Zapier markets itself as automation for busy people, which means it’s an immensely helpful tool for online retailers who are constantly short on time between handling sales, marketing, operations, technical support, customer service and more. The system lets users connect more than two thousand apps in order to set their own automation sequences, no coding required. Users simply create and turn on “Zaps,” which are workflows set in motion by a “Trigger” and have subsequent “Actions.” One example is this Zap: The Trigger is receiving an email, and the subsequent Actions are email attachments being saved to Dropbox and then receiving Slack alerts that there are new files available to view in Dropbox.
E-tailers who use Zapier are certainly reaping the rewards of this user-friendly automation solution. It saves them ever-precious time, and time is money in the fast-paced ecommerce world that grows more competitive by the day. In addition to the time-saving benefits, Zapier lets online sellers (and other business professionals) connect their independent apps for a more cohesive ecosystem. This gives additional power to the tools that e-tailers are already using. One example of a tool that gets a major enhancement from automation is ecommerce CRM, or customer relationship management software.
This deep dive into Zapier CRM software reveals it’s packed with features you need. Here’s why it’s a valuable addition to your toolkit if you’re selling online.
A Background on Zapier CRM Software
Customer relationship management software has been a popular tool across industries since the early 2000s when companies like Salesforce and Oracle developed complex systems to help businesses keep track of their customers. Since then, more specialized versions of CRM software have been developed, including ecommerce CRM. This tool gathers order data from online shopping carts and marketplace accounts and uses it to populate a modern-day address book. After connecting it to your online store, you’ll see the software create detailed customer profiles with contact information and purchase history so you can then use that data to market smarter to them.
With this in mind, it would make sense that Zapier would create a CRM software for its ecommerce users. Zapier can do it all—almost. The automation solution does not have its own CRM software, so online retailers using the service do not immediately get access to the business-boosting powers of ecommerce CRM if they’re not already registered with one. Zapier does, however, connect to ecommerce CRM to automate a multitude of processes.
The Benefits of Zapier + Ecommerce CRM
Connecting Zapier and ecommerce CRM is like supercharging an already-powerful tool. Ecommerce CRM elevates the shopping experience while also making the e-tailer’s life easier, meaning it’s a must-have for anyone who’s selling online. It connects the dots to give you the full picture of the customer journey so you understand how shoppers are interacting and purchasing from your store. Then, use that information to win over new customers.
Consumers in general remember a high-quality experience with easy check out, fast delivery and hassle-free returns, if the products end up not working out. They then develop a connection to these brands that gave them positive experiences and return to shop again and again. Meanwhile, the e-tailer can use the extensive order data to create marketing campaigns, recommend products to customers and maintain communication that feels more personalized than standard corporate emails. In short, Zapier + ecommerce CRM facilitates showing customers you care about them.
There are plenty of benefits of Zapier CRM, but these are the most notable.
Users Can Connect Thousands of Apps to Zapier CRM
Zapier takes ecommerce CRM software to a whole new level by allowing users to add thousands of apps that cull data and import it into the software. The automation service boasts a catalog of more than two thousand apps and customers like Buzzfeed, Spotify and Adobe. No matter what apps you’re using to enhance your business operations, there is probably a Zapier integration for it. This means the possibilities are nearly limitless for using third party tools to maximize your Zapier CRM.
Zapier CRM Software Helps You Get Organized
If you’re running your business with multiple internet browser tabs open, you haven’t optimized your workflow. Zapier CRM automates information transfers so you can see everything right in the CRM software user-friendly dashboard. Even multichannel sellers can see the performance of each channel or product in one place, rather than clicking between different reports in their seller/merchant portals.
Zapier CRM also organizes your accounting and bookkeeping. Simply connect to QuickBooks and watch as new invoices are created whenever a customer places an order. The invoice gets matched to the correct customer profile, or a new profile will be created. Your accountant will rejoice.
Users Can Automate Tedious Functions
Even though it’s a necessity, it’s not exactly fun to listen through missed phone calls and comb through chat logs from customers who contacted your business overnight or outside of operational hours. The listening, sorting and data entry process is tedious, but it can be automated with Zapier CRM software.
Zapier connects your ecommerce CRM to your help desk software, whether you use Zendesk, Freshdesk or Helpscout. Whenever a customer reaches out, Contact notes are created and matched to the correct profile to log the entire customer journey from order to fulfillment to post-purchase experiences. That way you can track each customer’s interactions with your customer support specialists and determine if there are any open tickets for unresolved issues. Your customers will know you care about them because issues are handled quickly and efficiently, and they will feel confident in making future purchases with your brand.
If you’re using a VOIP, you’re in luck. Zapier CRM also works with services like RingCentral to automate a similar process. When a customer calls your business line, a Contact note will be created in that customer’s contact profile if there’s a phone number match. This saves you the frustration of getting up to speed on each phone call.
Get Back to Selling!
The best part of automation is that it handles the back office busy work that somehow tends to eat up your days. It leaves no room for human error, so not only are your tasks done for you, but they are done right.
When you use Zapier to connect communication, organization and other tools to your CRM software, you can get back to the reason you started your ecommerce business: selling. The work gets done behind the scenes, and you get to make use of the results.