UniteU Ecommerce Solutions Featured in Chain Store Age

Mastering Multichannel Retailing

Tips on choosing the best e-retail solution

"We've observed for several years that our merchants who sell through multiple channels, including e-retail, get a bigger share of the customers' wallet," says Rebecca Ramme of UniteU Connected Commerce. "It's very rewarding now to see that the entire retail industry is recognizing this trend."

Retailers who ignore the on-line sales channel do so at their own risk. UniteU Connected Commerce, which has been providing retailers with effective e-commerce solutions since 1999, offers several tips on qualities to look for when shopping around for an e-retail partner:

• Big bang for the buck: Of course price is always a factor, but that doesn't mean smaller retailers should settle for a less robust e-retail solution than those used by the on-line elite.
• A complete, turnkey solution: The best kind of on line solution is one that covers all the bases but still allows the retailer to call the shots.
• Access to the back end: Retailers should be able to directly control all site content.
• Rich design capabilities: Unattractive, boring Web stores fall flat with consumers. Look for the tools you need to make your site sizzle.
• Solid expertise: The best e-commerce partner can offer the guidance of an experienced, expert on-line sales and marketing team.
• Integration with leading POS and accounting systems: E-retail needs to be tied in with a merchant's other sales channels. Any effective e-retail solution should provide for that.

It's clear that mastering multichannel retailing depends on selecting the right e-commerce solution provider - one with a proven track record, solid technology and a commitment to your long-term success, not simply e-commerce software that gets outdated and is expensive to maintain.