Uncover the critical information you need to make an informed decision.
Need a fulfillment partner for your eCommerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
Uncover the critical information you need to make an informed decision.
It doesn't matter if this is your first rodeo or you're a seasoned eCommerce veteran - finding the right 3PL fulfillment partner for your brand is no walk in the park.
With over 21,000 3PLs in the US alone , eCommerce businesses are faced with an infinite amount of choices, confusing terms, vague pricing structures, and a healthy dose of “reading between the lines” to identify a truly compatible partnership.
As a 3PL founded by store owners, we've experienced both sides of the equation.
After conducting more 3PL searches for our own brand ventures than we can count (and talking to thousands of others who have done the same) we've learned two things that matter most when vetting a fullfillment company:
1. Knowing what details about your opperations matter to 3PLs in order to receive an accurate quote and scope of service.
AND
2. Knowing the right questions to ask that cut through the sales jargon and uncover what a 3PL is really all about.
Below, we're going over the most helpful operational details to know and our top questions to ask a 3PL during the vetting process.
Fulfillment isn't always straightforward and some 3PLs gloss over the finer points to speed things along. Take control of the conversation by asking the right questions, like the ones below:
Can you support DTC fulfillment at our current and projected volumes?
Can you support B2B fulfillment with [insert your retail/wholesale partners here]. Are there any limitations to this service?
What checks and balances do you have in place for store compliance and routing guidelines?
Can you support high-touch packing? Ex: Pack-out in a box, custom fill, packing list, marketing materials, etc. Are their limitations to this service?
Am I able to dictate packing instructions?
How is fulfillment allocated daily? Are all clients picked and packed simultaneously, in shifts, in zones, etc?
What are your SLA’s around receiving processes and timelines?
If inventory is split between warehouses, how is allotment determined?
What is your shrinkage allowance?
How is backstock inventory stored? How is it transferred to active inventory?
Do you have limits on how long products can be stored?
How often are inventory counts audited?
Where are your headquarters and warehouse locations?
What are your normal days and hours of operations?
What is the general composition of full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees?
Do you utilize temp agencies? If so, for what?
Are your fulfillment processes 100% fully scan-based?
What level of visibility will we have as products move through the warehouse? Are they in real-time?
You get the jist. Specificity matters!
And this is truly just the tip of the iceberg. We've compiled over 100 more crucial questions around shipping, reverse logistics, pricing, and more (for free!) here.
Developed by eComm brand owners, our 3PL Vetting Tooklit will help you ask the right questions
that empower informed decision making.
Getting your details sorted and stored is crucial. It not only helps in getting accurate quotes but
also establishes your brand as one to be taken seriously. A win-win!
Historical sales data and growth projections for DTC and B2B
Current challenges with fulfillment (including costs, scalability, compatibility, security, performance metrics, etc.)
Average order volume, broken down by month
Inventory levels and total SKU counts
Current/former WMS
Packaging specifications
Top 5 customer locations by volume
Product technicalities like hazardous or regulated materials, required storage conditions, and lot tracking
API connection needs
Return rates and handling preferences
Future business goals and expansion plans
Anticipated (or needed) start date with a 3PL
We suggest organizing all of your details in a spreadsheet for the whole team to access internally and to share with 3PLs during the vetting process.
Want to take a load off creating this resource? This one is all mapped out for you with over 70+ brand detail fields to fill in with your specific data. All for free. Because we’re Nice like that.
A good 3PL fulfillment partner should offer:
Scalability to match your growth
Technological integration for real-time tracking
Data insights and analytics that help you
Low-to-no (we’re talking <2%) shrinkage rates
Dedicated, responsive account managers with escalation protocols in place (It’s out there - for brands of all sizes. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.)
Detailed and custom SOPs for your brand's fulfillment needs and processes
Transparent pricing without hidden fees
100% scanned-based inventory and fulfillment practices
Look for 3PLs that have services above your current needs. That way, as you focus on entering new markets or expanding your catalog, your 3PL has the ability to scale with you.
The golden question.
A move to a 3PL should be considered when:
Order volumes exceed your in-house fulfillment capabilities
You have enough inventory turnover that you won’t get eaten alive by storage fees.
You're looking to expand into new markets.
You want to focus on core business activities, but operations are weighing you down.
Shipping and storage costs become unsustainable.
Switching 3PL providers is a significant decision, often prompted by the need for better service, scalability, or alignment with your brand's values and goals.
Here are key indicators that it might be time to consider a change:
Consistent Fulfillment Errors: Frequent mistakes in order fulfillment, such as incorrect items shipped or delays, can erode customer trust and satisfaction. A pattern of errors with little problem-solving and solutions on the 3PLs part is a signal it’s time for a switch.
Lack of Scalability: If your current 3PL struggles to keep up with your growth or peak season volumes, causing bottlenecks and delays, it's crucial to find a partner who can scale with your business needs.
Poor Communication and Customer Service: Effective communication is vital in logistics. A partner that is not responsive or fails to provide clear and timely updates can create unnecessary stress and operational inefficiencies.
They’re All Talk, No Action: Unfortunately, overpromising and underdelivering is a chronic issue in 3PL fulfillment logistics. If your current 3PL got you in the door with certain “guarantees” but have excuse after excuse as to why they can’t deliver, it’s time to look for other options.
You’re Still Playing Fulfillment Operator: You’re paying your 3PL to take responsibility off your plate, right? If you find your team doing the same amount of work (or more) just to stay on top of, check behind, or remind your 3PL of how to perform your processes correctly - start exploring elsewhere.
Changing Business Needs or Strategy: As your eCommerce brand evolves, your logistics needs may change. Whether it's expanding into new markets, offering new products, or shifting sales strategies. A new 3PL may be able to keep up better.
Recognizing when it's time to switch 3PLs can safeguard your brand's reputation and ensure your logistics operations contribute positively to your growth and customer satisfaction. If you're encountering these signs, it might be time to reevaluate your fulfillment strategy and consider other options that align more closely with your current and future needs.
No pressure, but if you're looking, we might know of one.
Black Friday has a longer history than many might expect.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become two of the most iconic shopping days in the United States. For decades, these days have been synonymous with doorbusters, massive discounts, special offers, and the official start of the holiday shopping season.
But what once spanned only two days has taken on a whole other life, with many ‘Black Friday’ sales kicking off immediately after Halloween and extending long past the Thanksgiving turkey leftovers.
If you’re asking “How in the heck did we get here?” and “Where in the world is this going?” You’re not alone (🙋♂️.)
Today, we’re pulling back the curtain, taking a look back at how it all got started, from Black Friday's less-than-cheerful origins to Cyber Monday's digital boom, and how they shaped consumer behavior. We’ll also look at examining what this means for eCommerce brands today and how they can come out on top.
Let’s get into it!
The term "Black Friday" has a longer history than many might expect, and it wasn't always associated with holiday sales. In fact, the earliest use of the term dates back to the 19th century when it was used to describe the financial crisis of 1869, caused by a gold market crash.
Fast forward to the 1950’s, and a resemblance of the "Black Friday" we know today started taking root in Philadelphia. “Black Friday” was coined by the police to describe the chaos that ensued when hordes of shoppers and tourists flooded into the city in advance of the big Army-Navy football game held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving every year. The day was characterized by traffic jams and crowded sidewalks that “blackened” the streets as downtown stores were slammedfrom opening to closing.
By the late 1960s, the term "Black Friday" had started gaining popularity and was used to mark the beginning of the Christmas shopping season and the hope of stores ending the year profitable (back when accounting records were kept by hand, red ink indicated a loss, and black a profit.)
Shoppers "blackened" the streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the 1950's
Jump to 2005 and a new term emerged on the retail horizon: “Cyber Monday”.
By the early 2000’s online monetization had started to become more sophisticated, with Google Adwords starting the era of pay-per-click advertising in 2000 and Amazon introducing its Prime membership in 2005.
A clear pattern had emerged in consumer behavior: many shoppers, fresh from their Black Friday shopping, were continuing their bargain hunting from the comforts of their own home. Retailers noticed a consistent spike in online sales on the first workday after Thanksgiving, likely due to people accessing broadban internet in their office's and continuing to shop. Thus National Retail Federation to officially coined the day “Cyber Monday” as the counterpart to Black Friday’s in-store shopping frenzy.
This strategic marketing move not only catered to the growing demand for online shopping, but also offered a solution for those who wanted to take advantage of Black Friday deals while skipping the long lines and crowded stores.
The first Cyber Monday website dedicated to Monday deals in the early 2000's. Photo: CNN
As the years unfolded and competition for customers' attention and dollars grew steeper, brands started testing the boundaries of Black Friday sales and how early they could extend their period of deals. In 2009, Kmart was the first big-box retailer to push their Black Friday doorbusters into Thanksgiving Day, and by 2011, several other retailers jumped on board.
Then, fueled by the pandemic eCommerce boom, online stores started stretching their Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales as well to capitalize on the growing shift in online consumer spending, with sales starting earlier and earlier each year.
Thanks to the growing popularity of shopping in the comforts of home, what once started as a retail-dominated holiday, has quickly spread to an eCommerce Superbowl, where online shopping has not only caught up, but at times surpassed in-store purchases.
Most recently, in 2022, the number of Americans shopping online on Black Friday alone, reached 87.2 million and spent a total of $9.2 billion compared to the $10.8 billion spent at retail stores on the same day.
Starting sales early can help you get ahead of the competition and avoid shipping bottlenecks. Design by Tyler Deeb for Misc Goods Co.
The trend of extended sales windows from early November through December is becoming the new norm, and signs show it's here to stay. To thrive in this evolving landscape, consider these strategies:
Keep your customers informed and happy with timely holiday delivery using our carrier cutoff recommendations below.
During Holiday 2022, 14% of all packages were delayed by shipping carriers (with delays creeping higher for states like California, Texas, and Illinois.)
And let's face it, even with shipping delays out of most eCommerce brands' controls, they still get the blame and the brunt of disappointment from shoppers, especially around the holidays.
While carriers have gotten better about providing holiday shipping deadlines and anticipating demand, there are a few tactics brands can employ to ensure packages get delivered on time to happy customers:
We wouldn't be Nice if we didn't do all the research for you now, would we?
Besides, you're a busy brand with bigger things to do. We got you.
Scroll to see FedEx, UPS, and USPS holiday 2023 shipping deadlines below, plus, our recommendations that add in additional padding to account for delays.
FedEx 2023 Shipping Deadlines for Holiday Packages (Domestic):
Nice Commerce Recommendations: FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2023:
UPS 2023 Shipping Deadlines for Holiday Packages (Domestic):
Nice Commerce Recommendations: UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2023:
USPS 2023 Shipping Deadlines for Holiday Packages (Domestic):
Nice Commerce Recommendations: USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2023:
Navigating holiday shipping deadlines are only the tip of the iceburg when trying to set up your brand for success this holiday season. Check out a few other helpful tips and resources from our vault, below:
Need a fulfillment partner for your eCommerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
Facing the classic holiday catch-22: rising sales vs. surging returns? Dive into these 10 proven strategies to reduce returns and amplify the customer experience.
Graphic by Bly Studio
It's that all-too-familiar feeling for eCommerce brand owners come the holiday season: elated as sales skyrocket only to be followed by a sobering surge of returns that seem to undo all the gains.
Studies show that 18-30% of online purchases result in returns, with this figure surging notably after Black Friday/Cyber Monday each year. When eCommerce brands don’t factor this into their post-holiday calculations, they are met with the looming dread of reverse logistics, restocking headaches, and the potential of losing customer trust.
It’s enough to make even the most seasoned store owners lose sleep.
If you feel like you’re walking a tightrope between reducing the impacts of returns AND making the returns process a positive one for your customers, you're not alone.
To help, we’ve compiled a list of proven return strategies and logistics below that’ll help you wrangle in your return logistics AND boost your brand experience for customers.
The obvious consensus? Returns are a major dent in profitability. And we're not just talking about refund amounts. Operational costs, restocking, and potential loss of merchandise value can compound into one costly problem for eCommerce brands.
And when you throw in the holiday sales season and extended return windows, brands can easily be in danger of experiencing negative cash flow.
Phill Civitella, president of Nice Commerce, recently shared this warning with brand partners preparing for 2023 Black Friday/Cyber Monday:
"Now is the time to make sure your team is taking into account your post-holiday return rate. This might feel like jumping the gun, but with many brands extending their return windows, and returns spiking after the holidays, you may fall into an unexpected negative cash flow come January if you don't plan accordingly."
Graphic by illustrator, Petra Sitaru
The best thing to do to reduce the reverse logistics headache? Start at the source.
This is an obvious tip for clothing brands, but don’t sleep on this tip if your products fall outside of apparel.
If you’re selling apparel, aim to photograph each item on a diverse set of models – varying sizes, skin tones, and heights – so your audience can better envision how your products will look on them.
If you’re an accessory, CPG or lifestyle brand, think outside of the studio-photo box. Photograph your products in use and in different settings. This will help your customers better gauge scale, color, and usability.
CPG brand, OMSOM, has really vivid imagery that shows their products in use and to scale.
There’s a reason video is king on social media. It brings stories and products to life in a way that still photographs can’t.
Harness this capability on your product page. Even simple, user-generated clips can make a difference, providing engaging and dynamic views of the product.
True Classic includes both user-generated and self-produced videos on their product pages to give customers a better understanding of how their products fit and the value they bring.
Universal frustration: when one brand's 'Medium' is another's 'Large'. Sizing is all over the place and It makes it difficult to know what to order, even when there are standard measurements provided by the brand.
Get around this frustration by offering comparative sizing, especially with established brands. This will give customers a clearer expectation of what they're purchasing, reducing size-related returns.
Companies like Rent the Runway and Amazon have worked this model to their advantage for years. When customers can see how products are used or fit in real life, the more likely they are to feel confident in their purchase.
There are plenty of apps to help you capture this information (peep the Shopify App Store options) or tap a web developer to build a custom native feature to your product review page.
Rent the Runway captures a ton of customer information for reviews. This helps future customers feel confident in their purchase.
Don’t wait until post-purchase to educate the customer on how to use, wear, or assemble your product. Find ways to share that information up front in the product description to manage customer expectations and satisfaction.
Nice Partner, Distil Union, includes YouTube videos on all of their product pages to show usability or compare different versions of their products.
Ask for feedback with every return. Put a survey in your returns portal or send a post-purchase questionnaire to get a better grasp on the 'why' behind returns. Then apply this feedback directly to your processes.
66% of prospective customers take the time to read your return policy before deciding to make a purchase. And 57% of consumers said a negative returns experience caused them to abandon a retailer entirely (Loop.)
AKA: A hidden return policy is as good as not having one. If customers can’t find it, they’re more inclined to not go through with a purchase. And if it’s not clear and easy to abide by, trust can go down the toilet.
Make sure to place your return policy prominently during both pre-and-post purchase journeys. Consider including it in:
A confirmation email from Left on Friday that links to their care instructions and return policy to set customer expectations.
Gray Anderson, brand owner and founder of Nice Commerce, swears by a returnless-refund tactic for the right brand and products.
“Brands with products in their catalog that have a low retail value but are higher in weight (above 1lb), along with other cases, should look into this approach.
The expense of reverse logistics paired with the time it takes to coordinate the return can create more of a cost burden and customer experience issue rather than simply refunding, reshipping, or both.
Offering a returnless refund is a great way to turn a somewhat negative experience into one where a brand exceeds customer expectations"
It’s a no-brainer that providing a seamless return process will boost the likelihood of repeat customers in the future.
BUT.
Did you know you can deploy tactics that can help turn those returns into upsells and exchanges on the spot?
Why not kill two birds with one stone by investing in a return platform, such as Loop, can make both a possibility and take the headache out of logistics.
We love Loop, a returns platform that helps improve the return experience for eCommerce customers.
Brands, like Monos and Madhappy, have been known to offer a higher-value store credit (think (10-20% of the original purchase price) if the customer decides to exchange an item or settle for a gift card over a refund to their original payment method.
This is a brilliant tactic to surprise and delight customers and keep your eCommerce brand’s cash-flow in the positive.
Madhappy gives a $10 incentive if customers use their return as a credit in store.
There's no way around it, processing returns is a TIME DUMP. There are a million steps in between a customer submitting the return and that product actually ending back into active inventory, and it can be a slog.
Partnering with a 3PL can help take the entire return process off your plate so you can refocus that energy into reducing return rates all together.
At Nice Commerce, we have a whole team dedicated to managing brand’s specific returns processes and pride ourselves on paying attention to nuances a lot of other 3PLs miss. We'd love to chat about ways we can make this process a walk in the park for your brand.
Conversion rate optimization (CRO) has long been the holy grail for ecommerce practitioners and marketers, particularly in the realm of direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. From day one, DTC companies and online retailers have prioritized CRO to drive business success.
In this article, we're diving into:
The transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI)
How AI is revolutionizing CRO for DTC ecommerce
How it's paving the way for enhanced customer experiences and skyrocketing conversion rates.
The pursuit of optimal conversion rates is riddled with obstacles for DTC ecommerce merchants. Several factors contribute to the underperformance of CRO efforts, including:
Limited data insights
Insufficient testing and experimentation
Complex purchase funnels
Resource constraints
Inadequate focus on user experience and personalization
Lack of sustained long-term optimization strategies.
Enter the game-changer: eCommerce AI Platforms. These revolutionary platforms serve as the central brain for DTC stores, tirelessly gathering real-time data from visitors and integrating it with existing systems.
Through the magic of machine learning and predictive analytics, these platforms unlock valuable insights into consumer behavior, buying intent, and preferences. By dynamically optimizing product displays, content, pricing, and promotional offers across multiple channels based on individual customer preferences, eCommerce AI Platforms deliver tailored experiences that boost conversions, reduce friction, and nurture customer loyalty.
By embracing AI-powered solutions, DTC ecommerce brands unlock a plethora of advantages:
With the help of AI technology, it is possible to personalize the shopping experience for anonymous
shoppers by offering them relevant content, products, and offers based on their data.
The landscape of DTC ecommerce is rapidly evolving, and brands must seize the AI advantage to thrive in this dynamic environment.
Giants like Google and Amazon are reshaping the rules of ad buying and audience targeting, leaving businesses with a stark choice: leverage their existing data to personalize every aspect of their websites or face the risk of obsolescence. With mounting digital marketing costs, heightened competition, and e-commerce readjustments, the integration of AI becomes an imperative for survival and growth in the DTC space.
The truth is if data is the new gold, your first-party data is rhodium (the most expensive metal). Aidaptive's COO, Brian Bird, shares why AI and machine learning technologies are crucial for DTC eCommerce businesses to thrive and avoid becoming extinct.
"Your website in its current form has a shelf life, and it's not very long. Google and Amazon will eat your lunch even more than they already are as they continue changing how you can buy ads (and target your audience) in their ecosystem and on their platforms. Your only advantage is the data you have right now, and if you're not leveraging that to fully personalize every experience on your website, including the website itself, then you are on the fast track to extinction."
He is not the only one saying that. In a recent article by The Business of Fashion and McKinsey & Company... "Mounting digital marketing costs, increased competition, and e-commerce readjustments have put the viability of pure direct-to-consumer business models into question."
In the age of AI, the transformational potential of eCommerce AI Platforms powered by machine learning and predictive analytics cannot be ignored. DTC brands that embrace these AI-powered solutions unlock unparalleled opportunities for automated analysis, pattern identification, and predictive decision-making. By automating and optimizing various aspects of their online stores and marketing campaigns, brands can achieve extraordinary conversion rates, elevate average order values, and ultimately drive substantial revenue growth.
Aidaptive uses site data and predictive search to provide a personalized shopping experience to every single visitor,
In a recent webinar, Josh Firestone, CMO for bearbottomclothing.com, shed light on the value of AI-driven personalization for DTC brands. By embracing an eCommerce AI Platform from Aidaptive, Bearbottom Clothing witnessed improvements in CTR, AOV, Conversion Rates, and ultimately – revenue.
“From a hard number standpoint, we saw clearly an increase in clickthrough rates on the recommendations and searches, on revenue per customer and visitor to the site, to the cart size, and the overall conversion rate, they all improved significantly.”
The era of AI-driven conversion rate optimization has arrived, revolutionizing the DTC ecommerce landscape and paving the way for unrivaled success in the digital commerce realm.
Need an AI boost to rise above the competition? Check out our pals Aidaptive. Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
It can be tough for brands to navigate which of the two rival marketplaces, Walmart or Amazon, their products will sell best on. It's like choosing between a wild rodeo ride and a white-knuckle roller coaster for your order fulfillment process. However, the good news is that you have options, and it's not an all-or-nothing choice. In this article, we'll provide a side-by-side comparison of Walmart Marketplace's WFS and Amazon's FBA, debunk common myths, and offer valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.
By understanding the unique features and considerations of WFS and FBA, you can determine whether it's advantageous to use one platform exclusively, leverage both simultaneously, or select the platform that aligns best with your eCommerce goals.
First things first, FBA has been around for a whopping 14 years longer than WFS, but Walmart is gaining ground quickly. In May of 2023, Walmart reported a 27% growth in eCommerce sales domestically due largely to expedited pickup and delivery options. Amazon also reported growth of 9% in Q1, but also holds a ~30% market share over the giant, according to Statista.
Let's get into the quick-hitter differences and similarities between the two below:
Category | Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) | Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) |
Number of Sellers |
||
Seller Qualifications |
Application process favoring experienced sellers. Have to provide multiple business documents. |
Create an Amazon Seller account. |
Monthly Fees |
None. |
Individual Plan: $0.99/unit sold |
Standard Storage Fees |
Q1-Q3: $0.75 per cubic foot Add $1.50 per cubic foot per month for items stored more than 30 days. |
Q1-Q3: $0.87 per cubic foot. |
Fulfillment Fees |
Start at $3.45/unit. |
Start at $3.22/unit, |
Referral Fees |
||
Number of Fulfillment Centers |
31 dedicated ecommerce FCs supported by 4,700 stores and 210 distribution centers in the US. |
150 FCs in the US with 185 FCs globally supported by over 2K distribution centers worldwide. |
Receiving |
Items must be sent to Walmart from within the US. Can not ship directly to Walmart from manufacturers overseas.
You only have to ship your inventory to one fulfillment center |
Accepts international shipments as long as products have labels.
You have to ship inventory to multiple fulfillment centers. |
Prep Services |
Polybagging: $0.60/unit An extra $0.20 for products that don't meet standards. |
Polybagging: $0.50/unit An extra $1.99 for products that don't meet standards. |
Labeling Requirements |
GTIN, UPC, or EAN
Does not accept FNSKU. |
UPC + FNSKU |
Nationwide Coverage |
Yes. |
Yes |
Cross Border Selling |
Not at this time. |
Yes. |
Free Customer Shipping |
Free shipping without membership fees or minimum orders. |
Free shiping to Prime Members only. |
Return Options for Customers |
Free 30-90 day returns, regardless of membership, unless noted otherwise. Can return in-store, for free through FedEx or schedule a pickup from your home. |
Free 30 day return for Prime Members, unless noted otherwise. Can return via UPS, Whole Foods, or Amazon Hubs. |
When it comes to the number of sellers, Amazon takes the lead with an impressive 1.5 million active sellers, whereas Walmart Marketplace has around 150,000 sellers. This means that on Amazon, your product will face more competition, especially for general searches and broad categories. It may require a stronger advertising strategy to stand out from the crowd.
Becoming a seller on Amazon is relatively straightforward - all you need to do is create an Amazon Seller Account and choose your plan. No proof of business or selling experience is required and it usually takes around 24 hours to be approved.
However, the process for Walmart is more involved and favors experienced sellers. They have specific qualifications you must meet to join the marketplace, including a valid Business Tax ID or Business License Number, supporting documents to verify your business name and address, a history of marketplace or eCommerce success, products with GTIN/UPC GS1 Company Prefix Numbers, and compliance with Walmart's Prohibited Products Policy. Additionally, fulfillment through Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) or another B2C U.S. warehouse with returns capability is required. Once you send in your application, it could take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to be approved.
Monthly fees vary between the platforms. Walmart doesn't charge a monthly fee, whereas Amazon has two options: an Individual Plan with a flat fee of $0.99 per unit sold, or a Professional Plan priced at $39.99 per month with no limit on units sold.
When it comes to fulfillment fees, Amazon's start at $3.22 per unit, slightly lower than Walmart's $3.45 per unit. However, both platforms consider product weight and dimensions, so using their fee calculators can give you a better understanding of the actual costs.
Storage fees are lower on Walmart, with a price of $0.75 per cubic foot, compared to Amazon's $0.87 per cubic foot. During the Q4 holiday season, both platforms increase their storage fees, but Walmart remains cheaper at a range of $0.75-$1.50 per cubic foot, while Amazon charges $2.40 per cubic foot for the three-month period.
Referral fees, which are a percentage of the price of products sold, differ by product category. Walmart generally has a slightly lower referral fee percentage, ranging from 6% to 15% with an average of 12.43%, while Amazon ranges from 8% to 15% with an average of 13.23%. However, some common categories have the same referral rate on both platforms.
It's important to note that there are additional fees associated with each platform, such as product prepping, compliancy penalties, and returns processing. These fees can vary and may require further research.
When receiving product, Amazon accepts international shipments as long as products have labels, whereas Walmart only accepts shipments from within the contiguous US. However, Walmart compensates for this by allowing you to ship all your products to one fulfillment center, where they take care of the rest. In contrast, Amazon may require you to ship products to multiple locations.
Amazon has an extensive network of fulfillment centers, with 150 in the US and 185 globally, along with over 2,000 dedicated distribution centers worldwide. Walmart has 31 dedicated fulfillment centers and 210 distribution centers in the US. Additionally, Walmart's 4,700 stores across the nation provide a competitive advantage in terms of returns and serving rural locations.
Walmart leverages its physical footprint to provide a superior eCommerce shopping experience. Customers have the convenience of picking up and returning products at Walmart stores, even if they were purchased as online exclusives. This advantage is particularly significant for customers living in rural areas where UPS, Whole Foods, or Amazon Hub locations, Amazon’s preferred return methods, may not be easily accessible.
Walmart.com also offers a seamless shopping experience with no barriers to buying products. Customers qualify for free shipping without requiring a membership or meeting a minimum order value. In contrast, Amazon requires a Prime membership to qualify for free shipping.
Choosing between Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) and Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) depends on your business goals, target audience, and budget. Consider factors such as proximity to your target market, the scale of your operations, and the platform's specific requirements.
To optimize your WFS and FBA operations, partnering with a trusted third-party logistics (3PL) provider, like Nice Commerce, can be a smart move. A 3PL offers expert guidance on compliance, streamlines product prepping to align with platform guidelines, manages freight effectively, and provides stockout protection through advanced inventory systems and proactive monitoring.
Still unsure which option is best for you eCommerce business or need more information? We're here to help! Hit us up HERE, slide into our DM’s on Instagram, or give us a call at (843) 266-7560 (yes, for real and someone will answer!) Our experienced team would love to help you make informed decisions and maximize the potential of your WFS or FBA strategy.
Need a digital marketing partner. Check out Cobble Hill Digital. Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
Some of the Nicest squad members around the busy 2022 holiday season.
At Nice, you’ll find no chatbot, robo-picker, or humanoid in sight (though we do have an imaginary friend, My Pal).
When you partner with Nice, you and your products get to interact with a crew made up of real peeps with real expertise and enough character to entertain a sold-out arena (Not tested, but highly probable). We’re on Team First-Name Basis with our partners, from the account level all the way to our shipping department, and we wouldn't want it any other way.
Get to know a few members of our crew that have an impact on your orders from the moment they enter our warehouse:
Katie and Rachel are two of our on-site account managers at Nice. They’re connecting with clients throughout the day to ensure orders and projects are flowing seamlessly and help problem-solve when challenges or opportunities arise.
Katie: “I’m touching a lot every day, gotta be agile. In the morning, I’ll go through all of the orders that we received overnight and make nothing is standing in the way of them shipping out on time. I’ll then go through open projects + PO’s to see the status and provide updates to the client. On top of that there are various client update meetings and touch bases to see where Nice Commerce can fit in with marketing efforts, sales, etc.”
Rachel: “Doing a random quality check on a client’s packed orders to ensure their packing SOP is being followed to a T.” [Ed note: They were!]
Katie: “Move things with my mind. Matilda vibes.”
Rachel: “The one where you can click your heels at the end of a vacation and arrive at home, rested, without having to deal with planes, trains, and automobiles.”
Meet our resident spreadsheet extraordinaire, Lee! He’s the brains behind our custom data dashboard and is a wiz at pulling reports that help clients better understand their inventory and fulfillment needs.
Lee: “Spreadsheets.
I check all the different sales integrations to make sure everything is running well and pull data for a variety of different reports, including daily/monthly performance or client orders, shipping cost averages, pack station/picker performance, financials, the list goes on.
So again, spreadsheets."
Lee: “Me. But also, the processes we have in place are a lot more client focussed than other dudes in the industry. We care about doing things right and focus on personalized support. Everyone else seems to only emphasize volume volume volume, which is kind of crappy if you ask me. Our team is pretty fantastic too."
Charlie is our receiving sensei, making sure PO’s are secured and products are received into the warehouse quickly and safely.
Charlie: “My daily goal is to ensure products are properly received, assessed, and prepped to successfully navigate through the warehouse. This way, we know what we have and where we have it at any given time. I’m constantly coordinating our inbound freight and PO’s to ensure this goal is reached and working with the SOW department to get incoming inventory sales-ready.”
Charlie: “To become a UPS driver or soccor player." [ed note: never stop persuing your dreams, Chuck]
Ashley leads the helm of our Picking Department, responsible for locating and picking products for every single order for every single brand, and has some sweet, sweet picking moves.
Ashley: “I am usually in multiple places doing multiple things at one time. In a day you can find me picking orders, supporting my team, fixing order issues, making sure priority orders are getting out the door, working with the replenishment and packing department to make sure they have what they need, and maybe jumping on a pack table during peak rush.”
Ashley: “When I started, the picking department was basically non-existent. There was just one person picking orders full-time. Two years ago I moved over to picking, and since then we've dialed in processes, grown the team, and really made this a full-fledged department."
Janice is part of our packing crew, making sure orders are packed niceeeee and tight so they can make it to happy customers.
Janice: “Well first, I start off as the Nice car-pool mom picking up some coworkers to get our day started around 6 am. We work first orders in/first orders out so the early team is really pushing it to get a jump start on the day's orders to set us up well. On any given day, I’m packing hundreds of orders for all different kinds of clients, big orders, small orders you name it. I’m checking packing SOPs to ensure they’re getting packed the way the client wants and refilling my pack station with supplies I’m regularly running through, like padded mailers. The people love padded mailers.”
Janice: “I like cheesy stuff! Cheetos, Doritos, Cheez-Its, give me all of it. Oh, and that white cheddar popcorn, I'll eat a whole bag of those." [ed note: we knew you were good people, Janice.]
Logan: “Life at Nice is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.
Some days, I'm working on ensuring domestic wholesale orders are routed, packed, and shipped within retail compliance. Other days, I'm focused on managing international wholesale orders and the documentation process or overseeing our outbound SOW projects.
Also, ever since I created our international hazardous shipping program to ship dangerous goods (like perfumes) overseas, I’ve been managing the workflow of those orders each day to ensure proper labeling and documentation so they don’t get held up in customs”
Logan: “The most bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwiches that were ever eaten by one individual in a lifetime. My love goes that deep."
Need a digital marketing partner. Check out Cobble Hill Digital. Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
eCommerce has completely revolutionized the way we shop, but with the convenience comes a downside – frequent, and costly returns. In fact, the average return rate for the eCommerce industry hovers around 20-30% (!!!) AND 84% of shoppers will turn their back on retailers after a bad return experience.
It goes without saying, that how your structure your return process, matters. Having an easy return process means happy customers. Happy customers means more repeat purchases. And happy, returning customers is the ultimate goal of eCommerce, and could also lead you to Nirvana. Trust us — we are already there. It’s Nice.
Below, we’re sharing ways to lessen the returns headaches with 6 tips on how to decrease the number of return requests from customers, streamline the returns process, and even use it as a retention tool!
Investing in an automated returns platform can save you time AND help increase retention rates. We really dig Loop + Returnly, and personally integrate with both. Each platforms can help give you a branded experience, customizable returns center, seamless self-service return experience, and provide opportunities to turn a return into a re-engagement opportunity. Plus, use you can use these tools to gain customer feedback to help improve products and minimize returns in the future. Win-win!
Want to turn a customers return experience into a retention tactic? A growing trend among eCommerce has brands offering a discount or incentive if the refund is processed through store credit or gift card. For example, the DTC suitcase brand, Monos, will give customers 20% more than what they paid if they choose to redeem their refund through store credit vs. refunding to the original payment method. This can help turn a bad experience into a positive one for the customer, and keep the business for you.
Our founder, Gray, digs this process this for brands with the right products in their catalog (and Amazon is big fans themelves):
"Brands with products in their catalog that have a low retail value but are higher in weight (above 1lb) should look into this approach.
The expense of reverse logistics, paired with the time it takes to coordinate the return can create more of a cost burden and customer experience issue rather than simply refunding, reshipping, or both. Offering a returnless refund is a great way to turn a somewhat negative experience into one where a brand exceeds customer expectations."
A recent survey sited that 49% of shoppers have returned an item in the past due to poor product description online, and 70% of shoppers have returned an item due to a poor fit. The facts don’t lie: details matter, and can make or break the reason for a return.
Improve your product description pages with fuller and more accurate descriptions, high-quality photos, and videos showing the proeducts in use. If you’re an apparel or accessories brand, consider showcasing garments on various body types and ensure your size chart is tested and accurate per item.
Get this: Over 60% of customers take the time to review a return policy before making a purchase decision.
One of the biggest factors that can lead to customer dissatisfaction and returns is a confusing or unclear return policy. Your return policy should include information about the timeframe in which returns are accepted, the condition in which products can be returned, and the types of refunds that customers can expect. By providing customers with a clear return policy, they will have a better understanding of what to expect when returning a product, reducing the number of return requests, and improving their overall return experience.
Even with the best tools to help streamline, the receiving and processing returns can be daunting, time consuming and pile up quickly. That's where your friendly, neighborhood 3PL can help give you a lift. 3PL's, like Nice Commerce, are equipped with dedicated teams that process returns to your specific standards and handle all the nitty-gritty details like checking for quality, refolding, tagging, or bagging, and returning to active inventory to be sold again.
Need a digital marketing partner. Check out Cobble Hill Digital. Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
A podcast conversation with Gray Anderson of Nice Commerce and Aravind Sundar of Almund
Recently, Gray Anderson of Nice Commerce sat down with Aravind Sundar of Almund to chat what it looks like to start and run a third party logistics company (3PL) that focuses on the customer experience and high-tech fulfillment solutions.
Listen to the podcast above or skim the interview below and learn:
1. What gaps are in the fulfillment industry that Nice aims to solve.
2. Why brands should focus on the customer experience through the lense of packaging and fulfillment.
2. What it's like managing the upfit of a high-tech warehouse.
3. New trends popping up in the eCommerce industry.
Let's get into it!
Gray: In 2012 I started working with ecommerce brands from a marketing standpoint focusing on growth and onsite optimization and throughout the years began consulting with more and more brands.
I quickly started gravitating towards systems integrations and inventory management and how important a role that plays on growth for an eComm brand. I started working with larger ecommerce brands with bigger and more complicated catalogs and supply chains which had me interacting with 3PL. At that time there weren't many offerings out there that really catered towards the needs of eComm.
The industry was very old school at the time. A lot of traditional distribution centers were saying “Hey we ship things and we can ship orders to your customers. The end.” There were a lot of frustrations with sell outs and not having true accuracy and accountability on fulfillment. Mispicks and inventory discrepancies and the like were the norm.
So I started Nice Commerce based on the need and lack of existing offerings that really understood the needs of the end customers, not just the eComm clients. I need it for my own brands and the brands I was consulting with and went from there.
Gray: I think that we look for partners that see this as a true partnership, 50/50. Where we lean into each other for problem solving.
eComm has essentially been the wild west for the past decade, constantly changing, constantly evolving, so we're working with our brands to evolve with them based on their needs.
We do have guard rails set up in the ways that we do things. We believe in our process and procedures, so we do have times where we recommend to our brands that they change or bend their existing processes to work with us but we are very flexible in what we do as long as we don't disrupt key efficiencies in our day to day.
We’re constantly focussing on initiatives to improve our offerings. From optimizations on the floor to how we move inventory around quickly and accurately, to providing actual metrics for our brands to leverage. Something we are working on now and really excited about is taking all of the data that we have–which isn't easily available to fast growth brands–and provide our partners with information on sell through rates and basket analysis for inventory to determine promotional opportunities, bundling to help increase AOV without increasing cost of goods, etc.
Our team is great and come from many different backgrounds which helps give a unique perspective on initiatives. Having great people is a core to any business.
Gray: I feel that it's important in the growth of Nice to stay lean and focus just on the processes and systems that we implemented in our physical space in order to not have hundreds and hundreds of thousands of square feet where we are just pushing the product out.
Getting your warehouse upfitted and streamlined looks a lot like rolling with the punches. Things don’t always go to plan and in order to expand, it takes capital and vendors you can trust to have your best interest in mind.
It’s not always a forgiving industry when you do make mistakes because they are costly. So having a team and accountability has been a major factor for growth here. Each factor of our business has a different team lead responsible for being the expert in that particular arena which has been huge.
It’s also not always easy being proactive. We grew really quickly in the pandemic and we were constantly wanting to be ahead and focussing on what's next but it was really difficult to do that whenever you would see unexpected surges of volume while upfitting the warehouse at the same time.
Gray: I could ramble about this for days.
I think our ability to do this is due to our tech stack that we have heavily vetted. Shiphero is our WMS platform and it does an excellent job of providing functions like conditional logic.
We’re really about marketing infused fulfillment. For example it can really increase customer retention to have a strong unboxing experience or personalization, you know consumers aren't often expecting that level of personalization when purchasing online, and it can keep them coming back.
I’ve seen some of the handwritten notes our brands have included in orders and it references specifically on site in people by name. This is really strong for even new customer acquisition when they see the level of detail that goes into their order.
We’re constantly coming up with new ways to be creative and pushing the platform to the limits.
For example we have a supplement brand that started rolling out subscriptions and we created a trigger that on a customers 5th purchase we added a marketing insert CTA to sign up for a subscription. With the addition of that insert, we saw more of their customers subscribing. From there, we created a benchmark and can find ways to change it with more triggers. It’s really cool.
Gray: It's extremely difficult to market a B2B business. Rarely do you have a business that an end user is aware of that they don't need to be, if that makes sense. For our partner’s customers they don't need to know about Nice Commerce, they just need to know they got their package accurately and on time.
The approach that we tried to take was unique I think and I’m really proud of our marketing efforts and the voice the team established for Nice.
Our strategy is to be extremely sincere in the message we put out and to just be ourselves. We market the business like our clients market themselves, so I think that resonates from a new business perspective and with partnerships.
Gray: I'm noticing that more brands are starting to manage their inventory in-house using the same WMS platforms that 3PLs are using. Sharing the same setup helps expand capabilities and allow for a more seamless transition when needing extra help from a fulfillment provider.
For example: Say you have 20K square feet and you’re dropping a new product. You know there is hype built up for demand and you need another 20K of warehouse space on the fly, but it doesn't make sense to scramble and come up with that yourself. If you’re using a vetted 3PL WMS platform like Shiphero, you can partner with a partner in their network to help release and fulfill that product almost at the flip of a switch.
I’m really excited to see in the next few years how in-house fulfillment starts to become part of a larger warehouse fulfillment network.
Also, a tip if you’re wanting to work with a 3PL on the fly: Pay attention to how prepared a 3PL is ready to onboard you, and how thoroughly and thoughtfully they can get it done. Onboarding well is a daunting task for any business - it’s changing your tire while your car is moving, so it’s something brands should really do their due diligence on.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your eCommerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
Keep your customers informed and happy with timely holiday delivery using our carrier cutoff recommendations below.
Navigating the holiday shipping stratosphere as an eCommerce store owner is a daunting task. Higher volumes of online shoppers coupled with supply chain delays and labor shortages create the perfect storm for delays,making it harder to maintain satisfied and happy customers with timely deliveries.
While a lot is out of your hands, you can do a few things to offset:
We can help with that last point.
We've done the research (so you don't have to) and compiled our Nice recommended holiday shipping deadlines based on carrier cutoffs that account for extra delays.
Scroll to see FedEx, UPS, and USPS deadlines below, plus, a useful visual to help keep track of it all.
Click here for FedEx's full list of Domestic and International shipping deadlines
Our FedEx Recommendations:
Click here for UPS's full list of Domestic and International shipping deadlines
Our UPS Recommendations:
Click here for USPS's full list of Domestic and International shipping deadlines
Our USPS Recommendations:
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your eCommerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
A Conversation with Obviouslee Marketing and Lowcountry Local First
The 2022 holiday rush is right around the corner and brands are quickly gearing up for the most wonderful (and stressful) time of the year. With acquisition costs on the rise, economic uncertainty looming, and the ever increasing noise and competition for customers' attention during Q4, it’s more important than ever for brands to hone in on storytelling, build trust with their audience, and convert them to life-long customers to pull ahead.
Recently, Gray Anderson of Nice Commerce and Tori Nardone of Obviouslee Marketing chatted with the Lowcountry Local First community to share important aspects to focus on for a successful BFCM and holiday season.
Five questions, plus their thoughts, below!
OM: Humans are drawn to stories and a product is nothing without one that pulls people in and makes them want to try it. You can have the prettiest design in the world, but it can’t make up for the voice, personality, character, or tone that draws people in and makes them want to share it with friends.
NC: A brand story is everything – if someone can resonate with a brand and have a sense of trust in them, it’s an immediate hook.
We see this especially with the younger generation wanting to peek under the hood and see the individuals and making of a brand, rather than the 30,000ft view of the brand itself. They’re seeking transparency and a shared sense of values, which leads to connection and brand loyalty.
NC: How brands acquire new customers has changed over the past few years and it’s become more expensive than ever. So much so, that acquiring a new customer can cost five times more than retaining an existing customer. And studies show that if you work to increase your customer retention by only 5%, you can see an increase in profits from 25-95%. That is an unbelievable ROI that brands can really lean into this holiday season and beyond.
Remember, BFCM is not just a one-time, one-sided opportunity. On the surface, it’s a great low-cost acquisition period to gain new customers through holidays discounts, but the deeper opportunity is all about converting those first-time customers into loyal followers that keep coming back through community building, shared values, fantastic CX, loyalty programs, and personalized email marketing.
OM: Face to face interactions are becoming less common with brands today, so your packaging needs to tell the brand story just like a physical store typically would. It needs to be memorable, draw people in, and keep them coming back.
For example: a handwritten note from the maker, a tag that explains how your purchase made an impact, or confetti as a packing material.
People want to align with brands that share their values and interests. So speaking to the heart of your target audience will keep them there and keep them loyal. Be vocal about what you stand for and do it proudly. Your people will support you.
OM: Focus on authenticality and experiences: Tell honest stories about why your brand does what it does or makes what it makes, provide discount codes for loyal customers, ensure that your marketing is aligned with your brand's purpose, aesthetic, and intention, and create memorable unboxing experiences that make it easy for people to gift your product.
NC:
1. Tap into order automation that includes marketing inserts based on customer data for a highly personalized unboxing experience.
2. Show some extra love to your loyal customers:
OM: Strategic, non aggressive email marketing, loyalty programs, text opt-ins, and storytelling are all easy low-hanging fruit that are easy to implement into your retention strategy.
NC: All of the above are fantastic recs. But don’t forget about the customer experience post-purchase!
You are one of many brands customers are purchasing from during the holidays and they will remember which brands went the extra mile to take care of and get to know them, and the ones who didn't. Consider your unboxing experience, post-purchase marketing, CX, and returns/exchange process.
NC:
1. Get your inventory squared away right now!
2. Make sure CX is ready for higher volume. Expect issues that are typically few and far between to increase during this time.
3. Add messaging on your site around potential shipping delays, cutoffs, or increases in costs.
4. If you are self-fulfilling, be smart about how you organize your products. Hire more people, keep your best sellers easily accessible, etc.
OM:
1. Make sure your inventory is prepped and ready for easier and faster fulfillment. Box, bag, tag, and insert whatever you can in advance.
2. Be clear to your customers about shipping delays and return policies. Keeping customers informed and in the know decreases abandon cart rates.
3. Add festive, personal touches to your packaging to mimic those nostalgic holiday store decorations. Add pine scented packaging material, cute festive stickers, etc.
Need a wicked smart marketing partner? Check out Obviouslee Marketing Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your eCommerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
Ever since Apple released the iOS 14 update in 2021, Facebook ads have been suffering.
We’ll say it again. SUFFERING.
And unlike Mark Zucks typical plan of attack when Facebooks performance is threatened (cough, cough, throwing money at the problem, cough, cough, acquiring Instagram and Whatsapp) Apple is too big of a behemoth for his money to make go away.
Thanks to that update, more than 92% of users have opted out of app tracking which has rendered the Facebook Pixel, Meta’s star tool in gathering user data, virtually useless. As a result, ROAS (return on ad spend) has plummeted and customer acquisition is more difficult to capture than ever.
So what’s an eCommerce brand to do?
Since you clearly can’t get Facebook to start tracking all these people again, or convince Tim Apple to drop the protections on all iPhones, we’ve tapped digital marketing experts, Cobble Hill Digital, to share insights on how to maximize and diversify your advertising dollars.
First, you need to answer these 2 questions:
1. Has your total ROAS (ad attributed revenue/ad spend) changed in the last 6 months vs the previous year?
2. How is your Facebook/Instagram ROAS doing, compared to other channels you might be using, such as Google, YouTube, etc?
If the dollars you are spending on Facebook ads are not performing well, then you should be changing where you allocate those dollars.
Below are 4 smart ways to do this reallocation, complete with memes.
1. Create more of your own media. In other words, try to generate organic traffic for your website, whether through social media or through a blog.
2. Re-arrange your media budget by sending more dollars to your top performing channels. For example, you can move some of your advertising budget away from Facebook and towards Pinterest ads.
3. Try something new. Take 10%-20% of your media budget and put some ads on TikTok. Or use zip codes to target people in your area with Spotify or YouTube.
4. Start using 1st party data gathering services: email/lead ads, or create Klaviyo flows.
In addition to the 4 points above, you should also consider changing your measurement strategy to something that is more platform agnostic, and not so focused on Facebook or Facebook/Google. We’ve heard great things about Northbeam or Triple Whale. These tools will give you a better view of how all of your ad channels are performing and delivering sales.
Last, but not least, once you have implemented some/all of these changes, then for the love of ZUCK, please don’t look at your metrics every day and obsess over them. Wait at least one month, and then have a look – that way you can get a clear picture of how the changes have been working over time.
Need a digital marketing partner. Check out Cobble Hill Digital. Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
There is so much to oversee when running an eCommerce store. From email marketing to site speed, customer experience to order fulfillment, it can be hard to optimize for efficiency and growth. And while store platforms like Shopify are robust in their offerings, utilizing apps can add new functionalities that change the game.
If you take a peep at the Shopify app store, you’ll see 6,000 apps spanning every category you can imagine. And while your first reaction could be akin to a the giddyness of a kid in a candy store, you’ll probably start to feel overwhelmed at how much noise you'll have to cut through to actually find useful apps that will save you time and headaches.
But never fear: to help you find some hidden gems, we taped a few store owner pals to share the Shopify apps they swear by to raise their AOV and manage operations.
Ademola shares his top three in the video above, with full deets, plus two more suggestions, to skim below.
Let’s get straight to it:
Average Rating: 4.9
Number of Reviews: 1,493
Price Range: $9-$40/mo
Recommended by: Ademola Adelakun
What it Does:
Sticky Add to Cart BOOSTER PRO enhances the customer experience by making the “add to cart” button sticky on your product page. As your customer scrolls down the product page, the cart button follows the customer so they can quickly add to cart without going back up to the original button placement.
Other features include adding a 1-click checkout function, quick buy button, cart slider, and time reserver for low inventory items.
Why We Love It:
Having your “Add to Cart” CTA always visible on your product page can increase your conversion rates by 8-10% and helps reduce cart abandonment.
What Others Are Saying:
Average Rating: 4.8
Number of Reviews: 617
Price Range: Free-$70/mo
Recommended by: Gray Anderson
What it Does:
Instead of instantly losing sales when inventory runs out, give customers the option of receiving in-stock notifications using Back in Stock: Customer Alerts. Customers can sign up to get an automated push notification, email or SMS text message the moment their specific size or color is restocked.
The app doesn’t just stop at in-stock notifications. Use it to send flash sales, coming soon, or pre-order notifications as well.
Why We Love It:
You can use the data it collects to track demand, which can better inform inventory order decisions in the future. You can also create campaigns around the “in-stock” notifications throughout multiple platforms to create a great customer experience.
What Others Are Saying:
Average Rating: 4.7
Number of Reviews: 225
Price Range: Plans start at $35/mo
Recommended by: Ademola Adelakun
What it Does:
Zipify One Click Upsell helps store owners increase AOV and boost sales by creating automated pre- and post-purchase upsells.
For pre-purchase options: Set up custom rules to offer complimentary products, upgrades, or bundles after a product has been added to cart.
For post-purchase options: Instead of routing a customer straight to a thank you page after checkout, show them another product that is relevant to the one they just bought, and offer to add it to their previous order in just one click.
Why We Love It:
We love its built-in split testing to see which offers, quantities and creatives resonates best with customers. And the power to increase AOV is real: Ademola used Zipify and saw his AOV increase by 40% in 30 days!
What Others Are Saying:
Average Rating: 5.0
Number of Reviews: 236
Price Range: Free - $16/mo
Recommended by: Gray Anderson
What it Does:
Use SC Order Tagger to make complex operations a breeze by setting up multi-condition criteria workflows that tag orders and trigger necessary order management actions.
You can filter orders by all sorts of useful criteria saving you time and manual work while also improving the accuracy and efficiency of your shipping, fulfillment and order management processes.
Why We Love It:
Anything that can automate a repetitive function and save time gets an A+ in our book. We love using the data to gain insights on customers that can then be used for targeted marketing campaigns.
What Others Are Saying:
Average Rating: 4.8
Number of Reviews: 3,687
Price Range: $10/mo
Recommended by: Ademola Adelakun
What it Does:
Shopify allows 3 options of 100 variants for product options, which can be very limiting if you are wanting to create a custom experience for your customers. With Infinite Options, you can create LIMITLESS custom product options: engraving, embroidering, colors, bundling, gift wrap, you name it, you can do it.
Why We Love It:
We love it's ability to boost sales and increase AOV by offering bundling options. Want to offer $5 giftwrap or $15 rush shipping? Offer options for “build-your-own” sets? Offer complimentary accessories? The world is your oyster.
What Others Are Saying:
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
When we polled our Nice Community on what challenges they're trying to solve and what advice they'd like to hear more of, our pal, Nate from Distil, sent in this:
He's definitely not alone. There are a ton of marketing strategies out there, but many can be expensive and require a ton of resources to see through. And on top of that, there is a lot of competition and noise competing for consumers attention every day.
If you are a small or emerging eCommerce brand your resources are often stretched, and you simply can not afford to waste time or money on marketing that won't reach your target audience or produce a positive ROI.
While there is never a one-size-fits all approach, there are some low hanging fruits out there that are affordable to leverage and can speak to what consumers actually care about. Adem shares three in our TL;DR video above, but for those that like to skim, we've got you covered below.
These days, brands have to fight to be seen online, and competition is fierce for audience attention. As a result, there is a lot of noise from a bunch of brands making a bunch of claims that can't all be true.
Where's a consumer to turn?
The answer: other people, just like them.
Consumers are 2.4 times more likely to trust reviews, opinions, and experiences shared by their peers compared to content created by brands. People are craving authentic expereinces, and are consuming them through low-production social videos taken by cellphones and not high-quality branded videos.
Brands are not leveraging this form of media enough.
Leverage mico-influencers, user generated content, behind the scenes footage, and low-production low-edit videos that show a peak beneath your brand's hood. All of this creates an authentic experience for consumers that builds trust.
Just make sure those experience don't soley live on social. Embed them on your website, in your emails, via SMS, and even via a QR code in an order insert to catch consumers at multiple points of their journey.
Make sure you are bragging about what your customers are bragging about... AKA you.
Around 90% of people read reviews before making a purchase, so don't make them look to hard for positive feedback.
Screenshot images, testimonials, and reviews and share them in your abandon cart emails to influence a checkout. Blast them out to your current customer base to encourage a repeat purchase. Double points if you also have a CTA to join the conversation and leave their own review. Just make sure to go beyond plain-text reviews!
AKA: Talk to your customers and followers outside of a purchase or transaction.
Different marketing strategies work for different brands and their consumers, so instead of spinning your wheels trying to find out what will land, consider asking your following what they want to hear more of.
Novel.
Leverage things like quizzes and polls, constantly asking customers for feedback to inform your future marketing campaigns. In doing this, you get to hear more of what your customers want to see more of and what to see less of, and possibly, how awesome you are (Which you can then use for social proof, above! The circle of life.)
Moral of this story: Just talk to them!
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
The review sections of Amazon products can be a wild ride, and a lot of sellers find this intimidating. Nonetheless, understanding how to use Amazon Reviews in your favor is a crucial component if you want to maximize sales. And when we say “crucial”, we mean CRUCIAL:
95% of shoppers read online reviews before buying a product.
There are the haters who give one star and exclaim, with an air of superiority, “I would give zero stars if I could”. - Unhelpful Ugene
Then there are the lovers, who are absolutely high on life, and say something to the effect of “This is the best thing EVER! I would make out with it if my state wasn’t one of the 49 states in which it was illegal to do so (THANK you Florida, coming to visit soon!!!)” Have purchased 5 more for my friends.” - Enthusiastic Erica
But our favorites are the extreme nitpickers, who take away stars for the most absurd reasons: “This soccer ball was great for playing soccer, me and my family enjoyed it greatly. However, when I tried playing ping-pong with it, it was just a bit too big for optimal play. 3 stars” - Ridiculous Randy
Then there are also absolute gems like this one:
Despite all this craziness, the bottomline is that if you are selling products on Amazon, you absolutely NEED to learn how to use the Amazon Review system to maximize your sales.
And that is precisely what part 3 of our Amazon series is going to cover (you can find our first part HERE, and our second part HERE).
Organic reviews on Amazon drive sales, menaing the more you have, the more you sell. But in here lies a paradox: You need to sell your products to get reviews from your customers on Amazon, BUT you may have trouble selling your products if you don’t have any reviews.
Whats a pal to do?
Josh from eSpark suggests: If you have a dummy proof product with low COGS utilize Amazon's Vine program to garner your first 15 reviews.
Amazon invites trusted reviewers to become “Vine Voices” and comment on new items. Vendors and sellers like you submit their products to the program, and a reviewer from Amazon Vine Voices will receive products for free. Through this program, sellers can benefit from increased sales and more awareness for new or slow-selling items through trustworthy and helpful reviews.
Josh, our Amazon BFF from eSpark, shares some keen insights:
“Biggest mistake I see people make on Amazon when they launch is that they don’t want to spend money on reviews. Their reasoning goes like this: ‘I don’t want to give away 30 of my products and pay 200 dollars’. Well, then you’re going to have to sit and wait to get your 15 reviews organically, and in the meantime you’re going to miss out on months of sales. It’s a no brainer to do this. Pay the entry fee, get your reviews. It’s huge.”
Still not sure that paying to get your Vine reviews is worth it? Maybe you think that you can get your organic reviews quite fast? Well, besides being an Amazon wizard, turns out that Josh is also a math wiz, and he's crunched the numbers for you.
“Organic review rates on Amazon are in the range of 2%. That means that if you sell 10 items a month, you are going to have to wait around 6 years to get your 15 organic reviews.”
6 years sounds steep.
If you have ever been shopping on Amazon and looked at reviews, then you probably already know that all reviews are NOT equal. A lot of reviewers limit themselves to only giving a star rating. Others might actually provide a few words, such as “Amazing product, got it for my husband and he loved it”. The thing is, even if it is a 5 star review with a solid endorsement, like in the previous example, it is still not very useful or insightful if you are trying to figure out the details of how the product looks or works.
On the other hand, reviews from Vine are in another, vastly superior, league. Here is Josh again:
“Vine reviewers provide pictures, which are super helpful, as people can actually see the product in use.”
Additionally, reviews from Vine have a number of badges and tags, which give them credibility, and let potential customers know that these are legit and can be trusted more than the average Amazon review:
If your product isn’t a dummy proof, or if it has a high COGS, utilizing Vine might not be the most successful move for you. But never fear! There are other ways to optimize ratings and reviews on Amazon:
Instead of getting stuck in a vicious circle of not selling because you are not getting reviews, and not getting reviews because you are not selling, by using Amazon Reviews and Vine you can get you stuck in a much nicer, glorious circle of selling because you have a few good reviews, and those sales will generate more good reviews, which will lead to more sales, and…well, you get the point.
We will give the final word to Josh, who summed it all up quite eloquently and succinctly:
“To optimize your product listing, it is crucial to put time and effort into securing good ratings and reviews”.
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
FITS® has been crafting premium merino socks since 2010. Made in the USA, FITS believes socks are a critical piece of gear and should deliver maximum comfort and their 3x patented design does just that. Utilizing the best materials and innovative technology available, outdoor enthusiasts trust FITS for their comfort, fit, and performance.
FITS has over 1,000 SKUs and 200,000 products in their catalog. Due to sustained changes to their operational costs, FITS needed the flexibility to alter the pricing of their SKUs to increase profit margins across DTC orders and enable better negotiation with distributers. Unfortunately, 75% of their current packaging included SKUs with pricing printed directly on it, hindering their ability to easily enforce a change. On top of this, their affected SKUs were stored across active, backstock, and incoming inventory and they wanted to avoid stockouts during implementation.
Not wanting to confuse their customers with mislabeled pricing, nor wait until backstock had been sold through to implement this change, FITS turned to Nice for a 3rd solution that could be implemented timely and accurately while keeping their online store open and orders flowing.
“Due to a product price increase, we decided removing prices from product stickers would be the most cost-effective and forward-thinking solution for our business. However, that decision required a large-scale relabeling project that included hundreds of thousands of items that needed to be completed under a tight deadline.”
- Judy Miller, Customer Service Manager, FITS
At Nice, we built a whole department that specializes in prepping products for sales-readyness. Whether products need finishing touches to enhance customer experience, products need to be prepped according to compliance conditions for multi-channel sales, or in the case of FITS, products need to be relabeled, our team can create custom Scope of Work (SOW) projects to meet any specific need.
Using our warehouse management software to map out the locations of affected inventory across active, backstock and incoming products, the SOW team created a plan that kept efficiency and accuracy top of mind while ensuring no stockouts would occur.
Our team utilized in-house tools to build, test, and print all new barcodes based off exact quantities needed and built comprehensive reports to track and monitor progress. Working systematically from backstock to active inventory, a dedicated team of 7 staff members relabeled close to 140,000 individual products in 961 collective labor hours, meeting FITS' Q3 deadline.
“Nice assured us they would be able to meet our deadline, and was able to provide consistent communication and visible processes that built confidence with our team. Even through challenges, Nice was able to implement new processes along the way which led to a successful and on-time finish.”
- Catherine Runyon, eCommerce Manager, FITS
See how utilizing Nice Commerce's prep service can save your team time and enable growth. Get the ball rolling here.
TL;DR: How to get your eCommerce store ready for the (possible? inevitable? imminent?) economic downturn.
Surely we are not the only ones who have recently seen the word "recession" come up more and more often, right? Heck, one of our directors swears she saw the word form on her alphabet soup the other day.
It's a word that can stop us in our tracks.
However, unlike all those "experts" who "do their own research" online, and then proceed to write lengthy thinkpieces with the "knowledge" they acquired from their "research", we are not going to pretend that we are qualified to comment on the current state of the world's economy.
What we DO know, however, is that if economic hard times were to happen, then eComm stores would benefit from finding advice on how to deal with it. Well, friends, rejoice, because that is precisely why we have gathered here today. Here are our top tips to keep your store thriving during (potential!) hard times ahead. Let’s jump in:
(Because they STANK)
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Take into account what products are performing well, and which ones are sitting stagnant, then get rid of those as quickly as possible - by all means necessary. Holding on to slow-moving inventory costs you money, so if you’ve already tried a substantial discount, or bundling them up with another product, then consider going as far as lowering the price to the cost of wholesale.
Trust us - it’s better for you and your business to at least get some money back, rather than having these items gathering dust (and storage fees) in a warehouse.
Don’t get caught in a trap of “wanting the product to do well” because you “had a lot invested in it”, and definitely don’t double-down on attempts at selling them for a profit, because if you give up on it it will “feel like a failure”. These are just silly mental games that our brains like to play on us, and if you are going to make it in the cut-throat eComm game, then you are going to have to transcend these silly games. No mercy – cut the stinkers.
This is a more nuanced, technical point…but precisely for that reason, it will often get ignored or neglected by the competition, which opens the door for you to get ahead of them all.
Before you launch new products, or stock more of your current inventory, make sure that you GAUGE DEMAND.
There are several ways to do this. An easy one is to look at the reviews you are getting, and see which products are generating hype. You can also collect customer feedback through email or social media marketing, (we love an instagram story poll) so you can get deeper insights into what your customers think of your products or what they are wanting to see more of.
If you are not getting enough responses, try giving an incentive in exchange for feedback, like a discount coupon.
(make it easier for your customers to give you money)
It is 2022, and we are ALL mentally exhausted. The last thing any of us want is to go online for some good old shopping therapy, and feel like it is an EFFORT to buy stuff. We already talked about this in a previous article, but it is worth diving into again.
Your UX needs to be sharp, that should go without saying. But what else can you do? Hope you have a pen ready, because we are about to bring on the gold rain (yes, rain, NOT shower…if that’s what you are looking for, then you are on the wrong website):
(less expensive = more purchases? Mind absolutely blown, we know)
This one is easy. If your customers are strapped for cash…then help them spend less cash! Offer discounts, provide cheaper alternatives, and even give freebies.
Do not, under any circumstances, underestimate the power of freebies. Freebies make the world go round, as Adem very eloquently explained in the accompanying video to this article.
(love the ones you have)
Put your focus on your already existing customers. As great as it is to acquire new customers, the cost of doing so has been steadily going up over the last couple of years, and in a recession it becomes even more expensive and difficult.
Generally speaking, investing money and time in your existing customers will get you way more sales and revenue than putting those resources towards attracting new customers.
What any given customer spends on your store is called customer’s lifetime value (LTV), and especially during a recession, it is important for you to find ways to increase LTV. Here are a few ways to do that:
Let’s hope that the recession never comes, and that news of its arrival are greatly exaggerated. However, if it does arrive, you now have some great ways to mitigate the effects it will have on your store. And THAT, my friends, is what being Nice is all about.
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
We have all done it: You are shopping online, you see something you like, and you click to add it to the cart. Then, all of a sudden, something changes inside of you, and you decide that you are NOT buying the product after all.
What happened?
The reasons for cart abandonment are many. And the people abandoning carts are also many: Out of every 100 times a product is put in a cart, the purchase is only finalized 29 times. If you are good at math (we are not, and had to open a new tab with a calculator), you will have realized that shopping cart abandonment happens on 71% (!!) of intended purchases.
Before we get started, we should clarify that there is no way to completely fix 100% of cart abandonment issues. Sometimes, customers just have a low-intent to buy, even if they fill their shopping carts three separate times within one week. This is the online equivalent to “window shopping”, or as some like to call it, “therapy”.
We’ll focus on tactics for influencing and converting these particular customers in an upcoming blog, but first, we want to tackle the 5 common, and easily fixable, issues that cause your high-intent customers to abandon their carts. Let’s jump in:
If customers can’t see how your return process works before they buy, they will bail. If the return process is there, but not clear enough? Bail. If it is there and is clear, but seems like a hassle? You guessed it – BAIL.
Solution: Make sure your return process is clear as day and easily found on multiple parts of your customer’s journey: Homepage banner, link on the site footer, on each product page, during the checkout process, etc.
Have you ever not bought something because the website wanted you to make an account? Yes, and you hate it? Well, SO DO YOUR CUSTOMERS. Have a guest checkout option, or face BailTown. People want to be able to breeze through and quickly buy something. Out of 100 online shoppers who abandon carts, 17% say it was due to a long or convoluted checkout process.
If that is still not enough numbers to convince you, then how about this: the average American will start second-guessing their online purchases if they have to click their mouse more than 3 times.
Yes, that is how far American laziness has come, but let’s focus on the important part here: Why in the name of our lord and savior the almighty dollar are you making it more complicated and difficult for people to buy things from you and give you money?
Solution: Revisit your checkout process and determine if there are solutions to reduce the number of steps. If you have an account feature, incentivize customers to sign up for it, but don’t force them to do so. Make sure you always have a guest checkout option available.
It is hard to overstate how important it is for your eComm store to be optimized for mobile visitors. We are not in pre-iPhone Kansas anymore: the majority of people do the majority of their internet browsing through their phones. And guess what? More than 75% of cart abandonment happens on mobile.
Additionally, 53% of users will leave your site if pages take longer than 3 seconds to load, and 9 out of 10 shoppers will abandon a site if it starts feeling “too slow”...and every year, the bar to clear what is perceived as “too slow” gets higher and higher.
Solution: Optimize or die…OK OK, that’s a bit dramatic, and it more like “optimize or you won’t sell as much stuff”, but that just doesn’t have the same sense of urgency, does it?
Tap a web developer to look into site speed, mobile responsiveness for all pages, and page navigation flow. The investment will pay off.
Customers don’t like clicking on a product with a price, and then seeing a much larger number for the total. They feel deceived. So maybe stop doing that? Especially because up to 48% of shoppers will leave a cart if they see an unexpected extra cost.
Solution: Now, shipping costs by now are certainly expected, but you could still minimize this particular pain point by bundling shipping costs within the product cost. Be upfront and crystal clear about what it is going to cost them to get the product all the way to their house…trust us, they really don’t care that much about the cost of moving the product down from its shelf on the warehouse, prior to all “shipping and handling”.
If a coupon doesn’t work? Bail AGAIN. They can’t find a coupon? BAIL AF. 45% of users will abandon their cart if a coupon code doesn’t work.
Solution: Simple, make sure your coupon codes work. Take stock of the active coupon codes you have and ensure your promotions have the correct spelling and case structure. If you’ve deactivated a coupon code make sure you are not advertising it anywhere on your social media, website, or emails. Don’t forget to check your automated welcome series or thank you emails!
There was a time in the olden days of the interwebs when Amazon could get away with charging $18 for shipping a $10 book. And it took like 17 clicks to get the order sent. But no more. These days, 83% of shoppers place more importance on convenience now than 5 years ago, so make the shopping experience at your store as convenient and smooth as possible.
Millions of products are left orphaned on carts every year…and just like that, billions of dollars in profit are gone. Go fix the issues we mentioned above, and we promise you can get a PHAT slice of that pie in your bottom line. Money…the most important… meal of…the day??
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
On this month’s brand spotlight, we interviewed Sarah and Pippa Renwick, founder of Renwick Golf. Renwick makes classic golf apparel for women using sustainably produced and harvested cotton from Peru. Read on as the Renwick sisters talk shop about what it's really like starting a brand with family, how they secured a great partnership with their peruvian manufacturer, and what advice they would go back and give their younger selves.
The interview below has been lightly edited for clarity.
P & S: Coming from a golfing family, we were always frustrated by the lack of classic golf apparel options for women. In 2019, after talking about the idea for 20 years, we took the first steps to starting our dream company creating attractive, timeless apparel for women golfers.
As for the brand name and logo: Our brand is named after our maiden name, Renwick, and the logo is based on a pair of rams head gold hoop earrings that our mom and grandmother always wore. They are our role models for many reasons, and rams actually symbolize determination and leadership. As two sisters following our dream, the double rams made perfect sense to remind us of where we come from and where we’re going. If you look closely, one of the rams is winking. We don’t take ourselves too seriously!
P + S: Our 17 years of experience in the retail industry has been crucial to the success of Renwick. We both have a mix of years at large corporate retail companies and small startups (J. Crew, One Kings Lane, vinyard vines, and Draper James, to name a few) where we gained experience in merchandising, product development, brand building, ecommerce, and inventory planning.
Thanks to this experience, we knew what we wanted to do and how to start. The contacts and friends we've made over the years have been instrumental—either as freelance hires or for helpful advice. There are so many women ready to help other women succeeed—we are so grateful and continue to pay it forward.
P + S: We love our colorblock skort right now and are always repping our striped short sleeve polo!
P + S: Where to start! Launching any business is challenging and stressful, add in homeschooling our young children, an uncertain job market, closed factories in Peru, the list went on. We’ve had to pivot (we pushed our original launch date out 9 months) and continue to do so. There are so many factors outside of our control and we are always reacting and adjusting our strategy.
P + S: Thankfully, we still get along really well! We live in different states but talk about 5 times a day.
Pros: We can be 100% honest with each other, we already know what the other one is thinking, and we have different (and complementary) skill sets and personalities which helps. We each own different areas of the business and respecting that is key!
Cons: We’re always talking about work, and the lines get blurred between personal and professional.
P+S: For the first 6 months of Renwick, we were fulfilling orders out of Pippa’s basement. The garage was our “warehouse” and we used a ping pong table as our pack and ship area. The daily trips to the post office kept increasing, and we were having to pack orders 7 days a week. It got to the point where we couldn’t focus on growing the business and we could not longer store the endless inventory arriving by the truckload.
We knew a 3PL was necessary and we wanted to make sure it was the perfect fit. After interviewing a few companies, Nice really stood out. We toured their facilities which were clean and technologically advanced, they were poised for growth and were already working with some great companies. The Nice team is so friendly, flexible, and supportive. It’s been a lifesaver for us, allowing us to focus on driving Renwick’s growth and use their facility to increase our efficiency.
P+S: You’re not going to be able to do it alone. No one does this alone and it takes more than hard work. Be prepared to talk to everyone. You will need the generosity of others so don't hesitate to ask for advice and favors. Even during a pandemic, a digital marketing 180, and a recession, if you have a really good product you believe in, you will survive!
P+S: We love our factory in Peru! We were actually put in touch with them through the Peruvian consulate. They are a fair-trade company, a family business, and part of the Better Cotton initiative which supports sustainable farming. We talk to them every day and their advice has been crucial to our success. They have nicknamed us The Rocket Sisters because of our explosive growth and really taken us under their wing.
P+S: Unfortunately there is never a time to rest and hit autopilot. You have to stay informed and be ready to react. We belong to lots of social media groups discussing relevant business trends and how to react, we stay on top of apps and technology that support growth, and we read articles in relevant publications. Nice provides a community newsletter with great tips and videos with really relevant insight for direct to consumer brands! (Ed Note: Thanks for the love, Renwick!)
P+S: We launched a kids line this month (just in time for Back to School) and we have lots of great pieces coming for Fall golf season!
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
Receiving and storing inventory APPEAR, from a distance, to be quite simple. But when you take a closer look, it turns out that it is actually quite a complicated process, with a lot of moving parts, and therefore a lot of things that could go wrong (or, as the cool kids call them these days: “points of failure”). In this way, the process of receiving and storing inventory is very similar to a wristwatch… or the way your grandma wants you to set the table.
We understand why the process of receiving and storing inventory seems like a breeze, since this is how giants like Amazon make it look: you simply have to order products, get them delivered to your fulfillment center, and then they get placed on shelves to get picked by magical robots (or, you know, borderline slave labour).
But again, the more familiar you get with eComm logistics, and the more you get involved with inventory, the more you will realize that this is an extremely in-depth process. And, if you don’t watch every step closely enough, it will impact how quickly and accurately your products get to the hands of your customers. In the words of Charlie Cross, our Receiving Lead here at Nice Commerce:
"If you start rough, you are going to end rough."
Who knew that a RECEIVING Lead could GIVE such pearls of wisdom?
Are you debating whether reading this article is worth the 5 minutes? Then how about this: Knowing the ins and outs of your warehouse receiving processes can ensure your products are always available, delivered on time, AND save you a lot of $$$.
The receiving squad is the first department to get their hands on your products and they are responsible for making sure they are ready for active inventory.
Basically, the receiving department does the initial “cleanse” to make sure your products are undamaged, and fully accounted for, upon arrival from your manufacturer. They evaluate to ensure your products meet both the warehouse and brand standards. They also check that barcodes are present and scan correctly, do case counts, and verify that quantities are accurate and ready for inventory. Moreover, they make sure that palettes are organized in a way that allows easy tracking and access in the warehouse.
This team also checks to see if extra work like bagging, tagging, or kitting is needed in order to get your products customer-ready, and they will start the process of creating a Statement of Work (SOW), as well as allocating labor to get it completed.
To make sure your products sail through receivig, Charlie, our Receiving guru shares his top three tips below:
The receiving department at each and every fulfillment warehouse will have their own standards, to make sure products are stored efficiently and accessed quickly. The more you understand the processes, the quicker your product can make it to active inventory, and the easier it will be to avoid added fees:
Here are some common standards to look out for:
Charlie goes on to say this:
“Our goal is to make sure products are prepared for our inventory team to successfully navigate through the warehouse, so we know what we have and where we have it at any given time. This helps fight off shrinkage.”
In short, without strong processes, you will inevitably get stock control issues (yuck), as well as higher operational costs (double yuck).
Making sure you choose manufacturers that care about quality and accuracy is paramount. That much is kind of obvious. What is not so obvious is that you should with a manufacturer that sees themselves as a partner.
Make sure you build a relationship with your manufacturer point of contact, so you can share feedback when quality issues arise, or if tweaks need to be made to meet the receiving standards. Having a manufacturer that can work with you will save you a LOT of $$$ in inventory processing fees.
Here is what Charlie has to say about quality control issues:
“In addition to making sure products are palletized and accounted for, we’ve implemented a standard to check 15–20% of all products coming in for quality control, due to supply chain issues and manufacturers cutting corners.”
This is a small detail…but it can make a HUGE difference. PO’s are what the receiving team bases everything off of, and it helps them know if they are doing everything correctly.
As Charlie says:
“At Nice Commerce, we ask clients to put a PO in advance of the shipment being delivered that details everything we should be expecting: the different SKUs, quantity of each unit, # of pallets, # of cases. Our standard is to check and accept shipments into inventory within 48 hours of receipt, and having accurate POs help us do that.”
The receiving department is the first line of defense, and without thorough POs the team could miss crucial issues (like wrong barcodes, inaccurate quantities, etc.), which need to be actioned immediately… before they lead to costly issues down the line.
So now you know how important receiving standards are, and how to get better at them. Was it worth the 5 minutes? No? How about NOW?
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
Your entrepreneur brain is buzzing with new product ideas, but you have no idea how to take that concept and turn it into reality. Worst, trying to understand requirements from manufacturers sends you into a tail spin.
Product design is a lengthy and detailed process, that if not understood or followed correctly, could lead to costly and timely mistakes and result in a product that doesnt have the features the users wants or is faulty.
Our pals, Gembah, have broken down the 5 crucials steps of the design process and shared what you need to know to help you be more aware of the time and financial commitments and ensure that you develop a product that both you and your customers will love. Let's get into it:
If you want to know how a product is going to do the thing it is designed to do, you first need to figure out exactly what the product will do, and why it needs to do it.
In short: before you start thinking about the how of the design, you need to know the what and the why.
The best way to figure out the “what” and the “why” is through market research: conduct online polls, do user interviews, identify competitors, etc.
A very helpful thing you can do is figure out who your ideal customers are, and what should their experience with your product look like. What problems do they have, and how does your product help them solve those problems.
Once you do that, you will be ready to start thinking in terms of the actual product design process. Find out which design requirements would make your product stand out, and, perhaps most importantly: what does your product need to be feasible. It is very common to get carried away in the planning stage, because every idea works perfectly when it is only in your head. However, if you are actually trying to execute and bring it into the real world, you need to be realistic and ensure that the product is feasible, both from a technical perspective, and from a market standpoint.
During ideation mode, designers will come up with several different concepts to give a base for brainstorming and refining. In fact, it is quite standard to hire multiple different designers to start the ideation process.
Once you have your concepts down, it will be time to refine your ideas further, really get into the nitty-gritty, and figure out the finer details.
In this phase, you will want to define have a design clear enough to be able to make a prototype. BUT — and this is a very big but (we cannot lie) — you shouldn’t have the details so well defined that making further changes will become too expensive. In other words, while it is important to have a working prototype, it would be counterproductive to develop that prototype too far, because it is likely that more changes will still need to be made.
During this stage is when you want to get yourself a good partner, one that can estimate costs and time to give your product that final push, getting it finalized and in the hands of customers.
Here, the team will build several prototypes and test the product requirements. Prototypes don’t have to be made with the exact same materials as the final product, just simple materials will do, to get the point across.
Once the prototypes are made, your team will test for form, fit, and function. This way, you can find out if your design ideation actually works in the real world, and if it does provide the solution that you designed it for.
Form testing: What does the product look like? Is it Aesthetically pleasing?
Fit Testing: Is it the right size for the job, do all the components work well together?
Functional Testing: Can the design do what the product is supposed to do?
You can do your testing either in a controlled environment like a lab, or with potential users. And REMEMBER: building a prototype and doing testing is not a one-time thing — iteration is key.
You know all those “small details” and “tomorrow problems” that you were procrastinating up to now? Well, once your prototype is finished, it will finally be time to take care of all those issues you postponed.
You will need to make an in-depth cost analysis with various alternatives, which will let you compare the costs of all the different options. In this stage, you will be optimizing the materials, shape, and components.
The main goal here is simple: maximize the manufacturability of the design.
You also need to ensure that all stakeholders are satisfied with the product, and if not you may have to go back to the prototype and re-design until everyone is on board.
The schedule and timeline need to be refined and agreed upon.
In short: This is the last opportunity to check in with everyone and take feedback into account, because after this stage it will become extremely inconvenient — and expensive — to go back and make changes
This is where everything is locked down and finalized. If you want to make any changes at this stage, you may have to go as far back as steps 2 and 3, which is less than ideal. Especially if you get to this stage again after going back to steps 2 and 3, and then you have to go back AGAIN, getting caught in a Kafkaesque nightmare loop.
You will also have to deal with documentation. This is almost always an overlooked and neglected part of the process. We get it — you are so close to being done, and documentation just feels like bureaucratic BS. But providing a good documentation package will save you a LOT of headaches, so don’t get lazy when you are so close to the finish line, and make sure that you are providing all the details the manufacturer needs to know: Drawings, CAD models, Materials, Quality Control requirements, Cost, Schedule, etc.
Once this is done, you are ready to make the magic happen, and bring your dreams into reality (2 clichés for the price of one!)
Now you are equipped to create a new product from the ground up — from being a vague idea in your head, all the way to something tangible that is ready for the market.
You know that old saying, “measure twice; cut once”? Here is a remix for product design: “Go through each step carefully and iterate when it is cheaper to do so; avoid going backwards and getting caught in a nightmare loop of re-designs”.
Oh, and may the odds be ever in your FAVA!
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
Welcome to the second part in our Amazon series (see part 1: Listing Optimization, here.) You may not sell your products on Amazon yet, but trust us: if you are in eCommerce, sooner or later you will have to decide if you want to get involved with Amazon. Therefore, understanding how Amazon operates will give you a big advantage when it comes to making that decision.
We will say that again, because it is kind of counterintuitive and really, really important: Even if you don’t currently sell on Amazon, being aware of how they do business is incredibly useful to every eCommerce merchant.
By the time you are done with our Amazon series, you will understand much better what makes the behemoth tick, and then you can decide for yourself whether you would like to start selling there, or how to take advantage of their blind spots to differentiate your products on other platforms. In short: knowing Amazon’s playbook will allow you to become a better merchant.
When it comes to Amazon fulfillment you have two options: FMA and FBM. We tapped Amazon expert, Josh with eSpark, to help us break these terms down and give us insights on the best option to garner more sales. Let's get into it:
Through FBA, Amazon will totally hook you up. They'll handle the picking, packing, shipping, order returns, and customer service on your behalf.
All hail lord Bezos!
FBA PROS:
1. Hands-off Fulfillment: Amazon will store your inventory, and pack and ship the products to customers. Even product returns are shipped back by Amazon, not you. Any fulfillment question from the buyers is also handled by Amazon.
2. Eligibility for Prime Shipping: Your items will be automatically enrolled in Amazon’s Prime Program. This will give Prime members free same-day or two days delivery (depending on the item).
Survey by Statista
3. Buy Box Perks: The Buy Box is a critical “Call to Action” add-on, which leads Amazon customers to purchase products on the platform’s product listings. Generally, when determining who gets the Buyer Box, Amazon favors products listed under FBA over those listed under FBM.
4. Lower Shipping Costs: Depending on factors such as weight and size of products, the shipping fees associated with FBA products are typically lower than FBM products. FBA sellers get to take advantage of Amazon’s discounted rates to ship their goods to the Amazon fulfillment centers.
5. Multi-Channel Fulfillment: Amazon is ready to handle the shipping and product fulfillment, even if you sell them in other e-commerce sites. You can utilize Amazon’s massive fulfillment network to store and ship products to customers from any of your e-commerce sites.
FBA CONS
1. Additional Fees: Some of the fees that you are likely to incur with FBA option include fulfillment fees, prep and labeling fees, monthly inventory fees, and long-term storage fees.
2. Less Control Over Inventory: You will have limited access to your inventory, because they are in Amazon fulfillment centers.
3. Stringent Prep and Labeling Requirements: When sending your products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, you have to prepare them to meet the strict standards set by Amazon. If you do this incorrectly, your products may be rejected, forcing you to pay to have them shipped back, re-label them, and go through the process again.
Amazon fulfillment robot in action. Glorious and terrifying, all at once.
If you choose to do FBM, then you (the seller) will be responsible for handling, shipping, and customer service. You’ll also have to handle your own storage, and all other aspects of fulfillment.
FBM PROS
1. Faster Product Listing on Amazon: Amazon has stringent requirements for accepting products into their fulfillment centers and it can also take time to ship all your products to their warehouses. With FBM, you can get your product listing up and start selling your products immediately.
2. More Control Over Inventory: With FBM, you pack, store and ship the products to your customers, which means that you can access your inventory whenever, and you have a better understanding of the numbers.
3. Less Amazon Fees: When selling via FBM you don’t have to pay the storage and fulfillment fees that come with FBA. However, you will still incur closing and referral fees.
4. Personalized Packaging: If you believe in going the extra mile to give your clients excellent customer service, you can include personalized messages with each shipment — a great way to build relationships with your clients.
5. New Opportunities for Existing Business: If you have a business that already handles shipping and packaging, opting for FBM can quickly open your business up to Amazon sales.
With FBM, you are responsible for this entire journey.
FBM CONS
1. Additional Responsibility: You must stay on top of everything — every day. You are responsible for processing returns and customer service.
2. Limits Your Prime Eligibility: Without the Prime program, you’ll be missing thousands of customers who prefer shopping with Prime shipping.
3. Lower Chance to Win the Buy Box: Since FBA sellers are favored when it comes to who makes it to the Buy Box, as an FBM seller, you’ll have a hard time winning and keeping the Buy Box.
4. Overhead Costs: Although you won’t pay storage and fulfillment fees, you will still incur certain overhead costs such as your own storage, fulfillment logistics, and shipment expenses.
5. Lower Selling Price: To increase your chances of winning the Buy Box and compete effectively with other FBA sellers, you may be forced to lower your sales price, which could negatively impact your margins.
6. Lower Conversation Rates: The combination of these shortcomings leads to lower conversation rates and sales. Amazon also claims that almost half of its customers are not ready to buy from sellers who don’t use the FBA program.
In most cases, FBA will be better for you. Mostly because it is more profitable in the long term — which, quite frankly, is the only term that matters. If that is not enough to convince you of going with the FBA, then check out this quote from Josh, the Amazon whisperer:
“When we convert clients from FBM to FBA, we see traffic and sales double. It's a no-brainer. Either sell it yourself with prime, or make sure one of your third-party sellers is selling with prime.”
Just because FBA is our recommendation, that does not mean that it is in your best interest to deal directly with Amazon, and try to figure it all out on your own. After all, they are bigger than you and will do everything to maximize THEIR profits, not yours. That is where Nice Commerce can help!
We've gone the extra mile to create fool-proof processess that are optimized for Amazon-compliant shipments. We can handle handle the nitty gritty for you, and our prep fees are around ONE THIRD of the cost of Amazon. Too good to be true? Nope, it is just the Nice way.
Besides, if you fulfill with a 3PL partner (like us!) that really knows their way around Amazon logistics, you will be well-protected from stockouts. At Nice, we can set your central seller account to automatically use FBM if FBA stock runs out, so your products keep moving. Win-Win!
Here is how Josh puts it:
“Making mistakes with FBA prep will cost you THOUSANDS in expenses. Amazon has strict requirements for FBA inventory and the wrong label could have you returning truckloads of pallets to your warehouse. That's why we use Nice Commerce. Their team knows exactly how to prep FBA shipments, and does so consistently and reliably. Their expertise saves our clients both TIME and MONEY”
So, if you want Nice Commerce to help you set up your FBA — and who are we kidding, of course you do! — then just CLICK HERE.
Looking for an expert to help you up your Amazon game? Reach out to Josh at eSpark. Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
THERE IS TOO MUCH ON YOUR PLATE.
How do we know? Because you are an eCommerce brand, and every eCommerce brand has too much on its plate.
That’s just the way the eComm cookie crumbles.
It would be surprising if you were NOT getting overwhelmed, trying to juggle scaling marketing efforts, managing inventory, analyzing data, optimizing operations, and trying to stay ahead on sales and forecasting. And let’s not even get into staffing.
With so much going on all the time, it is easy to miss opportunities, and even easier to run short on time. Especially when a lot of your time is spent doing certain tedious, repetitive tasks.
So what’s the solution? Simple: take a leap into the future.
How? By incorporating automation solutions and software.
This is not some vague daydream about how things could be — automation is already, TODAY, helping brands increase their efficiency by 10x, by using better processes and eliminating the time spent on repetitive tasks.
So how can you implement automation? There are a ton of tools out that specialize in marketing, fulfillment, or ops. OR you can engage a full-spectrum eCommerce automation tool that does it all like our friends at Alloy Automation. The world is your oyster!
Trust us: having automated actions that capture every opportunity, without you having to do any work at all, will save you and your team SO MUCH TIME. You’ve heard of passive income, right? Well, automation is basically passive work — you could be sleeping, or go on vacation, or go to your kids’ soccer game, and Alloy will be literally “taking care of business”… without any input or supervision from you!
Does this sound like magic? Well it’s not — it’s just good AI.
What are some ways automation can make you more efficient? We are so glad you asked:
As a fulfillment company ourselves, WE LOVE A PROCESS. With automation tools, you can pack and pick orders a lot faster. With less time spent on manual tasks that take time to identify the right products, you can execute your entire shipping and fulfillment process in less time, with a lot less man-hours (don’t worry, bots don’t have unions…YET).
Low Stock Notifications
Use your automation software to set up low stock notifications when a product variant drops below a certain threshold, which will signal to you that it is time to reorder, thus preventing any “out-of-stock” situations…or, as your customers refer to them “doomsday scenarios”. With an automated system tracking what’s being picked, packed, and shipped, you’re able to keep a closer eye on inventory levels, which greatly reduces the potential for human error.
Product Performance
A cool trick our pals Alloy can do? You can set up a notification if a certain product is underperforming. In those cases, you could, for example, automate a notification to your team that it might be time to give a discount for that product, or switch up marketing efforts to highlight the product on your front page, to try to move more units. You could also simply fully automate the discount and/or front-page placement, if you think your team is too busy with other things, or if your team is you (and you are busy with other things).
Here’s a fun fact: Around 63% of companies using marketing automation outperformed competitors. (moosend) This is all thanks to automation technology helping to improve lead generation and conversions. Below are some ways you can utilize automation in your marketing efforts to get more bang for your buck:
Loyalty Programs
We’ve talked in length about the benefits of loyalty programs before, and thanks to automation recipes, you can run one seamlessly without having to lift a finger. As soon as a customer places an order you can set up triggers to:
If you use a service like Alloy, you can even integrate with loyalty services like smile.io to make sure rewards are instantly triggered, generating a positive feedback loop with your most loyal buyers
Automate Messages
Don’t have a super robust social media management platform? Never fear! A lot of full-spectrum automation softwares can help here. Once you set up some conditions and triggers, it’s possible you won’t ever have to manually copy your TikTok video and paste it on Instagram Reels. THE DREAM.
For you TL;DR folks, in short, implementing automation has a host of benefits:
So what are you waiting for? The great robot (labour union) uprising? Get to automating today!
Looking for a great automation tool? Check out Alloy Automation. Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
The quest for optimizing sales on Amazon is tough, but worthy
Nu Nice blog series, who dis?
Welcome to our new series of posts, where we will be giving you invaluable knowledge on how to increase your brand’s sales on Amazon. For this series, we have partnered with Josh Rawe with eSpark. We’ve seen firsthand the power of his team’s expertise at work, optimizing Amazon listings for many of our partner brands and driving ROI way up. We’re stoked to bring his insider knowledge to our community!
On this first article, we are going to focus on the #1 tip that, according to Josh, can improve Amazon listings for your products.
You ready? Here it comes, in 3 easy acts:
EOS includes informative product videos on all of their Amazon listings. Reminder: It doesn't have to be fancy, it just needs to clearly show your product and value props!
Add a product video to your listing.
That's it.
It sounds a little too simple, doesn’t it? And that is because it is! All you need to do to increase the sales of one of your products on Amazon by around 10% (according to Amazon themselves!!) is make a video, and then add it to your Amazon listing. Here is Josh from eSpark, AKA the Bezos whisperer:
“Product video has a really, really high ROI. You don’t have to film a Nike-level lifestyle video [with really polished production and fancy editing]. In fact, those [fancy] videos actually don’t perform that well on Amazon, people are more looking for product in-use videos.”
Amazon shoppers have a high purchase intent. They’re not looking to hear an elaborate story, they simply want to know “does this product solve my issues?”
FITS Socks listings include a video with a rep sharing AND demonstrating the value props of their product in real time.
OK, so now you know that having a video on the Amazon listing will boost your products, but what, exactly, should the video contain? Here is Josh from eSpark, once again, with the answer:
“Show the size, show the product in-use, and then have some graphics that talk about the benefits [e.g. “lightweight”, or “durable”]. Tell them how your product benefits the customer right there [on the video].”
Josh further elaborated that the video should very clearly show what your product is made of and its size (Amazon has had issues with deceptive product pictures which don’t properly represent items to scale). In general, you want to make sure that the video shows what the product looks like, and how to use it.
In regards to what kind of things to highlight on the graphics of the video, here is what Josh had to say:
“Make sure your hitting home value props and answer common questions that the viewer might have around your product.”
Take a look at yours and your competitors customer questions to see what people are curious about. Make sure to address these questions in your product video.
Look at your successful competitors and see what value props they share about their products. From there, emulate, or show how you differ!
You can go one step further and go to your competitors' listings and find customer questions to see what people are curious about. Better yet, go to your own listings, and see what people are asking about your products under the “customer questions and answers” section.
Are they asking things like: How does it fit? Is it natural? Does it use animal testing? Is this the right product for XYZ?
All of the common questions should be clearly answered in your infographics. Your customers are literally telling you what they are looking for… as Chandler would say: could it BE any easier?
So you have successfully brought people to your product’s page on Amazon, and you have used product videos to increase sales (CONGRATULATIONS!).
What's next?
This is the perfect moment to do some brand building, and re-target them to get repeat purchases. Custom and personalized inserts are a great way to do this on the fulfillment side. Want to learn more? Reach out, we'd love to chat!
Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
Need help optimizing your Amazon listings? Josh at eSpark is your man!
We know that “swamplands in Florida” are a scam. And surely it is not merely a coincidence that Multi-level Marketing schemes (MLMs) are always shaped EXACTLY like a pyramid. But is Dropshipping also just a get-rich-quick scheme?
Not always: dropshipping companies can become reliable and convenient partners. You can work with a dropshipping company in order to grow your eCommerce, as they will help you expedite order and fulfillment processing.
However, as is the case whenever something becomes extremely popular, there are some people out there using “dropshipping courses” as a way to make a quick buck. Therefore, we recommend doing thorough research when looking for a dropshipping partner.
Seems legit.
On the other hand, instead of dropshipping, you could choose to build your online business through a branded experience for your eCommerce store. Then you, yourself, can handle all the aspects that a dropshipping company would do for you.
Below, we give you some of the advantages and disadvantages of dropshipping, and how it compares to a branded eCommerce experience. Check it out, and decide what is best for you!
The cirlce of (dropshipping) life
PROS:
CONS:
Pros: Everything is in YOUR control.... Cons: EVERYthing is in your control
PROS:
CONS:
Imagine how much paper he could have sold with dropshipping...
Well, it depends. Dropshipping can not only save you money, but it will save you time and effort as well. However, there will be other costs to you, besides the strictly financial, if you go the dropshipping route. As the Mexican version of “you get what you pay for” goes: Buying cheap stuff is actually quite expensive.
Ultimately, dropshipping is a good way to get started on eCommerce, and if your main goal is just to “sell stuff online”, then going the dropshipping route will save you a LOT of headaches.
BUT—and this is a big-ass but—if you want to build a long-term brand, and generate relationships with your customers so you can develop a loyal following and get lots of repeat sales…then you should do a branded eCommerce experience (and call us, maybe?)
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
The real challenge is narrowing your options down and knowing how to find the right influencers for your brand.
If you are thinking about hiring an influencer to promote your eCommerce brand, but you don’t know exactly how to go about it, then this is the perfect place for you. Influencers can be a bit tricky, in the same way that Lego pieces are: they seem to be absolutely everywhere, up until you actually have a need for a specific one, and then you can’t find it anywhere. What’s that? You don’t know what Lego pieces are? Oh, the humanity…
As you know, all the info we provide is certified organic, and sourced from the BEST ecomm experts. This article is no exception, and just like with our previous influencer post, all the advice was provided by Meredith Pratt, Nice Brands’ Social Media and Partnerships Manager. Meredith obviously knows her stuff: she’s been working directly with influencers for 5+ years and currently manages influencer programs for six eCommerce brands. All hail Meredith, our influencer whisperer!
The very first influencer (Getty Images)
Before we put the cart before the horse and share our top three ways to vet influencers, some of you may be asking yourself: “What are the best ways to source influencers that are a good fit for my brand”. There is no one size fits all answer, but here are some tips to consider:
OK, so now you know where to look for influencers…but how do you choose the best ones? We (and by “we”, we mean Meredith) have all the answers below:
Do you have a Vegan brand? Then DM this person! Do you seel a bacon subsription box? Then don't!
The first thing you should do when considering an influencer is to look at their content. Now ask yourself if your brand is compatible with the type of posts that the influencer is putting out there. In other words: does your product look like it’s a natural fit in the influencer’s lifestyle and interests?
It is important to not make personal judgments on the influencer’s style or personality because it does not matter whether you are vibing with the influencer — it is all about your brand, and whether your brand and your target audience seem compatible with the influencer. As Meredith put it:
“When vetting an influencer, you need to review their content right off the bat. Do you see your product easily and naturally fitting in their space?
You can't handle the truth. Never have been.
The number of followers used to be the all-important metric when it came to influencers, but that was way back when Facebook was still cool and we were all kind of stupid (ah, the good times). Now, don’t get me wrong — some influencers still like to bring up the amount of followers they have when introducing themselves at parties, or when looking in the mirror, or when you ask them what time it is. But those of us who have evolved a little over the past 10 years know that this number can be very deceiving.
What you should really be looking for when hiring an influencer is how much engagement their posts are getting. Are there a lot of likes and comments? Is the influencer responding to those comments and creating a sense of community? Or are they just sharing selfies with bots and disengaged zombies?
Dig a little deeper than the follower count, to see what is beneath the surface. Here is sagely, succinct Meredith again:
“There are a ton of micro-influencers with 10k-50k followers that have high engagement rates, and you can know going into a partnership that most of their audeince is seeing and engaging with their content.”
You will get much more value from working with those influencers than with one who has 5 million followers, but only a handful of comments (and no soul).
The prince of Bel-Air doesn't like posers or braggers
We can see through you!
Finally, you should check out how often your prospective influencers are doing sponsored content.
If a lot of their posts are sponsored, then that means that they have officially chosen a paycheck over any sense of authenticity, and is probably best to stay away.
Additionally, with so much sponsored content, it is likely that their followers are now “tuning out” their posts. So any potential content they do for you would barely be looked at, let alone generate clicks or sales. One last time, here is Meredith the enlightened:
"If over half their content has “#ad”, then they might not be the best long-term partner, because they are probably only looking to do paid work. And its safe to assume their followers will not convert.”
You are now ready to go scout some influencers. Don’t forget to bring a selfie stick, plenty of sun-tan lotion, and always, always, always wear sunglasses… otherwise, the light rings that they carry wherever they go may give you temporary blindness.
12/10 would subscribe
Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
When "add to cart?" is more of a rhetorical question
“Rising shipping costs”… who knew that such a boring phrase could bring so much pain?
Whether you’re a store or a customer, we know your wallet has taken a hit. With worker shortages and rising fuel costs, almost everyone is currently experiencing not just an increase in shipping delays, but also a corresponding rise in shipping costs. Unfortunately, most of the time that increased cost has to be passed along to customers.
But even if much of this increased cost is not falling on your brand’s hands, you should still be looking for ways to mitigate it as much as possible. Here is what Maddy, the Vice President at Nice Commerce, has to say:
“One way to offset increasing shipping costs is to bundle complimentary items, where the additional products will increase AOV, but shipping does not increase at the same rate. As more products are bundled, shipping & fulfillment costs as a percentage of your AOV will decrease.”
Are you wondering what this mysterious “AOV” metric is? We got you covered:
Average Order Value is a metric that tells you the average amount a customer spends in your store.
To calculate AOV: Simply divide your total revenue in a period of time by the total number of orders in that period. For example if one month you earned $10,000 and had 100 orders, your AOV would be $100.
Quick Mafs
Knowing your AOV can help you focus on moving the needle, getting customers to spend more on each purchase, and reducing shipping costs relative to each item.
So now that you know what AOV is, and now that you LUV it as much as we do, you are probably wondering what you can do to increase it. We got you:
People pay more to get more. A good place to start is to take a peak at what your customers are already bundling in their cart without an added value. Then figure out how to market that same bundle to future customers, and increase perceived value. Our pals over at Jack Rudy Cocktail Company did just this with their “Jack Pack”:
Jack Rudy realized many of their customers already bought their tonics and bitters together, so they created a bundle with a higher value to enticce higher AOV sales
This is a simple way to nudge the needle further with AOV. If your average customer already spends $100, start offering free shipping at $125. However, you have to make sure the jump to free shipping is attainable for your customers so that they don’t abandon their carts altogether.
Alternatively, you could also offer a free gift once they reach a certain threshold. Once again, make sure that the threshold is close to what your average customer spends, otherwise they won’t go for it.
Our partner, Renwick Golf has a non-intrusive banner streaming across ALL pages, reminding customers of the free shipping offer, effectively increasing their AOV.
Ever since “Air Miles” became a thing, an entire industry has developed around loyalty programs. And it makes a lot of sense: loyalty programs are one of those extremely rare win-win scenarios, where both the business AND the customers get something out of it. Just look at this numbers: the success rate of selling to a new customer is 5–20%; while the success rate of selling to existing customers is 60–70%! Here are just a few ideas of loyalty perks you can offer:
Our favorite jewelry designer, Hart Hagarty, promotes a newsletter on her site that offers free perks and early access, building loyalty and a direct marketing channel to increase AOV on future purchases.
As you might be aware, it is a lot easier and more cost-effective to squeeze more out of each sale that you make, rather than chase more sales.
Cross-selling basically means that you offer items that will add value to the customer’s experience of their original purchase. For example: if someone is buying a piece of jewelry from your store, show them a complimentary item, such as a travel case or another piece that could be worn with it.
Upselling means that you encourage your customers to buy a relatively higher-end product than the one they originally chose.
Up- and cross-selling are all about striking the right balance between prioritizing the current sale and working to add value: If you’re too pushy, it can distract your customers. But if you do nothing, you can miss out on a valuable opportunity to increase your income.
At checkout, our pals at Distil Union cross-sell another complementary product to what’s already in the customer's cart. I can smell the AOV rising.
Use the homepage of your website to highlight products that are right above your current AOV, and that are also cost-effective to ship. Take that rising carrier cost! Pro tip: this would be a great place to promote products that strike the ideal balance of low-cost to ship AND highest profit margin. This will help tremendously in reducing shipping costs, which is great for you AND for your customers!
On the home page of Red Clay Hot Sauce, they list and highlight their higher-priced product first, which also happens to be a bundle. Talk about an AOV sandwich!
You can affect your future AOV by continuing to market to your customers post-purchase. Remember: your relationship with customers doesn’t end the second they get their product. Just make sure that your post-purchase communications offer value in a genuine way — don’t just spam with transparent attempts at getting more money. Add a heartfelt “thank you” note to show them how much their business means to you, and/or offer a substantial discount or promotion that is normally not available on your website.
This is just a small sample of things you can do to increase AOV! Get creative, and look for other ways to compensate for the rising costs of shipping, because those rising costs are just a reality of doing business these days. You know what they say: When the going gets tough, the AOV gets rising!
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
On this month’s brand spotlight, we interviewed Tara Pate, founder of Daysie. Daysie makes organic and delicious simple syrup, which makes your coffee better in every way. Read on as Tara talks shop about starting and growing her brand, how she tackled challenges during the pandemic, the secrets to Daysie’s outstanding social media game, and why Daysie gives more than 2% of their profits away (it makes sense, trust us!).
The interview below has been lightly edited for clarity.
TARA: I’ve always been fascinated with entrepreneurship and brand building — I listen to just about any podcast on the subject and read tons of books. During the pandemic, I was furloughed from my job, so I had time to think (really think) for the first time in my adult life, while simultaneously building my at-home coffee bar, since my favorite local coffee spots had temporarily closed.
My background and interests led me to realize that there was a void, because I couldn’t find a simple syrup with ingredients I found desirable. Disappointingly, the taste and aesthetic of the available options were similarly lackluster. After copious amounts of research on the subject I wrote a business plan, and decided to try to do it myself. This condensed version makes it sound relatively “easy”, but I can assure you it was not… in the slightest!
TARA: One of the hardest challenges was making contacts/relationships virtually. In normal times, I probably would have shaken a lot more hands, and had a lot more coffees. Doing everything virtually made it easier in some ways, but difficult in others — for example, when it came time to bottle Daysie, I thought I’d be able to be on the floor watching, helping etc. Instead, due to Covid regulations, I sat in a room and waited.
Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the supply chain. I was really focused on sourcing recyclable glass vs. plastic, and wanted a shape that wasn’t as common here in the US, so that the product could stand out. I’m incredibly happy with the decision I made BUT it has been 100x harder to secure the glass with the current supply chain issues. At one point I had to start Googling things in Italian…
TARA: Positano, Italy. Daysie is inspired by travel, rooted in the south. That line is totally accurate, not just marketing lingo. When my husband and I traveled to Positano, we had an affogato that changed our lives — enough to inspire the Madagascar vanilla flavor of Daysie’s vanilla. I wanted to capture that exact feeling I had there — I hope it does!
TARA: Women receive only 2% of all the money invested by venture capital — crazy, right? Daysie’s ‘giveback’ was integral in its founding, and it’s not just a ploy to get you to buy our product — it’s a promise that we’re going to help change that percentage by putting our money where our mouth is. Daysie was incorporated as a Public Benefit Company, which is an integral first step to becoming a certified B Corporation — our long term goal.
We’ve even written our first check without turning a profit, because this mission means so much to us.
That 2.1% is our call to move the needle forward.
TARA: There are so many different routes a business can take, and in my case it was my goal to become as efficient and scalable as fast as possible.
When I ran the numbers, the choice to use a 3PL allowed me the freedom to focus my efforts (hello solo-founder life) on the pieces of the pie that couldn’t be as easily automated, i.e. social media, brand building, PR, bottling, sourcing, etc.
Working with a 3PL from the get-go was a total game-changer for me and for the business. As I look to grow Daysie into an omni-channel business, I know for a fact that Nice Commerce will be absolutely instrumental in helping me achieve these results!
TARA: Wow– that’s incredibly kind of you to say. Seriously, I am taking a mental pause to let that soak in a little, thank you.
Branding/marketing is what energizes me. I spent a lot of my time working for others, so Daysie is my chance to do things exactly as I’d like them done (and to kickstart the brand, I hired a wildly creative agency called Pulp & Wire). And then I outsource the things that bog me down (accounting and legal, for example).
Batch-work is also key: I self-produced the first shoot for Daysie — I hired talent from IG, bought props, outlined recipes, timing, inspo photos etc. All of this was in an effort to get 4–5 months worth of content in one shoot. I have a fantastic photographer (Andrew Cebulka) that I trust, and he deserves ALL of the credit for bringing my vision to life. This set me up for success, because I am not in constant search for content…though new pieces come in here and there with collaborations, contests, Tiktok etc.
Pro-tip: I load all of the content into a planning tool (Planoly) so that I can set up auto-posts every week (I do this on Sundays.) I also timeblock my calendar with tasks, to keep track of everything. I’m on social media at 7:30am, 12pm, and 9pm for 20–30 minutes depending on the day — and then I really leave it.
Additionally, I work with an incredibly talented freelancer for my Tiktoks. Faith and I chat on Saturdays to brainstorm ideas/trends for the following week, but really she’s the expert on that channel.
Don’t be fooled — I am incredibly bad at creating regularly engaging story content, and I have no real email funnel yet. You can also see that I work early a.m. late p.m. and weekends. Balance isn’t a priority for me right now — I hope that comes one day, but right now I LOVE what I do, so “work” is fun and I don’t mind the imbalance it’s taking to build Daysie.
TARA: Island fever calls for Coconut Almond —give me a coconut milk marg any day.
TARA: Things are going to cost 10X more than you thought and take 10X longer than you think.
No one will care about your business like you do, and you will be met with a lot of “no’s.” Your role will be to figure out how to ask why and how along the way — in this case “no” does not always mean “no”, so keep pushing.
If I had listened to the first “no” I got when asking about how to get certified organic, Daysie wouldn’t exist.
TARA: I feel like I’m just getting started!
I am excited to focus on building an omni-channel business, and trying to find some strategic retail partners.
I’m also really excited to get out and meet customers through a summer cold-brew coffee cart activation I’m doing around Charleston. Catch us at the 2nd Sunday on King in June at Candlefish!
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
There are all kinds of influencers out there, so it should be easy to find some that suite your needs!
Most of us are familiar with influencers. But for those of you living under an influence-free rock: Influencers are people with a very large social media presence, who are very active online, and whom you can hire to promote a product or service.
Think of them as word-of-mouth on steroids.
We interviewed Meredith Pratt, Nice Brands’ Social Media and Partnerships Manager, to give us a peek into the world of influencer management. This girl knows her stuff, having worked with influencers for 5+ years and currently managing influencer programs for six eCommerce brands. We owe all that we know to her!
Meredith shared with us her top 5 tips for partnering with influencers. Regardless of whether your business is new to the influencer game or you already have an influencer program, read on to find the keys to getting the most out of your partnership!
If you influence, they will follow.
Poll conducted among online businesses by mediakix
First of all, make sure you know what your budget will be, and make it clear to your influencers. I know it seems obvious, bur it’s surprising how many brands out there don’t have a clear budget set aside when they start working with influencers. Now, despite what you may have heard, some influencers are perfectly fine being paid with free products…BUT you should know that this is only true of influencers with smaller reach. You shouldn’t approach a major influencer with millions of followers and expect to pay them with soap.
Either way, most influencers already know what their rates are, so communicate openly with them right from the beginning — this will avoid any possible confusion down the line. Here is what Meredith had to say about this:
“I typically set a budget for each quarter, and then determine how I want to split that up: multiple campaigns, or one extensive campaign”
Next, you want to have a dedicated staff person to take good care of your influencer partners. If at any point during the partnership there is any sort of friction in their interactions with your brand, then you are at high risk of losing them. Talk to a member of your staff, and assign them as the official contact point of your influencer partners. This way, they will always be able to easily reach someone, and the partnership will be smooth.
The numbers speaks for themselves... so I don't even know why I wrote this caption.
There are two very different types of influencer programs. On the one hand, there is the standard content creation, which is where you pay cash to an influencer and they agree on doing something very structured, like a video on YouTube or a reel on TikTok. On the other hand, we have what are known as “affiliates” or brand ambassadors, who are typically paid with free products and a commission on conversions that happen through their link or discount codes. With affiliates, you can provide a brand guide and some information about the product, but you don’t give them a ton of direction — it is up to them to choose what they say and how to use and promote the product. Here is Meredith’s advice:
“Focus on getting your products into the hands and homes of creators, and building an organic connection. Then scale from there."
If you don’t know how to start, and/or you have a small budget, then your first move should be an affiliate program, as a way to test the waters. As Meredith told us:
“Affiliates are the gateway into influencer marketing.”
Start at the bottom... then, EVENTUALLY, you can call Drake.
Begin with smaller creators/influencers (NOTE: we use these terms interchangeably on this blog). This way, you can A/B test different audiences and networks, to see what performs well.
Then, once you have tried a few different approaches, use the insights gained from those metrics to adjust the growth and spread of your influencer program. This is a very low-risk way of testing different demographics and audiences.
No one likes a hoverer
One thing about Influencers: They really, really do not like to be micro-managed. The content that you are paying for should be authentic, and in order to be authentic, the creators need to feel like it is coming from them, and they are not just taking dictation. You should certainly give creators resources so they can get familiar with your brand and your product, but don’t give them a specific script, and allow them to retain creative control. Meredith summed it up succinctly:
“For the content to convert and get the best results, it must be authentic to the creator.”
Besides, as we all know, if something looks like an ad, it will likely just be ignored. Your influencers know what they are doing — trust them! Here is Meredith again:
“You want the content you are paying for to be authentic to the creator, and fit into what they are already producing. If the content looks scripted, it won’t perform well.”
Instagram and Youtube tend to be the largest draws.
“Leverage the content you get from creators (with rights, of course) across as many platforms as possible.”
Meredith shared an important tip: You can and should re-use creator content in your owned media as much possible: social feeds, email newsletters, ads, website, product page, etc. This helps keep you from reinventing the wheel when you already have great, authentic content to share. Just be sure to have the rights to do so spelled out in contracts or in theT&C’s of your influencer program.
Customers absolutely love recognizing creators when they see them on brand accounts, and this way you will get more bang for your buck.
That’s it! Now go find some influencers and get ready to take over the internet!
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Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!
Don’t you just love it when you get a gift? There are many, many reasons to enjoy a good gift, for example:
When it comes to eCommerce, all 3 reasons still apply when a customer buys a gift for someone else.
However, as you probably know, a LOT of the products from online sales are purchased by the buyer, for the buyer. And when that happens, reasons A and B kind of go out the window — but that doesn’t mean you won’t love it when you buy something for yourself.
You, and your customers, deserve it.
And that is mostly because of reason C: feeling like a happy kid. When we buy something for ourselves, we not only feel good because we have acquired something (though, of course, that is certainly part of it). The main reason for that “happy kid” feeling is due to the delightful experience of opening our purchase. Over the last few years, this has become a phenomenon known as “Unboxing”, and that is precisely what this article is all about.
The "Unbox Thearpy" Channel on YouTube has over 18 million subscribers... and their thumbnail game is on point
In short, Yes. There are entire channels on YouTube dedicated to unboxing stuff. And while some of them add a review of the product, the majority of unboxing channels are simply there to show how it feels to unbox something, and they have millions and millions of views.
You read that right — there are millions of people who go on YouTube specifically to watch someone ELSE open a product they bought…a product that the viewer does not own, and maybe will never own. Don’t believe us? take a look at this consumer insight. In short: the viewers are just there to experience the ride. That is how huge unboxing has become.
Eat Behave unboxing experience will leave customers chuckling.
At first, the unboxing craze was mostly for tech products, with Apple being one of the most commonly used brands for unboxing videos. But unboxing quickly expanded its horizons, and now there are popular unboxing videos for almost any item you can think of: cosmetics, sneakers, perfumes, clothes, etc.
Will Smi...err, BATMAN has a point here.
"OK, so unboxing is a big deal... but why should I invest precious resources on something that happens AFTER I've already made the sale?"
Though Robin is right about the timing of the unboxing experience, his conclusion is utterly and absolutely wrong. Sadly, the kind of narrow, short-sighted thinking that got Robin slapped is actually quite common in business in general, and eCommerce in particular.
Why is it narrow and short-sighted? Well, for starters, providing a top-notch unboxing experience will drastically increase the chance that your business gets a recommendation AND/OR repeat sales. It is also a wonderful marketing tool and will enhance brand loyalty. Additionally, Robin is ignoring all the benefits that your customers will get from a great unboxing experience:
To sum it all up: we highly recommend that you give all your customers an outstanding unboxing experience. And what’s more: if possible, show customers on your product pages exactly what they will be getting, including an unboxing video or GIF, to get their imaginations going.
Don't be THAT guy.
"But if I show customers everything on the product pages, included the unboxing process, won't that completely ruin it?"
You are very lucky that my editor has recently imposed on me a strict “one slap per blog post” rule because otherwise, I would be winding up right now.
The answer is simple: nope. Showing the unboxing to your customers does not take away anything from the experience… it will ENHANCE it. Because that is how hype works (if you need a refresher on hype, look for Gandhi in this previous blog post). Besides, this will open an opportunity for you to throw in one final surprise with your packaging — a surprise your customers will never expect because they will think that they have already seen everything. And giving them that sneaky surprise, my friends, is even better than winning an Oscar after slapping the shit out of a presenter.
Well, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It will depend, among other things, on your brand voice, and what your products are. But a great place to start is with your fulfillment partner to determine if they can accomodate specialty packaging and high-touch services. Don't think you're current 3PL is up to the task? We at Nice would be happy to chat!
Need a TL;DR version? Subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Need a fulfillment partner for your e-commerce business? Reach out to Nice Commerce!