[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.29)” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” featured_placement=”background” text_background=”on” text_bg_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_font=”|700||on|||||” title_text_color=”#ffffff” title_font_size=”30px” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.23)” background_enable_image=”off” background_blend=”color” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”15%||15%” z_index_tablet=”0″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” meta_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” meta_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” meta_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_style=”preset2″ parallax_effect=”on” module_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|0px|18.95px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Originally published: June 4, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n Updated: March 30, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s almost unbelievable in this day and age, but statistics show that about one-third of small businesses still didn\u2019t have a website in 2020. Of that group, roughly 40% of those merchants said they didn\u2019t need an e-commerce business website and 35% of them thought their operation was too small to warrant one. The pandemic\u202fshowed that no business is too small\u202fto take advantage of retail technology that will help sales.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When\u202fmerchants\u202fwere\u202fforced to close\u202ftheir brick-and-mortar stores, those with e-commerce websites were able to\u202fkeep the cash registers ringing\u202fby selling online.\u202fGlobally, according to a\u202f<\/span>report from the Alignable Research Center,\u202f<\/span><\/a>more than 97% of the 2.4 million merchants that closed for good last year were small, independent businesses \u2013 retailers, restaurants and hospitality operations with fewer than five locations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Apparently, the message that websites are now a requisite way to do business was delivered. Nearly one-third of stores that didn\u2019t have an e-commerce website made plans to build one in 2021.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Independent merchants\u202fcited\u202fseveral reasons for not investing in a website. Cost (26%), irrelevance to business operations (27%), and social media (21%)\u202fwere the\u202fmain reasons.\u202fThose arguments, however, no longer apply.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”If You\u2019re Not Online” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Statistics don\u2019t lie. Numbers show that Americans spent roughly $183 billion more online from the start of the pandemic \u2013 March 2020 \u2013 through the end of the year than they did during the same period 12 months earlier. That boost pushed total e-commerce spending to $844 billion for the year. Need more? The\u202f<\/span>National Retail Federation<\/span><\/a>\u202f(NRF) expects online sales to grow between 18% and 23% this year and top\u202f$1 trillion.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s a lot of sales to be missing out on. And stores without e-commerce websites aren\u2019t just missing out on online sales, they\u2019re missing out on shoppers. Approximately 80% of consumers research small businesses online before making in-store purchases and about\u202f<\/span>half\u202fof them\u202fvisit a business within a day<\/span><\/a>\u202fof doing those local web searches.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The pandemic also opened consumers up to trying new retailers and new ways of buying.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”56% of consumers have tried a new retailer during the pandemic. (Navar) ” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#cc6633″ icon_placement=”left” admin_label=”Blurb – 56% of consumers” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_delay=”750ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”E-commerce sales are forecasted to have increased 32.4% in 2020 with brick-and-mortar forecasted to fall 3.2%. (eMarketer) ” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#cc6633″ icon_placement=”left” admin_label=”Blurb – E-commerce sales” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_delay=”750ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text admin_label=”Those numbers” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]Those numbers could possibly mean your loyal shoppers are\u00a0<\/span><\/span>now\u00a0<\/span><\/span>looking elsewhere<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u2013 stores that offer e-commerce options \u2013 for\u00a0<\/span><\/span>their goods and services.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Mobility Matters” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n When building an e-commerce website, it\u2019s crucial today to build one that\u2019s mobile-friendly. Last year, half of global e-commerce came from mobile devices. And because the world is still recuperating, that number is expected to reach 73% this year.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Reaching mobile searchers is incredibly important to small independent businesses, too, because those searchers are likely driving right past their stores. Google searches including the term \u201cnear me\u201d increased 250% between 2017 and 2019. More than 60% of those Google searches come from mobile devices.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some more reasons to make sure your site is mobile-friendly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”U.S. consumers spent an average of 25 more minutes on mobile devices in 2020 than in 2019. ” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#cc6633″ icon_placement=”left” admin_label=”Blurb – U.S. consumers” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_delay=”750ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”63% of global marketing revenue is attributed to mobile advertising. ” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#cc6633″ icon_placement=”left” admin_label=”Blurb – 63% of global” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_delay=”750ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”50% of global e-commerce revenue is from mobile. ” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#cc6633″ icon_placement=”left” admin_label=”Blurb – 50% of global” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_duration=”750ms” animation_delay=”1000ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”40% of users will not use a website that isn\u2019t mobile-friendly. ” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#cc6633″ icon_placement=”left” admin_label=”Blurb – 40% of users” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_duration=”750ms” animation_delay=”1000ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”16% of U.S. internet users only use their phones. ” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#cc6633″ icon_placement=”left” admin_label=”Blurb – 16% of U.S.” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_duration=”750ms” animation_delay=”1000ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”2% of all internet traffic is mobile. ” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#cc6633″ icon_placement=”left” admin_label=”Blurb – 2% of all internet” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_duration=”750ms” animation_delay=”1000ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text admin_label=”Website Effectiveness” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Having an effective business website isn\u2019t just about building something that\u2019s pretty and functional. Brick-and-mortar stores need to back up that site with effective and desirable in-store programs. Buy online, pickup in-store (BOPIS), or curbside pickup will encourage more people to shop your website and visit your store.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe buy online, pick up in-store business model enables e-commerce businesses and retailers to offer a seamless online shopping experience,\u201d writes marketing guru Neil Patel. \u201cAt the same time, customers may be encouraged to drop by the physical store to make additional purchases or check out products of interest.\u201d\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some statistics that prove this model is becoming increasingly popular:\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”68% of U.S. consumers have tried BOPIS. ” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#cc6633″ icon_placement=”left” admin_label=”Blurb – 68% of U.S” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_delay=”750ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”50% of consumers have chosen retailers because the store offered in-store pickup. ” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#cc6633″ icon_placement=”left” admin_label=”Blurb – 50% of consumers” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_delay=”750ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text admin_label=”A recent Adobe” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A recent Adobe survey shows that 30% of online consumers would rather shop using buy online, pick up in-store, or curbside pickup over local delivery. That wasn\u2019t just a holiday shopping trend, either. Use of BOPIS dropped following the 2020 holiday shopping period, but it remained 67% higher in February 2021 than the previous year.\u202f\u202f<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Linking it” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Programs like BOPIS, curbside pickup, and online sales encourage merchants to align their online and in-store inventory management. But there\u2019s nothing worse than spotting something online and going to the store only to find out it\u2019s not in stock.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When it\u2019s done right, a business website and online store can even allow customers to confirm whether an item is in stock before journeying to the store. Customers can also be notified when an item is ready for pickup. This means they\u2019re 100 percent guaranteed to receive their complete order when they arrive at the store unless stated otherwise. That also guarantees a happy customer and future sales.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou want to connect with your customers in line and online, so it\u2019s extremely important to offer many ways to buy products,\u201d says Charles Owen, Chief Experience Officer at <\/span>Paladin Data Corporation<\/span><\/a>. \u201cYou can connect with your customers better and more often. You cannot only reach new customers, you can connect with your existing customers with sales and offers. It also lets you sell while your store is closed. It\u2019s 24\/7 availability.\u201d\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Paladin, through its many integration partners, is helping make e-commerce easy for its retail clients. The company has worked with e-commerce providers MOCE, Ignitiv, Spec98, Ez-Ad and New Media Retailer to provide its hardware stores an <\/span>easy way to synchronize online and in-store sales data and inventory<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This lets merchants stay on top of their stock on hand and keep their customers smiling.\u202f<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Getting Connected ” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Building an e-commerce website and making it functional is a great start, but merchants also need to make sure their stores are visible on the worldwide web. Statistics show that 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine. As of February 2021, it\u2019s no surprise that Google is the big dog in the business with better than <\/span>86% of that market<\/span><\/a>. Bing (6.7%) and Yahoo (2.7%) round out the market.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So, the best way to optimize an e-commerce website is to <\/span>get friendly with Google<\/span><\/a>. Utilizing Google My Business\u2019s free listings can help point shoppers to a store. This service makes your business appear in local Google searches and Google Maps, which is crucial in today\u2019s mobile business world.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pointy by Google<\/span><\/a> is another way to post products online and show them what your store carries.\u202fIt\u2019s technically not an e-commerce website, but it gets your products out to a digital audience.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Buck Electric Ace Hardware in Ocean Shores, Washington boosted its in-store sales by utilizing Pointy by Google. The store partnered with its technology provider, Paladin Data Corporation, to utilize Pointy to put its products online and reach its local customers.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt is very cool! Particularly for us because we live and work in a remote area, it seems like everybody today just clicks on Amazon.com to shop and there are a lot of items we have that are the same price. This gives us the chance to get that sale first,\u201d explains Jody Cadle, the business\u2019s bookkeeper and de facto marketing guru.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Lesson Learned? ” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n While the pandemic was a global wake-up call for merchants to have an e-commerce website with integrated in-store and online capabilities, it\u2019s not the only reason. <\/span>Online sales had been steadily increasing for years<\/span><\/a> before the explosion in 2020. In 2010, it accounted for 6.4% of all U.S. retail sales. That climbed by about 1% a year until 2019. When the pandemic hit and brick-and-mortar stores closed, e-commerce jumped year 6% reaching 21.3% of all sales.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIf You\u2019re Not Online, You\u2019re Missing Out<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Mobility Matters<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u200b <\/span><\/h2>\n
Website Effectiveness\u00a0<\/span><\/span>not<\/span><\/span>\u00a0all Digital<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Linking it All Together<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u200b <\/span><\/h2>\n
Getting Connected<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Lesson Learned?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n