E-commerce: 5 Advantages to Connect Your Online Store to an ERP

The proof is in the pudding. E-commerce offers an array of advantages for retailers and consumers alike. If managing a transactional website is not an easy task, connecting your well-established online store to an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is a successful strategy to lighten your workload and maximize your business performance. How can you get it all started? Follow the guide below!

First of All, What Is an ERP?

An ERP is a comprehensive software platform used to help a business operate more effectively by automating its processes. It can take customer orders, manage financial records, update inventory after each sale, and even anticipate labor needs based on the level of orders received. Impressive, right? Yet, that's not all.

When an ERP system (Sage, for example) is integrated with e-commerce, manual data entry from one system to another, is no longer part of the equation, nor is the risk of errors that can negatively impact the user experience. This saves you time and money and makes you more efficient while optimizing your performance as a company. It's a win-win situation.

5 Advantages of Connecting an ERP to Your Online Store

The high costs or service interruptions involved in modifying existing systems are issues that can discourage many entrepreneurs from attempting to integrate their transactional platform with an ERP.

However, when you see the positive impact it has on operations, as well as on the customer experience, it is all well worth it.

Here are five (of many) concrete benefits of combining e-commerce with an ERP.

A savings of time and money. That is the main benefit. By connecting all aspects of your business into a single management system, your processes suddenly become faster and more efficient, allowing you to focus on activities that are more profitable for you.

A reduction of operating costs. When you combine your e-commerce platform with an ERP solution, you can automate several manual processes, reducing the risk of human error. Customer orders can be transferred directly from your e-commerce platform to your ERP and you can minimize unnecessary costs by having access to real-time inventory management information.

Better control and more data. With proper integration, you can generate financial reports on demand, get insight into which products are working well and which ones need improvement, allowing you to immediately adjust your strategy. With instant synchronization and the ability to access information from any device, you can make decisions quickly, based on tangible data.

An enhanced customer experience. With ERP software, consumers can follow every step of the sales process. They receive updates and have access to their order information. With current product and shipping information, you reduce potential frustration and help build a lasting relationship with your customers.

Increased trust and credibility. The reliability and trustworthiness of a company is critical to building customer loyalty. When consumers are promised one thing and receive another, your reputation suffers, whereas if they have a holistic view of the buying process and receive accurate information, they will be much more likely to come back and buy from you. Not to mention, the more autonomous your customer base is, the more time your teams have to explore new growth opportunities.

The benefits of integrating an ERP system with e-commerce is extremely valuable and can be the difference between a successful online store or the contrary. If you are thinking about getting started, go for it! Just make sure you surround yourself with quality industry experts who will be able to assist you with your specific business needs.