As most e-commerce business owners will tell you, running an online store is about more than designing a memorable logo and a unique tagline. It also involves more than putting forth a worthy product or a much-needed service. Running an online business often means you wear many hats and coordinating the many tasks required for success can be time-consuming and overwhelming.
If you are ready to step up your game by utilizing available resources that help you manage all of the aspects of an e-commerce job, we have some apps and hacks you should think about. They will organize your time, help you plan ahead, and make your mobile business easier to run from wherever you are.
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
They can also be used to help you respond quickly and efficiently to consumer-generated content and assist you in managing and improving areas of customer service. Social media platforms are an indispensable part of your marketing plan, so plan to explore these two channels as an integral part of building your business and increasing overall sales.
Payment Options: PayPal Here and Square
While we are focused on the consumer, it’s important to think about how your mobile payments will be secured and maintained as your business grows. Apps that help your customers use a wide range of payment options are critical for consumers on the go, many of whom shop using mobile devices. Two of these portals also allow you to track business expenditures, making them twice as important for the growth of your e-commerce business.
PayPal Here provides an opportunity for businesses to attach PayPal’s card reader to a tablet or other device. This app converts your mobile device to a portable register, making it convenient for use at vendor events, marketing or sales conventions, or in personal transactions with social media consumers.
Square’s motto is “accept every way your customers want to pay.” It is another payment processing app that provides flexibility by using a small, portable card reader that attaches to a phone or other mobile device. Fast, convenient, secure payments for e-commerce businesses has never been easier. If yours is a brick-and-mortar business, these apps can also offer a point-of-sale system for storefronts.
Productivity Tools: Rescue Time and Slack
Time management is a key aspect of productivity. With both a personal and professional life to navigate, many business owners find themselves facing time-suckers in every aspect. Rescue Time is a plugin for your computer that runs in the background. It tracks the time you spend on daily tasks and amalgamates information that tells you what applications and websites consume the most time for you. You can use the customized report it provides to discover where and when you are losing productivity throughout your workday.
Because many e-commerce businesses have a team that includes remote workers, messaging and collaboration can be a struggle. Slack is an app that allows your team members to connect with one another regularly, even on the go. Its platform allows both company-wide messages, team messaging, and individual messaging. Slack makes it easy to communicate with one another or with groups of people as needed. You can upload images and documents quickly and efficiently, making it a must-have for businesses who are looking for scalability solutions.
Communication and Marketing: MailChimp
Email communication has become a daily staple of ongoing communication, both for personal and professional use. It is now more than a simple way to keep in touch and has evolved as a major player on the marketing scene. If your goal is to engage in email marketing campaigns or keep in touch with consumers for promotional strategies, think about MailChimp.
This user-friendly app allows you to make eye-catching emails and manage large lists of subscribers. You can also set up automated emails to target specific consumers.
What are some apps and hacks your online business cannot live without? Are there some that you value more than others? Feel free to share here.
