When it comes to product customization, it is impossible not to think of the web-to-print world. The merging of classic and digital printing is no longer an option. It is a solution that print service providers just have to offer.
Today, not maintaining web-to-print means being outside the logic of the market. It is not enough just to offer a web printing service. You need to offer a smooth and satisfying experience to the customer that encourages him to come back.
The advantages of web-to-print
Web to Print offers a wide range of benefits for both you and your customer. It is a win-to-win operation. The main advantages are:
- Cost savings: the online printing process reduces the cost of order processing and customers naturally expect part of this savings to be passed on to them, and this actually happens;
- Service efficiency: the customer can order 24/7 on your online store and receive the product directly at home. This means that you can reach more potential clients;
- Sales increase: the creation of an online showcase allows you to show your large catalog quickly and intuitively, making it easier for the customer to search for the product;
- Cash flow improvement thanks to online payment options;
- Automation: a web-to-print solution with a good product customizer automates ordering, payment and accounting processes;
- Customer loyalty: if a customer uses your ecommerce site for typography and is satisfied with it, they will most likely return to using it. After all, why should it change? Therefore, you have the opportunity to guarantee the customer a longer-term commitment and to sell more and more products over time.
Choosing the right solution for Visual Customization
Let’s define what a Visual Product Customizer is. It is a software application that allows customers to customize the products directly on your online store. The experience can be enhanced by 3D and AR technology to let customers interact with the product and investigate every detail before purchase.
Visual Product Customizer has advantages in terms of conversion rate, customer engagement, cost-effectiveness and return rate. That’s why it enhances customer experience and helps your business reduce costs if your business stocks – or dropships – generic items that can be simply configured through a print on demand service.
You can find a lot of software solutions but it is important to choose the right partner to avoid wasting time and money, but also losing customers. A Visual Product Customizer can be a tremendous experience if not accompanied by speed and ease of use.
In addition to these, the features that can just make the experience wonderful are:
- Unlimited configuration options: this is a must. That is to say you have to be able to sell as many products as you want and to set multiple colors, sizes and styles of the same product. You must be able to define rules and restrictions for each design and to set complex pricing rules and show different prices based on quantity, setup costs, number of colors, and personalization areas;
- Flexible printing methods: you have to be able to set unlimited printing methods for one or more products, sides and variants. You can define settings for your print-ready files that can be used for engraving, embroidery, and personalization methods other than printing;
- Print-on-Demand & Dropshipping Service Integration: a good Visual Product Customizer must support your POD & Drop Shipping services;
- 3D Preview & AR: these technologies let customers make informed purchases by interacting with the products and visualizing how they really look.
How to integrate a Visual Commerce solution into an online store?
As we said, you can find a lot of software solutions but you should be sure that they have all the features you need. You can enjoy the Demo Store to see how a Visual Product Customizer works.
Whether you are a small company or a large company, Zakeke has the solution for you and unlike other software products, it is applicable both online and in a physical store.
Print-on-demand uses digital printing technologies to print materials as per demand. This disrupts the old model of printing the same design in bulk and waiting for customers to choose from a limited and impersonal range. With customizable products, now organizations can start the printing process once customers initiate the action.
Live customization isn’t the only reason companies should be interested in print-on-demand. E-commerce firms and other organizations can also use dropshipping services with print-on-demand to deliver products to customers.
Printful, Invition, and CustomCat are only some of the organizations that are flourishing due to the following advantages of using visual customization through print-on-demand.
The 5 advantages of print-on-demand and live customization
- Less inventory
If you print in bulk, you need adequate storage space. If yours is an e-commerce business, this means you have to find extra space or rent a warehouse. Both these options are expensive recurring charges.
With print-on-demand, you won’t be stocking unnecessary inventory. You’ll only start production once the customer has ordered from you. You would only need to store minimal stock that wouldn’t take up much space.
- Cost savings
In the conventional method, you have to invest significantly in production and printing. This is without knowing how much of it would be sold. With print-on-demand through print-ready files, you save on these up-front costs. If you can’t know the demand for the product, it’s a better option to wait for the market to decide.
Or, if there is demonstrable demand, your production can scale effortlessly using print-ready files. Again, if you get a lukewarm response, you won’t lose anything in investments. You would also save money on shipment if you’re transporting it to the warehouse.
- Customization in batches
Printing in batches gives you the freedom to customize your product based on the demand. You can create relevant visual elements and text that will appeal to your target audience. This will allow for granular personalization and therefore, increased demand.
Such visual customization through print-ready files will also give you an opportunity to upsell or sell more frequently to your audience. Since the message is focused and relevant for them, they will be more inclined to consider your product.
- Eco-friendly option
With little wastage, print-on-demand is a superior environment-friendly option for companies. You will only be printing as and when needed. You don’t have to worry about excess supplies or finished products with no demand and no way to get rid of them.
Beyond the products, ingredients, and packaging materials that otherwise would be wasted, customizable products also minimize your marketing efforts. This leads to less wastage of marketing materials.
- Easier management
You don’t have to hire additional staff to keep track of your inventory. As a result, you also won’t need complex systems to manage your stocks or negotiate with your suppliers. POD will make it easier for you to manage your company.
You also don’t have to hire additional staff members in marketing since you only have to start the process when the demand comes in.
