10/31/2024

Posted By: Corina Serdiuc

Digital transformation and e-commerce are not just options —they are a necessity. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to expand their online presence often turn to platforms like Shopify. While Shopify is a popular choice, it may not fully cater to the unique requirements of many businesses. That's where custom eCommerce solutions for SMBs come into play, offering a more flexible, scalable alternative.

This blog explores why custom platforms can better serve small businesses, focusing on tailored integration, personalized experiences, and seamless growth. Discover why choosing custom eCommerce over Shopify might be the key to unlocking your business's full potential.

Why Choose Custom E-commerce Over Shopify for SMBs?

Shopify has become popular for many small businesses due to its perceived simplicity, ease of use, and array of templates. However, there may be better eCommerce platforms for small businesses with unique needs. For companies with complex workflows or specific industry requirements, off-the-shelf solutions like Shopify can be limiting, particularly regarding customization, integration, and scalability.

Many SMBs need eCommerce solutions that integrate with existing systems such as ERP, CRM, and payment gateways. Custom platforms allow businesses to build a seamless, connected system, minimizing errors and manual tasks. Furthermore, as businesses grow, they often find that Shopify's functionality doesn't scale effectively, limiting their ability to expand and cater to more diverse customer needs.

Benefits of Custom E-commerce Solutions for SMBs

1. Seamless Integration with Existing Systems
A key advantage of customizable eCommerce software with ERP and CRM integration is connecting seamlessly with existing systems. This ensures that all parts of your business—from inventory management to customer data—are synchronized, creating a streamlined workflow. For SMBs handling complex product catalogs, integrated systems help to reduce manual work and minimize errors.

2. Scalability and Flexibility for Growing Businesses
Unlike standard platforms, scalable eCommerce solutions for growing SMBs can adapt as your business expands. Whether adding new product lines, entering new markets, or increasing your customer base, custom solutions grow alongside your business without limitations. This makes it easy for companies to scale operations without outgrowing their eCommerce platform.

3. Tailored Features and Custom Configurations
One of the significant benefits of custom eCommerce platforms for business growth is the ability to design features specific to your needs. It could be creating a unique checkout process, offering custom pricing, or supporting specialized product configurations; custom solutions can provide custom eCommerce features for unique product configurations. This allows businesses to deliver a more personalized customer experience, helping them stand out in a crowded market.

4. Enhanced Customer Experience
A full-service B2B eCommerce platform for small businesses enables SMBs to provide tailored customer experiences, from personalized product recommendations to custom catalogs and checkout processes. With tailored eCommerce platforms for B2B companies, businesses can offer differentiated services that build stronger relationships with their clients and improve overall satisfaction.

Choosing the Right Custom E-commerce Solution for Your SMB

When selecting a custom eCommerce platform, there are several factors to consider:>

• Integration capabilities: Ensure the platform can connect seamlessly with your existing systems, such as ERP and CRM.
• Scalability: Look for a scalable eCommerce solution for growing SMBs that can grow alongside your business.
• Support and service: Choose a provider that offers ongoing support and expertise.
• Cost-effectiveness: Evaluate a custom solution's long-term benefits and cost savings compared to an off-the-shelf platform.

Conclusion

For SMBs with unique needs, custom eCommerce solutions provide the flexibility, integration, and scalability that off-the-shelf platforms like Shopify may need to improve. Custom solutions allow businesses to streamline operations, offer personalized customer experiences, and grow without constraints. If your business is looking for an eCommerce platform that goes beyond the basics, consider exploring full-service B2B eCommerce platforms tailored to your specific needs.

Dreaming Code offers custom eCommerce solutions for SMBs to support small businesses with unique requirements. Our all-in-one SaaS platform integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, ensuring smooth, scalable growth—all for a simple monthly fee. Discover how DreamingCode can help you unlock your business's potential.

10/23/2024

Posted By: Tripti Rijhwani

In today's competitive B2B landscape, a one-size-fits-all eCommerce platform often falls short of meeting the unique needs of growing companies. B2B eCommerce requires complex workflows, custom pricing, and seamless integration with existing systems like ERP and CRM. For companies looking to scale and differentiate, customizable eCommerce solutions are essential. Let's explore why tailored platforms are critical for B2B businesses and how they can drive success.

1. Streamlined Operations Through Integration

One of the biggest challenges for B2B companies is managing complex back-office systems, such as inventory management, order processing, and customer data. Customizable eCommerce platforms enable seamless integration with existing systems like ERP, CRM, and accounting software, creating a more streamlined workflow. This reduces manual work and minimizes errors, helping businesses operate more efficiently.

For example, an eCommerce solution that integrates directly with a company's ERP can automatically update inventory levels and process orders in real-time. This level of automation is precious for B2B companies that handle large orders and manage extensive product catalogs. With other packaged solutions, companies often migrate all their systems or create duplicate versions to get the platform's benefits.

2. Tailored Customer Experiences

B2B transactions are inherently more complex from an ordering and fulfillment perspective. They often involve larger order volumes, custom pricing structures, and specific terms that differ from one client to another. A customizable eCommerce platform allows businesses to build tailored experiences that meet these unique requirements. This might include personalized catalogs, custom quotes, or negotiated pricing for different clients. By providing a user-friendly and customized purchasing experience, companies can strengthen customer relationships, improve satisfaction, and ultimately increase sales. Personalization is no longer a luxury; it's necessary for B2B companies that want to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

3. Scalability and Flexibility

As B2B companies grow, their eCommerce needs evolve. They might enter new markets, expand their product lines, or offer new services. Customizable eCommerce solutions provide the flexibility to adapt to these changes without requiring a complete system overhaul.

For example, adding new features like subscription models, bulk ordering capabilities, or a multilingual interface can seamlessly be done with a customized platform. This adaptability makes it easier for businesses to scale and grow without being limited by their technology stack. A rigid, out-of-the-box solution may struggle to accommodate these needs, hindering a company's growth potential.

4. Enhanced Data Insights and Analytics

Data helps businesses run more efficiently and perform better. B2B eCommerce platforms that can be tailored to the needs of a business also provide deeper insights into customer behavior. Companies can track how clients interact with the platform, which products they are most interested in, and where friction points in the buying process might occur.

These insights enable businesses to make data-driven decisions to improve their offerings and marketing strategies. Custom reports and dashboards can be created to give companies a clearer picture of their sales performance and help them identify areas for improvement.

Conclusion

For B2B companies looking to scale, a customizable eCommerce solution offers the flexibility, integration, and personalized customer experiences essential for success. Off-the-shelf platforms might be sufficient for smaller businesses or B2C environments, but they often need more depth and adaptability for B2B enterprises. By investing in a tailored solution, companies can streamline operations, build stronger customer relationships, and drive growth.

Dreaming Code Inc. is a partner who can drive your digital success. We provide an industry-leading platform to enable agile and flexible digital experiences. We also offer monthly content services to help you succeed at moving the performance of your digital solution. Our solution consultants are eager to support you in planning, building, and scaling your digital transformation. Schedule to meet us today!

To learn more about the Dreaming Code eCommerce platform visit: http://dreamingcode.com.

10/19/2023

Posted By: Tripti Rijhwani

Driving the proper user engagement is always challenging, and newsletters remain a powerful tool for engaging B2B and B2C audiences. Crafting newsletters that resonate requires a thoughtful approach. Here, we'll explore strategies for driving engagement through newsletters tailored to meet the needs of both business-to-business and business-to-consumer audiences.

Engaging Topics for B2B Newsletters

Industry Insights and Trends: Providing in-depth analysis and commentary on industry trends demonstrates thought leadership and offers valuable insights to B2B visitors. Think about the challenges that your audience is facing and provide content that they will identify with.

Case Studies and Success Stories: Real-world examples of how your products or services have benefited other businesses can inspire confidence and trust in your offerings. Your prospects will seek these examples, so frequently showcasing them highlights value and inspires confidence. These can be written, but video content is sometimes even more compelling.

Expert Interviews and Opinions: Featuring interviews with industry experts or sharing thought-provoking opinions on relevant topics can position your company as a knowledge leader.

Educational Content: Offering guides, webinars, and whitepapers that provide practical value can establish your newsletter as a go-to resource for valuable information.

Engaging Topics for B2C Newsletters:

Exclusive Offers and Promotions: Providing special discounts or early access to products or services creates a sense of exclusivity and incentivizes consumer loyalty.

New Product/ Service Launches and Updates: You share exciting news about product releases or service updates to keep your audience informed and engaged with your brand's offerings.

How-to Guides and Tutorials: Providing step-by-step instructions or tips for using your products or services can enhance the customer experience and build trust.

Customer Stories and Testimonials: Showcasing real-life experiences of satisfied customers can build social proof and encourage others to engage with your brand. Social media platforms are beneficial for posting and distributing content quickly to a broader network.

By harnessing the potential of newsletters, businesses can establish a direct line of communication with their audience. Engaging content tailored to the specific needs and interests of B2B and B2C audiences ensures that each newsletter delivers value. Whether unveiling industry insights or offering exclusive promotions, newsletters are a dynamic tool to nurture relationships and drive lasting engagement.

Dreaming Code is a partner who can drive your digital success. We provide an industry-leading platform to enable agile and flexible digital experiences. We also offer monthly content services to help you succeed at moving the performance of your digital solution. Our solution consultants are eager to support you in planning, building, and scaling your digital transformation. Schedule to meet us today!

To learn more about the Dreaming Code eCommerce platform visit: http://dreamingcode.com.

10/02/2023

Posted By: Tripti Rijhwani

Shopify and fully managed e-commerce solutions are both platforms that enable businesses to set up and operate online stores. However, there are some key differences between the two:

1. Scope and Customization:

Shopify: Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform that provides a user-friendly interface for creating and managing online stores. While it offers a wide range of themes, templates, and plugins to customize your store, there may be limitations in terms of design and functionality compared to fully managed solutions.

Fully Managed E-commerce Solution: A fully managed e-commerce solution typically offers more extensive customization options, often allowing businesses to build completely tailored online stores. These solutions are designed to accommodate complex business needs and unique design requirements.

2. Control and Ownership:

Shopify: When you use Shopify, your store is hosted on Shopify's servers. While you have control over the store's design and content, you are still operating within the framework provided by Shopify.

Fully Managed E-commerce Solution: With a fully managed solution, you may have more control over the hosting environment, data, and codebase. This level of control can be advantageous for businesses that require specific technical configurations or have strict data security requirements.

3. Maintenance and Support:

Shopify: Shopify handles many aspects of maintenance, updates, security, and customer support. This can be convenient for businesses that want to focus on selling products rather than managing technical details.

Fully Managed E-commerce Solution: A fully managed solution might offer more personalized support and maintenance services. This can be valuable if your business requires dedicated assistance or has complex technical needs.

4. Scalability:

Shopify: Shopify is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to businesses of various sizes. It offers scalable plans that can accommodate both small and large e-commerce operations.

Fully Managed E-commerce Solution: Fully managed solutions might offer greater scalability, especially for larger enterprises or businesses with rapidly growing sales volumes. These solutions can often handle high traffic and extensive product catalogs.

5. Integration and Custom Development:

Shopify: Shopify provides an app store and API that allow you to integrate third-party tools and services. While it offers integration options, fully customizing or developing unique functionalities might have limitations.

Fully Managed E-commerce Solution: A fully managed solution may offer more flexibility in terms of integrating with other systems, customizing features, and developing bespoke functionalities tailored to your business processes.

6. Costs:

Shopify: Shopify offers various pricing tiers, allowing businesses to choose a plan that fits their budget. Additional costs may arise from app subscriptions, transaction fees, and design customizations.

Fully Managed E-commerce Solution: The cost of a fully managed solution can vary widely based on the provider and the level of customization and support required. It's important to carefully evaluate pricing structures and compare them to the specific needs of your business.

In summary, Shopify is a widely used and accessible e-commerce platform suitable for a range of businesses. On the other hand, fully managed e-commerce solutions like Dreaming Code offer more extensive customization, control, and scalability options, making them a good choice for businesses with complex needs and specific technical requirements. The decision between the two depends on factors such as your business size, growth projections, technical expertise, and desired level of control over your online store.

Dreaming Code is a partner who can drive your digital success. We provide an industry-leading platform to enable agile and flexible digital experiences. We also offer monthly content services to help you succeed at moving the performance of your digital solution. Our solution consultants are eager to support you in planning, building, and scaling your digital transformation. Schedule to meet us today!

To learn more about the Dreaming Code eCommerce platform visit: http://dreamingcode.com.

09/08/2023

Posted By: Tripti Rijhwani

In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, staying ahead of the curve is essential for brands seeking sustainable growth. One of the latest trends shaking up the eCommerce landscape is "composable commerce." But what exactly is composable commerce, and why should e-commerce brands be thinking about it? While there is a lot of buzz about this idea, it's essential to know if it has the potential to create value for your website. In this blog, we'll dive into the concept, explore its advantages, and offer insights on when to embrace it and when not to.

Composable commerce is a modern approach to building e-commerce ecosystems that prioritizes flexibility and agility. Instead of relying on monolithic, one-size-fits-all solutions, brands can assemble their e-commerce stack using individual, best-in-class components. These components, such as shopping carts, payment gateways, content management systems, and marketing tools, are carefully selected and integrated to create a tailored e-commerce infrastructure.

Why E-commerce Brands Should Embrace Composable Commerce:

Flexibility and Adaptability: E-commerce markets are dynamic and ever-changing. Composable commerce allows brands to swiftly adapt to shifting consumer trends, emerging technologies, and market disruptions. This flexibility is crucial for staying competitive in the digital landscape. Customization: Every e-commerce brand is unique, and composable commerce recognizes this. It enables brands to craft unique customer experiences by selecting and customizing components that align with their business goals and brand identity. Scalability: E-commerce brands often face fluctuating demands, particularly during peak seasons or promotional events. Composable commerce offers the scalability needed to handle sudden spikes in traffic and transactions, ensuring a seamless customer experience. Time-to-Market: Composable commerce accelerates development processes by leveraging pre-built components. Brands can bring new features, updates, and products to market faster, gaining a competitive edge in the race for consumer attention.

When to Use Composable Commerce and When Not to:

Use Composable Commerce When:

• Customization is a Priority: If your brand requires a unique and tailored e-commerce experience to stand out in a competitive market, composable commerce is a suitable choice.
• Agility is Essential: When your business landscape demands rapid adaptation to market changes, adopting composable commerce allows you to stay agile and responsive.
• Scalability is Needed: Brands expecting variable traffic loads or rapid growth benefit from the scalability of composable solutions.

Do Not Use Composable Commerce When:

• Simplicity Suffices: For small e-commerce businesses with straightforward needs and limited resources, simpler solutions may be more cost-effective and manageable.
• Tech Expertise is Lacking: Composable commerce demands technical expertise in selecting, integrating, and maintaining components. Brands without the necessary skills may face challenges.
• Budget Constraints are Tight: While composable commerce can offer a high return on investment, the initial setup and ongoing management may require a more significant upfront investment than straightforward solutions.

Dreaming Code is a partner who can drive your digital success. We provide an industry-leading platform to enable agile and flexible digital experiences. We also offer monthly content services to help you succeed at moving the performance of your digital solution. Our solution consultants are eager to support you in planning, building, and scaling your digital transformation. Schedule to meet us today!

To learn more about the Dreaming Code eCommerce platform visit: http://dreamingcode.com.

08/15/2023

Posted By: Tripti Rijhwani

In the 2023 landscape of B2B marketing, staying ahead of the curve is crucial to success. Certain types of content have emerged as powerhouses, driving exceptional results for B2B marketers. These content formats resonate with the target audience and yield impressive performance outcomes.

Let's explore the best-performing B2B content for marketers in 2023:

1. Thought Leadership Articles: Thought leadership articles continue to hold their ground as a top-performing content format for B2B marketers. These pieces showcase industry expertise, insights, and forward-thinking perspectives. Marketers position themselves as trusted authorities by offering valuable knowledge and addressing pain points. The performance outcomes include heightened brand credibility, increased engagement, and a boost in lead generation.

2. Video Case Studies: Video case studies have gained significant traction in 2023, providing a dynamic way to showcase real-world success stories. These videos dive into how a product or service solved a specific problem for a client, offering a tangible example of value. Video case studies drive engagement, enhance storytelling, and provide social proof, improving lead conversion rates and customer trust.

3. Interactive Webinars and Virtual Events: With remote work becoming the norm, interactive and virtual events have become popular. These platforms facilitate real-time engagement, Q&A sessions, and networking opportunities. Marketers expect increased brand visibility, lead generation, and a stronger connection with their target audience.

4. Data-Driven Infographics: Data-driven infographics present complex information in a visually appealing and digestible format. In 2023, B2B marketers are leveraging infographics to simplify intricate concepts, statistics, and trends. These visuals are highly shareable, enhancing brand awareness and driving traffic, which leads to improved website engagement and potential lead conversions.

5. Personalized Email Campaigns: Personalization remains a cornerstone of effective B2B marketing. In 2023, personalized email campaigns will take center stage, leveraging data insights to deliver tailored content to individual prospects. The outcome is higher open and click-through rates, deeper customer relationships, and an increased likelihood of lead nurturing.

6. In-Depth Whitepapers and eBooks: In-depth whitepapers and eBooks continue to serve as valuable assets for B2B marketers. These comprehensive resources dive deep into industry trends, research findings, and actionable insights. By offering practical knowledge, marketers can attract high-quality leads, nurture prospects, and position their brand as an industry leader.

Dreaming Code is a partner who can drive your digital success. We provide an industry-leading platform to enable agile and flexible digital experiences. We also offer monthly content services to help you succeed at moving the performance of your digital solution. Our solution consultants are eager to support you to plan, build and scale your digital transformation. Schedule to meet us today!

To learn more about the Dreaming Code eCommerce platform visit: http://dreamingcode.com.

07/11/2023

Posted By: Tripti Rijhwani

Building a website involves many factors, and one of the most crucial aspects is information architecture. Information architecture refers to the organization and structure of content on a website, ensuring that it is intuitive, user-friendly, and easy to navigate. As a website owner, it's essential to understand the significance of a well-designed information architecture, as it can impact the performance of your website. This blog will guide you through creating robust information architecture that aligns with your website business goals and engages your target audience.

Why is it important?

Information architecture is foundational to web design as it defines the overall strategy of how visitors experience a website. Several key points include:

User Experience: A well-designed information architecture ensures a positive user experience by making it easy for visitors to find the information they need and navigate the website. It organizes content logically and intuitively, reducing confusion and frustration. A clear and user-friendly structure enhances engagement, encourages exploration, and keeps visitors on your site for longer durations.

Findability and SEO: Effective information architecture improves the discoverability of your website's content. It ensures that search engines can crawl and index your pages accurately, leading to better search engine visibility and higher rankings. A well-structured website with organized content and relevant internal linking enhances search engine optimization (SEO) efforts, attracting more organic traffic and potential customers.

Content Relevance: Information architecture helps align your website's content with the needs and interests of your target audience. By understanding their preferences and behaviors, you can organize and prioritize content based on what matters most to them. This ensures that visitors quickly locate relevant information, increasing their engagement and likelihood of conversion.

Conversion Optimization: A well-designed information architecture guides visitors through the customer journey, leading them toward conversion. You can optimize the conversion funnel by strategically placing calls-to-action and structuring pages to facilitate seamless navigation. Clear paths and intuitive flows help visitors move from one stage to the next, ultimately boosting conversion rates.

Scalability and Future Growth: Information architecture provides a solid foundation for scalability and future website updates. A well-organized structure allows for easy expansion, adding new content, features, and functionalities without disrupting the overall user experience. It saves time and resources by minimizing the need for extensive redesigns or restructuring as your business evolves.

Branding and Consistency: Information architecture plays a crucial role in shaping your website's look and feel. Consistent navigation, layout, and content organization create a cohesive brand experience. A well-structured website reinforces your brand identity, fosters trust, and enhances credibility with your audience.

How to Build an Architecture for a Well-Functioning Website?

Gathering and incorporating the correct information is essential to develop a website that resonates with your audience. First and foremost, you should design your website with your ideal customer profile in mind.

To create an ideal customer profile, you can start by analyzing your existing customer base and identifying patterns and commonalities among your most satisfied and loyal customers. This includes considering their preferences, buying habits, challenges, and goals. Conducting market research, surveys, or interviews can also provide valuable insights. You can create a detailed profile representing your ideal customer by compiling all this information. This person will most likely benefit from your offerings and become a long-term customer. Consider their demographics, preferences, and behaviors, and create buyer personas to understand their needs better. These personas will serve as the foundation for your information architecture, as they will guide the content and structure of your website. This information that a website needs includes compelling product or service descriptions, engaging blog articles, clear contact information, frequently asked questions (FAQs), testimonials, and a user-friendly interface.

Constructing a Site Map

A site map is a visual representation of your website's structure, outlining the hierarchy of pages and how they interconnect. When constructing a site map, it's vital to consider your buyer personas. Each persona may have different objectives or information needs, so creating a logical flow that caters to their unique requirements is essential. Organize your content based on categories, ensuring it is easily accessible and navigable for each persona. By tailoring the site map to the preferences and behaviors of your target audience, you can enhance their browsing experience and increase the chances of conversion.

Page Structure and Digital Assets

Page structure refers to how the content is arranged and presented on individual web pages. A well-designed page structure conveys information effectively and keeps visitors engaged. Consider the hierarchy of headings and subheadings, utilize bullet points or numbered lists to present information concisely, and ensure a logical flow of content. Additionally, images and other digital assets play a significant role in enhancing a website's visual appeal and user experience. Optimize images for web use, ensure they are relevant and high-quality, and use them strategically to support and complement the textual content.

Information Architecture for an E-commerce Site

For an e-commerce website, information architecture is of paramount importance. It should facilitate a seamless browsing and shopping experience for visitors.

Key considerations include:

• Straightforward and intuitive navigation.
• Categorized product listings.
• Filtering and sorting options.
• Comprehensive product details.
• Secure payment gateways.
• User-friendly shopping cart functionality.

Creating a well-structured and user-centric e-commerce website can boost sales, improve customer satisfaction, and establish a solid online presence.

Information Architecture for a non-E-Commerce Business Website

Even for non-e-commerce websites, effective information architecture is crucial for achieving business objectives. A good information architecture for a business website includes an easily accessible homepage with clear value propositions and a compelling call to action. It should have well-organized navigation menus, relevant and informative content pages, a blog or resource section for sharing industry insights, and a user-friendly contact page. Consider incorporating features like testimonials, case studies, and social proof to build trust and credibility with your target audience.

Key Roles in Designing and Implementing Information Architecture

Designing and implementing information architecture requires collaboration among several vital roles. These roles typically include a web designer focusing on the visual aspects and user interface design, a content strategist planning and organizing the website's content, and a UX/UI designer ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience. Additionally, input from executive stakeholders, marketing professionals, and developers is vital to align the information architecture with business goals, branding, and technical feasibility.

Poor Information Architecture and its Impact on Performance

Having a poorly designed information architecture impacts the website's performance. It can lead to confusing navigation, making it difficult for visitors to find the information they need, resulting in higher bounce rates and decreased conversions. A cluttered or disorganized website structure can also negatively impact search engine optimization (SEO), making it harder for search engines to index and rank your website. Furthermore, a lack of clear calls-to-action, inadequate content organization, and slow loading times can further frustrate visitors and hinder the overall user experience.

Conclusion

Information architecture plays a pivotal role in the success of a business website. By carefully considering the needs of your target audience, constructing a user-friendly site map, optimizing page structures, and incorporating relevant digital assets, you can create an engaging and intuitive website. Whether you're running an e-commerce site or a non-commerce business website, effective information architecture will improve user experience, drive conversions, and ultimately contribute to the success of your online presence. By prioritizing information architecture, you lay a strong foundation for your website's performance and set yourself apart from the competition.

Dreaming Code is a partner who can lead your digital success. We provide an industry-leading platform to enable agile and flexible digital experiences. We also provide knowledge to help you succeed at driving the performance of your digital solution.

Dreaming Code has an experienced team of solution consultants and website designers who support our customers 24/7. Our customers also always have access to our team, and we are always here to provide guidance. If you fail, then we do not succeed. Please schedule an appointment if you want more information on how to support your eCommerce site best.

To learn more about the Dreaming Code eCommerce platform visit: http://dreamingcode.com.

06/08/2023

Posted By: Tripti Rijhwani

Sales & Marketing

eCommerce shipping solutions refer to the services, tools, and technologies that facilitate the shipping and delivery of products purchased through an online store. These solutions streamline the order fulfillment process, including managing shipping carriers, tracking shipments, generating shipping labels, calculating shipping costs, and providing customer support.

Here are some key reasons why eCommerce shipping solutions are essential for running your eCommerce business effectively:

1. Efficient order fulfillment: E-commerce shipping solutions automate various aspects of order fulfillment, saving you time and effort. They integrate with your online store to automatically fetch orders, generate shipping labels, and update order statuses, ensuring a smooth and efficient fulfillment process.
2. Multiple carrier options: These solutions offer access to multiple shipping carriers, such as USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and more. By having various carrier options, you can compare rates, delivery times, and services to choose the most suitable shipping method for each order, considering cost, speed, and reliability.
3. Cost optimization: E-commerce shipping solutions often provide tools to help you optimize shipping costs. They offer rate comparison features that allow you to select the most cost-effective shipping options based on the package's weight, dimensions, and destination. It helps you save money on shipping expenses and improves your overall profitability.
4. Shipping label generation: With e-commerce shipping solutions, you can generate shipping labels quickly and accurately. It eliminates the need for manual label creation and minimizes the chances of errors, ensuring that packages are correctly labeled and tracked throughout the shipping process.
5. Order tracking and visibility: Shipping solutions enable you and your customers to track packages in real-time. They provide tracking numbers and updates that can be shared with customers, allowing them to monitor the progress of their orders. It enhances transparency, reduces customer inquiries, and improves the shopping experience.
6. Customer satisfaction: Fast and reliable shipping is crucial for customer satisfaction. E-commerce shipping solutions help you meet customer expectations by offering various shipping options, timely order fulfillment, accurate tracking, and on-time deliveries. Satisfied customers are likelier to repeat purchases and recommend your business to others.
7. International shipping capabilities: E-commerce shipping solutions provide global shipping features if you sell products globally. They assist in generating customs documentation, calculating duties and taxes, and complying with international shipping regulations. It helps you expand your customer base and efficiently handle international orders.

Overall, e-commerce shipping solutions play a vital role in streamlining your order fulfillment process, reducing costs, improving customer satisfaction, and enhancing the overall efficiency of your e-commerce business. By leveraging these solutions, you can focus on growing your business while leaving shipping logistics in capable hands.

Dreaming Code has partnered with the following leading shipping solutions.

ShipStation is an order fulfillment service for eCommerce merchants. The software integrates with a wide range of eCommerce platforms, marketplaces, and shopping carts and allows you to import orders and quickly print shipping and packing labels. ShipStation integrates with over 200 shopping carts, marketplaces, carriers, ERP and inventory platforms, fulfillment services, and other eCommerce tools. Import more orders from more places with unlimited selling channels. Everything you need for order management is in one place.

EasyPost is a technology leader that builds shipping solutions for eCommerce brands, fulfillment providers, online marketplaces, and businesses of all sizes.

Shippo is a label creation platform that allows you to create and purchase shipping labels to print off and affix to your shipments. Shippo will save you up to 80% off your standard shipping rates at the post office. The Shippo API can be integrated into your systems or used through a web app, making it a fit for most organizations. Shippo Shipping API includes preloaded features like prefilled customs forms and extended labels. The software has also integrated with trusted courier partners like FedEx and DHL, known for their strong international networks.

Aftership is an ad-free package tracker app. It enables you to track orders placed with multiple eCommerce stores in one place, and various shipments can be tracked across 670+ couriers worldwide.

The USPS Web Tools API library gives eCommerce website shopping carts and shipping software access to valuable USPS data.

Dreaming Code is a partner who can lead your digital success. We provide an industry-leading platform to enable agile and flexible digital experiences. We also provide knowledge to help you succeed at driving the performance of your digital solution.

Dreaming Code has an experienced team of solution consultants and website designers who support our customers 24/7. Our customers also always have access to our team, and we are always here to provide guidance. If you fail, then we do not succeed. Please schedule an appointment if you want more information on how to support your eCommerce site best.

To learn more about the Dreaming Code eCommerce platform visit: http://dreamingcode.com.

03/20/2023

Posted By: Tripti Rijhwani

In today's digital age, e-commerce has revolutionized the way people shop. From clothing to electronics to groceries, consumers can purchase virtually anything online. An important part of e-commerce is the payment options a brand offers to customers. Payment platforms are designed to be secure, convenient, and easy to use, and brands should make sure they offer a range of payment methods that suit their customers' needs.

When choosing a payment processor (PSP), it is essential to consider several factors:

1. PCI compliant to ensure the security of brand and customer data.
2. Use tokenization to protect sensitive payment information.
3. Accept the payment methods that customers prefer.
4. Understand the fees associated with the payment processor, including transaction fees, monthly fees, and additional fees for chargebacks, disputes, and international payments.

There are numerous vendors in the payment processing ecosystem. Brands must understand their buyer personas and match the proper payment solutions to their style and purchase traits. Here are some leading processors who can support many methods of payment.

PayPal
PayPal is a robust platform that makes it simple for businesses to accept credit and debit cards and offer PayPal payments and flexible buy now, pay later options such as Pay in 4 and PayPal Credit. PayPal also enables customers to purchase through social media platforms including Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Stripe
Stripe provides quick, secure, and convenient payment acceptance options while collaborating with Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Masterpass to give customers more payment choices. Stripe is PCI-compliant and accepts international transactions from customers worldwide, from Germany to Japan. Square is an all-in-one platform that allows businesses to sell online and in person with seamless two-way inventory sync. It also provides various tools to help companies to grow, including employee management, customer engagement, online invoicing, and time management.

BlueSnap
BlueSnap is a single, global platform that accepts payments from any location and device, with multi-currency support for over 100 currencies and 16 payout currencies in a single account. BlueSnap also offers world-class security, detailed analytics, and reporting and accepts major and regional credit cards like China Union Pay.

Amazon Pay
Amazon Pay streamlines checkout for millions of Amazon customers by allowing them to use payment and shipping information stored in their Amazon accounts. Amazon Pay merchants have reported increased conversion rates, reduced cart abandonment, and faster checkouts. Amazon Pay also includes fraud detection technology and offers Amazon's A-to-Z Guarantee on eligible orders. Plus, mobile checkout is a breeze.

Klarna
Klarna offers businesses no-liability financing options at checkout with built-in fraud protection. Klarna also provides buy now pay later solutions. Klarna checkout is available through many e-commerce platforms and can be integrated directly to a site. The service is integrated in such a way that Klarna can make automatic updates to provide security and simple maintenance.

Sezzle
Sezzle's mission is to empower the next generation financially, and it offers a convenient and easy-to-manage payment option for customers. Shoppers can split orders into four interest-free payments over six weeks in over 44,000 online stores without impacting their credit score and free payment rescheduling.

In summary, brands have many options for payment processing solutions that are feature-rich, secure, and built by solid vendors. By selecting a solution with their customer in mind, businesses can offer them a wide range of secure and convenient payment options that can help drive sales and increase customer satisfaction.

Dreaming Code helps support its customers with products, consulting, and strategies to enable your digital business to grow. We are committed to providing a robust platform and consulting support to help you realize your online goals. If you need support on payments, DreamingCode can help you find the right solution to enable the secure collection of payments from customers. If you want to learn more about payments and solutions to power your online store, please schedule an appointment today!

To learn more about the Dreaming code eCommerce platform visit: http://dreamingcode.com.

03/03/2023

Posted By: Tripti Rijhwani

Online shopping has become a part of daily life for most consumers. With the increasing competition in the eCommerce industry, it's more challenging for brands to stand out and gain the trust of potential customers. User reviews can significantly impact eCommerce brands' sales performance, and understanding their importance is crucial. This blog post will explain why reviews are important and how they can increase sales and brand exposure. One of the easiest and most cost-effective platforms to set up is Google Reviews.

Why Are Reviews Important for E-commerce Brands?

1. Builds Trust with Customers: Consumers are likelier to trust a brand with positive reviews. Reviews give customers insight into the product or service they want. When a brand has many positive reviews, it helps build trust with potential customers.
2. Increases Sales: Positive reviews can influence a potential customer's decision to purchase from a brand. Reviews can act as social proof and provide evidence that a product or service is high quality. According to a survey by BrightLocal, 91% of consumers between the ages of 18 and 34 trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
3. Provides Valuable Feedback: They can help identify areas that need improvement and highlight areas where the brand excels. Brands can use this feedback to improve their products, customer service, and shopping experience.
4. Provides Valuable Feedback: They can help identify areas that need improvement and highlight areas where the brand excels. Brands can use this feedback to improve their products, customer service, and shopping experience.

Steps to Set Up Google Reviews

1. Create a Google My Business Account: E-commerce brands must have a Google My Business account to enable Google Reviews. It's a free tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Google Maps and Google Search.
2. Verify Your Business: Verify your business once you've created your Google My Business account. Google will send a postcard to your business address with a verification code. Once you receive the postcard, please enter the verification code into your Google My Business account.
3. Optimize Your Google My Business Profile: To encourage customers to leave reviews, you must optimize your Google My Business profile. This includes adding high-quality images, accurate business information, and updating your business hours.
4. Ask Customers for Reviews: After you've set up your Google My Business account and optimized your profile, you can start asking customers for reviews. You can send a follow-up email after customers purchase, asking them to leave a review. You can also include a link to your Google My Business profile in your email signature or website.
5. Respond to reviews: Once you start getting reviews, respond to them. This shows customers that you care about their opinion and encourages them to leave more reviews.

In conclusion, reviews can help build customer trust, increase sales, improve SEO, and provide valuable feedback. By following the steps outlined above, eCommerce brands can easily set up Google Reviews and start reaping the benefits. It's essential to encourage customers to leave reviews and promptly respond to positive and negative reviews. With a solid understanding of Google Reviews, eCommerce brands can improve their online reputation and stand out in a competitive industry.

Dreaming Code helps online businesses thrive, so we support helpful tools like Google Reviews. We can provide support to configure and efficiently manage your online channel to generate sales, test new ways to market, and improve customer experience.

To learn more about how we can help your business, schedule an appointment with one of our solution experts today.

To learn more about the Dreaming code eCommerce platform visit: http://dreamingcode.com.

02/21/2023

Posted By: Tripti Rijhwani

Introduction

Content marketing is a powerful tool for Business to Business (B2B) companies to reach their customers, build relationships and grow revenue. It involves creating and sharing content such as videos, blog posts, case studies, e-books, and more to engage customers, build brand awareness, and make them interested. Content marketing is vital to demand generation because it allows B2B companies to reach a wider audience, build customer trust, and increase sales.

89% of B2B content marketers use short articles and posts, making them the top type of content used in 2022, according to the Content Marketing Institute.

This blog is not about content marketing but how to use your go-to-market channels to promote your content. We'll explore the multiple channels for content promotion, including email marketing, social media, website, and more. We'll also discuss optimizing your content for each channel and the best practices for content promotion. By the end of this blog, you'll have a better understanding of the various channels available to promote your content and how to effectively use them to maximize your reach and increase your sales.

What is content marketing for the new B2B buyer?

Content marketing for B2B is a marketing strategy focusing on creating and distributing valuable, consistent, and relevant content to attract and retain a clearly-defined target audience. It is based on the idea that providing customers with helpful information and resources will make them more likely to do business with your company.

B2B buyers today want to educate themselves on solutions and become more informed about the products or services they are interested in. They no longer rely on sales teams to provide all the necessary information. Instead, they are looking for content that helps them understand a product's or service's value and how it can best meet their needs.

B2B companies must create educational and engaging content to meet this need. It should provide helpful information that is relevant to the target audience and that provides the answers they are seeking. Content should also be compelling enough to cause the reader to want to engage directly with the brand or continue to consume additional content.

By creating content that appeals to their target audience, providing valuable information, and publishing it purposefully, B2B companies can engage with customers and build lasting relationships. Content marketing can help B2B companies reach their goals and increase sales.

Overview of Content Marketing Channels

Website and Digital

Content marketing is an integral part of any digital marketing plan, and it has become increasingly important for search engine optimization (SEO), search ranking, and online reputation building. It's crucial to review how to deploy content marketing on a brand's website, including its impact on SEO, why it's essential for search engine ranking, and how it can help build an online reputation.

Why is content marketing important for SEO?

Content marketing is essential for SEO because it provides search engines with the needed information to index and rank websites. Publishing content can help increase a site's visibility in the search engine results pages (SERPs) by providing high-quality, appropriate content that search engines see as relevant. Using keywords that your audience will use to find your content will help to elevate your content in the search engine results. Techniques like this build content ranking by demonstrating relevance and delivering valuable information to potential customers.

Why is content marketing important for search engine ranking?

Content marketing is vital for ranking in search engines because it helps websites gain higher rankings in the SERPs. The rules search engines use to rank change often, which is why updating and delivering new content is essential. Another important principle for search ranking is getting backlinks that boost a website's visibility in the search engine results pages. Backlinking involves other sites publishing links to your content as they see it as valuable to their audience. These are all techniques marketers use to help boost search engine ranking.

How can content marketing help build an online reputation?

Content marketing can help build an online reputation by providing authentic and valuable content tailored to an audience's needs. Brands need to be subject matter experts in their domain, and publishing thoughtful and engaging content allows this to happen. Content that is detailed and longer form (over 1250 words) also typically ranks best. It helps to build trust and credibility by providing relevant, up-to-date, and accurate information to web searchers.

Email marketing and newsletters

Content marketing for outbound email marketing is an effective way of engaging and converting audiences. It allows you to create content that resonates with your recipients while providing helpful information to drive sales.

Content marketing is essential to convert and support your email campaigns, ensuring that your content is engaging, informative, and relevant to the recipient. Marketers must create content tailored to the recipient's interests and needs. Creating content that is easy to read and understand is also essential, as this will help ensure your message is successfully delivered.

Content marketing also augments your list and newsletter marketing efforts to your opted-in users. Use content built to the preferences of those who have already opted in to receive emails from you. This technique of nurturing opted-in users ensures your audience stays engaged on the latest information that your brand publishes. It can build trust with your existing audience and increase the chances of them becoming paying customers.

Social media marketing

Content marketing is an effective way to reach out to billions of business users on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram. It allows businesses to create and share relevant and engaging content that resonates with their target audience, and great content can develop broader reach and engagement on social media platforms.

The network effect of social media is a powerful channel for even the smaller and most unknown brands. This content can be shared on social media channels like LinkedIn and Instagram to reach billions of business users. To do this, the content created needs to be exciting and valuable to the target audience, and then users like and comment on it to help promote it through their networks.

For example, content shared on LinkedIn should be optimized for the platform, such as using keywords and hashtags to make it easier for users to find. On LinkedIn, businesses can use content marketing to reach out to potential customers and industry experts. By sharing content regularly, companies can build relationships with their target audiences and keep them engaged and interested in their brand.

Businesses can also use content to create a dialogue with their target audience. User interaction happens through comments, likes, and shares. Companies can engage and interact with their target audience and better understand their needs and interests. When users on social networks share and engage with the content, it makes it more discoverable.

Content marketing is an effective way to reach out to billions of business users on social media platforms. They can use content to create visibility and engagement and build relationships with their target audience. And, when users like and engage with the content, it makes it more discoverable, helping businesses to reach more potential customers.

Best Practices for Content Marketing

When deploying content marketing, it's crucial to adhere to some best practices. These include:

Developing a content strategy: Before beginning content marketing, it's essential to create a content strategy that outlines the goals of the content, the target audience, the topics to be covered, and the frequency of content publication.

Optimizing content for SEO: Content is optimized for SEO by using relevant keywords, appropriate meta descriptions, and other SEO techniques. Research is vital to identify relevant keywords that are likely to drive your rank.

Creating high-quality content: Content should be well-researched and well-written to ensure value to the reader. An audience expects a business to be a subject matter expert and that the content is accurate and extensive.

Promotin content: Promote content on social media, through email campaigns, and other channels to ensure it reaches the target audience. Write the content to encourage interaction and responses from the readers to optimize its effects.

Analyzing content performance: Content performance should be monitored and analyzed to ensure that it provides the desired results. Updating and promoting it is vital to create long-term impact and effect. Content marketing is an essential part of any digital marketing plan.

Final Thoughts

Content marketing is crucial for SEO, ranking, and reputation building. By deploying content marketing on a brand's website and following best practices, it can increase visibility, build trust and credibility, and create a positive online presence.

Dreaming Code offers content marketing as an integrated service into our product offering. Our team can help support your content marketing strategy and do all the work to execute it to drive new leads and allow you to rank higher in search. Please get in touch with us today for more information on how we can help you!

To learn more about how we can help your business, schedule an appointment with one of our solution experts today.

To learn more about the Dreaming Code eCommerce platform visit: http://dreamingcode.com.

02/17/2023

Posted By: Tripti Rijhwani

Data Backup 101: Protect Your E-commerce Store from Data Loss

Data backup is an essential part of running a successful eCommerce site. E-commerce sites carry much vital data, such as customer information, product information, digital assets, code, and financial records. This data can be lost or corrupted without proper backup, leading to costly losses.

The most important reason to back up data is to ensure its safety and ability to be restored. If a website is hacked or attacked, the backup will allow the data for data recovery and the website to be restored quickly. The data could range from customer information, financial records, and your website. And if it's not protected, you risk losing it all. In addition, if the website experiences hardware or software failure, brands can use the backup to restore the website to its previous state. Without backup, the website could be down for days or weeks, causing customers to take their business elsewhere.

Here are some of the best ways to ensure that your data is protected, no matter the threats or circumstances.

1. Utilize Cloud Backup Solutions: Cloud backup solutions are one of the simplest and most efficient ways to keep your data safe. Utilizing a cloud-based backup system allows you to create multiple copies of your data and store them in different locations. This enables you to access your files, photos, passwords, and credit card info — securely stored in the cloud.
2. Establish Physical Backups: Cloud storage is great for data protection, and establishing physical backups is also important. This means having several file backups of your valuable cloud data, including your entire website. This way, even if your cloud-based storage is breached or deleted, you'll have other copies of your data to use.
3. Invest in the Right Tools: Investing in the right tools is vital regarding data backup. Ensure that you have a reliable backup solution that can cater to all your needs. Various tools are available, so do your research and choose the right one for your eCommerce store.
4. Data to Backup: A successful backup plan needs to include critical information, code, data, and digital assets so brands can adequately restore the site. Many elements are a usable backup to restore a site. Ensure that the following components are included when creating your backup files:
   • Website code
   • Database information
   • Files, such as images, PDFs, and videos
   • Settings and configurations
   • Designs, layouts, and themes
   Your entire website structure is within these elements. If any of these are deleted, it'll be a massive setback for your store.
5. Regularly Audit Your System: Lastly, it's essential to audit your backup system regularly. An audit will help you identify potential issues and address them before they cause any real damage. Regular audits also help you stay on top of the latest threats and ensure that your data is always safe.

Data backup is essential for eCommerce stores, and it's crucial to invest in the right tools to keep your data safe. With the right backup solution, you can have peace of mind regarding your website and data. So make sure to take the necessary steps to ensure your data is always protected.

Dreaming Code has an experienced team of solution consultants and cloud providers who support our customers 24/7. Our customers also always have access to our Radical Support. Please get in touch with us today if you want more information on how to support your eCommerce site best.

To learn more about how we can help your business, schedule an appointment with one of our solution experts today.

To learn more about the Dreaming Code eCommerce platform visit: http://dreamingcode.com.