We’ve all heard about retailers such as HMV, Jessops and Blockbusters going into administration in recent months. As numbers of retailers entering administration rise, it has become apparent that the in-store business model is no longer enough to survive in the world of retail. For instance, it’s been reported by the BBC that Hilco UK has taken control of HMV who were £176 … [Read more...] about The Evolution of Retail – Survival of the Fittest
Ecommerce Business Articles
Ecommerce is the electronic buying and selling of goods and services over the internet, enabling businesses and consumers to engage in transactions without the need for physical presence.
5 Things to Keep in Mind When You Ship eCommerce Orders
Few things are more important in the world of ecommerce than the shipping process. You can make or break your reputation with customers by how well you manage to deliver the products that are ordered. If you want to package and ship an item promptly, you need to gather all of the important information about the order before you begin. Keep these five things in mind before … [Read more...] about 5 Things to Keep in Mind When You Ship eCommerce Orders
Accepting Ecommerce Payments & Taking Online Transactions
Accepting credit and debit cards is mandatory for Ecommerce websites. This method is fast and efficient for you and your customers and with the introduction of cash-balance credit cards, practically anyone has access to a credit card to use as payment. In addition to accepting credit and debit cards, you also have the option to accept payment by phone, fax, mail and bank … [Read more...] about Accepting Ecommerce Payments & Taking Online Transactions
Ecommerce Content Management System & Automation
Content Management System (CMS). This is the engine of an ecommerce website. It’s the back-end administration (dashboard) that has been organized and structured for you the retailer to add products, process orders, set up email communication, and to display content and products in an organized fashion on the website, for the user to then interactively purchase products. It … [Read more...] about Ecommerce Content Management System & Automation
Supplying Products In Your Ecommerce Business – Drop Ship, Hold Stock or Fulfillment?
Before you set up your ecommerce website you will need to decide if you’ll be holding stock, drop shipping your products (delivery direct from your supplier to customer) or using a fulfillment service for handling any aspect of the operations process (pre-sales to shipping). Hold Stock. If you hold your own stock, you will need money to invest in this up-front, unless … [Read more...] about Supplying Products In Your Ecommerce Business – Drop Ship, Hold Stock or Fulfillment?
Must-Have Ecommerce Features
Ecommerce software solutions are NOT all created equal. Look online, find websites you like, and make a note of features and modules that you want now and in the future. And remember, if you get your full feature and module requirement list in the initial build, you will save money later on. Simply deactivate the features you do not need when you launch. Ecommerce Feature … [Read more...] about Must-Have Ecommerce Features
Planning Your Ecommerce Shipping, Courier and Delivery Strategy.
Shipping & Logistics. I recommend that you decide what ecommerce shipping options, methods and services you plan on offering to your online customers, before you start on your website development. Will you use one shipping company or multiple ones, depending on the product and/or country? Will you use the national postal service as a cheaper option? … [Read more...] about Planning Your Ecommerce Shipping, Courier and Delivery Strategy.
How to Plan For Profit in Your Ecommerce Business
Plan for Profit. This is critical for a successful ecommerce business. The numbers or financials are your compass and give you the true picture of where you are before you start and as you progress. They detail your growth or your decline and failings. Numbers do not lie, period! Analysis. This is a time to be realistic and look at your business idea with honesty. Many … [Read more...] about How to Plan For Profit in Your Ecommerce Business
Using and Offering Customer Loyalty Discount Codes to Your Customers
Using and Offering Customer Loyalty Discount Codes to Your Customers. When dispatching orders to new customers, try enclosing a loyalty discount code of 10%, 20% or whatever your gross profit margin allows. This can be by email message or included in the box with the customer’s orders. Use a business card-size card to promote this or a paper flyer. You can put an expiry … [Read more...] about Using and Offering Customer Loyalty Discount Codes to Your Customers
Providing Optimum Value in Your Ecommerce Business!
Providing Optimum Value in your Ecommerce Business! Business is a value for value exchange. Therefore, the question is; can you do things exceptionally well and give your customers great value and the WOW factor? Many ecommerce websites and businesses are mediocre at best, in all areas from design to customer service. What is your competitive edge? Where will you excel and … [Read more...] about Providing Optimum Value in Your Ecommerce Business!