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E-Commerce Not Right for Your Business? Reasons to Think Again!
Since websites with e-commerce capabilities have never been easier to use or more affordable, e-commerce might be the differentiator for your business. Let’s consider the options:
Last time, we looked at some of the common tasks a website can perform for you and promised to talk about e-commerce. If your first thought is “but my organization isn’t a store,” then get ready to think a bit outside the box.
Selling Products
First of all, every business and not-for-profit could sell some kind of product. How about t-shirts, logo hats, eBooks, calendars, and so on? The Sprocket team mainly builds websites in WordPress and DNN, and both of those platforms have off-the-shelf e-commerce add-ons for selling just a couple of products or hundreds.
With these sales systems, you can keep track of inventory, calculate shipping costs, and take payments, all online. You can also get fancy with repeat orders, sale prices, and discounts, too. Systems such as these were difficult and expensive just a short time ago, so if you haven’t looked lately, you are missing out.
Even if you sell products through a third party such as Amazon or eBay, that’s still e-commerce. You won’t need to keep track of inventory, but since your website and the SEO work you do on it will attract customers, it only makes sense to clearly explain where they can buy your product and give them the links to make buying easy.
Selling Services
But selling products online is just the beginning of what you can do with an e-commerce website. Service industries can also take advantage of online systems.
Again, using off-the-shelf add-ons, clients can view your calendar, choose the time when they want to use your service, and pay with their credit card. A time-scheduling system such as this allows customers to book your service even after hours when no one is in the office to answer the phone.
Registering Events
Do you offer classes or seminars? Are you planning a golf outing or a tour? These also can be handled by e-commerce platforms, making it easier for staff who are currently doing this over the phone – and cutting down on human error at the same time.
Similar to the time-scheduling systems, customers can choose the event they wish to attend and fill in all the appropriate details, such as the names in their foursome, and whether they want the chicken or the fish. Class registration might include prerequisites, seat availability countdown, and links to tickets or handouts. And since customers are registering themselves, they know how to spell their names correctly!
Taking Donations
Yes, donations are also considered e-commerce, and every not-for-profit should make it as easy as possible for people to help. Adding a donation system to your website means you can safely take credit card payments 24/7.
Put “Donate Now” buttons everywhere from the home page to the event calendar to blog articles so folks aren't forced to search the menu. On the donation page, offer pre-determined amounts at varying price points as well as an open option. In addition to “one-time” gifts, propose a repeat donation for continuing support. Some organizations also ask patrons to pick up the credit card processing fee on the e-commerce page.
Setting up e-commerce on your website is not the pricy website redo project it used to be, and you may be leaving money on the table by not offering your services and products online. Ready for your organization to take advantage of e-commerce? Contact the Sprocket team today to discuss your needs and get started!
Photo by Lima Santos
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Kate Gingold
I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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