Catch Up with Azox / k-eCommerce at Convergence 2014 in Atlanta

In just two weeks, Convergence 2014 will be in full swing and we are excited to be exhibiting this year at booth #1640.

2014 is an exciting year for k-eCommerce. In November of 2013, we announced a merger. Azox and k-eCommerce joined forces and now operate as one company with offices in Plymouth, Mich. and Montreal, Quebec. The collaboration of these two eCommerce leaders operates under the name k-eCommerce.

But, the merger is old news. We announced that months ago. So, at Convergence 2014, look for the familiar faces you have associated with Azox and / or k-eCommerce through the years; we’ll be there!

This year at Convergence, not only are we exhibiting as a new company, but we are bringing a new eCommerce release that is sure to impress. Our omni-channel eCommerce solution now incorporates responsive web design. This makes a website respond to its environment, meaning no matter what screen size an end user is browsing the Internet with, your website will adjust accordingly to display properly. Along with that new element comes touchscreen optimization and HTML5, which allows your multimedia content to be displayed on mobile devices. Another key piece of the latest release is a revamped content management system (CMS). This CMS is easier to use than ever and delivers all the tools needed to build web pages. This CMS comes with blog capabilities and the ability to create unique layouts with many templates to choose from. The final piece of the latest version of k-eCommerce is A/B testing. This will allow you to create two versions of the same product page, for example, and determine which version converts better. A/B testing gives you the opportunity to experiment and create a website best catered to your customers.

Convergence is a busy couple of days, so why should you stop by booth #1640?

• For starters, to say hello to your new team comprised of Azox and k-eCommerce
• Then, to checkout the latest integrated eCommerce solution for Microsoft Dynamics
• And finally, to ask questions about Rock-N-Rave, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year. (register here).

It has been a crazy couple of months combining forces, but we are ready to introduce what is sure to be the leading integrated eCommerce solution for Microsoft Dynamics for years to come.

For more information about k-eCommerce, be sure to visit our website.

Estimated eCommerce Holiday Spending for 2013

With the 2013 holiday season behind us, it is time to take a look at eCommerce data to see where opportunities lie and what trends can be expected in 2014. According to estimates from Custora, 2013 was not too different from 2012. The major change is that more consumers are using their mobile devices to shop online.

It is estimated that total eCommerce revenue in the U.S. generated during the holiday season, which is Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, is up 12 percent compared to 2012. When looking at the two largest shopping days of the year, Black Friday accounted for 16.2 percent of total eCommerce holiday spending and Cyber Monday accounted for 18.2 percent.

The average amount spent per order is estimated to have no change from 2013 to 2012, however eCommerce orders placed during the holiday season are estimated to have increased 12 percent in comparison to 2013. eCommerce conversion rates are also estimated to have increased from 2.4 percent in 2012 to 2.5 percent in 2013.

As mentioned, the largest estimated change relates to how consumers use their mobile devices to shop online. The estimated change of eCommerce orders placed using mobile devices increased from 20 percent in 2012 to 29 percent in 2013. Of those orders, 83 percent were done from an iOS device and 16 percent came from an Android device. Is your website mobile-friendly? To learn more about responsive design, which makes your website display in a user-friendly way no matter the screen size, click here.

Unique traffic to eCommerce websites is also estimated to have increased by 15 percent.
Custora also put together a report, “eCommerce Snapshot Holiday Edition,” that dug into 2012 data in regards to eCommerce spending during that holiday season. Some of the most important takeaways include the customer lifetime value of those acquired during the holiday season and also the importance of two four-day blocks of time in December that account for the same percentage of holiday spending as Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.

The first major point gathered from the data shows that customers acquired during the holiday season have a lifetime value that is 15 percent lower than customers acquired during the rest of the year (January – October). That means these customers are less likely to become repeat shoppers.

Data also shows that while Black Friday and Cyber Monday draw huge sales, there are two other periods of time in December that are just as lucrative. In 2012, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales combined accounted for 8.58 percent of total holiday spending. Also in 2012, from Saturday, Dec. 1 to Tuesday, Dec. 4, total sales accounted for 9 percent of all holiday spending. Then again from Monday, Dec. 10 through Thurs., December 13, consumer spending accounted for 8.49 percent of total holiday spending. So while Black Friday and Cyber Monday are important days to prepare for, don’t forget to incorporate a strong marketing strategy for these two four-day periods as well.

Struggling with Abandoned Shopping Carts? Consider These Tips to Lure Customers Back to Your Web Store

Every business with a web store knows the pain of abandoned shopping carts and probably why consumers jump ship. The top reasons being:

• High shipping costs
• The desire to shop around more
• Not wanting to create an account with the merchant
• A complex checkout process
• Preferred method of payment missing

**To learn more about why consumers abandon carts, read one of our blog posts from July, “How to Decrease Shopping Cart Abandonment and Increase Conversion Rates.”

While knowing the top causes of abandoned carts can provide some insight about how to increase conversion rates, there are some other tips that can be implemented as well.

First of all, since we know that consumers like to shop around for the best deal, make it easy for them to create saved carts or add items to wishlists that can be accessed at a later time. This makes it easy for them to return to your web store after they are certain your product is the best deal, and then make a purchase.

Another way to improve your conversion rates is with a strong follow-up marketing campaign. Provide customers with reviews of the product they have abandoned paired with images and a link. You could also consider offering them a special rate if they “act now” or try to sell them on free shipping. Timeliness is important with email too. Make sure you do not wait too long to remind customers of what they have left in their shopping carts. Don’t be afraid to test new ideas; different businesses in different industries have customers with varying demands.

Aside from regaining lost customers, try lowering shopping cart abandonment rates by:

• Streamlining your checkout process; don’t forget to make it mobile-friendly. One way to do this is with responsive web design. Learn more here.
• Show that your products are superior by displaying great customer reviews and providing thorough information.
• Don’t hide costs, like shipping.
• Make checkout a quick, easy process; consider asking the customer to create an account after a purchase has been made.

Abandoned shopping carts are a common pain point experienced by many businesses that sell online. Try implementing any or all of these tasks to regain lost customers and increase conversion rates.

Cyber Monday 2013: Record-Breaking Sales and an Increase in the Usage of Mobile Devices

As expected, sales for this year’s Cyber Monday crushed the previous year with an increase of 18 percent, reaching a total of $1.735 billion, according to ComScore. In fact, since its inception in 2005, Cyber Monday has continued to grow and has been widely known as the largest online shopping day for several years. Many choose to shop online for Cyber Monday rather than facing the crowds on the biggest shopping day of the year for retailers, Black Friday, as the deals are comparable and the convenience of shopping from home is more appealing. Further, given its continued growth in popularity, Cyber Monday is evolving in to a weeklong event as many retailers continue to offer promotions through Friday.

In addition to a major increase in sales on Cyber Monday, the way consumers shopped differed. According to a Forbes article, more consumers chose to use their mobile devices in 2013 with an increase of 55.4 percent compared to 2012. In total, mobile sales accounted for 17 percent of total Cyber Monday sales.

To break down mobile usage further, 19.7 percent of shoppers chose to browse eCommerce websites using their mobile devices, while 11.5 percent opted to browse on their tablet. However, when it came to making purchases, 11.7 percent chose to proceed through checkout on a tablet device, while just 5.5 percent did so on a mobile device. Average sale per order was also higher on tablets coming in at $126.30. Average sale per order on a smartphone was $106.49.

Another sales driving factor for this year’s online shopping event was social triggers. According to a report put together by Adobe Systems, Inc., between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, consumers who landed on a retailer’s website by clicking on a link from a social network spent $148 million online.

There are many great opportunities that come with having an eCommerce website, especially one that features responsive web design, which makes a site display in an easily digestible format across varying screen sizes. On top of selling online, when it comes to events like Cyber Monday, or even Black Friday, businesses who have an online store are able to offer promotions, like free shipping or buy one get one specials. Mobile coupons are another tool that can be used to entice consumers and further drive sales online or in brick-and-mortar locations during these and other big online shopping events. Further, social interaction can play a significant role with promotions and increasing the overall visibility of your business’ product portfolio. To take advantage of any of these features or to start selling online with a custom web store, contact our sales team today.

Avoid Mass Chaos: Shop Online Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Each year, Black Friday is taken to new extremes and 2013 will be no exception. This season, many retailers plan to open their doors Thursday evening and continue sales through Friday. Some advertisers are even referring to the shopping event as “Black Thursday.” So now, what was once a day reserved for a sit-down dinner with loved ones has turned in to an opportunity for retailers to turn a profit. This has caused a great deal of controversy, however, since consumers are always looking for a deal, 2013 is sure to be another record breaking year for total Black Friday sales, especially since the time frame is longer.

For consumers who disagree with 2013’s lengthened Black Friday extravaganza, there is one clear option, and that is Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday falls on the Monday after Black Friday. For 2013, that Monday is December 2. This shopping event is the online version of Black Friday. Businesses that sell online offer great deals at varying times throughout the day, just like their brick and mortar locations do on Black Thursday. This means consumers can spend Thanksgiving with their families, enjoy a long holiday weekend and still get a head start on Christmas shopping with great deals on Cyber Monday.

There are many benefits to Cyber Monday. Those who opt to shop online can avoid large crowds, long lines and the extremists who will do anything to get the products they want that are on sale. Further, those who shop on Cyber Monday receive similar deals to those who go out and face the crowds on Black Friday and they get to do so from the convenience of their own home. That means pajamas are acceptable attire. Free shipping is almost a given on Cyber Monday and this year, mobile commerce will have a big impact.

We heard it last year and the year before that, but it is still true this year; the holiday shopping season in 2013 will be another record breaking year. That is due in part to Cyber Monday. What started as marketing hype to boost online sales in 2005 has grown in to a huge success. For 2013, according to Nielsen, 85 percent of consumers will skip Black Friday and instead, 46 percent said they will shop online Cyber Monday. Also according to Nielsen, online shopping will increase on Black Friday; 51 percent of consumers who will shop on Black Friday intend to do so online.

When it comes to what mobile device consumers will use to shop online, Nielsen found that 37 percent will use tablets and 27 percent will use their smartphones.

Black Friday is the kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Moving forward, businesses will need to consider strategies for brick and mortar locations as well as for their online stores. Need an eCommerce store to grow your business online? Or perhaps just a mobile-optimized website? Contact Azox today!

In the meantime, look for more detailed statistics from us next week. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Flipboard App Joins the World of eCommerce Just in Time for the Holiday Season

Perhaps you’ve heard of an app called Flipboard? If you’re not part of the millions of people already using Flipboard, this app, available from the Apple App Store or Google Play, allows users to create their own personal magazines filled with what is interesting or relevant to them. Social networks can be added and RSS feeds can also be populated with favorite blog sites. This app is a one-stop solution for managing a user's personal preferred Internet content. Users can simply install a “Flip It Bookmarklet” button to their web browser that makes it easy to add content from the web to their magazines or browse through the app and add or remove links via their mobile device.

Today, Flipboard announced its latest addition: eCommerce.

This new addition allows Flipboard users to create custom catalogs filled with goods they would like to purchase or just goods they simply like. These items can be added from almost any site online. When a product listing is selected, the user is either taken directly to the website or to a product layout inside Flipboard. This is determined based on whether or not the seller of the good is a partner, which leads to the second portion of the announcement. Several partnerships were formed to roll out this new feature, including Banana Republic, eBay, ModCloth and Etsy. Celebrities are getting involved with Flipboard’s shopping vertical as well, including actress Alyssa Milano and chef Daniel Boulud. These public figures are creating their own custom shopping catalogs that users can browse. Purchases can also be made from Flipboard with just a few clicks.

This new addition opens up a while new vertical for the app. Users have already created millions of custom magazines; now they have the option to create custom catalogs. These might be, “Running Gear,” “Top Holiday Gift Ideas 2013,” or “Home Decoration Inspirations.” The possibilities are endless.

Does your business have a web store? Don’t miss out on great opportunities like these by not growing your business online. With the holiday season fast approaching, we have options that can get your online storefront up and running quick and easy so you can start to experience the benefits of eCommerce. Contact our sales team today to learn about eCommerce options for your ERP platform.

New Live B2B Ecommerce Websites from Azox

A&M Marine, Inc. has gone live with Azox eSource B2B this week. The business sells marine accessories and parts and has utilized the standard package offered by Azox to create an online catalog for users to log in to and browse their product offerings. Users can place orders from this environment and return users have the option to use the Express Lane feature that helps expedite the order process.

Express Lane is a feature offered by Azox that allows a user to upload either a comma delimited (CSV) or tab delimited (Text) file containing item numbers and quantities to populate a list. Once the file has been successfully uploaded, the user then clicks the “validate” button and as long as all numbers are correct, the list can be added to the shopping cart. This is a useful feature for customers who regularly order the same products.

Azox also went live with another B2B ecommerce website this week. The second live site was developed for Goodness Greeness, which is a business focused on providing fresh, organic produce in the Midwest. This website also requires that users log in before seeing the company’s products. Once logged in, users can browse and place orders from this secure environment. Goodness Greeness uses the Express Lane features as well to make it easy for return customers to place reorders quickly.

Azox is an established ecommerce solution provider in the Microsoft Dynamics community. The ecommerce solution from Azox is available in four different environments; business, consumer, employee and mobile. For more information about these solutions, visit this web page. In addition to ecommerce, Azox also offers a payment processing solution and online bill pay. These solutions all offer seamless integration with Microsoft Dynamics GP. Schedule a personal demo with our sales team today to see any of these products in action.