As health and safety become top priorities for consumers, people increasingly turning to online platforms to fulfill their needs, avoiding physical stores. One industry that stands to benefit from these changes is e-commerce. Thus, for entrepreneurs considering entering the e-commerce space, the shifting dynamics driven by health concerns such as HMPV present a wealth of opportunities.

In this blog, we’ll explore how health-related concerns like HMPV are influencing e-commerce trends and why entrepreneurs should seize this moment to launch their own online marketplace.

What is HMPV? 

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that affects the respiratory system, causing symptoms like cough, fever, and difficulty breathing, similar to the flu or the common cold. 

It spreads through coughs, sneezes, or by touching contaminated surfaces. While most people may recover without serious issues, it can be more dangerous for young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, often leading to conditions like pneumonia. Though there’s no specific treatment for HMPV yet, doctors are recommending rest and fluids to help the body recover.

Potential Impacts of HMPV on E-commerce

While HMPV has not reached pandemic proportions, its emergence can still have notable effects on e-commerce, particularly in areas. Below are some potential impacts of HMPV on e-commerce:

1. Consumer Behavior Shifts: Health concerns may prompt consumers to prefer online shopping over physical stores to minimize exposure to the virus in physical retail stores, potentially increasing e-commerce traffic.

2. Preference for Contactless Services: A heightened awareness of health risks could lead to an increased preference for contactless delivery options. Thus, e-commerce platforms that will emphasize health safety measures might gain an advantage.

3. Surge in Health and Hygiene Product Sales: Increased health awareness often triggers spikes in the demand for health and hygiene-related products, such as masks, hand sanitizers, cleaning supplies, and immune-boosting supplements, which may benefit e-commerce companies catering to these needs.

4. Medications and supplements: E-commerce platforms may benefit from increased demand for over-the-counter medications, supplements that boost immunity, and other health-related products. Online pharmacies and wellness stores, thus, may experience a boost in traffic and sales.

5. Remote Consultations: In case of a widespread outbreak, people are more likely to avoid in-person doctor visits, increasing demand for telemedicine services and booking virtual appointments.

Global Impact: How HMPV Can Affect Different Regions

As discussed, though less pervasive, HMPV can still create significant disruptions, especially in regions where e-commerce has become a pivotal component of the economy. Let’s explore how this could unfold across different countries.

1. United States:

Impact: In the United States, HMPV outbreaks could lead to significant workforce absenteeism, which may disrupt order fulfillment, leading to delays and operational inefficiencies. Additionally, U.S. consumers—already accustomed to a vast array of online health and wellness products—may shift their purchasing habits to focus more heavily on medical supplies, sanitizing products, and home healthcare solutions during times of public health concerns.

Entrepreneurial Strategy: To mitigate these disruptions, it is also advisable to leverage automation technologies, including AI-driven customer service systems, and employ remote-first models where feasible. These strategies will not only ensure continuity during health crises but also enhance operational resilience.

2. Canada:

Impact: Canada, particularly in large urban areas like Toronto and Vancouver, may experience delays in deliveries due to labor shortages in fulfillment and logistics operations, especially during harsh winter As demand for health-related products spikes, Canadian e-commerce businesses could face logistical challenges in meeting consumer needs. The strains on healthcare systems could exacerbate delays in shipping, while a heightened demand for wellness-related products could result in temporary stock shortages.

Entrepreneurial Strategy: E-commerce entrepreneurs in Canada can consider regionalizing their logistics by investing in localized fulfillment centers. This decentralization will ensure faster delivery times even during national disruptions. 

3. Australia:

Impact: Australia, with its seasonal variation in respiratory illnesses, may see disruptions to its e-commerce sector during an HMPV outbreak, particularly in colder months. The country’s vast geographic expanse poses additional challenges for logistics, as longer delivery times and transportation bottlenecks are more likely to occur when workforce shortages disrupt shipping routes. 

Entrepreneurial Strategy: To maintain competitive advantage during an outbreak, entrepreneurs can invest in regionalized fulfillment infrastructure to ensure faster delivery times and mitigate the risks of nationwide disruptions. 

4. United Kingdom:

Impact: In the United Kingdom, the strain placed on the National Health Service (NHS) during an HMPV outbreak could impact key sectors. As respiratory illnesses spread, an increasing number of employees in the logistics and fulfillment sectors could be unavailable for work, leading to potential delays in order processing. 

Entrepreneurial Strategy: To address these challenges, entrepreneurs in the UK can invest in an advanced e-commerce marketplace software that can get their digital marketplace up and running in no time, understanding the seriousness of the impact.

5. India:

Impact: In India, where healthcare infrastructure may be more vulnerable, an HMPV outbreak could severely strain both public health systems and e-commerce logistics networks. Consumer spending could shift, with an increased emphasis on health-related purchases such as vitamins, masks, and home sanitization products.

Entrepreneurial Strategy: In India, it is essential to tailor e-commerce operations to local needs. Entrepreneurs can build flexible, hybrid supply chain models that incorporate both centralized warehouses and smaller regional hubs. Leveraging India’s strong mobile penetration can also allow for more personalized marketing campaigns targeting health-conscious consumers.

6. Africa:

Impact: During an HMPV outbreak, labor shortages and logistical delays could significantly impact the delivery of goods, especially in countries with large rural populations. Moreover, consumer behavior in African markets may shift towards essential goods, and there may be an increased demand for affordable health products.

Entrepreneurial Strategy: Establishing partnerships with local delivery networks and offering mobile payment solutions can help address logistical challenges and improve customer convenience. Given the rise in health awareness across the continent, businesses could benefit from offering affordable health-related products.

E-Commerce Opportunities for Entrepreneurs Amid the Virus

While it is still uncertain how widely the HMPV virus will spread, the potential for localized outbreaks or disruptions cannot be ignored. If the virus does gain momentum, it could lead to renewed health concerns and shifts in consumer behavior.

In this scenario, the e-commerce industry could see several opportunities for entrepreneurs to tap into emerging demands and provide services that align with changing consumer preferences.

Entrepreneurs who will be quick to recognize these shifts and act accordingly will find a wealth of opportunities to build or expand their e-commerce businesses, especially in areas that cater to public health, convenience, and safety. 

Here are some key areas where entrepreneurs can create value and capitalize on potential growth:

1. Health-Focused Marketplaces: 

As concerns over HMPV grow, there is likely to be a surge in demand for health-related products, such as face masks, sanitizers, disinfectants, and air purifiers. Entrepreneurs can create niche e-commerce marketplaces focused on these essential health products.

With a focus on quality and safety, these platforms can offer consumers curated selections of products aimed at preventing the spread of the virus and promoting overall wellness.

2. Contactless Shopping Experiences: 

Even if HMPV doesn’t lead to widespread lockdowns, consumer preferences may still shift towards contactless shopping experiences in response to health concerns. If the virus spreads, it is likely that consumers will avoid in-store shopping and opt for online alternatives that limit their exposure to public spaces.

Entrepreneurs can seize this opportunity by creating e-commerce platforms that prioritize seamless, contactless shopping experiences.

3. Health and Wellness Subscription Models:

Subscription models for health and hygiene products (such as sanitizers, masks, vitamins, etc.) offer recurring revenue opportunities. Entrepreneurs can build e-commerce platforms around subscription-based deliveries of health and wellness products, such as vitamins, supplements, or personal hygiene products.

They can further differentiate their marketplace by offering personalized subscription options, where customers can select products based on their specific health needs or preferences.

4. Telemedicine and Remote Consultations:

As health-related concerns take center stage, telemedicine platforms could become an increasingly important avenue for entrepreneurs to explore. In the event of a viral outbreak, many people may prefer to seek medical advice remotely, rather than visiting crowded clinics or hospitals.

Entrepreneurs can, thus, create e-commerce marketplaces that offer virtual consultations with healthcare professionals, mental health support services, and even at-home diagnostic kits for various illnesses.

5. Delivery and Logistics Solutions

As online shopping continues to rise, particularly during health scares, efficient, safe, and reliable delivery systems will be more critical than ever. Entrepreneurs can explore opportunities in the logistics space by building e-commerce platforms that specialize in fast, secure, and contactless delivery.

Final Thoughts

While the full impact of HMPV on the e-commerce industry remains to be seen, the lessons learned from COVID-19 have underscored the need for businesses to remain agile in response to emerging health threats. As e-commerce continues to grow and consumer behavior shifts toward online platforms, there’s a growing opportunity for entrepreneurs to launch e-commerce marketplaces that cater to health, safety, and convenience. By capitalizing on these emerging trends, entrepreneurs can position themselves for success and capitalize on the opportunity.

The post Impact of HMPV Virus on the E-Commerce Industry appeared first on YoKart Blog.

Yo!Kart has catered to global clients over the years in meeting their multi vendor marketplace needs. With the growing demand, the multidisciplinary team of experts has consistently announced upgrades, with Yo!Kart V10 being its latest web version.

Well, the mobile apps of Yo!Kart were recently launched that aim to deliver tailored mobile experiences in the world of eCommerce. This all-inclusive package is designed to empower entrepreneurs with a range of powerful features and functionalities, building an online presence and enhancing customer reach.

What’s New?

New Design Interface

The newly launched Yo!Kart mobile apps boast a stunning and user-friendly design interface that captivates users from the moment they start their digital journey. With sleek and intuitive navigation, the apps allow sellers to effortlessly showcase their products or services in an appealing and professional manner.

Moreover, the carefully crafted design elements and use of nifty icons create an immersive experience for users. Thereby, facilitating the visual appeal of the apps and seamless interactions every step of the way, enticing users to explore further.

Enhanced Mobile Shopping Experience

With the growing demand for seamless user experiences, the mobile apps of Yo!Kart are designed with the commitment to delivering the same. Available at affordable pricing and with an array of features, our mobile app is your go-getter. It allows easy and quick logins & registration via social media accounts or OTP, helping in delivering better customer experiences.

Furthermore, these mobile apps feature voice search functionality. Its text-to-speech technology offers users the convenience of finding the exact product or service and experiencing faster browsing.

New Source for Efficient Marketing

There needs to be more than a responsive website to capture and retain customers in this digital age. Mobile apps have become the get-go to not only engage with the Gen Z audience but also for introducing a fresh medium into marketing strategies.

Yo!Kart mobile apps are equipped with push notifications, an effective method to establish direct connections with the mobile audience, deliver personalized content, and showcase products & services. Moreover, as a marketing medium, these mobile apps contribute to cost reduction associated with marketing campaigns. Thus, acting as valuable assets for businesses.

Wrapping Up

Having a mobile app for your eCommerce business is crucial in today’s digital landscape. With Yo!Kart mobile apps, you can tap into a larger audience, provide unparalleled convenience, and deliver a seamless and personalized shopping experience to your customers. So, don’t miss out on the immense potential and competitive advantage that our recently launched mobile apps can bring to your business.

For any queries regarding Yo!Kart mobile apps, contact us!

The post Yo!Kart’s All-Inclusive Mobile Apps to Simplify eCommerce Journey appeared first on YoKart Blog.

Since our inception, we’ve interacted with several business prospects and understood that each business has its unique marketplace requirements. For instance, while some startups require an MVP for eCommerce with core marketplace functionalities, other businesses need a fully personalized multi-vendor store to reflect their brands’ USP. This experience gathered over the years has helped us build/improve our offerings to the clients’. 

Today, we are excited to announce the entirely reimagined Yo!Kart Pricing Packages, designed to offer more control, flexibility, and value to businesses at any stage of growth. The new pricing model is intended to reflect our transparent business practices and to help startups, as well as enterprises, launch their online marketplace successfully.

The new pricing model is a step in the right direction to cater to all our clients. We have designed four unique all-inclusive pricing plans for every stage of your business.

Key Takeaways:

• Unique pricing plans with inclusive benefits tailored for all marketplace needs.
• To meet our clients‘ growing mobile commerce demands, Buyer mobile apps (Android + iOS) are now part of packages.
• Focus on providing more personalized technical assistance with dedicated account managers and up to 12 months of free support.
• Feature segmentation to ensure transparency in all plans.
• For the successful launch of your online marketplace, we are giving Free digital marketing services like Google analytics & search console setup, keyword research, meta tags optimization, business profiles creation, and more – included inside new pricing plans (All Plans except GoQuick. T&C apply). 

Here are the Pricing Packages:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1. What will happen after I place the direct order?

Once you’ve placed the direct order, you will receive an order confirmation on your registered email within 2-12 hours on business days. Next, the sales team member will coordinate with you to configure your account setup in the project management system (PMS) and to set up server-side scripting. Afterward, a project manager is assigned to coordinate and streamline script installation on your choice of server. You will also receive complete documentation and up to 1-year of free technical support for any bugs and errors found in the system.

Q2. I have purchased the GoQuick/GoQuick Boost Package but now I wish to upgrade it?

If you wish to upgrade your existing plan to either GoCustom or GoCustom Prime within 3 months of your purchase, the price applicable will be the total cost minus the previously paid fee for the existing plan. For upgrading after 3 months of your purchase, the existing pricing structure is applicable.

Q3. I have directly ordered the GoQuick/GoQuick Boost Package but I need more features?

After you place the order and you require additional marketplace features, you can coordinate with the assigned project manager for the same. We provide customization services to integrate new features, incorporate design modification, and add third-party APIs to the existing solution at a fee. 

Q4. Can I buy apps separately with the GoQuick Package?

Yes. We offer readymade buyer mobile apps for both Android and iOS platforms. Plus, if you want, you can also order a separate seller app as per your business needs. Contact our team for more details.

Q5. What digital marketing services will you provide in GoQuick Boost & Other Packages?

We provide 30-days of free digital marketing consultation for all plans except GoQuick. Our digital marketing services include:

• Google Analytics & Google Search Console account set up
• Account setup on Google My Business
• Keyword research
• Meta Tags optimization 
• Business profiles creation and more

Q6. Will I get an account manager in the GoQuick package?

Yes. Once you’ve purchased the plan and shared the required information with the sales team member, a project manager will be assigned to coordinate and deploy the marketplace on your choice of server.

Q7. What is design customization in the GoCustom package?

Under the GoCustom plan we deliver the following design customization services:

• Tailored homepage design
• Custom design for eight inner pages, including login/sign up page, seller registration page, product listing page, and others 
• Design modifications on programming scripts as per your business requirements
• Changes to user dashboard to match with the redesigned inner pages

You will receive exclusive rights to these custom designs and non-exclusive rights to default Yo!Kart features.

Q8. Will I get the source code if I buy any of the Packages?

All Yo!Kart packages come with lifetime ownership and complete access to source code (excluding framework) so you can customize your marketplace and scale rapidly. 

Q9. Can design and functionality customization be done on GoQuick packages?

The GoQuick Plan comes with a default design and features. If you wish to customize the design or make operational increments, you can either opt for a higher package or avail of our customization services at an additional cost.

The post Introducing Yo!Kart’s Value-based Tiered Pricing Model- New Plans For Businesses at Any Stage of Growth appeared first on YoKart Blog.

Shipping is a vital touchpoint for a smooth customer experience in eCommerce. From order placement to shipment pickup and delivery – synchronized and effective shipping management in eCommerce marketplaces delivers the highest sustainable return on operations (to both sellers and admin). To ensure streamlined shipping management, it is essential to define clear goals you wish to accomplish with your eCommerce shipping strategy.

For instance, improved conversion rate, enhanced operational efficiency, and an increase in average order value (AOV) are some of the most common shipping goals that your business can focus on to grow online. Whether it’s same-day or two-day shipping, one carrier or multiple carriers involved, real-time visibility into the packages across multiple touchpoints should be available without having to jump through a dozen multiple hoops.

Essential Elements of eCommerce Marketplace Shipping

Effective shipping in eCommerce marketplaces is a USP (Unique Selling Proposition) that differentiates businesses from their competitors and increases profit margins. Furthermore, customer satisfaction lies more in quick shipping and real-time delivery progress updates. However, every eCommerce business needs to consider some basic shipping elements to lay a solid foundation for efficient business shipping. Below are some key parameters that can help streamline the eCommerce shipping process. Let’s get started.

• Order Management: It enables the eCommerce marketplace to handle every key aspect including orders placed and received, delivery tracking, and service availability.
• Order Fulfillment: The subsets of order fulfillment are packaging, labeling, and shipment of products once the order is received. Further, you can decide if the vendor will fulfill the order or it is the responsibility of a fulfillment service. 
• Shipping Providers: Deciding on an ideal shipping carrier will impact the order cost, delivery, reach, and service efficacy. 
• Tracking: Ease of order tracking shipped by vendors can ensure a seamless experience for the users. Sellers must update the necessary information like order shipped or not shipped, delivered or not delivered, in transit, etc. This will further help track low performers and help explore ways to improve the marketplace’s delivery services. 
• Returns: Customers appreciate the seamless buying process as they value purchasing goods on a marketplace. Here, smooth return policies promote customer loyalty. 
• Customer Service: Providing customer assistance at every step of the customer journey is essential. Timely resolution of complaints and doubts can help attract more customers.  

Employing all these key elements manually to streamline the eCommerce marketplace shipping journey can be hectic, especially when the demand for supply increases. Here, multivendor eCommerce software pre-integrated with shipping APIs like ShipStation and AfterShip can help businesses build eCommerce marketplaces that automate the entire shipping process.

Overview of ShipStation and AfterShip

ShipStation

ShipStation is a global eCommerce marketplace shipping software and a leading choice for business owners to connect with their favorite carriers, generate shipping labels, and fetch real-time shipping rates quickly. It offers the lowest shipping rates on USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL, no matter the volume or where business owners sell. Once configured for eCommerce operations, ShipStation fetches real-time shipping rates for all carriers and pre-selects the cheapest Shipping/delivery option (although buyers can change as per their preferences) on the checkout page.

AfterShip

This leading shipment tracking solution empowers eCommerce businesses to grow and provide the best shopping experience to their customers. AfterShip includes a set of automated tools that assist businesses with sales, marketing, order management, and shipping tracking. Integration of AfterShip with eCommerce platforms allows business owners to send personalized targeted information to the customers based on the status AfterShip tracks.

The enterprise-grade analytics in your post-purchase experience help business owners improve the delivery experience and make insightful decisions.

Shipping Management Challenges Addressed with ShipStation & Aftership

Shipping management has been a primary challenge for eCommerce retailers, especially small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). In the age of Amazon with its two-hour or same-day delivery options, retailers are struggling to compete as they fail to streamline shipping processes either due to poor inventory visibility or inadequate returns management. This has partly been caused due to extensive efforts required for manual shipping module operations.

For instance, individually updating the order status for each shipment or configuring shipping carriers in the eCommerce marketplace can be hectic for a business owner. With pre-integrated eCommerce shipping management software in Yo!Kart, these challenges are mitigated to a great extent.

1. High Shipping Cost: High shipping costs can quickly devour your business as customers do not like to pay for shipping. APIs like ShipStation and AfterShip ensure your customers find the lowest shipping rates across all products in the eCommerce marketplace. The module fetches discounted rates for nearly every major shipping carrier configured.

Source: Baymard

2. International shipping: From configuring unfamiliar shipping carriers to managing international duties and taxes, there are several complications that prevent eCommerce businesses from expanding globally. ShipStation and AfterShip simplify international shipping processes for eCommerce businesses. Once configured, it provides instant refunds, deep discounts, and express delivery to major cities worldwide.

3. Poor inventory monitoring: Ineffective product allocation strategy may cause delayed shipments to buyers leading to poor customer satisfaction. For instance, without a reliable mechanism to track and manage stock levels, customers can place orders for products that are out of stock. To prevent such a situation, shipping APIs have automated shipping operations enabling retailers/admins to monitor and sync inventory levels more effectively. 

When seeking enhanced and personalized delivery for buyers, business owners require accurate information on users, inventory, and more in real-time. Integrating shipping software to automate shipping management in eCommerce marketplaces streamlines the entire order fulfillment process helping eCommerce retailers improve operational efficiency.

How Pre-integrated APIs in Yo!Kart Help Manage eCommerce Marketplace Shipping?

The manual shipping management in Yo!Kart was a thing of the past. The latest version of Yo!Kart is equipped with enhanced features and functionalities and there are pre-integrated APIs like Shipstation, AfterShip, and more. These APIs help admins automate and streamline the store’s shipping processes like order management, creating shipping labels, retrieving real-time shipping rates, and so on. Furthermore, it provides customers with complete insights on all orders at every stage of the shipping process.

Enabled ShipStation API in Yo!Kart

Once enabled with the dashboard, these pre-integrated APIs in Yo!Kart performs the following operations:

1. Fetches the list of all available shipping carriers configured in the marketplace

2. Retrieves a list of locations from where the orders will be shipped

3. Fetches live shipping rates from the carriers configured along with order dimensions and weight

4. Create shipping labels and generate order tracking numbers 

5. Updates the order status

Also, you can map shipping providers (configured using ShipStation API) with tracking courier services (configured using AfterShip API enabled). Go to “Tracking Code Relation “within the admin dashboard to map these services. This allows customers to track orders with ease. 

Concluding Remarks

Shipping is one of the major contributors to customer satisfaction and the success of any eCommerce business. However, as the business continues to scale, shipping can be one of the intricate processes for businesses to handle. Here, integrating shipping solutions like ShipStation and Aftership into eCommerce marketplaces transforms the way of handling logistics. These APIs enable sellers to connect to a vast network of shipping carriers and logistic providers. The sellers get access to real-time shipping rates, automate label generation, and can manage various other aspects of the shipping process seamlessly. At the same time, it enables marketplaces to attract and retain a broader array of customers onto the marketplace.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What are the different types of shipping methods?

There are 7 shipping methods that one can implement at an e-commerce store checkout. These options include table rate, flat rate, shipping per product, shipping to multiple addresses, conditional shipping, local pickup, and packing slips.

2. How does eCommerce manage delivery?

Shipping is a key part of every e-commerce business. To manage shipments delivery, an eCommerce business implements an effective shipping strategy that offers low shipping rates on products, simplifies international shipping processes, and monitors inventory levels so the product never goes out of stock. This can be easily done by automating the shipment process for your eCommerce marketplace.

3. What is the best shipping method for an online store?

Ideal shipping methods depend upon the shipping strategy and there is no one-size-fits-all in eCommerce shipping. In general, there are six shipping methods namely, two-day delivery, same-day delivery, overnight shipping, international delivery, expedited shipping, and eco-friendly shipping.

4. How do e-commerce sites calculate shipping?

From shipment’s dimensional volume & total weight to import/export fees when shipping internationally, there are a variety of factors when calculating shipping cost. To ensure accurate shipping cost estimates, most e-commerce sites have pre-integrated eCommerce shipping management software like ShipStation to automate shipping calculating for every online order placed successfully.

5. How do you integrate with ShipStation?

ShipStation API comes pre-integrated in Yo!Kart-powered marketplaces. To enable Shipstation, go to System Settings -> Plugins -> Shipping Services in the admin dashboard. Here, you can configure ShipStation for your marketplace by entering the API key and API Secret key.

6. How do you integrate with AfterShip?

AfterShip API comes pre-integrated in Yo!Kart-powered marketplaces. To enable AfterShip, go to System Settings -> Plugins -> Shipment Tracking in the admin dashboard. Here, you can configure AfterShip for your marketplace by entering the API key.

The post How to Manage Shipping in eCommerce Marketplaces with ShipStation and AfterShip appeared first on YoKart Blog.

For an online business to successfully penetrate the market across borders, incorporating taxes on individual products in the marketplace becomes fairly crucial. There are two commonly adopted tax structures in eCommerce business:

• Single tax structure: Where the entire tax is imposed as one value. A single taxation system is one where no further bifurcations are done on the tax value. VAT (Value added tax), for instance, is one such example of a single tax structure. 

• Combined Tax Structure: It is an aggregate of individual tax components. For instance, GST (Goods and Services Tax) in India is a combination of SGST, CGST, and IGST taxes. The combined tax structure is designed to support multi-tier tax regimes such as Canadian tax or the Indian tax system.

Sales Tax rates vary from state to state (county to county), especially in countries like the USA, where the states may charge taxes on purchases of goods from vendors with or without a physical presence in the state, according to the US supreme court decision on South Dakota v. Wayfair Inc. case.

The judgment made by the Supreme Court (on June 21, 2018) overturned the longstanding decision in Quill Corp. v. North Dakota (1992) case that barred states from collecting taxes on sales made by retailers without any physical presence in the taxing state. Since the Wayfair decision, the majority of US states have defined new rules on sales and tax obligations (known as nexus). And unfortunately for eCommerce retailers, no two states have the same sales tax nexus.

Here is a breakdown of the sales tax rates in 50 US states for which both TaxJar and Avalara API offer apt compliance solutions.

Sales Taxes in the US

Tax Compliance Challenges In eCommerce Marketplaces

Ensuring sales tax compliance in different states is a complicated yet crucial step for an eCommerce seller to streamline operations. There are several compliance challenges that a business must consider when creating an online sales strategy. Below we have listed some of the most notable challenges:

• Use of Tax rate tables

According to a report by Vertex, a total of 592 standard sales tax rate updates were recorded in 2020, taking the combined average sales tax rate across the US to reach a 10-year high. In total, there are over 13,000 tax jurisdictions with multiple jurisdictions applicable even within the same zip code in the US. So, sellers relying upon tax rate tables (based upon zip codes) could be charging incorrect tax rates on products unknowingly, since these tables tend to list the highest possible tax rate for a given zip code. 

• Product Taxability

The ability to determine which items are taxable and which aren’t is a big help during sales tax compliance. From shipment handling to exempt sales, there are several areas where inaccurate product taxability might hamper an eCommerce business. Since tax compliance varies greatly in states as well as internationally, identifying correct rates prevents a business from under/overcharging customers. 

• Processing Returns

Returns are an equally important process of the entire supply chain logistics. For eCommerce businesses to operate effectively and boost consumer satisfaction, streamlining returns is a must. Processing and refunding the correct sales tax amount helps keep your business in compliance. 

Why Are TaxJar And Avalara APIs Preferred As Tax Service Integrations?

• Top-rated: With a real-user satisfaction score of 90 and 74, respectively, TaxJar and Avalara are among the highest-rated sales tax compliance software, according to G2. 
• Accurate: Both software deliver extensive tax compliance solutions and perform millions of sales tax calculations accurately and in real-time. 
• Automated updates: Any tax rate updates at the state, city, or district level are automatically incorporated into the eCommerce marketplace. 
• Global support: While TaxJar supports tax rates in the US, Canada, Australia, and the European Union; Avalara API supports tax rates in 79 countries ensuring a truly global tax compliance solution for marketplaces.
• Trusted: Top commercial modern-day giants trust both TaxJar and Avalara. For instance, TaxJar is trusted by Coca-Cola, Quimbee, Microsoft, and many other modern-day giants. Similarly, Avalara offers automated tax compliance solutions to Pinterest, Zillow, Adidas, and other big corporates.
• Saves time and resources: Both software automate sales tax management in eCommerce marketplaces so the owners can focus on core business processes without worrying about regulatory non-compliance concerns.
• Managing returns: Both software offers automated solutions to prepare and file sales tax returns.

TaxJar And Avalara Tax Management APIs Pre-integrated In Yo!Kart

Yo!Kart is certainly among the leading multi-vendor eCommerce platforms. It comes with an in-built tax management module that empowers business owners to define the tax structure and rate on individual product categories.

Single and Combined Tax Structure

Prior to the latest release of Yo!Kart, sales tax for individual product categories could only be entered manually by the admin in a Yo!Kart-powered marketplace. To ensure hassle-free sales tax calculations and streamline tax management in eCommerce marketplaces, the team has integrated the powerful tax service APIs – TaxJar and Avalara in Yo!Kart V9.3.0. This ensures that your business isn’t falling behind on taxes.

How Does The Sales Tax Compliance Process Work In Yo!Kart?

To automate sales tax compliance in Yo!Kart, the admin needs to activate either of the two pre-integrated tax service APIs. Go to Tax Services under System Settings -> Plugins in the admin dashboard to enable the service.

Once activated, the sales tax process in Yo!Kart works this way:

• Admin creates a tax structure (single or combined) under Manage Tax Structure in the dashboard. 
• Tax management module synchronizes with the enabled/configured tax service API and automatically displays categories linked with the API
• Admin/seller links products with the listed tax categories 
• Next, during check-out, the sales tax is applied based upon the buyer’s shipping address 
• Once the transaction is complete, the admin collects and remits sales tax in the state 

The admin can also use the in-built tax management module (in case neither of the APIs is enabled) to enter tax categories or set/change tax rates manually. This ensures streamlined marketplace operations while incorporating sales tax compliance effectively. 
For complete working of the sales tax process, check out our admin manual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is tax automation?

– Utilizing software solutions to ensure compliance with critical tax processes and automate decisions on tax transactions is termed as tax automation. It helps businesses automatically cover different tax regulations in various states/regions around the world with improved accuracy and overall efficiency. Tax automation is an instrumental part of e-commerce businesses looking to sustain and scale their business.

Q2. How do taxes work with eCommerce?

– For each state/country, sales tax may vary for all transactions (including e-commerce) that occur in the region. These taxes are added to the individual sales transaction and collected by the admin that pays these taxes to the government. Since there are separate taxes for every state and region, e-commerce businesses use tax management services to automate tax compliance. 

Q3. What are TaxJar and Avalara used for?

– TaxJar and Avalara are two prominent tax service integrations that automate sales tax compliance for businesses such as an online marketplace. They deliver extensive, accurate, and real-time automated tax compliance solutions. Both Taxjar and Avalara APIs come pre-integrated in Yo!Kart to streamline tax management for marketplace operations. 

Q4. Who uses TaxJar and Avalara API Integrations?

-Online marketplaces and e-commerce stores with businesses in multiple states as well as globally, require the use of TaxJar and Avalara API integration. This saves them considerable business hours that can be used to run, manage, and scale their operations.

Q5. How do you integrate TaxJar and Avalara in Online Marketplaces?

-Integrating TaxJar and Avalara APIs in online marketplaces depends upon their infrastructure and scalability. Yo!Kart, on the other hand, delivers a ready-made marketplace with TaxJar and Avalara APIs pre-integrated. To check/configure these tax service APIs in Yo!Kart, go to System Settings > Plugins > Tax Services in the admin demo.

The post Sales Tax Automation In eCommerce Marketplaces With TaxJar And Avalara APIs appeared first on YoKart Blog.

Introduction To M-Pesa

A mobile money service with currently over 40 million users in 7 African countries, M-Pesa is the largest fintech platform targeted towards capturing the extensive African market. The revolutionary payment platform allows unbanked users to conduct financial transactions using their mobile devices. Since no banking setup or infrastructure is required, M-Pesa provides financial services at a considerably low rate making it a preferred payment option for eCommerce transactions in the region. 

With the increasing mobile phone penetration across sub-Saharan Africa, M-Pesa’s growth has surged as well. The payment method has transformed the African market paving the way for the eCommerce industry to prosper in the region. For instance, Jumia – Africa’s eCommerce retail giant, uses M-Pesa to enable unbanked users in Kenya to purchase goods digitally. Moreover, millions of M-Pesa users (buyers or merchants) can make secure and hassle-free international transactions by sending money to Western Union, PayPal, and WeChat users worldwide. 

Pre-Integrated In Yo!Kart

Apart from the widespread use of mobile payment services, other constituents accentuating potential eCommerce opportunities for business owners in the region are:

• New regulations and measures taken by Government authorities (such as the Central Bank of West African States) to reduce transaction cost of online payments
• Extensive adoption of smartphones among young Africans
• A surge in online consumer spending and more.

This is why Yo!Kart – our standalone multivendor platform comes pre-integrated with all essential eCommerce features, including M-Pesa integration. 

Yo!Kart team has successfully delivered ready-to-launch eCommerce marketplaces for several business owners in Africa, such as Niyaleo – a multivendor store selling original and authentic products in Kenya. We empower several existing online marketplaces in the region. To check out our complete portfolio list, click here. 

Any entrepreneur or business owner looking to start an online marketplace in Africa will benefit from Yo!Kart. Our platform is bundled with extensive eCommerce features and integrations to deliver a competitive edge to your business.

The post Accept Payments From 40M+ M-Pesa Users On a Yo!Kart-Powered Marketplace appeared first on YoKart Blog.

During the pandemic, survival and finding innovative opportunities is the primary focus for entrepreneurs, catering to the current market needs, Yo!Kart has a unique proposition for businesses. Yo!Kart, an innovative technology solution having served SMBs and enterprises across the globe, explored cutting-edge technology to contribute during the pandemic. We are excited to announce the launch of Tribe, the eCommerce software that will enable SMBs and merchants to start their own online stores (single stores) at zero capital investment.

Tribe will help in reducing the time to market by offering agility and scalability in the functionality without attaching a price tag to it.

Tribe Available At ZERO Cost

Comprehending the economy and the need of the hour, Tribe will be available at zero cost. By Zero Cost we mean FREE, there are no hidden charges like commission or transaction fees. Unlike other popular eCommerce store software, once the system has been deployed on your server, we do not charge a penny on the number of sales or the profit that you make on the website.  There are additional charges only for technical support from Yo!Kart Expert or any customization.

Reduce Vulnerability With Secured Framework

The team developing Tribe extensively researched the market and pain points to drive features which are essentially needed for an online store. After extensive research and mind mapping, we chose an open-source Framework “Laravel” which is inherently secure & has faster time-to-market. The reason why our experts embraced Laravel for the single store solution: it is a mission-critical application that uses two levels of security, i.e. application security and server security. As Laravel is a development framework, it won’t make your server secure, the primary focus will be the application. All the data is sanitized when you are using the Laravel PHP framework.

Designed For Accessibility

The design of the software is aesthetically planned for every user of the website. It empowers store owners to natively design the frontend with CMS Drag & Drop Editor functionality. The software is user-focused as CMS editor allows the business owners to choose the level of expertise in UI/UX and designing. Expert, intermediate, and beginner are the level, if the business owner has a fair understanding of HTML then they can edit the design in HTML. Business owners that choose beginner level, can quickly design a beautiful, custom storefront without writing a single line of code. The store owners can make real-time changes in CMS pages for a more seamless storefront management experience.

Managing Complexity With An Easy-to-use Platform

Our experts understand the complexity of managing an eCommerce store for a store owner, thus the backend has been made easy to use. For the business owners to easily set up the eCommerce website, the system guides you through the process step by step. The system is developed after understanding the target user and will notify you about the functionality during the initial setup and the day-to-day usage. To reduce the time spent in making changes, the system display is in split-screen preview to easily manage tasks.

Agile Team Of 180+ Experts For Customization

To change the website features and functionality according to the business requirements, we have a team of 180+ experts who have in-depth subject-matter expertise and market knowledge. Yo!Kart has empowered 1000+ eCommerce websites in varied niches which have led to enhanced industry knowledge. An agile process is followed to maintain the capacity to stay flexible and respond rapidly to meet our clients’ varying needs.

Finally, Tribe is apt for those businesses that want to take their brick and mortar store to the digital channel.

The online store software gives a perfect opportunity to business owners who are looking to start with their online stores but worried about high development costs. Visit Tribe website to get your store online for free.

The post Announcing The Launch Of Tribe: The Next-Gen Free eCommerce Store Software appeared first on YoKart Blog.

No matter how popular and well-documented an existing software or solution is, it is bound to receive a fair amount of queries from clients. And Yo!Kart is no different. Each day our team receives many client queries on various aspects. To make decision-making easier for business owners, our team tries to answer almost every query that we can.

Here is a list of few queries (with answers) we have received over the period:

CATEGORY 1: Yo!Kart – At the Core

Q1. Is Yo!Kart open-source? What framework do you use for the web and mobile app?

Ans: Yo!Kart isn’t an open-source eCommerce platform. The core script files of our platform are provided in an encrypted format. This partial encoding prevents unauthorized installation of Yo!Kart on multiple domains but there is no restriction on third-party API integration or customization of any kind. 

The platform is developed using LAMP stack technology – a set of open-source software. Additionally, to modify and customize Yo!Kart, the developer must have experience in MVC architecture and PHP technology. We have recently launched Yo!Kart new version with revamped UI and additional features to increase the performance of a marketplace.

About the framework

YoKart is developed on a proprietary framework used for all products at FATbit Technologies (our parent company). It is a PHP-based structured platform using an in-house encrypted code library developed by our expert programmers with over 15 years of analytical experience. The complete library is tightly bound and highly extendable. Plus, the framework is extremely stable, empowering thousands of medium and large-scale web applications. 

The platform is based on MVC (Model-view-controller) pattern, an application design model useful for developing an intuitive user interface (UI). Our framework uses Javascript programming language and jQuery UI to create an interactive platform that is fully responsive working seamlessly across all devices. 

Despite being partially encrypted, the code is clean and easy to understand/modify. Here’s a client review for the same:

Q2. Is it a white label platform and mobile app?

Ans: Yes. Yo!Kart is a complete white-label marketplace solution. The entire content on both mobile apps and the platform can be easily managed from the backend. Once you have purchased the Yo!Kart license, we will provide you the source code to easily make modifications or changes of any kind. 

Benefits of opting for a white label solution like Yo!Kart.

1. Build Your Own Brand: You can easily re-brand it with your business identity and launch without investing excessive time or money in research & development. Yo!Kart comes fully integrated with all essential eCommerce functionalities. 

2. Focus on your core business process: Developing a solution from scratch may take an insurmountable effort and can easily fail when it isn’t your core business functionalities. Instead, a prepackaged white label solution allows you to invest time in marketing and focus on core business competencies. 

When your solution is prepackaged your customers wouldn’t look elsewhere. So, the months your team required to develop a solution can now be used to meet your customer needs immediately. This will help reach your goals quicker.

Q3. Is Yo!Kart CMS based on WordPress?

Ans: Yo!Kart uses its own in-house content management system (CMS) to easily manage navigation, homepage slides, banners, content pages, and more. You can access CMS settings within the admin dashboard. 

CATEGORY 2: Integrations

Q4. Do you have split payments with stripe and PayPal where the vendor takes the payments and I get a commission? I do not want to take payments.

Ans: Split payments are available in Yo!Kart through Stripe Connect. Once enabled, it allows the system to automatically create vendor Stripe accounts using their saved cards. Through Stripe connect the funds are split between sellers and admin in real-time. Also, reverse charges are created for both sellers and admin in case of refunds. The entire process is automated. To enable Stripe Connect, go to Plugins under System Settings in the admin dashboard.

Q5. Can the vendor handle returns and payment returns/refunds as I only want to collect commission?

Ans: Yes, vendors have the option to either approve a refund or escalate the matter to the admin for orders under return request. Click on the view button (for pending requests) under order return requests to access the above options. In case you want any changes to the standard flow, our team will attend to it at $25 USD per hour.

Q6. Is there a way to have automated shipping rate estimates that are dependent on the vendor’s location and customer’s location?

Ans: Yo!Kart comes pre-integrated with ShipStation API that enables the marketplace to fetch live shipping rates depending upon the vendor and customer location.

Q7. In what countries does Yo!Kart work? Please share the languages and currencies it supports?

Ans: Yo!Kart is a global marketplace software that works in almost every country. Our software is inherently designed to be multilingual and even supports Right-to-Left design (a must in the Middle East). 

Yo!Kart comes pre-integrated with MSN Language API that enables the platform to support more than 70 languages. Moreover, the Fixer Currency conversion API comes pre-integrated that fetches exchange rate data for 170 world currencies in real-time and also updates the data every minute. You can even add new currencies or manage existing ones manually through currency management within the admin dashboard.

Q8.Can the vendor enter product taxes by themselves in Yo!Kart? I don’t want that responsibility.

Ans: Vendors cannot enter their own taxes in Yo!Kart. They can only view the tax rates. To fetch real-time tax rates, we have TaxJar and Avalara APIs pre-integrated into the system. The process is automated so entering individual taxes for all products isn’t necessary although there is an in-built tax module for manual changes (if required).

CATEGORY 3: PRICE

Q9. Do I have to pay for updates or features or is it a one-time price? If so, what is the price?

Ans: Yo!Kart comes in two packages. Unlike other multi-vendor platforms, We charge a one-time license fee for both packages with no hidden or recurring fee of any kind. For complete information on the pricing of our packages, click here. As per different business requirements, we release 2-3 product upgrades every year, but these are standalone versions. If you require an upgraded version to fulfill your business requirements, it will be available at just 50% of the GoQuick package cost.

Q10. Is your site mobile-friendly without using the mobile app? If I have to use the app what is the cost of upgrades every year?

Ans: Yes, Yo!Kart has a fully responsive design layout to easily cater to customers across desktop and mobile devices. Also, the platform is PWA compliant utilizing modern web capabilities to offer a native app experience. This ensures the platform can run seamlessly on all screen sizes omitting the need for a separate mobile site.

However, we also have native mobile apps (for buyers and sellers) to cater to all your business requirements. Yo!Kart comes with intuitive and feature-rich mobile apps for iOS and Android platforms. To get more details on the mobile app features and pricing, click here.

CATEGORY 4: CUSTOMIZATION

Q11. Can Yo!Kart be customized as per my business model or requirements? Can we customize the Apps different from the Website?

Ans: Yo!Kart is a fully customizable platform. You can easily customize the front-end and even modify the source code for additional functionalities as per your business requirements. Regarding the mobile apps, we can customize them as per your chosen Yo!Kart-ready design at an additional cost of $25/hr. However, there are a few free customizations that are included in the Yo!Kart mobile app price. These include: 

1. Splash Page design as per your website’s theme color.
2. Logo and App Icons update
3. Configuring Social Media Login API.
4. Configuring any 3rd party API to make the App work
5. APIs set up on your website and API URL settings in the app.

Below are few reviews from our clients with customization requirements.

Q12. Do you have some sort of Auction function? I want to make commissions from auctions?

Ans: YoKart can be easily customized to accommodate the auction model. In fact, FATbit Technologies (our parent company) has prepared a detailed auction module overview with features listing for admin, seller, and front-end users. The module can be used to start an online auction marketplace with Yo!Kart. To learn more about Yo!Kart’s auction marketplace, click here. 

Q13. I cannot see how to customize the website appearance on the product demo site e.g the platform logo and the color of the website. Where can I change the appearance of the store and upload the banners etc?

Ans: You can easily customize the website appearance in Yo!Kart. Please go to System Settings within the admin dashboard to change the theme color (in Theme Settings) and platform logo (in General Settings -> Media). In order to change individual store appearances like banner or logo setup, one can do that under Manage Shop in the seller dashboard.

CATEGORY 5: GENERAL QUERIES

Q14. What types of commission options do we have (percent, fixed, etc)?

Ans: Commissions are charged on a percentage basis although the admin may charge a different commission fee to different vendors/affiliates.

Q15. I wish to understand how Yo!Kart manages inventory and order tracking 

Ans: Yo!Kart allows both the admin/seller to easily manage inventory from within the dashboard. To maintain stock levels and track stock inventory, enable the option for the same during product setup. 

Also, Yo!Kart has partnered with EasyeCom – an omnichannel inventory management tool allowing marketplace vendors to easily manage inventory from multi-channels in a single dashboard. In case you need this functionality, Yo!Kart team can integrate it at an additional cost.

Q16. How long ago was YoKart created and have any service interruptions occurred since then?

Ans: FATbit Technologies launched YoKart in 2015. Ever since our inception, we’ve witnessed zero interruptions or downtime thanks to the risk management process in place. Also, we use PMI principles for code merge/bug/release/management, and hence the original release is not affected.

Q17. Is there a limit on the number of products or files vendors can upload?

Ans: No, our scripts do not limit the number of products or files vendors can upload to the marketplace. But when the number exceeds 100,000 you will need a more powerful server/hosting service and maybe some optimization into the scripts.

Q18. Multilingual invoices in the selected language for individual Seller and Buyer

Ans: To download invoices in your preferred language make sure the database information is available in the system for that particular language. Select the language under Languages and Currency in the seller/buyer dashboard to get the invoice in your preferred language.

For instance, below you’ll find an invoice in the Arabic language generated in Yo!Kart.

Q19. I would like to know how to set the commission for the vendors and how it is calculated. Please provide the formula of the calculation e.g is the shipping fee included in the commission calculation? e.g is the commission deducted after deducting the coupon amount?

Ans: Commissions can be easily set up from within the admin dashboard. Go to Manage Commission Settings under System Settings to edit existing commission listings or add new commissions. Commissions are prioritized in the following order – Product Commission > Vendor/Seller Commission > Category Commission > Site Commission as visible inside the pyramid model below.

Moreover, the admin can also set a maximum site commission fee and configure whether the commission charged will include shipping and/or tax charges. To set up, go to the Commission under General Settings.

P.S. Commission on coupon amount isn’t included in Yo!Kart by default. If required, our team will add this functionality at an additional cost. 

Q20. Is it possible for me to upload products on behalf of the vendors? I cannot find such a function on the demo website.

Ans: Admin can add new products to the marketplace but these products will be listed under admin and not under a particular vendor. Click on Products under the Catalog in admin dashboard to add new products in the marketplace. 

If you want someone to add products on behalf of the vendors then it is possible by adding a sub-user at the vendors end. Vendors can go to Sub Users under Profile in the seller dashboard to add sub-users and assign roles like inventory upload, order management, and more.

Q21. Is there a function for me to download a data report listing all orders of all vendors of the month so that I can send receipts to all vendors each month and have a detailed record each month for accounting?

Ans: Yes, you can download the invoice for monthly orders in a CSV file format. Go to Sales under Reports in the admin dashboard for the detailed record.

Q22. Is there a max number of vendors/storefronts we can have active?

Ans: You can invite unlimited vendors to your online marketplace for selling physical or digital products. However, each vendor can have only one store-front. 

Q23. Does Yo!Kart have a subscription module for buyers and sellers?

Ans: Yo!Kart has a subscription module only for sellers where the admin can add new packages or edit existing ones. Go to Subscription Packages Management under System Settings in the admin dashboard to view/add subscription listings.

If you require a buyer subscription module, Yo!Kart can be customized to include this feature.

Q24. Do you provide domain and hosting?

Ans: We provide domain and hosting only for the Startup package. When you pick any of our Self-hosted solutions packages (GoQuick and GoCustom) you need to buy hosting and domain. 

Q25. For the mobile application, is it a native implementation (using android and IOS code) i.e is it implemented using a cross-platform or using native code?

Ans: Yo!Kart mobile applications use native code i.e. these are native mobile applications for Android/iOS and not hybrid (cross-platform). Check out the latest Yo!Kart v9 buyer mobile app for Android and iOS platforms.

Q26. Is it possible for vendors to upload the vendor’s various products into the marketplace, or would the person/department managing the marketplace have to do that? Is there a mass upload feature?

Ans: Vendors can easily add/manage products individually to the marketplace under the Shop Inventory section in the dashboard. To add products in bulk, use the import/export feature.

Q27. Do you have the ability to show if the same product is offered by multiple vendors in your marketplace and be able to compare the price on the spot?

Ans: Product comparison isn’t an in-built feature in Yo!Kart. If required, our team will add this feature at an additional cost.

Q28.What are the server and hosting requirements to launch a multivendor store?

Ans: Please visit this page to check our system requirements. 

Q29. Can Yo!Kart be integrated with my current business applications?

Ans: Yo!Kart can be integrated with all your existing business applications or APIs. Get in touch with our team for more details. 

Q30. Does Yo!Kart have dashboards for each of the sellers with the ability to self-serve them individually?

Ans: Yes, Yo!Kart has an individual seller dashboard so each vendor can easily manage their shop, add/modify products, update meta tags, and do more.

Q31. Are vendors able to set shipping rates themselves? Will the rates they set be reflected at checkout?

Ans: Yes, vendors can easily set shipping rates on products and this will reflect on the checkout page. To add/modify shipping rates go to Shipping Profiles within the Seller dashboard.

Q32. Is it possible to create a listing marketplace like Craigslist with Yo!Kart?

Ans: Yes. Yo!Kart is just the platform for creating marketplaces with listings. The platform is natively designed to support different business models and industries.

The post Straightforward Answers For Your Most Common Questions When Choosing Yo!Kart appeared first on YoKart Blog.

Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos talking to The Economic Club of Washington famously shared his company’s secret to success, “(T)he No. 1 thing that has made us successful by far is obsessive compulsive focus on the customer as opposed to obsession over the competitor.” This focus on delivering consumer-centric solutions has made Amazon – a retail giant with unparalleled success miles ahead of its competitors.

User-centered design is one of the key criteria for an impeccable customer experience. And, Yo!Kart – one of the most promising marketplace platforms in the market today, delivers just that with its amazing list of features.

Top eCommerce Features

• ElasticSearch – Distributed, open-source, scalable search engine that indexes big volumes of data quickly and in real-time. ElasticSearch is an increasingly popular enterprise search engine that analyzes data and provides accurate results in 10 milliseconds. It is incorporated in multi-vendor marketplaces powered by Yo!Kart to deliver an incredible user experience.

• Intuitive Product Pages – Intuitiveness is more of a characteristic than a feature that means ease of use. Creating an intuitive product page requires a strict understanding of your target audience. Yo!Kart offers conversion-centric product pages with complete attention to details in an eCommerce marketplace.

• Streamlined Checkout – To improve average order value, reduce abandoned carts, and provide a faster purchase funnel; a streamlined checkout process is essential. Yo!Kart incorporates a quick view option on every product ensuring direct checkout from any page. Also, the platform offers 16 pre-integrated payment gateways with an option to customize. 

• Mobile-Commerce – More than half of all global website traffic comes from mobile devices. Yo!Kart offers a responsive design layout across all devices. Plus, our marketplace solution is PWA compliant with native mobile apps in iOS and Android for an enhanced mobile shopping experience.

• Language and currency – Yo!Kart incorporates MSN Language API that can translate more than 70 languages, enabling truly multi-lingual functionality. Also, a real-time currency converter API is pre-integrated for automatic currency conversions. Both multilingual and multi-currency features add to the overall consumer experience.

• Security – The multi-vendor platform offers reliable security solutions to restrict cross-site scripting, eliminate cross-site request forgery, handle sensitive data exposure, and more. SSL and PCI compliance – the most widely used protocols in an eCommerce industry are easily incorporated using Yo!Kart.  

• Buyers Dashboard – Allow buyers to manage addresses, update credentials, check messages, and do more from within the dashboard. Yo!Kart offers a separate dashboard for marketplace buyers to register and manage all their account activities. Even language and currency preferences can be changed from within the dashboard.

• Multicart – A popular feature incorporated by Yo!Kart, multicart lets buyers purchase from multiple sellers simultaneously. There is no restriction of any kind and buyers can purchase multiple items from different sellers in a single order. 

Features That Entice And Engage Shoppers

• Special Price – Listing products at a discounted price with special offers is a popular method to lure/entice shoppers. Yo!Kart allows both admin and seller to add special prices to selected products with a start/end date. To use this feature select “Special Price” under “Promotions” within the respective dashboards.

• Volume Discount – A popular incentive method that encourages customers to purchase goods in bulk. To apply, select product, add minimum quantity, and enter discount percentage under volume discount feature in the admin or seller dashboard. With the volume discount feature, buyers can avail reduced prices on goods purchased in bulk. 

• Buy Together Products – An upsell feature popular in eCommerce marketplaces, buy together products allow the admin and seller to tag items that can be bought together. This feature originated from consumers browsing/purchasing habits and is typically used for items purchased by a large number of customers previously at the same time. 

• Related Products – Customers who purchased a camera may need batteries or those with a new dress may need matching shoes. These are all related products that customers would be more interested in purchasing. This is a popular eCommerce feature that boosts sales, offset shipping fees, and more. To add related products, go to Related Products under Promotions in the admin/seller dashboard.

• Discount Coupons – A fairly common eCommerce marketing strategy to generate more sales, discount coupons encourage purchases on the eCommerce website. Yo!Kart provides a distinct section of “Discount Coupons” where the admin can add coupon code, discount type, maximum discount value, minimum order value, and more. 

• Rewards on every purchase – Delighting your customers by offering them rewards as an incentive on each purchase is a tactical marketing move. Yo!Kart provides extensive admin capabilities to set up rewards on minimum purchase. To apply this feature, go to the “Rewards on Purchase” section under the admin dashboard.

• Product Reviews and Ratings – For a successful eCommerce marketplace customer feedbacks on purchased products are very important. To ensure transparency and prevent spam reviews, only the admin can approve product reviews/ratings on marketplaces powered by Yo!Kart.

• Smart Recommendations – Intelligently upsell products on your marketplace and deliver an engaging consumer experience with smart recommendations. Set up weightages to pre-defined events such as product view, product order paid, and product time spent from within the admin dashboard. Under smart recommendations, manage custom weightages and validity. 

Amid the pandemic with the increasingly changing consumer habits, user experience (a vital eCommerce aspect) has transformed into a defining factor for success in an eCommerce marketplace. This is why retail giants like Amazon are surging ahead. To build an eCommerce marketplace with a seamless customer experience, choose Yo!Kart.

The post Customer Experience: A Defining Factor For Success In An eCommerce Marketplace appeared first on YoKart Blog.

• Uploading product images and changing the data as per marketplace suggestions on individual sales channel each time a new product/service is available
• Maintaining consistent and synchronized inventory when selling on multiple sales channels
• Inefficient order management and out-of-stock orders often due to human error
• Keeping track of different state tax policies and eCommerce marketplace policies. 

To enhance the experience of high scale vendors, you need to engage them with features that ensure profitability with ease. Create an environment that reduces the time and efforts invested by the vendor and ensures manageability. Ensuring inventory management across different channels will surely grab the attention of performing vendors when you pitch them to join your marketplace. 

Benefits Of A Multi-channel Selling Tool In eCommerce Marketplaces

Selling on different online marketplaces can be a bit cumbersome without a single integration tool to manage individual seller accounts. Below we have highlighted a few important benefits of an omnichannel selling tool in an eCommerce marketplace:

1. Efficient Catalog Management

When selling on different marketplaces, each inventory must be individually updated which is a tedious process without an effective tool. An eCommerce marketplace with a multi-channel inventory management system enables vendors to easily upload images, change data (as per individual marketplace suggestions), and list items intended to sell on different marketplaces. Easy catalog management is the primary benefit of using a multi-channel selling tool.

2. Centralized Dashboard

A crucial aspect for seamless multi-channel selling, a centralized dashboard automatically monitors and manages stock levels/sales on multiple marketplaces. It enables vendors to take control of their inventories and make incremental sales strategies across channels. Vendors no longer have to split inventory or block out stock levels for the different sales channels. A centralized dashboard enables an online marketplace owner and its sellers to control operations like restocking or purchase with minimal hassle.

3. Real-time Updates On Inventory

According to a survey by Statista in 2018, nearly 27% of online fashion shoppers in the UK abandoned their carts due to out-of-stock items. This is a significant margin that can easily hamper business growth.

Consider using an omnichannel selling system that automatically updates inventory levels when any change occurs across all sales channels. With real-time inventory updates, vendors can easily restock items as required and avoid losing customers to their competitors due to out-of-stock items. Also, it prevents sellers from spending too much money on inventory (when the stock levels are sufficient) that could be better utilized elsewhere. 

4. Order Management Is Easy

Simplified order management is another essential benefit of an omnichannel inventory management system. It syncs all sales channels seamlessly in a hyper-connected retail environment while optimizing fulfillment operations. With a user-friendly multi-channel selling marketplace, vendors can quickly view the status of inventory, orders, and shipping operations in real-time. Moreover, it enables speedy delivery operations offering the best-personalized shopping experience to buyers across channels.

Yo!Kart In Partnership With EasyEcom

EasyEcom is a comprehensive multi-channel inventory management software that offers advanced features like order fulfillment, reconciliation, warehouse management, and more. It is the operating system for everything eCommerce.

By partnering with EasyEcom, Yo!Kart aims to offer a robust eCommerce marketplace that addresses multi-channel selling challenges. We are taking all steps necessary to offer business owners a competitive edge. Our new partnership will help the marketplace owner and its vendors drive more sales/revenue in a business.

The post Yo!Kart Partners With EasyEcom For Seamless Multi-channel Selling In Online Marketplaces appeared first on YoKart Blog.