Make the Most of the Slowdown: Your Web to Print Plan
No one is sure exactly how the COVID-19 pandemic is going to change the world. But this much is clear: the economic slowdown is trying for everyone – ESPECIALLY PRINTERS.
Many print professionals are working from home now. So how do you use this time wisely? In addition to everyday business responsibilities, we encourage you to think of this period as an opportunity to learn and prepare for when things return to some sort of normalcy. That’s the case with many printers who have contacted us in recent weeks. Some of the comments we are hearing:
“I have never had the time to devote to researching a new web to print solution.”
“I figured I would check out your platform since I’m trapped at home.”
“This change is going to make online ordering even more common.”
“Our current platform has been lacking for a while. I’m trying to get ahead.”
Now, more than ever, it’s important to be productive. Research, evaluate, and plan for how you can hit the ground running coming out of the COVID-19 slowdown. Focus on supporting your existing customers and adding a tool to help win new business.
Your Web to Print Plan
Searching for the right web to print platform isn’t the simplest task in the world. It can be a lot to wrap your head around, whether you are using the same legacy solution for 5+ years or you’ve never implemented a solution for your customers. Breaking it into steps makes it easier.
These 5 steps are a road map for you to keep in mind as you develop your web to print plan.
1. Evaluate
The beginning of this process will require turning an objective eye towards your business as it is now. You know you need a modern web to print platform to take your business to new heights. Getting there requires understanding exactly why your current solution and workflows are limiting you.
2. Research
Once you’ve got a firm understanding of your operational workflows (identifying bottlenecks and areas for improvement), it’s time to shift your focus outward. Do some research on the latest solutions. Technology changes quickly, so don’t assume the web to print space is the same as it was a few years ago.
3. Vet and Decide
At this point in your web to print plan, you’re going to be talking to solution providers and narrowing down your search. You’ll want to have a well-defined list of must-have features and capabilities as well as an understanding of what to look for in a modern web to print platform. This step is just a matter of putting in the work, doing demos, asking the right questions, and making a decision.
4. Prepare
Now it’s time to pivot your focus back to your own organization. It will take some time to collect the data you need to launch your first web to print storefront. This is also the part of the process when you should be educating your current customers about the new platform you are about to implement. Figure out which customers will be able to get the most lift out of this solution and start working with them to shape your implementation plan.
5. Implement
You’re approaching the go-live date now. Make sure you’ve run your tests, mapped out your new workflows, and organized the people on your team who will be managing the platform. Beyond the launch of your first storefront, the next goal is to leverage this platform to grow. You’ll want to think about how you’re going to position this new solution to win new customers. Is your solution provider going to be a resource for you in that regard?
Setting Up For Growth
There’s no good way to spin it, this economic slowdown is difficult. It is a challenging time, and will continue to be challenging, for printers big and small, for the print industry as a whole. The first priority right now is, of course, to survive.
But that shouldn’t be the end of the discussion. There is always a silver-lining, and one silver-lining we get is time, time to slow down, take stock, and strategize. If you put in the work now to tackle your web to print migration/adoption plan, you can come out of this set up for growth.
Our newest guide is a short read and a great resource for those looking for the right web to print platform for their business. Take a look.
