E-commerce Automation Tools: a Must-Have For Every Online Seller

E-commerce automation is all about using software tools to take care of the repetitive tasks that come with selling online. Think of it as having a digital helper that manages the boring tasks so you can focus on the fun parts of growing your business.

This is super handy for online sellers because it cuts down on the time and effort they'd otherwise spend on things like keeping track of orders, managing stock, chatting with customers, and running marketing campaigns.

When it comes to automation tools, there are numerous options available that integrate with various e-commerce platforms. However, this blog post will specifically address sellers who have a Shopify store or sell on multiple marketplaces, including eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, and Mercari.

Table of Contents

• Crosslisting Tools
• Marketing Automation Tools
• Other Essential Automation Tools

Crosslisting Tools

A crosslisting tool (sometimes called crossposting) is a specialized software designed to help online sellers easily list and manage their products across multiple e-commerce platforms, such as eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari. These tools streamline creating and updating listings, saving time and effort by allowing sellers to post their items on several marketplaces simultaneously, often with just a few clicks. 

Several crosslisting tools exist, like Vendoo, Crosslist, List Perfectly, and OneShop, among others. However, this discussion will center on Vendoo, which is particularly popular among resellers.

Why Is Vendoo A Reseller’s Top Choice:

• Streamlines Crossposting: Vendoo makes it easy to list your items across multiple platforms, such as eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari, saving you time and effort.
• Inventory Management: Efficiently track and manage your inventory across different marketplaces from one central location.
• Analytics and Reporting: Offers valuable insights into your sales and inventory, helping you make informed decisions about your reselling strategy.
• User-Friendly Interface: Designed with a simple and intuitive interface, making it accessible even for those new to reselling.
• Time-Saving Features: Includes tools like bulk editing and delisting, which can significantly reduce the time spent on managing listings.
• Mobile Support: Offers a mobile app, allowing you to manage your reselling business on the go.
• Cost-Effective Pricing: With a free plan for starters and affordable paid options, Vendoo is a budget-friendly choice for resellers at various stages of their business.

In addition to simplifying the reselling process, Vendoo empowers sellers to make strategic business decisions by offering plenty of educational resources on how to scale your reselling business through their blogs (like this one!), YouTube channel, and events. 

You might also be interested in: Best Crossposting Apps For Online Resellers in 2023

Marketing Automation Tools

For Shopify sellers who venture into platforms like eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari, selecting the right marketing automation tools is key to efficiently managing and optimizing their marketing efforts. 

Before we get started, I'm sure that marketplaces like eBay, Poshmark, etc., don't let sellers move their customers off the site. Why? That's how they earn their money. It's really important to get your customer's details, like email and phone number, through your Shopify store, not from these marketplaces.

Email Marketing

For high-volume sellers, email marketing is a goldmine. It lets you keep in touch with a large customer base efficiently, sending out updates, promotions, or personalized offers that can drive repeat sales and boost brand loyalty. 

Imagine being able to target specific segments of your audience with tailored messages that speak directly to their interests – that's where the real power of email marketing lies. It's not just about selling; it's about building relationships at scale.

Email Marketing Tools:

• Klaviyo: A top choice for Shopify sellers, perfect for crafting personalized email campaigns.
• Mailchimp: User-friendly and great for those starting out with email marketing; integrates well with Shopify.
• HubSpot: Offers a comprehensive suite that includes email marketing, ideal for detailed campaigns and customer relationship management.

SMS Marketing

In the world of instant communication, SMS marketing stands out for its directness and high engagement rates, making it perfect for high-volume resellers. You can shoot quick updates or exclusive offers straight to your customers' phones, grabbing their attention right where they are most active. This approach is excellent for time-sensitive deals or reminders, ensuring your message doesn't get lost in a crowded email inbox.

SMS Marketing Tools:

• Omnisend: Not just for emails, it also allows for effective SMS marketing campaigns, blending seamlessly with your Shopify store.
• Klaviyo: Along with email, it’s also efficient for targeted SMS marketing, making it a versatile tool for Shopify sellers.

Social Media Marketing:

Social media marketing is invaluable for high-volume sellers aiming to expand their reach and strengthen their brand presence. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are ideal for showcasing products, sharing customer stories, and even running targeted ads to draw in a broader audience.

Plus, with the ability to engage directly with customers, you create a community around your brand, which is crucial for long-term growth and loyalty.

Social Media Marketing Tools:

• Hootsuite or Buffer: Excellent for scheduling and automating posts across social media platforms, driving brand awareness and traffic to your listings.
• Google Ads: While primarily for search advertising, it’s instrumental in driving targeted traffic to your Shopify store, indirectly supporting your social media marketing efforts.

You might also be interested in 5 Ways to Market Your Reselling Business and Gain Exposure

Tip: The best way to grow your social media presence and encourage engagement is to create short-form videos (TikTok, Instagram Reels etc.), especially ones where you show your face. 

This personal touch can create a parasocial effect, where viewers feel like they’re building a relationship with you. Seeing the person behind the brand makes your content more relatable and trustworthy, leading to stronger connections and more engagement from your audience.

Other Essential Automation Tools

Leveraging a range of essential automation tools beyond just crosslisting and marketing can greatly enhance efficiency and sales. Here are some key areas and corresponding tools that can be particularly beneficial:

Feedback and Review Management

For a high-volume reseller, managing feedback and reviews is crucial. Positive reviews build trust and credibility, encouraging new customers to buy from you. Tools that help manage and respond to feedback show that you value customer input and are committed to quality service. 

This not only improves your reputation but also provides invaluable insights into how you can further refine your offerings.

Feedback and Review Management Tools:

• Yotpo or Trustpilot: These tools integrate with Shopify and can help gather and manage reviews across different platforms, enhancing trust and credibility for your store.

Tip: Similar to the advice about short-form videos being the best way to grow your social media presence, having user-generated content (UGC) in video form is an incredibly effective way to gather reviews. 

This approach not only lends authenticity to the reviews but also brings them to life in a way that text alone cannot. When potential customers see real people sharing their experiences with your products, it builds trust and credibility, significantly impacting their buying decisions.

Accounting and Financial Management

As a high-volume seller, keeping a tight grip on your finances is essential. Accounting and financial management tools help you track sales, expenses, and profits in real-time, giving you a clear picture of your financial health. This is crucial for making informed decisions, whether it's investing in new inventory, scaling up operations, or identifying areas where you can cut costs and boost profits.

Accounting and Financial Management Tools:

• QuickBooks Online: Integrates with Shopify for seamless financial tracking, invoicing, and reporting, which is essential for sellers managing sales across multiple platforms.

Order and Shipping Management

Efficient order and shipping management is the backbone of a high-volume reselling business. Automating these processes ensures that orders are processed quickly and accurately, improving customer satisfaction and reducing the likelihood of errors. 

Plus, with streamlined shipping processes, you can handle a higher volume of orders without getting overwhelmed, keeping your business running smoothly even as it grows.

Order and Shipping Management Tools:

• ShipStation: This tool automates the shipping process, integrating with Shopify and other platforms to streamline order fulfillment, label printing, and shipping tracking.
• PirateShip: A strong contender in the shipping realm, PirateShip brings cost-effectiveness to the table with discounted USPS and UPS rates. It's known for its straightforward integration with Shopify, simplifying order imports and handling, and its user-friendly interface makes it a go-to for businesses of all sizes. Plus, its pay-as-you-go model means no hefty subscription fees, making it a budget-friendly choice for effective shipping management.

You might also be interested in Book-Keeping for Resellers

And there we have it! Armed with these tools, you're all set to streamline your online reselling business. Remember, the right combination of tools can make all the difference in efficiency and sales. Let us know in the comments below which is your favorite automation tool!