Due chiefly to the onset of a worldwide health crisis, eCommerce as an industry has grown exponentially in the last year, new technology is emerging, and the ways that businesses connect with buyers have changed, as well. This is highly evident within the realm of uniform provision. Most uniform providers are now building connections with potential customers through the use of online product content.
However, this comes at the expense of the customer experience. Without customers being able to physically see and touch a product online like they would in-store, it’s hard to recreate that same feeling of excitement and joy that’s associated with shopping. This becomes especially difficult for uniform providers because if the customers can’t try uniforms on in the store first before they buy them, then how do they know if they’ll fit or look good on them.
Luckily, uniform providers are finding automated and streamlined methods to recreate that experience digitally by offering new and exciting forms of product content. Uniform manufacturers, distributors, and retailers need to include as much detail about the product as possible in order to secure those customer connections. The more detailed product content, the more authentic that experience becomes for the consumer.
When it comes to product content optimization, there’s truly no end to the many, different types available to you and how much you can use, in general. Some of the types include consistent and accurate product descriptions, high-rise images, 3D imaging, user reviews, videos, and detailed guides… the list can go on!
But the question is… what’s the best way to deliver that product content across all of your channels? The answer: product data synchronization.
Product data synchronization lets uniform providers like you syndicate, automate, and streamline your product content, so you can reach your potential buyers across a variety of different marketplaces, channels, etc.
There’s really no end to the many different ways that product data synchronization can help uniform providers deliver their product content. But there are a few KEY pain points they specifically address. Let’s discuss.
Manual Processes are so 2000 & Late
One of the most important aspects of product data synchronization is the reduction in manual processes that typically slow order fulfillment down. With a streamlined eCommerce platform that automates all of the essential functions of order fulfillment and processing, you would be able to heavily decrease the amount of manual procedures that you are required to complete on a daily basis. An automated system would offer you a place where you can house all of your product content and set limitations on what you want customers to see. It also means that inaccurate product descriptions or pricing are a thing of the past – as they should be!
Compete on a Global Scale
We live in the age of technology. Ecommerce has usurped traditional buying and companies who aren’t getting on board are getting left behind. Dominating a local market used to be a big win in the physical world, but now it’s small doings in a world where you can sell and go to market with your products online. In fact, 71% of companies report they’re facing more competition than 5 years ago. Most companies are, in fact, going online to at least supplement the sales of their traditional brick n’mortar stores. Some are competing online only now and the first thing they’re doing is finding ways to enhance their product data online. This inevitably leads them to locating a third-party service that can build their webstores for them and automate order fulfillment entirely since most uniform providers lack the tools and tech to achieve these on their own.
FASTER Speed to Market
Traditional buying is slower. It’s just a fact. New products take time to manufacture and time to arrive at the retailers’ store. Customers also tend to take their time shopping in-store whilst those who shop online tend to make decisions faster. People have less patience online than they do driving. Go figure. However, this presents a unique opportunity for uniform providers because now you don’t have to wait for products to arrive at the retailer store. You don’t even have to do order fulfillment at the store anymore. With the right software, orders can be filled electronically and sent directly back to the manufacturers for fulfillment. And for manufacturers, you can now enter the market with new uniform inventions and reach new retailers faster as syndication enables you to enter those new marketplaces and data pools with built-in templates, data mapping, and more.
Consistency Matters
Keeping your product data consistent and relevant may seem challenging, but it’s also necessary. The pricing and the product information has to remain consistent throughout the entire buying process. If pricing or sizing options alter for any reason on your site, it becomes confusing for the customer. And then you risk losing them forever. Syndication solutions like automatic product updates and live inventory syncs remove those risks by enriching your content in one channel and automatically updating it across your other channels. This ensures product consistency and accuracy at all times.
Conclusion
Getting started may also seem like an equally challenging project, but it doesn’t have to be. You just need to locate a PIM solution that offers all the unique benefits that product data synchronization is intended to provide. And for uniform providers, this is a must because the world isn’t likely to return to business-as-usual anytime soon. This means customers will continue to shop for their uniforms online and it’s up to you to provide the same level of concierge-level service to customers online like you normally do in-stores.