Having questions about implementing a sales platform into the business operation is not unusual, especially among small business owners. The decision is usually connected to a friend’s recommendation, a salesperson approach or even because the current sales control employed by the company is not suitable anymore.
According to the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES), in 2018 alone Brazilian businesses invested around R$40 bi in managing systems (of different kinds), proving it to be a relevant part of their daily operations. There are several points to be considered when choosing a sales platform to implement, which requires research and attention.
Throughout the process, the biggest mistake you can make is investing your time and money into a system that is overly complex for the current state of your business. The key here is to know your budget, which functionalities are crucial for your operation and the chosen system’s usability.
With that in mind, we have prepared this post as a guide to assist you in the process of selecting a sales platform for your store. Find out what criteria you should use and find the perfect fit for your business!
What to notice when selecting a sales platform for your store
Budget
There are a myriad of systems available in the market. From reputable companies charging $20 a month to large corporations that can build personalized projects that cost millions of dollars. Knowing and understanding your budget is a great way to find the best alternative for you.
The important thing here is to know where the money is coming from. Frequently, to take on a new supplier or service, you might need to give up on another project or investment. That might involve buying less merchandise, freezing hires for a period of time or getting a smaller profit share at the end of the month, for example.
For those who have never worked with a sales platform, the best way to go is to start with a free system and then migrate to a paid version only if you feel you are missing some specific functionalities. This is a great strategy because it will give you the opportunity to see how your operation adapts to the system without costing you any more money.
Must-have features
The first advantageous change a sales system creates is that it provides the possibility to register all products and services offered by your company, as well as each sale that is made. With that information alone it is possible to have a great overview of the inventory and sales process, in general.
In the real world, you grow your store and sales by investing less in merchandise that does not perform well, and more in the sought after items. The good news here is that basically all sales platforms offer this insight, including the free ones.
What increases the price of a system are the extra features. Among them are generating receipts, managing payroll, inputting new users and salespeople, and the ability to integrate information from other softwares. A lot of these are not essential for small businesses’ daily operation, especially if it is a one-person shop.
Usability
Without question, this is the most important topic to consider. What can be more frustrating than choosing a platform and facing so many challenges operating it that it makes you want to give it up? That can happen, for instance, if you have a system that performs well on desktop, but not on mobile.
This is extremely relevant considering many establishments do not have a desktop platform - or when one is available, it is an older, outdated model. So most do all their work on mobile. That grants them mobility and speed when serving customers and suppliers.
Many software companies state they offer a mobile version of their sales platform, but it might be an adapted one from the desktop original product. That causes stress and may affect sales performance. So for small businesses, the number one concern should be to use a platform that was specifically designed for mobile.
Another frustrating experience is the overflow of screens, graphs and filters that are not at all useful for your business operation. That may seem like a small detail, but on the everyday run of things, it creates confusion and it slows down the process of retrieving data.
Remember: less is more. Look for simple and intuitive solutions, especially when you are just beginning to take your business digital.
Now you know what to look for in a sales system
So when you are a one-person operation or a small team, it is recommended to start with a free sales platform. Also look for a solution specifically designed for mobile that offers basic and essential features. With that, your store will be more efficient and reach a new level of professionalism.
Get to know olist shops and see why this free sales system is perfect for your business!