Successful eCommerce companies understand that new customers come from all over the
internet. They attract buyers from websites like Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Pinterest, and many
other sources, and they manage it all seamlessly.
How do they pull it off?
A multi-channel approach like this would be overwhelming if you tried to do it without the right
software. Imagine managing your ads, keeping track of inventory, fielding questions, and
processing returns on separate platforms. Sounds crazy, right?
That’s why multi-channel marketing requires a good Product Information Management (PIM)
system—an online platform that integrates everything from inventory management to order
fulfillment.
What’s the best PIM on the market?
There are dozens of decent PIMs out there, and this isn’t an ad for any particular system. That
said, many of our clients here at Refund Geeks are eCommerce companies (from retail giants to
mom and pop shops), and Shopify Plus is a clear favorite for its clean interface and its ability to
sync with over 20 different marketing and social media channels.
Whatever you do, choose a PIM that offers…
A comprehensive multi-channel network: You want to reach the widest audience possible.
Make sure you can access the big names in online retail, such as Amazon and eBay, along with
smaller niche markets that work for your products.
Social media integration: Reach potential customers through social media advertising (such as
Facebook ads), messenger apps (such as Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, and Kik), and native
selling that allows customers to make purchases directly from a social media platform. Native
selling is currently available on Instagram, for example.
Intelligent inventory management: A reliable, easy-to-use inventory management platform
always makes sense, but it’s especially important when sales volumes are high.
A solid order fulfillment system: Keep your ratings high with each online retailer, with quick
deliveries and speedy returns.
Is a PIM really worth it?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? It’s all about ROI.
Stitch Labs studied 7 million orders from eCommerce companies in January through May of
2015. They found that by going from a single-channel approach (i.e., using one retail channel in
addition to their website) to a double-channel approach (i.e., using two channels in addition to
their website), these companies increased their average sales revenue by 190%. With that in
mind, imagine what more than 20 additional channels could do for your bottom line.
What’s more, a study from Harvard Business School and McKinsey & Company found that
customers who shop on multiple channels tend to buy more regularly online, and they produce
greater lifetime revenue for eCommerce businesses.
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Refund Geeks helps eCommerce companies like yours save up to 10% on shipping costs by
connecting to your UPS/FedEx accounts and automatically requesting refunds for late
shipments. Learn more about Refund Geeks and start saving today.
