BigCommerce offers various third-party tools to enhance your ecommerce experience. Here are a few of our favorites that are particularly beneficial for outdoor industry vendors:
1. Razoyo’s AutomaticFFL
Razoyo saw a need for an FFL compliance tool to support the online firearm checkout process. Their AutomaticFFL tool is an easy-to-use solution for managing an FFL database while improving the customer experience.
AutomaticFFL populates the FFL’s official address as required by law without allowing customers to alter that address. However, customers can input a new FFL if their desired vendor isn’t found in your database. Customer input FFLs are flagged in the back end so your team can review the data.
Non-receiving chains and big box stores are disabled by default within the database, but can be enabled if needed. If enabled, once orders are placed for these entities, the system automatically splits the shipment. Serialized products are sent to the selected FFL and other items within the order will be sent to the provided address.
AutomaticFFL receives constant updates from Google real-time maps and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives EZ-Check database. You can also edit the database to include your own customizations and exclude certain dealers.
Why we like it: Razoyo fully automates the FFL selection process and makes FFL database management and customization simple. Customers can easily select their preferred and vetted FFL dealer while protecting their personal information; AutomaticFFL does not store any customer information from the checkout process.
2. Freshclick
Freshclick puts the power in your hands to develop a filter system that best supports your product catalog. The Freshclick product filter tool expands basic product data filters, allowing you to build your own filters, create field filters and use production option filters on category, brand and search pages.
Filter options include category-based, custom field, production option and standard pre-built selections. Users can also build custom filters directly in the Freshclick app without making product modifications in BigCommerce
The customizations don’t end at content. A variety of styling options ensure forms fit seamlessly into the look and feel of your website or email. Available filter display types include checkboxes, sliders, swatches, blocks and logos.
Why we like it: Freshclick helps you fully customize your site filters, giving customers the ability to select the most important options for your specific product catalog. Filter customization is critical for products like firearms and ammunition. Standard filtering systems don’t include things like caliber, barrel length, draw weight and length or other common attributes that are necessary for firearms, ammunition and archery related products. The customizations available in a robust filter system like Freshclick allows your customers to hone in on the specific products they’re looking for, improving their user experience and increasing conversions.
3. Jotform
Jotform is a powerful online form builder with a simple user interface that makes data collection a breeze. The included template bank offers pre-built versions of commonly used forms, or users can build their own forms with custom fields like input tables, electronic signatures and file uploads.
Form submissions are managed directly in Jotform and are paired with analytics tools that can be used to assess user behavior, analyze traffic and even create visual reports based on submission data. Jotform also connects to Google Analytics or other third-party widgets to consolidate your data.
Jotform integrates with popular CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce to allow for collaboration. Forms are easily embedded into your website with no coding needed. Styling or form fields updates made in Jotform are automatically applied to forms embedded on your website. In addition to website embeds, forms can also be shared via social media, through a QR code, or through a custom domain.
Why we like it: Jotform offers a free pricing tier, so it’s a risk-free implementation. This tool allows users to take control of their forms and submission data without requiring a developer to make updates or create new forms. With a variety of form field options, this tool is perfect for dealer and wholesale applications, contact forms, product registration, warranty forms and more
4. Gorgias
Gorgias is an Ecommerce helpdesk that connects all of your brand’s communication channels, allowing customer service teams to quickly respond to customer questions without leaving the Gorgias dashboard. Connect email, SMS, live chat, voice calls and social media channels to Gorgias to add visibility and efficiency for your internal teams.
Automations can be set up to respond to frequent requests like order or shipping status with personalized messages. Knowledge bases housing FAQs and vital product information can be tied to live chat allowing customers a self-service option with quick access to solutions without additional effort from your staff. Customer records are easily accessible so customer service agents can view order data quickly to improve response times.
Gorgias also offers analytics to track the support performance of your customer service team. It includes live statistics and revenue data as well as satisfaction survey functionality to ensure you’re delivering high-quality support for your customers.
Why we like it: Gorgias is an affordable helpdesk tool that improves efficiency for your customer service team and provides customers self-serve opportunities. Gorgias integrates easily into BigCommerce and works well with a variety of additional third-party tools. The included automations can simplify order status and tracking requests, RMAs. It also offers self-service customer service options for users to access a Knowledge Base of frequently asked questions and product related policies like shipping restrictions on ammunition and magazines.
5. HubSpot
HubSpot is a powerful CRM platform that offers various “hubs” that include all the tools and functionalities you need for marketing, sales, service, CMS and operations. The tools and functionalities within each Hub can be mixed and matched to scale as your business grows.
Why we like it: HubSpot is an incredibly powerful tool that can service all areas of your business within one software and will scale with your business. It offers a variety of tools to fit specific needs of the outdoor industry. Within Hubspot, custom landing pages are easy to create for promotions or product launches and personalization can be added throughout your site for an enhanced user experience. Age gates can be created and published within minutes to gate access to firearms or other age restricted products. Hubspot also offers an advanced email marketing program with fully customizable templates and automated workflows.
BigCommerce is a powerful ecommerce platform proudly servicing the outdoor industry. BigCommerce offers a wide range of additional tools, empowering your business to succeed in the ecommerce marketplace regardless of your product or service. If you’d like to learn more about developing a site in BigCommerce, transitioning an existing site to BigCommerce, or better leveraging BigCommerce as an existing platform for your business, book a time with Brita. Gray Loon is a BigCommerce partner and our BigCommerce certified development team is ready to help you make the most out of BigCommerce.
