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Running an ecommerce business is a great step forward for any small business owner. However, be mindful to make use of the right tools so that it gives you the best advantage. Read on more to find out what these tools are and how you can start leveraging them, to maximize your results online while ensuring the best overall shopping experience for your customers. 

Ecommerce tools your business needs to make use of 

Digital payment processing systems 

With the help of many third party payment providers, it is now possible to make online transactions hassle free and simple to manage. Examples are Stripe and PayPal, which are heavily used on almost every e-commerce site. Nearly all e-commerce platforms are now able to integrate these payment solutions into their website - Are you making use of this feature to provide the best experience for your customers?

Email marketing platforms

Email marketing is the perfect tool to use if you are keen on letting new and existing customers learn more about your products. With powerful use of targeting, segmentation and design, email marketing is a wonderful way to spread word about your brand. An example of this is MailChimp and hubspot, whereby you are able to grow your email list, and also carry out carefully planned marketing campaigns. Like any other email marketing software, they hold the ability to automate many of your tasks, improving operational efficiency and has personalisation features to increase conversion rate . 

Advanced analytics and tracking 

Your job does not just end when your e-commerce site is up and running - It’s always a work in progress. You need to make it a point to track and analyze all relevant information for your company, like sales. Certain tools like Google analytics are perfect as they fetch insights, explain trends, changes and opportunities that may impact your business. 

Shipping service integrations

Any e-commerce business is required to have a strong understanding of their logistics operations, and how they function. Shipping service integrations like DHL, Lalamove, FedEx are just some of the many options your business can leverage. 

Social media management solutions 

With Instagram (Instagram shopping) and Facebook (Facebook shops) leading the way in social commerce functionalities, there are other sites like Pinterest, TikTok and even Snapchat, which are expanding their offerings. Tik Tok even has shoppable posts, livestream shopping capabilities, and many more now. Social commerce is especially necessary for your business, as there are huge numbers of potential customers on social media, and it gives you an enhanced social media presence and greater brand awareness. You would be able to reach your target audience, and provide a better shopping experience with convenient, frictionless purchasing. These features also allow people to link back to your website, generating you the traffic you need.

Which tools do you really need?

From email marketing to seamless digital transactions, we’ve talked about the most useful tools every e-commerce business needs. If you’re new to the space, it can feel a little overwhelming and you don’t know where to start. 

Which platform would be the best for your business? How do you integrate those tools effectively? And on a more practical level, how much should you pay for those tools? 

We believe that the simplest solutions tend to be the best. 

We spoke to e-commerce platform experts cococart to find out more.

Cococart is an e-commerce platform designed to meet the needs of every online small business. It strips down the complexities of building an online store and focuses on what matters to small businesses.

With Cococart, you can take orders seamlessly and create your own website in minutes. No coding and no app installation is required. On top of that, it also lets you connect with your customers through direct email marketing, and features analytical tools to help you reach your audience.

Here’s what makes Cococart special

Automate orders from social media

Taking orders on social media through DMs and WhatsApp can get a little messy. After all, these messaging tools were never designed to make sales or take orders online. Having a simple order-taking system through your very own website can streamline processes for you.

Cococart’s clean, simple layout is designed to let you sell seamlessly online. With Cococart, you can list your products on your very own online store and collect the essential information you’ll need to fulfill an order. Running your online business becomes a whole lot easier when you don’t need to store order requests in an excel sheet, or constantly check DMs to make sure you’re not missing out on inquiries.

Simple to set up, impossible to mess up

Setting up your Cococart store takes just a few minutes. All you’ll need are some product photos and product descriptions. There’s no need to get your hands dirty with coding, or even drag and drop layout blocks. Cococart lets you get your website up in no time, and focus on running your business. 

Accept all kinds of payments

Having a seamless digital payment service is vital for any e-commerce business. The great thing about Cococart is that it’s compatible with a range of online payment services. Customers can make payments through Visa, Master, Stripe, Paypal, Alipay, and more. 

Specifically made for local businesses

Cococart’s simplicity makes it easy for anyone to sell online. You don’t need to be a large corporation with a big marketing budget. You don’t need a team of web developers or designers to create a website online. Selling online with Cococart is simple and perfect for local businesses looking to build a gorgeous website without getting caught up in complex processes.

Steps to start a business with Cococart

Step 1: Give your shop a name

Step 2: Add your products, delivery and payment methods

Step 3: Share your URL on your social media and start receiving orders

Common misconceptions about business tools 

It’s too complicated

Using business tools doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, the right tools can make running your online business more streamlined and less of a hassle. Leveraging on e-commerce tools frees up your time because you’ll have a system in place to collect essential information and take orders easily. 

It’s not necessary

What’s more, having your own website online can help you build your brand image and stand out from the rest. With more and more online businesses popping up, the e-commerce space is becoming increasingly competitive. Having a seamless order-taking process not only simplifies your processes but also gives your business a more professional front.

It’s expensive

Business tools don’t need to cost a hefty sum. Cococart’s pay-as-you-grow model ensures that its services are always affordable to small businesses at every level. Start out with its forever-free plan, or premium plans that start at just $5/ month.

Cococart’s clean, simple layout is designed to let you sell seamlessly online. With Cococart, you can list your products on your very own online store and collect the essential information you’ll need to fulfill an order. Running your online business becomes a whole lot easier when you don’t need to store order requests in an excel sheet, or constantly check DMs to make sure you’re not missing out on inquiries. 

Choose the best tools for your business today

Cococart isn’t just a platform that helps small businesses take orders. Its marketing and email tools allow you to connect with customers and reach your audience. Having multiple tools to run your online business is tough. So why not choose a single platform that has all the essential features you need? 

If you’re thinking of starting your online business, try creating your very own website on Cococart. Start taking orders and connecting with your customers more seamlessly. It only takes a few minutes. If you’re unsure on where and how to source, visit Trustana’s platform. As the official authorized distributor of top-selling brands, rest assured you'll receive authentic products and consistent supplies.