At some point in the life span of their online company, executives may realize they can’t do it all alone. There are a number of scenarios that point to the advantages of outsourcing some of the responsibilities to a third party. Here, SFG breaks down five signs it’s time to partner with a retail technology provider:
If a company’s staff takes on too many tasks, it could be time to outsource ecommerce responsibilities.1. Staff is overworked
It’s not uncommon for ecommerce organizations to attempt to handle all of their obligations in-house as a way of saving money. Yet, this choice can often lead to employees taking on jobs that are not within their expertise and a completely overworked staff. If workers can’t keep up with all of the duties they’ve taken on, outsourcing some of these responsibilities could truly help, according to Forbes.
A retail technology partner can help companies reduce their internal workload, returning employees to the tasks they’re familiar and adept at handling. In addition, working with a third party can provide businesses with a team of professionals who can better understand the desired outcome and devise steps to reach that goal.
“Dirty data comes with many disadvantages for online companies.”
2. Too much dirty data
Online organizations rely on their customer records to gain a more well-rounded view of what their audience is looking for. If these materials are outdated, incomplete or incorrect, businesses could find themselves in trouble. It’s crucial for companies to rid their databases of dirty information and stock up on clean data instead. Poor management of company records comes with many disadvantages for ecommerce retailers, including lost revenue, poor customer experience and wasted marketing efforts, to name a few.
Businesses should check in with their clients on a regular basis to ensure the contact and personal information stored in their databases is correct and ready for use. Maintaining clean data can result in stronger consumer relationships and improved customer retention.
3. Problematic past decisions
Going with your gut isn’t necessarily a bad way to make an important business choices. In fact, it’s critical to have peace of mind when coming to conclusions that will affect the entire company. Organizations that have regretted past actions for one reason or another could benefit from including more data-driven discussions in their decision-making process, according to Entrepreneur.
Business intelligence and analytics can provide online businesses with concrete facts to inform future choices as well as an edge over their competition. By looking at statistics and reports regarding prior sales, consumer engagement and success of marketing outreach, organizations can gain valuable insight into what their next move should be.
Data-driven decision-making can be difficult for ecommerce companies to complete on their own. These organizations may not always have the necessary tools for this endeavor in-house. As a result, businesses can work with a retail technology partner that offers analytical assistance. These service providers will give executives an unbiased, data-supported advice for the betterment of their enterprise.
“A retail technology partner can help online organizations maintain their data.”
4. Inconsistent delivery
Do customers frequently complain that their order was delivered after the scheduled arrival date or that the packaging was damaged? If so, it could signal problems with an ecommerce retailer’s order management and distribution system. This technology is one of the most important aspects of an online company as consumers expect their items to be processed, sent and delivered in an efficient manner.
If problems continue to arise over time, it may be the perfect opportunity for organizations to outsource these capabilities. A retail technology partner can handle all aspects of order management, from checking inventory and processing the purchase to organizing the items and sending them on their way. With an effective solution in place, ecommerce companies can ensure customers receive their shipment on time, further improving consumer satisfaction.
5. Failed marketing efforts
The goal of marketing and advertising is not only to bring in new clientele, but to retain the current customers. Many ecommerce businesses may pride themselves on their outreach methods, but if the numbers aren’t there, something isn’t working. If marketing efforts seem to fall on deaf ears, organizations have to change up their strategies and create more curated content.
With so many other responsibilities to manage in-house, adding this one can put online companies over the edge. Instead, they should pair with a third party. A retail technology partner can pinpoint why certain tactics aren’t landing as they should and devise fixes to improve engagement. Segmentation is one tool these service providers can offer. It enables companies to divide their contact list by certain groupings so marketers are better able to devise and target specific content.
These five points are strong signs that it’s time for ecommerce businesses to work with a retail technology partners, like SFG. SFG provides online companies with not only a professional and knowledgeable team, but the order management, distribution, business intelligence and marketing resources they need to be successful.
