It’s estimated that there could be as many as 24 million eCommerce businesses in the world, with more being started every day. The COVID-19 pandemic made online shopping even more popular than it was before, so eCommerce businesses can be just as successful as brick-and-mortar businesses. However, the type of software (set of computer networks that automate certain business tasks) that an eCommerce business uses can help it achieve more success. Here are six software solutions that all eCommerce businesses can benefit from having.
#1: Commerce
Whether you’re planning to open an eCommerce business or you already have one, a software system that offers a commerce solution is useful no matter which situation applies to you. First of all, a commerce software function allows you to create an eCommerce website in as little as 30 days, and if you already have an eCommerce business you’ll be able to manage your business with ease. You can also launch other eCommerce businesses and manage multiple companies from one software system.
Even if one of your businesses sells to consumers (B2C) and the other sells to businesses (B2B), you’ll be able to manage both types of businesses in one place. You’ll also have access to tools that will help you drive more traffic to your website(s).
#2: Global Business Management
As the owner of an eCommerce business, you may or may not consider yourself a global business. No matter what you may believe, you have a global business to some degree— especially if you ship your products overseas. More than half of the world’s population has access to the internet, so the potential for you to become a multinational business is there.
Having global business management capabilities within your software is helpful whether you have multiple businesses or not, simply because you sell to people in other countries. This feature of your software system can handle things like language barriers, different currencies, and foreign tax laws.
#3: Inventory Management
Even if you’re doing the drop shipping method (moving goods directly from the manufacturer to the customer), you’ll still benefit from having an inventory management function as a part of your business software. The same goes if you drop shipping for one business and direct shipping for another— you’ll be able to access and view all of your inventory across both (or all) of your businesses in real time. Inventory management becomes much easier and more efficient with a software solution to automate it for you. You’re also less likely to make mistakes when you have software to help you.
#4: Manufacturing
Some eCommerce business owners also own and manage their own manufacturing facilities. If you’re a business owner, then your business software must include a manufacturing solution. This feature will help with floor management and production planning and monitoring to ensure you have the correct items in the right place at the right time. This function gives you insight into every part of the production process of your products.
#5: Order Management
Ordering is the only way customers can receive your products, so your software needs an order management solution to handle the order life cycle from placement through delivery— and even returns, if necessary. This goes for both direct shipping, drop shipping, and even split shipping. If a problem with a customer’s order arises, you’ll be able to quickly see it and take the steps to correct it. Your customers will be satisfied, and with customer satisfaction comes more business.
#6: Warehouse Management
As with a manufacturing facility, some eCommerce business owners may also own their own warehouse. Luckily, many software systems have a warehouse management solution as well. This solution easily syncs with your order, inventory, and even global management if you have the right software— and GSI managed services can provide all of this for you. You’ll be able to be involved in all aspects of your eCommerce business as little or as much as you want.
Even though opening and running an eCommerce business may seem easier to manage than a traditional business, you’ll still benefit from having a software system— especially one that has all of these capabilities. The job of business software is to make sure that your business runs smoothly and efficiently, and finding a software system that offers all of these functions can help you do that. Whether you have one eCommerce business or multiple, these software solutions will help contribute to the success of your business.
