WebLinc, the eCommerce platform and services provider for the fastest growing online retailers, announced that a number of its retail clients have adopted WebLinc Mobile to optimize the omnichannel shopping experience. Using WebLinc’s responsive design approach, as well as custom-built branded mobile apps, these retailers are well-poised to take advantage of the growing mobile opportunity.
According to eMarketer, mobile commerce will play an important part in digital holiday retail spending, accounting for 16 percent of all U.S. retail ecommerce sales. To take advantage of this rapidly growing opportunity, WebLinc clients turned to the company to create a seamless experience that accommodates all users – regardless of channel.
Rather than create separate desktop, tablet and mobile sites, WebLinc has helped retailers such asUnique Photo, Yarn, Harriet Carter and Fresh Finds utilize responsive Web design to create one site that is optimized across all channels and devices. WebLinc clients implementing responsive design have seen year-over-year revenue from mobile commerce increase as much as 183 percent.
For retailers seeking their own branded mobile apps, WebLinc eCommerce apps bring together the functionality of a retailer’s eCommerce site with the capabilities of smartphones to enhance customers’ online and offline shopping experiences. For instance, by utilizing geolocation, these apps can recognize when a user is in the retailer’s brick and mortar store and push product recommendations, wish lists and saved shopping carts to the customer’s mobile device.
Using the device’s camera, customers can scan a product barcode to access inventory data or add it to their wish list to buy later. If a product is unavailable in store in a particular size or color, the app can be configured to offer the item online with free shipping to avoid losing the sale. WebLinc recently developed a fully branded mobile application for existing clientFree People that include some of these capabilities. In addition, WebLinc powers the back-end ofNasty Gal’s iPhone app.
“We have seen tremendous success with our branded mobile app in creating a deep level of engagement among our target audience,” said Jed Paulson, Director of eCommerce and Marketing for Free People.
“One of the most exciting parts of the Free People mobile app, created in partnership with WebLinc, is the integration with other channels. For example, now customers can use their smartphones in Free People retail stores to read product reviews, and even see how other customers are wearing the items through uploaded FP Me Style Pics. All of this content is accessed simply by scanning a product hangtag. The ability to quickly and easily access inspirational style photos and reviews is one way we are able to bridge the gap between online and retail stores.”
“Mobile is at the heart of omnichannel retailing. It is the central, always-on connection to all other channels – stores, catalogs, eCommerce, among others,” said Darren Hill, co-founder and CEO of WebLinc. “We’re encouraged by the success that both our responsive design and mobile application clients are experiencing as we enter the busy holiday season.”
