Top Tips for launching your ecommerce website

An eCommerce website is quickly becoming a crucial tool for staying competitive in today’s market. Most customers will expect you to have a website – but what if you’ve never launched a business online before?

Giles Greenslade, Business Development Director for eCommerce at Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) reveals his top tips for making those all-important first steps into the online domain.

1. Choose a fully integrated solution

Choosing a website that can integrate directly into your

ERP solution can have great benefits to your business.

Details such as stock and pricing can be passed from your

ERP to your online portal in real time. “Regardless of what business you are in, the website should be able to work within your business and provide the synergy needed to realise its full potential. Your company doesn’t want to have to change its processes to work around a non-integrated eCommerce solution!”

2. Select a solution that’s designed for your industry

Your eCommerce platform should be easily usable by both your staff and customers. It is beneficial to choose a partner who understands both selling online and your specific industry. An ERP solution not designed for your industry may include numerous options that are completely irrelevant to your specific customer. An industry-tailored content management system will make it simpler to operate day-to-day. 3. See your website as an extension of your existing business

Establishing an eCommerce website is essentially like opening a new branch. It’s not enough just to build a new website. You could have an industry-leading website, but if nobody knows it’s there, then it won`t generate the desired return on investment. Marketing is therefore essential to your website’s success. Any interaction with a customer or prospect should be viewed as a chance to promote your site.

4. Think about your customer service

Although an eCommerce site may remove the human element, it still needs to be thought of as another salesperson in its own right. Customers today are better informed than ever before, and a site that passes on knowledge will be seen as a valuable resource in attracting repeat business.

5. Don’t be afraid to try something new eCommerce provides another route to market. The use of online shopping has accelerated exponentially over the past 12 months and is increasing. Mobile and tablet usage underlines the shift in technology application in real-world business operations. The days of having to make a call to source materials while on a job are gone, the ability to find the right items and place an immediate order is now an essential component of business.

For more information on KCS and our range of eCommerce solutions, visit www.kerridgecs.com