In our previous post, we talked about what to look for in a web-to-print (W2P) solution that caters to business customers in B2B situations. Now, we’re turning the table and honing in on the web-to-print capabilities that are a must for a store that will be used directly by consumers in the B2C space.

It’s no secret that consumers are connected 24/7. E-commerce sites enable consumers to shop and place orders when it’s most convenient for them. If your shop isn’t online, you may be missing out on potential business opportunities.

As you embark on your W2P journey, the biggest benefits that you’ll reap in the long run include cost-savings, increased efficiencies, automating orders and expanding your market reach.

And think about your shift to W2P this way – while you’re a print provider looking for a solution to bring your business online, you’re also a consumer. Think of all the capabilities and features you enjoy in your online shopping experience and look for a W2P solution that can mimic those. It will help build a stronger customer experience and keep them coming back in the future for more orders.

Below we’ll walk through four key web-to-print capabilities that will help your storefront stand out:

1.   Responsive design

Consumers have the luxury of accessing online content at any time from a variety of devices including mobile phones, tablets, laptops and PCs. That means having a W2P storefront that displays properly across all of these devices is key. For instance, our StoreFlow software keeps your store up to date and accessible from multiple devices to maximize the experience for your customers.

2.   Integration capabilities

Third-party tools have become a popular part of the online shopping experience. Think about the last time you ordered something online. Did you see an option to pay using PayPal at checkout? Or, did you receive a prompt for a live chat to help you answer any questions? These types of third-party integrations will ensure that you’re maximizing capabilities all while offering your customer base the shopping conveniences they’re looking for.

XMPie customer the University of York, uses StoreFlow to offer a wide variety of products, both static and dynamic, from one comprehensive W2P store that could target their three different audiences – students, staff and external.  Each group required different payment processes. Read the case study to learn how the university’s In-Plant enabled their customers to order, customize and print virtually any type of document.

3.   Customization

The ability to customize print items is something that many consumers will be looking to do. For example, a couple might like to give a customized gift to all of their weddings guests, perhaps with a picture of the happy couple and the date of the event. To do that they’ll be on the hunt for an eCommerce site that can meet their needs to tailor the packages for short-run jobs. Be sure that your solution allows your customers to upload, customize and edit their orders.

XMPie customer Zoxxbox uses their W2P storefront to take advantage of the market opportunities offered by short-run, customized and personalized packaging. Read the case study and learn how they developed a complete workflow from ideation through production and shipping.

4.   Abandoned cart outreach

Have you ever gone online and filled your shopping cart with items that you wanted to purchase – and then for one reason or another you closed out of the window before actually making the purchase? This happens more often than not and is something a W2P storefront can help with. With built-in abandon cart strategies, you can target customers who have shown interest in products but haven’t fully committed. This can be done through a variety of communications including direct mail and email follow-ups.

Want to learn more about a W2P solution for your B2C clients? Send us a message below!