Whether you are interested in starting an e-commerce business or you currently do business online selling goods or services, the tech landscape is changing again. New start-ups supporting the e-commerce industry are sprouting up left and right, offering innovative ways to conduct e-commerce business.
Below are five of the most innovative companies currently in operation that are changing the way people buy online and helping e-commerce move to the next level.
The Top 5 Game-Changers
Kiva Systems – This robotics company is the future for warehouse organization and finished goods fulfillment. Amazon has been interested in buying them, and companies like Toys-R-us and Timberland use these robots within their distribution centers across the U.S. Previously, employees would run around the distribution centers grabbing various items off shelves and consolidate them prior to shipment – then they would need to verify and package the items together themselves. The robots within these distribution centers fetch items more quickly and with perfect accuracy, resulting in shorter lead times and more customer satisfaction. Amazon has discussed adding robots to logistics as well in the future, which would change the e-commerce landscape completely. Imagine, a robot, delivering your products to your doorstep with a cookie in hand.
OpenSky.com – Understanding your market has never been easier. This social site hosts over four million members and allows consumers to discover, buy, and share unique products based on individual tastes. This company is the social equivalent of HSN where members create their shopping circle (like google plus circles) and choose products based on recommendations and exclusive information. Other e-commerce businesses should take some notes on how this company does market research. They are so good that Bobby Flay and Martha Stewart count themselves as extreme enthusiasts.
Shopify – I am sure you’ve heard of this one and for good reason. Although this platform is well-known and not much of a hidden secret to e-commerce businesses, it deserves to be on this list. With Shopify, you can build a pleasing e-commerce site in about 20 minutes and generate sales in the same day. The platform can be competitive, with new companies opening every single day, but all-in-all, if you have a good product than Shopify will help you sell it. The amazing platform makes e-commerce more accessible to all businesses and makes the experience more enjoyable for customers.
Amazon, Ebay, & Etsy – If you have a product, extra junk, or great creative ideas, these sites are your mecca. I was going to separate them, but considering that many e-commerce business owners sell products on all three; I thought connecting them would be the best approach. If you are looking to get started right away, I recommend skipping Shopify at first and use these retail sites as a way to develop a following or to test the product’s marketability online. If a product does not sell on any of these sites, it is never going to sell online. Therefore, using Amazon seller accounts, eBay buy now or auction options, and Etsy storefronts will help establish an understanding of your product interest and desirability. If you are re-selling pre-owned goods hit up eBay, if you are selling general new products on the market than Amazon is your spot (eBooks, information products). However, if you are the imaginative type, Etsy can launch your new product and help gain exposure from larger retail distributors.
FastSpring – For those looking to reach an international market, look no further than FastSpring.com. The standout feature of their service is real-time foreign currency conversion. Their system also offers full support for calculating taxes in real time in the buyer’s area; this includes local state taxes as well as international taxes such as the EuroZone’s Value-Added-Tax. If you’re looking to reach beyond the constraints of national borders in your e-commerce dealings, FastSpring is the way to go.
About the Author :
The writer, Matthew Hall, comes to us having already successfully built up and sold several e-commerce platforms of his own, and now writes on the side to keep himself busy until his next project. If you wish to learn more about Matthew, visit him on his Google+.