Why Manufacturers must think of eCommerce Investment and How One Can Scale its Sales Up

eCommerce is all about buyers and sellers, what a manufacturer has to do with it? If you too are a manufacturer having the same thought then guess what, eCommerce is for you too, and you must invest in it.

eCommerce is like launching your business on the big screen, but whether investing in it will make it a blockbuster or a flop show, is the fear that stops many from getting into it. Ever since eCommerce made its entrance, online business has become a sensation, giving the brick and mortar retail owners a tough time. Everything is available online and which is why it is high time for physical store owners to open up their online presence. But, is it really all about online retailers and customers? No, eCommerce is today much more than just digital retail. Actually, manufactures can see an increase in their sales with a properly designed eCommerce model. So, let’s take a look at the reasons why manufacturers must think of eCommerce investment right now.

eCommerce for Manufacturers

Manufacturers have a wrong notion that eCommerce is beneficial only for B2C selling, while the point they are missing is that in B2B and B2C, one thing is common and i.e. buyer, therefore, engaging in an eCommerce model will give them the following benefits.

1. Direct selling

Manufacturers should not miss an excellent chance to connect directly with their buyers as it can give them a good and complete control over the customer relationship. Doing so will help you kill two birds with one stone – first, it will widen your customer base and second, you can enforce MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price — also known as “sticker” price) as you seem fit. By having direct access to customers, manufacturers can also gain faster and direct feedback from them and improve their product offerings and services accordingly.

2. Brand awareness

Nothing can beat the marketing you can get via an eCommerce platform. Half of the marketing of your business is done when you open up an online store as more and more customers will come to know about it. Thus, as your brand awareness increases, your visibility will increase too, taking your business higher in Google search ranking as well.

3. Lower operating costs

One of the best parts about getting started with an eCommerce store is great cost savings, how? Well, it takes half the expense required to set up a physical store and maintain it well than developing a fully-featured eCommerce solution. Moreover, manufacturers can customize their eCommerce solution such that their sales and inventory management between their online and bricks-and-mortar operations can be carried out effortlessly and systematically.

4. Improved and smooth business operations

Manufactures can make use of digital and innovative ways to meet the needs of customers than the traditional ways which take time. By all means, an eCommerce store can help them in becoming efficient in their customer service, marketing, and sales, in reaching out to a wide customer base, in managing sales and orders, in cost savings, in problem-solving etc.

Now, let us take a look at some tips and tactics that can help improve your eCommerce sales

1. Create an engaging online presence

Remember online shopping is on the rise and customers expect an online platform that loads fast, provides the great user experience, is secure and navigates smoothly, etc., therefore, instead of settling for something cheap, choose a professional to design and develop your eCommerce store.

Select an eCommerce platform that can work well for your manufacturing business. Get it developed from scratch or customize it with all important functionalities. Choose/ design a store theme that works for manufacturers. Add product listings and include product descriptions with images to create SEO value and help customers to make decisions.

Try to make your eCommerce site as attractive as possible but also don’t go overboard. Keep it well-balanced with high-quality photos, videos, blog posts, or articles to educate buyers about you, your products and services.

“Don’t miss: Grow your B2B sells by accommodating wholesale eCommerce Platform”

2. Invest in technology

Technologies keep changing hence it is necessary for you to change with time to keep up with the competition. Update your eCommerce site as and when needed, make use of software that can work wonders for your online business, conduct security check regularly and if you have enough budget and want to seek the attention of your customers just like that, try implementing latest technologies like Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Chatbot etc.

Recommended blog: Voice Search trends in E-commerce – A next big thing in Industry

3. Include personalisation 

Personalization is what customers want today in everything and you can make use of it in many ways to keep them engaged. Provide personalized catalogs, content, notifications, etc. for the buyers to feel valued and make their shopping experience even more enjoyable so that they keep coming back to you.

4. Improve product search and product configuration 

As a manufacturer, the most important thing on your eCommerce site should be an easy product search feature. Your customers must be able to find spare or replacement parts, tools, or accessories to go with their purchases without any headache or confusing navigation. Related products recommendation or a list of parts or accessories must be visible to them while browsing a particular product. Also, include apps and customizations to allow your buyers to configure products online. If they can add or remove items based on their requirement, budget etc., they will love you more.

In a nutshell 

Online shopping is now a household thing. It is slowly becoming a habit and hence having an online presence has become a necessity if you want to survive the competition. It is not that eCommerce is only for retailers and customers, everyone can benefit from it and so as a manufacturer if you want to attract audiences and serve them well, its high time you get an eCommerce store developed for your business. Therefore, without wasting any furthermore time, get in touch with the now known to be the best eCommerce solution provider in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar – MobiCommerce for your one-stop solution.

Dipika Jadwani

Dipika is a skilled marketer who manages marketing communications at MobiCommerce. From content and social media to branding and PR, Dipika overlooks all aspects of digital marketing meticulously at MobiCommerce. She collaborates extensively with the sales and operations teams to bring more business and build a loyal customer base.