eCommerce evolution has changed the customer buy. Over the last couple of years, consumers have preferred to buy directly from the seller’s website rather than purchasing from Amazon, Flipkart, or other marketplaces. Consumers trust brands more when they can directly interact with them.
The emerging Direct-To-Consumer business model has revolutionized the eCommerce industry. But what does Direct-To-Consumer mean exactly? In this article, we will discuss it. We will also walk through the process of Getting Started With a D2C eCommerce Business.
What is Direct-to-Consumer (DTC or D2C)?
The Direct-To-Consumer business sells its products directly to end-users without the help of any third-party intermediaries, retailers, or marketplace for product source or delivery. D2C eCommerce business sells their products through eCommerce websites, mobile applications, or social media. D2C brands manufacture, market, sell and ship their products themselves. D2C brands interact and communicate with customers directly.
The D2C business model is improving at a higher speed as it brings the brand closer to customers, strengthening relationships. Brands better understand the customer’s shopping behavior through the D2C business model.
How to Get Started With Your D2C eCommerce Business?
Starting a D2C business is easier than ever. But where to begin? Here are a few points to help you begin with a D2C eCommerce business and leverage its benefits.
Build your website
First of all, you need to build your website or a social media page. An online store is a platform where you will sell and promote your products.
A Website Development Company can help to build your eCommerce website with an appealing design, great performance, and seamless user experience. Establish Facebook Shop or Instagram Shop for your eCommerce business. Using this, you can sell your products to your followers on social media platforms.
Product Listing
After you get your website established, it’s time for product listing. Once you have separated the products based on categories, list them online. List your products on the website category-wise so that users can easily find them. Create a separate product page for each product with a detailed product description, product image, and policy.
Product listing helps to enhance the website navigation and also assists in improving Google Search rankings.
Payment Methods
Next, you need to move to payment options for your website. In this digital world, you need to offer customers the facility of online payments on your D2C eCommerce business. Accept online payments from customers using Payment Gateway Integration. Include payment options like credit cards, debit cards, wallets, UPI payments, net banking, cash, etc.
A secure and hassle-free payment process aids in smooth checkout and improves customers’ shopping experience. Integrate Square Payment to Magento 2 website and start accepting online payments.
Order Fulfillment Process
So now you have your website ready, listed products, and added payment gateway on your D2C eCommerce website. You can start accepting orders from customers. But before you start collecting orders, you must look into its fulfillment operations. Here I have discussed some main points on the order fulfillment process.
Order Management
You might be selling the same products from multiple sales channels. Thus, choosing an order system that allows managing all orders in one place helps in smooth order processing and faster delivery.
Stock Management
Managing stock is very necessary. The stock in the inventory must be managed based on the to-and-fro of orders. If the inventory is not managed properly, you will face issues with getting orders for the products that are not in stock. Sync Inventory centrally with all sales channels for seamless inventory management.
Product Packaging
Product packaging helps to increase user experience with your brand. Good packaging speaks a lot more about you than the product itself. Use good quality packaging materials, especially for fragile products.
Shipment Process
Shipping determines how properly and quickly the product reaches customers. Connect with a good shipment partner to manage your product shipment flawlessly. You can even automate the shipment process of your D2C eCommerce store to lessen the manual task.
Order Tracking
Customers want to stay updated with their orders right after the order placement. They want to know about the estimated delivery date, where the products reached, etc. Provide timely order tracking details to customers so that they can easily monitor it.
Return Order Management
There may be situations where customers want to return their orders for some reason. They might not like the product, the product is damaged, or they just want to purchase another. In such cases, you must arrange a smooth return process for customers.
Marketing
Once you start with your D2C website and start fulfilling orders, you surely want to reach more and more customers. Here comes marketing into the picture. Below are some ways that can help you increase sales and grab new customers through marketing.
Social Media Marketing
Social media users are growing at high speed. Hence, having a social media presence is mandatory for eCommerce businesses to reach a broader audience. Use social network channels like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter to market your products and increase sales.
Special Offers
Running discount offers on festive days and special occasions helps boost store sales. Promote your discount campaigns by adding a notification bar on the website homepage to grab visitors’ attention.
Content Marketing
Content makes a lot of difference in search engine rankings. Higher rankings will help to catch more visitors. SEO-optimized website content helps in improved rankings. Additionally, you can also start a blog for your website covering various subjects related to your products, business niche, tips & tricks and more.
Email Marketing
Though email marketing is a traditional way of marketing, it’s highly effective in converting customers. Personalized and engaging emails work great, as customers prefer personalization.
Wrapping Up
D2C is growing at a full-fledged speed. It’s the right time to start selling directly to customers. Make sure your product niche is in high demand in the market. This Direct To Consumer starter kit will help you easily set up your D2C business and start selling swiftly.