If you’re running an online business, you would have to leverage SaaS platforms in order to facilitate everyday processes. E-commerce isn’t exactly easy to operate even if you have many employees. It’s best to seek for specialized tools that can help to manage your online store efficiently. From marketing to customer support to shipping, you can streamline and automate with tools.
In this article, we’ll discuss the 10 most important types of software tools for every e-commerce business.
Article Breakdown
1. Search engine optimization tools
It’s important for you to optimize your online store for SEO and get organic traffic. There are tools to help you to increase your site’s visibility and you can rank higher in search engine results. A search engine optimization tool may include features like performance monitoring, keyword research, competitor rank analysis, page rank tracking, backlink analysis, content optimization, etc. A few examples of SEO tools are Semrush and Ahrefs.
2. Product research tools
You need to know the right products that works best for the niche or type of customers you’re targeting. With a product research tool, you can determine products that will be most profitable and facilitate business growth. The necessary features include market trend analysis, product finder, keyword tracking, performance metrics, real-time monitoring, reviews management, etc. Some examples of good e-commerce product research tools are Jungle Scout, Viral Launch, and Helium 10.
3. Inventory management software
Every e-commerce business needs to keep track of the amount of stock available. An inventory management tool helps to categorize and determine how much of your products are remaining. The tool can also be set up to automatically re-order when stock is running low. The features to look out for include real-time inventory tracking, inventory forecasting and alerts, automated order processing, analytics and reporting, etc. Some good examples are Zoho Inventory and ShipBob.
4. E-commerce merchandising tools
Merchandising refers to a set of processes that help to create better experiences for customers and increase overall sales for the e-commerce business. Such tasks can include setting product prices, adding discounts or coupons, optimizing product recommendations, fixing product or storefront display designs, improving sales strategies, etc. Ecommerce merchandising tools such as Klevu and Searchspring are notable examples.
5. Content creation tools
An e-commerce business can post content online and use it to attract more customers. You can create a blog where you can review or compare similar products. For this, you’d need tools like Canva for creating images and WordPress for hosting your blog. It’s also a good idea to upload pictures or videos of your products on social media apps e.g. Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. These apps usually come with everything you need.
6. Shipping and fulfillment software
As soon as a customer places an order, the store has to pack the products, ship to the exact address, and also track the delivery. This can be quite complicated if the e-commerce store completes everything manually. Instead, you can use shipping and fulfillment software to streamline order fulfillment operations, track orders in real-time, and automate shipping processes. Some examples of such tools are ShipStation and SKUSavvy.
7. Customer support tools
It’s normal for customers to experience difficulty in any part of their purchasing journey. They should be able to contact your store and receive help quickly. A helpdesk ticketing system makes it easier for agents to organize, monitor, and resolve tickets. The features of such tool include ticketing system, multiple channels (Live Chat, email), self-service (AI chatbot, help center, FAQs), etc. A good example of a customer support tool is Zendesk.
8. Email marketing tools
E-commerce businesses can use email marketing to keep customers engaged, promote relevant products, and remind customers to complete their purchases. An email marketing tool allows you to create marketing campaigns, segment your audience, send automated emails to customers, track campaign performance, and optimize your strategies. Some examples of email marketing tools are ContactOut, Klaviyo, MailChimp, and Brevo.
9. Rating and reviews plugin
Many customers check reviews before deciding to buy a product. This is because many people pay attention to social proof i.e. if other customers like the product, they’re more inclined to buy it. So you should add a rating and reviews plugin that’s customizable and has different display options. This enables your customers to rate purchased products and leave feedback. There are review plugins made for all e-commerce platforms.
10. Analytics tools
The best way to improve your business is by analyzing operational data. You need to gain insights into your store’s performance by measuring traffic, bounce rates, sales or conversion rates, abandoned carts, and also repeat customers. This helps to understand areas that are converting well and what you need to fix. Some examples of analytics tools are Kissmetrics and Glew.
Conclusion
Apart from the e-commerce platform your store is on, there are tools that help to streamline your processes and scale your business much faster. These types of e-commerce tools are exactly what you need to set up a thriving and successful online retail store today.