spice up your offer. Pre-orders ensure that your consumer will receive an item as soon as it becomes available and won't need to return to your website to place an order, which further helps to cut wait times for in-demand products. Reduces Cash Burn and Increases Cash Flow Typically, the production process lasts between 30 and 60 days. You are probably coordinating with several vendors at this stage, obtaining samples (if the product is new), and getting ready to send orders. You can decide to accept pre-orders for your products in order to continue getting paid while you're spending time and money manufacturing them. Best Practices to Use Pre-Orders for eCommerce Stores Pre orders ensure a specific volume of business for your online store. Pre ordering also enables you to reduce the risks associated with stocking up on items that won't sell and save money on warehouse expenses. The plan, however, calls for appropriate agility and efficient interactions with your suppliers. The best practices of using pre orders for eCommerce stores are listed below: Provide Convenient Pick-Up and Delivery Options The simplest way to gather pre orders for eCommerce stores if you regularly create your goods (such as pastries or floral arrangements) and have an offline store is by offering the self-pickup option. This can include contactless pickup, self-pickup from the store, or any other comparable service that is offered at your store. In a web store, you can schedule the pickup time for when the item will be ready. You can also include a schedule for your store. The consumer will thus be informed when their product will be ready for pickup at the earliest opportunity. Offer a Range of Payment Options You can accept payments using both online and physical channels. The first choice enables clients to pay immediately after selecting the "pre-order now" option. The second choice will let your clients pay for the item at a later time (for example, by credit card in the store or to the courier). Utilize Social Media Marketing Include social media in your marketing effort if you want to boost pre-conversion ordering rates. By informing your clients that the new things will only be available through pre orders on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, you can build suspense. It will draw a lot of people to your online store. Source Interact With Your Clients Customers should always be made aware that they are pre ordering a product and that it will not be accessible right away. To enlighten your clients and set realistic expectations, you can do the following: Establish pre ordering policies for your online storeGive precise directions on how to place a pre orderUse distinct labels and accurate product descriptions for items that can be pre orderedGive a timeframe for the anticipated delivery or estimated shipping date. You can also launch a separate email marketing campaign to inform your loyal consumers about the new products that are now available for pre ordering. It won't just help you attract notice; it will also provide your loyal consumers and subscribers with a sense of consideration. 5 Ways to Create an Effective Strategy for Pre Orders for eCommerce Stores in 2024 Create a Pre-Ordering Plan The most crucial element of a pre ordering strategy prior to a product launch is planning. Before the launch date, a solid plan needs to be developed. It should be concentrated on raising client awareness to obtain pre orders for eCommerce stores. According to studies, almost 30% of pre-orders are made on the first day before the product is actually released. Additionally, the activity completely stops in the next 7 to 10 days when the initial marketing buzz fades. Therefore, you should make the pre ordering information available 4-6 months before your real product launch. Work Together to Launch the Product  Developing a pre ordering strategy is simple once you have a plan in place for your company and your staff. When your entire team invests the time, resources, and money necessary to make a pre ordering strategy successful, it will be effective. Make sure that your entire team is putting forth the effort necessary to develop a successful product launch strategy. Everyone on the team should participate in the planning and execution, regardless if they are on your marketing team, IT team, or customer support team. Success is ultimately a team effort. Use Marketing Campaigns to Raise Awareness Create a powerful marketing campaign in line with your pre ordering plan before starting your pre orders. Before your product launches, advertising is a terrific approach to spread the word about it. To reach your target demographic, you can advertise on websites and apps like Google Ads, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Pre ordering campaigns can also be carried out through social media advertising. Another smart move is to plan an email to inform your customers that pre orders are now available. Before you start accepting pre orders, send your customers frequent emails. Press releases and marketing can help you spread the word about your upcoming product release, reach your consumers and deliver information to them. Similar to this, content marketing for a forthcoming product launch raises customer awareness by providing sneak peeks of your goods. Your impending product launch will be aided by webinars and interviews with the product developer or influencers who have tried it out. Create a Buzz With Online Influencers Prior to opening pre ordering for a product, a successful marketing strategy should be developed. Digital influencer marketing is quite beneficial and social media referrals are probably going to lead to more pre orders for eCommerce stores. Companies can greatly improve the efficacy of their approach by utilizing digital marketing during a pre ordering campaign. You will receive more orders during the launch period the more people are aware of your product or that is available for pre ordering. Try to promote your pre order on your own channels and include special deals, discounts or chances to win prizes. Be Prepared for the Increase in Orders One of the most important things to concentrate on when launching a pre ordering campaign is getting ready for the spike in demand. Alternatively, there can be a surge in website traffic or there might not be enough stock to meet demand. Check your website's bandwidth to make sure it can withstand an increase in traffic and users to prevent this from happening. In order to handle orders and stock availability in real-time, keep an eye on your inventory as well.  Pre ordering is a fantastic strategy to increase ecommerce sales for the launch of your upcoming product. Customers need the motivation to purchase your goods and place pre orders before they debut. The secret to doing this is to offer customers extra value or express gratitude for their advance orders.  Pros and Cons of Pre Orders for eCommerce Stores Pros Today's inexperienced online store owners frequently consider a method of selling that is dependent on pre ordering. An online retailer takes orders via their website, makes the items themselves or buys them from the manufacturer, and then ships the products to the consumer. Let's examine the pros of pre ordering in more detail: Provides Dependable Analytics Pre-orders can assist eCommerce newcomers in gauging product demand. It's simple to determine whether your target audience requires a particular item and how many units are required to meet demand. Enhances Marketing Initiatives Pre orders for eCommerce stores can make your marketing effort stronger. You can generate buzz for your products and increase the popularity of your online business by selling products on a pre ordering basis. Aids in Boosting Sales Pre orders for eCommerce stores allow you to avoid worrying that your products won't sell. Following your pre order chart will allow you to modify your inventory so that you always have the proper quantity of products on hand to meet demand. As a result, your online store's consumer traffic will improve and customer satisfaction levels will rise, which will enhance sales. Cons We speak with online sales entrepreneurs and salespeople frequently because we have experience working with numerous eCommerce ventures. Customers must eventually be prodded into making a purchase. One of the best ways to achieve this is to allow pre ordering. Pre orders for eCommerce stores boost sales. However, there are certain disadvantages to this tactic which are listed below: Reliance Upon the Producer Consider that you promised to provide the things that your customer had requested in advance. The producer then clarifies that there are problems and the products are not yet ready. Your customer will be unhappy as a result. The worst-case scenario is that a disgruntled customer would disparage your store online as a dishonest vendor. It is advised to always confirm that all of your partners are prepared to complete the order and that the entire process chain is running well. Need for Multiple Marketing Strategies You cannot solely rely on pre order marketing if you want to operate a profitable internet company. It won't be evident as to how to expand your firm if you just sell a certain number of products. Customers have the option to return an item. You might continue to have unsold goods due to extra focus on pre ordering. Frequent Market Limitations You must switch out the pre ordering strategy for another one if you wish to sell your goods on online stores, you can sell on eBay or sell of Amazon. These companies have rigid delivery requirements and won't tolerate delays which can put your eCommerce store at risk. Conclusion: How Can Your Online Store Run A Successful Pre Ordering Campaign and Fulfill Orders With WareIQ's Fulfillment Platform in 2024? Trying to fulfill the orders at a high level and offering above and beyond service are the keys to success with pre-orders for eCommerce stores. Pre orders can be difficult in certain ways but they can also help you establish your brand. Keep your word and fulfill orders on schedule. The best method to earn your consumers' trust is to do this. Pre-orders frequently let your buyers purchase a one-of-a-kind item. To make the experience of buying even more delightful, you can provide a small gift or a discount code with the transaction. As a result, customers will want to shop at your website again. If you need assistance with fulfilling pre orders for eCommerce stores that you operate, consider partnering with WareIQ. WareIQ is one of India’s fastest-growing eCommerce fulfillment companies that provides a wide range of services such as a nationwide network of fulfillment centers, a custom WMS, packaging facilities, partnerships with more than 20 shipping aggregators, and much more. [signup] Pre Orders for eCommerce FAQs What does placing a pre order accomplish?Pre orders give customers the assurance of instant delivery upon release, manufacturers the ability to predict demand, and the assurance of a minimum number of sales to sellers. High pre-order rates can also be leveraged to boost sales even more. What is the pre order procedure?An item that has not yet been released or is not currently in stock is called a pre order. Once they are available, they are mailed to the purchaser. Customers can place pre orders for goods before they become available. But certain circumstances necessitate particular pre order formats. How long on average do pre orders take?Pre ordering a product enables you to pay for it before it is officially released. To guarantee you receive the item as soon as possible after the official release, pre order deliveries are often sent out just before the day of release. Can pre orders run out of stock?It's possible that more pre-orders will be accepted shortly because other shops have issued their pre-orders in waves after they have initially sold out. How do pre-orders affect the bottom line of an eCommerce business?Pre-orders may benefit an e-commerce company's financial performance. Businesses can increase revenue and cash flow by allowing customers to pre-order goods before they are ever put up for sale. Businesses that are introducing a new product and are trying to finance the first production costs may find this to be especially helpful. Pre-orders can assist companies in better controlling their inventory levels and preventing the over- or under-stocking of a product. Overall, pre-orders can be a successful strategy for e-commerce companies to increase revenue and their bottom line.

August 11, 2022
10 Biggest eCommerce Mistakes During Holiday Season and How to Avoid Them for Festive Season in 2024

10 Biggest eCommerce Mistakes During Holiday Season and How to Avoid Them for Festive Season in 2024

The holiday season, regardless of which festivals or public holidays are being celebrated, generally is a time of cheer for eCommerce shoppers and retailers alike. Customers encapsulate this newfound happiness by buying gifts for themselves and their loved ones and retailers can share in this experience by enticing customers to choose them over their competitors by going above and beyond to provide the most attractive festive offers, run promotional campaigns to generate visibility and provide the best overall experience to every customer so that they can benefit from the positive publicity that is sure to follow. However, in the bid to get as much business as possible, enterprising retailers could run the risk of lowering their profit margins or providing sub-par service while unassuming sellers may not do enough to capitalize on the holiday season hype and could lose out on potential customers to their rivals. In an effort to balance sales generation and maintain their profit margins, retailers need to come up with common sense solutions. Read along to get an idea of the impact the holiday season has on eCommerce companies, the advantages of preparing for it in advance and 10 of the biggest eCommerce mistakes during holiday season that plague retailers. What is the Impact of the Holiday Season on eCommerce? Increased Demand from Customers Customers often use the holiday season as the motivation they need to buy new products, either for themselves, their loved ones or both. Because eCommerce holidays are associated with exciting discounts and sales season, customers hold off on buying things they need specifically so that they can get them at discounted prices during holidays such as Diwali or Christmas. Conversely, retailers need to adjust their inventory levels, logistics strategies, pricing plans, and fulfillment processes to meet the additional demand from customers so that they can prevent product shortages, delays and other negative implications from occurring. Added Responsibilities on Suppliers Due to retailers being aware of the increased demand that arises during the holiday season, they need to place significantly larger orders of their high-demand commodities to be prepared for the influx of orders from excited customers. This places added pressure on suppliers to meet their targets and can lead to delays, quality issues and shortages if clear communication is not prioritized in advance.  Heightened Stress on Retail Operations The holiday season not only brings an increase in the ability and the desire for customers to buy new products but also places a colossal amount of pressure on eCommerce companies and the various departments that are responsible for maintaining inventory levels and fulfilling orders. More demand means larger purchase orders from manufacturers, more orders that need to be picked, packed and dispatched and more stress on shipping aggregators to deliver orders in a timely manner. [contactus_uth] What are the Benefits of Preparing for Holiday Season in Advance? Ensures Accurate Estimations of Required Inventory By conducting diligent forecasting at least a couple of months prior to the peak of holiday season demand, retailers can accurately determine which products will be successful and estimate the quantities that need to be ordered for each product based on their projected demand. This prevents having too little of high-demand products which prevents stockouts and also mitigate costs associated with over-ordering and storing additional unsold inventory.  Improves the Overall Customer Experience Customers are generally the most impatient and picky during the holiday season because they want to ensure that everything will be in order and they have whatever they need. Thus, eCommerce companies that offer them the most seamless experience from the time they open the website, browse through product listings and make the payment, all the way up to the point they receive their order, will be eligible for a vast array of positive feedback and reviews which will encourage other customers to give that brand a try. Enhances Brand Reputation Positive customer feedback is synonymous with an excellent brand reputation for eCommerce companies. Because customers do not have as much transparency as they would while shopping in a physical store where they can actively see what is happening in front of them, they take other customers' opinions into account while making purchasing decisions. If a brand has a positive reputation amongst most consumers, it will increase its ability to sell more products and convert interest into sales at a higher rate. 10 Biggest eCommerce Mistakes During Holiday Season Made by Online Sellers and How to Solve Them in 2024 Lack of Transparency Regarding Delivery Dates and Return Policies One of the biggest reasons that customers abandon their shopping carts is unclear delivery dates and non-transparent return policies. There are many eCommerce customers that require their orders to be shipped as soon as possible and there are many more that are apprehensive about spending their hard-earned money on a product that they cannot see and have no knowledge about if and when it will arrive. Retailers that do not provide the necessary amount of information to reassure customers are at risk of having a high rate of cart abandonments and a low rate of conversions. Additionally, not mentioning return policies before and after customers purchase a product is one of the biggest eCommerce mistakes during the holiday season that are constantly made by eCommerce companies. Solution: To avoid making one of the biggest mistakes in the industry, eCommerce companies need to provide a proper ETA on product listing pages, and checkout pages and also provide dedicated order tracking pages so that customers will have transparency at every step of the fulfillment process. They also need to make sure that their return policy is clear and is mentioned in easily visible locations. Conflating Advertising with Marketing Advertising primarily consists of running paid campaigns on various platforms to increase the visibility of a brand and its products. Marketing involves automated emails and social media promotions to actively entice users to purchase various products. One of the biggest eCommerce mistakes during the holiday season that retailers make is focusing on one while neglecting the other. Solution: eCommerce companies need to have a strong advertising campaign in addition to their marketing efforts to achieve the maximum amount of visibility and reach amongst their target audience. This includes running paid ads on Facebook and Google, updating their social media pages with their new launches and promotional offers and keeping in touch with customers through email campaigns. Absence of Customized Product Suggestions Customers that are in a hurry to finish their holiday shopping often look for product suggestions and bundles to save them time and also because they associate them with being a better deal than buying products individually. eCommerce companies that don’t provide product suggestions and curated product mixes are missing out. Solution: Retailers can provide specialized holiday-specific product baskets that can be customized according to the requirements of the customer. Additionally, they need to be placed in strategic locations that will catch the customer’s eye. Suggested Read: Customised packaging by WareIQ. Having a Complex and Multi-Layered Checkout Process Another big reason for shopping cart abandonment and one of the biggest mistakes that online sellers can make is having a long and tedious checkout process. Customers often want to limit the amount of information that they share with retailers so a prompt for them to fill out multiple fields of information can often lead to cart abandonment. Moreover, a long checkout process can lead to frustration amongst customers. Solution: eCommerce companies can reduce the amount of information they extract from customers to just the essentials such as their phone number and email so that they can maintain further contact. Additionally, they can streamline their checkout process to be as seamless and unimposing as possible. Not Planning in Advance Negligence when it comes to prior preparation for the festive season is definitely one of the biggest mistakes that retailers can make. Whether it comes to inventory ordering, promotions, new product launches and more, a lack of planning can cause disruptions in multiple facets of eCommerce operations. This can lead to stockouts, delays, confusion and negative customer sentiments which can have dire consequences for the business. Solution: eCommerce companies need to perform activities at least 2 to 3 months in advance such as forecasting to estimate inventory they need for various products, determining what promotions they want to run and putting things in place, creating hype on social media and much more. This will ensure that everything is organised for the time that the holiday season rolls around. Not Preparing for Additional Website Traffic According to research, at least 47% of all customers expect a website page to take 2 seconds or less to finish loading. Due to the additional influx of customers during the holiday season, eCommerce companies that don’t prepare their website servers are subjecting their customers to longer wait times and a glitchy user experience.  Solution: eCommerce companies need to have an accurate estimation of the increase in website traffic they are expecting during the festive season and provide their servers with the necessary optimization and tools to handle the additional volume. Falling Short of Packaging Material This is one of the biggest eCommerce mistakes during the holiday season because if orders cannot be packaged, they cannot be shipped. Oftentimes, retailers make preparations for all the main criteria involved for the festive season but neglect basic processes like ordering enough packaging material. This will lead to multiple delays and will result in poor customer satisfaction and negative feedback. Solution: eCommerce companies need to ensure that they order enough packaging material in relation to the number of items they have ordered from the manufacturer. In addition, they should partner with multiple packaging companies to ensure that they can have a backup in case it runs out. Relying on a Stagnant Workforce The usual number of employees that eCommerce companies use may work for off-season demand but they may need to hire additional resources for the holiday season to be able to tackle the increased number of orders that need to be located, packaged and dispatched. Retailers that fail to hire enough help can cause multiple delays and issues with their supply chain. Solution: Estimations regarding the amount of demand by analysing historical data of similar seasons during previous years can help determine how many additional workers need to be employed and whether they should be temporary or permanent. Neglecting to Verify Delivery Locations Increased demand necessitates the need for increased precautionary measures as mistakes and errors can frequently crop up due to staff being less careful in the interest of fulfilling as many orders as possible. Improper delivery addresses can cause a variety of problems including delays, dissatisfied customers, additional costs to the company and much more. Solution: Important delivery information such as customer addresses should be cross-checked to avoid shipping an order to an incorrect location. Extra diligence can prevent the business from spending needlessly on additional logistical procedures. Waiting too Long to Outsource Fulfillment to a 3PL eCommerce companies often lack the capabilities and financial resources to be able to handle the increased demand that the holiday season brings. By relying on the existing workforce and tactics, they can often fall behind the competition and lose out on customers to other companies which can cost them valuable revenue. Solution: We encourage eCommerce companies to outsource their fulfillment requirements to 3PL fulfillment companies like WareIQ so that they can equip themselves with all the resources and technology they need to provide their customers with the best possible experience. Conclusion: Safeguard Your eCommerce Operations During Holiday Season 2024 With WareIQ Preparing for the holiday season is imperative for the success of any eCommerce company. Not only is it a time when they can capitalize on increased demand and sales but they can also use it as an opportunity to increase their brand presence and reputation. By avoiding basic mistakes and planning in advance, retailers can easily be successful and achieve their objectives. If you are an eCommerce retailer and need assistance with implementing and streamlining eCommerce processes during the holidays, you can consider partnering with WareIQ. WareIQ is one of the leading eCommerce fulfillment providers in the nation. We utilize advanced technology and provide our users with unique facilities that help them step up their eCommerce game. To assist you with preparing for the holiday season and to avoid any errors that could occur, we provide the following facilities: A pan-India network of fulfillment centers and dark storesSmart inventory placement to store your inventory closer to your customersUltra-fast same-day and next-day deliveryA custom WMS that can integrate with more than 12 eCommerce selling platforms and track inventory across multiple fulfillment centers in real-timeBranded tracking pages to provide a personalised experience to your customersAn app store with multiple apps such as the Customer Feedback app which consolidates all your online reviews in one placeA choice of more than 20 shipping providers that automatically assigns the fastest and most cost-effective option for every order.We have no minimum order requirements and you only need to pay for the facilities that you use eCommerce Mistakes During Holiday Season: FAQs Why is the holiday season important for eCommerce companies?The holiday season brings increased demand so companies can generate more sales and increase their revenue and profit margins. Why do companies need to prepare for the holiday season in advance?They need to prepare in advance so that they can ascertain the amount of inventory they need, determine how to promote their products and get everything ready to avoid giving their customers a sub-par experience. Do companies need to provide offers during the holiday season?In order to make their products as appealing to customers as possible, we would advise them to have offers and discounts on various products to avoid getting left behind compared to their competitors. Why do e-commerce mistakes occur during the holiday season?E-commerce mistakes during the holiday season can occur due to a variety of reasons, including increased demand, high volume of orders, lack of preparation, and lack of proper planning. How can these eCommerce mistakes be avoided during the holiday season?These eCommerce mistakes can be avoided by properly forecasting demand, preparing inventory and supply chain accordingly, having a reliable website infrastructure, providing accurate and detailed product information, and having a well-trained customer service team to handle the increased volume of inquiries. What are the consequences of making eCommerce mistakes during the holiday season?The consequences of making eCommerce mistakes during the holiday season can include loss of sales, damage to customer loyalty and trust, and negative online reviews and ratings. Why is it necessary for retailers to partner with 3PL providers?Certain companies that do not have access to a vast amount of resources and finances would be better suited to outsource their fulfillment requirements to a 3PL as they will be on equal footing with their competitors and can offer similar services for lower prices. Can WareIQ integrate with multiple eCommerce marketplaces?Yes, WareIQ can integrate and fulfill orders from online marketplaces such as Amazon, Flipkart, eBay, Snapdeal, Meesho, and much more.

August 10, 2022
Mobile Commerce: A Detailed Guide on Definition, Importance and How to Improve Mobile Shopping Experience in 5 Easy Ways in 2024

Mobile Commerce: A Detailed Guide on Definition, Importance and How to Improve Mobile Shopping Experience in 5 Easy Ways in 2024

Consumers of today are increasingly purchasing goods through their smartphones from online marketplaces. However, there is a noticeable rise in cart abandonment and lost sales if consumers encounter a non-responsive website, slow loading times and a challenging user interface. Fortunately, there are a number of strategies you can use to keep clients interested and improve the mobile shopping experience. You can boost your profitability and create a following of devoted clients by making a few straightforward modifications and optimizing your website. We'll talk about the value of mobile shopping in the eCommerce industry or mobile commerce in this blog. We'll also go through five ways you can improve mobile shopping experience of your customers. Let's get going. What is Mobile Shopping?  Mobile shopping refers to the usage of smartphones by customers to browse and buy their required products. The emergence of mobile shopping has altered how consumers conduct their online shopping as the world moves toward mobile-mediated transactions and has affected online consumer behavior quite a bit. While eCommerce was previously done mainly through computers and tablets, the emergence of smartphones as the primary means of communication has ensured that websites and applications need to be optimized to improve the mobile shopping experience of customers. [contactus_gynoveda] Importance of Mobile Commerce in 2024 Mobile shopping is a significant factor in business growth and cannot be disregarded. With so many factors at play, let's go through a few: Increase in Mobile Sales The day when a mobile device was considered to be a luxury item belongs to the past. Mobile usage rates have increased in the current environment due to the fierce rivalry between mobile operators. A smartphone can cost just $100 and above. Users of mobile devices are growing rapidly in number, much more so than the online traffic it generates. Doorstep delivery becomes a very lucrative option for all shoppers which tempts every user to have hands-on with shopping online. The convenience of Using a Pocket-Friendly Device Any person can access a mobile device because it is portable and available around the clock. Instead of going through the effort of looking for and then using a laptop or desktop, a mobile device can satisfy any need for shopping at any time. Overall, an increase in mobile sales has a highly noticeable impact on online buying, which is good for the eCommerce industry. Use of Mobile Shopping by the Younger Audience The emphasis for young people attending college or living a carefree bachelor's life while still making a living is making a fashion statement or following a trend. The age range for this sector is often between 18 and 34 years old, and this group is most likely to use mobile internet and engage in mobile shopping. These young people represent a sizable and distinct segment of the eCommerce client base because they have the motivation, means and desire to research, test and purchase the best products. Larger Screens Improve the Mobile Shopping Experience Smartphone-related innovations, whether in software or hardware, are always evolving. Additionally, the competition is also increasing. The result is that most smartphones now have large screens and have drastically altered how people use their mobile devices. One of the key trends brought on by larger screens is online purchasing. Large screens are extremely comfortable and even elderly folks are willing to put on their glasses to experience the world of mobile shopping. Originality Brings Better Business Results The smartphone industry is one to keep an eye on for innovation and technological advancements. To control the market, each phone provider is organizing its own set of features. The previous strategy of competing with greater technology for any capability has now changed to one of giving something unusual and thinking outside the box. Everyone is competing to offer something novel, which will ultimately improve the mobile shopping experience of customers. These user experiences are now being strategically used by numerous brands as part of their marketing plans. Optimization of Websites Retail marketers have developed two distinct strategies for reaching the far-flung masses after absorbing the ups and downs of mobile marketing. One is through using mobile web pages and other mobile applications. eCommerce has advanced thanks to both of these. Most often, any new business will first develop a mobile web page. Technically speaking, developing and implementing a mobile web page is simple. A single web page can be used by all remote devices so there is no need to create different ones for each platform. It is also simple to roll out, saving time on development work. Use of Mobile Applications Nearly all eCommerce merchants use mobile apps, which appear next to online pages. The app's users are thought to be more devoted, making it comparatively more advantageous. They spend their free time and energy downloading and saving apps. There is a very high likelihood of getting a purchase from these users. Benefits of Social Media The eCommerce industry has been particularly quick to profit from the promotion of their business on social media. Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are just a few examples of the social media platforms that have permeated daily life. Share and like buttons from social media have been incorporated by all mobile app developers into their apps and internet portals. The updates from online websites can be quickly shared on social media. Even one like or share from a consumer can spread like wildfire and quickly reach large numbers of other customers. 5 Ways to Improve Mobile Shopping Experience for eCommerce Customers in 2024 We've listed five crucial areas you can modify if you're searching for ways to enhance your consumers' purchasing experiences through mobile shopping. Let's examine each one closely: Speed Up Your Site A quick website might entice visitors to browse longer and make a purchase. In fact, Deloitte research found that retail customers spent more money at a retailer even with a 0.1-second boost in site speed. Thankfully, there are a few measures you can do to prevent long loading times. To start, you can use an image compressor like TinyPNG to optimize the photos on your website. This utility minifies the code on your website to enhance the user experience. It also includes other capabilities like the capacity to preload particular requests and Google Fonts optimization to shorten loading times. Optimize the Design of Your Store Another crucial element of the mobile purchasing experience is making sure your website works properly on mobile devices. For smaller screens, you must adapt your material. For instance, pages ought to be simple to navigate. They ought to just include the data that is necessary. Visitors will be able to view and buy your products this way without any interruptions or hindrances.  You can also think about using accordion menus to navigate your website. A brief list of items (such as major pages and categories) that can be clicked to access more content is found in an accordion menu (e.g., subcategories). This feature, according to eCommerce platform Nosto, can significantly lower cart abandonment. Focus on Accessibility Another important factor to take into account is accessibility. You must make sure that individuals with hearing, vision and cognitive impairments can engage with your material. Including alt text in the product pictures is a simple method to accomplish this. In the event that a picture cannot be loaded, the browser will show this text. Additionally, screen readers employ alt text to describe an image for viewers who are blind. You can make your site more accessible by using a plugin like WP Accessibility. For example, it can assist you in enforcing alt characteristics throughout your website and addressing design accessibility difficulties. Additionally, it allows you to add skip connections with custom targets. This will make it simpler for site visitors who use a keyboard or screen reader to navigate your website. Provide Safe and Simple Payment Methods According to a recent study, 75% of shoppers claimed they would abandon their shopping carts if they lacked confidence in a website's security. As a result, you might want to provide customers with a selection of well-liked payment solutions, such as online wallets like PayPal and Google Pay. You can also include secure payments on your WordPress site using the WP Simple Pay plugin. In addition, you should make sure that your checkout procedure is swift and easy. If WooCommerce is installed on your website, it provides you with complete control over your checkout fields. Your checkout page can be exactly how you want it to be. However, we advise that you keep your forms straightforward and restrict user input to the most crucial information. To make the procedure simpler, you can utilize an addon like One Page Checkout. Up-Coming Features to Improve Mobile Shopping Experience in 2024 Suggested Read: How to Sell with Woocommerce? Add Search Functionality to Your Site Searchability should be taken into consideration for a pleasant mobile shopping experience. Making sure clients can find the things they're looking for is necessary. A search icon on every page will allow users to find the content they want easily. Having clever predictive search keywords is also beneficial. Long phrases can be typed more quickly as a result. Spelling errors should also be accommodated since this can assist in removing any roadblocks for customers. You can utilize Ivory Search, which is a strong tool. This plugin can improve your WordPress search settings. For instance, it makes it possible for visitors to search for WooCommerce goods. Additionally, it offers features like the ability to filter results by relevancy, date, and other factors, as well as the choice to add word synonyms. Mobile Shopping Vs Regular Shopping: What’s the Difference? [table id=44 /] Top 3 Benefits of Having a Mobile Shopping Strategy for Mobile Commerce COVID-safe The COVID-19 epidemic has significantly altered consumer purchasing patterns. In a world where more consumers are concerned about safety and cleanliness, mobile shopping is leading the way. About 30% of customers conducted mobile wallet transactions for the first time during the first two months of the pandemic, when stores were forced to close and individuals were forced to turn to the internet. More drastic changes occurred in some nations than others. By 2020, 88.6% of all card payments in the UK were using contactless technology, an increase of 7% from the previous year. Despite the fact that shops are starting to open and people are returning to work, there is still some uncertainty about how secure in-store buying is. Mobile shopping is a low-risk activity. Offers Better Customer Experiences Did you know that 57% of clients won't give a company a recommendation if their mobile website is poorly designed? Even if they like the retailer and the things it carries, half of them will quit going there altogether. Furthermore, 15% of US adults only use mobile devices, which means that their only internet-connected device is a smartphone. Reaching them with a mobile shopping strategy will almost surely result in a better purchase experience than none at all. Capture Omnichannel Shoppers Shopping experiences today aren't sequential. The range of channels that retailers sell on includes social media, mobile apps, email, browsers, live chats, in-store visits and everything in between. Mobile users are most likely to combine a retail visit with a smartphone search. Nearly 75% of US shoppers use their phones to research a purchase they are going to make in a store. One in four people reports having a change of heart in the middle of the checkout line after researching something on their phone. Smart practices for merchants integrating physical commerce with pre-purchase mobile touchpoints include catering to multichannel shoppers and taking local searches into account. How Can WareIQ Assist You as a 3PL Partner to Enhance Mobile Shopping Experience? In today's commercial world, mobile shopping is the real deal. Consumers on a daily basis continue to switch to brands that offer them a comfortable purchasing experience. Being receptive to all forms of innovation and client input is essential if you want your internet business to succeed. As a business owner, you must make sure you're utilizing and improving the trends influencing mobile shopping for the highest level of customer involvement. Apart from improving the mobile shopping experience of customers, if you need help to provide the best delivery experience post-purchase, you can partner with WareIQ. WareIQ is an eCommerce fulfillment company that provides a vast range of services to enable you to offer the best post-shipping experience to customers by utilizing advanced technology. We provide services such as an app store where apps to enhance different areas of productivity can be downloaded, branded tracking pages to be able to customize tracking pages with whatever information you want, ultra-fast delivery to ensure customers receive their orders on time, a customer feedback app to consolidate reviews that are made on multiple platforms, a WMS that can integrate with more than 12 online marketplaces and much more. Improve the Mobile Shopping Experience: FAQs  What is mobile commerce?eCommerce includes mobile commerce as a subcategory. M-commerce is the term used to describe virtually any sort of payment that is made via a mobile app or device. Using a mobile app to pay for something on a selling platform or the Amazon app to make an online purchase are two examples. What does mobile commerce hold for the future?In 2023, mobile commerce will grow faster than non-mobile commerce. More than half of all eCommerce sales in 2023 will be made through mobile devices. Researching products on mobile devices now influences one-third of purchasing decisions. A mobile app is already available from more than half of all merchants. How does mobile commerce boost productivity?With the help of mobile commerce, you can develop analytics at various levels of sophistication and obtain deeper insights than ever before, giving you the information you need to study virtually every client behaviour. What difficulties does mobile commerce face?Mobile commerce has the following challenges:1. Safety2. Screen Dimensions3. The future is secure4. Hosting and connectivity The need for speed and dependability in mobile commerce is another significant issue.5. Marketing Why do people prefer to shop on their mobile devices?Many people prefer to shop on their mobile devices because it is convenient and allows them to make purchases quickly and easily while on-the-go. Additionally, mobile shopping often offers a personalized experience and can include features such as push notifications and location-based promotions. What are some features that are important for a mobile shopping experience?Some important features for a mobile shopping experience include a user-friendly interface, easy navigation, fast loading times, and the ability to save payment and shipping information. Additionally, security measures such as encryption and secure checkout are also important for a mobile shopping experience. Are mobile shopping apps better than mobile websites for shopping?Both mobile apps and mobile websites can provide a good shopping experience, but they each have their own advantages. Mobile apps can be faster and more responsive, and can also take advantage of the device's features such as push notifications. Mobile websites, on the other hand, are accessible from any device with a web browser and do not require downloading. What are the best mobile shopping apps or websites?The best mobile shopping apps and websites vary depending on the person and their needs. Some popular mobile shopping apps include Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Some popular mobile shopping websites include Amazon, Etsy, and Asos.

August 09, 2022
Contract Logistics Vs 3PL: 6 Key Differences and How to Choose The Right Outsourcing Option for Your Online Business in 2024

Contract Logistics Vs 3PL: 6 Key Differences and How to Choose The Right Outsourcing Option for Your Online Business in 2024

Due to the expansion of on-demand logistics, contract logistics have quickly developed. However, they are frequently mistaken for 3PLs, which provide a different range of services that focus on multiple aspects of eCommerce. Despite the fact that some people use these words interchangeably, they mean very distinct things in practice. A contract logistics firm could be an excellent option for your eCommerce store if you're seeking someone to manage a certain area of your supply chain while you handle the rest. On the other hand, you should take another alternative i.e., 3PLs into consideration, if you want to outsource a significantly larger portion of your shipping and fulfillment operations. In this blog, we will look at the differences between contract logistics vs 3PL and what suits your business the best. What is Contract Logistics? Contract logistics firms, also referred to as consultants or freight forwarding companies, have areas of expertise ranging from the manufacturing line to delivery management. The term "contract logistics company" is typically used to refer to a freight forwarder. They are just experts in transporting cargo. They will be in charge of things like shipping, finishing up the necessary paperwork and customs clearance. Contract Logistics Process Contract logistics often assist with the administration of domestic and international transportation rather than shipping, inventory management, or fulfillment. For instance, they serve as a middleman between shipping firms and online retailers and guarantee that products are delivered to the appropriate locations across the supply chain. [contactus_lilgoodness] Contract Logistics in Today’s eCommerce Market Contract logistics is mainly used by big market players who already have a vast supply chain network serving hundreds of people in the eCommerce ecosystem. They use it mainly for bulk product transportation from one warehouse to another. In today's eCommerce environment, contract logistics companies operate by organizing, managing, and planning transportation requirements. Since they maintain tight relationships with significant freight carriers, they are able to bargain for lower transportation costs which benefit merchants. Additionally, they assist in route planning that is optimized for better shipping speed at a lower cost. According to Verified Market Research, the Contract Logistics Market was valued at USD 203.40 billion in 2018 and is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 4.80 percent from 2019 to 2026 to reach USD 296.52 billion. 6 Key Differences Between Contract Logistics vs 3PL A 3PL company handles much more than just transportation; 3PLs offer a full range of ecommerce logistics services from warehousing and order fulfillment to inventory management and automated shipping. While contract logistics companies typically help arrange transportation and routes, a 3PL company handles much more than just transportation management. Since many 3PLs run numerous distribution centers, sellers can: View current inventory levels in real-timeDistribute inventory among distribution facilitiesDistribute stock in accordance with demand In order to enable an end-to-end eCommerce solution, 3PLs offer flexibility, visibility into the eCommerce supply chain, and technology connections with eCommerce solutions from inventory planning to freight delivery. While a 3PL normally provides transportation for orders after they are fulfilled through the carriers directly, a contract logistics business may help manage the transportation to get bulk inventory to a 3PL from a manufacturer. The comparison between contract logistics vs 3PL is shown in the table below: [table id=45 /] Contract Logistics vs 3PL: How to Choose the Right Outsourcing Option for Your Business in 2024? Contract Logistics A contract logistics agreement may be utilized for one-off services or for the precise step of the supply chain you need assistance with, depending on the specific services required, the size of your organization and your budget. If you are willing to handle everything else yourself, including picking and packaging orders, tracking them, keeping track of your own inventory, and managing warehouse procedures, it can be beneficial to work with a contract logistics firm. A contract logistics company is the best option for you if you have the time to market your company and manage other processes involved with order fulfillment. 3PL You should use a 3PL company's order fulfillment services if you discover that managing your business and marketing takes up the majority of your time and you are not able to handle everything together. You don't have to worry as much about logistics operations which enables you to save time while growing your supply chain because 3PLs provide a wide range of solutions to help with supply chain efficiency. Additionally, 3PLs offer the infrastructure, technology, experience, and support you need to maintain your position in the market and satisfy customer demand for quick and low-cost delivery, all of which contribute to your bottom line. Conclusion: Why Should You Choose WareIQ as Your 3PL Partner? Your capacity to handle logistics and provide excellent customer service varies depending on the choice of contract logistics vs 3PL. Giving someone access to critical data like sales, inventory and other statistics carries a big risk. Startups in the fields of on-demand and cloud-based warehousing are becoming more and more well-known as eCommerce takes off. Instead of signing long-term leases for a set location, businesses can use the storage space according to seasonal demand. For retailers that require more assistance in other parts of their eCommerce operations, they are better suited in partnering with a 3PL company like WareIQ.  WareIQ gives you many more facilities than contract logistics companies including order fulfillment, last-mile delivery, a custom WMS to manage orders and integrate with multiple eCommerce platforms, a nationwide network of fulfillment centers, choice of multiple shipping partners, ultra-fast delivery and much more. Online firms have a lot of space to expand with WareIQ since they get access to a strong fulfillment infrastructure, a team of logistics professionals, and a dedicated customer support team. We also make it simple for you to get onboarded. Once you make use of our services, online orders are automatically dispatched to the closest fulfillment center to be picked up, packed, and shipped as soon as they are placed which saves you time, resources, and extra delivery changes. [signup] Contract Logistics vs 3PL: FAQs What is the difference between contract logistics and freight forwarding?A freight forwarder serves as an expert in the supply chain link rather than moving products whereas contract logistics are companies that can be contracted frequently to move products with shipping lines. What are 3PL & 4PL logistics?From warehouse to shipping, a 3PL (third-party logistics) company handles every element of fulfillment. A 4PL (fourth-party logistics) service provider oversees a 3PL on behalf of the client and other supply chain components. What is contract logistics and why do companies use it?Contract logistics is the outsourcing of logistics and supply chain management tasks to a third-party provider. Companies use contract logistics to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and gain access to specialized logistics expertise and technology. What services are typically included in contract logistics?Contract logistics services can include warehousing and distribution, transportation management, inventory management, packaging and assembly, and reverse logistics. Some providers may also offer additional services such as customs clearance, freight forwarding, and order fulfillment. How do companies choose a contract logistics provider?Choosing a contract logistics provider depends on the company's specific needs and goals. Factors to consider when selecting a provider include the provider's experience and expertise in the company's industry, its network of facilities and transportation resources, its technology and automation capabilities, and its ability to meet the company's service level and cost requirements. Is contract logistics the same as 3PL?A 3PL company handles much more than just transportation; 3PLs offer a full range of logistics services, from warehousing and order fulfillment to inventory management and automated shipping. While contract logistic companies typically help arrange transportation and routes, a 3PL company provides many more fulfillment services.

August 08, 2022
Why Should You Sell Products On Instagram? 10 Easy Steps to Sell on Instagram in 2024

Why Should You Sell Products On Instagram? 10 Easy Steps to Sell on Instagram in 2024

In June, Instagram surpassed one billion monthly users or about an eighth of the global population. It is a well-liked site, and its growth trajectory doesn't appear to be slowing down. The amount of money that companies are now spending on marketing their goods and services in the name of selling on Instagram is unfortunate for advertising. In Q2 of this year, ad spending increased by 177% from the previous quarter. The average cost per thousand impressions (CPMs) decreased by 10%, while impressions increased by 209%. The photo-sharing app's advertisers are spending more money than ever, and they're becoming better at it. There is the fierce rivalry. Despite this, just a tiny portion of Instagram's one billion users—roughly two million—are marketers. Even if not every Instagram user is interested in new goods and services, much alone your particular offering, there are still plenty of ways to utilize the site to promote and sell products on Instagram. Therefore, if you already use Instagram to promote your company but not to generate revenue, it's time to reconsider. This post will also demonstrate step by step process to sell on Instagram and launch a business; all you need is a marketing plan to connect with potential clients. Then let's get going! Why Should You Sell Products On Instagram? Source About 200 million of Instagram's 1 billion monthly users view at least one business profile daily. This indicates that a sizeable portion of Instagram users considers purchasing from a company on the app. One of the social media networks with the most brand-friendliness is Instagram. Recently, they have changed their attention to expanding their shopping capabilities and providing additional options for companies to succeed. For some people, selling on Instagram is the ideal option. But not every business needs it. Although it offers a distinctive product sales method, certain features have specialized use cases and can be challenging to expand.  Also, entrepreneurs that want to enhance their sales funnel and broaden their audience shouldn't ignore the advantages of selling on Instagram. It's not surprising that businesses are utilizing smartphone devices to target consumers, given the massive daily user base of the photo and video sharing platform. Some of the reasons to sell on Instagram are given below- Reach Out To New Demographics As many as 928.5 million individuals may be reached with Instagram advertising, claims HootSuite. Additionally, it's estimated that 90% of Instagram users follow at least one business account. Understanding demographics may help you create a more potent, successful marketing plan that generates leads and purchases while you sell on Instagram. Instagram has a varied user base; therefore, it is a must-have for any entrepreneur or company, regardless of its target age range. The percentage of the population who use Instagram by age group is shown in a report by Statista as follows-  Ages 13 to 17- 8.9%Ages 18 to 24- 30.2%Ages 25 to 34- 31.7%Ages 35 to 44- 15.8%Ages 45 to 54- 7.8%Ages 55 to 64- 3.7%Age 65 years and older- 2.1% Interact With Clients Maintaining audience interest in your Instagram posts and products requires engagement. Brand Watch reports that Instagram has 84x higher brand engagement than Twitter, 54x higher brand engagement than Pinterest and 10x higher brand engagement than Facebook. Remember that your business is defined more by the level of interaction you can generate than by the number of followers you have. Your uploaded photos, Instagram stories, and videos showcased on your profile and highlights reel may all be used for this. To capture the interest of your audience and keep them coming back for more, you must be consistent. Instagram's stories, customized hashtags, and photos all help you keep your audience interested. In addition, these methods effectively encourage interested customers to share your material, improving your potential to convert. Boost Consumer Familiarity and Brand Recognition Instagram is the best platform for showcasing a brand's objectives, aspirations, and successes while establishing a name and identifiable identity. According to a poll commissioned by Facebook IQ, 78% of Instagram users believe that companies on the platform are well-known. In comparison, 77% believe they are creative, 76% think they're entertaining, and 72% are committed to creating communities. In addition, 83 per cent of Instagram users use the app to find new goods and services, 81 per cent do some preliminary research, and 80 per cent make a purchase. Sure, the blog entries you create may make a significant difference in building your brand's online presence, but have you thought about the overwhelming power of adding appropriate captions to your Instagram pictures? Similar Items Are Pushed to Buyers via Instagram Algorithm Have you ever wondered why things you looked for or purchased constantly appear in your feed? It does this by pushing material related to the stuff you engage with. This implies that ten other recommendations will be made if a reel about scrunchies is liked. Since it stopped being merely a "photo-sharing app," Instagram has steadily gained popularity as a platform for selling over the past several years. Its algorithm has experienced significant changes due to the advent of other media forms, including tales, reels, etc. Every business owner is aware of the excellent chances for customer discovery. Sell For The Least Possible Investment The exhilaration of receiving something "free" is unmatched in the world. And that is the price for setting up a business and start selling on Instagram. No additional financial investment is necessary for you to operate your company on Instagram (apart from what you might want to spend to promote it). Additionally, you can access Instagram shopping, shoppable posts, and much more. So, in addition to their eCommerce site, company owners set up an Instagram storefront for their brand. Later, more on the subject. [contactus_uth] Suggested Read: How to find out the sell-through rate? Ask Yourself These Questions Before You Start Selling On Instagram Is it possible to quickly demonstrate your goods using photographs or videos? Instagram is a platform for visual marketing. This means that things with a great visual appeal or aesthetic are much simpler to market. Physical objects such as clothing, accessories, cosmetic products, household goods, and outdoor/sporting goods are ideal. We're also witnessing the popularity of digital items like presets, custom fonts, and artwork on the platform. Do you already have an online presence and a website? If you already have a business, you should concentrate on increasing visitors to your online store. Instagram Shopping Tags, for example, are excellent for this. However, using Instagram as your primary storefront makes little sense if you already have many transactions through your website. You want to pick your sales channels carefully, and collecting orders on Instagram may generate too many channels for you to manage successfully. Do you have the infrastructure in place to track and fulfil orders that come in from sources other than Instagram? It does not have to be a whole website. However, you will still need to employ a program to manage incoming Instagram orders and collect vital consumer information. This might be as basic as an Excel sheet or as complex as a spreadsheet programme such as Smartsheet. Suppose you've gone through the questions above and concluded that you're a good fit! You can sell on Instagram platform to generate sales, raise brand recognition, and get traction for your company before you're ready to establish a complete online store. By the end of this article, you'll know how to sell on Instagram without having a website too. You may also read: How to Sell on Messho? What Does Selling on Instagram Look Like in Profession? The emergence of Instagram influencers — people who promote branded goods and services to their large followings — indicates that selling on Instagram may be a lucrative business. As a result, Instagram has huge sales and eCommerce potential. By the end of 2020, Instagram ad income accounted for 30% of the social media giant's revenue. So it's easy to see why many businesses use Instagram to attract new clients. So let's look at some primary strategies to help you produce a good profit and keep returning consumers. Product Images and Advertisements Both the customer and seller benefit from online purchasing. However, because Instagram lacks a tangible component, you must ensure that your photo game is on point if you want to convert social media window shoppers into consumers. Consistent posting builds trust, but only if the photographs are of poor quality. Invest in a good camera or employ a professional photographer to take product shots. Photographs of Clients and User-generated Content (UGC) Are you aware that nearly 90% of consumers trust UGC to influence their purchasing decisions? According to a Business Wire survey, 85 per cent of purchasers are more affected by user-generated content (UGC), which includes text, photographs, videos, and reviews, than they are after reading brand-created material. UGC is a powerful approach for increasing brand reputation and generating trust. In addition, it allows business owners to have original material developed on their behalf. Brands share this material through various marketing channels, but Instagram has emerged as the most popular site for posting UGC. Consumers are 2.4 times more likely to see user-generated content than brand-created material. This innovative strategy of recruiting new clients is making a significant difference. Instagram Shopping When the Shopping Checkout tool was implemented in 2019, the idea of selling on Instagram became highly apparent to companies worldwide. This enabled company owners to convert their feed into a shoppable eCommerce outlet. You may participate in Instagram Shopping by launching the app, going to your profile's settings area, and then clicking on business and shopping. Simply select a product catalogue and associate it with your professional account. Remember that the Instagram sale option is only available to individuals approved into the social media programme. Many firms also use this chance to collaborate with influencers who upload photographs of themselves operating, wearing, or testing a company's product. In addition, anyone interested in a product may make a quick purchase by clicking on the item tag highlighted in the sponsored content on the explore page. Source How To Create a Sales-Oriented Instagram Account and Start Selling on Instagram in 2024?  Since its inception, selling on Instagram has evolved by leaps and bounds, delivering many new features that contain everything you need to take your business to new heights. So, here's a step-by-step approach for how to sell on Instagram by establishing an online presence through visual branding and capitalizing on the user's purchasing attitude to help your business reach the furthest reaches of the globe. 10 simple steps to sell products on Instagram are as follows: Pick A Product And A Niche  Decide on your product niche even before you begin to sell on Instagram. Deciding on your product specialization can help you develop on Instagram. In addition, narrowing down your focus will help your selling on Instagram development in the long term. It will simplify for your audience to locate your account and items that will help them solve an issue they have been looking for for a long time. It will also increase the traffic to your account and the size of your audience. Suggested Read: How to Source Products for Your eCommerce Business in 2024 Make Sure That You Have an Instagram Business Account When creating your account for the first time, select Business Profile. If you're unsure where to look, Instagram will prompt you during the setup process. A business account grants access to features such as the option to add a phone number and email address to your bio, insight data, and the use of sponsored adverts to market your items. Insights, in particular, are pretty helpful in determining which content is driving the most purchases. Have you already made an account as a personal profile? Then, you may quickly switch to a business profile by login into your account, heading to "Settings," and selecting the "Switch to Business Profile" option. You're nearly there! After you've created your company account, you'll need to link a Facebook Business page and make a Business Manager account. Even if you don't currently have a website, you can still establish a catalogue that allows your consumers to purchase and checkout on Instagram (more on this below!) You're nearly there! After you've created your company account, you'll need to link a Facebook Business page and make a Business Manager account. Even if you don't currently have a website, you can still establish a catalogue that allows your consumers to purchase and checkout on Instagram (more on this below) Be sure to include your email address and phone number in your bio. Because your clients cannot reach you through your website, you must provide as many touch points as feasible. This also contributes to the development of trust, which is essential for any company when selling on Instagram. Construct A Killing Bio Follow the steps below to build a stunning Instagram bio without going over the limit of 150 characters. Define your value proposition in one sentence to describe your brand. Then, identify your expertise and demonstrate your authority.Make it easier for potential consumers to convert by having a clear call to action language.Provide your company contact number or email address so potential customers can contact you with product questions.Instagram only allows users to link to external websites through their bio. It is not possible to put links in captions. As a result, individuals frequently tag their posts with "link in bio." As a result, provide a link in your bio that will assist your brand in selling on Instagram To add credibility, immediately provide your viewers with all the information they need to know you're the real thing. Make sure you include your company name, a high-quality profile photo or logo, and a brief description of the things you sell on Instagram. You may also have your location in your bio. When it comes to selling on Instagram, the community is everything. People will be more inclined to assist you if they know where to locate you. Promote Products on Your Page Posting content that shows your items is the most basic way to promote them on Instagram. When you walk into a real business, you first ask the proprietor to tour you around. Similarly, prospective buyers would want to examine product photographs before making a purchase if you begin selling things online. Because Instagram is a visual tool, make the most of your feed by publishing appealing pictures with appealing captions. After you've set up Instagram Shop, you can begin tagging goods in posts by following the instructions below. Select the post where you want to tag a product, then click the three dots symbol in the upper right corner and choose edit.When you click 'tag product,' a list of goods in your shop will appear.Choose the product to tag and click on it. Then press the done button.You can tag up to 5 goods in a single picture post and 20 products in a multi-image post. Create a little lookbook with many goods tagged using this tool. You may also make a single multi-image post to exhibit the wide varieties of a single product to sell on Instagram. Create blog articles using Instagram's Guide function. For example, you can include product posts to highlight your most extraordinary things; also, you should highlight to publicize the release of new items or construct a gift guide. Create Payment Options It's time to move your audience from browsing to ordering and purchasing your stuff. You may take order information by posting a link to an order form in your bio. You may even urge your consumers to place an order immediately on WhatsApp. Locate your Instagram account, select "Edit Profile," and then paste the Whatsapp connection into the supplied website field. In the captions, tell your viewers to fill out the order form using the link in the bio or to place an order using WhatsApp. Because Instagram only permits one clickable link in the bio, you may make the most of it by using a connecting tool like Linktree. Widen Your Organic Reach With Hashtags Incorporating hashtags is an efficient way to expand your reach and expose your material to new audiences—monitor and assess how hashtags function. Then, attempt to alternate between relevant hashtags to see which one performs best for your brand. Consider what phrases your buyers will search for related to your product when choosing hashtags. You may also use a hashtag research tool to select the perfect hashtag for your product and target demographic. Then, simply enter an appropriate tag, and you will receive many tag options. However, don't overburden your content with hashtags. Though Instagram permits up to 30 hashtags per post, using 15+ hashtags appears spammy and desperate and will not provide significant results for your company. Instead, use 4 or 5 relevant hashtags for each post. This way, you may increase engagement without making your content appear cluttered with hashtags. Use hashtags wisely to increase your reach and engagement. Do not copy and paste any brand's hashtag into your post.Conduct thorough research to determine which hashtags are hot to sell on Instagram in your niche.Use hashtags with caution. Avoid hashtags that have millions of postings. This will merely cause your post to be lost in a sea of similar postings, resulting in a slight reach. Create Compelling Content For Selling on Instagram  This one should go without saying. Because Instagram is primarily a visual network, you must generate aesthetically engaging content that presents your items in exciting and unique ways. These are broken down further down. Use eye-catching material to highlight your items. Make sure that your material highlights your items. While it is sometimes beneficial to spice things up and include a graphic or a non-product shot, your items are the star of your account and should be treated as such. To raise awareness, use Instagram Reels and Instagram Live. Reels  Reels are one of the most effective strategies to increase brand recognition in 2021. So don't pass up this opportunity! Since introducing Instagram Reels in response to TikTok's success, Instagram has been heavily promoting the tool and rewarding accounts that utilize it. Instagram's CEO has even stated that the network is shifting from solely a photo-sharing platform to a greater emphasis on video content. Reels prioritizes keeping users on the app, showing them more material they enjoy and boosting the likelihood of your work becoming viral. This is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs. You're getting more eyeballs on your fabric, which means more prospective buyers will find you and view your stuff. Instagram Live Video Instagram Live is one of the app's most rapidly expanding services. When you start a video, the platform sends notifications to your fans, keeping you front of mind. It also generates a sense of urgency because these films usually vanish after you stop filming. This raises the likelihood that individuals will tune in to avoid missing anything crucial. Use your imagination! Share client testimonials, show people how the product is manufactured behind the scenes, or perform a Reddit-style "Ask Me Anything" where you invite your audience to ask questions about your business. With Instagram's introduction of Live Shopping, you can earn sales while broadcasting! Businesses and producers may now tag things when they broadcast live, allowing viewers to buy or save items from the shopping video. Keep in mind that only Instagram-approved goods can be added to live recordings. Make Instagram posts that are shoppable. Did you know selling on Instagram includes built-in tools for making your posts shoppable? With 130 million visitors tapping on shoppable posts each month, you're wasting money if you don't use these features. Here are two methods for making your content shoppable: Product Labels Product Tags enable you to highlight goods from your catalogue in your content so readers can quickly tap to learn more. These can also link directly to your shop for in-app purchases using Instagram checkout. Instagram Product Launches  Instagram businesses checkout can now reveal forthcoming exclusive releases. This enables your audience to examine details and create purchase reminders when new goods become available. Post, Communicate and Repeat If you are consistent with your content, the Instagram algorithm will favour your brand. A steady Instagram posting pace will rapidly develop your account. In addition, engagements will help you better understand your community and determine what they want to see more of in your feed. Avoid sharing on Instagram at random. To sell on Instagram, you must develop content relevant to your company goals. To turn your audience into consumers, you must design a content strategy and stick to it. To stand out from the crowd, you need to figure out what material your audience likes to see on your feed. Your strategy should be both realistic and practical. Instagram Marketing You may advertise your Instagram profile organically, which means you can build an audience without sponsored advertising. This choice is free and demonstrates greater long-term participation. However, sponsored marketing can be the way to go if you need more followers or orders quickly. Instagram advertises in the following ways: Ads with photographs- A static image ad works well when you want to complete the purchase by giving a discount. Photos can be square or landscape in orientation. Video advertisements are excellent for introducing new customers to your product and its benefits. Videos of up to 120 seconds can be shared in landscape or square format. Ads for stories- These dynamic advertising services to enhance the client interaction you've previously had. Carousel advertisements- Users may swipe through the ads to see more photographs or videos. This advertising style showcases all of the product's features/benefits. Collection advertisements- Use them to visually excite your audience and assist them in discovering, browsing, and purchasing things. You can use either video or photos or a combination of the two. Advertisements in Explore- Users use the Explore area to find new material, view videos, and shop. Each user's Explore tab has selected information tailored to their specific interests. Each ad might have a separate call-to-action. To demonstrate a product's benefits to a new audience, utilize CTAs like "Learn More." Use "Shop Now" as your CTA if you're giving the last discount to complete a purchase. How can you create an Instagram "Shop Now" ad? According to Retail Touchpoints, 72 per cent of Instagram users have purchased a product after seeing it on the platform, which is ideal for generating engagement and revenues. Now to create an ad with a "Shop Now" or other CTA, you must first have a Facebook Page and an Instagram business profile. Once you have these, you may run and track advertising within the app or through Ads Manager. How to Create an Instagram Ad- Select a post you've already shared on Instagram and press "Promote" within the app. Next, select your ad purpose, target audience, and ad format inside Ads Manager.Determine the length of time your adverts will run and your budget.Press the Publish button. You will be notified when your advertisements have been authorized and are ready to run. Conclusion Whatever technique you pick for marketing on Instagram, there are several ways to use the network and turn your followers into paying clients. Many companies have found success selling on Instagram. Likewise, the platform's eCommerce companies have a bright future. Experiment with various options until you find what works best for you! Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but as long as you keep your clients in mind and make the purchasing procedure as simple as possible, you'll be OK. How WareIQ as a 3PL Fulfillment Partner Can Help You Advance in Selling On Instagram? Customers have acquired certain technological benefits when completing online purchases as technology has advanced. They search for products by typing, clicking, and swiping. However, if you operate an eCommerce firm for online selling on Instagram, your success will be determined by the quality of your products and the quality of your order fulfillment service. Now here, WareIQ comes into the picture. To stay competitive and provide a great client shopping experience, it's critical to work with a reputable order fulfilment provider like WareIQ. One that converts your eCommerce shop into a source of passive money rather than a cause of anguish. Here are some other advantages to working with WareIQ as your fulfilment and logistics partner for your selling on Instagram: Get The Most Advanced Technologies and Inventory Management An order fulfilment partner like WareIQ offers the technology, experience, and industry leadership to help your eCommerce selling on Instagram to function smoothly. This includes seamless interaction with your sales channels and other management solutions that improve inventory efficiency and carrier selection. Reduces Your Operational Costs It is expensive to ship packages, buy packing supplies, hire personnel, maintain quality control, and rent space. However, you may eliminate these overhead expenses by partnering with WareIQ, your order fulfilment partner, and beginning to share resources and play with other vendors. Efficient Distribution and Storage     WareIQ's fulfilment network helps you to arrange, store more efficiently, and distribute your e-commerce business orders. It will manage, store, and receive your items for you, providing quick access to track your current stock levels. Having an order fulfillment partner removes the possibility of shipping mistakes. Furthermore, WareIQ has inventory technology, streamlined pick and pack techniques, automated processes, and improved return and receiving procedures, which will assure speedy and precise fulfillment processing. Quicker Delivery If you perform order fulfillment in-house, it is done from a location that is handy for you. However, chances are your business isn't in a position that provides your customers with the best prices and travel times. Working with WareIQ will allow you to save money on shipping and deliver orders to your consumers faster and what is better than affordable and fast shipping timelines? Best In Fulfilment Experience Remember that you are not aiming to become a fulfillment specialist but to run your e-commerce firm. By outsourcing your packing, shipping, and storage, you will benefit from the equipment, software, and employees of a credible and experienced fulfillment partner, such as WareIQ. WareIQ, as an order fulfillment partner, is well-versed in your industry. As a result, collaborating with WareIQ will expedite the fulfillment process. [signup] Frequently Asked Questions Is selling on Instagram free?It costs you nothing to sell online using Instagram! You simply need some free time to get everything in order. Instagram is a free marketing platform that may help you reach a wider audience. With two billion users, you should put up your Instagram buying page as soon as possible. Is it possible to receive money while you sell on Instagram?Instagram now allows you to save payment information and buy things directly from the app. The payment function is found in the app's Settings, where you can enter debit or credit card information, log prior purchases, and establish a pin for further protection. What is the cost of selling on Instagram?Instagram's transaction fees may be a source of concern for some. The cost to sell on Instagram is 5% per shipment or a flat price of $0.40 for sales of $8.00 or less, according to their Business Help Center. Should you sell on Instagram or Etsy?You can definitely sell on Etsy, it is a marketplace for sellers. When it comes to shopping, people are far more inclined to visit Etsy than Instagram. Selling on Instagram, your greatest hope with a regular account (not a store account) is to catch people's attention and keep yourself top of mind for the next time they want to buy something similar to what you sell. How many followers do you need to sell on Instagram?To use Instagram's immensely handy 'Swipe-Up' function, you must have a business account with at least 10,000 followers. Don't be concerned if you don't have many followers right now; consistent blogging will address that problem. Can you sell on Instagram if you don't have a website?You do not require a website: You may sell on Instagram without a website if you sell directly from the comments. This might be beneficial for vendors who are just starting out. You encourage a direct connection: If you manually complete every order, you'll have to talk with your consumer to acquire their information. Can I use PayPal to collect money for selling on Instagram?Add a 'Buy' button to your Instagram page to take consumers to a PayPal payment page. PayPal enables your customers to safely checkout using either their PayPal account or a credit card. Create separate PayPal connections for each of your items or services to manage ordering, pricing, shipping, and other aspects. Is selling on Instagram profitable?Selling on Instagram is undoubtedly a successful option because you can get started for free, with no startup fees.However, it is not a long-term answer for building your firm. Most of its eCommerce features are better suited to well-known businesses. What is the best way to sell products on Instagram?To sell products on Instagram, you must have a business account. For maximum profitability, you may sell directly on the platform or combine your eCommerce store with your company account.

August 08, 2022
Retail Logistics: Definition, Functions, Challenges and Methods to Improve Retail and Logistics Management in eCommerce in 2024

Retail Logistics: Definition, Functions, Challenges and Methods to Improve Retail and Logistics Management in eCommerce in 2024

Buyers these days expect a quick and good experience with any brand. They expect customizable products with similar delivery options that use advanced automation of logistics processes. Technology has made this possible. Nowadays, there are many different products on the market and this calls for a planned strategy from the point of receiving an order to the point of delivery. By using effective retail logistics and added value, you can make sure that everything is in place to provide better delivery and service at reduced costs. In this blog, we will take a look at retail logistics, its advantages, and how retail and logistics management can be improved. What is Retail Logistics? Retail logistics is the systematic process of controlling the movement of goods from the point of supply to the buyer. By using effective retail and logistics management, you can make sure everything is set up to provide better delivery and service at reduced costs. The warehouse receiving, inventory management, fulfillment and shipping phases are parts of the retail logistics process. In order to achieve customer expectations for quick, economical delivery, every step of the logistics process should be streamlined. This means that an efficient retail logistics operation frequently needs both manpower (warehouse personnel as well as upper-level management positions, such as a logistics director) and slick software solutions, which can dramatically raise logistics expenses. [contactus_uth] Source 6 Functions of Retail Logistics in eCommerce Inventory Handling To fulfill orders, your products must be received and processed from the supplier. Incoming eCommerce goods are unloaded and formally checked in, after which it is properly documented and stored. Receiving and processing inventory is crucial. It not only promotes effectiveness and expedites the fulfillment process but it also guarantees that what is received corresponds to what was purchased. A lack of clear protocols can easily result in loss, which has an effect on both your customers and your bottom line. Examples of such operations include unloading, receiving and allocating SKUs. Inventory Distribution Distributed inventory is a method of allocating inventory where stock is distributed among several warehouses or fulfillment locations as opposed to just one. This system's basic premise is that it brings your goods closer to your clients, making it one of the best ways to speed up delivery times and lower transportation costs. The price of satisfying retail orders depends on delivery zones so thus, the closer a shipment is to the buyer, the less the retail logistics will cost them. An example would be an Uber ride, where distance corresponds with increasing costs. Distributing inventory throughout many retail warehouses can help your business grow by enabling you to provide low-cost 2-day shipping which is a benefit that many customers have come to expect as a result of online retailers like Amazon. In an economy that depends on quick fulfillment. Many rapidly expanding firms outsource fulfillment to a 3PL like WareIQ, which runs a vast network of fulfillment centers because they lack the time or resources to manage several warehouses. Order Fulfillment Don't undervalue the importance of quick and economical delivery to customers. It is essential to have a strategy in place for cost-effective and efficient retail logistics. A variety of coordinated procedures begin as soon as your customer confirms their order, ensuring that their information is verified and the appropriate products are selected and packaged as soon as possible. The procedure is referred to as "order-to-cash" (O2C). In order to complete the order and collect payments from the client, inventory management and accounting procedures must be completed within the O2C cycle. To track orders and save historical order data, which is later used to evaluate O2C performance, a healthy O2C cycle also needs an order management system. The order processing and fulfillment process can be automated if you work with a 3PL like WareIQ. Orders are routed from the closest fulfillment facility to the shipping destination once your online store is connected to WareIQ's fulfillment platform. Shipping An order is dispatched as soon as it has been picked, packed and labelled. If your retail logistics network includes numerous warehouses, the shipment is transported from the one that is closest to the destination. eCommerce shipping entails setting up orders to be delivered to the customer in the most dependable, economical manner possible. Shipping incentives, such as free shipping and same-day and next-day delivery can effectively be employed as marketing strategies. You can leverage product bundles, provide minimum spending requirements, partner with 3PLs that handle shipping and offer negotiated bulk shipping rates and pass on the savings to your consumers to help cover the cost of shipping (including free delivery). Product Tracking It is important to have real-time retail logistics tracking in place across the whole eCommerce supply chain. Maintaining ideal inventory levels and determining when to replace inventory to fulfill demand without overstocking and raising holding costs can be difficult without real-time tracking of product levels. You can track orders and shipments using digital order tracking and you can also give your customers tracking details. For example, using the WareIQ app that integrates with your choice of eCommerce platform, you can automatically send each customer a confirmation email and provide them with the tracking number and related details. You can view the order's status in real-time as it goes through each stage, from processing to shipment and everything in between. Returns Management If not effectively handled, the returns management process can include additional receiving, packaging, evaluation, reprocessing and even replacements. Returns can be seen as a chance to improve the client experience even more. A fantastic method to improve the customer experience is to train your customer support employees to initiate returns while simultaneously soliciting client feedback. Overall, implementing retail logistics solutions that speed up returns can significantly affect the expansion of your organization. Common Challenges in Retail Logistics in 2024 Rising Consumer Expectations The conveniences that the modern customer has grown accustomed to, particularly when it comes to shipping, have a direct impact on their shopping decisions. According to National Retail Federation research, 3/4ths of consumers want delivery to be free but in another survey, 77% of consumers showed that they are willing to pay more for next-day or same-day delivery. Two-day shipping was originally offered by eCommerce giant Amazon more than 15 years ago and it swiftly became the norm. Since then, Amazon has narrowed the time frame for its deliveries, obliging all other sellers to do the same. Lack of Inventory Visibility Even the most effective retail fulfillment strategy can be hampered by a lack of inventory visibility, both in terms of the overall number of SKUs and where inventory is situated. Fortunately, this problem with retail logistics has two rather simple remedies: First, companies must keep an eye on inventory numbers. There are a variety of measures you may use to obtain visibility into your inventory, including inventory carrying costs, successful order percentages, percentages of orders filled from ideal inventory locations and inventory turnover rates. For the best return on investment (ROI), make sure that any metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) you track are in line with the strategic, financial and customer goals of your business.Second, create a WMS-based retail fulfillment process that is effective. WMS technology has many advantages, such as improved workflow and process design, interaction with purchase order systems and tracking SKU levels at the lot, and much more. It can even enable inventory metrics through KPI generation and customized reporting. To provide your customers with seamless omnichannel experiences and want to attain inventory visibility, you can use it as an accurate forecast of future demand and manage your supply-chain activities accordingly. Complex Disruptions in the Supply Chain Global and local supply chains are very complex. While expanding retail logistics operations across the country has helped many businesses cut expenses, diversify their product lines, increase production efficiency and more, it has also increased the danger of supply chain interruptions, caused due to a variety of factors such as manufacturing issues, transport issues, unforeseen delays and much more. Impact of Retail Logistics in eCommerce In changing times a lot of changes have been seen in eCommerce due to Retail Logistics. A few of them are: Growth of Mobile Commerce It comes as no surprise that there has been a considerable shift to mobile commerce given the broad adoption of smartphones. More people are now purchasing online due to the temporary closure of brick and mortar stores worldwide to stop the spread of COVID-19 and the avoidance of those stores by many customers who chose to adopt social distancing. EMarketer reports that 43% of online retailers experienced an increase in sales during the pandemic. Electronics, home goods and office supplies, which boost comfort and allow individuals to achieve more while at home, saw a dramatic increase in demand, whilst non-essentials like jewellery and consulting services saw a decline in demand as consumers decreased spending on non-essential needs. Enhanced Consumer Expectations A seamless and uniform experience across channels, including online, mobile and in-person, is what savvy customers are starting to demand from their favourite companies as they move toward omnichannel retail logistics experiences. The omnichannel strategy, for instance, allows customers to return items they have purchased online to any brick-and-mortar store, regardless of where they originally bought them. Retail logistics can become very challenging for businesses that segregate their online inventory from their in-store goods, especially if their distribution hubs are spread out throughout the country. Technological Integration Another significant trend that is having an impact on retail logistics is embedded integration technology, as logistics providers are realizing the necessity for reliable and seamless data sharing with customers. For example, Delivery windows can be optimized using real-time position tracking and real-time traffic information. Embedded data platforms enable the connection and integration of data by utilizing features that are already included in the solution. RFID technology is yet another illustration. RFID can provide real-time location and amount data when coupled with other systems, such as inventory management software, leading to fewer backorders and more precise estimations of delivery timelines and shipping costs. Adopting embedded integration technologies enables merchants to more effectively track inventory, communicate with customers in meaningful ways and share data throughout their supply chains. Increased Automation The retail logistics sector is already changing thanks to robotics. Particularly, the collaborative robot is making great strides in streamlining and optimizing warehouse, order fulfillment and delivery processes. Given that the retail sector undergoes large seasonal peak periods, collaborative robots are particularly appealing for distribution and fulfillment in the retail sector. Warehouse operators can rent more robots to meet seasonal demands and return them after peak time because collaborative robots don't need new infrastructure. Robotization has come to be associated with automated warehouses and improved order fulfillment and distribution processes, whether it is through collaborative or multipurpose robots, driverless cars or wearable technologies. The use of robots in retail and logistics management will increase as technology gets more precise, adaptable and affordable. 3 Ways to Improve Your Retail and Logistics Management Every product you offer will face intense competition in the online market. Traditional logistics systems can't keep up with client demand for efficiency and labour cost savings. You need the appropriate partners and technology on your side in order to build a strong retail logistics business. Here are 3 ways that can help: Enabling Digitalization The capacity to transform retail logistics into the digital world is necessary for supply chain optimization in order to maintain competitiveness and satisfy demand. Traditional supply chain management methods are improved by digital supply chain transformation using the most recent advancements in logistics including automation, data and analytics, robotics and AI learning. The objective is to build a quicker, more durable and sustainable supply chain. Digital inventory solutions may assist multichannel shopping, enabling firms to grow across channels while maintaining complete visibility of their supply chain. Increased order accuracy, quicker fulfillment and the capacity to trace inventory across distribution centers are all benefits of integrating a digital inventory system with a warehouse automation system or 3PL software. Choosing Third-Party Retail Logistics Providers Online merchants frequently resort to contemporary logistics partners when they want to expand for a number of reasons: In-house fulfillment gets time-consuming and expensive as a brand expands.Brands eventually run out of room or can't keep up with demand because of a manpower shortage.There isn't enough time for business owners and their staff to concentrate on direct-revenue efforts.Offloading retail logistics to outside logistics centers or parties who put a priority on lowering costs and accelerating efficiency can provide your company with a significant competitive edge. Streamlining Your Technical Stack Online sellers can expand most effectively when their operations are automated to function as effectively as possible. Your company's operations can be maintained by improving the integration of your retail logistics tech stack. WareIQ collaborates with top end-to-end eCommerce providers, including platforms for returns and marketing tools, to develop a unique retail logistics solution that fits your business. Conclusion: Enhance Your Retail Logistics With WareIQ Retail logistics are extremely important for an eCommerce business in 2024 as it ensures the smooth transportation of goods from the manufacturer to the fulfillment center and ultimately, to the customer. However, it can be very complex for businesses to manage it on their own. We recommend outsourcing your retail logistics to a 3PL company like WareIQ. WareIQ is designed to make your retail logistics procedures easy and cost-efficient. You as a seller can offer services such as same-day or next-day delivery, a nationwide network of fulfillment centers and dark stores to store your products closer to your customers, choice of more than 20 shipping aggregators that are automatically assigned to each order based on their delivery speed and cost and much more. Furthermore, WareIQ's B2B and BSC fulfillment suite and WMS capabilities enable sellers to sell throughout the entire eCommerce ecosystem, powering retail logistics and assisting in the fulfillment of website orders. Unlock your successful eCommerce journey with WareIQ by cutting down expenses on product procurement and fulfillment. We will provide you with everything you need to maintain a robust supply chain while also freeing up your time to concentrate on expanding your business. Retail Logistics: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Why is logistics important for the retail industry?A successful retail business depends on its logistics and supply chain. Everything revolves around giving people what they want, when they want and at their convenience. The key to success is winning over customers' confidence and helping businesses grow their operations daily. What are the five elements of retail logistics?The elements of retail logistics are:a) Storage, warehousing and materials handlingb) Packaging and unitisationc) Inventoryd) Transporte) Information and control What are the different types of retail logistics?Industry-wise logistics can be divided into five categories:a) Procurement Logisticsb) Sales Logisticsc) Manufacturing Logisticsd) Recovery Logisticse) Recycling Logistics How does retail logistics differ from other types of logistics?While retail logistics is similar to other types of logistics, there are some key differences. One of the main differences is that retail logistics focuses specifically on getting products from suppliers to customers through retailers, whereas other types of logistics may focus on different types of goods or different stages of the supply chain. Additionally, retail logistics often involves a greater number of SKUs (stock keeping units), small quantities and more frequent deliveries compared to other types of logistics. Retail logistics also has to deal with reverse logistics (Returns) and last mile delivery that may not be as prevalent in other types of logistics. What is a logistics cycle?The logistics management cycle includes important tasks including product selection, quantification, procurement, inventory management, storage and distribution. Organizing and staffing, finance, supervision, and assessment are other tasks that contribute to and are fundamental to the logistics cycle. What are some examples of well-known companies that excel in retail logistics?To name the best;1. Amazon Logistics2. Walmart3. DHL4. FedEx5. WareIQ

August 07, 2022
10 Techniques to Generate eCommerce Customer Feedback in 2024 to Enhance Customer Satisfaction and an Exclusive Look at WareIQ’s Customer Feedback App

10 Techniques to Generate eCommerce Customer Feedback in 2024 to Enhance Customer Satisfaction and an Exclusive Look at WareIQ’s Customer Feedback App

The primary objective of most eCommerce companies is to sell their products to as many customers as possible and ensure that they have a good experience in order to increase their chances of getting repeat purchases. Getting genuine eCommerce customer feedback has multiple advantages for a business. If customers have a good experience, retailers would want to highlight it in the form of testimonials, reviews on their website or listing platform and feedback on online forums. Customers generally take existing or prior customer feedback into consideration when trying to make a choice about which brand to purchase from. Positive customer feedback can mean the difference between customers choosing a particular firm as opposed to its competitors. Conversely, negative feedback can have similar implications but in reverse. However, it is important for retailers to take it sportingly and to try and solve the issues that customers have faced, either with their overall experience or granular aspects of their order. Abrupt resolution of issues can also lead to enhanced customer appreciation. Read along as we go into more detail about eCommerce customer feedback, why it is important, how it benefits your business, 10 ways to push for customer feedback in eCommerce, and how WareIQ’s customer feedback app can help. What is Customer Feedback in eCommerce? Customer feedback in eCommerce refers to the expression of a customer’s experience with different aspects of a company's purchase and fulfillment processes, either directly to the company through telephone, message, or email communication, indirectly through reviews on their website or the listing platform where the order was initiated, or externally through online forums and group chats. This feedback can either be positive, negative, or in between, where customers may have liked certain aspects of the purchase or post-purchase experience but expectations may have fallen short during the delivery experience. This feedback is valuable for an eCommerce business as positive feedback can encourage other customers to make a purchase while negative feedback can be a roadblock to new customers’ willingness to give the business a try. It is also important how a business reacts to negative feedback. While some businesses make an effort to take customer feedback into consideration and try and correct any mishaps that occurred, other businesses either don’t respond or don’t make an effort to win over the customer, which can have dire consequences. [contactus_lilgoodness] Important Statistics in Regards to eCommerce Customer Feedback eCommerce is often regarded as a numbers game and it is important for retailers to keep track of various metrics of their business, including their successes and failures, which can be identified through customer feedback and user experience. We have compiled a list of important statistics that highlight the importance of eCommerce customer feedback. They are listed below: A study by Womply indicated that businesses that respond to at least 25% of eCommerce customer reviews can get an increase of 35% in their revenue.In a survey conducted by Podium, 93% of respondents indicate that reviews impact their purchasing decisions.In a poll by Broadly, 84% of respondents claimed that eCommerce customer reviews carried the same weight as recommendations from friends or family.According to ReviewTrackers, Facebook and Google are the online platforms where customer reviews get the most visibility.A study by Vonage found that businesses in the US lose an estimated $62 billion annually due to sub-par customer service.Online consumer behavior research by KPMG shows that at least 30% of online shoppers mostly mobile shoppers, have shared online feedback.A Zendesk study found that 97% of respondents said that poor customer service can lead to a change in their purchasing habits.According to a study conducted by Cone, 80% of respondents said that negative reviews impacted their decision to buy a product.A survey by Bazaarvoice indicated that 70% of those polled changed their perception of a company depending on how they responded to eCommerce customer reviews.According to the Spiegel Research Center, products with at least 5 reviews were 270% more likely to be purchased compared to products with 0 reviews. Additionally, expensive products that had reviews could increase their conversion rates by upwards of 380%. Benefits of Getting eCommerce Customer Reviews Source Enhances Customer Satisfaction By allowing customer feedback in eCommerce through the form of reviews or direct communication, retailers can get valuable insights into the experience and varying opinions of customers on different aspects of the business and can help them gauge what goes down well with customers and what doesn’t. This helps improve customer satisfaction for both customers that had their issues rectified and future customers who will benefit from the improvement in whichever processes that were causing dissatisfaction. Results in Loyal Customers Every business strives to generate enough satisfaction in the overall interactions that customers have with their business so that they will ultimately be loyal to the brand and not divert their business elsewhere when they need similar products. Paying attention to customer feedback in eCommerce will help companies accomplish just that by taking their suggestions and feedback into account and can show them that their words can make a difference and result in improvements. This makes customers feel special and they can often develop a bond with a business that goes deeper than just supply and demand. Streamlines Multiple Processes Because the success of a business and the happiness are directly proportional, it pays dividends to listen to customer feedback in eCommerce in order to make the necessary tweaks to make a bad product good or a good product even better. For example, if a business sells earphones and the feedback is generally positive but there are an overwhelming amount of reviews saying that they would be even better if they were louder or the bass was more extreme, the retailer could take that into consideration for the next iteration of the product so that it could be even more successful. Reduces the Cost of Customer Acquisition Research indicates that if a business is able to retain just 20% of its customers, its revenue can increase by up to 80%. Another plus point is that it is much cheaper and easier to maintain existing customers because retailers would have an idea of what they like and what they don’t and they can always release new products and run promotional campaigns to target existing customers which will help create hype and attract new customers. Generates Important Analytics It is important for businesses to measure every aspect of their eCommerce processes and this holds especially true for eCommerce customer feedback. Reviews from customers are a good KPI to measure the reception of a product in the real world. Retailers can understand whether the price is too high or low, if the product is being promoted to the right audience if certain elements need to be added or removed, and much more. This helps them measure their overall success and make future adjustments and strategies accordingly. 10 Techniques to Get eCommerce Customer Feedback for Your Business in 2024 Keep in Touch With Customers Post-Purchase By recording the contact information of prior customers and keeping in touch with them even after their product has been delivered, retailers can ask for feedback and find out which parts of the purchase and delivery experience they were satisfied with and which needed improvement. This will help customers get a positive impression about the business and it will linger in their mind, which will help when promoting a new product or running ad campaigns that target existing and prior customers. Encourage Customers to Provide Feedback Retailers can encourage customers to leave reviews by providing incentives such as vouchers, coupons, discounts, free shipping on future orders and much more. This will not only result in more reviews, feedback and customer satisfaction but will also create a situation where they would want to take advantage of the benefits provided on future orders such as free shipping because they left a review on a previous order. This will also coax them to leave reviews as many times as they can in order to receive even more advantages.  Make it Simple for Customers to Leave Reviews Retailers need to strike a balance between subtly encouraging customers to leave reviews and constantly popping up review pages when they are just trying to browse or checkout as it can be construed as spam and will ultimately discourage them from leaving feedback and may even have a negative impact on them visiting your page again. eCommerce customer feedback pages should be located in strategic locations such as after a payment has been made or after they have received their order. If they have had a noteworthy experience, they can mention it in the review. Publish Positive and Negative Reviews It may seem counterintuitive to include reviews that tarnish the name of a brand. However, it actually provides more credibility as customers might be weary if there are only a sea of positive reviews with no mention of any complaints or incidents as after all, everyone is human. Negative reviews can also have positive impacts in certain situations such as if a review highlights minor incidents that wouldn’t be a problem for more and attacks the brand, which garners sympathy towards the company from potential customers or if a review mentions something that may be seen as a negative to some people but a positive to others such as a phone having complex software features. Highlight Reviews That Contain Important Product Information When scrolling through eCommerce customer reviews, consumers generally want to find information relating to the product quality, pricing, delivery experience and durability, among others. Placing reviews that contain a detailed description about the product and overall user experience can give customers all the information they need to make a well-informed decision and be happy with their purchase. Provide Reviews Relating to Different Aspects of the Business eCommerce customer reviews that contain information not only about the product but also about the purchase, customer support and delivery experience, can help customers get a better idea about how easy it is to order and pay, how long it takes for the order to arrive and how helpful the customer care team were if and when any query or issue should arise. This will enable customers to decide whether that brand provides a more positive experience compared to its competitors. Respond and Engage With Existing Reviews As mentioned above, research suggests that 70% of customers change their perception of a brand depending on how they respond to eCommerce customer feedback. It makes less of a difference if businesses do not reply to positive reviews, even though showing appreciation to customers by saying a small thank you could only improve their reputation in the eyes of potential customers. However, not responding to negative reviews and addressing customer complaints can amplify the negative sentiments that are echoed by those customers, in the eyes of new customers. Conduct Mass Customer Surveys Sending out surveys to customers so that they can answer predetermined questions can be an easy way to get a large amount of eCommerce customer feedback in a relatively short period of time. Rather than prompting each customer to leave a review, surveys can reduce the amount of time and effort needed to accomplish a similar goal. Surveys can be segmented into 2 groups - prospective customer surveys and existing customer surveys. Each survey will highlight different facets of the business, depending on the stage that the customer is in. Invest in a Review Service If a retailer doesn’t have the time or the resources to push for eCommerce customer feedback, they can always opt for a specialised review service that takes care of generating customer reviews for them. For a specified fee, they can increase the amount of reviews that are submitted, organise reviews based on a number of factors and reduce the amount of time that the whole process takes. Provide a Rating Option on Various Pages Product ratings are like a summary of reviews. If it is not feasible to provide detailed reviews on every page, retailers can just highlight the ratings of a particular product or service to give prospective customers an idea of the overall feedback. It is also easier to get ratings from customers compared to reviews as it is just one click rather than them needing to write an entire sentence or paragraph. How WareIQ’s Customer Feedback App Can Collect eCommerce Customer Reviews to Analyse Brand Perception & Address Your Customer Grievances? Customer feedback in eCommerce is of enormous importance as it not only determines whether prior customers will return to a business, it also decides the kind of impression a company will make on new customers and whether they will choose to give their business to them or a competitor. It is imperative for eCommerce retailers to provide the best possible experience to every customer and push for feedback so that they can publicize positive reviews and use negative reviews as a learning curve to improve the aspects of their business that was responsible for the dissatisfaction. If you are an eCommerce retailer that needs assistance with generating and managing eCommerce customer reviews, WareIQ’s Customer Feedback app has got you covered. With WareIQ’s Customer Feedback app, we help users to streamline their eCommerce customer feedback processes to generate a larger number of reviews in a seamless and effortless manner. The app can simply be downloaded from our app store that also comes stocked with a whole host of other apps to enhance productivity in different areas of eCommerce. Anyone who has downloaded apps from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store will have an easy time downloading any app they need. A few of the unique features that our Customer Feedback app offers are listed below: Quantifies Customer Experience, Analyzes Brand Perception and Builds Brand Loyalty We will help you understand the overall customer sentiment towards your brand as well as help in identifying opportunities to enhance their user experience and increase their trust. Helps You Get a Detailed Understanding About What Your Customers Have to Say Using the Customer Feedback app, you can track and follow every customer’s feedback to instantly answer their queries, rectify any escalations and thank them for their business. Helps You Get a Better Understanding of Your Customers You can get access to a 360-degree dashboard that enables you to analyse and understand every aspect of the behaviour of your customers through specifically-curated data. Benefits of Using the Customer Feedback App Improves customer retentionEnhances customer satisfactionAnalyses customer behaviourIncreases brand perceptionPinpoints unsatisfied customers [signup] eCommerce Customer Feedback: FAQs What are the most common ways for customers to give feedback?Customers generally give feedback through website reviews, online forums and direct communication with the retailer. Why is it important to get customer feedback?Customer feedback enables retailers to understand the success of their operations and whether they need to make changes to any procedures to improve performance. Does WareIQ have other applications in the app store?Yes, WareIQ has multiple productivity apps other than the Customer Feedback app including Branded Tracking, Shipping Badges, RTO Shield, WareIQ Rush and much more. How can the Customer Feedback app improve the customer experience?The Customer Feedback app consolidates all your customer reviews and interactions in one place so that escalations can be instantly rectified and happy customers can be interacted with. How can eCommerce businesses measure the impact of customer feedback on their business?There are several ways that eCommerce businesses can measure the impact of customer feedback on their business. To list the best:1. Track customer satisfaction levels2. Monitor customer loyalty3. Identify areas for improvement4. Track changes in sales and revenue5. Analyze feedback from different channels6. Surveys, polls, and Net Promoter Score (NPS) can be used to measure the impact of customer feedback on the business. How often should eCommerce businesses gather customer feedback?The frequency of gathering customer feedback should be determined by the eCommerce business itself, depending on the industry and the rate of product/service changes they may have. It's important to gather customer feedback regularly and consistently in order to track progress, identify new areas for improvement, and ensure that customer needs and expectations are being met. A good practice would be gathering feedback quarterly and using the data to make decisions for the next quarter. Does WareIQ provide other eCommerce services?Yes, WareIQ provides a whole range of eCommerce-related services from storing inventory in a nationwide network of fulfillment centers, giving users access to a custom WMS, providing a choice of more than 20 shipping aggregators to always provide the fastest and most cost-effective delivery for every order, and much more.

August 06, 2022