Having the support you need when you need it can make a huge difference in the day-to-day functioning of a college store. Like other college stores, the COVID-19 pandemic increased the importance of eCommerce for the Dodge City Community College Bookstore. While the store was managing all of the rapid industry changes, it was able to keep up with evolving eCommerce expectations and get a complete website refresh.
One of the most important outlets for college bookstores is the eCommerce website. As the world around us continues to change and evolve, the eCommerce site has become increasingly important to the store’s relationship with students, the campus and the outside community. In the Independent College Bookstore Industry Trends: eCommerce White Paper, we take a look at how college stores have updated eCommerce sites for the immediate market shift.
Order processing for online orders needs to be fast and accurate. However, this can be a challenge with limited staff and resources. College store associates often have to fulfill many different roles in the store, and the recent uptick in online orders, while great for the store, might strain your traditional methods. How can college stores simplify online order processing?
Buyback is an important event for the college store. It helps stores ensure you have the low-cost used book inventory necessary for the following term and gives students an easy time and place to return rental books. However, due to state, local and campus restrictions, it may not be possible to have an on-campus buyback this term.
The college store website is one of the primary avenues for customers to make purchases from your store and a great way to share information with students. However, how can you attract repeat visitors to your website? One method is to keep your site fresh with ever-changing content and up-to-date information.
The college store site is your most valuable resource for attracting alumni, parents and fans to shop from your store. However, these groups might not actively look for your store when they want to show their support for your college. So, how can you drive alumni and the extended campus community to your college store website?
Website expectations are constantly changing. In addition to keeping information updated, college store eCommerce sites must also keep up with their web design and ensure easy customer navigation. When Brian Beahan, Bookstore Supervisor, Century College, started in April of 2019, he knew the website would be the first project he needed to work on. After a complete website redesign, he is still working to ensure the store’s customers get the very best user experience.
For college stores like Ridgewater College Bookstore, updating the website to display all of the available inventory, share up-to-date information and streamline the purchasing process became a top priority in 2020. Joining the Ridgewater College Bookstore staff a month before COVID shutdowns, Bookstore Coordinator Megan Andresen had to quickly get up to speed on the MBS system and create a cohesive online presence for the bookstore.
MBS was once again proud to take part in the ICBA conference this year and to support independent college stores. MBS Representatives enjoyed seeing and speaking with the many college store professionals in attendance. As always, it was great to hear what everyone is focused on for the spring term and the plans they are making for fall.
It’s nearly time for textbook buyback again. As the end of term swiftly approaches, it’s good to have a solid buyback plan in place that you can start communicating to students. An in-person buyback offers so many benefits to the college store and students. Today, we are going to look at ways stores can plan a safe, on-campus buyback this term.
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