As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the “New Normal” demands contactless protocols for business survival and new globalization.
Businesses that failed to decide and make the necessary adjustments were forced to shut down by the government for failure to meet changing consumer behavior.
For those of you who took the leap into eCommerce, you’re on the right path! Whether 100% online or hybrid – there’s no doubt that contactless business is here to stay.
If you haven’t made the switch yet, here are 4 essential contactless business tips you need to know:
Having Your Own Online Store
Businesses today have some form of presence in the online marketplace. It could be social media selling on Facebook and Instagram or listing their products through an eCommerce platform like Amazon, Lazada, or Shopee.
But…
Nothing beats having your own online store to yourself — on top of your other selling channels. In our article about setting up an eCommerce business in the Philippines, we shared the benefits of having your own online store to:
- Establish Your Online Branding
- List Products Exclusively
- Zero Competition
- Campaign Direct Marketing
- Post With Freedom Of Content
- Integrate With Social Media
- No Commission Fees
What does this mean in making your business contactless?
Simply put, your own online store or eCommerce website is a technology solution where people can make direct orders without any limitations to accessing your products in-store or disruptions related to competing with other online sellers on marketplaces.
Fully Digital Mobile Payments
Businesses today are making the “great digital shift” from cash transactions, cheque processing, and manual bank deposits into fully digital and mobile payment technologies.
These efforts are in response to meeting the changes in consumer behavior caused by innovations and current events.
Your checkout process should offer convenient payment options that reduce cash handling, such as via card and digital wallets optimized for mobile transactions.
While some consumers still choose COD, trends show movement towards preferring the digital option for safety and convenience reasons.
Make sure you accept digital payments such as debit or credit cards, online bank transfers, and digital wallets like PayMaya and GCash for a contactless payment option.
Last-Mile Delivery Solutions
Most online stores have to look for a third-party logistics provider to help them deliver products to their customers. Worse, they have to do the delivery themselves door-to-door.
Not only is this inconvenient for you as a business fulfilling bulk orders, but you risk prolonged exposure outside, considering that delivery isn’t your forte as an entrepreneur.
Some online sellers also ask their customers to shoulder expensive delivery fees when their eCommerce platform doesn’t offer free or affordable shipping.
According to Statista, expensive delivery and shipping costs are the biggest factors for customers to abandon their carts.
So in building your online store, consider your shipping and delivery options.
Prosperna’s online store is partnered with LBC, J&T, and Lalamove (with more to come soon) to ensure that packages are tracked and delivered securely in the fastest possible time.
24/7 Customer Support
Customers will have a lot of inquiries about your products and services. Providing them with the answers at any given day and time comes in different forms.
Businesses that maintain good relationships with their customers increase work productivity and allow you to become top of mind whenever they need anything.
Here are just some ways to level up your customer support:
- Product Description In Listing
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On Your Website
- Integrating Chatbots On Your Online Store To Answer Inquiries
- Answering Comments Social Media
- Using Mobile Chat Applications To Connect With Customers
- Marketing Using A CRM To Send Mass Emails And Texts
In the “New Normal,” customer support is the priority. That means focusing on customer needs to ensure their happiness and satisfaction.
A contactless business uses the solutions mentioned above, investing in the right technologies to offer the best customer care and service possible.
Contactless Business FAQs
What is contactless shopping?
In contactless commerce, users employ AI-powered technologies to make choices and purchases across voice, mobile, web, and store-based platforms.
Why is contactless payment good for business?
Less cash processing and handling speed up the processing of orders and transactions, improving turnover and reducing wait time.
Final Words
Companies today need these 4 qualities to thrive as a contactless business under the “New Normal”.
Become more efficient and profitable and create more opportunities with these tips. Together, let’s build a better Philippines!
Related Article:
- How to Simplify Digital Payments for Your Online Store
- How Restaurants Can Start Their Own Online Delivery System
- Payment Gateway 101: Keeping eCommerce Transactions Safe and Secure
Prosperna, Your Partner to eCommerce Success
Prosperna is an all-in-one eCommerce platform for Philippine businesses. We are on a mission to empower 100,000 Philippine MSMEs with simple and affordable eCommerce solutions.
In fact, we are super passionate about helping Philippine MSMEs we’re giving you a free account forever!
Want to start selling online? Create your free-forever Prosperna account now.
