I have narrowed down the top 6 reasons why I recommend Shopify to most of my clients. Over the years I have helped many business owners launch their digital storefront, the majority being owners of existing physical brick-and-mortar stores and service businesses. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to know which direction to take, and be confident in your decision making.
Why I recommend Shopify Reason #1 - Seamless Integration and Customer Database Utilisation
Stock and Inventory
Customer database
By importing your customer database into the platform, you can leverage valuable customer information while providing a unified customer experience across both channels. Shopify offers a plethora of features and benefits that make it an excellent choice for integrating your customer database and promoting products to both online and in-store customers. If a customer can shop in your physical store with ease than the same should be replicated online. A customer who can can encounter a seamless checkout and purchase at the point of sale on both storefronts will leave satisfied and more likely to remain loyal.
Why I recommend Shopify Reason #2 - Robust E-commerce Features
Shopify has off-the-shelf ecommerce features including, abandoned cart alerts, pop-up database acquisition tools, mega-menu navigation structures, store search – essential when navigating large inventories, an inbuilt blog or journal manger, you can easily issue and accept gift cards, manage your inventory, as well as robust shipping and delivery options that can be altered to suit a range of delivery locations and options. I can also recommend Shopify for one of its latest features ‘Shopify Markets’ – which can enable cross border selling when different currencies and tax/duty obligations are required. Order processing and secure payment gateways, will ensure efficient online operations and a smooth customer journey.
Why I recommend Shopify Reason #3 -Customisable Online Store
Shopify provides a user-friendly interface and a wide selection of customisable themes, allowing you to create a visually appealing and personalised online store that aligns with your brand identity. Showcase your products, highlight promotions, and provide relevant information about your physical store to engage both online and in-store customers. You can also develop multiple themes on the go – in draft mode which keeps them hidden from clientele. With the arrival of Shopify 2.0 which allows for greater dynamic options on a granular/product level you can achieve an incredibly dynamic and user friendly website.
Why I recommend Shopify Reason #4 -Multi-channel Selling
Expand your reach beyond your physical store with Shopify’s multi-channel selling capabilities. Utilise social media platforms and marketplaces to tap into a larger customer base and drive sales from different sources and different geographic locations. This further maximises the potential of your customer database and increases your brand’s visibility. List your products on google shopping, facebook and instagram as well as options to sell on Amazon and other marketplaces.
Why I recommend Shopify Reason #5 - Marketing and Promotional Tools
Shopify equips you with a range of marketing and promotional tools to effectively reach your target audience. Engage with your customers through email marketing campaigns, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery features. Advertise your in-store promotions on your online store, sell ‘online exclusives’ if you wish to keep a certain product off the shop floor. You can even write engaging blogs and content that can educate your audience and help with SEO to find more customers. These tools help encourage repeat purchases and attract new online customers to both your online store and your physical store.
Why I recommend Shopify Reason #6 - Analytics and Insights
Gain valuable insights into your online and in-store sales performance with Shopify’s robust analytics and reporting features. By analysing customer behaviour, tracking conversions, and monitoring trends, you can make data-driven decisions to optimise your marketing strategies and improve overall business performance.
Shopify is an excellent choice for integrating your existing brick and mortar store with an online presence. Its seamless integration, robust e-commerce features, customisable online store, multi-channel selling capabilities, marketing tools, and analytics empower you to effectively utilise your customer database and promote your products to both online and in-store customers. Shopify can drive growth, expand your business reach, and optimise your online and offline operations.
If you need a breakdown of costs involved in setting up shopify you can view their pricing tiers here, I also give an indication of the complete costs here.
