3 ways to automate your eCommerce processes
3 ways to automate your eCommerce processes
As your eCommerce business starts to grow, customer demands can become complex. You may face hundreds to thousands of small tasks, which take up valuable time. As you scale your business, eCommerce automation can help you tackle demanding processes.
What is eCommerce automation?
eCommerce automation is the process of converting repetitive tasks into automated workflows, by using a range of technology solutions. By doing so, you can cut down costs, redirect staff activity and boost efficiency and reliability. With eCommerce automation, you can streamline many aspects of your business, from fulfilment, customer service, to email sequencing and customer segmentation. It typically consists of a series of actions – a trigger, a condition, and a result. The trigger is the indication that the automation should start, the condition defines what the automation will do, and the result is the action that performs the function.
Automating eCommerce operations
eCommerce automation works by creating automated workflows which can set off notifications to do something specific. Actions will only happen if there is a trigger, and the conditions are met. Although there are many ways in which you can automate your eCommerce processes, below are three types of eCommerce automation that you can use to improve your business processes.
1. Fulfilment: When an item leaves your warehouse or is back in stock, you can send customers emails, texts, or even chat messages to inform them of the change. Software such as Skubana and 2Flow provide warehousing and logistics solutions for your business, helping you to streamline your supply chain. This means that you can pack and ship your orders in less time.
2. Customer support: Installing helpdesks, such as eDesk and Zendesk, help to make customer service better by meeting customer needs, managing incoming customer queries and complaints. Chatbot tools can also send automated messages in response to questions concerning deliveries, refunds, limiting the clutter arriving in your mailbox.
3. Email sequencing and customer segmentation: Email sequencing is the process of sending a series of emails to your customers such as a “Welcome Series” and “Win Back Series”, which help to increase purchases. With tools such as Mailchimp or Klaviyo, you can set up automations which help you to add a personal touch and send the right message at the right moment. Additionally, you can use process automation to segment your customer base to send them relevant messages. It is possible to automatically segment customers based on attributes such as how much they have spent and products they have bought. Email platforms, as well as CRM software such as Salesforce and HubSpot, can help you to do this.
Automation allows you to save time and resources, making your business more efficient. It allows you to focus your time on growing your business. Above are only three types of eCommerce automation, but there are many more. If you are interested about how the BDO Eaton Square eCommerce team can help your business, click here to learn more.