J.D. Associates Retail POS Solutions Blog

Ecommerce Software: Ways to Make Your E-Store Successful

  

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I will never forget the worst ice storm I have ever witnessed in Central Massachusetts where the roads were impassable for almost a month and power was out for thousands for at least 2 weeks.  The date was December 11, 2008, just 2 weeks before Christmas!  Any similar event that prevents shoppers from getting to your stores at the most critical time of the year could prove to be an unrecoverable catastrophe.

So how does a retailer cushion themselves against such unpredictable and unpreventable disasters?   

To help address this issue, J.D. Associates partnered with UniteU Technologies to host an Ecommerce Summit in June at our corporate office.   This Summit was a full day packed with valuable information for retailers who were either interested in opening an ecommerce store/site or looking to improve their existing ecommerce site’s performance.  

Unfortunately, many ecommerce adopters have the idea that if “the build it, they will come.”  This attitude will most often prove fatal to the ecommerce initiative and can also have a negative impact on the image of the entire enterprise.  From the very beginning, ecommerce needs to be treated as seriously as any brick and mortar store to be a success.  The following are some of the key considerations:

1. HIRE A WEB DEVELOPMENT PARTNER WITH PROVEN EXPERTISE –  Ask the potential development partner for a list of their clients and make calls to assess customer satisfaction.  Also, ask the development partner for a written proposal outlining the deliverables and fees.
2. DESIGNATE A FULL-TIME PERSON TO MANAGE THE E-STORE –   It is good to keep in mind that, unlike your brick and mortar stores, your e-store is open and visible to the entire world!  What do you want them to see?
3. CHOOSE A SHOPPING CART THAT INTEGRATES WITH YOUR EXISTING INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM – Integration with your brick and mortar inventory control system (retail POS)can help you avoid stock outs, increase the efficiency of fulfillment, streamline the payment process and track online and offline customer purchases to improve customer loyalty resulting in repeat business.
4. DEFINE THE MISSION OF YOUR E-STORE – It should be eminently clear to you and your customers what you are trying to accomplish.  Keep in mind that the e-store can affect the brand of the entire enterprise in either a negative or positive way. 

Read the rest of the article in the July issue of the Retail Souce, due out on July 21st. If you want to subscribe to our monthly retail newsletter, click here.