The more technology has become commonplace, the more important ecommerce has become for businesses. In order to ensure long-term growth and sustainability, businesses today really need to consider incorporating ecommerce. Due to the rapid changes and challenges COVID-19 has thrust upon business owners, ecommerce options have even become critical for business survival.
If your business needs an ecommerce solution to adapt to the ever-growing needs of customers, the following tips will help you get started:
- Develop a strategy that works for your business
If your business has been selling products in a brick-and-mortar store up to this point, then the first step is to develop a strategy that suits your business’ unique position. To incorporate ecommerce as a brick-and-mortar, you simply need to make those products available online. Most ecommerce platforms let you upload stock lists via CSV file, greatly simplifying the process. Make sure you also consider options like dropshipping, which remove the need for warehouse space or owned fulfillment centers.
- Add ecommerce to your website (or choose a platform)
Assuming your business has kept up with technology, the first place to add ecommerce is to your business existing website. If your business has not invested in a website, then your next step will be choosing a platform to sell your products from. You can easily add ecommerce to your website via WordPress, for example. A plugin like WooCommerce allows you to add an ecommerce function to your business quickly and easily.
- Connect with your credit card processor
As an established business owner, you might have already implemented an ecommerce payment solution. Many merchants have long recognized the need to transition to ecommerce, and have put payment processing options in place that their customers expect to have today. If this is an option you still need to add, connect with your credit card processor to get started with the process. Working with a reputable processor like EMB, for example, can allow your customers to order something online and then pick it up from your physical location.
- Be open to other sales channels
The most important part of implementing ecommerce is to remain openminded; there are so many other sales channels beyond your business’ website. Consider your social channels, for example. Virtually every social platform today has some form of ecommerce feature built-in. Facebook boasts its Marketplace, while Instagram offers Product Stickers. Even Snapchat is busy experimenting with different ecommerce options for merchants. The biggest advantage of considering other sales channels is the ability to engage with your existing and potential customers where they are the most active.
Secure an ecommerce merchant account
To open a safe and secure ecommerce merchant account, it is important to find a reputable payment processing company like emerchantbroker.com. Voted the #1 high risk payment processor in the U.S., EMB boasts an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). With EMB, you can enjoy the best chargeback protection and prevention programs in the industry. EMB is rated A by Card Payment Options and is one of Inc 500’s Fastest Growing Companies of 2016.
You not only secure a highly reliable eCommerce merchant account so you can offer a wider variety of options for your customers, but you will also secure assistance in fighting fraud and mitigating chargeback levels related to your business.