Do you sell quilts and sewing materials online?
As the owner of a small quilt store, maybe you don’t think you need to be selling online. Or maybe you do want to sell online, but you’re feeling overwhelmed by how much effort it might take.
Did you know that a modern point of sale (POS) system can greatly simplify this process? Implementing a POS system allows you to automatically track your inventory counts, directly purchase inventory from suppliers, open up an online store, and much more.
Selling online expands the number of customers you can serve, increasing the potential revenue of your business. In this blog, we’ll explain how to sell quilts online and offer nine tips to help you do so in the most efficient and profitable way possible.
A POS system is designed to help you run all of the operations of your business from one place. General POS systems can serve businesses in a variety of industries, and offer features like payment processing, inventory management, e-commerce, website services, and more.
Industry-specific POS systems offer these features, as well as features tailored to the products and services a business offers. For example, a POS system specific to quilt and fabric allows you to calculate prices for fractional yards and create classes with scheduling and sign-up functionality.
A POS system can simplify business operations both in-store and online. Let’s go step by step to learn how to sell quilts online using a POS system.
The days of tracking your inventory with a pen and paper are over — you need a digital system that keeps track of every item that comes in and goes out of your quilt store. A POS system keeps an automatic record of all of the inventory you purchase that adjusts each time you make a sale.
A cloud-based POS system gives you instant access to your inventory counts from any web-enabled device. With live-updating data, you can recognize trends and make smart decisions about inventory purchasing — this way, you can prevent overstocked items and stockouts.
Some POS systems even allow you to set an automatic reorder point, which is helpful for reliably high-selling items. When the stock of one of these items drops below a predetermined low point, the system automatically places an order to bring the stock to an optimal level. This prevents you from running out of your most popular items.
Related Read: Quilt Shop Inventory Management: 7 Steps to Success
Even with a robust POS system, it’s still important to occasionally conduct manual inventory audits. This helps you avoid mistakes and keep your inventory counts accurate.
Manually count out each item and make sure the counts in your POS system are correct. If not, manually change them. Make sure each type of item is represented in your system and if any are not, add them. This prevents you from losing track of inventory and missing out on sales.
Using an industry-specific POS system also gives you access to a wide selection of suppliers. A quilt-specific POS system has access to the best sewing, quilt, and fabric suppliers in the business. Vendor information is kept accurate and up to date and you can order all of your inventory right from the system.
Having access to the catalogs of so many suppliers helps you compare prices and determine which items are best for your quilt store.
Related Read: 7 Best Wholesale Fabric Suppliers [Pricing & Reviews]
Many of your customers look for your website before they enter your quilt store, so it’s important to put effort into making it a great experience. Your website should be visually appealing and easy to navigate. It should also match your store — use the same colors and logo at your website that you do at your store so customers can easily recognize your business.
As you set up your online store, focus on creating a convenient shopping experience for the customer. Set up the buying process with the least steps possible, and clearly label all navigation. Your website should have your quilt store’s address and hours so customers can plan their visit.
Some POS providers will custom-build a website for you based on your business’ needs. Work closely with them to ensure you have all the functionality your customers need.
Using a POS system allows you to accept online orders for your products and offer shipping options. You can follow each item you sell through the entire process from order to fulfillment, shipping, and finally, delivery. Having a unified process helps you address any issues that arise in the shipping process.
An effective online store needs to have quality product images and descriptions. Take high-resolution photos of your inventory to showcase the detail and craftsmanship in each item, whether it’s a fabric, thread, tool, or even a full quilt.
Write descriptions that highlight the unique features of an item. Include details like materials, measurements of fabric cuts, and important instructions.
Related Read: Do Your Product Descriptions Make or Break the Sale?
Even with an effective e-commerce system, there will inevitably be issues, especially if you’re dealing with a high volume of orders. You need a process for responding to customer inquiries and resolving issues. Make sure to respond to customer messages quickly, even if you can’t resolve a situation immediately.
Some POS systems allow you to send messages to customers right from the system. You can use this feature to send automated updates to a customer regarding their order.
Even with great products, you need to get the word out about your business to be successful. There are a variety of digital channels you can use to advertise your quilts and other products.
Here are some ideas for advertising your quilts:
Create social media accounts for your quilt store on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Post images of your products and advertise sales and other store events. This helps you find new customers and retain the customers you have.
You can also use a POS system to send out automated email messages, which can be personalized to a specific customer. After a customer makes a purchase, you can send them a discount to motivate them to return to your quilt store.
Digital ads on social media and on platforms like Google and YouTube can help you expand your audience, too. These ads are an investment, but when the correct demographics are targeted, they can bring in many new orders and customers to your quilt store.
Collaborating with local influencers is another great strategy to help you expand your reach. You can reach out to quilting and sewing influencers, or look for similar influencers like crafters and DIY enthusiasts. Find collaborators with similar audiences to maximize the effectiveness of this strategy.
Related Read: 7 Fabric Store Marketing Ideas To Attract More Customers
Positive reviews can greatly boost your business, especially in the online marketplace. POS systems give you the option to send review requests to your customers. The more requests you send, the more reviews you’re likely to receive.
Positive reviews help you build credibility in the industry and win over prospective customers. You can also use these reviews on your social media channels, your website, and anywhere else customers may stumble across your business.
Using a point of sale system is the best way to sell quilts and sewing materials online. With a POS system, you have everything you need to run a successful online store in one place — a high-quality website, access to vendors, shipping resources, and more.
A POS system also simplifies the process of inventory management, so you always know how much you have in stock. With detailed sales data and reports, you can make informed decisions about how much inventory you need to order.
A POS system lightens the load of running a business — but it’s important to choose the right one. You need a system specifically designed with quilt stores in mind: Like Sew.
Like Sew is an all-in-one, cloud-based solution with features to help you run all aspects of your quilt store. With all of your business operations in one spot, using the system will make your life easier and help you maximize sales. Contact us today to schedule a demo!