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March 2020

corona, virus, ecommerce

Coronavirus and eCommerce

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As of the writing of this article, the current COVID-19 outbreak case count is over 500k worldwide. As the cases grow in number, keeping safe and preventing further spread is key to fight the virus. From the reports out of the CDC, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather. The best measure to fight against COVID-19 is by frequently washing your hands with disinfectant soap.

This blog serves as a small guide on preventive measures to protect yourself, your co-workers, and family members. Also serves as insight to why the e-commerce business sector is due for a rise despite declines in the financial markets.

People of any age range can be infected by COVID-19. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. The WHO advises people of all ages to take the following steps: bathe twice per day, eat foods that boost good immunity health, take multi-vitamins, and regularly have 8 hours of deep sleep.

This plus frequent good hand washing hygiene will improve your chances of not being infected by the virus. Lastly is the use of masks or other protective facial medical gear. If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected COVID-19. Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing frequency. Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly to ensure the spread of the virus is not caused by neglectful disposal.

Recent reports have shown a drastic decline in various industries in their sales and overall production numbers due to many citizens staying home to self-quarantine. eCommerce is one of the few select industries performing well despite the current market conditions due to the current outbreak. Main reason for this being the need for essential supplies and goods for day to day living.

People are fearful of going to commercial centers to purchase supplies due to the increase risk associated with large crowds. Thus, many are opting to shop digitality from the safety of their home and have their goods ship to them. This limits the exposure risk while bringing business to the e-commerce store and their associated suppliers. While many store fronts and centers are closing down or shorting operation hours, e-commerce business are afforded the opportunity to take up a lot of clients and market share by being able to operate 24/7.

For more insights and guidance, contact ShipJoy today!

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Coronavirus and eCommerce: Risks & Opportunities

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Coronavirus and eCommerce

The covid-19 pandemic has affected every facet of life, and eCommerce is no different. If you are running an eCommerce business, you are going to need to know how the Coronavirus is going to impact you and the industry at large. Indeed, according to US government data, in the last quarter of 2019, online sales accounted for 11.4% of total retail spending. Here are some things to consider that are going to influence your business and your decision.

Some Believe eCommerce Will Thrive

Due to things like social distancing, as well as the issues with the economy and the closing of businesses, many believe eCommerce is set to thrive in the coming months. Titans of the industry, such as Amazon, are well-placed to take full advantage of this in the near future. However, this is not an exact science, and there are many who are sceptical about the future of online shopping as well. 

It’s a Little More Complex

The future is unclear and uncertain at this stage, and there is every chance that eCommerce businesses could feel the full effects of this as well. If the economy tanks, and businesses have to close it is going to be much more difficult for eCommerce businesses like yours to source and order products. What’s more, supply chain problems and declining customers could all play a role as well. And with only 20% of businesses saying they are taking aggressive action in the face of the virus, we could run into more problems.

The Future 

At this stage, the future is a complete unknown, and this can be scary. And, despite the government’s plans to offer aid and support to businesses and employees, it is unclear what to expect. This is a scary and worrying time for a lot of business owners, but the resources offered by the government may provide some relief and respite from the financial burdens of a potential recession. 

All of that said, if you are running a eCommerce business, now is the time to be bold. Now is the time to find the right partners. Now is the time to make your move.

70% of the Fortune 500 was started during a recession. Your brand might be the next one on that list.

Contact ShipJoy today to capitalize on this opportunity.

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How to Reduce Your eCommerce Costs

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ecommerce, cut, costsWhen you can reduce the operational costs of running an eCommerce store, you can pass these savings on to the customer and generate more profit for your business too. This article will help you reduce eCommerce costs.

For eCommerce entrepreneurs, shipping is often one of the most significant costs your business will encounter. 

Furthermore, today’s consumers are vocal about their shipping expectations. In addition to wanting a range of expedited delivery options, the majority of consumers expect free shipping to be included with their purchase. 

High shipping costs and limited delivery options are top reasons for abandoned carts. By focusing on your shipping options, you can successfully increase your sales. For business success, however, you need to ensure that your shipping costs are reduced as much as possible, without negatively impacting the customer’s experience.

Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to minimize your shipping costs and boost your sales, including:

  1. Use fulfillment services

Fulfillment companies take the stress out of running an eCommerce store by storing your inventory and picking, packing and shipping products directly to your customers. This negates the need for you to rent your own premises and hire in-house staff, which reduces your expenditure. 

In addition, fulfillment companies operate on behalf of hundreds or thousands of clients. This means fulfillment firms, like ShipJoy, can negotiate more attractive prices with carriers. When these savings are passed on to you, it means your shipping costs can be significantly reduced. 

  1. Size reduction

The weight and size of your parcels play a major role in the cost of shipping. By reducing these as much as possible, you can minimize your shipping costs too. To achieve this, however, you’ll need to have a range of packing materials on hand and the expertise to ensure products are securely packaged using minimal materials.

While these could be a costly system to set up yourself, you can access these facilities straight away when you choose to partner with an established fulfillment service provider.

  1. Reduce shipping distance

The cost of shipping depends on a number of factors, such as the size and weight of the parcel, the speed of delivery and how far it needs to be shipped. Sending a parcel from Houston, TX to Dallas, TX, is cheaper than sending a shipment from Houston, TX to New York, NY, for example. 

If you handle your own shipping, launching multiple inventory sites can be a major investment. For most eCommerce store owners, the costs involved make this an unattractive option. However, choosing the right fulfillment company will enable you to access multiple inventory sites and dispatch centers around the country. With your goods stored at strategic locations, you can dramatically cut your shipping costs and facilitate faster deliveries.

Minimizing the Costs of Running an eCommerce Store

Reducing delivery charges is a sure-fire way to attract more customers while minimizing operational costs ensures you can keep more of your revenue. Partnering with an established fulfillment provider could be the most cost-effective and efficient way for you to successfully grow your business and reduce the cost of running your eCommerce store. 

For more information contact ShipJoy today.

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How To Grow Your eCommerce Business

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grow your ecommerce business

Generating sales and increasing revenue are the top priorities for eCommerce stores. For business owners, a successful eCommerce store is one that attracts new customers and increases the lifecycle value of existing buyers. 

However, the digital landscape is continually evolving, which means you need to modify your marketing strategy to ensure success. To grow your eCommerce business, take a look at these top tips now.

  1. Target existing buyers

As well as enticing new customers to your store, nurture your existing customer base too. Loyal customers are already familiar with your brand and products, which means it’s easier to guide them through the sales funnel. 

Generally, it is faster and more cost-effective to target existing customers than it is to attract new ones. By targeting your existing customer base, you can boost sales figures swiftly and significantly. 

  1. Optimize your webpages

If you want to attract new customers, they need to be able to find your store and products. The most reliable way to ensure they can do this is to optimize your webpages. By practicing good SEO techniques, you can ensure your webpages appear when users search for relevant content online. 

As users are already searching for related products, the traffic you generate from targeted keywords equates to warm leads. This shortens the sales funnel and enables you to grow eCommerce store more effectively. From keyword research and on-page SEO to backlinks and social media integration; eCommerce SEO is essential for business success. 

  1. Be mobile-friendly

Increasing numbers of people are using mobile devices to access the internet. In fact, the use of mobile technology has increased so much that Google has introduced a mobile-first indexing algorithm. Due to this, it’s vital that your eCommerce store is mobile-friendly and offers a great user experience on mobile devices.

While launching a separate mobile website is one option, using responsive web design can be easier and more effective. By creating a responsive eCommerce store, you can meet Google’s mobile-first indexing requirements and ensure users have a superb experience when visiting your store, regardless of what type of tech they’re using. 

  1. Keep up to date

Even if your inventory remains the same, it’s important to update your product descriptions and content regularly. As well as refreshing the text on a regular basis, add new images and videos to your eCommerce store too. This gives existing customers a reason to keep coming back and helps to promote certain products and ranges. 

Launching loyalty programs and time-limited discounts is a great way to keep your website feeling fresh and gives users an added reason to make a purchase. The Fear of Missing Out is a major factor in the buyer’s decision-making process, so be sure to capitalize on it.

Increasing Sales Online

To grow your eCommerce store and your business, attracting new customers and creating loyal fans is essential. By using a range of marketing techniques, you can successfully increase your reach, explore new markets and achieve your target sales figures.

Want to know more? Contact ShipJoy today.

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Improve Your Customer Experience with Expert eCommerce Fulfillment

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shipjoy, ecommerce, fulfillmenteCommerce Fulfillment

It’s safe to say that eCommerce is more than a trend. Almost 2 billion people regularly shop online across the globe. If you have an online business, that statistic might have you jumping for joy. 

But, it should also make you realize the importance of eCommerce fulfillment. Simply put, because there are so many online shoppers, your business may also have a lot of competition. 

So, what is eCommerce fulfillment and why is it so important to your customers’ experience? 

A “Prime” Example

We live in a fast-paced world, and giants in the eCommerce industry have spoiled consumers when it comes to getting the items they order as quickly as possible. Perhaps no one has done it better than Amazon, especially when it comes to its Prime service. 

Amazon Prime offers two-day shipping in most cases. Now, thanks to warehouses across the globe, many people can even get their Amazon packages on the same day if they live in a larger city. It’s an “I want it now” mentality that those in the eCommerce industry need to be able to keep up with, or they might fall behind when it comes to sales. 

If you don’t think that’s true, consider this: 25% of shoppers have canceled an order because the shipping speed was too slow. 

It doesn’t just stop with the shipping speed. Consumers need to feel valued from start to finish throughout the buying process. If your business has hidden fees or extra shipping costs, customers are more likely to abandon their carts.

What Can Your Business Do to Improve the eCommerce Experience?

There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re considering how you can improve eCommerce fulfillment for your customers. 

First, you have to consider your receiving options. Of course, it’s exciting whenever someone places an order. But, if you don’t have the inventory on hand to process that order and get it out quickly, you’ll likely end up with an unhappy consumer. Having inventory on hand typically either means housing it at a warehouse or having a third-party company take care of it. Always plan to have enough inventory to cover your sales so you can ship things out quickly. 

Order processing includes everything from retrieving the items from where they are being stored to packaging them correctly before shipping them out. In many cases, aspects of the processing timeline can be streamlined through automation or other advancements in technology. This helps to prevent user error and can make the process faster. 

One of the best things you can do to keep your customers happy once a product is shipped is to keep them informed. Tracking technology is easy to implement, so once a customer is given a tracking number, be sure to update them on where their package is and when they can expect to receive it. Being as detailed as possible will help the customer to be more patient with their delivery because they’ll be more “in the know” about the shipping process. 

There are many things to consider when it comes to eCommerce fulfillment, from where to store your inventory to whether or not to offer incentives like two-day shipping. While it’s important to keep your own costs in mind, a good rule of thumb is to consider the needs of the consumer first. If you can cater to those needs, you’re more likely to receive more orders, find more success, and grow your fulfillment solutions. 

Want more help with delighting your customers with advanced eCommerce fulfillment? Contact ShipJoy today!

Image courtesy of macrovector.

shipjoy, ecommerce, fulfillment

The Top 5 Trends Shaping eCommerce In 2020

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shipjoy, trends, ecommerceToday’s consumers hold more power than ever.  They have choices, and they know it. They want the right products, at the right price, and they want them delivered almost immediately. 

In order to keep up with the sophisticated demands of 2020 eCommerce trends,  companies need to get their strategies on point so that they don’t fall behind their competitors. 

Your choice of fulfillment partner can make or break your business. In the eyes of the consumer, they are you.  There’s no distinction between them clicking ‘buy’ online and the product arriving at their door. 

eCommerce fulfillment operations know this and are leading the charge to bring the industry up to the very highest technological standards. 

Here are some 2020 eCommerce trends that we’ll be seeing over the next year. 

#1 Rise Of The Machines

Automation is becoming key to fulfillment activities. High levels of productivity and efficiency give them a competitive edge. 

Organizations such as Amazon are already using robotics and enhanced automation in their warehouses alongside their human workers. 

At present, this technology is still relatively new and extremely expensive, but as it evolves, the price of technology starts to come down, we will see more companies adopting it in the near future. 

#2 Adoption Of Emerging Technology

It’s not just robotic automation we’re seeing utilized, warehouses are getting to be extremely creative in their use of new tech.  

The same programs that allow consumers to virtually decorate the rooms in their home or try out a new hair color are now being used in warehousing to identify and locate stock. 

#3 Tracking Products In Real-Time

Consumer demands around their online retail experience are driving eCommerce and fulfillment partners to share real-time information throughout the entire buying process. 

Websites, marketplaces, apps, logistics, payment portals, and couriers are now interconnected, providing a seamless experience for the customer and allowing up to the minute reporting on stock and fulfillment. 

#4 Accessing The Global Marketplace

The rise in the number of online marketplaces is fueling the retail sector at a rate never seen before.  

Retailers now have access to customers all over the world beyond a physical store. Fulfillment partners like ShipJoy are now providing services across multi-channel fulfillment.

In 2018, 1.8 billion people bought something online. That is over 21 percent of the world’s population.  This number is expected to reach 2.14 billion by 2021. 

#5 Offsetting Of Increasing Costs

The warehousing industry is going through significant change at present. Poor working conditions in some areas have been highlighted in the press and have lead to an industry-wide push for better pay, conditions, and benefits for workers. 

In response to these increased costs, the industry is now looking at ways to reduce and streamline their processes, offer new value-added services and cushion the financial blow being passed on to the end-users. 

Contact ShipJoy today for more information on how to take advantage of 2020 eCommerce trends shaping the industry.

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Everything You Need To Know About Warehousing

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shipjoy, warehouse, third, partyIf you’re planning to set up your own eCommerce venture, or you’ve been selling and storing products for some time, sooner or later, you’ll have to consider a better way to store and ship your products to your customers. 

When you’re just starting out, getting those first exciting orders, it makes sense to store and ship the orders yourself.  But as your eCommerce store will take off and you’ll find it more and more difficult to keep up with the demands of sending out orders. 

This is when you need to consider third party warehousing.  

What Are The Benefits Of Using Warehousing? 

Flexibility – most third-party warehousing companies are extremely flexible with their terms and pricing. If your business is cyclical in nature, you can scale your needs accordingly at short notice.  

Lower staffing costs – you won’t need to hire your own team to fulfill your orders.  You’ll save on all of the extra costs that it involves and extra paperwork that being an employer needs. 

Greater efficiency – warehousing companies do what they do all day, every day.  They will be much faster and efficient than you could ever hope to be. 

Save money – you’ll benefit from the great rates warehousing companies get with packaging manufacturers and couriers. 

When Should You Start Using A Third Party Warehousing Service

You may be ready to look at outsourcing your logistics if the following apply to your business. 

You’re too busy to run your business – if you’re spending all of your time packing and sending your items at the expense of other areas of your business, then it’s time to look at warehousing.  

You’re running out of room – if your entire house, garage and garden shed is filled with stock, you’re going to need an alternative solution.  It’s unsustainable in the long term. 

Your business is cyclical – if you do a large proportion of your business at a certain time of the year, you may not want to arrange your own storage and seasonal staffing.

Choosing A Third Party Warehousing Partner

Whoever you choose will act as an extension of your business in the eyes of your customers.  So you need to choose wisely.

Get a recommendation – ask other people in the business who they would recommend. If you don’t know who to ask, find a Facebook or LinkedIn group that you can ask.  

Do they have similar clients – many companies will specialize in certain types of clients. Find one that has clients similar to you. 

Can they process refunds as well? – in order to keep the entire process as smooth as possible, find a partner that can handle refunds and returns as well.  

Don’t just base your decision on price – it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, especially when cash flow is tight, but making the wrong choice could cost you much more.  Unhappy customers won’t buy from you again and are likely to leave you bad reviews online. Since most people won’t differentiate you from your fulfillment partner, your reputation will suffer at the hands of their bad service. 

For more information on third party warehousing contact ShipJoy today.