How to simplify and scale: The best multichannel ecommerce software for growing brands

Expanding your online business? Congrats—that’s exciting stuff! However, managing multiple sales channels can become complex pretty quickly. Whether you’re listing your products on big-name marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, running your own snazzy online store, or making waves on social media, keeping everything in sync is no small feat.

That’s where savvy multichannel software swoops in to save the day. But with so many options out there, how do you pick the best multi-channel ecommerce software for your growing business? Don’t sweat it—we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive rundown of everything you need to know.

What is multichannel ecommerce? 

Essentially, multichannel selling is the ultimate example of not putting all your eggs in one basket. 

Being present everywhere your customers are, all at once, makes it easier for them to discover, purchase and fall in love with your products. And, with global ecommerce sales projected to reach USD6.3 trillion this year, a multichannel strategy is essential for maximizing your reach.

Liking the idea of all that boosted sales potential? Of course you are. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t? 

But it’s not just about spreading out your offerings across several platforms. Investing in specialized software also equips you with the tools you need to strategically manage and scale your growth while still delivering a seamless shopping experience—no matter where your customers find you. 

Let’s dig into the benefits in more detail.

The benefits of multichannel ecommerce for scaling businesses

Ready to unlock the full potential of your ecommerce empire? Here’s how a multichannel sales approach can help.

• Increased reach and visibility: Tapping into multiple sales channels doesn’t just increase the chances of your products being seen—it practically guarantees it. 
• Enhanced customer experiences: A consistent presence builds trust and loyalty. Plus, when customers can shop on their preferred platform, they’re more likely to come back for more. 
• Better data insights and analytics: The more channels you use, the more data you collect. And with great data comes great power—the power to make informed decisions that drive growth. 

Key features to look for in multichannel ecommerce software

Looking for the right multichannel ecommerce software is like searching for the perfect partner—you want something that complements your business and helps you thrive. So, it’s essential you know what to look for. Here are the key features that should be on your radar: 

• Integration with various sales channels: Think of your software as a rockstar personal assistant that keeps your daily schedule and tasks running like clockwork. No double bookings, no missed messages, no dramas.
• Inventory and order management: Real-time tracking and automatic updates keep you out of the chaos zone when a hot product flies off the shelves and stock levels begin to dwindle.
• Analytics and reporting: Knowledge is power and when it comes to scaling your business, making data-driven decisions is your secret weapon for success.
• Automation and workflow management: When you’re scaling fast, efficiency isn’t just a nice-to-have ideal. It’s essential. Automation tools take care of the repetitive stuff, freeing you up to focus on the big picture.
• Scalability and flexibility: There’s no point in settling down with software just to have to switch in a year’s time. It must be able to scale with you.
• Security and compliance: 81% of consumers say trust is a deciding factor in their purchase decisions. So, ensuring your customer data is locked down tight is a no-brainer.

Essential types of multichannel ecommerce software

Investing in the best multichannel ecommerce software is vital if you’re to reap the maximum rewards while avoiding feeling like a juggler in a circus act just to keep the day-to-day stuff under control. 

Having the right tools in your arsenal is a game-changer. Let’s examine the essential types of software that will keep your business running smoothly as you scale. 

Sales channel integration software

Imagine trying to manage separate inventories for each platform. Yikes! That’s a recipe for confusion. Not to mention a whole heap of stress, errors and a wave of unhappy customers leaving those dreaded bad reviews.

Sales channel integration software allows you to control your entire ecommerce empire from one centralized hub, saving you from the headaches of manual updates and potential errors. With everything in sync, you’re free to focus on what really matters: growing your business like a pro.

Take Linnworks’ marketplace integration as an example. Our powerful software seamlessly connects all your platforms, from marketplaces to social media, ensuring your products are consistently represented and easily managed. Here’s a quick list of the standout benefits:

• Effortless integration with hundreds of marketplaces, including Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Big Commerce, Magento, Etsy and more.
• Intuitive features like drag-and-drop elements and customizable sales and revenue dashboards.
• Real-time synchronization across multichannel listings on every channel, ensuring that product information is always up-to-date and accurate.

Inventory and order management software

Managing inventory across multiple channels can feel like walking a tightrope. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right software, it’s more like cruising on a well-paved road. 

The best multichannel ecommerce software combines inventory management and order management into one smooth process, allowing you to concentrate on scaling up without the hassle of jumping between multiple systems (or, heaven forbid, actual spreadsheets. Ugh!). 

Here’s how Linnworks’ multichannel ecommerce software helps keep your inventory in check, no matter how many channels you’re selling on: 

• Real-time tracking across every channel means you’re always in the know about what’s in stock and what’s on the way.
• Automatic reordering allows you to wave goodbye to manual stock checks and emergency orders while still ensuring you never miss a sale. 
• Centralized order management streamlines fulfillment, helping you to process and ship orders quickly and accurately.

Analytics and reporting software

Yes, yes. We know that the analytics bit probably isn’t your jam. And that’s kind of the point. The best multichannel ecommerce software does all the work for you. So, you can go ahead and toss that old calculator into the back of the drawer for good! 

You see, it’s essential to recognize that data isn’t just a bunch of numbers on a screen. Businesses that get down and dirty with analytics are 23 times more likely to outperform their competitors. So, with top-tier analytics and reporting at your fingertips, you have all the insights you need to confidently spot trends, identify best-sellers and make better decisions. 

Here’s a few examples of how industry-leading reporting and insights software like Linnworks can help you up your growth game:

• Comprehensive dashboards bring all your key metrics into one place so you can see the big picture at a glance.
• Customizable reports let you dig deep into the metrics that matter most for your growth—whether that’s sales trends, inventory levels, or customer behavior.
• Actionable insights help you optimize your strategy and seize new growth opportunities before your competition does.

Automation and workflow management software

Improving operational efficiency should be a cornerstone of your growth strategy. By enhancing overall productivity, you can drive growth at a much faster pace, position your business for long-term success and free up more time for the fun stuff in life. 

Looking to scale your ecommerce business fast? Then efficiency isn’t just a goal—it’s a fundamental necessity. Automation and workflow management tools take the repetitive tasks off your plate while ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Linnworks’ automation features are explicitly designed to streamline your operations from top to bottom. Here’s how they make life easier:

• Seamless workflow management lets you set up custom rules and triggers so your business runs like a well-oiled machine. 
• Smart listing updates ensure your product information is consistent across all channels without the need for manual edits.
• Automated order processing speeds up fulfillment, eliminates pesky manual errors and gets your products to your customers faster.

Scalability and flexibility

There’s no exception to the rule that your ecommerce tech stack should grow with you. Clunky systems are so last season and early adoption of savvy software is your ticket to thinking big. And we mean, really big.

Look, we get it. Terms like scalability and flexibility can sound more like corporate buzzwords than actionable features that allow you to adapt to new challenges and opportunities.  But trust us, they’re your skeleton key for unlocking growth without breaking a sweat.

With Linnworks, scalability and flexibility come standard. Here’s how we help you keep pace with your growing business:

• Effortless adaptation to growth, whether you’re ramping up inventory, boosting order volumes, or breaking into new markets.
• Customizable tools that let you tailor our software to fit your unique business needs so you can harness the power of our tech in the way that works best for you.
• Global-ready features, including extensive multi-currency and multi-language support, make reaching customers around the world a breeze.

Security and compliance

Would you buy online if you weren’t 100% sure all your details would be safe? Yeah, us neither. That’s why no ambitious ecommerce entrepreneur should ever cut corners on security or compliance features. That, and the fact that the average cost of a data breach in 2024 was USD4.88 million.

The best multichannel ecommerce software offers top-notch security that not only protects your business but also builds customer trust. So, you can focus on growth without worrying about breaches, regulatory headaches and complex data protection laws (hey there, GDPR—we see you). 

At Linnworks, we take the security of your data as seriously as you do. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Robust data encryption measures ensure your customers’ information is safe, secure and never at risk.
• Steadfast compliance with industry standards and regulations means you’re always operating within the rules—no surprises and no fines, guaranteed.
• Easily adaptable settings for user permissions, access controls and multi-factor authentication give you complete control over your data.

How to choose the right multichannel ecommerce software for your business

Choosing multichannel ecommerce software is a big decision. Liken it to building a house from the ground up. This will form the foundation for your ecommerce empire, so you have to get it right – preferably the first time around. 

So, where do you start? Here’s a quick rundown of the steps to work through to help you make an informed choice. 

1. Assess your business needs

Knowing what your business truly needs will help you zero in on the features that matter most. So, start by understanding your goals. Are you focused on expanding into new markets, or is streamlining operations your top priority? 

2. Determine your budget

While it’s tempting to go for the most feature-packed option, make sure the software aligns with your budget. Look for the best value without compromising on essential features and try to leave some room for those must-have extras.

3. Evaluate ease of implementation

For non-technical teams, in particular, simplicity is key. After all, not everyone on your team is a tech wizard and that’s okay. The right software should be user-friendly and easy to roll out so nobody is stuck spending weeks figuring out how it works. 

4. Check customer support and resources

While user-friendliness is essential, even the very best multi-channel ecommerce software will have a learning curve. That’s why robust customer support and training resources are vital. Whether it’s 24/7 chat support or comprehensive online tutorials, make sure you’ll have the backup you need.

5. Think about the future

We cannot emphasize this enough:  Your business isn’t static, so your software shouldn’t be either. Look for a solution that can scale with your business to accommodate further growth without requiring a complete overhaul. 

How Linnworks supports your multichannel ecommerce needs

When it comes to managing multichannel ecommerce operations, Linnworks stands out as a leader in the field. But we’re not just another piece of software vying for the title of best multichannel ecommerce software. We’re a dedicated partner in your growth journey.

You see, we don’t simply provide you with tools. We provide a comprehensive framework that simplifies the world of multi-channel selling, allowing you to scale your ecommerce business with ease while simultaneously:

• Streamlining operational efficiency
• Enabling strategic growth
• Building consumer trust
• Enhancing flexibility
• Ensuring compliance

Ready to scale by working smarter, not harder? Request a free demo today to learn more and discover why our reliable, industry-leading software solutions are already the trusted go-to for thousands of businesses worldwide.