If you are a corporate marketer tasked with maintaining brand control while making it simple for your stakeholders to access materials, you’re probably using an online storefront. And there’s a good reason for that. The right eStore partner can implement and manage a program to help you improve the user experience, save time and money, and make your life easier.
But not all online company store solutions are the same. Look beyond the tangible products and technology to tap the full potential and get the greatest ROI from your program. Sure, there are a lot of companies that sell branded goods. But what you need to be successful is a resource that provides total program management.
Here’s what to look for in an eStore program partner.
Selling products vs. Managing programs.
Most companies that sell printed materials and branded merchandise offer some sort of technology to support the sale of these products. But few are experts in managing programs. There’s a big difference.
Managing online storefront programs is fairly complex. It takes more than trending-product expertise and full-service fulfillment capabilities to manage a successful online company store. It’s a lot like the difference between using a financial planner or day-trading on your own using an app like Robinhood—It’s all good until you need some advice or guidance.
Your ideal partner should provide a comprehensive online storefront solution that improves service, boosts efficiency, and drives out unnecessary costs.
In every sense, that partner is your guide to a better way. Think robust inventory management and reporting based on data collection. The ability to assign user roles, cost centers, and product categories to better manage the eStore program on a national level. Print-on-demand functionality to help personalize materials for greater ROI.
An online store isn’t merely a shopping experience—it’s a business-to-employee engagement solution.
Partner with one resource that can deliver end-to-end eStore program management, and you’ll be in a position to reap these benefits.
Improve Service to Stakeholders.
Establish a program that makes it easy for end-users to access the materials they need to do their job. Allow them to customize pieces with their contact information when required. Include functionality that will help them perform their jobs more efficiently. Leverage the technology to better serve and support—make their life easy.
Reduce Administrative Time.
Let’s face it, end-users (like salespeople) can suck the life out of corporate resources. Focus on establishing a “system” that is efficient for all. Set up a coding system that will deliver the reporting that you need. Provide functionality that users need. Online proofing and presentation builders are examples of how you can leverage your technology to dramatically free up corporate time.
Save Money.
I’m not talking about asking your valued partner to lower their price. Instead, tap into data that will lead you to eliminate unnecessary costs. Ask your partner for a list of ways you can potentially save money. Or, better yet, hire a company that will proactively and regularly present you with solutions for reducing costs.
This is where Shamrock shines—we proactively address 20 areas of analysis in our online store programs to help our clients improve service and save time and money. If you’re interested in learning more, connect with me about a complimentary assessment of your existing program.
Connect with me @ bdegarmo@shamrockcompanies.net
