eCommerce refers to the buying and selling of either goods or services through the internet. To execute these transactions, both parties will transfer the relevant money and data. Integration, in the context of eCommerce, is short for data integration. It is the process of combining the data residing in different sources. Additionally, it is about providing the users with a single unified view of that particular data.
eCommerce integration can help to improve many of your business processes, but it can be hard to tell when you need it. Fortunately, there are a few signs that your business can look out for to see if eCommerce integration is essential for business. As such, if you find that your business has any of these issues or some sound familiar, it might be time that you integrate your eCommerce platform.
- Wasted Time – An overwhelming number of sales can be a daunting task for a merchant. Dealing with more orders requires more time spent at a computer manually entering data across your systems. If your team is spending considerable time moving data between systems, it might be time for eCommerce integration.
- Minor Errors Occurring – How often are small mistakes occurring? How often do such small mistakes end up causing significant issues for your company? If this is a regular occurrence, it might be time to switch to eCommerce integration.
How To Get Started And What To Consider
Integrating two business systems may sound complex. It is why many businesses will put off initiatives to avoid disrupting processes. There is also the fear of being stuck with projects that are taking too long to complete. However, eCommerce integration can open the door to a plethora of opportunities for companies. Therefore, it will be worthwhile for any business to look into eCommerce integration and what is possible.
As you look into eCommerce integration and the options available, it is essential to consider these few factors.
- Choose The Right eCommerce Integration Solution– When looking at implanting eCommerce Integrations, you need to select a flexible platform to integrate with many systems in a variety of ways. Digital commerce merchants can incorporate into various ways. In addition, there is the option to bridge systems in different ways. However, it is essential to select the method best aligned with long-term business goals.
- Identify Your Issues – Take a look at how your company currently operates. Identify any of your current manual, error-prone processes. Implementing eCommerce integration should remove any of these slow, convoluted, and unnecessary steps. Removing these time-consuming steps will allow your team members to focus on more high-value activities.
- Consider Customer Journey– Look at your current customer journey. Consider if there are any ways you can reduce friction to ensure that your customers receive the best service possible when shopping with you. By reviewing customer and shopping activity, you can identify interactions that could be streamlined with eCommerce integration.
- Decide What To Integrate– Have a clear understanding of what needs to be integrated. For products, it includes inventory, pricing, and product data. For customer information, it covers orders and shipping data. Some companies require punch-out integrations, connections with extremal databases, or third-party logistics solutions.
- Ensure You Are PCI Compliant – To help ensure credit card companies mandate the security of credit card transactions, payment card industry compliance. PCI compliance references the technical and operational standards a business should be following. They are there to protect and secure all credit card data provided by cardholders and transmitted through card processing transactions. One way to see if you are compliant, you can go through a PCI compliance checklist to confirm that you are not missing anything.
Benefits Of eCommerce Integration
In recent years, the need for eCommerce integration has increased astronomically. More companies than ever are embracing online sales as in-person shopping declines. With this increasing interest in online stores, many companies are looking into the benefits that eCommerce integration could provide their company. These are just a few of those benefits.
Simplified Pricing
If the pricing or information about a product needs changing, eCommerce integration allows quick and decisive updates. Furthermore, any of these changes can be done with one update required in a single system.
Access To Accurate Data And Inventory Levels
eCommerce integration means that the accuracy of data is never left to chance. There will always be the chance of an error occurring, regardless of if it is a small or large issue. eCommerce integration will allow for real-time track updates, inventory synchronization, and pricing. All of which will speed through the data exchange to make it more accurate than ever before.
Eliminates Manual Order Entry
Providing consumers with the latest stock inventory, pricing, and product information is beneficial for the end-user. For the team at your business, having an eCommerce integration will eliminate manual order entry. Companies will no longer enter duplicated data. Instead, they will notice the improved speed of data exchange by integrating eCommerce applications with their enterprise resource planning system. Entering data manually is a time-consuming and, at times, inefficient task. A modernized eCommerce platform in place can strengthen the process and improve customer service efficiency and satisfaction.
Chance To Grow Brand Into New Markets
eCommerce integration can offer your business adaptability to enter new markets without losing your operational efficiency. With each sales channel that is added, new consumers will become available. Enhanced customer experience, diversified revenue streams, and improved operating margins are some of the perks that come with the opportunity to grow your business through eCommerce integration.
The Bottom Line
In a nutshell, eCommerce integration can have a considerable impact on daily operations and general eCommerce success. As long as having a third party makes sense for your business, ensure that you have no regrets investing money into integrating it into your eCommerce site. The long-term that it can bring will show how it was a worthwhile investment.
