How the right software can boost business momentum

If your friends jumped off a cliff, would you do it too? We’ve probably all been scalded with this question as children by a teacher or parent. But even as adults, in less extreme scenarios, our peers’ actions heavily influence our own, whether we want to admit it or not. 

In eCommerce, there’s a herd mentality. Many businesses end up choosing software according to what others in their industry are doing or what’s most popular at the moment. But the most popular software trends aren’t always the most fitting for your company. 

If you’re just following the crowd, you could end up using software which is perfect for your competitors but doesn’t work for you, giving them the edge. 

When choosing any new software, services, or eCommerce platform, you need to figure out whether the platform will boost your business or hold you back. There are a number of factors you need to think about.

What needs does the software meet?

Why do you want this software? Is it because everyone seems to be getting it and you don’t want to miss out? Or, does it address some very specific issues your business has been facing? 

Great eCommerce software should address needs like fast, simple payments, easy stock management, producing a seamless customer experience, customisable web design, and other key factors that influence your sales. The degree to which the software can help you meet your needs should be a key determiner in whether the software is right for you. 

What processes does the software streamline?

Developers design software to make your business more efficient. This helps you save time and money while improving your products and services. Think about your unique processes. Do the features of your new software help you improve them specifically? Or is it a solution that limits the areas where you can develop better processes? Not all businesses are the same, so not all software will have the same impact on every business. 

What does this software do that others can’t?

The best software will offer you things others don’t. This is what differentiates it from the competition. As one piece of software grows in popularity, it’s shortcomings become more obvious. 

Other software developers use these shortcomings to inspire their software that may be better than the more popular one on the market. Therefore, the most popular doesn’t always mean the best. That’s why you should always consider your options before settling on one piece of software. 

Does it meet the needs of your staff?

The success of software depends not only on design but also on your staff’s ability to use it. For example, it might not be worth upgrading the whole office computer system to Apple when your business and staff have grown used to Windows. 

There will be a large learning curve and staff might not be productive as they get used to the new system. The same goes for software or other technology. You should consider your staff’s abilities, desires, and also the training you’ll need to provide to ensure maximum effectiveness after implementation.

Is it scalable?

You need to know if the software you purchase now will operate with the same efficiency as your business grows. You don’t want to spend money on new software or migration every time you get more customers, introduce new items, or expand your business. Scalability is a hallmark of excellent software. 

Considering these factors will either make or break the effectiveness of your software investment on business growth. What works for one might not work for you, so go through your prospective choices feature by feature and determine whether they will help or hinder your business.

If you’re looking for scalable and easy-to-use eCommerce software, why not give Shopit a try? The Shopit eCommerce platform has all the features you need to support a growing and efficient eCommerce business. Unlike most other platforms we prioritise both back-end and front-end processes to build a strong business at every level, all for an affordable PAYG price. Take a look at our features on our website.