Databases are an important part of running an ecommerce business. They are used to store, analyze and manage key information about products, sales and customers. By having this information accessible to you, it’s easy to make intelligent business decisions. You can also share your database with suppliers and logistics partners to increase productivity and efficiency. It’s a win-win for everybody!
If you are just starting out with an ecommerce business, it’s important to have a database program lined up. Most new businesses do well with Microsoft Access because it’s easy to use and similar to other Microsoft Office products. Plus, you don’t need a background in coding to use the program.
Here are some ways that MS Access can be used for your ecommerce business.
Store Product Information
Use your database to store information on your products, including detailed descriptions and specifications, product numbers, prices, availability and special promotions. It’s also helpful to include the supplier of each product so that you know who to order from when availability runs low.
When things change, all you have to do is update your database and your website will show the latest information. This is far easier than having to update your website each time there’s a change in price or quantity.
Organize Customer Data
Your customers are the backbone of your business, so you want to keep track of the types of people you are selling to. The more you know about them, the better you can meet their needs.
Enter in the full names of your customers, along with any personal information you know about them, such as their age range, income level, geographic region and interests. Just be sure that your database is secure, as a database breach can damage your business’ reputation.
Track Buyer’s Journey
The customer journey is also important when learning about your customers and how they shop. Record information on your customers’ product searches, information requests and purchases so that you can build a comprehensive picture of the buyer’s journey.
What types of product preferences do your customers have? What does their purchasing history look like? What is their future buying potential?
Manage Campaigns
Ecommerce databases make it easy to run marketing campaigns. First, you can target specific audiences based on their demographics. This allows you to create highly targeted campaigns that reach the right audience.
Second, you can analyze the transaction information to see how effective your campaigns are. Was there an increase in sales following your promotion? Did your discounted products get more views? As you learn what works and what doesn’t, you can create more effective campaigns.
As you can see, databases are an important tool to have in ecommerce business. While Microsoft Access is user-friendly, it does require a learning curve. To ensure your database is set up correctly and updates your website in real-time, contact Arkware for a consultation.