emily-sirianni

Emily Sirianni

for-everyone

For Everyone


Are you looking for an easy way to launch an ecommerce shop? Our new
app, Shop Builder, is now in public beta! We’re looking for companies
that want to build an online shop but don’t want to spend thousands
building it out. And since you might be asking why we’re building out
another ecommerce solution for Salesforce, we’ll start with a brief
summary of current ecommerce options.

## Ecommerce Solutions in 2024

These days, having an online presence is a must. Building an ecommerce
storefront is an established method for increasing reach and revenue.
For many, however, creating and managing an online store can be
daunting, requiring technical expertise and substantial resources.

In recent years a slew of ecommerce options have popped up online trying
to simplify this process. They’ve opened the door to tons of small
businesses and nonprofits looking to find a new audience online.
Shopify, Oracle, and Squarespace are three names that have helped to
define this wave of options. Salesforce itself offers an ecommerce
solution, and now, so does CloudAnswers.

### Salesforce Commerce Cloud 

![Salesforce Commerce Graphic](/uploads/sf-commerce.png)

[Image
Source](https://www.salesforce.com/news/stories/salesforce-headless-commerce-composable-storefront/)

The commerce solution offered directly by Salesforce is generally
considered a large investment of time and effort, but comes with a ton
of templates and features. For example, you can utilize the embedded
Einstein AI to recommend related products to shoppers to guide their
experience and upsell naturally.

For smaller businesses or non-profits, the most intimidating part of
setting up a shop on Salesforce Commerce Cloud could easily be the cost
and the need to have a Salesforce developer available for setup and
updates. This makes it a better option for those who are either already
firmly established with a customer base or those who have the money to
invest upfront in the longevity of their shop.

### Shopify Plus 

This popular option offers many of the same features as Commerce Cloud
but removes the need for a dedicated developer. Their shops are built
with a drag-and-drop program that lets you choose the components you
want on your page and move them around until you’re happy.

Shopify Plus requires less time and (typically) less money than setting
up with Salesforce Commerce Cloud since it doesn’t require developer
skills, although there are developer tools for advanced functionality
like headless commerce. Shopify Plus does come with a subscription fee
that starts at $2,300/month. The cost of setup with both can vary, and a
financial investment is required before your shop is live.

## CloudAnswers Salesforce Shop Builder

![Shop Builder Example Shop](/uploads/shop-builder-example.png)

My team at CloudAnswers is obsessed with figuring out the most effective
way to build solutions to give our users the most bang for their buck.
So when a client approached us with the idea for a simple ecommerce site
that didn’t require a developer or learning a whole platform to update
and automatically synced with Salesforce, we were surprised when we
couldn’t find an existing solution. The resulting product, which we are
now calling Shop Builder, has been used by this client for years and
processed millions of dollars in orders. And we are now opening it up to
the public!

The options I gave earlier along with their competitors offer bells and
whistles a-plenty. For many, that’s what they’re looking for. But others
find them overwhelming, and are concerned with the software’s ability to
work with the sales strategies they already have.

If you’re looking for a straightforward online storefront and are using
Salesforce for products and tracking purchases, CloudAnswers Shop
Builder is perfect for you. There is no need for IT, graphic design, or
web development skills. We want to be an affordable option for
businesses just getting started and for non-profits, so we’re forgoing
monthly fees – instead, we charge 1% of your shop’s sales.

## Current Shop Builder Features

-   Customize your Shop: Improve customer recognition by matching your
    shop with your brand identity. Choose your main color, add your
    logo, and upload a hero image. Describe your shop prominently on the
    homepage.

-   Domain Included: Get a free personalized URL without any of the
    hassle of buying a domain.

-   Unlimited Shops: You can set up multiple shops and have as many
    active at once as you’d like. They can even use the same Salesforce
    pricebook, displaying the same products. A/B test with ease, and
    diversify your offerings and reach different customers.

-   Seamless Salesforce Integration: Sales on the shop are immediately
    tracked in Salesforce as opportunities, capturing buyer information
    during checkout.

Right now we’re working on two important features to be rolled out in
April. These updates will be applied to all new and old shops without
any additional cost.

-   Product Pages: Click on a product to view more detailed information
    with a carousel of images. Each URL is unique, so you can share
    links directly to one product. Shoppers can add to cart or buy
    immediately and proceed to checkout from this page.

-   Shop Preview: Review your shop and make changes before you click
    that go-live button. See updates in real time on the preview page
    and tweak your shop before your eyes.

If you think Shop Builder *could* be a good fit for you but it’s missing
something, send us a chat message or [use the contact
form](https://cloudanswers.com/contact)! We’re gathering feedback
from beta users at this phase of development, and your input will guide
us as we make decisions about what to develop next! We have these
features in mind;

-   Build a shop before connecting with Salesforce or Stripe: Allowing
    users to test out what their site could look like without making any
    commitment or agreeing to additional permissions.

-   Add-On Fees: Let you set shipping costs or product taxes for your
    shop

## Want Shop Builder? 

Great news—if you use Salesforce, it’s already available to you!
[Follow these directions to get
started.](https://youtu.be/tim9dq2ojSk) You’ll also need a free
Stripe account before you can finish setting up your Shop. There’s no
upfront cost, we won’t collect anything until you make your first sale.

Interested but need more information? [You can set up a demo
here](https://calendly.com/pfox-cloudanswers/product-feedback-session/?a1=Shop%20Builder&month=2024-04)
or [learn more on our
website.](https://cloudanswers.com/products/shop-builder)


Announcing CloudAnswers Shop Builder, a simple ecommerce solution for Salesforce. Want an online shop but don't want to pay thousands and wait months to build it? Check out how easy it is to create a shop with Shop Builder.

announcing-shop-builder

Product Launch: CloudAnswers Shop Builder

cloudanswers

CloudAnswers


Technology has changed the approach to daily living. One of the main areas it has significantly impacted is e-commerce across the globe. Business has moved from a more physical exchange of goods and services to online sales where you can summon any product at your fingertips, and get it delivered conveniently and reliably. 

According to a [recent study](https://blogs.adobe.com/digitaleurope/digital-marketing/the-adobe-2016-digital-trends-report/), many customers believe that the changes noted in the past few years have changed the history of eCommerce. Indeed, this transformation has taken a dramatic turn since Covid-19 hit the World. Even companies like [Defcon sauces and Kintec Finds](https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/offline-to-online-business-advice-digital-transformation/#defcon-brings-the-heat-to-their-online-store) took to a digital transformation to expand their reach.

While this article provides valuable tips for effective online sales, here are some ways eCommerce is changing the World one website per time; 

## **Ecommerce strategy**

- **Mobile friendly purchase:** A recent study found that [mobile users](https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/03/u-s-consumers-now-spend-5-hours-per-day-on-mobile-devices/) spend an average of 5 hours daily on their phones. Therefore, they are more likely to use their phones for purchase instead of heading to a store. This approach provides accessibility and availability while allowing the consumer to browse through several products simultaneously.
- **Voice commerce**\- eCommerce has opened the door to voice interaction so that you can ask your digital assistant to make an order for you. Amazon Alexa, Google phones, and Microsoft Cortana are in this category.

## **Ecommerce software and tools**

In 2019, e-commerce hit $547 billion in the US alone. By [2020](https://www.census.gov/retail/mrts/www/data/pdf/ec_current.pdf), it reached $791.7 billion. There is no doubt that it is a lucrative venture. However, running an eCommerce business comes with much competition. For effective online sales, consider using e-commerce tools. 

These tools help automate and simplify every task about your business. They help your management time, customers, and yourself effectively.

## **What are the best e-commerce tools?**

1. ### **Customer Relationship Management software**
    

CRM ensures efficient interaction with customers and consumers to maximize profits. Since the tools in this category gather data from several channels, detailed purchase information helps you understand customer behavior.

[Salesforce](http://www.salesforce.com), a brand dedicated to bringing customers and businesses together through cloud-based solutions, has the tools that could help you.

2. ### **Online stores**
    

In a booming industry like eCommerce, several online eCommerce platforms are setting the pace. Since there are a number of platforms, it is essential to consider fees, technical skills, logistics, mobile-friendliness, and many other factors before you choose one.

- **Shopify:** an all-in-one solution for eCommerce startups. It is shopping made easy for everyone. Luckily they support third-party marketplaces, social media sales, and POS software. One of the reasons Shopify stands out is its versatility and accessibility on mobile devices. It has three payment plans; basic ($29 monthly), Shopify ($79 per month), and advanced ($299 per month). Again, with the BuildFire tool, you can build a Shopify mobile app for your business.
- **BigCommerce**: since its inception till date, this platform has processed over $25 billion in sales. It is presently used in over 120 countries in the World, and it comes with pre-loaded features. Furthermore, it has exceptional inventory management, SEO, and conversion tools. You are also sure of responsive customer support on a 24-hour basis. B2B favors the platform because it provides enterprise-grade solutions. With $29.95, $79.95, and $299.95 per month, you can enjoy the standard, plus, and pro plans, respectively.

3. ### **Delivery experience**
    

According to a report by [BizReport](http://www.bizreport.com/2015/06/77-of-online-shoppers-say-free-shipping-most-important-optio.html), 77% of online shoppers prefer to choose free shipping for their purchases. Therefore, it is clear that unreasonably high shipping costs may turn customers off, causing them to leave their carts. It may potentially reduce conversion rates. So, it is best if you considered low shipping costs, a good return policy, fast delivery, and periodical sales.

4. ### **Marketing**
    

- **SEO and SEM**\- online sellers never finish it all in their businesses. They continue to optimize things until its better. Therefore, you should consider this. You want to be sure your business is visible. The best way to ensure this is to have a solid content plan and employ SEO and SEM. 
- Build a trusted brand- a picture is worth a thousand words. It is valid for online sales. To provide value by staying true to what you promise. Consider testimonials and rewards for referrals.
- **Email marketing**\- marketing will always be vital for online businesses, so you want to stay with it. Email marketing is a personalized approach that helps you keep in touch with existing customers while providing them with information. Also, consider affiliate marketing with influencers on Social Media platforms. These guys get your active business engagement for the right price. You might consider featuring your brand in their posts too. 
- **User recommendation** (sharing buttons, testimonials on the website)- referrals and recommendations are a traditional but effective way to increase your online sales. Potential customers are more likely to trust you more when they have heard good things about you. Also, encouraging customers to click your sharing button on social media helps you reach more people. 
- **Ads-** ads increase visibility and help funnel your audience. They raise awareness of your product and ultimately improve the traffic on your website. These help sales and conversions. 
- **Study the data-** knowing what your audience thinks of your business goes a long way in improving their experience. Google Analytics and other available on the market analytic tools help you to keep optimizing your shopping experience. 

## **Wrapping it up**

There are several effective ways to improve your online sales. Technology has come to stay, and it will continue to make life easier for you and your customers.

Technology has changed the approach to daily living. One of the main areas it has significantly impacted is e-commerce across the globe.

tips-for-effective-online-sales

Tips for effective online sales

Salesforce apps, powerful components, development and consulting. Our experienced team helps you to create and modify workflow processes in salesforce.

Ecommerce

Product Launch: CloudAnswers Shop Builder

Tips for effective online sales

Partners

Company

Get in touch