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How Manufacturers can Switch to eCommerce

02 Aug 2022

Mike Patel

How Manufacturers can Switch to eCommerce

Manufacturers are always looking for ways to cut down costs and time-to-market.

eCommerce is the way to go for manufacturers, and we’re here with a few tips on how you can get started. The first thing that should stand out when thinking about switching from traditional retail sales methods into an online storefront or website built specifically around selling products directly through your manufacturer’s site.

How To Get Started With eCommerce

Now that you’ve started your online store, you’re probably becoming more concerned about how to grow your business. You’re probably asking yourself, “How do I get more customers?” And if you’re a new eCommerce store, you might be asking, “How do I get more repeat customers?

Discover Your Target Market

Analyze your customers’ data and demographics

Before you can do anything, you need to understand your target market. While you can still build a great eCommerce site without a clear understanding of who your target market is, there’s no getting around the fact that understanding your customer will increase the chances of your store succeeding.

You’ll need to do some research into your customer’s demographics and purchasing habits, along with the demographics and purchasing habits of your competition. You’ll also need to understand your customers’ shopping patterns, and abandoned cart rates.

Research from The Consumer Feedback Project shows that 40% of consumers don’t trust new companies and products—in part because new companies aren’t trusted.

Establish an Online Identity

Assess your current business processes and identify areas that could be improved with eCommerce

Creating a legitimate online presence for your company isn’t easy, and the various rating services, taxation policies, and consumer protection rules have changed dramatically over the years. However, all of these factors create a strong need for you to be able to establish a strong online identity that is free of known problems and an effective marketplace presence.

To build an effective store, you need a web presence that makes you and your products stand out in a crowded marketplace. Think of it like a personal brand for your company—your target customers need to know that you’re who you say you are, and your products need to do the same.

You will need a good domain name, a website, and an online storefront or online storefront app to set up an online store that will attract customers.

Build a Site That Converts

Understand the eCommerce process

The first thing you need to do is get a site that converts at least 20% (more if you have unique content, more features, or other unique aspects to your website). You can get this site built and hosted for a few hundred dollars.

This site should:

– Be a shoppable site

– Be fully functional with a clear checkout process

– Be designed for a mobile user experience

Let’s go through what you need to do.

– Get a domain name – You will need to purchase a domain name, as well as a hosting package for it. Yes, we know most manufacturers have a company name, but if it’s difficult to pronounce or seems too long, then it’s a great idea to get a new domain name for your products.

– It’s recommended to do a domain search before you purchase a domain name—it will help you avoid any terrible ideas.

– Choose a hosting package – You will also need to choose a hosting plan for your website if you don’t already have one.

Creating Content That Sells

Before getting started, it’s essential to create a foundation for your brand. Your brand should give people a reason to find your products, and your site will be incomplete without a great product page.

Without one, visitors aren’t likely to buy. Your product page should be simple and straightforward.

Use photos, sketches, and other photos to illustrate how your product works. Use videos to tell the story of your product, but keep them short.

You don’t need to have a lengthy video to get the point across; only about 15 seconds is sufficient. Don’t forget to explain how your product works and how it differs from your competitors’ offerings.

Design your product page in such a way that it visually connects with potential customers, and entices them to browse.

Setting Up Your Store

Choose the right eCommerce platform for your business

Every market has its own needs. In some cases, this is dictated by the manufacturers’ needs for flexibility and cost, while in other cases, it’s dictated by the market that you’re targeting.

For example, you can develop a site that’s very scalable and flexible but relatively inexpensive. The sky is limitless as far as what type of site can be built.

In addition, the sales process can vary. It can be as simple as a single checkout page where the product information is given to the customer.

In other cases, the sales process is complicated, and you’re likely to have a more complex shopping cart that incorporates a variety of additional pages and check-out steps to assist the customer in the purchase.

In order to get started, you need an eCommerce platform. There are lots of great ones available like Shopify, BigCommerce, or Magento, and choosing one isn’t as daunting as it may sound.

Learn all the differences between Open-source and Hosted eCommerce platforms

You can use any platform that provides you with a web store so long as you’re confident in its security and ability to support your product.

Growing Your Business and Managing Your Store

Train your team to use the new system

Once you get the hang of eCommerce, it’s easy to see just how profitable it can be. However, growing your business and managing your store takes time, effort, dedication, and proper training for the team to use the new online system.

Conclusion

It’s becoming increasingly difficult for manufacturers to find enough customers to grow their business. A recent study found that most manufacturers do not have an online business and only 18 percent of manufacturers sell to more than 100,000 people.

Creating an eCommerce store can boost your sales and customers, and help you start building relationships with the customers that will make you a consistent source of revenue.

If you’re planning to take your business online, or have an eCommerce store, the time to start is now! Connect with a B2B eCommerce specialist.

Mike Patel

Mike Patel is a digital marketing enthusiast, innovator and President of a leading Digital and E-commerce Development Agency in Dallas, Texas. Mike holds a BS, Computer Science degree from Wayne State University and is a key player in the E-commerce development and digital marketing industry since 2004. The scope of technology in his extensive experience of more than 15 years ranges from Magento, Shopify, BigCommerce SEO (Search Engine Optimization), PPC (Pay Per Click) management, E-commerce SEO, Google Shopping Ads and more.