How to Include Automation in Your E-Commerce Site

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Consumers are becoming more and more comfortable making purchases online and engaging in other services like therapy, virtual events, and live-streaming online. Because of this new demand for eCommerce options, business owners are constantly looking out for how to make their sites more efficient and customer-centric.

Automation is incredibly beneficial to business efficiency and deepening your customer relationships. It is defined as the application of technology, programs, robotics, or processes to achieve outcomes with minimal human input. Automation is being integrated into nearly every business in every industry.

You should implement automation to keep up with customer needs and ensure your operation is as productive as possible. Here are five ways to include automation in your eCommerce site and ultimately make your life as an eCommerce business owner easier.

Five Ways to Include Automation in your E-Commerce Site

Implementing automation in your eCommerce site isn’t a “set-it-and-forget-it” process.

When using automation tools, you’re responsible for ensuring that they’re working correctly, that they’re the right tools for your goals, and that you understand how to use them to their full advantage.

Here are five ways to include automation in your eCommerce site.

Automate social media content

Social media isn’t a direct part of your eCommerce site, but marketing on social media platforms is crucial for growing an eCommerce business. Fifty-four percent of social media users research products via their preferred platform. So, it’s wise to ensure your social media presence is solid and productive.

 

Automation can be implemented in this aspect of your eCommerce business by using scheduling tools to post your social media content automatically at the chosen time on the selected platform(s).

Continually creating content that engages your audience is a time-consuming task in itself. So, being able to optimize the publishing and sharing process for that content can give you more time to focus on the creation process. Using scheduling tools like Buffer or Sprout Social allows you to share content faster across your social media platforms with one click.

You can go a step further with automating social media content by using Facebook chatbots or autoresponders for any messages you receive in your DMs.

Using a CRM to collect critical customer data and build deeper relationships

When people visit your website, social media pages, and other digital platforms, specific data about them is collected, stored, and later analyzed to see how you can better your customer relationships and business practices. Customer relationship management (CRM) systems can help automate the collection of this data.

E-commerce CRM (e-CRM) primarily focuses on the sales and customer experiences that are conducted online. Automatically gathering data around what your customers are doing on your site can give you insight into your website’s functionality and who your customers are and what they need.

When you find out what products/services they’re most interested in, you can make those products/services more prominent on your website. When you find out your most loyal customers use Instagram every day, you can shift your marketing strategies to this platform.

A quality CRM can help you collect, organize, and draft implementation strategies based on your learning. You can adequately segment customers, send the right content at the right time, and create a deeper relationship with them based on who they really are.

Using Artificial Intelligence to optimize the user experience on your website

Artificial intelligence is becoming more popular among business owners across various industries because of its effectiveness in automation tools. Western Governors University defines artificial intelligence as “The definition of artificial intelligence is the theory and development of computer programs that can do tasks and solve problems that usually require human intelligence.”

AI can sift through vast pools of data with its algorithms, extract and organize specified information, and learn about preferences and behaviors from the data’s patterns or features.

You can quickly implement artificial intelligence on your E-commerce site by using algorithms for product recommendations, chatbots for customer service issues, search tools, and data collection tools that track website behavior.

Personalize email content

Personalization is showing promise as a way to further connect with visitors and customers. It’s difficult enough trying to get an email address from a current or potential customer. So, when they graciously provide you with this information, make sure you’re sending them valuable, engaging, and/or pertinent content only to ensure you don’t end up in their spam folder.

Personalized email content could include:

  • Discount codes or free gift offers
  • Thank you messages for attending an event or supporting a cause in your business
  • An abandoned cart email
  • An email asking for customer feedback after receiving their product
  • An email about pick up or shipping
  • Blog posts they’d be interested in based on their website interaction
  • Personal invitations to events

You can automate when emails are triggered to send. You can automate the data you collect about customers and input personal information like name, location, and purchase info into your emails automatically as you draft them.

Keep track of inventory and other business information

Automation tools should also be used for behind-the-scenes business-related tasks to ensure you’ve got more time to spend on pressing projects, operational concerns, and customer retention strategies. You can use platforms like Quickbooks, Shopify, and Shipstation to automate inventory tracking and other business tasks.

With a single click, automate time-consuming business-related tasks like :

  • Printing shipping labels as orders come in
  • Sending out tracking numbers and emails
  • Sync your online orders with CRM, manufacturing, and shipping systems
  • Tracking employee hours
  • Payroll
  • Triggering low stock notifications and out-of-stock notifications
  • Reordering supplies and inventory
  • Instantly flag and notify internal security teams of high-risk orders
  • Tracking negative reviews or customer service tickets
  • Performing updates on website software, hosting platforms, and plugins

Conclusion

Including automation in your eCommerce site is especially beneficial to your company’s marketing, sales, and customer support efforts. When automation strategies are implemented, productivity, relationship-building, and efficiency are optimized.

You can include automation in your eCommerce site by:

  • Using scheduling tools for your social media posts
  • Using a CRM to collect critical customer data and build deeper relationships
  • Using artificial intelligence to optimize the user experience
  • Personalizing email content
  • Using automation tools to keep track of inventory and other business information

 

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