There are a number of challenges when it comes to e-commerce. One of the biggest issues is choosing exactly what type of selling platform will best suit your company and your industry. With so many options to choose from, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. But we’ve boiled it down to three simple questions you can use to help you make your choice.
- Can It Integrate With Current Software?
The first question you should ask in order to narrow the field has to do with integration. There are many different selling platforms available, but if it won’t integrate with what you already have, it won’t do you much good. Choose a selling platform that works with your current ecommerce inventory management app so that sales and inventory flow can be updated in real time.
- Is It Flexible?
A good e-commerce platform needs to be as flexible as the company using it. If you have a product line of under 100 items, it’s great. But what if you’re working with an expanded line such as selling used books? An inventory that could conceivably include thousands of unique IDs means you’ll need a truly robust platform in order to keep up. Consider where you want your company to be a year, five years and even 10 years down the road in terms of inventory and choose a platform that can grow with you.
- What Are the Up Front and Long-Term Costs?
Usually, there is an up front fee for a platform and then a monthly maintenance cost. Compare these costs across different platforms you’re considering but look beyond the dollar amount. Consider value for money in terms of what you’ll receive in technical support, customer service and add-on enhancements.
This simple method will point you in the right direction when it comes to choosing an e-commerce platform that can work and grow with your company. By choosing a system that integrates with what you have, you’ll be improving and enhancing what your company offers for both customers and employees.
