[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/06\/09\/ecommerce-replatforming\/#Article","articleBody":"Digitally speaking, e-commerce replatforming is a heavy lift, a Herculean effort that can devour time and devastate budgets with no guarantee of success. Still, it\u2019s inevitable.\nChange is the great unifying constant in retail. Products change. Consumer tastes change. Business priorities change. And that evolution must be reflected in the digital assets retailers and brands deploy. Their platforms must evolve to incorporate the constant flux that is integral to their trade.\nThere are a multitude of routes to replatforming, and many lead to expensive dead ends. So, how can brands cut a path through the thicket? This checklist will help get you on the right track.\nReplatforming: Be honest about what isn\u2019t working\nFirst up: a candid\u2014even ruthless\u2014in-house analysis. Dive deep into the deficiencies of the current platform. Is ROI maximized? Does it allow easy changes? Can it keep pace with competitors?\nThen research (and query) your customers. What do they want\u2014both from online shopping generally, and your website specifically? Who is happy\/unhappy with your platform and why?\n \nNever break the chain: Use customer profiles to drive consistent CX\n   Imagine your customer experience as a chain, each link representing an interaction between your customer and your brand. Every good interaction adds another solid link and makes the chain stronger. But it just takes one bad experience \u2013 one rusted, cracked link \u2013 to break it.  \nDoes it make more sense to aggressively cultivate a particular segment of your customer base with the possibility of disconnecting from other shoppers? Or should you take a broader approach?\nOrganize your replatforming team \nYour team will make or break you. Do you have the requisite in-house talent? If not, you\u2019ll want to integrate the right e-commerce partners into your internal team.\nMembers must be able to build the platform while simultaneously accommodating all business constraints. Competence isn\u2019t cheap, but it will save you time and money in the long run. Look for partners with expertise in everything from digital strategy and architecture to web development, web merchandising, digital operations, data analysis, and customer service.\n \nOvercoming e-commerce re-platform challenges: A guide to success\n   An e-commerce re-platform is a massive undertaking for any organization. Here\u2019s what you need to know to make it successful.  \nEvaluate replatforming risks\nWhile risks are inherent in any replatforming project, they can be minimized. Consider the following issues as development proceeds.\nData migration:\u00a0Ensure all your data is properly moved so customer service is unaffected.\nLoss of business during switch-over: Online shoppers are fickle, and customers who encounter glitches during the switch-over may be alienated and lost forever. Invest as needed to ensure that the switch-over is rapid and error free.\nUnexpected complications: Even though developers know that all replatforming projects are challenging, the complexities and interdependencies of any given project can be underestimated. Over-optimism can lead to poor execution and delays.\nUnanticipated additions: Abrupt changes to the project can result in delays, skyrocketing costs, collapsing morale, and poor outcomes. Do your best to minimize add-ons.\nSEO: Can the traffic follow you to the new platform? Confirm that it does.\nIntegration: Verify that the new platform provides a single view of customers, orders, and stock across all channels.\nThird-party integration: Ensure that the third-party partners you work with are prepared.\nAlways work from the customer POV\u00a0\nYes, customer-centric commerce is a clich\u00e9, but the bedrock goal of any replatforming project is the generation of more sales. That means you need to work from the consumer\u2019s POV rather than your own.\nPersonal biases about site aesthetics and functionality have a way of creeping into any digital project. And because developers are technologists, they can sometimes create platforms that are elegant from an engineering perspective but confusing for the average consumer.\n \nClick, click, buy: 2021 e-commerce trends driven by DTC, mobile, social\n   2021 e-commerce trends reflect a society that's forever changed. Brands must focus on DTC, mobile, social as a search tool, and data.  \nStay close to your customer by asking yourself questions such as: Did you deliver what they wanted? How easy was their journey, including payment? Did you promote loyalty?\nIn the end, replatforming should be considered routine for any e-commerce enterprise: something that\u2019s undertaken as changing technologies and market conditions warrant. It may be challenging\u2014but with proper perspective and preparation, it needn\u2019t be onerous or painful.\nStart-ups, mid-market, enterprise: Today, every B2B business needs e-commerce to grow. We can help. Learn more NOW.","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/06\/09\/ecommerce-replatforming\/#Article_Person","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/06\/09\/ecommerce-replatforming\/#Article_Person_ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/23x6xj3o92m9361dbu2ij362-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Gita-150x150.png"},"name":"Gita Samani","sameAs":"http:\/\/@AstoundCommerce%20","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/gita-samani\/"},"dateModified":"2021-06-18T22:38:04+00:00","datePublished":"2021-06-09T05:02:04+00:00","description":"Replatforming e-commerce isn't for the faint of heart. Here's a checklist help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure a successful project.","headline":"E-commerce replatforming: A checklist for brand success","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/06\/09\/ecommerce-replatforming\/#Article_ImageObject","height":"630","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/replatform_1200x375-1200x630.jpg","width":"1200"},"mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/06\/09\/ecommerce-replatforming\/","name":"E-commerce replatforming: A checklist for brand success","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/","additionalType":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q1193236","description":"Relevant, timely information & analysis on commerce trends, both consumer-facing and B2B.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/23x6xj3o92m9361dbu2ij362-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/themes\/hybris_foc\/assets\/images\/layout\/logo-new-2x.png?_=1","height":"96","url":"https:\/\/23x6xj3o92m9361dbu2ij362-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/themes\/hybris_foc\/assets\/images\/layout\/logo-new-2x.png?_=1","width":"500"},"name":"The Future of Customer Engagement and Experience","sameAs":["https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/a-call-for-a-better-experience\/id1479742201","https:\/\/twitter.com\/FutureOfCEC","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/groups\/4844282","https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/feed\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/"},"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/06\/09\/ecommerce-replatforming\/#Article"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2021","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"06","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/\/06\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/\/06\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"E-commerce replatforming: A checklist for brand success","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/06\/09\/ecommerce-replatforming\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]