Why do I need an online shop as a retailer?
It's no secret that online retail is becoming increasingly prevalent, replacing active shopping in stores. This phenomenon particularly affects individual retailers. While walk-in customers are still present, the proportion of actively purchasing customers is continually decreasing. Retail is increasingly becoming a tourist attraction, the "last-minute stop" for gifts, or simply a leisure activity. The incentive to go out and buy something that can be obtained much more conveniently on the internet is simply no longer there. Because ordering on the internet is time-saving, offers a wider selection, and most importantly, you know immediately whether something is still available or not.
This does not make retail any less important! It enhances the atmosphere of pedestrian zones, you can take home what you buy immediately, and generally get an overview of what is currently available.In addition, specialty stores offer face-to-face consultation tailored specifically to your interests and also provide opportunities to look beyond the horizon.
However, it is no longer enough to simply be a retailer. The age of digitalization is relentless. And that's not the only problem. The general situation of businesses has worsened due to the pandemic. Those without reserves do not survive the lockdowns. Even large chains are struggling to stay afloat.
And an online store simply brings only advantages.
In this blog post, we want to alleviate your doubts and explain the benefits of an online store.
What are the advantages of an online store?
Many advantages of an online store are obvious:
- Larger target audience, as not only customers from the region are reached
- Direct overview of the available goods
- No stop in revenue due to forced store closure (z.B. during a lockdown)
- Easy and convenient shopping from home
- And much more.
But you are probably already aware of the advantages. So why don't you have an online store yet? Quite simply: Because of the effort that such an online store entails. And we will go into these in more detail in the following.
I have no idea how to open an online store, let alone how to build it...
Understandable! It's usually not among the hobbies one cultivates in their free time or learns in school!
But basically, it's quite simple if you spend a little time with it. There are now some providers who offer a simple template for websites to click together yourself.
If you don't want to spend hours clicking through countless options and then spend more hours sifting through the many customization options after finding the right provider, you can simply contact us! It saves time and the result is definitely worth it!
We will develop a ready-to-use framework for your very own online shop via Shopify in no time at all! An introduction to all features is included, so you can manage everything yourself afterwards and are no longer dependent on us.
How do I get my products integrated into the online shop?
A valid question. This can indeed be time-consuming, or it can be done very quickly.
If you already have a list of all your products, you can easily upload it to your online store. There is a detailed description for this on the designated page. Admittedly, it's a bit more difficult for those who don't have such a list. Then the products all have to be entered into the shop individually. But after a one-time effort, you've made it! For example, you could combine this task with the annual inventory that is due anyway, and kill two birds with one stone! Or we can help you with this and do it directly when setting up the shop!
New products must be added using the same method, but if you receive already registered goods again, you can simply adjust the existing quantity without having to go through the effort of entering them again.
An inventory list with the details of the available quantities of a product also gives you an overview of your stock at a glance!
What happens if I sell a product from my online store in the store?
Since you have full control over your online store, you can adjust the existing quantity of a product with a single click right after the sale in the store.
Of course, we know that you probably don't have the time to constantly manage your online store. However, we can alleviate your fear of potentially selling a product twice, which would not reflect well on the store.
Shopify offers you the "Point of Sale" feature, which allows you to integrate in-store sales into your online store.
With Shopify Point of Sale (POS), you can combine in-store and online sales through consistent statistics. This maintains an overview of your store and online inventory of your products. You can also manage your business with POS, advertise your products, and sell on various channels. Based on inventory forecasts and performance reports, you can create orders. If you have multiple locations, you can transfer your inventory to these.
Merge personal and online sales with POS. Simplify shopping for your customers and thereby increase your profit. Your customers can view your products in your store and order comfortably from home later. The reverse is also possible.Your customers can also order from your online store from home and pick up everything on site later. Is the inventory low on site? No problem. Your customer can also simply order their desired product for a fee on site and have it delivered to their home. With POS, you won't lose any more sales.
What about shipping costs?
You have the option to choose and specify your shipping options yourself. The respective shipping costs are added to the value of the goods and are thus borne by the buyer. Free shipping options, for example from a certain purchase value, can also be set up.
If you want to avoid mail, you can offer the option of picking up in the store.
How does it work with tax?
You integrate information about this directly under your personal user information.An invoice is provided with every order. You have no extra effort in this regard through the online shop!
I still don't have the time or desire to take care of it…
This problem can also be solved. If it is possible for you, you can of course hire or retrain an assistant or an employee to take care of the online shop. This can also be done from home!
Or you can also turn to us in this regard! We offer to take care of your shop and keep it up to date. Only in terms of your goods, you would have to support us a bit in this case.
Any more questions? Let's get started!
We hope to have alleviated your doubts a bit with this. But of course, something new is always a challenge that can be scary.If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us!
And if you've said to yourself: Let's do this!, then click here, because we are of course ready and would be happy to help you!
