# The eCommerce Industry and Automation

The eCommerce industry is exploding worldwide. In 2022, the e-commerce market in the U.S. is [expected to generate $986.10 billion in revenue](https://mycreditsummit.com/online-shopping-statistics/).  
Retail sales were already in decline before COVID-19. But as the pandemic continues and more customers are staying home, eCommerce is going to continue to dominate.

It’s never been a better time to launch an online store. However, as your business starts to scale, you may notice that you have less and less time on your hands.

Let’s use the example of shipping. You can afford the time to create individual shipping labels when you’re only shipping 10 boxes a month. But if you’re shipping 1000 boxes, it's a whole nother story.  
Stores must find a way to automate repetitive tasks so they can focus on growth. That’s where automation comes in.

## Benefits of Workflow Automation for DTC Brands

Automation streamlines repetitive tasks so you can put your attention on other aspects of your business. 
It’s one of the benefits of being on Shopify, which provides you [integrations](/content/blog/14-best-integrations-for-shopify-stores/index.html) that automate various business activities including order fulfillment, marketing, shipping, and customer service.

### A Boost in Productivity and Efficiency

Mundane tasks such as billing customers, creating product lists, and counting your inventory can eat up time on your schedule. Automation streamlines business processes, saving you time and allowing you to focus on other areas of business, such as redesigning your website or improving your product.

### Store and Keep Track of Data Accurately

There’s a lot of data to keep track of in an eCommerce store, such as purchase details and stock inventory. Automation can eliminate human error as you process data, ensuring accurate records and reducing potential issues with customer orders.

### Save Money for Your Business

Automation saves your business money by reducing the time employees dedicate to repetitive tasks. You’ll be able to reduce their hours while increasing their focus on significant areas of their job. Additionally, automating tasks can reduce the number of people needed in your company.

## The Best Automation Workflows That Save You Time and Grow Sales

Let’s explore the best automation workflows to grow your business and save you time:

### Winning Back Lost Customers

Losing customers can be frustrating, especially when over [69% of online shopping carts](https://baymard.com/lists/cart-abandonment-rate) go abandoned. Thankfully, automation offers various workflows to help re-engage customers:

#### 1. Launch Win-Back Campaigns

A win-back email campaign is a series of emails sent to inactive customers to encourage them to purchase again.

#### 2. Send an Abandoned Cart Email

You can send abandoned cart emails to customers who didn't complete their purchases, often offering a discount to entice them to complete the transaction.

### Customer Experience & Loyalty

Optimizing customer experience is essential for retaining customers and boosting sales. Here are some automation workflows to improve customer experience:

#### 3. Segment Your Customer List

Automation can segment your customer list based on various factors, allowing for personalized messaging.

#### 4. Identify Your Most Loyal Customers

Automation helps identify loyal customers and potential brand advocates, enabling targeted rewards and promotions.

#### 5. Send Post-Purchase Surveys

Using automation to send post-purchase surveys shows customers that you value their feedback and helps improve your service.

#### 6. Send Upsell Offers

Automation can create upsell offers to encourage additional purchases, boosting average order values while enhancing customer satisfaction.

### Shipping Management

Here are automation workflows that simplify shipping:

#### 7. Create and Print Shipping Labels

Automation can instantly print shipping labels, ensuring accuracy and saving time.

#### 8. Offer Shipping Tracking Information

Shipping automation tools provide tracking information, alleviating customer queries about package status.

### Inventory and Logistics Management

Effective inventory management is crucial:

#### 9. Reorder Product When Stock is Low

Automation can alert you when stock is low, helping to avoid stock-outs.

#### 10. Update Your Warehouse When An Order is Not Fulfilled

Automation sends messages to the warehouse if an order is unfulfilled, ensuring timely processing.

#### 11. Hide Sold Out Products From the Store

Automation identifies sold-out products and hides them from your website automatically.

### Handling Returns and Customer Complaints

A streamlined approach to handling returns and complaints is vital for customer retention:

#### 12. Automate Your Returns Procedure

Automation can integrate with your 3PL for easier returns processing, improving customer satisfaction.

#### 13. Identify Negative Reviews and Solve Them Quickly

Automation can monitor customer review feedback to enable swift responses to negative reviews.

## Final Thoughts: Leveraging Automation From the Start

Automation enhances customer experience and improves business efficiency, allowing countless opportunities for growth. Start by automating a single task for immediate productivity improvements.