Using e-commerce
E-commerce was already on the rise, but this past season demonstrated how online sales will continue to grow and, in fact, will help pool and spa service professionals continue to increase their sales and profits. This can be particularly beneficial in the off season, so long as businesses optimize their online store. Clients should be able to order, pay, and arrange for delivery or pick-up of their chemicals and other products from an online store.
Any e-commerce site should also be able to easily process credit cards directly through a business software system to eliminate mistakes and ensure the correct end-of-day tally. Astute pool and spa businesses will invest in their e-commerce and payment systems so they can quickly add products and services to their e-store and start generating new winter sales immediately. This could also include down payments for products and services which might not start or be delivered until next spring.
The goal is to really re-train a store’s customers to use its online shopping option as much as possible. Retailers can really take advantage of this by reminding customers how they will not need to bundle up and drive to the store to pick up spa chemicals, for example, when they can order for home delivery instead.
Additionally, consumers are becoming much more comfortable with “auto-ship” options for basics they use regularly around their home. This option allows users to set up repeating, automatic purchases for supplies they use up at regular intervals. Therefore, e-commerce sites should also make it easy for customers to choose this “auto-ship” option for all regular water treatment products and other essentials to ensure they never run out of what they need to keep their pool operating smoothly. Not only does this guarantee a regular revenue stream for a store, but it also assists with its business purchasing, inventory and, most of all, helps promote customer loyalty and satisfaction. If a retailer’s e-commerce system offers an “auto-ship” feature, they should include a small break on the price for those who select this option to incentivize clients to select it.
