Websites operate around the clock, accepting orders every hour of the day and every day of the week. However, only the largest companies can afford to have staff working those same extensive hours. For all other businesses, automating key processes is crucial for keeping operations running smoothly when employees aren’t present. If achieving this level of automation appeals to your brand, read on as we cover eCommerce workflow automation and list a selection of the most useful ways to implement it within your business processes.
What Is Workflow Automation?
Workflow automation helps businesses work more efficiently. The main idea is to find tasks that employees do over and over, or tasks that are done manually. Instead of having employees do these tasks, you use software, apps, or technology to do the tasks automatically. This way, employees don’t waste time on repetitive work and can focus on more important things.
All parts of a business can use automation. For example, inventory management, email marketing, and human resources can all be automated using eCommerce tools. Automating these processes across the business can make everything run smoother and better.
10 Workflow Automation Ideas for eCommerce Businesses
Generate product info
Creating detailed product descriptions can be tedious yet essential for eCommerce success. Automate this process by generating descriptions from templates or existing data sources. Set rules based on product attributes to automatically populate details like features, specifications, and care instructions. This consistent, streamlined approach ensures accurate and engaging product info.
Schedule social media posts automatically
Online stores spend a lot of time on social media marketing. Good social media marketing requires constant effort. You have to keep creating and sharing content that interests your audience.
However, with automation tools, businesses can benefit from social media without using up as many staff hours. Many web apps and tools can automate social media tasks. You can create many posts at once and then use tools to schedule when and where those posts get shared.
Automate sales campaigns
Workflow automation can streamline time-sensitive sales campaigns. Set up automatic product discounts based on specific attributes like category or stock levels. This ensures promotions are accurately applied without manual intervention.
Additionally, automate daily workflows to switch website themes and pricing for limited-time offers. This keeps your site fresh and entices customers. You can also auto-tag high-value buyers based on purchase history and send targeted emails with personalized offers, driving repeat sales.
Tag and segment customers based on buying behavior
Looking at how customers buy will help you give them a better experience. An important part is separating your customer list into groups. This means putting customers into different groups based on the customer behavior and their information. For example, you could group by age, if they are a man or woman, or how much money they usually spend.
You can automate this grouping process with smart tools. The customer information needed is already in your order systems or customer databases. The workflow automation tools can automatically put customers into different groups in many ways, without any staff having to do it.
Automate purchase order
Streamline inventory replenishment by automating purchase order workflows. Set reorder points for each product, and when stock levels dip below the threshold, the system automatically generates a purchase order. You can further optimize by connecting to supplier catalogs, applying order rules based on lead times, and integrating with accounting software.
Send shipping notifications
Provide excellent customer service through automated shipping notifications. Once an order is processed, trigger a workflow to send shipping confirmation emails with tracking details. You can also set up automated alerts for delivery exceptions or delays, allowing customers to plan accordingly while building trust in your brand.
Send reminders for customers to reorder
Your interaction with customers shouldn’t stop after their first purchase. Providing ongoing support and continued marketing efforts are crucial. If you sell products that require replenishment, there’s another essential process to consider.
If you know when a customer is likely to need more of a particular item, you can automate a workflow to send reminder emails at the optimal time. This way, customers receive a timely nudge to make another purchase from you. You could even include a discount code or special offer to clinch the deal.
Gather feedback after a purchase
If you want to improve the experience for your customers, you first need to understand how they feel about your products. The best way to know this is by asking them directly. Successful businesses ask customers for feedback so they can identify areas that need improvement.
You can automate the process of collecting this feedback. This involves setting up automated emails to go out at a certain time after a purchase. These automated follow-up emails show customers that you value their opinion. Over 40% of customers don’t give feedback because they think the business doesn’t care what they say.
Automate Inventory Management
Keeping track of inventory is crucial for all online stores. Properly monitoring and managing your stock can have a big impact. If you don’t have enough stock, you won’t be able to complete important orders. But if you have too much stock, you’re wasting valuable space in your warehouse. By automating how you manage your inventory, you can make storing and shipping products much easier.
Use automation to follow up on potential sales
Closing a sale requires a lot of effort as a salesperson needs to contact a lead multiple times before they finally make a purchase. Automation is an excellent way to ensure that critical follow-ups happen at the right time without any issues. The next step a salesperson takes changes depending on how interactions with potential customers go.
Optimize Workflow Automation with Atom8
Atom8’s powerful BigCommerce automation tools help you get the most out of your BigCommerce store. Its features make processes easier, reduce manual work, and increase efficiency – allowing your team to focus on growing your online business. Automated workflows can handle time-sensitive sales campaigns, automatically apply discounts based on product details, and change your website’s theme and pricing for limited-time promotions.
Moreover, you can send targeted emails with customizable fields, run email campaigns based on what customers bought, and automatically create unique discount codes. Easy connections integrate BigCommerce with popular apps like Google Sheets, Slack, and BackOrder. Finally, real-time product and order information goes straight to spreadsheets, so you can build workflows connecting different apps using APIs, and triggers from other apps. The user-friendly interface of this Grit Global app makes optimizing your eCommerce operations simple, helping you sell faster and smarter.
To Wrap Up
Automating workflows is key for eCommerce businesses to save time, reduce errors, and drive growth. The 10 ideas discussed can help you streamline your operations and deliver exceptional customer experiences. If you need assistance automating your processes, contact Atom8 to help unlock the power of workflow automation for your business. Contact us today!
