Trigger a Solution for Smarter Promotions and Better Inventory Control
In your online store, do you sell product kits or bundles (a starter set for example) where a customer adds a product to their cart that is comprised of several individual items? Does this wreak havoc on your inventory tracking?
Do you run promotions where a customer can add a product to their cart and another gets added for free? (Buy a shirt; get a free hat for example) Does this create a clunky shopping experience that requires a coupon code and additional navigation?
If you answered “Yes” to either of the above, then consider using product triggers to automatically add line items to the customer’s cart. A product trigger behaves just as you would expect. When a customer adds a specific product to their cart, it can trigger other products to be added automatically. In the case of a kit product like a starter set, once the customer adds it to their cart, the kit components would also be automatically added as line items. The free hat example works in the same fashion. The appropriate shirt being added to the cart would trigger the free hat. In both cases, there is no additional work for the customer and they do not have to search for the additional items they should be adding to the cart. You can see an excellent example of a trigger in use at VTI Medical’s Store here. Go ahead, add the product. Pretty cool right?
Product triggers can solve a wealth of problems and really enhance the shopping experience in your store. If any of the scenarios above apply to your business, be sure to check with your eCommerce software provider to see if they support this functionality. If not, it may be time to consider looking for a provider who does.
Bonus Tip For Nexternal Merchants – In the Products Sections of your Order Management System, click on the Preferences button at the top of the screen. In the Preferences area you will see check boxes for Multiply Quantity, Allow Excess Quantity, and Override Product Visibility. These options give you the controls necessary for these promotions to work as you need (for example, scenarios of buy 1, get 1 free, buy 2, get 2 free, etc..)
Triggers can solve inventory-tracking issues and provide smart product incentives. They are a powerful sales and marketing tool that every merchant should have at their disposal.
Craig is the VP of Sales at Nexternal and is known in the industry as an expert in eCommerce, systems integrations, and online marketing. Craig has been with Nexternal since 2000 and his passion and experience are apparent to all who work with him.
