Composable commerce offers an alternative to all-in-one, legacy platforms for eCommerce companies. This modular approach makes it possible for businesses to improve uptime, streamline processes, and reduce friction across the customer journey. While the flexibility of composable commerce allows organizations to pick and choose the combination of components that best align with strategic goals, three characteristics set composable solutions apart from their all-in-one counterparts: They’re cloud-native, component-based, and tech-agnostic.

What Is Composable Commerce?

Before diving into the details, it’s worth taking a look at the basics of composable commerce. Put simply, a composable approach enables businesses to select, replace or even drop independent and interchangeable components, such as product catalogs, search, and checkout, at any time. Businesses benefit from unlimited flexibility, scalability, and agility to build and run outstanding customer experiences.

The Composable Commerce Trifecta

Truly composable systems share three common characteristics.

Cloud-Native

Cloud-native solutions are built to run in the cloud. This sets them apart from cloud-hosted solutions, which often take the form of legacy solutions that have been migrated to the cloud. Composable commerce relies on cloud-native services to so companies can autoscale online capacity during traffic peaks leveraging cloud- computing provider of their choice, such as AWS, Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure.

In contrast to cloud services is an on-premise solution, whereby companies manage their own data center with a finite amount of storage space and an upper-performance limit. With a cloud-native solution, businesses no longer have to manage and scale servers internally, and can rely on autoscaling capabilities available in the cloud.

Component-Based

Composable solutions are built using independent and interchangeable components that can be added, replaced or removed at any time. This makes it possible for companies to build e-commerce systems that are adaptable and can meet current and future needs.

In a traditional e-commerce solution, this isn’t possible since all functions and features are interdependent. If one process fails, it can have far-reaching impacts on other operations and may lead to unexpected downtime. Addressing issues may require a full system update or direct support from solution providers.

Using a component-based approach, meanwhile, companies can add, replace, or remove services as needed. This is because e-commerce capabilities are connected using application programming interfaces (APIs). These interfaces are lightweight pieces of code that facilitate communication and make it possible to connect software tools from multiple providers.

Tech-Agnostic

Finally, true composable platforms are tech-agnostic. This means that companies can use any programming language or cloud service rather than being locked into a walled garden technology.

The tech-agnostic nature of this approach also allows companies to build exactly the tech stack they want following business requirements. Instead of being bound to proprietary software upgrades and changes like other platforms. Technology professionals can code in the programming languages of their choice. Thus, don’t need extra certifications to operate a composable system, positively impacting developer productivity

Composable is all about customers 

Composable commerce solutions are cloud-native, component-based, and tech-agnostic. Thereby, allowing e-commerce companies to achieve infinite scale, add or remove components as needed, and unlock the freedom of engineering. This allows businesses to create technology solutions that meet business requirements. The result? A technology stack that meets business needs and, most importantly, customer expectations and demands now and in the future.

The post What Are The Three Characteristics of Composable Commerce? appeared first on Add Value Business Blog.

With over 150 million users within the US, TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms. Thus, it makes sense that they have launched TikTok Shop, which is an in-app shopping feature. Keep reading to learn more about this new feature.

First, What is a TikTok Shop?

The TikTok Shop feature is an eCommerce option accessible directly within the TikTok platform. Merchants, brands, and creators can now display and sell products directly on the platform rather than sending viewers to another site. Furthermore, sellers can sell products in videos, live videos, and in the product showcase tab.

Who can use TikTok Shopping?

TikTok Shopping is available for most users within the UK, the US, and many Asian countries. However, different user types have access to different features and benefits.

Creator

Creators on the platform can promote products they love to their community. This allows creators to access another revenue stream through TikTok. Creators can browse, select, and add products from TikTok Shop to their content with just a few taps. They then get paid a commission through the TikTok Affiliate Program. Another advantage of TikTok Shop for creators is the ability to develop partnerships with brands by promoting their products organically.

Partner/Talent Agency

Partners work as talent agencies on TikTok, connecting brands and creators for partnerships on and off the platform. TikTok Shop helps connect partners with sellers and creators on the platform. Partners can use TikTok Shop to grow their client base by offering sellers and creators expert support in commerce. All partners gain access to dedicated training programs and monetized incentives.

Seller

Any brand on TikTok can become a seller. They simply set up their account and link their eCommerce store platform, then add their products. The integrated in-app checkout helps to drive sales as users are not directed off the platform. Sellers gain access to a range of promotional tools, and can collaborate with creators through the Affiliate Program. Furthermore, the TikTok Shop App Store makes managing your products, shopfront, and order fulfillment easy as it integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, CommerceCloud, BigCommerce, and more.

Shopper

Any user can be a shopper, simply click on the Shop tab to start. Then, browse through the products on your recommended pages, or search for something specific. As with your standard For You Page, your shopping feed will begin to recommend items based on your viewing history. Users can also click and shop from any promotional video, all without leaving the TikTok app.

How to Make the Most of TikTok Shop as a Seller?

As a seller, you’ll want to generate as much traffic as possible to your products. Use these tips to help drive traffic and conversions.

Optimize

Focus on quality and style when uploading your product images. Remember the aesthetic of your brand on TikTok should be reflected in your TikTok Shop as well. Make sure to keep product titles under 34 characters, and add additional details in the description. Just be aware that links in descriptions will not be clickable.

Inform

Make sure you take the time to promote your products and storefront to your audience. Make TikTok content linking to your shop and specific products regularly. Get creative with your content, and use viral sounds and video trends to feature on the For You Page.

Partner with Influencers

As TikTok is a social platform, consider working with influencers within your product niche. After all, influencer marketing is one of the most effective campaign types on social media. This is because social media users trust influencers as they are viewed as more authentic than a standard ad.

TikTok Shop has the potential to become a key eCommerce platform, especially as access continues to roll out worldwide. Take advantage of this new feature and apply for your seller account today.

The post What is TikTok Shop? appeared first on Add Value Business Blog.

Image: Stock photos by Dreamstime

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved in recent years, revolutionizing multiple industries along the way. One of the sectors that has greatly benefited from this technological marvel is the e-commerce industry. AI is changing the game for online retailers, enabling them to enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and drive sales. In this article, we will dive into the various ways AI is making a significant impact on the e-commerce industry.

1. Personalized Shopping Experience

One of the key advantages of AI in e-commerce is the ability to offer personalized shopping experiences to customers. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, online retailers can analyze customer preferences, purchase history, and behavior to customize shopping recommendations. AI-powered recommendation engines can suggest products that are most likely to resonate with customers, leading to higher conversion rates and increased sales. These algorithms continually learn and adapt, ensuring that the recommendations become more accurate and relevant over time.

In traditionally brick-and-mortar industries, such as buying wholesale diamonds or other high-ticket items, AI-powered recommendation engines are now revolutionising the way businesses operate. These sophisticated tools can suggest products, including diamonds, that resonate with online customers, bridging the gap between the physical and digital shopping experiences. As a result, these industries are witnessing higher conversion rates and increased sales, proving that even age-old sectors can adapt and thrive in the digital age.

2. Chatbots and Virtual Assistants

Another area where AI shines in the e-commerce industry is customer service. Chatbots and virtual assistants powered by AI are becoming increasingly popular features on e-commerce websites. These intelligent bots can answer customer queries, provide product information, guide customers through the purchase process, and even handle complaints or returns. AI-powered chatbots are available 24/7, offering instant and efficient customer support. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also reduces the burden on human customer service representatives, allowing them to focus on more complex issues.

3. Inventory and Supply Chain Management

AI algorithms are highly adept at analyzing large amounts of data and making accurate predictions. In the e-commerce industry, this capability is pivotal for efficient inventory and supply chain management. AI-driven systems can analyze historical sales data, market trends, and other factors to predict demand accurately. Retailers can then optimize their inventory levels, ensuring that they neither overstock nor run out of popular products. Moreover, AI-powered systems can also optimize the supply chain by identifying the most efficient routes and minimizing delivery times.

4. Visual Search and Image Recognition

Visual search technology is another game-changer in the ecommerce field. With AI-powered image recognition algorithms, customers can now snap a picture of a desired product and find similar items online. This eliminates the need for users to articulate their search queries accurately and makes the shopping experience more intuitive. Visual search enhances product discovery and enables customers to find exactly what they are looking for, even if they don't have the right words to describe it.

5. Fraud Detection and Prevention

With the rise of online shopping, fraud has become a major concern for e-commerce businesses. AI-powered fraud detection systems are helping to combat this issue effectively. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI algorithms can identify suspicious activities, flag fraudulent transactions, and protect customers from potential scams. These systems continually learn from new fraud patterns, adapting and improving their accuracy over time. Implementing AI-driven fraud detection not only safeguards the business and customers but also helps build trust and credibility in the e-commerce industry.

In conclusion, Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the ecommerce industry in countless ways. From delivering personalized shopping experiences to enhancing customer service, streamlining inventory management, enabling visual search, and combating fraud, AI is making a massive impact. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more advancements that will reshape the e-commerce landscape. Online retailers must embrace AI to stay ahead of the competition, leverage its power, and deliver exceptional experiences to their customers.

The post The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the e-commerce Industry appeared first on Add Value Business Blog.

In today's digital age, social media platforms have become powerful marketing tools for businesses, especially in the eCommerce industry. One platform, in particular, has emerged as a frontrunner for businesses looking to boost their online presence and drive sales: Instagram. With its visually appealing content and engaged user base, Instagram has proven to be a game-changer for eCommerce businesses. In this article, we will explore the strategies and techniques that can help you master Instagram marketing for your eCommerce business and take it to new heights.

The Power of Instagram for eCommerce Businesses

Instagram's popularity and influence cannot be underestimated. With over 1 billion active users worldwide, it has become a go-to platform for consumers to discover new products and brands. The visual nature of Instagram allows eCommerce businesses to showcase their products in a visually appealing way, capturing the attention of potential customers and driving them to make a purchase.

One of the key advantages of Instagram for eCommerce businesses is the ability to reach a highly targeted audience. Through the use of hashtags, geotags, and other targeting features, businesses can ensure that their content is seen by users who are most likely to be interested in their products. This targeted approach not only increases the chances of conversion but also helps build a loyal customer base.

Instagram Marketing Success Stories

Numerous eCommerce businesses have achieved remarkable success through their Instagram marketing efforts. One such success story is that of FashionNova, an online fashion retailer. Through the strategic use of Instagram influencers and user-generated content, FashionNova was able to rapidly grow its customer base and generate millions in sales. By leveraging the power of Instagram's visual content and engaging with its audience effectively, FashionNova was able to create a strong brand presence and drive online sales.

Another success story is that of Gymshark, a fitness apparel brand. Gymshark utilized Instagram to its advantage by consistently posting high-quality content that resonated with its target audience. They also leveraged Instagram Stories to provide behind-the-scenes looks, exclusive discounts, and sneak peeks of new product releases. By consistently engaging with their audience and fostering a sense of community, Gymshark was able to build a loyal customer base and achieve significant growth.

Understanding the Instagram Algorithm

To effectively utilize Instagram for your eCommerce business, it is crucial to understand how the platform's algorithm works. The algorithm determines which posts appear on a user's feed based on various factors such as relevance, engagement, and timeliness. By understanding these factors, you can optimize your content to increase visibility and reach a wider audience.

Relevance is a key factor in the Instagram algorithm. The platform analyzes a user's past behavior and engagement to determine what content will be most relevant to them. To ensure that your content is seen by your target audience, it is important to create posts that align with their interests and preferences. This can be achieved by conducting thorough market research and understanding your target audience's demographics, interests, and pain points.

Engagement is another crucial factor in the Instagram algorithm. The more engagement your posts receive in the form of likes, comments, and shares, the higher the chances of your content appearing on users' feeds. To encourage engagement, it is essential to create compelling and visually appealing content that resonates with your audience. Additionally, actively engaging with your followers by responding to comments and messages can also boost your engagement rates.

Timeliness plays a significant role in the Instagram algorithm. The platform prioritizes recent posts to ensure that users are shown the most up-to-date content. To maximize the visibility of your posts, it is important to post consistently and at times when your target audience is most active on the platform. This can be determined by analyzing your Instagram Insights and identifying peak engagement times.

Essential Strategies for Boosting Your eCommerce Business on Instagram

Now that we have explored the power of Instagram for eCommerce businesses and gained an understanding of the platform's algorithm, let's delve into some essential strategies that can help boost your eCommerce business on Instagram.

Creating an Effective Instagram Content Strategy

A well-planned and executed content strategy is the foundation of any successful Instagram marketing campaign. To create an effective content strategy, start by defining your brand's unique value proposition and target audience. This will help you determine the type of content that will resonate with your audience and drive engagement.

Visual content is key on Instagram, so focus on creating high-quality and visually appealing images and videos that showcase your products in the best light. Experiment with different types of content, such as product demonstrations, lifestyle shots, and user-generated content, to keep your feed fresh and engaging.

Consistency is also crucial when it comes to your Instagram content strategy. Develop a posting schedule and stick to it to maintain a steady flow of content. This will help you stay top of mind with your audience and increase your chances of appearing on their feeds.

Utilizing Instagram Promotions and Ads for Increased Visibility and Sales

Instagram offers several advertising options that can help boost your visibility and drive sales. One such option is Instagram Promotions, which allows you to promote your posts to a wider audience beyond your existing followers. By targeting specific demographics, interests, and locations, you can ensure that your content reaches users who are most likely to be interested in your products.

Another powerful advertising tool on Instagram is Instagram Ads. These ads appear in users' feeds and stories, seamlessly blending in with organic content. Instagram Ads offers various formats, such as photo ads, video ads, carousel ads, and story ads, allowing you to choose the format that best suits your marketing goals.

When utilizing Instagram Promotions and Ads, it is important to optimize your targeting and messaging. Conduct thorough market research to understand your target audience's preferences and pain points, and tailor your promotions and ads accordingly. By delivering personalized and relevant content, you can increase the chances of conversion and drive sales.

Collaborating with Influencers on Instagram

Influencer marketing has become a dominant force on Instagram and can be a highly effective strategy for boosting your ecommerce business. Influencers have large and engaged followings, and their recommendations and endorsements can significantly impact consumer behavior.

When collaborating with influencers, it is important to choose those who align with your brand values and target audience. Look for influencers who have a genuine interest in your products and can authentically promote them to their followers. Micro-influencers, who have smaller but highly engaged followings, can also be a valuable asset for eCommerce businesses.

To maximize the effectiveness of influencer collaborations, provide influencers with clear guidelines and expectations. This can include specific content requirements, key messages, and desired outcomes. By establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with influencers, you can leverage their reach and influence to drive traffic and sales to your eCommerce business.

Case Study: How Voodoo Neon Used Instagram to Drive Online Sales

Voodoo Neon, an online store specializing in neon signs, is a prime example of how Instagram can be a powerful tool for driving online sales. By leveraging the visual nature of Instagram and targeting the platform's engaged user base, Voodoo Neon was able to rapidly grow its business and achieve significant revenue.

Voodoo Neon's Instagram strategy focused on creating visually stunning and eye-catching content that showcased their neon signs in various settings. They utilized high-quality photography and creative captions to captivate their audience and drive engagement. By consistently posting content that resonated with their target audience's aesthetic preferences, Voodoo Neon was able to build a strong brand presence and attract a loyal following.

In addition to organic content, Voodoo Neon also utilized Instagram Promotions to expand its reach and target users who were likely to be interested in their neon signs. By carefully selecting targeting options such as interests, demographics, and locations, they were able to ensure that their promotions reached the right audience. This led to increased visibility, website traffic, and ultimately, online sales.

However, Voodoo Neon's success on Instagram was not solely attributed to its content strategy and promotions. They also actively engaged with their audience by responding to comments, direct messages, and user-generated content. This allowed them to build a sense of community and establish a strong connection with their customers. By fostering this engagement and building relationships with its audience, Voodoo Neon was able to generate repeat business and maintain a loyal customer base.

Interview with Chris Diprose: Instagram Marketing Tips from a Successful Entrepreneur

To gain further insights into Instagram marketing for eCommerce businesses, we had the opportunity to interview Chris Diprose, a successful entrepreneur who has achieved remarkable success through his Instagram marketing efforts. Here are some valuable tips and strategies shared by Chris:

Q: What role does Instagram marketing play in the success of an eCommerce business?

Chris: Instagram marketing plays a crucial role in the success of an eCommerce business. It allows businesses to showcase their products in a visually appealing way and engage with their target audience effectively. With the right strategies and techniques, Instagram can be a powerful tool for driving brand awareness, increasing visibility, and ultimately, boosting sales.

Q: What are some key tips for creating compelling and engaging Instagram content?

Chris: To create compelling and engaging Instagram content, it is important to focus on quality and authenticity. Invest in high-quality photography or videography to showcase your products in the best light. Additionally, be authentic in your content and storytelling. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses, user-generated content, and customer testimonials to build trust and create a sense of community.

Q: How can eCommerce businesses effectively leverage Instagram influencers?

Chris: Influencer collaborations can be highly effective for eCommerce businesses. When choosing influencers, look for those who align with your brand values and target audience. Micro-influencers can be particularly valuable as they often have highly engaged and dedicated followings. Provide influencers with clear guidelines and expectations to ensure that the content they create aligns with your brand and resonates with their followers.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid in Instagram marketing for eCommerce?

Chris: One common mistake is focusing solely on follower count rather than engagement. It's important to prioritize engagement and foster meaningful connections with your audience. Additionally, avoid using overly salesy language in your captions and ads. Instead, focus on providing value, storytelling, and building relationships with your audience.

Tools and Resources to Optimize Your Instagram Marketing Efforts

To optimize your Instagram marketing efforts and streamline your workflow, there are several tools and resources available. Here are some recommended tools that can help boost your eCommerce business on Instagram:

• Hootsuite: Hootsuite is a social media management platform that allows you to schedule and manage your Instagram posts, monitor engagement, and track performance metrics.
• Canva: Canva is a graphic design tool that offers pre-designed templates and easy-to-use editing features. It is perfect for creating visually appealing Instagram posts and stories.
• Later: Later is an Instagram scheduling tool that enables you to plan and schedule your Instagram content in advance. It also provides analytics and insights to help you optimize your posting strategy.
• InfluencerDB: InfluencerDB is an influencer marketing platform that helps you discover and connect with relevant influencers for your eCommerce business. It provides valuable insights into influencers' engagement rates, audience demographics, and authenticity.
• Instagram Insights: Instagram Insights is a built-in analytics tool that provides valuable data and metrics about your Instagram account's performance. It offers insights on engagement, reach, impressions, and audience demographics, allowing you to make data-driven decisions.

By utilizing these tools and resources, you can streamline your Instagram marketing efforts, save time, and optimize your content strategy for maximum impact.

Conclusion: Taking Your eCommerce Business to New Heights with Instagram Marketing

Instagram has revolutionized the way eCommerce businesses market their products and engage with their target audience. With its visually appealing content and engaged user base, Instagram offers immense opportunities for boosting your eCommerce business. By understanding the platform's algorithm, implementing essential strategies, and utilizing the right tools and resources, you can master Instagram marketing and take your eCommerce business to new heights. So start implementing these strategies today, and watch as your online sales soar.

The post Mastering Instagram Marketing for eCommerce: Strategies to Boost Your Business appeared first on Add Value Business Blog.

Customization of marketing strategies is considered a pivotal element that will define the future of marketing. Using artificial intelligence technologies and predictive analysis, companies can classify consumers into segments for well-targeted marketing campaigns. With the aid of known and predicted data such as preferences, characteristics, browsing habits, and other relevant information, marketers can now personalize e-commerce for each user.

Personalization has also gained momentum in the e-commerce sector in recent years. E-commerce personalization is a marketing technique employed by online businesses to customize the user experience by leveraging customer data. This personalization can be based on various factors such as the user’s demographic segment, browsing history, past purchases, and browsing devices. In this article, we discuss 8 personalization strategies for e-commerce businesses to help them improve the user experience for customers.

Create Offers Based on User Behavior

An effective strategy to personalize the e-commerce user experience is to offer tailored promotions and products based on their behavior on your website. Although optimizing websites for mobile visitors is a common practice, e-commerce stores require an even deeper level of personalization for optimal results.

To achieve this, it is essential to thoroughly understand how your target audience navigates and shops on your website. This involves analyzing various factors, such as widespread and high-converting pages, customer purchase and browsing history, and other relevant metrics. An example of a tailored promotion could be offering a giveaway in a large reusable grocery tote bag based on a user’s previous purchases or browsing history. One such tote bag can be found at https://nonwoventotes.com/products/large-reusable-custom-printed-non-woven-grocery-tote-bags-shopping-bags.

Businesses can enhance the shopping experience, promote customer engagement, and boost sales by allowing user behavior to direct the offers or products presented.

Segment Your Email List

Segmenting email lists based on geographic, demographic, psychographic, and behavioral data can improve the effectiveness of email marketing campaigns. The chances of conversion are increased by sending appropriate content based on a customer’s location or purchasing history. For example, promotional emails for a winter sale should only be sent to subscribers in areas experiencing winter weather.

Linking the email to a landing page specific to the promoted product or service can also increase the likelihood of customer action. Personalizing email subject lines with subscribers’ first names and sending celebratory birthday emails with special vouchers can also improve customer engagement.

Create Personalized Home Pages

The homepage of an online store plays a crucial role in attracting potential customers. It is their first impression of the brand and, therefore, must be personalized to their preferences.

Unlike physical stores, e-commerce sites can gather extensive data about their visitors through cookies, enabling them to understand their needs better. By leveraging this information, online stores can offer personalized experiences to visitors, thereby improving their shopping experience and increasing the likelihood of conversion.

Provide Personalized Online Store Assistance

To offer personalized product recommendations, businesses can invite customers to participate in quick quizzes regarding the size or style of items they intend to purchase. By storing the quiz results, fashion e-retailers can provide customized wardrobe suggestions that cater to individual budgets, sizes, and preferences.

The collection of such information facilitates effective product recommendations. It presents opportunities for targeted marketing campaigns, such as email updates about new products that match the customer’s preferences. For instance, if a customer expresses an interest in creating sales literature for their website, businesses can send them an email inviting them to utilize their online digital brochure maker.

Display Products or Campaigns Based on Location

Whether businesses utilize cookies or request customer information, they can potentially determine the location of their website visitors. This information can be harnessed to significantly enhance the customer’s shopping experience.

For instance, personalization of sizes and currencies can be based on the visitor’s selected store location, obviating the need for shoppers to navigate size conversion charts while shopping internationally. Additionally, if a visitor has previously selected a specific store location, such as the US, the website can be configured to automatically direct them to the corresponding store location upon their subsequent visits.

Provide Recommended Searches to Narrow the Search Results

For large-scale retailers with multiple departments and product offerings, website visitors may feel overwhelmed or experience a sense of uncertainty regarding where to start browsing experience for a specific product, particularly during their initial visit.

To mitigate this challenge, e-commerce platforms can use search recommendations to narrow down the customer’s options by suggesting searches based on their data, in conjunction with other factors like past first-time customer data. This strategy minimizes decision fatigue, enabling a more targeted and streamlined shopping experience for all visitors to an e-commerce store.

Complete the Look or Collection for Them

This approach to personalization serves as an amicable sales representative. Simply recommend complementary products to augment the item that a customer is presently considering. It provides the customer with a more comprehensive perspective of the product. Including how it can fit into their lifestyle, and how other products can enhance their purchase. Such recommendations are typically presented through a “complete the look” or “pair with” section.

Personalize Exit Offers

When a visitor to an e-commerce website clicks on the exit or back button without making a purchase, present an exit offer as a final attempt to secure a sale. However, ensure that such offers present positively and with the customer’s interest in mind is essential. Otherwise, you may appear desperate. Strategies such as offering discounts, bundle deals, or free shipping may be useful to encourage customers to remain on the page and complete their transactions.

Wrapping Up

Personalization has become a crucial aspect of marketing, especially in the e-commerce sector. Businesses can create customized marketing campaigns. These cater to each user by utilizing customer data and behavior analysis. Thereby enhancing the shopping experience and boosting sales.

Implementing some of the points above can help you personalize your e-commerce business’s performance. Thus, potentially increasing the number of loyal customers who shop exclusively from you. By adopting such strategies, businesses can stay ahead of the competition in today’s highly competitive market.

The post 8 Ways to Personalize Your E-Commerce Business for Customers appeared first on Add Value Business Blog.

Walmart like many other companies now offers an online marketplace for its users. Walmart Automation eCommerce business model tools are an important feature for Walmart sellers to use. Since the launch of the Walmart marketplace, over 150,000 sellers have started a store on the platform. This is a 66% increase in sellers since 2021, making it a very popular, yet competitive market. However, Walmart automation tools can make managing your storefront easier.

What is Walmart Automation?

Walmart automation systems help sellers by automating some business procedures. This helps free up time and resources so sellers can focus on growing their offering and increasing revenue. How this works on the Walmart marketplace is different from how you may imagine. Instead of using AI systems, Walmart automation systems mean that there is a team behind the scenes helping to manage and run your store. This can seem risky, but it does offer a range of benefits to you as the seller such as;

Focus on Key Details

Running a business, even one on a marketplace platform is time-consuming, and challenging. With the Walmart automation eCommerce business model, you can easily duties and focus on issues that need urgent attention. Meanwhile, someone else is working on those smaller issues and details for you.

Easier to Scale

By using Walmart Automation to handle smaller details and daily tasks, you can focus on developing new products or making product decisions. This can make a huge difference to the growth of your business.

More Revenue Opportunity

To successfully run your business on the Walmart marketplace, you must be available to answer questions, reload products, fulfill orders, and more. This is obviously time-consuming and relies on how much time you have to manage your storefront. However, with Walmart Automation, the team behind the scenes can handle most of these tasks, allowing you to focus elsewhere, while still earning revenue. The automation system alongside dropshipping technology means you can take a vacation while leaving your storefront open.

Expert Advice

The automation system has teams of virtual assistants on hand 24/7 who are experts in their fields. They have the skills and knowledge to help scale your store in just a few months and can answer any questions you may have throughout the journey.

How to Choose a Walmart Automation eCommerce Business Model

Understanding how a Walmart automation system can help grow your business is just the first step, next you need to select a service provider. It is never easy to trust someone with your money, thus, make sure that you look for the following traits before choosing.

Transparency

Any automation service provider should be transparent about the fees and services. This is important as you don’t want to be promised one thing, and then not receive it. Do your research and read plenty of reviews to avoid hidden fees.

Realistic Timeline

Any automation service that promises you overnight success is likely not reliable or trustworthy. Business is an investment, and it takes time to be successful and to scale. Choose a service provider that can show you a detailed timeline with goals and marketing plans that will slowly increase your revenue.

Qualified Team Members

You must ensure that the professionals working on your storefront are qualified before hiring an automation eCommerce service provider. Look for a management team with industry specialists in dropshipping and the Walmart platform.

Reviews and Testimonials

As we mentioned, reading reviews is a crucial part of the selection process. Looking at what current and previous clients are saying can help you decide which company is best for your storefront needs.

Embracing the Walmart Automation eCommerce business method can allow you to generate passive income using the Walmart marketplace. Be aware there is an initial investment of capital required to get your storefront automation set up, however, this can vary from provider to provider. Most will provide you with a quote upfront along with the automation fee structure.

The post Walmart Automation: What is the Walmart Automation eCommerce Business Model appeared first on Add Value Business Blog.

The toy industry is fun, exciting, and innovative while offering great profit margins. As it is easy to make money within the industry, many entrepreneurs look to start their own toy businesses. However, a storefront and inventory and both costly and require significant capital. Luckily, as technology evolves, more and more people are shopping online for almost everything. Keep reading to learn how you can start an online toy business.

1. Have a Business Plan

You can not start a business without first creating a solid business plan. A business plan should contain all the details you need to run a business. Generally, your business plan should have;

• An Executive Summary – This is a single-page summary of the whole business plan
• Company Description – This is an overview of your business and includes whether you are operating as an LLC, Corporation, or Sole Trader. The business strategy, growth objectives, and business model are also key details.
• Market Analysis – Do your research into the industry, estimate the market size, who your target market is, and what competitive advantages you can use.
• Products and Service – Include details of your planned inventory, and specialized products.
• Marketing Plan – This should include details about your customer demographic, sales plan, sales metrics, predicted sales, sales goals, and potential packaging and pricing information.
• Operations and Logistics Plan – This is where you should detail how to get your products from suppliers to you to your customers. Include potential supplier details, storage solutions, and shipping options.
• Financial Plan – This is a key section of your business plan as success relies on being able to finance your online toy store. Include income statements, a balance sheet, cash-flow statement, and projected costs.

2. Choose Your Business Name

Selecting a business name is a crucial part of business success. You want to select a name that reflects your brand while being easy to remember and spell. Consider the availability of the domain name and social media accounts as well. After all, operating a business online is much better if your website and social profiles are all easy to identify and recognize as the same brand.

3. Legal Requirements

Ensure that address the legal and regulatory requirements in your state before opening your business. First, register as a business in your state. Then, you should register your business name as a trademark. This will protect your business name, as it stops other people from opening a toy store under a similar name. Finally, don’t forget to set aside money for taxes.

4. Select Your Suppliers

Finding a good supplier is crucial to the success of your online toy store. This will ensure you have quality products coming in reliably at a good price. You also need to decide whether you will store the products, then package and ship them yourself or if you will use a dropshipping supplier instead.

5. Create Your Website

Once you have all the business details organized, it is time to set up your online toy store website. Consider using a specialized eCommerce platform like BigCommerce, Shopify, or WooCommerce for WordPress. These platforms or plugins make creating an eCommerce store simple, with many drag-and-drop options. Customize your website to reflect your brand and ensure that you have high-quality photos for each product. It is also worth spending time on SEO or hiring an eCommerce SEO agency to optimize your product listings and website.

Once you have followed the steps above, you are ready to open and start promoting your online toy store. Building trust on social media is important in the modern era, as anyone who finds your website will likely look you up on social media before purchasing. Encourage shoppers to post online about the products and customer service to help boost your reputation.

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Making a great impression is key to finding success in e-commerce. If the brand isn’t trustworthy or has an unappealing reputation, shoppers tend to look elsewhere. After all, there is an overabundance of websites and sellers for them to choose from in our hyper-competitive online world.

To stand out from the crowd and prove your brand deserves customer loyalty, it’s essential to make the right investments. One business strategy you’d be remiss to overlook is the art of outstanding packaging, which can be greatly enhanced with the help of FROMM strapping solutions. Online order packaging has more potential to inspire customer loyalty than some may believe. In fact, more than half of surveyed online shoppers say receiving an order in custom packaging makes them more likely to place future orders with that company.

Fortunately, there are many routes available to improve packaging. To start, there’s enhancing the appearance through creative design and improved durability. The package should be more than just a plain box. Instead, it should evoke positive feelings — such as the joy of opening a gift — and work to foster a stronger relationship between the customers and your brand.

There’s also augmenting what’s inside. For instance, packaging inserts can make a lasting impact on customers. Whether it’s something as simple as an invitation to connect via social media or thank-you note, these inserts can be powerful yet still cost effective. Many companies choose to go a step further by using coupon codes for related items, customized recommendations based on previous purchases, and similar tactics to reach the customer on a personal level.

Want to learn more about creating loyal e-com customers through outstanding packaging? Check out the accompanying resource for further information!

Infographic created by Chicago Tag & Label, a custom label manufacturer

The post Create Customer Loyalty Through Outstanding Online Order Packaging appeared first on Add Value Business Blog.

Payment gateways are used for transferring customer payment information to the seller’s bank account, making sure the consumer has enough funds to complete a purchase. By facilitating transactions through secured channels, these solutions can ensure streamlined business operations and support the growth and success of any business. But to reap these benefits, the payment gateway you select has to be effective, reliable, and suitable to your company’s needs. With that in mind, here are some important things you should consider before choosing the right payment gateway:

Consider gateways types

There are various payment gateway types you might want to consider, all coming with their own advantages and challenges, and being suitable for different businesses. Redirect payment gateways, for example, will take customers to a different payment page to complete transactions. This is easier for companies as payment gateways handle transactions, but it’s an added step in the buyer journey. Front-end checkout, on the other hand, will handle the checkout on your website, but the payment processing will happen in the backend. On-site payment gateways are another option, handling entire checkout processes on your website. This comes with great transaction control, but also more complexity and responsibility, which is why it’s usually used by larger businesses.

Think about the pricing

The pricing of payment gateways will differ according to the business model, the types of payments you accept, and the amounts you receive during certain periods. Before selecting a solution, consider the amounts you handle regularly, and then do some research and get several quotes to see what you can expect from different payment gateway options. If you’re just setting up a business, keep in mind you’ll likely need to pay for setup fees. In most cases, ongoing costs will need to be paid as well, such as flat transaction fees, merchant discount rates, support and security, and similar expenses.

Prioritize excellent security

When choosing a payment gateway, security is arguably one of the most important considerations. You simply have to opt for a solution that will keep both customer and business data safe, since unsecured gateways could have quite a negative impact on your reputation, business operations, and ultimately sales. The ideal solution should have a robust security system in place, one that is constantly updated with new security measures for greater protection. Factors such as email confirmations for transactions and two-factor authentication for logins can be quite effective additional layers of security.

Consider additional features

Security and pricing often aren’t strong enough factors to help you make the right decision. If you need some more help deciding which payment gateway to use, additional information can allow you to make a more suitable choice. For instance, you could consider factors such as the ease of use of the payment gateway, as well as its support for mobile devices. Aspects like supporting multiple currencies and accepting different types of cards and payment methods will also be important. If you provide subscription-based services, choosing a payment gateway that allows recurring billing will be vital as well.

Focus on scalable options

Flexibility is another essential consideration, as you likely need a payment gateway solution that could easily scale as your business grows. For example, you could integrate a payment form on your website for sending customer data to a secure payment gateway, thus ensuring a streamlined user experience. You might also decide to redirect consumers to a hosted payment page. This is often a more affordable solution that’s also simpler to integrate, being a great option for small businesses. Escrow systems are another solution that securely withholds funds before granting authority, and might be suitable for certain types of companies.

Ensure good customer support

Most online websites will provide their services 24/7, meaning that any payment issues or downtime could result in significant losses. That is exactly why exceptional customer support is so essential when it comes to payment gateway providers. Reliable support that’s available at all times will allow you to resolve any issues as soon as they arise, prevent downtime, and keep your processes running to improve customer experiences and increase sales. The best providers will offer several communication channels for reaching them if something ever goes wrong.

Strive for easy integration

Before you finally decide on a payment gateway, aim to learn more about the solution. Find out how well it can integrate into your existing website structure. Opt for a payment gateway solution that is ready for seamless integration, while simultaneously supporting all user requirements. This will allow you to avoid any issues early on. Plus, can prevent future integration concerns in case your payment needs ever change.

By streamlining transactions between customers and businesses, payment gateways can support the success of any website. Use the advice mentioned above to select the best solution for your needs, and instantly experience new growth opportunities.

The post Payment Gateway: 7 Things to Consider Before Making a Choice appeared first on Add Value Business Blog.

Are you looking to make some extra money? Consider using Facebook Marketplace and eBay to sell things you no longer want. This will allow you to declutter, and organize your home while also giving you some extra money. If this sounds tempting, keep reading to learn how you can use Facebook Marketplace and eBay to make a profit.

Step 1: Look around to find things to sell

A good way to find things to sell is by asking yourself why you own certain things. If you haven’t used the item in the last six months it may be worth getting rid of. You may be surprised at how many unused items you have in your home once you start looking. Furthermore, you can sell almost anything online as long as it is in good condition. Here are just some items you can consider;

• Mugs or cups
• Electronics
• Plants
• Books
• Toys
• Clothing (items that are seasonally relevant will sell fastest)
• Art supplies
• Home décor
• Fitness equipment

If you are not finding things you want to sell at home, then consider going to yard sales and garage sales to see what else others are trying to get rid of and buy things at a cheap price to resell yourself on Facebook.

Step 2: Photograph your items

Once you collect the items you want to sell, you must photograph them. Make sure that you have a clear background, and take multiple photos of each item. You want to show each side of the item, along with a close-up of any details or slight damage. Aim for at least 5 pictures of the item, but less than 10 as that is the maximum Facebook allows. If you are selling products as a group, including a group shot and individual photos is smart.

Ensure that you have good lighting, as the better your photos, the faster items will sell. Good-quality photos help to build trust and give people the confidence to buy from you.

Step 3: Choosing where to sell

Listing a product on both Facebook Marketplace and eBay can help products sell faster. This is because humans are often unpredictable, so by listing it on both, you have a higher chance of selling. However, if you choose to only use one platform, choose wisely. Below are the benefits and disadvantages of both Facebook Marketplace and eBay.

Benefits of Facebook Marketplace

• No fees
• Pickup only option
• Easy to use

Disadvantages of Facebook Marketplace

• Detailed communication and timing is important
• Having to share private information, or organize a meeting point.
• Negotiation is crucial as many people will offer you much less than you are asking.

Benefits of eBay

• Larger audience, as you can ship nationwide or internationally
• You can see what previous items like yours have sold for
• Sell via eBay auctions to drive up the price
• Has an inbuilt customer service platform

Disadvantages of eBay

• High fees, eBay will take 10% of the selling price, and shipping cost. Then, PayPal is a further 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction.
• Need to pack and ship items. This includes printing shipping labels.
• You may have to deal with returns.

Now, if you choose to list items on both platforms, ensure that you remove it from the other site as soon as it sells. However, a better option may be to list more niche items on eBay and Facebook, and in-demand items only on Facebook. This is because it is much easier to mark items as sold on Facebook.

Step 4: Create your listings

When creating a listing on Facebook Marketplace or eBay, aim to include as much information in your title as possible. For example, instead of NEW sketchbook, try including the brand and size as well, such as NEW Moleskine Sketchbook Hardbound 8.25” x 11.75”. This will help your product stand out and also reduce the number of questions about the item. If you can, include even more details in the description. On Facebook Marketplace, ensure you list your payment methods in the description box.

Step 5: Respond to messages

If your item is in demand, you will likely receive a few messages the day after you publish, once Facebook approves it. However, on eBay this could happen in just a few hours. Take your time and make sure you respond to any serious offers. If people make lowball offers, just tell them that it is too low, rather than ignoring the message. Often, people will want the product and come back with another offer.

Step 6: Ship the item or organize pickup

On eBay, once the item sells, you must ship it as quickly as possible. This is imperative to ensure you get a good rating. On Facebook Marketplace, once you agree on a price, organize the payment method and a place to meet. For expensive items, you may want to meet in a public place, but for smaller items, it may be more convenient to give your address. This is completely up to you, but just be careful who you give out your information to.

It is relatively easy to use Facebook Marketplace and eBay to make a profit, especially once you get used to making listings. Both platforms allow reviews, so make sure you offer the best service to those buying from you. Start small with unused clothing, or mugs, then start adding more expensive items once you have good reviews. This will increase buyers' trust, and ensure your items sell faster.

The post How to Use Facebook Marketplace and eBay to Profit appeared first on Add Value Business Blog.