eCommerce is a booming industry, but with the way it is talked about, it would seem like it’s targeted toward retailers only. However, taking your wholesale business is not just a wise move, it’s basically an inevitable one if you want to succeed and keep up with your competitors. Here’s why.
It Makes the Process Easier
There really isn’t so big a difference when it comes to eCommerce for retail and wholesale — the customers simply need to log in, browse through an online catalog, select the items they want (and indicate how many), click the “check out” button to pay, and then wait for the items to be delivered to the chosen address.
Using an online shopping platform also minimizes the need for phone calls or emails to confirm stock availability or going through the old school way of sending order forms through email or even fax. If customers have an easy, convenient time making a purchase, it makes them more likely to come back and even order more often.
It Empowers Customers
In relation to an easier, more convenient process, having your wholesale business online also empowers your customers by giving them the power of choice. Because your customers are also business owners, they also have their own schedules to keep. By allowing them to make a purchase at any time and eliminating the hassle of paperwork when ordering, you are also giving them more time to grow their own businesses.
The power of self-service also helps with communication. For example, if they have a question regarding a specific product, they can visit your online store at any time to search for the answer instead of giving you a call or sending a message which may not be received on time.
It Expands Your Customer Base
One of the biggest contributors of the success of Asian cosmetics is the power of the internet. Customers from all over the world suddenly did not have to contend with continental barriers to purchase products that would give them the complexion they’ve always dreamed of. Today, wholesale Asian beauty products are one of the most popular and profitable options for business owners.
By putting your business online, you’ll be able to reach new customers from all over the world. As long as you give them all the information about your products and showcase them properly through various media formats, as well as provide them a wide range of options for payment and shipping, it won’t matter if your business is located in California and your customers are all the way from Sydney.
It Makes Your Business More Efficient
One of the most important parts of a wholesale is dealing with the constant movement of high volumes of stock. With a B2B online shopping platform equipped with an inventory management system, you can monitor the changes in your stock levels in real time. You will know exactly when you have to replenish your inventory, and you also don’t have to worry about committing stock to a customer that has already been sold to another.
Another aspect of wholesaling that can be improved by bringing it online is the efficiency of your sales team. With an online platform, your sales team can focus on closing sales instead of waiting for documents from the customer or filling out paperwork of their own.
An online wholesale operation also streamlines several processes such as taking and fulfilling sales orders, monitoring stocks, and even communicating with the customer. With a more efficient process, you will have more time for business development, customer relations management, and other growth opportunities. So will your customers.
Finally, by bringing your wholesale business online, everyone from your sales managers down to your accountants will have the latest, most updated version of the data they need to make informed decisions.
It’s highly like that you already have a website for your wholesale business. Now it’s time to take it a step further and turn it into an eCommerce platform. With these obvious benefits, there really isn’t any reason not to do so. Consult with an expert if you must, but make the move today and see how your business can become all the better.