What Is CRM? Top 5 Benefits of Using CRM Software

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According to Fortune Business Insight, the projected value of the global Customer Relationship Management (CRM) market for 2023 stands at $71.06 billion, with expectations to surge to around $157.53 billion by 2030, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12%. 

CRM, a software solution, delivers numerous advantages for both sellers and buyers. This tool empowers businesses to forge enduring, meaningful relationships, yielding substantial profits. Meanwhile, customers can enjoy personalized and high-quality experiences.

The following article delves into the detailed definition of CRM, common types of CRM software, core features, and the benefits when businesses use CRM solutions.

1. What is CRM (Customer Relationship Management)?

CRM or Customer Relationship Management is a software solution crafted to help businesses efficiently manage their relationships with both current customers and potential leads.

What is CRM? Top 5 Benefits of Using CRM Software in 2023
What is CRM (Customer Relationship Management)?

The CRM system is designed to carry out specific tasks, including:

  • Gathering customer data from diverse sources and storing it in a centralized database.
  • Automating repetitive processes in sales, marketing, and customer service.
  • Guiding the management of customers and prospects throughout their purchasing journey.
  • Identifying opportunities for up-selling and cross-selling.
  • Improving collaboration efficiency within the internal operations of the business.

By utilizing CRM software, businesses can eliminate the need for using scattered spreadsheets and apps. This helps overcome limitations, offering robust features for performance analysis and gaining insights into customer interactions.

2. Types of CRM Software

What is CRM? Top 5 Benefits of Using CRM Software in 2023
Types of CRM Software

Deployment Classified

  • On-premise CRM: This is typically employed to store essential internal data. Under the On-premise CRM model, businesses take responsibility for securing, maintaining, and updating the system.
  • On-cloud CRM: It enables businesses to access the system remotely from any device with an internet connection. In this case, the CRM service provider takes on the responsibility for ensuring security, maintenance, and system updates.

Related Reading: On-premise CRM vs On-cloud CRM: Key Differences

Function Classified

  • Operational CRM

These CRM systems are crafted to help businesses manage sales, marketing, and customer service activities. The main goal of CRM software is to generate a pool of new potential customers, nurture these leads, convert them into loyal customers, and retain them through effective marketing strategies and top-notch customer service.

  • Analytical CRM

While the Operational CRM system helps businesses enhance customer attraction and retention, the Analytical CRM system allows businesses to understand how potential customers move through the sales funnel. These CRM solutions gather, store, and analyze customer data, delivering detailed insights into customer interactions with the business.

This facilitates businesses in assessing the effectiveness of marketing, sales, and customer care initiatives, allowing them to make necessary adjustments.

  • Collaborative CRM

The main goal of Collaborative CRM software is to improve customer experience and streamline business processes by enabling communication and data sharing among internal departments and external stakeholders (suppliers, partners).

While operational and analytical CRM systems also allow for data sharing, collaborative CRM places a greater emphasis on enhancing the customer experience.

It is especially favored by businesses with extensive customer databases that necessitate tight collaboration between departments (sales, marketing, customer care) to ensure the optimal customer experience.

3. Top 6 Core CRM features

What is CRM? Top 5 Benefits of Using CRM Software in 2023
Top 6 Core CRM Features

Contact Management

The first important feature to mention in CRM software is Contact Management. This feature allows businesses to store information related to customers and potential customers on the platform, ranging from their names, phone numbers, email addresses, and job details to more in-depth data such as interaction history and how each customer interacts with the business.

Lead Management

Lead Management is one of the core CRM features. This feature supports marketing and sales efforts by:

  • Attracting potential customers from various sources.
  • Organizing data related to potential customers.
  • Segmenting potential customers based on criteria.
  • Creating a scoring framework to assess conversion potential.
  • Automating personalized interactions to foster relationships.

Pipeline Management

The Pipeline Management feature provides businesses with a visual overview of potential customers and existing transactions. Deals are separated into different stages of the pipeline. This helps sales representatives understand the status of each potential customer and aids them in deciding which leads to pursue.

Email Management

Utilizing the Email Management feature, businesses can seamlessly integrate their email functionality with CRM software, facilitating the sending and receiving of emails directly within the CRM system interface. 

This streamlined approach saves time, eliminating the need to navigate between various tabs for email communication and ensuring no missed opportunities to engage with potential customers.

Workflow Automation

The next crucial feature in CRM solutions is Workflow Automation, which comprises three fundamental aspects: Marketing Automation, Sales Automation, and Customer Service Automation.

Marketing Automation

The ‘Marketing Automation’ feature helps businesses simplify the marketing process by designing trigger elements for specific actions of customers and potential customers, such as:

  • Sending a welcome email to potential customers when they sign up for an account.
  • Sending a survey email after they have used a product for a certain period (e.g., 90 days).
  • Providing customers with information about related products to what they have purchased or sending discount codes for products left in their shopping carts.

In summary, the automated marketing process in the CRM system utilizes the “if-then” logic to automatically trigger interactive activities after customers or potential leads perform specific actions.

Sales Automation

Similar to ‘Marketing Automation,’ the ‘Sales Automation’ feature also uses trigger elements to help sales representatives automatically provide purposeful interactions with customers at specific points in the sales process.

Additionally, Sales Automation assists sales representatives in scoring and managing potential customers, while automatically generating sales forecast reports, enabling businesses to make informed decisions.

Examples of sales automation process:

  • Invite potential customers to subscribe to the newsletter when they first visit the website.
  • Automatically send a follow-up email if they go silent (for example, 36 hours) after receiving a product quote.
  • Automatically assign potential customers to different sales representatives.

Customer Service Automation 

‘Customer service automation’ in CRM solutions refers to the use of automation technologies to enhance and optimize the customer service experience.

This may include using chatbots for online support, sending automatic notifications and updates to customers, automating the handling of basic customer requests and inquiries, and various other activities to save time and streamline workflows.

Analytics and Reporting

The ‘Analytics & Reporting’ feature in CRM solutions plays a crucial role in analyzing data and generating reports to help businesses gain a deeper understanding of their business performance, customer interactions, and market trends.

This is an important tool that enables businesses to make decisions based on accurate data, improve customer interactions, and optimize business strategies.

4. Top 5 CRM Software Benefits

What is CRM? Top 5 Benefits of Using CRM Software in 2023
Top 5 CRM Software Benefits

Improve Customer Relationship Management

CRM software plays a pivotal role in enabling businesses to gather and store comprehensive information about customers, including interaction history and personal details. This helps understand customers and creates a personalized interaction experience, from providing better services to developing appropriate outreach strategies.

Streamline Business Processes

CRM systems help automate many aspects of the business process, such as sales management, marketing, and customer interaction tracking. This results in increased work efficiency, minimizes errors and enhances the ability to interact effectively with customers.

Enhance Customer Service

CRM platforms provide tools such as automated chatbots and customer support systems, facilitating the swift resolution of customer requests and inquiries. This enhances the customer experience, builds trust, and increases the chances of establishing long-term relationships

Facilitate Informed Decision-Making

The CRM software’s data analysis features contribute to a more profound comprehension of customer behavior, business performance, and emerging market trends. This empowers businesses to make informed decisions and anticipate future developments.

Enhance Internal Collaboration

CRM software facilitates tight collaboration among different departments within a business, working together on the platform. This encourages the exchange of information and internal interactions, ultimately enhancing data consistency, feedback capabilities, and accurate responsiveness to customer needs.

Boost Your Customer Engagement through CRM Solutions!

There’s no doubt that CRM software offers incredible benefits to businesses. From efficiently managing customer relationships to optimizing business processes and providing the best customer experience. CRM is not just a tool but a viable strategy that helps businesses build and maintain relationships with their customers.

Over the years, SECOMM has been accompanying many clients in developing CRM solutions. We have observed that in a competitive business landscape, choosing the appropriate CRM software is as crucial as understanding customers and implementing CRM strategies. 

Contact SECOMM or call the hotline at (+84)28 7108 9908 for a free consultation.

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AI-Driven Omnichannel: The Strategy Shaping the Future of Retail in 2026
AI-Driven Omnichannel: The Strategy Shaping the Future of Retail in 2026

According to research from Omnisend, campaigns that use three or more channels achieve a purchase rate approximately 287% higher than single-channel campaigns. Omnichannel customers also have an average lifetime value around 30% greater than customers who shop through only one channel. In today’s highly competitive landscape, adopting AI in omnichannel retail is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a “must-have”.

This article explores how AI-driven omnichannel strategies are revolutionizing the retail landscape, offering businesses new ways to leverage technology for long-term, sustainable growth

Personalization and Customer Insights 

Personalization and Customer Insights

AI enables retailers to deliver personalized experiences by leveraging customer data from multiple sources. With machine learning (ML) algorithms, businesses can analyze browsing behavior, purchase history, and even social media interactions to build a comprehensive customer profile. This profile is then used to power product recommendations, services, and content tailored to each individual. Key AI applications in personalization and customer intelligence include: 

Personalized Product Recommendations 

AI-driven recommendation engines analyze data across all channels to suggest the most relevant products to each customer, thereby increasing conversion rates. For instance, when a shopper searches for a product on a mobile app, AI algorithms can recommend related items based on their purchase history and browsing behavior across platforms. Around 80% of consumers are willing to buy more from brands that offer a personalized experience. 

Dynamic Content and Offers 

With AI, retailers can trigger timely promotions for the right customer segments. If a shopper views a product on the website but leaves without purchasing, AI can automatically send a personalized discount code via email or mobile push notification to encourage them to return and complete the order. This approach boosts engagement and significantly reduces cart abandonment. 

Behavioral Customer Segmentation 

AI supports behavioral segmentation, allowing retailers to cluster customers based on how they shop and interact with the brand. Frequent shoppers can be rewarded with VIP privileges, while low-frequency customers can be targeted with limited-time offers designed to re-engage them and increase purchase frequency. 

Chatbots and Virtual Assistants 

AI-powered chatbots deliver personalized support by accessing customer profiles, order history, and browsing activity. Operating 24/7, chatbots can handle FAQs, assist with product discovery, and even cross-sell or upsell complementary items to increase average order value. A survey from PwC indicates that roughly 87% of consumers believe AI has improved their shopping experience, and 73% are willing to use AI chatbots for customer service during their purchase journey. 

Inventory Optimization with AI in Omnichannel Commerce 

Inventory Optimization with AI in Omnichannel Commerce

Inventory management in a traditional omnichannel environment is complex and often leads to stockouts or overstock. AI-powered inventory management systems streamline this process, enabling retailers to maintain optimal stock levels across all channels. 

Demand Forecasting 

AI can forecast future demand by analyzing historical sales data, current trends, and external factors such as seasonality. With more accurate demand forecasting, retailers can avoid both out-of-stock situations and excess inventory, reducing markdowns and storage costs. Studies show that AI-driven demand forecasting can reduce forecast error by up to 30%. 

Automated Replenishment 

Leveraging predictive analytics, AI can automate replenishment orders so that best-selling products are always available while minimizing the risk of dead stock. AI can also detect regional demand differences, allowing businesses to fine-tune inventory levels at each store. This creates a more responsive supply chain and can reduce stockout events by up to 40%. 

Omnichannel Inventory Visibility 

AI provides real-time inventory visibility across all channels: online, in-store, and warehouse. Customers benefit from accurate stock information, while retailers can confidently implement services such as “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store” (BOPIS) without operational friction. This level of visibility also supports more efficient inventory allocation, especially during peak demand periods. 

Supply Chain Optimization 

AI-driven supply chain analytics help retailers optimize logistics and distribution. Algorithms can determine the most efficient delivery routes, streamline warehouse operations, and predict potential disruptions. This is particularly critical for retailers offering same-day or next-day delivery, where AI can identify the fastest and most cost-effective path from fulfillment centers to customers. 

Read more: What is eCommerce Integration? Foundation of eCommerce Automation

Elevating Customer Service in Omnichannel Retail 

Elevating Customer Service in Omnichannel Retail

Customer service is a core component of the omnichannel experience, and AI is redefining how retailers engage with shoppers across touchpoints. From virtual assistants to AI-powered analytics, these tools ensure every interaction is more efficient and more relevant. 

Predictive Customer Service 

AI can anticipate support needs before customers submit a ticket. For example, if a customer repeatedly returns a specific product, AI can flag this pattern and alert the customer service team to proactively reach out. This level of predictive service helps reduce churn and strengthens brand loyalty. 

24/7 Support 

AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants provide round-the-clock support across all channels, reducing waiting times and enhancing customer satisfaction. These virtual agents can handle routine inquiries, track orders, and assist with returns, freeing human agents to focus on complex, high-value interactions. 

Customer Sentiment Analysis 

AI-based sentiment analysis tools allow retailers to monitor customer satisfaction by analyzing feedback across social media, email, and support tickets. The technology can detect negative sentiment in real time, enabling teams to take immediate corrective action to protect the customer experience. 

Voice and Visual Search 

With AI, retailers can offer voice search, allowing customers to find products without typing, which is especially impactful on mobile. Visual search lets shoppers upload images to discover similar items, delivering a more intuitive and convenient product discovery experience aligned with modern consumer behavior. 

Real-Time Pricing Strategies for Omnichannel Commerce 

Real-Time Pricing Strategies for Omnichannel Commerce

Dynamic pricing is another powerful AI use case, allowing retailers to adjust prices in real time based on demand, competition, and other market variables. This is particularly important for omnichannel retail, where price consistency and responsiveness are critical to customer trust. 

Competitive Price Monitoring 

AI algorithms can continuously monitor competitors’ prices and adjust a retailer’s prices accordingly, helping maintain competitiveness while protecting margins. This is essential in an environment where customers can compare prices across platforms within seconds. 

Dynamic Pricing Models 

By leveraging historical sales data, seasonal trends, and customer behavior, AI models can determine optimal price points to maximize both revenue and profit. For instance, AI can increase prices during peak demand periods or trigger markdowns for slow-moving inventory to accelerate sell-through. 

Personalized Pricing 

Personalized pricing focuses on offering individual discounts or loyalty incentives based on each customer’s shopping behavior. By analyzing purchase frequency, loyalty, and spending patterns, AI can generate tailored offers that drive engagement and increase customer lifetime value. 

AI-Enhanced Omnichannel Marketing Campaigns

AI-Enhanced Omnichannel Marketing Campaigns

AI-generated insights empower retailers to design and execute more precise marketing campaigns, ensuring they reach the right customers at the right time. Multichannel data analysis makes marketing strategies more targeted and more efficient. 

Omnichannel Marketing Campaigns 

AI enables retailers to orchestrate integrated omnichannel marketing campaigns that reach customers via email, social media, mobile apps, and other digital touchpoints. This integration ensures consistent messaging, regardless of where customers interact with the brand. 

Predictive Analytics for Campaign Optimization 

Predictive analytics can identify which customer segments are most likely to respond to a given promotion, allowing marketers to optimize budget allocation. Campaigns can be adjusted in real time based on performance metrics, increasing ROI and engagement rates. 

Customer Journey Mapping 

With AI, retailers can build detailed customer journey maps to understand how each touchpoint influences purchase decisions. This data supports hyper-targeted marketing at every stage-from awareness and consideration to conversion-enabling businesses to design strategies aligned with customer needs at each step. 

Challenges of Applying AI in Omnichannel Retail 

While AI offers transformative advantages for Omnichannel retail, practical implementation remains fraught with strategic hurdles. To fully harness the potential of this technology, enterprises must identify and resolve four core challenges: 

  • Data Ethics and Security: Data privacy, cybersecurity, and algorithmic bias are paramount concerns. AI applications must ensure transparency, ethical integrity, and strict compliance with global legal regulations.  
  • Operational Adaptation: Transitioning from traditional models to AI integrated systems requires high agility in operational processes across all customer touchpoints.  
  • Resources and Governance: Maximizing AI’s utility demands structured investment in staff training, standardized data management systems, and continuous system maintenance.  
  • System Innovation: The most significant barrier lies in the seamless synchronization of data between legacy systems and modern platforms to create a centralized, consistent data architecture. 

Faced with complex operational and data architecture challenges, businesses require a partner with proven technical expertise. With extensive experience in deploying complex eCommerce systems, SECOMM stands as a reliable partner, helping enterprises mitigate technical risks, optimize costs, and accelerate time-to-market. 

Read more: Strategies for Applying AI in eCommerce to Enhance Operational Efficiency and Sales

Conclusion: Are You Ready for the Omnichannel AI Era? 

AI is transforming omnichannel retail by enabling seamless integration across all customer touchpoints, from personalized recommendations to intelligent inventory management. As retailers continue to innovate, AI-driven omnichannel strategies will sit at the heart of superior shopping experiences, stronger brand loyalty, and sustainable profitability. 

Are you ready for a new wave of retail transformation in 2026? With more than 10 years of experience delivering specialized eCommerce solutions for leading enterprises in Vietnam and overseas markets, SECOMM is ready to partner with you to build a secure, scalable, and high-performing omnichannel ecosystem. 

Contact SECOMM today for tailored omnichannel consulting that aligns with your business model and long-term growth strategy. 

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What is Sustainable eCommerce? How to Become a Responsible Merchant?
What is Sustainable eCommerce? How to Become a Responsible Merchant?

eCommerce has become an integral part of our daily lives, offering unparalleled convenience and access to a vast array of products. However, as the industry continues to grow, so does its environmental footprint. From excessive packaging waste to carbon emissions from shipping, the environmental impact of eCommerce cannot be ignored. This brings us to the concept of sustainable eCommerce—a transformative approach that seeks to minimize the negative environmental effects of online retail while promoting ethical business practices.

Sustainable eCommerce is not just a trend; it’s a response to the increasing consumer demand for environmentally friendly and socially responsible products. A survey shows that 72% of respondents reported that they were actively buying more environmentally friendly products than they did five years ago, while 81% said they expected to buy even more over the next five years.

In this blog, we will delve into the essence of sustainable eCommerce, explore its importance, examine the growing demand for it, and provide practical steps on how you can become a responsible merchant.

What is sustainable eCommerce?

Sustainable eCommerce refers to the practice of conducting online business in a way that minimizes environmental impact and promotes social responsibility. At its core, it involves making mindful decisions at every stage of the business process, from product sourcing and manufacturing to packaging, shipping, and customer engagement. The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint, minimize waste, and ensure that ethical standards are upheld throughout the supply chain.

Key components of sustainable eCommerce

There are some common components in the eCommerce sustainability, including:

Eco-Friendly Products

Offering products that are made from sustainable materials, are biodegradable, or have a lower environmental impact is crucial. This means choosing materials that are renewable, such as organic cotton or bamboo, over conventional materials that may deplete natural resources or cause pollution. Additionally, promoting products that are ethically sourced ensures that they are produced under fair labor conditions, respecting workers’ rights and contributing to social sustainability.

Sustainable Packaging

Sustainable packaging involves using materials that can be recycled, are biodegradable, or are made from recycled content. For instance, using cardboard boxes made from recycled paper or packing peanuts that are biodegradable can greatly reduce the environmental footprint. This approach not only minimizes waste but also appeals to environmentally conscious consumers.

Energy Efficiency

Reducing energy consumption in the warehousing and logistics aspects of eCommerce is another critical component. This can be achieved by:

  • Using Renewable Energy: Powering warehouses and offices with solar, wind, or other renewable energy sources.
  • Optimizing Delivery Routes: Using route optimization software to minimize fuel usage and emissions during delivery.
  • Investing in Energy-Saving Technologies: Implementing LED lighting, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and other technologies that reduce overall energy consumption.

Waste Reduction

Minimizing waste throughout the entire eCommerce process is essential. This involves:

  • Efficient Inventory Management: Using systems that prevent overstocking and reduce the likelihood of unsold goods going to waste.
  • Recycling Programs: Implementing robust recycling programs in warehouses and encouraging customers to recycle packaging materials.
  • Designing Durable Products: Creating products with a longer life cycle, which reduces the need for frequent replacements and lowers the overall waste generated.

Ethical Business Practices

Ensuring that all business practices are ethical and transparent is fundamental to sustainable eCommerce. This includes:

  • Fair Labor Practices: Treating all employees and suppliers fairly, ensuring safe working conditions, and providing fair wages.
  • Supporting Fair Trade: Sourcing products that adhere to fair trade principles, which support better prices, decent working conditions, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in developing countries.
  • Transparency: Being open and honest with consumers about the sustainability efforts and practices of the business. This can build trust and loyalty among customers who value ethical and responsible business operations.

By integrating these key components to strategies, eCommerce businesses can significantly reduce their environmental impact, support social responsibility, and meet the growing demand from consumers for more sustainable and ethical products.

Why is eCommerce sustainability important?

Understanding the importance of eCommerce sustainability is crucial for businesses looking to thrive in today’s market. Here are several reasons why adopting sustainable practices in eCommerce is vital:

Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of traditional eCommerce practices is significant. From the excessive use of plastic packaging to the carbon emissions from shipping and logistics, the eCommerce industry contributes to environmental degradation. By adopting sustainable practices, businesses can significantly reduce their carbon footprint, decrease pollution, and help conserve natural resources. Sustainable eCommerce practices, such as using eco-friendly packaging and optimizing delivery routes, play a vital role in mitigating the industry’s environmental impact.

Consumer Behavior

Consumer behavior is shifting towards sustainability. More and more customers are becoming environmentally conscious and prefer to purchase from brands that align with their values. Studies show that a growing number of consumers are willing to pay a premium for products that are sustainably produced and packaged. By adopting sustainable practices, eCommerce businesses can meet this demand, attract a broader customer base, and enhance customer loyalty. Being a responsible and eco-friendly brand can also differentiate a business in a crowded market.

Business Benefits

Sustainable eCommerce practices can lead to significant business benefits. These include cost savings from reduced waste and energy consumption, improved brand reputation, and increased customer loyalty. Businesses that prioritize sustainability can also access new markets and opportunities, such as partnerships with other eco-friendly brands and certifications that can enhance credibility. Additionally, sustainable practices can lead to innovation, as companies find new ways to reduce their environmental impact and improve efficiency.

Regulatory Compliance

Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly implementing stricter environmental regulations. Businesses that do not comply with these regulations risk facing fines, penalties, and damage to their reputation. By adopting sustainable practices, eCommerce businesses can stay ahead of regulatory changes, ensure compliance, and avoid potential legal issues. Proactively embracing sustainability also positions businesses as leaders in their industry, setting an example for others to follow.

Long-Term Viability

Sustainability is essential for the long-term viability of businesses. As natural resources become scarcer and environmental issues become more pressing, companies that do not adopt sustainable practices may face higher costs and supply chain disruptions. By integrating sustainability into their business model, eCommerce companies can ensure they are resilient to future challenges and are better prepared for a changing market landscape. Sustainable practices also contribute to a positive corporate image, which can attract investors and stakeholders who prioritize responsible business operations.

How to become a sustainable eCommerce business

Becoming a sustainable eCommerce business involves implementing practices that minimize environmental impact and promote social responsibility. Here are key steps to help you achieve sustainability:

Optimize Supply Chain

Optimizing your supply chain is crucial for sustainability. This involves sourcing materials and products from suppliers who adhere to ethical and environmental standards.

  • Ethical Sourcing: Choose suppliers that provide eco-friendly materials, such as recycled or renewable resources. Ensure that these suppliers follow fair labor practices and maintain high environmental standards.
  • Local Suppliers: Whenever possible, source products locally to reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation.
  • Supplier Audits: Regularly audit your suppliers to ensure they comply with your sustainability criteria and make improvements where necessary.

Optimize Shipping Strategy

Shipping is a significant contributor to the environmental footprint of eCommerce. Optimizing your shipping strategy can help reduce emissions and improve efficiency.

  • Route Optimization: Use software to plan the most efficient delivery routes, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
  • Eco-Friendly Shipping Options: Offer customers eco-friendly shipping options, such as slower shipping methods that are less carbon-intensive.
  • Carbon Offsetting: Invest in carbon offset programs to compensate for the emissions generated by shipping activities. This can include projects like reforestation or renewable energy initiatives.

Offer Recyclable Packaging

Packaging is a major source of waste in eCommerce. Switching to recyclable packaging can significantly reduce environmental impact.

  • Sustainable Materials: Use packaging materials that are recyclable, biodegradable, or made from recycled content, such as cardboard, paper, or compostable plastics.
  • Minimal Packaging: Design packaging to be minimal yet protective, reducing the amount of material used.
  • Customer Education: Include clear instructions on how customers can recycle or dispose of packaging materials responsibly. You can also encourage customers to reuse packaging for other purposes.

Join Environmental Charities

Supporting environmental charities and initiatives can enhance your sustainability efforts and demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact.

  • Partnerships: Partner with environmental organizations to support projects like reforestation, conservation, or clean energy. This not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also enhances your brand image.
  • Donations: Allocate a portion of your profits to donate to environmental causes. Publicize these efforts to show customers that their purchases contribute to a greater good.
  • Employee Engagement: Encourage your employees to participate in environmental volunteer activities and promote sustainability within your organization.

By implementing these strategies, your eCommerce business can significantly reduce its environmental impact, meet the growing demand for sustainable practices, and build a loyal customer base that values social responsibility. Adopting sustainability is not only good for the planet but also beneficial for your business’s long-term success.

Final words

eCommerce sustainability is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing eco-friendly and socially responsible brands, and businesses must adapt to meet this demand. Embracing sustainable eCommerce practices, businesses can make informed decisions that contribute to a healthier planet.

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Top 14+ Brands Migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify Plus Pt3
Top 14+ Brands Migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify Plus Pt3

Building upon the narratives in parts 1 and 2, this third part invites you to delve into the stories of the remaining brands within the series of 14 that migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify Plus. Explore how this strategic decision has led to their success in terms of sales and paved the way for sustainable growth in the future.

1. Alternative BrewingAlternative Brewing

Alternative Brewing is a leading brand in Australia specializing in providing high quality coffee making equipment and utensils. After operating on WooCommerce, Alternative Brewing encountered a problem. WooCommerce eCommerce websites require constant maintenance, causing a lot of worry on shopping occasions like Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Within 4 months of converting to the Shopify Plus platform, Alternative Brewing’s new eCommerce website loaded faster and had faster checkout, helping the brand significantly increase average order value. Shopify Plus platform with an intuitive, user-friendly interface, Alternative Brewing does not need to deal with a lot of complicated code. This allows the Alternative Brewing team to focus on growing their business and make more informed decisions with Shopify’s in-depth reports and analytics.

Website: https://alternativebrewing.com.au/

Industry: FnB

Traffic: 919,295/month

Rank: #3,071 (Australia) & #144,195 (Global)

2. DuradryDuradry

Duradry is a leading personal care brand that offers effective antiperspirant products. Operating on WooCommerce costs Duradry a lot of money when testing many different marketing campaigns. The brand migrated to the Shopify Plus platform to take advantage of many exclusive tools and solutions that help them optimize operations and deploy marketing processes more effectively.

Duradry also leverages Shopify Collabs to partner with popular content creators to drive marketing success, bringing Duradry products to more potential customers. The result was 250 content creators joining Duradry’s community, $50k in sales through Shopify Collabs in less than 7 months.

Website: https://duradry.com/?view=hero-a

Industry: Beauty & Cosmetics

Traffic: 386,080/month

Rank: #119,405 (USA) & #445,775 (Global)

3. AMR Hair & BeautyAMR Hair & Beauty

AMR Hair & Beauty is one of the leading suppliers of hair care and beauty products in Australia. Established in 2004, AMR has quickly grown to become a trusted destination for hair salons and individual consumers.

Although WooCommerce has served AMR Hair & Beauty well for many years, with the rapid growth of the business, the platform began to show its limitations. Among them are limited scalability, difficult order management, poor security, and suboptimal customer support.

After switching to Shopify Plus, AMR Hair & Beauty leveraged the B2B on Shopify solution to build a wholesale store and further customize advanced search features and filtering options. This means AMR Hair & Beauty’s B2B customers can quickly narrow down search results and view products along with prices and offers. As a result, AMR Hair & Beauty increased sales by 200%, average B2B order value by 77%, and conversion rate by 93%.

Website: https://amr.com.au/

Industry: Beauty & Cosmetics

Traffic: 258,448/month

Rank: #8,360 (Australia) & #381,873 (Global)

4. Abode LivingAbode Living

Abode Living was founded in 1991 and since then the brand has become Australia’s leading supplier of luxury bed linen, using the highest quality European fabrics and sewing products in its own factories. I’m in Australia.

With the need to increase online sales in Australia and other markets, and upgrade customer experience. However, the previous platform the company used, WooCommerce, did not offer enough flexibility to customize advanced features. WooCommerce also doesn’t give Abode Living the ability to add international marketplaces to its existing eCommerce system. Switching to Shopify Plus met all of Abode Living’s goals. The brand saw a 15% increase in average order value, faster page load speeds, and faster responses.

Website: https://www.abodeliving.com/

Industry: Home Funishing

Traffic: 16,645/month

Rank: #57,874 (Australia) & #2,352,607 (Global)

Final Words

So, SECOMM has gathered insights from 14 representative brands that courageously stepped out of the “WooCommerce world” to revamp their eCommerce websites with Shopify Plus. These brands prioritize customer experience and streamlined processes, inspiring others to confidently opt for platform migration.

Contact SECOMM or call directly at (+84)28 7108 9908 for advice and implementation of the eCommerce migration process from WooCommerce to Shopify Plus today!

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Strategies for Applying AI in eCommerce to Enhance Operational Efficiency and Sales
Strategies for Applying AI in eCommerce to Enhance Operational Efficiency and Sales

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant technological concept or a temporary trend. According to the annual Future of Commerce Report by Shopify41% of retail businesses are actively integrating AI into their core systems to optimize operations in 2024. Businesses are no longer asking, “Should we use AI?”, but rather, “How can we convert this technology into tangible profit?”. 

In this article, SECOMM will deeply analyze the role of AI through practical data, detailing Strategies for Applying AI in eCommerce to Enhance Operational Efficiency and Sales

1. GenerativeAI: The Revolution in Content Production 

One of the biggest challenges for retail and manufacturing businesses is managing thousands, or even tens of thousands, of SKUs (Stock Keeping Units). Manually writing descriptions for each product is not only costly in terms of human resources but also lengthens the time it takes to bring a product to market. 

Practical Data: 

  • According to a survey from the HubSpot State of AI Report, marketing professionals using AI save an average of 2.5 hours per day on repetitive tasks. 
  • 63% of marketers predict that the majority of commercial content in the near future will be supported by Generative AI to ensure consistency and production speed. 

Proposed Solutions: 

  • Automated Product Descriptions: Based on raw technical specifications, AI can write engaging, SEO-friendly product descriptions that are consistent with the brand’s voice in seconds. 
  • Translation and Localization: For Cross-border eCommerce businesses, AI supports translation and content adjustment to suit the culture of each target market, helping to scale international business quickly. 
  • Visual Content Creation: Modern AI tools can generate product images in various contexts (lifestyle images) without the need for costly physical photoshoots. 

GenerativeAI: The Revolution in Content Production 

Suggested AI Tools: 

  • Content Writing (Text): Jasper AICopy.ai (Specialized for Marketing/Blog), or integrating the API of OpenAI (ChatGPT-4) directly into CMS/PIM. 
  • Images & Videos (Visuals): MidjourneyAdobe Firefly (For generating copyrighted product images), Synthesia (For creating product introduction videos using AI avatars). 
  • Translation (Localization): DeepL or Weglot (Specialized, deep, multi-language automatic translation for websites). 

2. Large-Scale Customer Experience Personalization

Customers today don’t just buy products; they buy a “validated and understood experience”. Displaying generic content is increasingly becoming the main reason for high bounce rates. 

Practical Data: 

  • A deep-dive report by McKinsey on Personalization indicates that companies that excel at personalization can increase revenue by up to 40%. 
  • According to Salesforce65% of customers expect companies to adapt to their needs immediately. 

Large-Scale Customer Experience Personalization

Proposed Solutions: 

  • Smart Recommendations: Instead of general suggestions, AI analyzes browsing history, purchase behavior, and real time context to provide “Hyper-personalized” recommendations, increasing the conversion rate (CR) and average order value (AOV). 
  • Semantic Search: Improves internal search engines (Site Search) to understand the user’s intent rather than just matching exact keywords. For example: When a customer searches for “dark running shoes for men,” AI will understand and return accurate results even if the product description does not contain that exact phrase. 
  • Virtual Shopping Assistants: Next-generation AI integrated chatbots are capable of consulting like a real salesperson, resolving queries, and supporting the checkout process 24/7. 

Suggested AI Tools: 

  • Search & Merchandising: AlgoliaKlevu (Noted for AI Search & NLP), Nosto (Specializes in eCommerce experience personalization). 
  • Customer Care (Chatbot): Chattive, Gorgias (Deeply integrated with Shopify/Magento), Intercom Fin (AI Chatbot for automated issue resolution), Tidio. 
  • Email Marketing: Klaviyo (Uses AI to predict optimal email sending time – Smart Sending Time, and segmenting abandoning customers – Churn prediction). 

3. Optimizing Product Data Management (PIM & Data Quality) 

This is the “submerged part of the iceberg” that is less often mentioned but determines the success of the eCommerce system. Messy product data lacking attributes will cause the AI tools mentioned above to perform poorly or yield incorrect results. 

Practical Data: 

  • A study from Inriver also emphasized that data quality (PIM) is a prerequisite for AI deployment. 
  • According to Salsify54% of consumers will not buy if product information is inaccurate or incomplete, and 71% of users will return items if the received goods do not match the description.

Proposed Solutions: 

  • Automated Data Enrichment: AI can scan product images to automatically fill in missing attributes (such as color, material, style) into the PIM (Product Information Management) system, saving thousands of data entry hours. 
  • Data Quality Control: AI detects incorrect, duplicate, or inconsistent information across sales channels, ensuring data is always “clean” and accurate. 
  • Category Classification: Automatically sorts products into the correct categories on the website based on technical characteristics.

OptimizingProduct Data Management (PIM & Data Quality) 

Suggested AI Tools: 

  • Product Information Management (PIM): InriverAkeneoSalsify (Leading global PIM platforms with built-in AI modules for data enrichment). 
  • Process Automation: Zapier or Make.com (Connecting data between applications using AI logic). 

4. Challenges and Notes on AI Deployment 

Although the benefits are immense, AI deployment is not a “magic spell” without the right strategy. 

  • “Garbage in, Garbage out” Principle: AI is only smart when your input data is accurate. Businesses need to build a standardized data foundation (like PIM, ERP, CRM) before expecting AI to deliver results.
  • The Human Factor: AI is a support tool, not a complete replacement for humans. Strategic supervision by specialized teams is needed to ensure ethical integrity, accuracy, and alignment with brand values.
  • Security: Ensure compliance with customer data privacy regulations when using third-party AI tools. 

Conclusion 

The application of AI in eCommerce is no longer a fleeting trend, but a strategic lever for businesses to break through in a fiercely competitive landscape. From content automation to customer experience optimization, AI helps businesses achieve more with fewer resources. However, this journey requires a solid technology foundation and a long-term strategic mindset. 

Is your business ready for the AI eCommerce era? 

Contact SECOMM today for a consultation on your digital transformation roadmap, building a robust eCommerce system, and integrating the latest technology solutions. 

Should Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) invest in AI, or is it only for large corporations?
AI is now democratized. Without a multi-million-dollar budget, SMEs can fully start with cost-effective AI tools as a Service (SaaS) to automate content writing or customer service chatbots. In fact, SMEs are the biggest beneficiaries of AI because this technology helps optimize human resources, allowing a small team to handle the workload of a large enterprise.
Is integrating AI into existing eCommerce systems (like Magento, Shopify) complicated?
The level of complexity depends on your goals. If you are just installing a Chatbot or a Recommendation tool: Integration is often quick through existing APIs or Extensions. If you want to build deep AI models (like logistics demand prediction): This will require a specialized technical team for data planning and system integration. Secomm specializes in providing technical integration solutions, ensuring AI tools run smoothly on your eCommerce platform without business interruption.
Are there risks related to customer data security when using AI?
Yes, if not managed correctly. This is why businesses need to carefully choose reputable technology partners (such as Salesforce, Adobe, Algolia...) that comply with international security standards (GDPR, ISO). Secomm always advises customers to build strict security procedures when connecting the API between the website and third-party AI tools.
How does Secomm help businesses apply AI?
Secomm does not directly build AI chips; we act as a strategic solution integrator. We help you with: Consulting: Assessing where your business needs AI (Content, Customer Service, or Logistics). Technology Selection: Recommending the most suitable AI tools. Technical Deployment: Connecting (Integration) these tools to your Magento/Shopify/WooCommerce website so they operate synchronously.
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What is eCommerce Integration? Foundation of eCommerce Automation
What is eCommerce Integration? Foundation of eCommerce Automation

According to Business Research Insights, in 2023, the global e-commerce platform market size will exceed $7 billion, with projections to surpass $24 billion by 2031. The eCommerce market is growing fast and expected to triple by 2031. Yet, many businesses still struggle with disconnected systems that slow operations and fragment data. The solution lies in connecting everything that drives your online businesseCommerce Integration. So, What is eCommerce integration?  Foundation of eCommerce automation?  

SEOCOMM - Global eCommerce Platform Marketsize

What Is eCommerce Integration?

eCommerce integration is the process of connecting all digital systems that your online business relies on  from storefronts and inventory to marketing and finance. Rather than treating each tool as a standalone platform, integration transforms them into one cohesive ecosystem where data flows freely, automatically, and accurately. 

In simple terms, integration means your ERP, CRM, OMS, payment gateways, and marketing platforms can “talk” to each other, allowing your operations to run smoothly and your teams to focus on growth, not manual tasks. 

When systems are integrated properly, your business gains transparency, speed, and scalability. You no longer need to manually update stock, export customer data, or reconcile reports – the systems do that for you, in real time. 

SECOMM-ecommerce-integration

Why Integration Matters? 

Integration does more than link software; it creates the foundation for automation and intelligent decision-making.
When your eCommerce tools share data seamlessly, you can: 

  • Eliminate duplicate work and human error 
  • Offer a consistent customer experience across all channels 
  • React to real-time insights faster 
  • Scale your business efficiently 

In other words, integration transforms your operations from reactive to proactive — giving you full control over your business ecosystem. 

Core Integration Types Every eCommerce Business Should Have

To build a truly connected and future-ready eCommerce ecosystem, businesses need a few key types of integration that unify all aspects of their operations.

Let’s explore the main categories that make modern commerce run efficiently:

1. eCommerce Integration with Business Administration (ERP & CRM)

ERP and CRM systems form the operational core of any eCommerce business. ERP manages financials, products, and inventory, while CRM centralizes customer profiles, interactions, and engagement data. When integrated, these systems give your business a unified view of both operations and customers. 

Benefits: 

  • Real-time synchronization between sales, finance, and customer records. 
  • Improved forecasting and inventory control. 
  • Personalized marketing and better customer retention. 

Example: Integrating SAP Business One or Odoo ERP with Salesforce or HubSpot CRM enables automatic updates from orders to invoices and customer engagement data. 

For enterprises managing massive data warehouses and fragmented data sources beyond standard CRM capabilities, implementing a Customer Data Platform (CDP) is the key to achieving a truly unified Single Customer View. Learn more about when to upgrade: What is a CDP? Comparing CDP and CRM

SECOMM-eCommerce CRM-ERP

2. eCommerce Integration with Operations & Logistics (OMS & WMS)

Order Management Systems (OMS) and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) ensure that every order is processed efficiently and accurately. Integration between these systems automates fulfillment, reduces human error, and provides full visibility into inventory. 

Benefits: 

  • Automated order routing and warehouse synchronization. 
  • Real-time stock visibility for customers and staff. 
  • Faster, error-free order fulfillment. 

Example: Platforms like Manhattan Associates, NetSuite WMS, or ShipStation can integrate with eCommerce stores using middleware tools such as Boomi or Celigo. 

3. eCommerce Marketing Integration

Marketing integration bridges the gap between your online storefront and essential digital marketing ecosystems, such as Email Automation, CRM, and behavioral analytics platforms.

By establishing bi-directional data synchronization, businesses can move beyond manual processes to automate campaigns, hyper-personalize the customer journey, and measure marketing ROI with precision.

Key Benefits:

  • Real-Time Segmentation: Execute campaigns based on live customer data and segmentation.

  • Automated Workflows: Streamline post-purchase care chains or trigger abandoned cart reminders automatically.

  • Unified Analytics: Gain a holistic view of performance by cross-referencing sales data with marketing metrics.

Practical Application: Integrating robust platforms like Shopify or Magento with tools such as Klaviyo, Mailchimp, or HubSpot Marketing Hub allows businesses to trigger automated email flows tailored specifically to user purchasing behavior.

4. eCommerce Payment Integration

Payment integration connects your website directly with secure payment gateways, ensuring that every checkout process is swift, automated, and fully transparent.

By embedding these systems, businesses create a seamless financial workflow that enhances the customer experience while optimizing backend operations.

Key Benefits:

  • Streamlined Processing: Accelerates transaction speeds while significantly reducing manual entry errors.

  • Automated Financials: Enables automatic transaction reconciliation and real-time financial reporting.

  • Enhanced Security: Ensures strict adherence to PCI-DSS security standards, boosting brand credibility and customer trust.

Practical Application: Connecting global and local providers like Stripe, PayPal, ZaloPay, or MoMo directly to your eCommerce system ensures that every transaction is automatically updated in your accounting software and order management system.

SECOMM-eCommerce-integration-payment

5. eCommerce Integration with Data Analytics & Reporting

Integrating analytics tools centralizes critical information, ranging from sales and marketing to logistics into a single, unified dashboard. This creates a “Single Source of Truth” for your enterprise, eliminating data silos.

By consolidating these data streams, businesses can transition from reactive reporting to proactive, data-driven decision-making.

Key Benefits:

  • 360° Business View: Gain comprehensive visibility over all operational activities.

  • Real-Time Reporting: Monitor performance metrics and KPIs as they happen, not days later.

  • Unified Data Consistency: Ensure all departments—from marketing to inventory—are aligned with the same accurate datasets.

Practical Application: Aggregating data streams from diverse sources (Websites, Marketing channels, CRM, and eCommerce platforms) into visualization tools like Google Looker Studio, Power BI, or Tableau. This enables deep, comprehensive analysis of omnichannel performance

. 

eCommerce eCommerce integration report

 

6. eCommerce Integration with Omnichannel Experience

Omnichannel integration bridges the gap between your branded website, physical retail locations (POS), and third-party marketplaces, delivering a truly unified experience for your customers.

By dismantling the barriers between channels, businesses ensure that the customer journey is seamless, regardless of where the transaction begins or ends.

Key Benefits:

  • Unified Synchronization: Ensure pricing, promotions, and inventory levels are identical and up-to-date across every channel.

  • Centralized Management: Consolidate orders from all sources into a single interface, simplifying fulfillment and logistics.

  • Brand Consistency: Elevate customer loyalty and brand recognition by providing a consistent standard of service everywhere.

Practical Application: Leveraging middleware solutions like Celigo or Make.com to connect core platforms (e.g., Shopify Plus, Magento) with marketplaces like Shopee or Lazada. This ensures inventory, pricing, and customer data are synchronized in real-time.

The Business Impact of eCommerce Integration 

Integration directly impacts every core metric that matters to online retailers: 

  • Efficiency: Teams spend less time on repetitive tasks. 
  • Accuracy: Data stays consistent across departments. 
  • Customer Experience: Faster, more personalized service. 
  • Scalability: Easier expansion into new channels or markets. 
  • Profitability: Reduced costs and higher operational visibility. 

Put simply, integration is no longer a technical upgrade; it’s a strategic necessity for sustainable eCommerce growth. 

Conclusion 

As the digital commerce landscape becomes more complex, integration defines how efficiently a business can operate and how quickly it can grow. It connects people, processes, and platforms into one intelligent system, laying the foundation for automation, innovation, and long-term success. 

Secomm helps businesses design, build, and optimize integrated eCommerce ecosystems, transforming disconnected operations into streamlined, automated growth engines. 

FAQ 

1. Why is integration required before automation?
Automation can only deliver value when systems share accurate, synchronized data. If your store, inventory, or CRM operate separately, automation may simply replicate existing errors at a faster scale. Integration connects every system - ensuring that when one action occurs (like a sale), all related platforms update instantly. In short, integration builds the data consistency automation needs to function correctly, preventing mismatched orders, duplicate records, or inaccurate reports.
2. Which systems should be integrated first?
Every eCommerce business should begin with the core operational systems: ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning): Manages products, stock, and financial data. CRM (Customer Relationship Management): Stores customer profiles, behaviors, and engagement history. OMS (Order Management System): Coordinates orders, fulfillment, and returns. Integrating these three first creates a unified operational core, where product updates, customer data, and order tracking flow automatically. Once this foundation is stable, you can expand integration into marketing, payments, and analytics systems for full automation.
3. How long does an integration project take?
The duration depends on system complexity, data volume, and API readiness. For smaller businesses with standard platforms (e.g., Shopify + HubSpot + Xero), integration may take 2-4 weeks. For mid- to large-scale enterprises using custom ERP or multi-store setups, timelines can extend to 3-6 months. At Secomm, integration projects follow a structured process: discovery → mapping → development → testing → optimization. This ensures stability, scalability, and security before automation is implemented.
4. Should small businesses invest in integration?
Absolutely, integration isn’t only for enterprises, it’s one of the most cost-effective growth enablers for small and mid-sized businesses. By connecting sales channels, payment gateways, and inventory systems, even small online stores can: Reduce repetitive manual work (like updating stock or customer lists). Improve order accuracy and processing speed. Gain visibility into performance across all channels. As your business grows, integrated systems make scaling seamless, without the need to rebuild your entire digital infrastructure.
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