Get ready for some real talk because we’re about to dive into how e-commerce and technology are turning the promotional products industry on its head. Forget about the old-school catalog-based sales, we’re living in the digital realm now, and it’s time to adapt or get behind.
The Catalog Era
Ah, the joys of flipping through thick catalogs to find those perfect promotional products.First, the catalogs need to get made, which is a whole world of fun for your designers and internal teams. Then your customers will spend hours thumbing through pages, squinting at tiny pictures, and trying to find something that stands out. This isn’t quite the interactive experience they’re looking for, but it’s the one they’re getting because it’s the one the industry has gotten used to giving.
But the game is changing faster than you can say “online shopping.” This shift to online stores or live catalogs brings a whole bunch of benefits to the table.
First off, setting up live catalogs through Brikl is ridiculously easy. Choose the products you want to pull in from over 400+ suppliers, enjoy the fact that all product data and images can be populated automatically, and decorate them with any logo of your choice all in one place. What’s more, you can search for products the way you search for anything else online. Type in, for example, “red jumper” and you’ll see all related products instead of having to memorize 15-digit SKU codes. We almost fell asleep just writing that last part…
And in an age of convenience, accessibility is absolutely critical. Brikl’s shoppable digital catalogs are open 24/7, so your customers can shop anytime they please. You can even schedule open and close times so you don’t need to manually manage availability.
The only thing that’s difficult about this process is figuring out what to do with all the free time you’re going to have.
Variety and Customization:
Now, let’s talk selection. Online stores give you a smorgasbord of choices – you can find all sorts of promotional products in one place, just a few clicks away. You can set up customization and personalization options in the backend so your customers can really see themselves in the products. And you can create bundles and collections that are super tailored to whoever you’re selling to.
Personalized Experience:
Customers want a hyper-personalized experience. Think about how Amazon operates: all the information collected on customer behavior helps provide every shopper with a highly individualized experience that’s a bit like walking into a store that was specially built for them. With online stores, you get to give your customers the personal touch they’ve always wanted. You can add your logo, pick the colors, and even add personalized messaging, as well as a curated product selection. Your customers will feel like they’ve got their very own personal designer at your fingertips.
The Power of Data:
Online stores gather valuable information about your preferences and purchase history. That means they can suggest products you might like, offer personalized deals, and keep them in the loop about new arrivals. But most importantly, they let you see trends quickly and stay one step ahead of the competition.
Think about the latest consumer trends; your customers want:
- Eco-made, sustainably sourced products, and recyclable packaging
- Quality and locally sourced
- Personalization
Consumers these days are a whole different breed. Their behavior is evolving faster than ever, and you better be ready to keep up. Gone are the days when consumers would settle for generic products. With the rise of social media and the interconnected world we live in, people want products that reflect who they are. They want to feel like the products were made just for them, not cookie-cutter mass-produced items that are going to go straight to landfill.
Being able to see how your customers interact with new and existing products allows you to tailor your selection to meet their needs in real-time. It’s awe-inspiring stuff. And with Brikl’s integrations, you can accrue and use data from your existing systems in your Brikl dashboard to make your online stores and catalogs top notch.
Supply Chain Challenges:
Oh boy, the promotional products industry’s got its own set of hurdles to jump here. Supply chain management can be a real pain. With different suppliers and inventory to handle, it’s like walking through a maze blindfolded. And let’s not forget about the costs and inefficiencies that come along with it.
Fragmented Supplier Network:
Picture this – you’re dealing with a bazillion different suppliers, each with their own catalog of products. You’re tasked with reaching out to them individually, negotiating prices, and coordinating orders. It’s a time-consuming ass-ache that doesn’t quit unless you’re using Brikl’s supplier integrations, of course.
Inventory Management Complexities:
Alright, you’ve finally got your products from all those suppliers, and now you just have the tiny task of keeping track of them all. It’s a tiny task a bit like juggling chainsaws – one wrong move, and you’re in trouble. You’ve got to know what’s in stock, what’s running low, and what’s selling like hotcakes. If you mess up, you could end up with backorders or, even worse, running out of stock completely and denting your customers’ trust. Unless you’re using Brikl’s supplier integrations, of course…
Order Fulfillment Woes:
Okay, now you’ve finally got your orders rolling in, it’s now time to fulfill them. With so many moving parts – suppliers, inventory, shipping – it’s easy to stumble. If you can’t get orders out the door on time, you risk losing customers faster than a toupee in a hurricane. So what’s the answer? Online store platforms make it easy for you to manage your orders because your customers are ordering products via your stores and all their information is being collated in the backend. As if by magic, you’ve stepped away from multiple versions of spreadsheets, phone calls, endless emails, and carrier pigeons flying through your office into a sanctuary of calm collectedness.
Cost Management and Inefficiencies:
With so many suppliers and inventory to handle, it’s easy to let costs spiral out of control. And let’s not forget about inefficiencies – time wasted, resources stretched thin, and money flying out of the window. Okay, we know we keep harping on it, but supplier integrations can solve this issue too. All costs and inventory can be directly handled through your Brikl store so you’re not left short and out of stock or overstocked.
Quality and Sustainability Concerns:
Now, this one’s a doozy. You want to offer top-notch products, but with so many suppliers in the mix, it’s tough to ensure consistent quality. And in this day and age, sustainability is a big deal. Customers want products that are eco-friendly, and you’ve got to find suppliers that share that vision. So, what if, now hear us out, you had supplier integrations that allowed you to filter by top US suppliers and see exactly which ones have eco-friendly and sustainable collections you can start selling today? Wouldn’t that be nice?
Speak to an expert today
Wrapping Up
E-commerce is all about giving your customers what they want, how they want it. Personalization is the name of the game – people want to feel special, and that includes YOU. Yes, you, not just your customers. Personalize the way you work by having all the tools you know and love at your fingertips and access them through Brikl’s integrations. Pull in all your favorite suppliers. Save countless hours on creating catalogs and all the other manual tasks you have on your plate, and know that a happier you means happier customers because you’ll have the time and headspace to serve them better.
For your customers, talk to them directly through customized stores that offer personalized products and content. No more shotgun approaches – hit them right in the feels.
And let’s not forget about data. Analytics are like a crystal ball that tells you what your customers are thinking. Use it to your advantage. Tailor your marketing efforts, show them exactly what they need, and you’ll drive sales and create the customer experience you’ve always dreamed of giving.
