E-commerce platforms and logistics partners – what to look for?
In the era of the digital revolution, online trading has become almost a necessity for every entrepreneur. According to Gemius, in 2023, 79% of Polish Internet users made at least one online purchase. The value of the Polish e-commerce market in 2023 was PLN 141 billion, and it may increase to PLN 200 billion by 2026. As many as 86% of Polish Internet users list Allegro as one of the online stores they use most often. No wonder then that searching for reliable e-commerce platforms and logistics partners is a must!
However, success in e-commerce requires a great product, catchy marketing, and the right choice of e-commerce platform and logistics partners. These two elements constitute the foundation for the efficient functioning of the online store and directly affect customer satisfaction. A poorly selected platform can make shopping difficult for customers, and an inefficient logistics system can lead to delivery delays and damaged shipments.
In this article, you will learn:
- What functions should an ideal e-commerce platform have?
- What to pay attention to when choosing a logistics partner
- How to integrate the e-commerce platform with the logistics system
- What are good practices in choosing an e-commerce platform and logistics partners
By following the tips in this article, you will not only be able to choose an e-commerce platform and logistics partners but also ensure that these choices contribute to the success of your online commerce.
Choosing an e-commerce platform and logistics partners is a long-term decision to impact your business. Give it enough time and attention to make an informed choice.
E-commerce platform – functionality and scalability
Did you know that according to Gemius, in 2023, 79% of Polish Internet users made at least one purchase online, and the value of the Polish e-commerce market in 2023 amounted to PLN 141 billion and is ready to increase by 2026? These data indicate that e-commerce is a dynamically changing area, and therefore, it is worth adapting your business to market requirements.
Choosing the right e-commerce platform and logistics partner is a crucial decision for every e-commerce entrepreneur. The platform is the online store’s foundation for its functionality, scalability, security, and appearance.
Before you choose a tool to develop your e-commerce, use this checklist to review your needs.
Scalability of e-commerce platforms
In addition to the functionality of the e-commerce platform, its scalability is worth considering. Good e-commerce platforms can expand the store with new functions and modules, thus adapting it to the growing number of products and orders. You can also not forget seamless integration with external CRM and ERP systems. This allows you to analyze and modify your store, manage data and shipments, recognize customer needs, and adjust your offers to their expectations.
The appearance of the user interface is also essential, and it should, above all, be intuitive and responsive. The ability to adapt the graphic template to your brand is an additional advantage of the selected platform. However, the built-in WYSIWYG editor allows you to easily edit the content and thus enables you to build individual elements of the store yourself without the need to employ a specialist to operate a given platform.
Built-in SSL security certificates characterize a well-chosen e-commerce platform. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) security certificates are digital certificates that ensure the security of communication on the Internet by encrypting data sent between the server and the user’s browser.
The issue of security and data protection, which are an indispensable part of running an e-commerce business, is also ensuring and maintaining appropriate methods of managing and storing personal data. In this case, you should know the GDPR and inform your customers about how their personal data is stored and used by the store. It is also worth constantly updating and implementing security patches, i.e., keeping up to date with changes in legislation and security settings for a given platform and implementing appropriate related solutions.
What else is worth paying attention to?
- Platform costs (subscription, sales commissions)
- Availability of technical support
- Opinions of other users
Choosing an e-commerce platform is a long-term decision. Carefully analyze your needs and requirements, compare available options, and choose the best platform.
- Start by identifying your needs and requirements.
- Compare features and prices of different platforms.
- Test the platform before purchasing it.
- Choose a platform that offers good technical support.
- Take care of the security of your online store.
Logistics partner – a key part of your e-commerce
Logistics partners and e-commerce platforms play a crucial role in e-commerce and is responsible for delivering orders to customers. The choice of a logistics partner affects not only customer satisfaction but also the image of your brand.
Choosing the right logistics partner may seem complicated. However, paying attention to the following aspects should make the task easier.
Experience
There are many logistics companies on the market that offer a wide range of services. Pay attention to the logistics company’s experience in the e-commerce industry to analyze whether they fit your needs.
- How long has it been on the market?
- Is it part of a larger company?
- Does it have a wide range of additional services, e.g., returns handling, space for storing larger items, fulfillment support, etc?
Customer feedback and market rankings are among the most valuable resources when evaluating a potential logistics partner. A reputable logistics partner will not only provide case studies or industry reports on their website, but most importantly, they will share references from satisfied customers, instilling a sense of security in your decision-making process.
Prices and dates
Choosing the right logistics partner and e-commerce platform is also based on cost verification. Therefore, getting to know the competition, their prices, and the scope of services is worth it. Find out whether a given logistics company has a flexible approach to delivery times. This may be crucial for you and, above all, your customers. Shipment insurance can also significantly impact how your company is perceived, and you gain confidence and security when placing orders.
Tracking system and customer service
Customers often pay attention to transparency when tracking shipments. Not only does it provide regular information about the status of the shipment, but above all, it clearly explains where your goods are, whether they have successfully passed the picking, packing, and shipping process, and when they will finally be delivered to the end customer.
Regarding customer service, it is vital to check its quality carefully. Make sure your logistics partner cares about customer satisfaction. You can verify available communication channels such as hotline, chat, and e-mail. Check the quality of customer service offered by the logistics partner.
Choosing a logistics partner is a long-term decision. Carefully analyze your needs and requirements, compare available options, and select the best partner.
Integration of the e-commerce platform with the logistics system – the key to success
Smooth integration of the e-commerce platform with the logistics system is crucial to effective order management. It allows for automating many processes, saving time, eliminating errors, and improving customer service.
What are the benefits of integrating an e-commerce platform with a logistics system?
First, automation of logistics processes. These include the automatic generation of waybills. From a broader perspective, this allows you to avoid errors and ensures that the data contained in the document is correct (if no errors have occurred before). Improving data consistency, therefore, increases customer satisfaction.
Automation also supports real-time activities, such as downloading information about shipment status, updating inventory levels, or automatically sending notifications to customers about order status.
Saving time and improving customer service
Automation generally reduces the number of manual activities, thus increasing work efficiency and allowing workers to focus on other tasks. From the customer level, it allows for quick access to current order information, tracking of the shipment, and shorter waiting times for delivery.
How do you integrate an e-commerce platform with a logistics system?
There are several ways to integrate an e-commerce platform with a logistics system:
- API: The most popular integration method involves exchanging data between systems using an application programming interface (API).
- Plugins: Plugins are software that can be installed on an e-commerce platform to add integration functionality with a logistics system.
- Integration services: Companies offering integration services can help you integrate your e-commerce platform with your logistics system.
When choosing an integration method, you should consider the functionality of the e-commerce platform and logistics system, the technical skills of the team, budget, and time.
Sample integration solutions
- Shoper API: Allows the integration of the Shoper platform with various logistics systems.
- PrestaShop Connect: A module that enables the integration of the PrestaShop platform with logistics systems.
- WooCommerce Shipping Extensions: Plugins for WooCommerce that enable integration with various logistics systems.
Integrating an e-commerce platform with a logistics system is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. Consult an expert before deciding on integration.
Good practices in selecting an e-commerce platform and logistics partners
Choosing e-commerce platforms and logistics partners is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your business’s success. By following good practices, you can make an informed choice that will provide long-term benefits.
Below, you will find a short list of tasks that you should consider to fine-tune your strategy for selecting the right e-commerce platforms and logistics partners.
Keep in mind: Selecting the right e-commerce platform and logistics partners is a crucial investment in your business. It’s essential to dedicate sufficient time and effort to this process. Conduct a comprehensive analysis of your requirements, compare the available options, and opt for solutions that promise long-term success.
It’s also beneficial to observe how successful companies operate in the e-commerce sector. Drawing insights and experiences from them can be a valuable learning opportunity for your business.
- Allegro: The largest Polish e-commerce marketplace that offers a wide range of e-commerce platforms and logistics services for sellers.
- Shoper: Polish e-commerce platform known for its ease of use and wide range of functionalities.
- InPost: Polish parcel operator that offers courier services and parcel lockers for online stores.
- DHL: Global logistics company offering various e-commerce services, including domestic and international transport.
By following the tips and examples above, you can make an informed choice of e-commerce platform and logistics partners that will ensure your e-commerce success.
To sum up
In the era of the digital revolution, having an online store is a necessity for every entrepreneur. However, e-commerce success requires more than a great product and catchy marketing. Choosing the right e-commerce platform and logistics partner also plays a key role.
Why is it so important?
First of all, the e-commerce market in Poland is growing dynamically. In 2023, 79% of Polish Internet users made at least one purchase online, and the value of the e-commerce market reached PLN 141 billion. It is forecast that by 2026, it will increase to PLN 200 billion. Moreover, customers expect fast and efficient delivery. As many as 70% of Polish Internet users wish their orders to be delivered within two days, and 59% consider fast delivery the most crucial factor when choosing an online store.
Contact us and learn more about how we can help you develop your online store!
