Is your Company’s E-Commerce Evolving?

Is your Company’s E-Commerce Evolving?

E-commerce sales comprised 9.1% of all U. S. retail sales in the third quarter of 2017, according to the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce. Up from 8.2% in the same quarter of 2016. In the next three years e-commerce sales are expected to total $708 billion, according to Javelin Strategy & Research.

The big box retailers are consolidating and closing their brick and mortar stores in record numbers. They are putting their resources into their e-commerce sites to try and capture a market dominated by Amazon and primarily directed by Google. Will you follow their lead?

What can you do today to enhance your e-commerce site?

6 simple steps to boost and optimize your e-commerce site:

  1. Create a Mobile Friendly website.  First and foremost even if you are not selling your products or services online, you need to be found online today and in a mobile friendly way. 77% of American’s have a smart phone and are looking for your product or service right now. Is your site mobile friendly?  If not, stop everything you are doing and call someone who can help you create a mobile friendly e-commerce site today.
  2. Collect Customer Data.  Make sure you collect as much data as you can through your Point of Sale (POS) or on your site. It’s never been easier to collect your customer’s email or phone number at the POS. There are so many systems to choose from today that do this with ease at the cashier or checkout level. With more and more people using smart phones and going green, you can email receipts, notify of upcoming sales, and simply market your service to them with this collected information.
  3. Use a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) program to collect the basic data of your clients and prospects (company name, contact, address, email and phone number). It’s time to drill down to interests, birthdays, colleagues, spouses, children, education, how and why the customer started the business or anything you can discuss. In fact, every time you talk with your customer, note their file. People love to be remembered and this is your powerful insight into your customers needs and wants. Listening to these needs not only builds a strong loyal relationship, it saves everyone time and money by not discussing or pushing out topics that have little or no interest to them or their business.
  4. Develop a strategy to engage your customers.  How do you get your message out to your valued customers.  Email, blog post, mail, phone or social media? Quite frankly, you should use all of these to connect and on a regular basis. Use the same information on all platforms as it is unlikely your client will visit all.  If they do, great because it takes 5-7 touches before you sell an item. Just begin with one and take baby steps. Remember…”A good plan … now is better than a perfect plan … next week” – General George C. Patton.
  5. Reward your Customers.  Do you have a rewards program? If not start one today.  If you have one in store, great.  If it isn’t online then talk to someone who specializes in gift cards and rewards programs that will work with your e-commerce site. It doesn’t matter what type of business you own, there is something you can do to reward your clients. Even if it is just a cup of coffee, a $5 gift certificate or maybe a discount on a future purchase.  Birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, are all great, but what about something more original like an anniversary with you or just to thank them for their business? Think out of the box and send an e-certificate. If they don’t use it, it’s no loss to you.
  6. Optimize your payment process. Accept Apple Pay and the many new digital wallets to speed up the check out process. Shopping abandonment is a constant battle for e-commerce clients. Make it easy and fast for your clients to buy. Check into the many credit card software systems that not only reach out to clients to pay, for example, Electronic Bill Presentment and Payments (EBPP) but give your customers the ability to finance their purchases.

All in all, e-commerce has evolved and will continue to do so in the coming years. Take advantage of the many tools available to grow your business.

What are you waiting for? Like Nike says Just do it” and do it today!

2018 is Geared up to be the Year of Technology

2018 is Geared up to be the Year of Technology

As you reflect on 2017, so much has changed in the payment space.  Are you planning a new image for 2018?  How about even a minor adjustment?

Isn’t it time you harness the power of technology?  Yes, it can be easy and fun!

With new wallets, crypto currency, kiosks, biometrics, and more, people are now using their fingerprints for more than accessing their phone.  They can pay with a touch or wave of a cell phone, skip the line at a busy takeout and even bypass security at major airports.  What does this all mean for your business? Time savings, profitability and happy customers.

It’s time for your business to embrace technology to enhance the customer experience.  

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know today it’s all about engaging your customers, making payments faster and easier along with creating a great experience for them.  How do you achieve this in your business?  First, by knowing who your customers are, what they like and why they buy from you.  How quickly can you get this all done?  These all work in tandem really.

Reward your customers with a loyalty system.  This will help you understand and collect data from your customers and track what they buy.  Then you reward them when they come back again.  Next, implement an easy to use NFC (Near Frequency Communication) technology system to make checkout a breeze, saving you, your staff and your customer time.  The new friction-less payments work by allowing clients to pay with their phone through Apple Pay, Android Pay, Google Wallet…maybe even bitcoin someday.  Another method some merchants use is the QR code scan to checkout.  This wonderful technology works through NFC which keeps their card safe in their wallet.  No more handing over their credit card to a shop clerk or server.  The newer systems even allow a Kiosk to order and check out faster, which can save you a tremendous amount in labor costs.

Not only do these systems help with collecting data from your customers about their favorite drink or pizza, they help you stay connected with them by sending out loyalty points or pings (beacon technology) when they pass by your store.  It’s all about engaging your clients and customers with what you have to offer.

Be informed with how your business keeps your clients data secure.  Learn about the many payment options for online and face-to-face sales.  Nothing in America is happening faster than technology.  It is time to embrace the new technology so that running your business is easier and more profitable all while creating happy, satisfied customers.  What are you waiting for?

By the way, if you travel to Miami, Seattle, NY, LA or any big city in addition to the TSA pre-check, look for Clear, a biometrics security check that will save you pulling out your ID for TSA.  You just look into a screen or use your fingerprint for validation, saving you hours while traveling.

TLS Security Is Important!

TLS Security Is Important!

With all the recent stories about security breaches, you may be wondering what you can do to help secure your data and communications. Transport Layer Security, also known as TLS, is a procedure that provides privacy and data integrity between multiple applications in your systems. TLS is used to create a secure environment for web browsing, emailing, or other applications. Websites are able to use TLS to keep all communication between their servers and web browsers secure. For organizations that store or process payment information, using TLS version 1.2 is a requirement of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. This standard was created by the PCI Security Standards Council to protect cardholder data. No single security measure will fully protect your organization from unauthorized data breaches, but implementing security protocols like TLS can reduce the chance of such threats.

How does your security impact your daily work day?

When it comes to your computer, your web browser may need to be updated. Whether you have Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, etc, check to make sure your computer is installing these updates automatically. When it comes to your payment software, if it stops working, you may need to do an update or even upgrade your software. Contacting your software provider with any issues can be a big help.  Some businesses run a standalone credit card terminal. If this stops working, you are going to want to contact your local sales office or merchant service provider as you may need a new file to be downloaded into the terminal.

The goal of TLS procedures are security and efficiency. Are you wondering if your browser is supported? This link will show you a list of supported browsers:

https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/viewMyClient.html

Shopping Extravaganza!

Shopping Extravaganza!

Click to view full news story on FaceBook!

 

Please come and join us today at the Crown Plaza for an afternoon and evening of fun, fabulous fashions and accessories! This year we are pleased to announce there will be a wider array of sizes for everyone. All proceeds go to help the women of Southwest Florida! We hope to see you there.

Hurry on down and don’t miss out!

2017 Apex Awards and SWFL Dress for Success

2017 Apex Awards and SWFL Dress for Success

A fabulous evening was had by all at the 2017 Apex Award Ceremony. There
was more than glamorous and beautiful women attending this event. All are
accomplished women who gave their time, knowledge and experience to make a
difference in our community.

It was especially exciting for us as our own, Barbara Dell, was the
recipient of this year’s prestigious award. Barbara has helped over 3200
women in Southwest Florida. Women who have fallen onto hard times, have
been victims of domestic violence or single mothers. Many struggling at the
poverty level just trying to make ends meet. Dress For Success offers not just clothing,
but programs to help them with their job interviews, learning new skills to
help them re-enter the workforce stronger and more confident than ever.
Recently, , I met someone who achieved the position of a manager at a local
Dillard’s only to learn that she attributed her success to Dress For Success. She repeated
how she could not have done it without the help, guidance and encouragement
given to her by Barbara and Dress For Success.

There is only one Barbara Dell! But what Barbara has built will affect
hundreds if not thousands more women as the SWFL chapter of Dress For Success continues to grow and touch every segment of our community.

Photos from the event

FEMA Business and Individual Assistance

FEMA Business and Individual Assistance

Business and Individual Assistance for Lee and Collier Counties Now Available

If you, your business or a family member has been affected by hurricane Irma here are some valuable resources to help you get help in the aftermath of the storm.

Check your address and apply for assistance here:

Address Look-up

Check the Status of your claim and find local resources here:

https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Florida specific information relating to those affected by hurricane Irma

floridadisaster

Download the FEMA app for your smartphone

IOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fema/id474807486?mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.fema.mobile.android&hl=en

Read FEMA’s advice on vetting information found on social media here

If your business and it’s ability to make payments has been affected contact Card Systems for some help in getting your business taking payments today. We have some great limited time FREE promotions that allow businesses to begin making payments on a mobile device today.

 

 

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