Specialize and Let eBay Shipping Management Tools Help You Succeed
One of the best ways to succeed as an online entrepreneur is to find a “niche” market. It doesn’t really matter what market you are in (garments, electronics, toys, etc.), a major part of success is to specialize. This is even more important in the age of Internet shopping. After all, we are now being told that competition also means that product descriptions have to be SEO, that photos have to be artistic and appealing, and that knowing the market is essential. How better to do that than to specialize? (Shopify, 2014)
Even if you are the top of your particular market segment, however, it can all go wrong if you don’t build a strong reputation. This is achieved through an emphasis on customer satisfaction, timely and accurate services, and through receiving a lot of feedback. Thus, anyone who is working as an online seller across the major channels (Amazon, eBay, Sears, Rakuten, and so on) needs to master their entire retail system.
How is this done? It comes down to several things:
- Using a multichannel management system
- Accessing all of the resources for each phase of the process (inventory, orders, shipping, and so on)
- Making the resources available for your niche audience
As a prime example, consider the value of positive feedback on a site like eBay. As a seller on this global marketplace you need to offer goods that are in demand, fit your niche, and do so in a way that is satisfactory to each client. This is why so many success stories involve integrated solutions such as eBay shipping management tools.
Start With Product
If you begin with the most obvious starting point, the merchandise on your “shelves”, you need to know that you do indeed have the product on hand. Integrated eBay shipping management tools will include inventory resources that ensure that your listings are accurate, and that what you make available through all channels is indeed there.
The next step, though, is getting the item(s) to your buyer as soon as possible. This takes several steps, and at any of them you could fumble and put your reputation at risk. Whether it is being unable to offer the kind of shipping desired, not getting something sent out according to the terms agreed upon in the transaction, or failing to provide discounts for multiple purchases, you have to manage shipping properly.
Here, too, the use of eBay shipping management resources is a key. Let’s say that you sell several items to one buyer who uses the popular “Buy It Now” option. This puts everything into shipping mode at one time. Your eBay shipping management system would know if the buyer should be charged one fee or a separate fee for each item. The eBay shipping management resources will also be able to properly calculate, handle the creation of the labels and packing slips, and even alert the buyer when their shipment is processed and on the way.
This guarantees that you will always keep your buyers happy and satisfied, and this will result in positive feedback. Each time you get these comments, it boosts your ratings and prestige. This tells us that eBay shipping management integrated with other multichannel management functions is a key tool to reputation management as well.
Integration with your eCommerce website and other sales channels makes sense, but don’t forget the value of streamlined services and dependable shipping. Keeping things affordable and fast is going to boost your business reputation and lead to additional or further sales.
Summary
Choosing to use integrated services along with eBay shipping management tools will help you remain on schedule. Your customers will appreciate this and reward you with positive feedback and good word of mouth.
Source
Shopify. The Key Elements of Success. Shopify. 2014. https://ecommerce.shopify.com/guides/dropshipping/elements-of-success