BackOrder Update. Goodbye Manual Data Entry
If you’re managing an online store, you should be aware of the negative impacts of out-of-stock products. In case you have yet to fulfill your inventory, BackOrder ensures that your customers can still order an item and receive it a few days later. Over a year of operation, BackOrder has rescued several enterprises from losing customers because of stockouts, especially during peak seasons. Customers such as Sunglass LA expressed a great sense of satisfaction and credibility with our service. However, there came some problems regarding the BackOrder’s operation. Some customers found it time-wasting and frustrating to manually update the inventory level and the assignment tab. Now, we’re excited to announce our new feature updates – auto-sync data from BigCommerce and auto-switch product condition to solve this challenge. 1. Goodbye manual data entry Previously, merchants had to manually update inventory levels from the BigCommerce store to the BackOrder dashboard. Otherwise, it can’t keep track of changes and backorder your item. The app, which was supposed to save time, turned out to add one more task to the store owners. With today’s update, there’s no need to switch back-and-forth between both platforms. Instead, BackOrder will be synced to your store in a way that store data will be automatically streamlined from the BigCommerce central store to the app. The assignment tab is also replaced by 2 categories in the product section: All products and Assigned products. In All products, you can see every item you’re selling on BigCommerce. Meanwhile, the Assigned products list out all items you’ve decided to backorder. We believe that these changes would free merchants from worrying about erroneous and time-wasting data entry. 2. A drastic change in the app core logic One important change is related to how the app operates. Before, BackOrder track both product availability and inventory to see if it could be backordered. However, this possessed a problem that they might overestimate the sales capability, thus leaving more unsold items. Or they risked overselling the product when there’s not sufficient supply. Now the default threshold is set to 0. This means that once a product is assigned to the app, it’ll automatically be backordered when the inventory level reaches 0. You can set up the number of inventory allowed for backorder. Then, for every item backordered, the stock level will change into a negative number. Once the stock is fulfilled again, this figure will turn back to be positive. We also provide users with a brand new total backordered amount and total backordered items over time. This makes it easier for merchants to keep track of how backordering affects their revenue stream. More effectively stock rescue with BackOrder If you’re using BackOrder, you can start saving time and build a more efficient inventory strategy with our current updates. If you’re new to the app, our customer support team is always available to answer any questions and give you a demo if necessary. Sign up for our free forever trial now!
How to increase customer trust on eCommerce sites
Why is eCommerce trust important? Trust keeps changing and it does not take time to rust. Consumers keep looking for reviews from their peers. False reviews are hurting the eCommerce trust, but the bubble awareness filter has dishonored the online recommendations. As a matter of fact, the gain or profitability is high only when customer trust is high. Customers buying products, even after payment visit a website regularly is the time to build trust. It is the first step of conversion. There are other steps to bond the trust factor with your clients through your apps or eCommerce sites, to engage and reassure customers. 6 ways to increase eCommerce trust Create a good first impression The good first impression creation begins with trust. In this mobile age, ensuring the website looks beautiful is important. The website should be easy-to-absorb content, fast, facilitate simple navigation, and inspiring imagery. With this in mind, the website must showcase the products with clear imagery and with proper information. The product descriptions outline everything, including delivery, care, guarantee, and returns. The site must be fast to receive credibility. Product availability, shipping information, and policies should be easily accessible. Furthermore, when your product is out-of-stock, you should either remove them from popular categories, recommend similar products, or allow backorders. Improve visuals People help drive purchases by relying on engaging visuals. Regardless of what you sell; the photos should be good-looking to should develop customer trust. Focus on your efforts and make the products of your client look great. The buyers online do not have the option in-person to experience products after all, so having great photos of a product, helps. Setting up elaborate photoshoots and showcasing products as crisp, clear, and well-lit are sure to receive the best points. Display eCommerce trust signals If a client’s business is not very popular, there is a fear always that some other visitor may enter the field. Use trust signals such as add TrustPilot and Feefo reviews. These third-party reviews ensure security seals and bind eCommerce trust. Adding a client’s or their team picture to the About Us page provides extra reassurance. Use subconscious signals of trust such as high-quality images and well-written copy. Use stock photos, and use social proof such as some recent press or customer reviews. Optimize site UX UX design is a way of improving the customer and user life-cycle. To optimize site UX means vision definition, discovery, planning, strategy, execution, iteration, and measurement. Creating a rich experience is a way of influencing users to have a great experience. Optimizing site UX is to provide engaging content, presenting a layout strategically, and providing information concisely. It is a must to optimize the site to bring more traffic, grow revenue, and increase conversions. Use empathy Gaining eCommerce trust is possible by showing your users some empathy. It means understanding the need of the users and offering them easy-to-use tutorials, educational material to use an app like a professional, help docs, and so on. Ultimately, it helps them to see success in their roles. Another key point is building empathy into the product’s UX requires visualizing the products yourself. It will show you what you must create to grab the attention of the users and give them valuable time. Display the right context at the perfect time using saved preferences, and earns goodwill. Consistency with brand’s communication The practice is brand consistency. It delivers messages offering the brand core values, presents the brand logo, and repeats the same color all through the visual elements. Being consistent is a must to beat your competition. Consistent messaging sets your brand apart to gain customer trust. Earning a business or losing them relies a lot on consistency and communication about the brand.
Proven strategies to increase your eCommerce AOV
In the eCommerce industry, the main game is all about increasing your revenue. If you were to conduct a survey and ask eCommerce merchants their aim of providing loyalty programs, free or faster shipping, customer service, and marketing efforts, it would surprise you to discover that all of these are geared toward making more money. What is eCommerce AOV? Every business is focused on making a profit and boosting revenue. A meaningful way to boost your store’s income is to increase the amount your customers spend whenever they visit your store. You can do this by increasing your average order value (AOV). Any profitable and successful business pays attention to their AOV since it helps them identify revenue-generating opportunities (cross-sells and upsells), understand the buyer’s journey, and customer motivation. Improving your average order value helps to promote conversion optimization, improve returns on advertising, and increase your customer lifetime value. Strategies to Increase your eCommerce AOV Your AOV has an impact on your revenue, notwithstanding how small it might be. It can result in more remarkable growth in your business. However, the primary challenge is how to get customers to spend money or buy from your store consistently. Here are proven strategies you can implement to increase your eCommerce AOV. Bundle Products Bundle products and offer them at a discounted rate can help improve your AOV because customers will pay more to get more. For instance, you run a shoe company, you can offer a 35% discount if a particular product or shop for a product above $300. Another option is to pair bestselling products with those that don’t move the market. Well, you can make it easier by permitting your customers to select the product bundle of their choice from a limited catalog. The secret is to sell more by combining products. The more your customer perceives the value of a combined product is worth it; they will be willing to pay for it. Therefore, make your bundle product worth paying for. Create a loyalty program You can take advantage of your loyal existing customers to increase your eCommerce AOV. Interestingly, the success rate of you selling to a new customer is between 60 to 70%, whereas the rate of success to a new customer is barely 5 to 20%. You can design a unique loyalty program that allows rewards for customers who spend higher when shopping. You can offer loyalty programs such as free shipping, discount on selected items, and early access to new products. Use upsell and Cross-sell Attract more high-value sales from existing customers using cross-sells and upsells. Upselling involves asking buyers to buy more expensive products that complement existing products to increase their order value. For instance, a shoe brand suggesting a sander at checkout or a customized belt to complement what is already in the cart. On the other hand, cross-selling involves selling a different product to your customer. For instance, if you sell computer computers, you can suggest a mouse pad, screen protector, or keyboard during checkout. With this, you offer the buyers the opportunity to improve their original purchase value.
Customer service tips to maximize satisfaction for backorders
Ensuring customer satisfaction is paramount in eCommerce, and one of the crucial customer service tips is to avoid delivering the dreaded news of backordered products. Not only does it result in lost sales for you as a store owner, but it also risks losing customers to your competitors. Proactively managing inventory and keeping customers informed about product availability can help mitigate such situations and foster trust and loyalty in your brand. Reordering points and reviewing your inventory level are two essential strategies you can implement to avoid any backorder, along with the frustration it brings. Regrettably, no eCommerce business is exempted or immune to backorders. It is an inevitable situation you have to face at one point. However, understanding how to communicate and respond to customers when your product is out of stock is essential. That communication would determine if your customer base will reduce or increase. To help new eCommerce businesses, here are some customer service tips you can implement to maximize satisfaction during the backorder period. Pre-emptive communication is key A key aspect of effective customer service tips is transparent communication, especially in the event of a backorder situation. Displaying expected shipping dates prominently on your website informs potential buyers upfront, fostering trust. Additionally, for customers who’ve already made purchases, promptly updating them on any backorder developments demonstrates respect for their time and investment. Every customer deserves clarity regarding product availability, enhancing their overall experience with your brand. Immediately you notice or receive information about a backordered product. You need to contact the customer either by email or phone. Whether the situation, provide an estimated date of arrival and keep updating them about their order status. Offer to provide a similar product One of the valuable customer service tips is to proactively offer alternative options to customers facing backorders. Prior to contacting them about the situation, gather information about similar products that may better suit their needs and preferences. Presenting these alternatives, accompanied by photos when possible, empowers customers with choices. While not every customer may embrace this approach initially, providing alternatives demonstrates your commitment to their satisfaction and enhances their overall shopping experience. Offer a partial shipment as an option In most situations, a backordered product is a collection of different products that a customer has ordered. When this happens, you can offer them the option of making partial shipment of the items to allow you to restock your inventory with BigCommerce Inventory Management. Depending on your location, this works perfectly well. People who live in the United States are interested and willing to wait for their ordered items. Nevertheless, if the customers live in a different country, they might not consider this option because of the additional shipping costs. Provide frequent update about backorder status An indispensable aspect of effective customer service tips is maintaining consistent communication with your customers. Regardless of the news being positive or challenging, providing regular updates on the status of their orders is crucial. This proactive approach not only keeps customers informed but also strengthens their trust in your brand. When customers have confidence in your business, they’re more inclined to patiently await their orders, knowing they’ll receive relevant and frequent updates along the way. How BackOrder by GritGlobal on BigCommerce Can Solve Your Stockout Challenges? Managing stockouts can be a significant pain point for ecommerce businesses, especially when there is no native backorder support on platforms like BigCommerce. Here’s how our BackOrder app can help: Never Miss a Sale Due to Stockouts One of the most frustrating aspects of running an ecommerce store is losing potential sales when products go out of stock. With BigCommerce BackOrder, you can automatically switch products to backorder status the moment inventory levels hit zero. This eCommerce automation ensures continuous sales, maintaining your revenue flow even when items are temporarily unavailable. Enhance Customer Communication and Satisfaction Stockouts can lead to customer dissatisfaction if not handled properly. BackOrder allows you to customize notifications, messages, and alerts to keep your customers informed about product availability and expected restock dates. By providing clear and timely information, you can reduce customer frustration and enhance their overall shopping experience. Streamline Inventory Management Keeping track of inventory manually can be a hassle and prone to errors. BackOrder integrates seamlessly with your existing IMS/ERP systems, ensuring that all inventory updates are accurately reflected in real-time. This synchronization maintains your IMS/ERP as the single source of truth for inventory management, simplifying your workflow and reducing the risk of overselling. Flexible Application for Products and Variants Different products have different needs when it comes to inventory management. BackOrder from Gritglobal offers the flexibility to apply backorder settings not only to entire product lines but also to specific variants, such as different sizes, colors, or materials. This adaptability ensures that all aspects of your inventory can benefit from automate backorder management, tailored to your specific requirements. Strategic Inventory Planning Planning for future inventory needs is crucial to maintaining a smooth operation. BackOrder allows you to set thresholds for backorder quantities, helping you manage how many items can be sold on backorder. This feature, combined with the ability to plan for incoming inventory and set back-in-stock dates, ensures you can meet customer demand without overextending your resources. By addressing these common pain points, BackOrder provides a comprehensive solution to managing stockouts, enhancing customer satisfaction, and streamlining your ecommerce operations. Explore how BackOrder can transform your business and keep your sales flowing seamlessly, even when inventory runs low. In conclusion, implementing effective customer service tips is essential for maximizing satisfaction during backorders. By prioritizing transparent communication, offering alternative options, and maintaining consistent updates, businesses can enhance customer experience even in challenging situations. Additionally, leveraging tools like the BigCommerce BackOrder app can streamline backorder management and improve overall efficiency. By prioritizing customer satisfaction and utilizing innovative solutions, businesses can navigate backorder scenarios with confidence, ultimately strengthening customer loyalty and trust in the brand. Contact us now!
