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HOW TO SET UP A GOOD EXPENSE MANAGEMENT PROCESS FOR YOUR ECOMMERCE COMPANY




There is more to running an ecommerce business than just providing excellent products. Taking care of inventory, packaging, shipping, costs for ads, service fees, and subscriptions is a part of each successful order. Not paying close attention to these expenses can cause all your profits to vanish before you know it.


Efficient expense management doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s all about staying on track, in charge of your spending, and growing your money intelligently. You can do it in these simple steps.


Separate business and personal finances

The first step in making your finances clearer is to set up a business account for ecommerce business. When all business finances go through one account, it is much simpler to follow, label, and reconcile all the transactions.


A well-kept paper trail also helps you when filing your taxes, working with an auditor, or requesting a loan. Choose an account that links smoothly with your sales systems and online collection methods so you do not have to enter sales data manually.


Divide your expenses by type

It’s important to organize your expenses into helpful categories that show how your online business functions. Don’t forget to plan for obtaining products, sending items to buyers, promotional expenses, tool costs, and payments for outsourced help.


Calculating everything clearly demonstrates your actual spending patterns. Is Facebook advertising using most of your marketing budget? Is your fulfillment expense taking away from your profits? After putting expenses into categories, figuring out these things becomes simpler.


Pick a system that fits your style

You can effectively manage your finances without needing to work with spreadsheets or having an accountant on staff. You should look for a system that’s easy to follow. Whether you have simple software, an app, or a more advanced dashboard, the system ought to let you:


  • Keep a close eye on what you spend day to day.

  • Attach receipts or any relevant documentation.

  • Organize transactions either using automatic technology or by your own actions

  • Show how usage changes from month to month


This approach will make tax season easier for you.


Automate as much as possible.

Entering data manually makes it hard to be consistent. If you let technology help you, it’s less likely you’ll make mistakes or feel lost. Look for apps that link to your bank, download your transactions, and allow you to set rules such as marking any Meta Ads Manager charges as “Marketing.” Ensure you don’t miss things that are not automated by setting up reminders. 


Spend time every so often to check and revise your approach

You cannot leave expense management unattended once it’s in place. Choose a regular day or week to check your spending. Observe the similarities and repetitions. 


Are you still getting fair value from what you spend on your tools? Is the amount you’re advertising worth the return you’re seeing? Is it possible to adjust your agreement with a supplier?


The idea is to maintain a slim budget without compromising on profits to support the growth of your ecommerce business.


Final words

The process of managing expenses often isn’t as complicated as many people think. If you have the right system, you’ll worry less about costs and focus more on getting your business to grow.


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Barb Ferrigno, Concept Marketing Group

We are passionate about our marketing. We've seen it all in our 46 years - companies come and go but the businesses that are consistent, steady, and have a goal are the companies that succeed. We work with you to keep you on track, change with new technologies and business strategies, and, most importantly, help you to succeed. It's not always easy, and it's a lot of hard work but the rewards are well worth the effort. 

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