For most small business owners, the idea of trading over the internet is exciting. A website is a must for every business, even if its customers are local, but the potential created by reaching out to an international customer base makes the sky appear to be the limit. However, with such opportunities comes the need to manage sales, stock, marketing and all of the other aspects that comprise a business that is well run, and this is where ecommerce software solutions can play such a critical role.

From electronic point of sale, which is otherwise known as epos, to monitoring stock, pricing histories and marketing reports, running a business with a single shop has a lot more to it than smiling warmly from behind a counter and assisting customers. Today, the demands on every business are high, resulting in the need for modern retail epos systems at the very least. For businesses that are experiencing a growing demand for their expertise, or have already grown to comprise several services or premises, multi channel retail software can help to keep the administrative side of the business on top of everything at once.

Ecommerce refers to electronically generated and managed business aspects, which for many sectors in the modern era are highly valuable when added to the revenue earned through customers that walk into a shop. For every business, this means establishing an internet presence through a website. This has become a vital aspect of marketing, with websites now the first port of call for anyone looking for services. In fact, it has effectively replaced the business listings in a phone book principally because a website will give a vast amount of information when compared to even a full page advertisement in a phone book.

However, a website alone cannot fully address the complete range of ecommerce matters as there are many spin off areas which also need to be managed. Not least is the ability to handle online enquiries, orders and the accompanying need to manage stock and manufacturing materials, if applicable. While a real world customer can walk into a shop, request an item, be handed it and then pay, there is no physical interaction with online customers. The arrival of ecommerce software ensures that orders are not forgotten, that money is received and that stocks are not allowed to run out.

There is a wide range of software available to small business owners, with a decision regarding the realistic requirements needed before any steps can be taken. If only one premises is involved, and business is heavily focused on real customers, then things can be managed quite easily though a simple cash register with ecommerce capabilities. Where once cash register machine calculated a bill total, provided itemised information, VAT percentages and the change due, the modern registers can provide much more.

For example, a coffee shop register can now calculate whether stocks of a particular brand of coffee are falling low based on the number of sales, and automatically inform the owner through a reorder report. It can also report on the best sellers over a given period, as well as the worst.

For businesses with higher turnovers, several shop locations and a centralised stock control system, a more complex epos system is needed, with multi channel demands needing to be answered. A boutique with three locations, for example, may wish to track individual sales in all three shops, as well as sales made through their website. This is a complex task because there are effectively four points of sale, making intracommunication essential.

It is equally important that stock levels are sufficient, with delays in meeting online orders a real potential threat to the reputation of the business overall, making accurate stock management essential. Also, as regards customer service, the ability to notify a customer that the coat they want is in stock at one of the other shops, and secure it for them, is a major advantage.

With the aid of multi channel retail software, this is possible, with information for separate locations being combined instantly to produce reliable, fully coordinated stock and sales figures, as well as a host of other statistics. By weaving the different threads together through these retail epos systems, a picture is produced that can give the full and proper story.

The array of ecommerce software solutions means that businesses of all sizes, not just multinational corporations, can benefit from modern ebusiness practices.