Updated · Originally published
Through a perfect storm of technology and security able to handle sophisticated eCommerce transactions and a pandemic that has millions shopping from the safety and comfort of their homes, the future of eCommerce has arrived.
Online shopping has been around for a while. It started out slowly back around the time Amazon was selling only books. Today, the global online shopping market has reached $4 trillion annually. eCommerce has become the way to shop, and predictions say it will only increase in popularity. Eventually, online shopping will replace in-store retail for many products. If you own a business, there are good reasons for you to consider incorporating eCommerce into your sales strategy.
And eCommerce is not limited to retailers. Manufacturers, distributors, and everyone else is getting on the e-commerce train.
Here's how to get started in eCommerce
Let’s talk about why you should begin selling online, why you should sell through Amazon, and how ArcherPoint can help.
First of all, don’t dismiss the idea because of logistics or cost. Amazon has worked hard to take on the logistics of eCommerce. They want to bring on more sellers offering more products, so they make it easy for sellers to join. Read the following two articles:
If you’re ready to explore how to sell through Amazon, ArcherPoint can help. If you use a Microsoft Dynamics ERP solution such as Dynamics NAV or Dynamics 365 Business Central, our team at ArcherPoint can get you up and running quickly.
At a glace, here are the two options Amazon offers to sellers. Fulfillment by Amazon and Fulfillment by Merchant:
| Feature | FBA | FBM |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Prime eligibility |  |
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| Amazon fulfills and ships | |
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| Highest potential margins | |
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| Most access to inventory | |
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| Free and easy returns | |
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| Fewer Amazon fees | |
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Amazon is more efficient and has a further reach than most businesses can hope to achieve on their own. You will quickly recoup any fees paid to Amazon as you see your sales increase.
The Amazon Marketplace Web Service
will walk you through the process. But you also need to integrate your eCommerce with your back office, and that can be complicated. ArcherPoint can help.
We recommend integrating your accounting, inventory, and operations applications (ERP, etc.), so you can optimize and manage your eCommerce as an integrated component of your business.
You’ll also need to get your company’s product information, pricing, available inventory, order processing, and more flowing seamlessly between your ERP and Amazon’s Marketplace.
Our team at ArcherPoint has a thorough understanding of the inner workings of Amazon’s APIs. And we implement an application that integrates Amazon MWS with Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Channel Sales Manager (CSM).
Channel Sales Manager
is a fully integrated eCommerce management tool that connects your sales platform — Amazon (as well as Magento, Shopify, Miva, and a growing list of others) — with Microsoft Dynamics NAV or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Built on the latest Microsoft technologies, CSM enables you to manage and grow your eCommerce business effectively and efficiently, with a complete view of all your orders, listings, inventory, and payments all in a single place.
Automatically retrieve, create, and post sales orders and generate tracking information. Faster processing with fewer errors results in satisfied and loyal customers.
Get the Support You Need from ArcherPoint
If you are not yet selling online, you are missing a potentially huge revenue channel. Amazon is the eCommerce logistics leader, so it makes sense to work with them. If you use Microsoft Dynamics NAV or Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC, ArcherPoint can help you integrate an eCommerce system with ArcherPoint Channel Sales Manager.
To learn more, download our latest eBook, .
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