Are you frustrated with the lack of traction you are currently seeing with your fashion retailing website? Are you noticing an increase in sales but having a hard time keeping up?
You aren’t alone and these problems are common for new e-commerce businesses! Luckily, there are multiple tools available to help you grow your business and ensure your longterm success.
We’re going to discuss a few tools that you should be using to ensure you make as much money with as little effort as possible. Keep reading to find out more!
Management Software
If you haven’t decided to start using apparel industry management software yet, now is a great time to do so. This type of software is flexible in what it can do for your company and will help you fill roles you might otherwise have to outsource.
When choosing management software, look at what programs it can be integrated with. Ideally, you will find one that works with your payment gateway, accounting software, shipping, and point of sale system (if you have one.)
Even if these other programs aren’t currently being used, hopefully, they will be one day because that will mean your company has grown! With this said, any management software that you use should be able to offer varying price points based on the size of your business and the integrations that you need.
Great Customer Service
There is at least one business that you refuse to use based on their poor customer service. Don’t be that company.
If you can handle answering emails and phone calls about your products, do so. Eventually, you will get to a point that this option isn’t feasible. So you will either have to hire a customer service team or outsource the work.
One of the best things to keep in mind when it comes to customer service is the Golden Rule. If you wouldn’t want to be treated in a certain manner, don’t do it to your customers or else you run the risk of losing them for good. You’ll have to follow your own set of policies but always try to have someone respond to calls and emails within a 24-hour period.
On the same note, if you happen to receive a bad review (it’s inevitable because it’s impossible to make everyone happy,) take the time to respond. Thank customers for great reviews, but take care to respond professionally when someone is unhappy.
Financial Software
You probably already have an accountant or someone who handles your taxes. If you don’t, find one immediately. Once you’ve established a working relationship with a financial professional, make their job easier by implementing accounting procedures, including the use of financial software.
Your accounting software might be a free online version or part of a package from your payment gateway. Whatever it is, use it from the beginning in order to keep the best financial records possible, minimize your tax burden, and be able to see a true picture of your business at a glance.
Deciding to use some type of financial or accounting software in the beginning stages of your business will get you into the habit of recording all transactions and allow you to devise the best practices for your company. You will also be able to better train other workers when you, yourself have a working knowledge of your chosen software.
Predictive Product Recommendations
When someone searches your site for something and can’t find exactly what they’re looking for, they might shop elsewhere. To reduce the chances of this happening, or to further enhance a customer’s buying experience, many companies are implementing the use of Artificial Intelligence.
This might sound expensive and something that isn’t quite feasible yet but you’d be surprised at how cost-effective this tool is. This type of ‘service’ will keep users on your site longer and ideally entice them to purchase more products!
Digital Marketing
Of course, you use Facebook and Instagram to post your products. You might have a blog. The question is, are you consistent in your use of all platforms? If you haven’t already, you should consider automating your posts to allow for optimal levels of engagement.
You should ultimately have a complete strategy that incorporates search engine optimization of your site, targeted content, and social media posts that include both photos and videos. If this sounds like a lot of work, it is – at first.
After a few attempts, you will begin to see what your audience wants to see and responds to best. If you’re still having trouble with this area after a few months, there are multiple companies that specialize in digital marketing for e-commerce, with pricing options for every budget.
The Dollars that Make Sense
You may be able to skip using some of the tools listed here in favor of doing it yourself or skipping it altogether. Unfortunately, by doing most of these tasks yourself, you end up allowing pieces of your business to ‘fall through the cracks.’
To avoid having this happen, it makes sense to utilize each of these tools for your e-commerce site, even if they do cost a bit of money. Eventually, you will see high returns from a relatively small investment. You’ll also likely be able to spend less time working and more time doing the things you love.
Ultimately, you have to make the call about where and how to spend your money but you won’t regret at least researching each of these options further!
fashion online shopping -DepositPhotos
