E-commerce (electronic commerce) is the buying and selling of goods and services via the internet. With the advent of Covid-19, food and beverage companies were faced with a digital-only reality overnight. And during 2021 over 2.14 billion people worldwide are expected to buy goods and services online, which is an increase from 1.66 billion global digital buyers in 2016. So in an increasingly competitive digital landscape, what are the most most important e-commerce tips for food and beverage companies to adopt?

1. Analytics

Customer analytics are an important tool for food and beverage manufacturers running a business online. This data can help you refine and evolve your products and the methods you use to market them. Google Analytics is a completely free service that delivers operational data relating to your website, providing detailed statistics about your customers and their preferences. You can analyse the time customers spend on your website, their referring source (how they found you), and mobile vs. desktop views. 

2. Integrate Your E-Commerce With Your ERP

E-commerce ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is the integration of your e-commerce system with a cloud-based, advanced ERP solution. With the integration of ERP software, your e-commerce website will have a more streamlined order process. Automated inventory updates, order tracking and accounting collectively reduce your employees’ workloads and lead to a more efficient and agile operation.

3. Reviews, Reviews, Reviews

Staggeringly, 84% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, so make sure you add reviews to your e-commerce website. According to research at North Western University, clearly displayed customer reviews increase conversion rates by approximately 190% for lower-priced products and as much as 380% for higher-priced items. So make your positive reviews visible!

4. Have an App

With the ubiquity of online shopping most food and beverage manufactures have spent time and money designing and modifying their websites, but few have made the greater leap into designing their own app. Make everything on your app “thumb friendly” and in the appropriate place. Also be aware of the “three-tap-app” rule; arranging products in the following order: 1. Categories, 2. Sub-categories, 3. Products. This means potential buyers are never more than three taps away from being able to buy one of your products. If you make the design of your app stylist and consistent, users will enjoy it, and your sales will be boosted. 

5. Use Unique Branding

The global market for functional food and beverages is predicted to grow to $274.5 billion by 2025. But how can you stand out in such a large marketplace? What makes your website and products unique? You need to have a confident, unique brand and product(s) which sets you apart. As Theodore Levitt of Harvard Business School explains, “differentiation is one of the most important strategic and tactical activities in which companies must constantly engage.”

Get in touch today to learn how CASHMERE can help your food and beverage business thrive in a competitive digital marketplace.