When it comes to e-commerce logistics, or, more specifically, when it comes to saving time, you can always rely on automation. Automating certain processes, especially those that are repetitive and require minimal human input, is one of the strategies that most entrepreneurs in online commerce turn to. In short, just like all other businesses, time is money.
Shipping
In order to manage an e-commerce in the best possible way, you need to have knowledge of all the phases and processes that are required every day for its normal growth and activity, if you don't take care of these processes yourself. Logistics is one of the main factors for ensuring that your e-commerce operates correctly and is successful. As we have discussed in detail in a number of articles that focus purely on logistics, this aspect includes various activities such as warehouse management, packaging, supplier relationships, managing orders with associated shipments, tracking, returns and much more.
What is the best way to manage orders?
The point of contact between logistics and your target audience is undoubtedly the orders. When a customer confirms an order, they enter one of the crucial stages of the consumer journey, the purchase. As we have also explained in other articles, although it may seem the ultimate goal of the consumer's path on your e-commerce, it is not. From the moment the user decides to buy a product on your e-commerce, it literally opens a whole new level.
Buy now or add to cart
A user can come to your e-commerce for various reasons, ranging from general curiosity to specific needs. There are times when the user visits your site looking for a specific product and other times when, looking to buy, scrolls through the various products in search of the one that best suits their needs at that time.
When you create an e-commerce, especially when you are dealing with front-end interface programming, you should always remember that there are two ways in which your users can proceed with their purchase. The first is to immediately buy a selected product, thus immediately finalizing the purchase. This is the case when a user visits your e-commerce and already knows what they are looking for.The other possibility is to add the product to the shopping cart and continue shopping.
Email and tracking
In order to make a purchase, the vast majority of e-commerce stores ask the user to register with their system by providing some basic data such as their name, surname, address and email. This is valuable data, especially for the user experience. With the right customization, you can literally transform the shopping experience for your new customer right from the start. Be clear as to why you need this information and above all, be responsive by sending all the information needed.
Once your user has placed an order, they will expect to receive an e-mail containing confirmation of the order, an estimated delivery time, the tracking number of the order, and an invoice, if required.
Usage management - Inventories, surplus and stock that you want to get rid of
By focusing on these two aspects, buy it now or add it to your cart and email and tracking, you can learn how to optimize orders and shipping for your e-commerce. The minimum common factor, again, is data collection. By collecting your customers' data, you will be able to combine this information with your warehouse logistics management and consider automated processes. In this case, dedicated software and modules can be incredibly useful, even essential. Like this module, which allows you to quickly manage the quantities of products in stock. Imagine if, for example, you urgently need to sell certain products because of a surplus or for marketing reasons. By skilfully interweaving the data provided by your customers with those relating to your warehouse, you will be able to optimize your orders and then propose those very products to particularly interested users.
A practical example
Let's say you have an e-commerce that sells household appliances. One of your suppliers has just announced the release of a new model that you intend to include in your catalog in the next few months. However, you still have a lot of very bulky boxes in your hoover warehouse this year, which are still in good condition. By cross-referencing the data from your warehouse's logistics management system and those from your users, you could create a special offer together with the marketing department, in order to propose this year's vacuum cleaner to customers who have looked at it, shown interest, added it to their shopping cart or added it to their favorites. As a result, you'll have happy customers and a tidy warehouse ready for new models, as well as optimized orders and shipments.
