Category: Business

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Five traits of successful online store owners

Marketing

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The growth of E-commerce has been unstoppable worldwide. This is evident from the thousands of online stores and platforms that have sprung up — making the competition among merchants even more intense. If you’re a merchant trying to take your store to the next level, what does it really take to spell success in E-commerce?

Becoming a successful online store owner doesn’t happen overnight. But to help you jumpstart your journey, E-commerce enabler Payo has listed down some traits you should have to succeed. Afterall, success is dependent not just on your products or services, but also on the way you handle your business. 

They are customer-centric

E-commerce merchants who have made a name in the industry have kept this in mind: you should always look out for your customers. As an online store owner, treating your customers well should be one of your top priorities.

Unlike brick-and-mortar shops, you don’t usually interact with your customers in person when running an online store. So how can you put them first? By giving them a seamless experience and providing them services that add value to their lives. This will help you build relationships with them and give your store an edge. 

They embrace their creative side

Successful online store owners are not afraid to think outside the box. Stand out from your competitors by unleashing your creative side when it comes to the way you market your products. This can come in the form of a promo, a witty social media post, or a campaign for your brand’s anniversary, to name a few. There are a lot of businesses out there, so you’ll want to make sure that yours is memorable.

Also, experiment with how to reach your target audience. Creating an omni-channel approach can help you connect with more of them in the long run. Whatever strategy you are planning to execute, remember that embracing your creative side can be a huge plus for your business.

They are confident online sellers

Being your own biggest fan will catapult you to greater heights. Successful online store owners are confident enough to make the right decisions for their business. And you, too, should trust yourself so you can put your valuable traits to good use. Your confidence will positively affect your business. And as you gain more confidence and knowledge in the business, you’ll be able to grow your network and stay on course even when things are not going your way.

They are open to change

Another trait that successful online store owners have is being open to change. They are willing to try new approaches that they feel are suitable for their business. And instead of giving up when something does not work out, they go back to the drawing board and try a new approach.  They don’t see failure as a setback – they see it as an opportunity to take a good, hard look at where they went wrong and learn from it.

They are highly adaptable to circumstances

Part of trying new things is adapting to the changes in the E-commerce industry. Whether it’s a major industry shift or a new approach in doing business, successful online store owners know how to be flexible when the situation calls for it. They always keep an open mind to new technologies, content ideas, and strategies – all to give their customers the best shopping experience ever!

These are just some of the characteristics successful online store owners should have. Chances are, you already possess a few of these traits. But if you feel like you still need help with building your E-commerce empire, then you should partner with Payo!

Payo can help you optimize your marketplace, utilize multiple warehouses, automate your processes, and even, provide you with a dependable fulfillment service! All you need to do is sign up now or message us at [email protected] so we can assist you with anything and everything E-commerce. 

Get one step closer to being a successful online store owner with Payo!

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How to start a dropshipping business in the Philippines

Marketing

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In the world of E-commerce, you always have to be on the lookout for new trends. From the rise of online marketplaces to live selling, technology has made it convenient for merchants to be creative with how they sell their products. One E-commerce trend that has been gaining momentum in the Philippines is dropshipping. 

Dropshipping is a type of retail fulfillment where merchants do not personally store or have an inventory of the products they sell. Rather, they work with different third party suppliers. For instance, when a customer makes an order, the merchant purchases the product from a supplier or routes it to them and lets them handle the packaging and shipping. It’s that simple!

This business model has become popular among merchants because it allows them to offer a wide variety of products in different locations at minimal costs. They don’t have to worry about inventory, storage space, and even the shipments as these are already taken care of by partner suppliers.

Want to start your own dropshipping business in the Philippines? Here’s how you can do it.

Choose your products

A lot of merchants continue to explore dropshipping in the Philippines. You need to be mindful of this when choosing the products you want to sell. Do your research and find a specific market to cater to. If you already have your product preference, you can always level it up through different marketing techniques. This will help you stand out from your competition.

Find your suppliers

Apart from your products, you also have the freedom to select which suppliers you want to partner with. They can be established local brands, vendors on online marketplaces, or wholesalers and general merchandisers. You can also consider their locations to get an idea on which areas you can cater to when you start selling.

Set up supplier agreements

To ensure a smooth and seamless shopping experience for your customers, you need to set agreements with your partner suppliers. Since this is a dropshipping arrangement, they will be handling the products from packaging to shipment. These agreements will help you make sure that products are kept and packaged in their best quality, and that shipping is managed properly and efficiently.

Another way of going about dropshipping is purchasing the products and personally packing and shipping them once an order has been placed. In this case, your agreement with suppliers can be more focused on maintaining product quality and availability for easy access.

Build your shop and choose your platform

Now that you’ve ticked off your products and suppliers, you need to determine your brand’s identity like its name and logo. Once you’ve worked out those details, you must now select which platform you want to use for your online store.

You can choose to have a website which you can fully design, manage, and control. Not as tech-savvy? You can always go for online marketplaces like Shopee or Lazada where there are already templates to guide you. Social media is another platform that you can explore. It’s one of the easier platforms to manage because it’s quite similar to managing your personal social media accounts.

Bring out the best in your products

Since products sold through dropshipping may be similar among merchants, you have to unleash your creative side. Choose the best product photos in different angles and settings. It would also help to have people model your products and even add photos from other customers using your products. 

You can liven up these photos with punchy or witty descriptions to get the attention of customers. These are necessary for you to stand out from your competitors.

Create buzz through marketing

Once your business goes live, you also need to start on your marketing. This can be done through promotions on social media, online advertisements, or even through referrals or word of mouth. If you’re on Shopee or Lazada, you have a wide range of free and paid promotional features that can boost your visibility.

Keep communication lines open for feedback

Feedback matters to both you and your customers. You can utilize the chat functions of your platforms and also have a space where they can provide feedback. This will help you build rapport and also address any concerns that they may have with their purchase.

Prepare for potential service recovery

You may already have agreements with your partner suppliers, but since you don’t have direct visibility over the handling of products, it’s best to have service recovery plans in place. Should there be any disruptions on the delivery like delays, damages, and wrong addresses, you can offer discounts, free replacements, and refunds to help manage your customers. This will show them that you value and care for their experience.

Dropshipping in the Philippines may already sound easy enough, but you can always partner with Payo to make the process more seamless for you. Payo can help you thrive in E-commerce through different services like Fulfillment, Last Mile Management, Live Customer Support, and Marketplace Optimization.

Want to start your dropshipping journey in the Philippines? Sign up with Payo today or send us a message at [email protected]. We’ll be right with you!

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Tips for merchants this rainy season

Marketing

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June marks the beginning of the rainy season in the Philippines. As the weather starts to cool down, more typhoons are also expected to enter the country, which can potentially affect the logistics of your business.

Ideally, it is best to have a fulfillment service partner in the Philippines to help you better navigate through possible disruptions. If you don’t have one yet, here are a couple of tips that you can easily implement to help you weather any storm.

Monitor the news and coordinate with partner couriers

Rains have varying impacts on different locations, depending on how light or heavy they are. Tune in to the news regularly and coordinate with your partner couriers for updates. Some roads and areas may not be passable or reachable at the height of a storm, so best to advise your customers accordingly to manage their expectations.

Check your products and inventory

If you store your products at home, double check on your storage to make sure that they are safe and dry despite the downpour. For those using warehouses, these establishments usually have necessary precautions in place, especially in times of natural disasters like typhoons. If you can’t be there physically, best to give them a call to ensure that your inventory is safe, dry, and well-kept. Once the skies have cleared, try to drop by and check on your products.

Explore having multiple warehouses

If you’re catering to multiple locations in the metro or across the country, consider housing your products in different warehouses. This will help limit disruptions to your operations because you can keep shipping out orders in less affected areas. Similarly, spreading your products throughout these warehouses improves accessibility and delivery time, especially for nearby areas.

Be extra in packing orders

You can never be too careful when it comes to packing your products. Ensure that they stay in the best condition by adding extra layers of wraps. Make sure that packages are also sealed shut so that water won’t be able to seep in during their delivery.

Give your customers timely updates

During the rainy season, delays should be expected especially when it comes to deliveries. Be proactive in communicating with your customers about the status of their orders. Send out notices should there be any delays and be ready to provide service recovery, just in case.

Respond to customers meaningfully

Despite the weather being out of your control, some customers may not be as considerate or understanding of the situation. Maintain your cool and respond to follow-ups, inquiries, and concerns meaningfully and transparently. Be sympathetic to what they are feeling and provide them with proper context. This will help you clarify issues on delays, damages, and requests for refunds or replacements. 

Prepare for service recovery

In the face of any challenge, make sure to offer service recovery. It is your responsibility as a merchant to satisfy your customers and win them over. Some of the packages that you shipped out might be returned, especially if it’s not safe to deliver them to their designated areas. That being said, you can offer refunds or discounts to customers who will experience delays because of this.

For packages that are still pending pick up, you may include freebies or discount codes, with an accompanying note to express your gratitude for their patience. In these little ways, you can save your relationship with your customers and hopefully, they also become more considerate of the circumstances.

Consider the safety of your staff

Customers and products matter, but you should also take care of your staff. If you’re working with a team, take the initiative and allow them to leave work early or, if you can, suspend work for the day for their own safety. In the meantime, focus on managing things online such as posting announcements, sending out notices, and other things that would require your attention.

Running a business is one thing, but doing it during the rainy season is another. It may be too much for you to handle everything, so it’s best to partner with someone who can help out. Payo is an ideal partner for you because it offers a holistic fulfillment service in the Philippines. 

Payo assists you in keeping your products secure from packing and picking up all the way to shipment. It also goes the extra mile by sharing real-time updates, which are highly useful as the weather shifts.

You can also collaborate with Payo in developing the best plan of action to conquer different challenges. With services such as Live Customer Support, Last Mile Management, and Warehousing, you can manage your operations more efficiently and also focus on other aspects of your business.

Looking for a reliable partner for this rainy season and beyond? Sign up with Payo today or send us a message at [email protected]. Let’s level up your business and make it thrive no matter the weather!

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Here’s your guide to building an online store

Marketing

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The digital marketplace offers a multitude of opportunities, which is why merchants both big and small are bringing their businesses there through different platforms. If you have a business and you’re looking to break into that space as well, then you better start building your online store.

But how and where do you start? What do you need to prepare? Is it advisable to tap an E-commerce enabler in the Philippines? Don’t worry because here’s a quick guide to building your own online store!

Establish your identity

Before anything else, your store needs to have its own name. It can be simple and straightforward, or creative and unexpected. It’s all up to you and how you want to make an impression. Put a face to your name with a logo, which you can also use for your packaging and business cards.

Another thing that’s equally important to any business – your products. What do you want to sell? Clothes, toys, houseware, general merchandise, tech? You need to finalize the products that you’ll be selling so you know what to focus on and how to market them later on.

Identify your preferred digital platform

For starters, you need to know where you want to be seen and how you can be accessed. Nowadays, you can explore multiple platforms in setting up your digital store. It all depends on your preference and how you want to manage your operations.

You can develop your own website which you can fully design and manage. On the other hand, you can explore online marketplaces like Shopee and Lazada. These platforms allow you to build an online store easily thanks to their templates. Want something much simpler? Go for social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram where you can just upload product photos, create witty captions, and share posts regularly.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even mix and match these platforms to help you attract customers across different channels. Plus with the help of E-commerce enablers, it will be even easier to manage your operations and reach Philippine customers.

Make your products stand out

Competition is stiff online, especially now that this has become an entry point for many businesses. You can always get the upper hand over your competitors not just with promotions, but by how you present your products.

Building an online store is very different from a physical one because customers don’t get to see your products firsthand. You can enhance their shopping experience by uploading multiple photos of your products. Work on the angles, and the setting, or if you can get a friend to model for you, then better. It’s all about what makes your products different, better, and more enticing to customers.

You should also level up your copywriting game. Aside from sharing basic information, you can engage your customers by adding a twist to your product descriptions. Filipinos are known to be witty so go for short, punchy, and funny content. You can also add a story to convey different product experiences. What’s important is that you strike the balance between what your customers need to know, and what you want to tell them.

Plan your logistics

Whether you’re new to doing business or looking to expand online, you should also have a plan for your logistics. Identify where you want to sell your products or areas that you want to reach. Is it within your city, or in multiple locations? This will help you decide if you need to rent a warehouse to better manage your operations.

That said, you also need to consider how you deliver your products. Look into different couriers that you can partner with, as well as their delivery routes. They should match your target locations so you can effectively reach audiences and efficiently deliver packages.

Offer different payment and shipping options

Payment and shipping options are crucial in building an online store. Filipinos have different preferences on how they want to pay and how they want to receive their products.

For payment options, you can always go for card transactions, bank transfers, and e-wallets. But if you want to reach more customers, offer Cash-on-Delivery (CoD). Many Filipinos still prefer CoD because it gives them time to save and the chance to check the product before paying for them. This also shows consideration on your part as a merchant.

For shipping methods, you can opt for the standard ones offered by different couriers. However, what many customers really prefer these days is express delivery. This can be in the form of next-day deliveries or shorter delivery times.

Provide communication lines

For any online store to flourish, an open or direct line to consumers is a must. Make sure to have a chat function on your website so customers can message you. For social media and online marketplaces, the chat function is readily available. You can set up auto-replies so customers can get quick responses and you can provide more details later on.

These lines are also important because it’s not only for inquiries but for concerns and feedback. Whether they’re satisfied or unhappy, giving customers a communication line highlights that your store is reachable and can assist them anytime.

Building an online store is quite easy thanks to today’s technology. For those who aren’t as tech-savvy or would need assistance, Payo is one of the leading E-commerce enablers in the Philippines that can help you do the job.

Payo is the perfect partner in building and managing a holistic online store. It provides various services such as Marketplace Optimization, Live Customer Support, Fulfillment, Last Mile Management, and Warehousing. These will not only help simplify your operations but even grant you more time to focus on other aspects of your business.

Want to get started on your online store already? Sign up with Payo today or send us a message at [email protected]. The digital marketplace awaits!

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How to effectively sell your products on social media

Marketing

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E-commerce and social media are a match made in heaven.

More than just connecting and entertaining people, social media can now be used to build brand awareness, attract followers, and generate sales. E-commerce enablers in the Philippines believe that it is high time to integrate social media into selling as more customers use these platforms to research brands and buy products online.

Facebook and Instagram are among the popular platforms that merchants can use for social media selling. But how do you use these platforms to get those sales rolling? Read on to find out!

Stay updated on the latest social media features and tools

In social media selling, you have to be knowledgeable on the tools you can use to sell your products effectively. Facebook and Instagram Live are just some of the easiest ways to connect with your customers in real-time. Aside from the platforms’ Live features, you can also use Facebook Marketplace to promote your products easily; Shopping Tags feature to highlight product photos and videos from your Facebook page; and the Shop function where customers can discover trends and personalized recommendations all in one place.

It pays to be updated on these features and tools so you can better navigate the social media selling world. 

Flaunt your personality

Building brand awareness is one of the main reasons why Philippine E-commerce enablers advocate social media use in E-commerce. Whether you’re using Facebook or Instagram, you can make your existing and potential customers recognize you if your brand has some personality to it. 

For example, insert humor or even lighthearted remarks when you go live selling on Facebook or Instagram to engage with your viewers. But always remember that authenticity matters, especially online. So be sure to show your true self and represent your brand values as genuinely as possible. 

Share User-Generated Content

Customers tend to read several reviews before buying something online. And when these reviews are based on honest opinions and experiences of previous customers, they‘re more likely to trust that your brand delivers on its promises.

As a merchant, you can make the most out of the content created by other customers to drive more sales. Share user-generated content like photos, unboxing videos, and reviews on your social media page. This is a sure-fire way to increase loyalty with your existing customers and add credibility to your brand whenever potential customers visit your social media.

Post content regularly

As you start gaining traction and building a following, you would want to be the go-to choice of your audience. Regularly posting on social media will help you stay visible and relevant online.

Go on Facebook and/or Instagram Live weekly or post photos on your timeline every other day. Update your Facebook Marketplace from time to time to show your latest products. Accompany your posts with eye-catching visuals. Remember — the more original and engaging your content is, the better.

Track and measure your social selling performance

Much like tracking your inventory and adjusting your pick-up schedules, tracking your social media selling strategies is equally important. This way, you can see how your live selling went, or even how a single post on your Instagram page has helped you generate leads and convert them into sales. 

There are several metrics you can measure on social media including Reach, Engagement, Leads, and Conversions. There are also social media analytics reporting tools on Facebook and Instagram that will help you measure these metrics easily.

Work smart and optimize your social media

Social media selling can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re a one-man team. The good news is that you don’t have to do everything manually. You can work smart by automating some of the processes on your platforms. There are E-commerce enablers in the Philippines that can help you do this, which in turn can make answering queries and giving customers information on your products faster and easier.

Indeed, social media has emerged as one of the most effective marketing channels to thrive in E-commerce. And for you to grow as a merchant, you have to adapt to it, embrace it, and use it to your advantage.

But while it may be difficult to build your social media presence, Payo can help you with social media selling! 

Payo, one of the Philippines’ top E-commerce enablers, has the right tools to get you started on social media selling. Our range of services, including Marketplace Optimization and Live Customer Support, can give you and your customers a seamless E-commerce journey.

Find the right leads and connect with people on social media with Payo! Sign up now or send us a message at [email protected] to kickstart your social media selling.

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6 reminders for when your online business is struggling

Marketing

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To thrive and be successful – this is the goal of every business owner. Everyday you give it your all, providing the best possible service to your customers, even Cash on Delivery and express delivery for those in the Philippines. But for some reason, business just isn’t picking up or there are days when you only record minimal sales. Don’t be discouraged because these instances can’t be avoided.

Whether you’ve been in the industry for years or a newbie merchant trying to break into the busy E-commerce world, you are bound to encounter challenges. When you do, just keep going because it is simply part of the grind. If you need an extra push, here are six reminders that you should keep in mind to help you bounce back.

Slow days are normal

Regardless of your business size, how consumers behave is something you can’t always predict. You can study your online business’ sales on a daily or weekly basis to see when sales are picking up and when they aren’t. This way, you can come up with a strategy that will also drive sales traffic even during off-peak days and times.

Success doesn’t happen overnight

Every business venture requires a lot of time and effort to become successful in the long run. In today’s times, competition is more stiff so you have to be creative to stand out through gimmicks, marketing, and more. What’s important to remember is that there’s no one formula that will lead you to success. Keep on researching and experimenting to find the best way to approach your customers.

Believe in yourself and in your business

Self-doubt is one of the biggest hurdles you will face, but never lose faith in yourself and in your business. If you feel you are struggling, look into how you can bounce back. Check your products, introduce promos, shake up your service – you don’t give up on your business, especially if it is your dream.

Negative feedback does not define you or your business

Even if business is doing good, you will encounter negative feedback every once in a while. While it is important to acknowledge your shortcomings, this is a clear opportunity for you to do better and improve on your products and services. For example, if the feedback is about slow delivery, why not offer express delivery to your Philippine customers? These kinds of feedback will only bring you down if you let it, so it’s better to learn from them instead.

Don’t be afraid to take a step back

Running a business can be overwhelming and even burn you out. Rather than staying and keeping up with the grind, learn to pause and take a step back. It’s never wrong to take a break when you feel tired, tense, or feel like you’re losing heart. Take a day or a week off to relax, unwind, and refocus. Resting is just as important in achieving success because you can’t effectively manage your business if you are burned out.

You don’t have to do it alone

Setting up and managing an online business is no easy task, especially when you’re doing it by yourself. Some challenges may sometimes be too much to carry on your own, so make it a habit to ask for help. Having the right support system will not only ease your stress levels, but even uplift your business because you have someone to help you.

Luckily, you can lean on Payo if you want a reliable partner that will make managing your business easier for you! 

Payo is an E-commerce enabler that offers a wide range of services that can address different business challenges. It has a presence in key locations across the country to help you reach more audiences. Payo also provides other services that can streamline your operations such as Sales Retention and Live Customer Support, Cash on Delivery Integration, Fulfillment, and Last Mile Management.


Need advice to improve your business? Sign up with Payo today or send us a message at [email protected]. The struggle may be real, but Payo is here and ready to help you out!

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7 signs it’s time to rent a warehouse for your business

Marketing

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E-commerce businesses have grown massively over the past two years. And merchants, including you, are now shipping more orders than ever. That being said, let’s admit it: doing warehousing in-house can be a lot of work. This is why the role of warehousing services in the Philippines is crucial — they can help you solve this pain point.

If you’re not sure if you should look into renting a warehouse now, we’re here to help you out! Here are some telltale signs that it may be the time to consider warehousing for your business:

You’re spending too much time on fulfillment

The amount of time you spend on fulfillment can easily keep you from focusing on equally important tasks. If you spend more time packing and shipping your products rather than investing in your core business, you’re putting your venture at risk. Let others handle your order fulfillment and spend more time on driving growth in your business.

You’re running out of space

Clutter is annoying and it can affect your operations. Running out of storage space is a red flag that says it’s time to rent a warehouse. By outsourcing a warehousing service, you get flexible storage space as your business scales.

You’re unable to monitor your inventory

Running out of stock is a major problem, and so is having too many products. If you are unable to keep track of inventory, a reliable business warehouse partner can help you tackle these issues at hand. 

There are warehousing services in the Philippines that use data to monitor orders and inventory levels, helping you predict how much stock you need on hand to meet the current demand. They may also have in-depth insights into returns, which allows you to determine and understand the pain points of your store.

You can’t keep up with the demand

Every business sees unexpected boosts in product demand, causing difficulty in fulfilling orders. But if you have had this problem longer than expected, you need a working warehousing strategy as soon as possible. 

Not being able to keep up with customer demand can put your business in a bad light. Remember that dissatisfied customers are less likely to return and recommend you to their friends. But having a warehousing partner can help you better respond to the increased order volumes and provide good customer service consistently. 

Your shipping costs become hard to predict or control

Shifts in demand, whether up or down, come with increasingly complex challenges and price variants. If your business is seasonal or you experience periods of high demand, shipping costs can blow up. 

When you have a warehousing partner, you can eliminate fluctuating costs and pay for the growth you need. Also, you can take advantage of the shipping discounts offered by these companies; more on this on the next point!

You know you’re not getting the best shipping deals

Fulfillment services can charge different prices based on the products you ship. You could save even more with leading couriers by negotiating discounts on their standard rates, but you’ll need a high volume of orders.

If you’re a small-scale E-commerce business owner, you won’t be able to meet those volume demands yet. When that’s the case, outsourcing a big warehousing company can give you direct access to additional saving opportunities as they can provide discounts based on their entire volume— not just your orders.

You’re shipping in the Philippines

If you are a merchant overseas that wants to ship products here in the Philippines, a word of caution – shipping here can be quite difficult. Postage costs are high and paperwork can take so much of your time. Then, of course, there’s the difficulty of making sure your products are packed well enough to survive a trip around the world.

Partnering with an efficient warehousing service in the Philippines does the trick. By utilizing a local partner for your warehousing needs, you can save more of your resources plus experience less stress in the long run.

It’s normal to be very hands on with your business, but there are aspects that you’ll need to ask help for. If you are seeing some of these signs in your business, let Payo do the warehousing for you!

Payo, one of the country’s leading E-commerce enablers, has a suite of services that can take care of your warehousing woes. From our Multiple Warehousing Solution and Order Fulfillment, to E-commerce Automation and Live Customer Support, we can definitely take the grunt work off your hands and help make your entire business more efficient. 

Sign up with us today or send us a message at [email protected] to see why we’re the best option for warehousing services in the Philippines!

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QUIZ: Discover the best selling platform for your business!

Marketing

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Filipino consumers have developed a strong preference for online shopping. Whether it’s because of flexible payment methods, bigger discounts, or even safety and convenience, online retail has without a doubt spiked in recent years.

Merchants have also joined the shift, bringing their businesses to the digital space to tap into this growing demand. Many of them have also partnered with E-commerce enablers in the Philippines to effectively reach more customers.

If you’re looking to build your online presence, how do you know which selling platform is the best for you? Here’s a short quiz to help you decide which platform to use. Make sure to list down your answers until the end to find out!

How would you describe your business in terms of size?

A. Large enterprise with offline stores

B. Small to medium enterprise

C. Startup or just taking off

Why do you want to build your business online?

A. Strengthen and reinforce my business growth

B. Reach the growing number of customers online

C. I don’t have resources to put up a physical store

Where are your target customers located?

A. Across the country

B. Within the city and nearby cities, possibly more

C. Just around our neighborhood and nearby areas

Are you tech-savvy? How do you want to go about your selling platform?

A. Yes, and I need full control of my store’s development

B. I understand platforms, but would prefer working with templates

C. Not really, so I want a platform that’s easy to manage

How do you want to promote your products?

A. Emails, newsletters, and ads

B. In-app ads and other promotional features

C. Regular posting, boosted posts, and referrals

What payment methods would you like to offer?

A. PayPal, E-wallets, and bank transfers

B. PayPal, E-wallets, bank transfers, and Cash-on-Delivery

C. E-wallets and bank transfers only

How do you want to handle your shipments?

A. I have access to various couriers that can help me with my deliveries

B. I want a platform that has existing shipping methods

C. I can be flexible with my customer’s preference

ANSWER KEY

Mostly A’s: Your Own Website

You already have a clear vision for your brand. So, having your own website is likely to be the best selling platform for you. From the overall design to the content, you can call the shots and even choose your payment and shipping methods, as well as who and where to sell your products.

If things get too overwhelming, you can work with E-commerce platforms and enablers in the Philippines to develop this website.

Mostly B’s: Online Marketplaces

You’re a bit tech-savvy and you value convenience, which makes online marketplaces like Shopee and Lazada the best selling platform for you. With their templates, setting up your profile, products, and content will be quite easy. They also have different payment and shipping options that you can offer to your customers.

You can also market your shop and products through chat, vouchers, cost-free promotions, and in-app ads.

Mostly C’s: Social Media

You want something that’s simple and gets the job done right away. Whether it’s Facebook or Instagram, social media is the best selling platform for you because it is easy to manage. You can stick to your personal profile or set up your own page. Upload product photos, key in product descriptions, provide terms and frequently asked questions, and you’re good to go!

Just make sure to post regularly, respond to inquiries in a timely manner, and offer different promos and discounts.

Ultimately, what’s most important to build and sustain your online presence is an effective strategy, especially in managing your daily operations. You can combine any or all of these to reach different audiences, but it may be daunting if you’re working alone.

Good thing you can partner with Payo, a leading E-commerce enabler in the Philippines! It provides holistic solutions to make online selling simple, easy, and more accessible through a winning game plan. Marketplace Optimization, Sales Retention, Warehousing, Fulfillment, Last Mile Management, and Cash-on-Delivery Integration – these are only some of the solutions that Payo offers that will surely help you thrive in your preferred selling platform.

Want to learn more about the best strategies to match the best selling platforms? Sign up with Payo today or send us a message at [email protected]. Let’s start your online business journey now!

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5 ways business automation optimizes your workflow

Marketing

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Being hands-on in pretty much every aspect of your business is important for E-commerce merchants. It’s fulfilling to oversee everything, given that it can directly impact your business’ growth. But as you scale, you can’t expect to manage every task, especially if a lot of them are done manually. Good thing there’s E-commerce automation to help keep your business running efficiently and smoothly! 

E-commerce enablers consider business automation as the future of all industries. It plays an increasing role in all aspects of the value chain as it can fine-tune operations, giving you more time to focus on growing your venture. But how do you actually use automation to optimize your business? Read on to find out.

Creating an efficient database

E-commerce automation is great for streamlining repetitive manual tasks, which frees you up for more important work. However, it is also important to know that it could be a powerful tool for managing data behind the scenes.

Data sets are important in drawing conclusions and driving growth for the business. However, merchants who don’t have the time or knowledge to manage these would find it difficult to do the actual work. It entails accuracy, attention to detail, and time to manage your database. By having an automated merchant dashboard, all you need to do is sit down and sip on your coffee while you monitor and track everything with ease.

Elevating your customer support

Customer support is another area where merchants can integrate automation. 

Customers are more willing to purchase from a store that gives them excellent after-sales service. By automating your ticket management, queuing, and chats, you can add value to your E-commerce business while providing stellar customer experience. And when you complement it with a human touch— personalizing your approach to each customer and treating them as individuals, not just mere transactions — you get to elevate your customer support and build a positive experience for them. 

Having a seamless checkout process

One of the reasons why customers abandon their carts is because they experience a complicated checkout process. You can prevent this by providing an easy and secure checkout process. Utilize automation to fill in user details automatically and show payment options as seamlessly as possible. This makes it convenient for customers to complete their transactions. 

Providing timely customer updates

Once they’ve completed the transaction, customers like it when you send them an email or SMS saying that their order is on its way. With E-commerce automation, this is a rather easy thing to fulfill. There are E-commerce enablers that can do the heavy lifting of sending messages to customers so that they’re updated on the status of their orders. 

Exploring marketing tools to expand and grow

In the digital age, using a single channel to market your products isn’t enough. You have to market your offerings across different channels including social media, email marketing, search engine marketing, and content marketing. Doing this takes a lot of time, but automation can make it easier.

By integrating automation into E-commerce marketing, you can optimize your tools to reach potential customers and deliver consistent branding and messaging across all your selected channels. You are sure to expand and grow in no time, given the reach and engagement that you can achieve.

There are many more ways to optimize your business through automation. Integrating it into your workflow processes will help you deliver exceptional customer care, establish meaningful connections, and reinforce lasting brand loyalty. However, automation is not a one-size-fits-all approach as it is dependent on how your operations look like. And if you want to explore this some more, there are E-commerce enablers that can help you with your E-commerce automation journey. One of them is Payo!

Our range of E-commerce automation tools such as our Courier Algorithm, Information Logistics, and Cash on Delivery Integration can help you run your business efficiently. 

Plus, you can also depend on our reliable Warehousing and Fulfillment solutions, as well as our Marketplace Optimization service, to ensure that you are one step ahead of your E-commerce game.

Level up your business with our tech-based solutions! To check out more of our automation tools, sign up now or send us a message at [email protected]. 

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QUIZ: What type of online seller are you?

Marketing

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If you are a merchant, chances are, you’ve already met different kinds of customers. There are wanderers, discount-seekers, impulse buyers, and so on! But have you ever wondered what type of online seller you are?

Discovering your strengths and weaknesses is important for you to succeed in the Philippine E-commerce industry. So to help you be aware of them, we’ve whipped up this simple and easy quiz to determine which type of online seller you are! Make sure you keep track of your answers until the end of the quiz.

Which word best describes you as an online seller?

A. Problem-solver

B. People-person

C. Risk-taker

D. Outgoing

Do you enjoy persuading people to try new products or services?

A. Totally! Sharing my expertise with them is my forte!

B. Not at all. 

C. Yes! And even if they are not interested in it, overcoming objections is my strongest suit.

D. If the product or service is relevant to them, I’ll give it a try.

How do you connect with a customer on a personal level?

A. Education

B. Empathy

C. Fulfilling their needs

D. Humor

Do you like being on a team or are you more of a loner?

A. I like working on my own.

B. I enjoy both. 

C. Someone has to take home the trophy!

D. There’s no ‘I’ in team, right?

How do you determine a customer’s needs?

A. I have a list of questions I use to discover more about the customer.

B. I ask the customer right away.

C. I can be pretty intuitive. I can determine my customer’s pain point from the get-go and suggest a solution quickly.

D. I’m pretty good at asking the right questions most of the time.

How do you manage an objection?

A. I enlighten them.

B. I redirect the conversation. I’m good at that.

C. I often disregard it.

D. I thank them for allowing me to know their concerns.

What is the most important part of making a sale for you?

A. Making sure that I provide customers with all the things they have to know about the product.

B. Ensuring that my customer gets exactly what they need at the right time.

C. When they check out their carts and proceed to payment. That’s it!

D. Getting to know the customer and building rapport with them.

What do you think is the most essential skill that an online seller must have?

A. He/she must be equipped with the right knowledge about the product.

B. He/she must be a good listener.

C. He/she must be persuasive at all times.

D. He/she must exhibit a good attitude toward customers.

ANSWER KEY

Mostly A’s: The Troubleshooter

Known as the analytical type, Troubleshooters are best at solving customers’ problems. Plus, they make sure that matters are attended to right away!

Strengths: They are highly technical people who find comfort in talking to a prospective customer with similar technical knowledge. As a troubleshooter, this allows them to display their technical abilities and repair or fix the customer’s concern. 

Weaknesses: They tend to give too much detail that is often irrelevant to the customer. It can be off-putting to those who just want to buy the product for a certain need and don’t particularly care about more of its specifications.

Mostly B’s: The Shopkeeper

They are the amiable type — a warm, friendly, and service-oriented kind of online seller.

Strengths: Helping people is their strongest suit. They are pleasant and find delight in helping people get the product that best suits their needs.

Weaknesses: Shopkeepers are not so keen on uncovering the customer’s needs. If the customers know what they want, the shopkeeper would gladly find it for them. And since they are friendly among customers, they don’t want to be perceived as aggressive. So instead of closing a sale, they may opt to let customers decide on their own.

Mostly C’s: The Chaser

The driven and risk-taker type, Chasers are self-assured, assertive, and highly focused. When online sales are not going up, they are the ones forging new territories and seeking out new prospects. 

Strengths: Every move they take is calculated, proven, and direct. They are very competitive online sellers, always keeping their eyes on the horizon.

Weaknesses: Chasers are too goal-oriented that they miss out on opportunities right in front of them. They tend to overlook small opportunities as they go after the bigger ones.

Mostly D’s: The Campaigner

Masters of smooth-talking and soft-selling, campaigners are the so-called brand evangelists. They are not afraid to ask a prospect about their needs. They are outgoing and enthusiastic all the time. 

Strengths: They are the nurturing type of online sellers as they value customer relationships. Campaigners are also intuitive and always put importance on social interaction.

Weaknesses: Given their outgoing nature, campaigners can sometimes border on being too aggressive. They sometimes miss non-verbal cues or signs of disinterest from customers because they’re focused on sharing the information they want to share.

Have you figured out which type of online seller you are? The personality types mentioned above aren’t always definitive, and you might pull certain qualities from more than one of these types. What’s important is that you now have a clearer picture of your online selling style which you can leverage to stand out as an E-commerce merchant.

But regardless of which type of online seller you are, there are E-commerce enablers in the Philippines that can help you scale faster, and one of them is Payo! Whether it’s Warehousing, Fulfillment, or Marketplace Optimization, our tech-driven and holistic solutions are guaranteed to help you thrive in Philippine E-commerce!


Ready to level up your E-commerce game? Send us a message at [email protected] or sign up today to learn more about what Payo has to offer.