The Definitive Guide to Online Company Stores
Valuing your workforce is paramount. So, how can you effectively reward them and equip them for success without hassle? The solution: an online company store offering top-tier branded merchandise. From t-shirts and pens to high-tech gadgets, online stores make it easy to distribute swag that motivates employees, delights customers, and promotes your business.
What Is an Online Company Store?
An online company store serves as a convenient hub for employees and customers to access branded apparel and promotional items. Beyond just simplifying access to merchandise, it replaces outdated practices like managing cumbersome spreadsheets and relying on order forms.
What Are the Advantages of an Online Company Store?
Online company stores go beyond operational streamlining. They offer numerous benefits:
- Effortless Management: These stores are easily managed, especially when coupled with a swag management platform. Such platforms handle inventory, requests, and shipping, freeing up your time.
- Boosts Engagement: Employees are motivated to excel when they have access to branded swag. It fosters team cohesion and support, leading to heightened engagement.
- Kit Creation: Simplify onboarding and relationship building with easy-to-create kits for new customers or employees.
- Employee Convenience: An online store allows employees to order items whenever they need, ensuring easy access to branded merchandise.
- Consistent Branding: Maintaining brand consistency builds credibility and trust. An online store helps uphold the visual and tonal aspects of your brand.
- Inventory Efficiency: Online stores negate the need for on-site inventory storage. When integrated with the right swag management system, it simplifies inventory control.
- Expense Control: Online stores provide control over spending, preventing unnecessary expenses by avoiding over-ordering and enabling efficient bulk purchases.
How to Use an Online Company Store
An online company store provides on-demand access to branded merchandise with minimal cost and no inventory burden. Employees or clients can order individual items, while gift cards or coupon codes offer a seamless way to recognize and reward team members. Custom kits, such as new hire welcome packages, event bundles, or client gifts, can be curated so all necessary items arrive together, fully organized. With Moxie managing setup and fulfillment, delivering a professional, efficient experience has never been easier.
Should Employees Pay for Branded Merchandise?
Deciding whether to charge employees for merchandise is a critical consideration. While enabling payments is possible, it might not be optimal. Employees might hesitate to pay full price for branded merchandise, potentially souring their perception. Charging can also complicate the process, involving taxes, third-party payments, and refunds. Some companies, however, might choose to charge, offering various payment methods, including credit cards and employee rewards programs.
Key Features of a Successful Online Company Store
Essential features include:
- User-Friendly Catalog: Intuitive browsing via effective categorization and search functions enhances user experience.
- Kit Creation: Simplify onboarding and relationship building with easy-to-create kits for new customers or employees.
- Seamless Payment Integration: Even if employees don’t pay, integration with internal payment and procurement systems is crucial for tracking expenses.
- Data and Analytics: Insights on inventory and item popularity inform smart business decisions.
- Quality Merchandise: High-quality, practical branded swag leaves a lasting impression and promotes brand affinity.
How to Build Your Online Company Store
Step 1: Define your purpose.
Determine the functions of the store based on your business and goals.
Step 2: Source Strategic Swag
Select items that resonate with your target audience, aligning with your brand.
Step 3: Design Excellence
Maintain a consistent, professional design that adheres to brand guidelines.
Step 4: Inventory Management
Implement real-time inventory tracking to manage stock and understand swag usage.
Step 5: Technical Development
Build the store in-house or partner with a third-party platform.
Step 6: User Experience Testing
Ensure functionality across devices and browsers before launch.
Step 7: Launch and Communicate
Promote the store to users, highlighting its benefits and usage rules.
Why Choose Moxie?
- User-Centric Approach: Every company is different, so we build your store around your specific goals and the needs of your users. Whatever your needs, Moxie delivers a solution designed for your business.
- Efficiency and Convenience: Moxie’s digital platform makes selecting, customizing, and ordering branded merchandise simple and fast; most orders can be completed in just a few clicks. The store is accessible 24/7, and our dedicated account managers and support team ensure every order is seamless from start to finish.
- Customization and Variety: From apparel to electronics, Moxie offers a wide selection of products with powerful customization tools. Real-time previews reduce errors, while our in-house design team helps bring your brand to life with professional, tailored solutions.
- On-Demand Ordering: Order only what you need, when you need it. Moxie offers no minimums, either; you can order just one polo and have it sent to your favorite client.
- Warehousing: Moxie stores your brochures, sales materials, promotional items, displays, and apparel, all inventoried and displayed in your online store. With advanced user permissions, only approved employees can access items, and costs can be tracked by department for full visibility. Event materials can even be returned and restocked, helping you reduce waste and control spending.
- Distribution and Logistics: We handle storage, shipping, and distribution, delivering directly to employees or clients anywhere in the world. With centralized management, approval rules, and detailed reporting, you can track budgets, orders, and usage, all while ensuring timely delivery every time.
With our Full Moxie offering and commitment to quality and customer service, Moxie stands out as the premier choice for all your branded merchandise needs.
Elevate Your Business with Swag
A well-managed company swag store transforms your business. Quality, accessible merchandise boosts lead generation, employee retention, and revenue growth. Platforms like Moxie simplify the process by handling inventory, shipping, and strategic planning, giving your team more time to focus on results.
Interested in Learning More?
Schedule a free demo or call 732-357-2800 to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives.