Weekend reading: 9th April

With long weekend making this week much shorter, it doesn’t seem possible that it is time for this post again already. With the move towards warmer weather, (we hope – those random snow flurries confused all of us) spring products are selling well and we’re looking forward to brighter times with more freedom.

This week on the weekend reads, we’re talking about selling on WhatsApp, why Shopify isn’t launching a marketplace, considering the needs of customers with disabilities, what customer overseas want from customer service, and pondering whether our businesses are aspirins or vitamins.

The latest from us

A number of new suppliers have been made live with a great range of new products, from home décor (GB010082), fabulous new ladies shoes (GB010084) and many more. We’re constantly working to bring new suppliers and more products to the platform, so keep checking back regularly to see what exciting new products you can add to your inventory.

Our partnership with BigCommerce continues – if you’ve been waiting to create a website for your business, now is the time! We’re offering three months of BigCommerce absolutely free when you sign up here.

The Avasam team have been hard at work adding more videos to our YouTube channel, and we’re planning to make as many videos available as possible, so you can help yourself if, or when you need a hand. If there’s a video we’ve not created yet, and you’d particularly like to see, get in touch!

The weekend reads

Have you considered using WhatsApp to sell to customers? Maybe not, since it hasn’t taken off in a big way in the UK yet, but customers are buying on WhatsApp in China, and where they lead, the rest of the world often follows. Find out how simple it is to add to a WhatsApp catalogue here.

When Shopify launched the consumer shopping app Shop last year, many thought it was their first step towards launching a marketplace that would eventually take Amazon on. But Tobi Lütke, Shopify CEO is adamant that isn’t going to happen – find out why here.

A huge percentage of the UK population are disabled – 19% of working age adults, and 44% of pension age adults. When you’re selling online, it is easy to forget about the additional needs that some customers may have, especially when you’re caught up in the day-to-day running of your business. Delivery services are making things better though – such as DHL teaming up with post-purchase tech company HelloDone to offer accessibility options via WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for customers with disabilities. Find out what is being implemented, and get inspired here.

When you’re selling cross-border (or you’re considering it in the future – when we’ve implemented international shipping, in the coming months?) you need to provide outstanding customer service to ensure those good reviews, and repeat customers keep rolling in. But what constitutes good customer service across Europe? Find out how customers prefer to contact customer services in this post.

Is your business an aspirin, or a vitamin? If you have absolutely no idea what we’re talking about, find out here – and start to think about how basic products can be upscaled to luxury status with a great marketing strategy.

Dates for your diary

Are you offering products that customers might benefit from buy now, pay later options? If so, and you’re not already providing such an option, then you might want to consider attending Buy Now Pay Later Europe on April 21st. It is a free event, with masses of expert speakers and networking opportunities. Register here.

Retail Connected is an event happening between 26-30th April, and is a collaboration between Retail Week, Retail Week Live, Be Inspired and World Retail Congress. With a massive agenda covering both offline retail and eCommerce, you’ll want to sign up – and you can do so for free here.

Tamebay Live is taking place between 17th and 21st May. As you’d expect from the leader of eCommerce intelligence and news, there is a packed agenda with expert speakers that will be sharing insights. It is totally free to register, and you can do so here.