Here I found a great article on Cerasis website titled E-Commerce Distribution: 10 Things Every Distributor Should Know About E-Commerce.
The article starts by stating the e-commerce is both the greatest opportunity and most difficult challenge distributors will face.
Distribution without e-commerce is an antidote for failure and that why we need to inform ourselves better on the potential and growth potentials of your distribution business. E-commerce can be a scary proposition and that is why you need to invest time and resources in understanding it. So here are the top10 things or best practices, reports Leslie Hansen Harps of Inbound Logistics, every distributor should know about e-commerce.
1. Mobile E-Commerce Distribution Is Real.
Mobile e-commerce distribution is not simply an idea; it is a fact. The majority of shopping will be done through smartphones, and your distribution company needs to invest in it.
2. B2B E-Commerce Is King.
As a distributor, most of your customers are actually businesses. In the modern supply chain, as such, you will need to treat your B2B customers as partners in this endeavor.
3. Amazon is your Biggest Threat.
Amazon has flooded the market with products, and now, the company is doing the same process to flood the supply chain.
4. Overseas Manufacturing Is Not the Solution to E-Commerce Distribution Problems.
Overseas manufacturing is more like opening a can of worms than opening doors if you plan on only selling your products in the U.S., reports Sean Ogle. While some overseas manufacturing can help your company, more customers are turning to products manufactured in the U.S.
5. You Need to Focus on the Customer Experience.
The customer experience is one of the greatest problems in meeting the demands of an e-commerce driven world. Clients are focusing more on cycle time, and as a distributor, your ability to get products out equal to, if not faster than, Amazon can be the determining factor in if your customers or clients continue to work with your company.
6. E-Commerce Is Ongoing and Continually Evolving.
E-commerce distribution is not static; You need to be proactive in getting your company in front of customers and other businesses.
7. Align Distribution Strategy With Information and Insights From Analytics.
Use analytics to stay informed of how your business needs to adapt to the needs of e-commerce B2B businesses.
8. Increase Your Visibility Through Advanced Shipping Notification (ASN).
An advanced shipping notification (ASN) helps to keep your customers happier and engaged. Ultimately, this keeps the supply chain effective and connected.
9. Hold Vendors Accountable.
Some vendors will not play along. As a distributor, you need to hold vendors accountable. If a vendor does not meet your expectations or adhere to the rules and guidelines in your company, you will need to take actions.
10. You Still Need to Manage the Returns Process.
E-commerce distribution is going to inherently result in more returns than brick-and-mortar shopping. Customers may order the wrong size, incorrect color or wrong product. You need to be prepared to handle a flow of goods back into your warehouse and distribution network from your customers, and nearly all online retailers offer free shipping on returns.
E-commerce is also evolving, and you need to get educated about it. Ultimately, you can get more customers than you could have dreamed through e-commerce, but turning a blind-eye to e-commerce can spell your doom.
To dig deeper on this article go to Cerasis website titled E-Commerce Distribution: 10 Things Every Distributor Should Know About E-Commerce.