Why digital transformation is important in businesses
There were few companies left to begin, or at least plan, their digital transformation before 2020. During this year, those that hadn’t yet done so were convinced of the absolute necessity of digitalizing their company as soon as possible.
More and more people have got into online shopping, and the digital medium has become indispensable for the whole product supply chain, from exposure through catalogs for retailers and distributors, to connecting with suppliers and selling directly to the end consumer.
Every channel where products are sold on the internet, from a brand’s product pages to mobile apps or online marketplaces, it’s all a digital shelf which we must adapt to as soon as possible.
The digital channel management must gain a omnichannel approach and take care of the brand’s online image, as well as how it is used on each sales channel and product page. Everything you do is a representation of your brand, and good management of the digital transformation process guarantees that all the other steps are going to bring value to the business and team.
The 5 key steps for a digital transformation
Define your digital strategy
What do you want to achieve with more digital processes? How do you want it to impact your internal team and way of working? And what about externally, to other stakeholders, partners, collaborators and the final consumer’s shopping experience?
For example, Titanlux team needed to change the processes between 3 different departments. They relied on Sales Layer to implement a PIM system that automates digital tasks on the product catalog, and since then their efficiency has improved tremendously.
Analyze your resources
How much capacity for change do you have? Predict costs and study your budget, to invest in the right places.
Communicate needs to the whole team
How will all the business’ departments align in this digital transformation? What can you do together? How will it support internal organization? Communication is key so that the whole business benefits from the process and tools and processes that everyone understands are implemented.
Plot a plan of action
Strategies must be translated into accessible steps, for the short, medium and long terms, in order to synchronize efforts, learning processes and costs.
Ensure compliance with all the legal requirements
Starting to use digital channels is more than just creating an Amazon profile. You need to implement the proper legal processes which respect the current legislation in your area and guarantee the security and privacy of the business’ and customers’ data that is used online.
The right channels: what does your team need and where are your customers?
The first step to successfully tackle a digital transformation process is to properly identify your market and sales niche.
Many businesses, overwhelmed by the digital acceleration, believe that they should immediately throw themselves into conquering all the channels that exist. There’s nothing further from the truth and an efficient strategy.
It’s more important to tackle digitalization in the right channels than everywhere. To start with, your business should analyze what digital activities it needs to perform first:
- Streamlining the work of dispersed teams through centralized digital tools.
- Showing digital product catalogs to retailers and distributors.
- Creating an online store for direct purchases.
- Ensure uniform product information on the channels that need it, such as Google Manufacturer Center.
- Selling products on online marketplaces and social networks.
Not all businesses have the same goals. A manufacturer might need a digital transformation to better connect with other stakeholders in the supply chain and to guarantee accurate and complete technical information. A retailer might need product content which is more attractive and easier to edit in order to sell on more digital channels.
What is your business’ goal?
Relying on the proper tools: catalog automation
Without a doubt, for any business dedicated to manufacturing or selling products, catalog information is the fundamental raw material.
One of the most common reasons for customers abandoning an online store and never returning is bad or insufficient product content. And although it can seem an essential measure for online manufacturers and sellers, many businesses neglect this crucial topic.
PIM software helps to create a digital shelf and an automatized optimization of product content.
Perfecting product content is a win-win: businesses better satisfy their customers and achieve a better classification in search engines. Customers need to know the specific details of each product right now, and these details must be coherent across the different channels: How many sizes is this swimsuit available in? Is this phone case available in purple? Does the wood of this kitchen utensil come from sustainable forests?
PIM software helps you achieve the digital transformation of your catalog management, and automates the optimization of your product content.
Digital tools which automate editing, enhancement and the export of product content, like PIM (Product Information Management) software, allows businesses to implement a faster and more efficient digital transformation process. With a PIM, automatized optimization of product content is assured, since this technology is capable of detecting when product data is missing, or if it needs any corrections, and it lets you personalize the export for different channels.
This streamlines the implementation of multichannel strategies and digital omnichannels in businesses, since less time is needed to open a new sale channel and start to upload the product information to it, whether it’s an online store created with PrestaShop or Shopify, or a marketplace like Amazon.
To sum up, businesses which guarantee an easy, trustworthy shopping experience with complete product content are the best prepared for this environment of digital change.
Behind-the-scenes management is crucial to achieving that goal and gaining a footing faced with strong competitors such as Amazon's marketplace, while standing out against the competition.
Try it for free today with Sales Layer’s PIM and stop postponing your digital transformation, instead achieving it much sooner than you imagined. If you need personalized assistance, we can also provide you with a free consultation with one of our PIM specialists.
