If there’s one thing the pandemic highlighted to business owners it is this: that traditional brick-and-mortar locations aren’t enough to keep them afloat, much less open. In this day and age of rapid technological advancements, digitalization has become a critical part of success. Online order entry, for instance, affords customers with more flexibility when it comes to purchasing a product. This in turn can significantly improve a business’ bottom line, over time.
Digitizing your small business
Digitizing analog-based operations may seem overwhelming, even scary, for business owners who aren’t tech-savvy but if you were to give your small business the chance it deserves to grow, going digital is the way to go.
Perform an operations audit
If digitizing operations seems like a daunting undertaking, know that you don’t have to digitize every nook and cranny, so to speak, all at once. Start where you can at the moment and then slowly tackle all other aspects of operations as you go. Before anything else, however, ask an IT professional to perform an audit of your operations so you’ll know the specific aspects of operations that need to be digitized to bring you up to par with your competitors.
Create a website and ecommerce platform
Creating a strong online presence is an important aspect of digitalization, and one that you shouldn’t put off. In fact, getting your business online is one of the first things you should do. By providing your consumers with an ecommerce platform that will allow them to browse your products and/or services, and the option to order these online, you are not only increasing your reach but you’re also making your business more accessible to your target audience.
Streamline ordering process
It’s important to note here that having an online presence isn’t enough. Your online order entry process should be smooth and easy to understand to minimize change of mind, among other things. The instant gratification mentality has turned some consumers into impatient buyers, so make sure your order processing is quick, simple, and easy.
Professional order taking services
Your staff can oversee online orders during office hours but who monitors these during off-hours? This is where professional online order entry services will become an indispensable part of your digitization. With a professional order taking team monitoring your ecommerce platform during off-hours, including weekends, your customers will have the assistance they need, when they need it. And for orders that come through phone calls, these will be immediately placed on your website by the same online order team, ensuring you don’t miss orders even when you’re asleep.
Please don’t hesitate to contact TAB Answer Network at (800) 880-4324. We’d be glad to hear from you.