Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Shopify's Solution: Draft Orders
- Leverage Phone Orders for Improved Customer Service
- Best Practices: Maximizing Phone Order Efficacy
- FAQ Section
Introduction
Has your online business encountered situations where customers prefer to place their orders over the phone rather than through your Shopify store? Maybe it's a generational gap, a lack of trust in online transactions, or simply the human touch that a phone call brings. If you're nodding along, you're not alone—and more importantly, Shopify has you covered. In today's connected world, accommodating customers who favor more traditional shopping methods can be a powerful differentiator. That's why, in this blog post, we’re delving into the world of phone orders on Shopify: how to manage them seamlessly, elevate customer experience, and ensure your business doesn't miss out on a single sale.
Shopify's Solution: Draft Orders
Shopify understands that e-commerce doesn't exist in isolation. Sometimes, transactions need a personal touch and when they do, creating draft orders comes to the rescue. Whether you're dealing with wholesale clients, special requests, or non-digitally savvy customers, draft orders let you create custom orders on behalf of your customers.
Draft Orders: The Workhorse Behind Phone Orders
Imagine you receive a call from a client who is looking for a product that requires professional expertise. They are unable to navigate your online catalog with its 50K SKUs, but are ready to make a purchase based on your recommendations. With Shopify's draft order feature, you can gather information, add products to the order, and manage payment all within your Shopify admin.
The Process You'll Love:
- Create a draft order directly from your Shopify admin, whether on Desktop or mobile via the Shopify app.
- Add products, customer details, and even special notes for custom requirements.
- Apply discounts—or better yet, entice them with exclusive phone-only promotions.
- Set shipping, taxes, and add any necessary tags for future reference.
Draft orders are versatile. They integrate with your inventory management, updating stock levels and ensuring other customers cannot purchase reserved items. They also support various payment methods, allowing you to accept payments by credit card, mark the order as paid, or send an invoice inviting customers to complete their payment online.
Moreover, draft orders are ideal for B2B transactions. Your business-to-business clientele will appreciate the streamlined process, ensuring their bulk orders are processed efficiently and accurately.
Taking the Human Touch Digital
Creating draft orders is about understanding your customers. It's channeling their needs through your digital systems and creating a shopping experience that feels just as personal as a retail exhange. It's the personal attention of a store clerk with the efficiency of a powerful e-commerce backend.
Leverage Phone Orders for Improved Customer Service
Phone orders are more than just an alternative sales avenue—they're a golden opportunity to provide exceptional customer service. By enabling phone orders, you remind your customers that behind the digital storefront is a team enthusiastic to assist.
How Shopify Enhances the Phone Order Experience
- Immediate Professional Guidance: By assisting in real-time, you offer value and trust to customers who need extra help.
- Accessibility: Everyone, regardless of technical ability or preference, has access to your products and services.
- Personalization: From remembering past order preferences to understanding individual needs, the personal touch solidifies loyalty.
- Payment Versatility: Some customers might prefer transactions outside the typical online payment methods, and Shopify's draft orders cater to that variety.
Utilizing Shopify for phone orders showcases your flexibility and willingness to embrace varied customer needs. Concrete customer service leads to recurring business, glowing reviews, and ultimately, a more successful operation.
Best Practices: Maximizing Phone Order Efficacy
Optimizing the handling of phone orders requires insightful best practices that ensure each transaction is smooth and leaves your customers satisfied:
- Training: Ensure your team understands how to navigate the Shopify draft order system. Efficiency and confidence during calls contribute to a positive impression.
- CRM Integration: Use Shopify’s CRM capabilities to record details like preferences and past inquiries, enabling personalized conversations and offers.
- Clear Communication: Use simple language and be transparent about pricing, discounts, shipping, and taxes to preempt any misunderstandings.
- Follow-up: Post-order, a short thank-you message or a satisfaction survey can reinforce that valued personal connection.
FAQ Section
Q: Can I customize the checkout process for phone orders? A: Absolutely. With draft orders, you can personalize the checkout experience by directly editing order details. Plus, you can email the invoice, ensuring secure and easy payment.
Q: How do I manage payment for a phone order? A: You can manually enter a customer's credit card information, mark an order as paid, or send a checkout link via email to allow the customer to pay online.
Q: Are there any additional fees for processing phone orders through Shopify? A: Standard credit card processing fees apply when manually entering card information under Shopify Payments. However, Shopify has removed additional transaction fees for manual entry.
Q: Can I reserve products when creating a draft order to ensure availability? A: Yes, products added to a draft order can be reserved, preventing other customers from purchasing them while the draft order is being finalized.
In closing, whether through a detailed conversation on the phone or an email exchange, you can rest assured that Shopify's draft orders can accommodate this aspect of e-commerce, giving you the power to provide traditional customer service while leveraging cutting-edge technology. By integrating phone orders into your online business, you'll be prepared to meet your customers wherever they are—and in doing so, you'll prove that in the expanding digital marketplace, there's still a valued spot for the human element.
