Thanks to constant technological advancements in the eCommerce industry, businesses can easily improve the shopping experience for their customers. Furthermore, these innovations also lead to more efficient marketing, improved B2C and B2B sales, and streamlined operations. Unified commerce is one of the approaches used by some of the well-established brands to simultaneously automate various business processes and make ordering easier for their clients. Omnichannel eCommerce is another approach that companies can use. Although these two strategies have many similarities, there are also many differences when comparing omnichannel vs unified commerce. In this post, we’ll give brief definitions of these approaches and discuss their differences and parallels. Make sure to also read our resources on the latest eCommerce trends as well as the most popular unified commerce solutions.
Key takeaway: Although omnichannel and unified commerce are often seen as very similar approaches, there are also multiple differences between them. Omnichannel commerce uses multiple systems that are linked together. Unified commerce uses a centralized database where all the information is stored and updated.
Definitions of Omnichannel VS Unified Commerce
Unified commerce can be defined as a strategy to collect data from multiple sources and channels in a single system. That includes sales data from social commerce, in-store purchases, revenue and customer experience data from a company’s own website, as well as data from third-party sellers. The gathered data can then be analyzed to better understand customer preferences and have smooth shopping experiences across all platforms.
Omnichannel commerce refers to a similar approach. However, the difference is that this strategy uses multiple systems that work together harmoniously. Unlike with unified commerce, this can lead to delays and information silos.
Similarities between Omnichannel VS Unified Commerce
When comparing omnichannel vs unified commerce, we should know that they are very alike. In fact, integrating omnichannel commerce is often considered as a step towards implementing full-scale unified commerce. Here are the main similarities between the two approaches.
- Multichannel customer experience. Both strategies aim to make the shopping experience across different channels seamless and easier. That includes business-owned channels such as an online store, mobile apps, and brick-and-mortar stores as well as third-party eCommerce marketplaces.
- Focus on customers. While multichannel commerce is primarily focused on growth, products, and increased sales, both omnichannel and unified commerce are focused on clients. That makes them suitable for businesses that already have a well-developed market position and can benefit from increased customer engagement and loyalty.
- Both strategies are technology and innovation-driven. The latest technological advancements in the field of AI have made it easier for businesses to integrate omnichannel or unified commerce into their business.
The objective of both strategies is the main similarity when comparing omnichannel vs unified commerce. They aim to improve business efficiency, reduce discrepancies, and offer better shopping experience to customers.
Differences between Omnichannel VS Unified Commerce
Both approaches have the same goal and are similar in many ways. However, we can spot various differences when comparing omnichannel vs unified commerce. Let’s examine the main ones.
- Data management. A major difference between these two strategies is that omnichannel commerce relies on different systems to collect data. On the other hand, unified commerce uses a centralized database where all data is synchronized. That includes not only sales and marketing data but also stock levels, costs, and more. This allows for real-time updates on inventory and faster order fulfillment when using unified commerce. With omnichannel commerce, real-time updates across different systems might be delayed and orders are processed by separate platforms.
- Customer experience. Unified commerce allows customers to start their buying journey through one channel and finish it through another. For example, they might add products to their online shopping cart, buy them from the mobile app, and pick them up from a physical location. The fragmented systems of omnichannel commerce might limit the shopping experience for customers.
- Scalability. Businesses that have integrated unified commerce into their processes can grow and scale much easier. Furthermore, this growth can be data-driven. This is among the major reasons why business owners of medium and large businesses are likely to choose unified commerce compared to the omnichannel approach.
What to Choose: Omnichannel VS Unified Commerce
Choosing unified or omnichannel commerce depends on a variety of factors. The omnichannel approach is more suitable for small and medium businesses. It’s easier to implement and requires less capital. Furthermore, omnichannel commerce can be considered as the first step towards integrating full-scale unified commerce.Medium and large enterprises that prioritize scalability, customer experience, and real-time data should consider implementing a unified commerce platform. It improves operational efficiency and eliminates data silos.
Frequently Asked Questions about Omnichannel VS Unified Commerce
Do you want to learn the methods for conducting an eCommerce competitor analysis or how to increase your wholesale sales? On BlueCart’s website, there are plenty of resources on a variety of topics. Below we’ve answered some commonly asked questions on omnichannel and unified commerce.
What Is the Difference between Omnichannel and Multichannel eCommerce?
Although multichannel and omnichannel commerce are sometimes used interchangeably, the two approaches have significant differences. A business that focuses on multichannel eCommerce puts more emphasis on the different channels and the products offered. On the other hand, companies that follow the unified or omnichannel commerce strategy are more focused on the customer experience. That being said, multichannel eCommerce is more suitable for small businesses that are still growing and need to focus on their product sales. The omnichannel approach is optimal for medium to large companies that wish to turn their clients into loyal return customers.
What Are the Advantages of Unified and Omnichannel Commerce?
Thanks to omnichannel and unified commerce, businesses can significantly improve the shopping experience for their customers. Furthermore, gathering data and systematizing it within a single or multiple platforms helps managers make data-driven decisions. Both the unified and omnichannel approaches are a necessity in today’s digital world. Customers look for convenience when shopping and wish to have the option to order online and pick products from the store. That’s true for apparel retailers, grocery stores, and various other businesses. An additional advantage of both unified and omnichannel commerce is that these strategies make scaling a business easier.
What Businesses Use Unified and Omnichannel Commerce?
Although these strategies can significantly help a business grow, they are not suitable for all companies. Integrating a full-scale omnichannel customer experience can require a large initial investment. That’s why businesses that use unified or omnichannel commerce are already established brands in competitive markets. That includes apparel retailers, electronics stores, supermarkets, food service chains, and cafe chains. Wholesale distributors and businesses in the travel industry can also benefit from the advantages of unified commerce or omnichannel sales. Generally speaking, these two strategies are suitable for medium and large businesses that wish to focus on improving the shopping experience, real-time data management, and improved efficiency.
BlueCart: The Right Platform for Omnichannel and Unified Commerce Businesses
One of the main advantages of BlueCart’s platform is that it is suitable for companies of any caliber. From small suppliers that specialize in a single niche market to nationwide broadline distributors, distribution businesses can benefit from BlueCart’s features. Our platform also allows wholesale buyers to compare prices and products offered by different suppliers. Schedule a demo today and see how BlueCart can help your omnichannel marketing efforts and allow you to automate various business processes.