Answers
Feb 22, 2019 - 03:01 PM
It is always challenging to find the perfect feed management platform for an eCommerce store . It is even worse when you are looking for a management system that will adapt to your specific needs.
When the issue of a multi channel platform comes into play, things become more complicated. There are numerous players providing services in this field but you need to settle on just one.
Since you already narrowed your selection spectrum, let us look at what both ChannelAdvisor and Sellbrite have to offer and settle on a better alternative.
Sellbrite
Sellbrite is a multi-channel eCommerce solutions that caters for vendors on platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and other mid-tiered marketplaces.
The tool helps sellers and brands to manage their inventory, listings and vending processes. It also enables sellers to respond to customer orders efficiently.
This tool is ideal for multi-channel sellers who are looking to increase their selling rates without scaling operations. Sellbrite’s dashboard streamlines bulk listings on multiple stores, a feat that otherwise would have been difficult for one person.
Sellbrite also has an auto-sync feature to prevent stock-outs while ensuring that pricing is always up-to-date. Print postage and shipping fulfillment are other features that Sellbrite support.
Overall, Sellbrite is among the best and most complete services of their kind on the market. It allows you to push your product to different markets and get more eyes on your brand.
Pros
- Sellbrite is easy to use and has a small learning curve.
- The site has the ability to list, update, and track products on multiple channels. This eases fulfillment of orders.
- Sellbrite makes it easy to maintain control of inventory via a quick syncing feature.
- Creates powerful reports that help you to streamline your operations and make sound business decisions.
- Sellbrite boast of a knowledgeable support that is responsive.
- One place where Sellbrite dwarfs ChannelAdvisor is pricing.
Cons
- I can’t actually think of any but one challenge is that new features are not available to old plan users.
ChannelAdvisor
According to ChannelAdvisor’s parent website, the platform is a multi-channel site that operates on a helix system. Retailers feed data into the platform’s system, which it then syncs with marketplaces like Walmart, eBay, and Amazon.
Customers’ orders and shipping information then flow back through the same system enabling customers to make decisions about their e-commerce strategies.
Channel advisor has had a rather difficult time on Trust Pilot, but to be fair, a majority of negative reviews about ChannelAdvisor over there seem to come from users outside of USA – and I believe this is bound to bring logistical challenges.
One thing people seem to have issues about ChannelAdvisor is the cost and high commissions as well as the steep learning curve.
Despite this challenge, I think the steep learning curve is best suited to those users with complex needs and do not mind investing in add-on functions and third party tools.
One huge let down that has people falling out with ChannelAdvisor is the huge commissions they charge on sales. There are upfront annual fees, implementation or launch fee per channels integrated.
They also charge a commission of your sales from 0.5% to 2% based on monthly volume. Their rates are as follows:
- $0 - $40,000/mo => 0%
- $40,000 - $80,000/mo => 2%
- $500,000/mo => 1%
- $1,000,000/mo => 0.9% - 0.5%.
Source: Sellbrite
Pros
- Numerous marketplace integrations – one connection to your inventory allows you to send them to multiple marketplaces.
- Ensures stable connectivity to platforms like Amazon, eBay, etc whose APIs are constantly changing. This lessens your effort and pressure to keep up.
Cons
People seem to be looking for alternatives to ChannelAdvisor despite it being one of the leading eCommerce service providers. Based on industry experience, the following factors stand out:
- ChannelAdvisor has a very high pricing point.
- Limited features, with crucial industry standard expectations like integration, intelligence, and AI.
- No way out: if you subscribe for a fully paid plan, you pay for the entire year and should things not work out midway, there is little avenue to exit safely. One has to pay $10k to break contract or it goes to collection.
- That there are so many flexible alternatives to ChannelAdvisor also seems to have taken toll on the platform.
Conclusion
As you try to make up your mind about these two or any other multi-channel eCommerce solutions, you should look out for these qualities of good inventory management software:
- A multi-channel eCommerce ecosystem supports many international marketplaces such as eBay, Amazon, Google Shopping etc.
- Low commissions on sales. This helps vendors avoid invoicing surprises and hidden fees and helps you anticipate what your charges will be at the end of the month.
- A good software provider should have a spectacular customer support that helps merchants on a daily basis, 24/7.
- It should also have a clear order management system. One should be able to visualize and control all incoming orders, track parcels, refunds etc.
- A decent inventory management platform must also comply with personal data protection obligations that are governed by the GPDR laws.
Jan 17, 2020 - 09:34 AM
Source: https://www.auctiva.com/
Jan 17, 2020 - 09:36 AM
Source: https://www.auctiva.com/
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