For years retailers have felt behind the curve when it comes to technology. At first, there were too few tools and resources available to support the fledgling industry of eCommerce. Even as the industry began to skyrocket in sales thanks to Amazon and smaller platforms like Etsy, technology lagged behind. Many smaller stores that wanted to start online were at a loss at where to turn. Then, the start of eCommerce platforms was clunky and complicated.
Shortfalls in Information
A shiny new eCommerce site often failed to provide some of the basic functionality a merchant required. Back-end developers creatively stepped in and provided certain solutions, but many vendors were choosing an eCommerce platform and designing their eCommerce site without any outside technology support. One of the biggest shortfalls was simply garnering, using, and storing information.
In some regard, this was a failure by the eCommerce platforms. Many eCommerce platforms educated their users on front-end development and provided clear strategies for site design, but left the back of the house looking a bit lackluster.
Most merchants don’t know what an application programming interface (API) does or how it can ramp up their business. These were businesses accustomed to operating in a low-tech world, and appropriate use of the Volusion API and other solutions were foreign and complicated. Without the necessary support from the eCommerce platforms, many vendors chose to simply ignore these tools and capabilities.
Too Much Tech
It feels like eCommerce has turned a sharp corner and is entering the next wave of web development and capabilities. Online shopping and eCommerce amount to a huge part of the economy, and even when a brick and mortar store is available, most people simply go online. Everything from wine to records are sold via an online presence, and software developers have recognized the massive potential in providing eCommerce-based software.
This means an influx of options. Merchants can integrate anything from voice activation to artificial intelligence. There are thousands of themes, over one hundred payment gateways, and developers can install any number of supporting software and programming solutions within an eCommerce platform. Today’s problem is most merchants do not know how to sift through all of this technology or are choosing technologies that out-sprint their business.
Instead, merchants should look to evaluate their systemic needs and re-platform.
For example, the capability to accurately track inventory exists, but most businesses aren’t using it or don’t know it is out there. These merchants are failing to reconcile their multiple channels for selling, and it is causing major issues with inventory, accounting, and revenue recognition.
This next turning point is an opportunity for merchants to understand, and harness, the power of a Volusion API, and build a site with the right information sharing technology. Of course, the greatest support in re-platforming or upgrading an eCommerce platform is a knowledgeable developer.
At 1Digital we provide more than the programming. Our web development team is proficient at explaining the options in software and recommending the right solutions for your business. Our experience tells us that these solutions are not the same for every industry of business, and we offer web development that is tailored to your company. Visit our website to learn more.
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