What Is E-Commerce?
Chances are you’ve heard the term “e-commerce” quite a bit over the past 10 years. But what does the term actually mean?
Simply put, e-commerce, or “electronic commerce,” is the buying and selling of goods and services or the transfer of funds and data over an electronic network, typically the internet. The primary transactions are business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C). Consumer-to-consumer and consumer-to-business models also exist but are less common.
The process begins when a customer’s web browser communicates with the servers hosting an online storefront. Information from the order is then sent to order management, inventory management, and merchant payment systems. This helps confirm that the store can fulfill the order before the purchase is finalized.
Over the last several years, e-commerce has become completely intertwined with the global economy. The retail landscape has undergone tremendous change in the age of the internet. More than two billion people purchased something online in 2020, and Statista projected that e-commerce sales would account for nearly one-quarter of global retail sales by 2025.
For HVAC contractors, there is security in knowing that e-commerce cannot replace the professional labor required for installation and maintenance. But what if your company could provide both professional service and online product sales?
At Jackson Systems & Supply, we worked to solve that challenge. The result was a service that can add an e-commerce experience to an existing contractor website.
What Is eContractor?
eContractor is an easy-to-use e-commerce plugin that turns your website into a fully functioning online store.
It includes customizable part and SKU numbers to fit your business and can be integrated into an existing or newly created website. We also provide program training to help keep your online store current and easy to navigate.
You provide the website, we provide the plugin, and you earn money from the sales. All products are fulfilled and shipped by Jackson Systems on your behalf.
How Does It Work?
eContractor can be installed on your existing website in one of two ways: you can install it yourself, or one of our experts can install it for you.
Once eContractor is fully implemented, you can direct your existing customer base to your new online store and begin selling products.
You choose the product pricing and markups. We handle the inventory, order fulfillment, and shipping. Each month, we send you payment for the sales generated through your website.
We have streamlined what can otherwise be a complicated e-commerce process.
The current product selection primarily focuses on air filters. Filters represent a significant maintenance expense for homeowners, but they can be difficult for contractors to stock and replace through individual service calls.
eContractor gives your customers a convenient way to purchase replacement filters directly from your business without scheduling a service call. We handle the inventory and shipping while helping your company remain top of mind with its customers.
How Does eContractor Help Me?
eContractor provides an additional source of income without disrupting your existing business operations.
Most of the products currently offered are air filters, but the available selection may expand to include additional products suited for the business-to-consumer market.
Your service-based business can expand into an e-commerce marketplace, creating a more unified, one-stop-shop experience for your customers. The plugin is designed to be user-friendly and operates directly through your existing website.
Don’t have a website yet? That’s okay. The eContractor program is designed to help HVAC contractors transition their businesses into a more digitally accessible space.
Our eContractor team can assist with questions and provide guidance throughout the setup and implementation process.
How Do I Get Started?
There are two membership options available for contractors who are ready to try the eContractor program.
Monthly Membership
The monthly membership is a good option for contractors who want to try the program for a few months. No long-term contract is required, and you can begin using the benefits of the eContractor program immediately.
An installation fee applies to the monthly membership option to cover setup and implementation.
Annual Membership
The annual eContractor membership is the most popular option because it includes additional client benefits, no installation fee, and flexible payment options.
We understand that e-commerce is not a one-size-fits-all solution. These membership options allow you to select the program that best fits your company’s needs.
If you have questions about anything covered here, or something we did not address, please contact us. We welcome feedback about our products and services and want to maintain a transparent relationship with our customers.
eContractor is designed to help your company capture sales opportunities that may not have been possible through a service-only business model.
You already work hard to provide dependable service to your customers. eContractor allows you to build on that relationship by offering an entirely new catalog of products through their existing customer experience.
