As a business owner, you have to provide an excellent customer experience. Otherwise, it is as good as giving your consumers away to your competitors.
However, providing the best CX is easier said than done. For instance, we know that a lot happens behind the scenes when running an online store.
This is where eCommerce integration can be helpful. Without it, you can get lost in the complexity of running an online business. But unfortunately, it will also prevent your startup from having an even playing field against large companies.
But what is eCommerce integration anyway?
Defining eCommerce Integration
eCommerce itself is complex. So much so that setting up an online store alone requires taking various steps. Plus, you need to ensure that the eCommerce side of things works harmoniously with your startup.
This can be possible if you are implementing integrated eCommerce.
Think of it as a well-built network of systems that allows your startup to run like a well-oiled machine. Thus, you do not have to manually input customer data and ship the products. Instead, eCommerce integration can help automate the process for you.
As a result, you can have a streamlined backend process to scale as needed.
6 Benefits of Integrated Ecommerce to Startups
Whether your product is physical or digital, your startup can benefit from integrating eCommerce. That said, here are six benefits of eCommerce integration to your venture:
Significantly Reduce Human Error
Manually inputting customer data is prone to human errors. This includes discrepancy in the order, shipping the wrong product, forgetting to confirm payment, and more.
These mistakes can be costly. That’s because this could mean refund or handling the return and exchange of the wrong product.
To prevent these costly mistakes from happening, you can use eCommerce integration. It allows you to accurately take customer orders, confirm payment, and connect with shipment to send the right product.
Streamlined and Automated Management
The essential benefit of integrated eCommerce is providing the startup with a streamlined process.
Imagine that you no longer need to lift a finger to confirm order and payment, as well as notifying your logistics partner to ship a product. That’s because your system can do it for you. As a result, you can generate sales even while you are sleeping.
Moreover, eCommerce integration allows you to connect with the following:
- Various payment gateways
- Shipping and logistics system
- Omni-channel sales feed
This allows your customers to engage with your startups as needed.
Save Money and Improve Sales
Integrating eCommerce with your startup allows you to automatically send products to your customers. This is regardless of whether your product is physical or digital. That’s because you can use eCommerce to deliver your products.
The best part is that this integration allows you to save money.
For one, it reduces your need to hire people who will monitor your sales. Instead, your startup’s front end can take customer orders and confirm payment. Then, your back end will automatically send the confirmed order to your logistics partner (if you are selling a physical product).
In addition, your eCommerce integration can automatically update whether a product is still available or out of stock. That way, you can sell your products and services effectively, improving your startup’s sales.
Efficient Omni-channel Sales Management
Concerning the previous point, eCommerce integration allows you to run your business. It does not matter whether you have a single or multiple storefronts. This is thanks to omnichannel sales management.
Since your startup‘s eCommerce backend is integrated, you do not have to worry about managing multiple sales channels.
What happens is that you can receive orders from your various storefront and confirm the payment using different gateways. From there, the omnichannel sales management system will send the confirmed order to your logistics partner.
Simplified Synchronization
Everything that was mentioned above boils down to synchronization. This is the process of syncing every part of your startup’s eCommerce system.
For example, when customers order from your online store, their records are updated instantly. This includes their purchase history and your store’s inventory data.
Simplified synchronization reduces the delay of canceling an order before it is processed. As such, no orders that do not need to be shipped will not be sent out.
Improved After-sales Service
There is no denying that integrated eCommerce allows you to provide an excellent customer experience. This includes after-sales service.
One example is customer support. For example, with the help of an eCommerce integration system, you can track a product’s estimated arrival. Another example is handling product returns with ease.
Conclusion
One of the most significant aspects of integrated eCommerce for startups is automation. This means that you can deliver your products and services without human interaction.
As a result, you can ship products efficiently, boost internal productivity, and improve sales.
The best part? You can track every touchpoint of your startup, allowing you to make improvements where needed.
