If you own a physical store, then Magento is that next step you need to open up a lot of growth opportunities for your business. In reverse, if you already own an online store and are looking to expand to physical stores, you can bet Magento is the right platform to integrate a stress-free shopping experience for your customers.
So, how can Magento do that? And how can you utilize Magento peer in your physical store?
Today’s blog is split into two parts;
- Why integrate with Magneto?
- Step-by-step Magento integration with physical stores
Why Should You Integrate Your Physical Store With Magento?
Recently, at Towering Media, we studied the structured growth of eCommerce platforms such as Volusion, Shopify, and many more. However, for many business owners, e-commerce developers, and merchants, Magento remains the best ally for your net eCommerce project.
Why not? Big companies like Ford, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Nike, and many other reputable brands utilize Magento as their platforms.
So, why is Magento rated highly in the eCommerce industry? Simple.
1. Open Source
Magento is built using PHP and is released under Open Source License ver 3.0. These technologies allow Magento to house distinct advantages over the competition. The platform is adaptable and can encompass any project requirements.
Also, using open source tools infers that the platform guarantees an expansive performance and enhanced security for store owners and merchants.
2. Multi-Stores Feature
Unlike the majority of the e-commerce platforms that only support one store per account. On the other hand, you can create multiple stores on Magento that can all be managed via a single backend. Store owners can control billing, orders, store inventory, and customer information through a single admin panel.
3. Web Hosting
Magento, unlike Shopify – which is touted as the “made for e-commerce” platform, allows users to choose their preferred hosting enterprise solution. This means you can select the best hosting solution provider that fulfills all your requirements and budget.
Regardless of where you want to migrate your store, Magento has zero restrictions on time and place for hosting your online store.
Integrating your Magento store with your POS
Below we share two integral steps required to use Magento in physical stores:
- Creating a robust backend management
- Using a Store Locator
1. Build A Robust Backend Management
Regardless of the type of business, the key to scaling in retailing is MANAGEMENT. You can only implement your business strategies with a functioning management system.
So, how do you build extensive and reliable backend management for a physical or online store?
- Point-of-sale [POS]
The first step is building up a POS. Majority of Magento POS systems can automate all your staff and management tasks straight from the store.
In physical stores, when your customer gets to the checkout lane, an employee scans the items. These scanned items appear on the POS screen where your staff can then input the customer discount, coupon codes, or member card numbers to help the customer gain “loyalty points” in your store.
After a successful purchase, all the data is synced to the backend system, including data such as customer history, change, quantity, and general customer information.
All your staff needs to do is to scan and log coupons (if you use those) while the manager views the reports and studies customer data.
- Inventory and Barcode Management
Whether you’re a newbie or an oldie in the retail industry, there’s no denying the fact that inventory management is a crucial aspect of retailing. However, to quicken the process of inventory management, your business needs a barcode and order fulfillment system.
These integrated extensions will eliminate the risk of human error when entering SKUs.
- Marketing Management
If loyalty programs apply to your store, you can also consider adding Marketing Management to your backend system. Once installed, a functioning Marketing Management feature should work like this:
– Generate Loyalty Programs
This means you can generate gift card numbers, coupon codes, loyalty numbers, and many more. It is vital to set specific rules for every loyalty program.
– Apply It To Physical Stores
When your customers buy a product and use any of your loyalty programs, you need to input the code, and the rules will confirm if the program applies to a product. This will also influence your staff and teach them how to implement marketing strategies.
- Supplier Management
Maintaining a good supply chain is important to satisfy your “hungry” customers. If you want to scale your business, there is a need to put a proper supplier management system in place.
The system will feature functions that comprise of purchase management (orders and deliveries) and information management (management of essential data like email, purchase history, locations, and phone numbers).
This system allows you to access your system with a desktop or tablet, enter data, and utilize it as you wish. However, these management factors work best when synchronized.
2. Using A Store Locator
Even if your business is strictly based offline, Magento Store Locator is a necessary tool if you want to enhance your offline business.
Over the past few years, shoppers have expressed an interest in checking out products in person as opposed to online. Hence, you want to inform your shoppers of the stores closes to their location if they prefer traditional shopping.
There are many ways to present your store locations, depending on the number of stores:
- For 1 Location
You can provide a CMS page to show your customers the location of the store. The page will include details such as store name, images, address along with a map, and other crucial info like working hours.
We recommend you include the image of the site, and also of customers purchasing products to enhance a personal feel to your business.
Also, introduce your store as a story, especially if you have a fascinating generational history. Interior shots of the store make the transition from a traditional – online shopping experience more comfortable.
- For Multiple Locations
Multiple store locations require the combination of a CMS page and Pins On Map. A CMS page is still the easiest and cheapest way to notify your customers of your store locations. You can compile and organize data on the CMS page in a visually informative way so that consumers won’t be forced to read through a lot of text before finding relevant information.
However, as the number of physical stores rises, it becomes more challenging to enhance information and maintain the attention of your leads. This is why you need a new plan.
An interactive map is a great way to show your location by visually presenting the locations with pins on a map.
Final Word
Each business has its attraction and specialty. Every serious business owner should be looking to maximize the growth of their brand. The best way to implement Magneto integration with your physical store is by purchasing a Magento package with fully integrated extensions.
You can purchase this particular Magento service and many more from reliable Chicago Magento company, Towering Media.
You get a FREE consultation on all services, quotes, installations services, and maintenance services for all purchases!