Welcome to our Walmart “Done for You” Store Services, where we specialize in simplifying and optimizing your eCommerce success. Our fully managed eCommerce businesses are designed to generate revenue for you with minimal involvement. By handling a wide range of tasks, including product listing, advertising, customer support, order fulfillment, returns management, and listing optimization, we take the weight off your shoulders and help you achieve your business goals.
While the concept of a “set-and-forget” approach might sound too good to be true, we assure you that our services are far from get-rich-quick schemes. In this blog post, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of our “Done for You” Store Services and shed light on how our automation services work to maximize your eCommerce potential.
Let’s delve into the details and discover how our “Done for You” Walmart Store Services can simplify your journey to eCommerce success.
What is Our Walmart Done for You Store Services?
In recent years, Walmart’s ‘Done for you’ service has become increasingly popular as an automated means of e-commerce. Retailers often hire “agencies” to manage their stores on a daily basis.
Sellers take on the role of silent investors in a fully managed corporation. In order to maintain your Walmart store churning out sales, the eCommerce management team will get you listed on Walmart, brand your store, optimize the business for growth, configure processes and automation, and everything else necessary. The providers of automation services profit from your business by taking a cut of your revenue. The benefits to vendors using Walmart Marketplace are substantial.
Why Walmart is the Best Choice for Your E-commerce Business
Walmart marketplace can be a great choice for your e-commerce business due to several reasons:
- Wide Customer Base: Walmart has a massive customer base, both online and offline, with millions of customers visiting its stores and website.
- Brand Recognition: Walmart is a well-established and highly recognized brand globally. Associating your e-commerce business with Walmart can provide instant credibility and trust among customers, which can lead to higher conversion rates.
- Fulfillment and Logistics: Walmart has a robust fulfillment and logistics network, which includes a vast number of warehouses and distribution centers. By partnering with Walmart, you can leverage their infrastructure to store and ship your products efficiently, ensuring timely deliveries to customers.
- Marketplace Platform: Walmart operates a third-party marketplace, similar to platforms like Amazon. By joining the Walmart Marketplace, you can list your products alongside Walmart’s offerings, gaining exposure to their vast customer base. This can result in increased visibility and sales for your e-commerce business.
- Competitive Fees: Walmart offers competitive fees for sellers on its marketplace, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to maximize their profits. Lower fees mean you can price your products competitively while maintaining a healthy margin.
- Omnichannel Opportunities: Walmart’s e-commerce business is integrated with its physical stores, allowing customers to order online and pick up their purchases in-store (click-and-collect). This omnichannel approach can be beneficial for your business, as it provides additional convenience for customers and can drive foot traffic to Walmart stores.
- Marketing and Promotion: Walmart invests significantly in marketing and promotions to attract customers to its website and stores. As a partner on the Walmart Marketplace, your products can benefit from the overall marketing efforts undertaken by Walmart, increasing your business’s visibility and potential sales.
- Customer Trust and Support: Walmart has a reputation for providing reliable customer support and excellent service. By aligning with Walmart, you can tap into their customer trust and rely on their support infrastructure to handle customer inquiries and issues effectively.
While Walmart offers several advantages, it’s essential to consider your specific business needs, target audience, and competition in your industry before making a decision. It’s also worth comparing Walmart with other e-commerce platforms to determine which one aligns best with your business objectives.
Requirements for Building a Done For you Store in Walmart
To sell your products on the Walmart online marketplace, you need to meet certain requirements and go through the following steps:
Business Eligibility:
Ensure that your business is eligible to sell on the Walmart online marketplace. Typically, Walmart requires businesses to have a valid business tax ID (EIN) and a U.S. business address. Individual sellers are not currently allowed on the Walmart Marketplace.
Walmart Seller Account:
Create a seller account on the Walmart Marketplace. You will need to provide information about your business, including your legal business name, contact details, and tax identification number. You may also need to submit additional documentation to verify your business’s identity and legitimacy.
Product and Category Approval:
Review Walmart’s product and category requirements to ensure that your products align with their guidelines. Certain products may require additional approvals or documentation, such as brand authorization for specific brands or categories. Ensure that your products meet the quality and safety standards set by Walmart.
Seller Performance Standards:
Maintain good seller performance on the Walmart Marketplace. This includes fulfilling orders promptly, providing accurate product information, and delivering excellent customer service. Walmart monitors seller performance metrics such as on-time shipping, order cancellations, and customer feedback.
It’s important to note that the specific requirements and processes may be subject to change, and it’s advisable to consult Walmart’s official seller resources or contact their support for the most up-to-date information.
What Services are included in our Walmart “Done for You” Program
Walmart Seller Store Management Services are designed to assist sellers in efficiently managing their online stores on the Walmart Marketplace. These services provide a range of valuable features and support to optimize sellers’ operations and enhance their overall selling experience. Some key components of Walmart Seller Store Management Services include:
Account Setup and Configuration:
Support in setting up your seller account, including configuring account settings, payment methods, and shipping preferences. This step ensures that your account is tailored to your specific business needs and preferences.
Market research:
Conduct thorough market research to identify potential suppliers who can fulfill your requirements. Use online directories, industry-specific platforms, trade shows, and networking events to gather information about suppliers in your target industry or niche.
Product Listing Optimization:
Assistance in optimizing product listings to improve visibility and sales. This involves optimizing titles, descriptions, images, and other relevant product information to attract more customers.
Inventory Management:
Tools and support for effectively managing inventory levels, tracking stock availability, and ensuring timely replenishment. This helps sellers maintain accurate inventory records and prevent overselling or stockouts.
Order Fulfillment and Shipping:
Streamlined processes and integration with Walmart’s fulfillment service, Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS), to handle order fulfillment and shipping efficiently. This includes managing order processing, packaging, and delivery to ensure prompt and reliable order fulfillment.
Pricing Strategy and Competitor Analysis:
Guidance in developing competitive pricing strategies based on market analysis and competitor insights. Sellers receive recommendations to adjust prices in real-time, helping them stay competitive while maximizing profitability.
Performance Monitoring and Reporting:
Tools and metrics to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales, customer reviews, and seller ratings. Comprehensive reports provide sellers with actionable insights to track their performance and identify areas for improvement.
Customer Service Support:
Access to customer service resources and guidelines to ensure excellent customer support. Sellers can address customer inquiries, concerns, and returns promptly to maintain customer satisfaction and build positive relationships.
Marketing and Advertising Opportunities:
Information on advertising and promotional opportunities within the Walmart Marketplace. Sellers can explore options like sponsored product ads and other marketing initiatives to boost product visibility and increase sales.
Seller Education and Training:
Resources and training materials to help sellers navigate the Walmart Marketplace effectively. These educational materials cover various topics such as platform policies, best practices, and strategies to succeed as a Walmart seller.
Walmart Seller Store Management Services aim to streamline operations, enhance product visibility, and improve seller performance within the Walmart Marketplace. By leveraging these services, sellers can focus on growing their business while Walmart provides valuable tools and support for successful online store management.
Should you invest in the ‘Done for you’ Walmart Store?
Entrusting your eCommerce business to someone else carries inherent risks unless you have complete confidence in their capabilities. While there are scammers who exploit investments, it can present an enticing opportunity if you already possess eCommerce expertise.
However, it’s essential to recognize that your Walmart ‘Done for you’ store may require considerable time before generating sales and even longer to become profitable. Therefore, managing expectations becomes crucial:
Automation and Team Involvement:
Clarify the extent to which the store will be automated and handled by the team. Understand their responsibilities and ensure alignment with your desired level of involvement.
Realistic Targets:
Set realistic expectations for short-term and long-term performance. Consider factors like market dynamics, competition, and the time it takes to establish a solid customer base.
Financial Model:
Understand how the upfront cost, operational expenses, and revenue model will operate. Ensure clarity on financial arrangements, profit sharing, and potential ongoing costs.
Transition to Self-Management:
Discuss the possibility of transitioning to self-management in the future if desired. Understand the process, any associated costs, and whether there are contractual obligations or limitations.
By addressing these considerations, you can approach the arrangement with a clearer understanding of the potential risks, benefits, and long-term implications. Open communication and a thorough grasp of the operational details will help you make an informed decision about entrusting your Walmart store management to a third party.
How Much Walmart “Done for You” Store Cost at Starting
The cost of a Walmart “Done for you” store typically varies between $5,000 and $50,000, depending on factors such as the automation partner chosen and the size/complexity of the desired store. Additionally, operational funds are necessary to manage the team and procure inventory.
Payment for Walmart automation services can be made through upfront investments, where a lump sum is paid at the beginning of the project. Operational credit lines may also be available, allowing businesses to access funds for day-to-day operations. Alternatively, a revenue share model can be employed, where the automation partner receives a percentage of the store’s generated revenue.
These payment options provide flexibility for businesses looking to leverage Walmart automation services, allowing them to choose the most suitable financial arrangement based on their needs and capabilities.
Conclusion
It is important to approach this arrangement with caution and due diligence. Carefully vet any potential partners, ensuring you trust their capabilities and track record. Setting clear expectations is key, understanding the level of automation, team involvement, and realistic targets for short-term and long-term success.
Consider the financial aspects, including upfront costs, operational expenses, and revenue models. Clarify how the financial arrangements will work and be prepared for the possibility of a time lag before achieving sales and profitability.
Lastly, keep in mind the potential for self-management in the future. Understand the process, associated costs, and any contractual obligations or limitations.