7 Common Small Business Mistakes Made by Decorated Apparel Shops

With any business, there are ways to streamline processes and make sure everything goes according to plan. Some approaches undermine the integrity and efficiency of the business. An easy way to stay on track is to avoid these common small business mistakes made by decorated apparel shops.

When it comes to the operation of a decorated apparel shop, the owner seeks to minimize or eliminate issues that could prevent the company from being all that it can be. That requires awareness of the more critical failures that could be eroding the business and might even lead to an eventual collapse. Here are 7 small business mistakes to avoid, that you must identify and correct if your decorated apparel business is to thrive.

1. Saying “Yes” Before Knowing The Job Can Be Done As Promised

One of the most common small business mistakes made is not setting expectations. There’s nothing new about salespeople making promises and leaving the details to those who have to come up with the solution. Unfortunately, it only takes one time of saying “yes” to a customer and not being able to deliver, to destroy your reputation. It’s not just about failing one customer. It’s also about getting a bad reputation, which is all too easy in the world of social media.

The right software lets salespeople know exactly what can and cannot be done, in real-time. Using shop management software makes the lead time clear and keeps track of the resources on hand to manage the project. This efficiency keeps the sales team from making hasty promises and ensures that the customer’s expectations are met or even exceeded.

2. Poor Inventory Control

Some customers supply the apparel they need to be customized while others will want to know what the shop has on hand that meets their needs. Either way, the business owner must be able to provide accurate numbers without delay. Imagine how embarrassing it would be to tell a customer there are 5,000 shirts in stock that are ideal for the job and then have to go back and admit there are only 3,000 on hand.

One of the benefits offered by software packages like OnSite is the ability to check inventory levels on a real-time basis. This means that inventory already dedicated to other pending projects becomes unavailable to new projects. In terms of inventory control and customer relationship management, this improves efficiency, reduces employee stress levels, and shows clients that you run an efficient shop.

3. Unable to Access Data in Real-Time

You’ve got the procedures for accepting orders and verifying inventory levels running smoothly. What about monitoring the actual production process? How easy is it to have up-to-the-minute information on the status of an order? If a customer wants to know if the order is still on track to be shipped on the promised date, the right software can confirm how many units are completed, how many remain to be done, and if the rest of the job will be completed by the promised date.

4. Disregarding the Client’s Preferred Shipping Method

Customers usually have good reason to select one shipping method over another. Perhaps a certain courier offers poor service in their area. Maybe cost is a factor. Whatever the reason, it’s up to the business owner to honor the customer’s request. Using software that ensures the preferred shipping option will avoid another pitfall that could prompt the customer to use a different shop next time.

5. Failing to Periodically Evaluate the Company Structure

The policies, procedures, and processes of any business must be open to evaluation from time to time. Many business owners choose to take a fresh look at the way things are done at least every couple of years. If the owner of an apparel shop is not stepping back and objectively looking at everything from the quality of the ink to the efficiency of the equipment and the way different products are produced, opportunities for improvement are probably being missed.

One of the best ways to evaluate any business model is to rely on facts such as data about orders, shipments, production times, and expenses. Using integrated software programs to organize and relate that data could indicate ways to reduce waste and improve the overall function of the company.

6. Failing to Balance Quality and Cost

More than one decorated apparel shop has lost customers and gone out of business because the quality was sacrificed in order to increase net profits. For example, purchasing a bulk order of tee shirts that are thinner and made using inferior material may save a bundle on the front end, but what happens when clients begin to reject orders and start doing business with competitors? Poor quality is a common small business mistake that does not go unnoticed and will result in fewer customers, a negative reputation, and eventually the end of the company.

7. Not Understanding the Right Consumer Market to Target

While orders from any sector of the consumer market are welcomed, most shops do focus on attracting certain types of clients. Software that makes it easier to determine what percentage of orders are coming from specific types of clients makes it easier to concentrate on those markets. With a reputation already established, making use of that data improves the odds of growing the business. Operating without knowing who is buying is one of the most common small business mistakes that greatly increases the probability of failure.

These are only a few of the common small business mistakes that owners of decorated apparel shops can commit and shoot themselves in the foot, preventing their shops from growing. In each case, the right software can help to integrate the data, point out inefficiencies, and help the owner improve the chances for success. Solutions like OnSite are designed to make it easier to monitor the business.

On-Premises Software Solutions

When it comes to software solutions for business, there are several options available, including on-premises software or cloud-based systems. There are advantages to both, but here are several reasons why many businesses prefer on-premises software systems to off-site storage.

• On-premises systems keep all of your data on current and passed projects, and more, close by. This way, you never have to worry about information being lost, hacked into, or leaked. Since you are personally in control of your data, it is safer than if it were stored on the cloud. For this reason, on-premises systems are particularly preferred for companies that handle sensitive information, including financial information for large or long-term clients.

• Since your on-premis technology system is located right inside your business, you know it is physically secure. You are able to place it under stricter security and ensure that the only people able to access it are those who are authorized, and who can be trusted to keep the information private and safe.

• While on-premises systems can be slightly more expensive, up front, their reliability and added security features make them worth it for many business owners in the long run. Also, once purchased, the systems typically do not need to be renewed like cloud systems do, making them quite affordable in the long run.

• Make sure you do have a reliable, highly trained IT staff on hand to run your ERP system. Without a capable team, your in-house system will be of little use to you. On the bright side, though, many companies that sell on-premises systems also provide training for IT staffs, so that they can learn how to better use and repair software systems.

OnSite 7: Screen Printing Workflow Software

An efficient screen printing workflow software is crucial for a business looking to make orders on time.. For example, the screen printing industry represents a lot of challenges for various reasons. Customers have very precise requests when they want apparel screen printed. As the business owner, you have to fulfill those requests and meet your customers’ needs as quickly as possible — and with complete accuracy. Here at ShopWorks, we have developed a screen printing workflow software called Onsite 7 that can help you fulfill every order you receive fast and with ease.

Features for Screen-Printers

As a screen printer, you are looking for something special in your business software. In other words, you need more than just an Excel spreadsheet and some formulas. You need workflow software that can help you operate your screen printing business from the time the customer submits an order to the time the order is shipped out—that is what OnSite 7 is for. Here are some of its features:

• Matrix system that lets you enter data at a faster pace and create easy-to-read production forms and orders
• Variables that can be changed for production and design. With the creation of your product-specific formula, you can create tiered pricing structures that allow your customers to save money with larger orders — a win-win situation for you and your customers.
• Saving information about specific orders for future use, which means another order from the same customer is going to be fulfilled that much faster.

There are various other features and benefits of the OnSite 7 screen printing workflow software. Just call us today at ShopWorks and let our representatives tell you more about the advantages of using OnSite 7 Apparel Management Software for your business.

Choosing the Right ERP System for Your Business

Our last blog gave you the beginning of a good process for selecting the perfect software solutions for business for your company. Here are some selection tips for choosing the right ERP system.

1. Now you should have a list of business software options that meet your needs and are trustworthy. Read the reviews for each and consult other business owners you trust to find out more about them. Eliminate any that seem slightly sketchy or don’t receive mostly positive, consistent reviews.

2. Get to know each of the systems a little bit better. By this point, your list should be smaller, from two to four systems. Consider free trials if they are offered since they are a good way to get to know a system hands-on.

3. Finally, choose your system, purchase, install, and begin training your employees so that they can become proficient in the new program.

The Benefits of Cloud-Based Software Solutions

We covered the benefits of choosing to purchase ShopWorx as a client-server software in our previous blog post. The other option, our cloud-based software, is equally popular and also has many benefits. Here are some of the main benefits associated with cloud-based software systems.

Benefits of Cloud-Based Software

Cloud-based software is hosted offsite and is accessible from any computer through the use of the Internet. This allows employees to access your system from any device that is connected, instead of just those computers in your office on which the Apparel ERP or sign business software are installed.

The main benefit of cloud-based software systems is that they take up far less space since you don’t need an extensive IT infrastructure to host the entire system in-house. They also cost less upfront since there is a monthly fee instead of a large one-time payment and smaller yearly installments.

Cloud-hosted systems are updated more regularly since they don’t require physical installation onsite. They also lower your payroll costs, since you don’t need such a large in-house IT department to support your entire business infrastructure. Your company information and files are also safe if something happens to your hardware, and even theft of your hardware doesn’t equate to loss of your business information.

The best comparison to be made between the two methods of hosting software solutions for business is the difference between renting and owning a car. You have all of the benefits of transportation when you rent, but you don’t have to take care of maintenance. There is a trade-off in the higher monthly and overall cost in the long run, though, and the decision between which is best for you depends on the nature of your business.

Now that you’ve learned about the benefits of cloud-based software, learn what questions to ask when considering a Cloud-Based ERP Software.

How to Choose the Right Software for Your Business – Part 1

In business, you and your workers often need to face the same issues again and again. Learning how to choose the right software for your business can help tremendously. Here is part one of a brief guide on how to choose the right software solution for your business if you don’t already have one or you are looking to switch to a different system.

1. First sit down and create a rough list of the functions you would like your business software to fulfill. Things you might include are pricing, archiving old projects, thread colors, and more. This way you can begin eliminating software systems that don’t meet all of the needs on your list.

2. Next, search for business software companies online, ask other business owners what systems they use, and come up with a list of possibilities Eliminate those that don’t meet your needs or that receive consistently poor reviews.

3. Verify that each system you are seriously considering is trustworthy and safe.

Learn more about choosing the right ESP system for your business.

When companies use apparel software to allow customers to create their own designs and upload them to their system, controversial apparel could end up being featured. Sometimes this could cause a stir, since controversial designs could be misinterpreted or offend some people. When this happens, it could damage the company. The same can happen if your company is the one creating the offensive screen prints.

1. In the past, selling controversial apparel boosted sales, since people flocked to the stores and websites to see the clothing in question. However, the advent of social media changed this. Now, everyone sees the clothing in question on Facebook and Twitter, and no longer come into the stores. In addition, bad press travels much faster than before.

2. The instant rating and reviewing that social media offers makes it difficult for stores to come back from a scandal. When something is produced that people don’t like, they can now share it loudly and, in many cases, others will follow. People even organize boycotts this way.

3. Putting forth products without thinking first could become an issue. Companies have to really think about how a product will impact the consumer before putting it out. This dispels issues before they start.

4. All consumers are now brand ambassadors. This means that they have the upper hand when it comes to product choices. If they don’t like it, within days everyone knows, and many, then, do not like it. Plus, if enough people complain about a product, it ends up on the news for everyone to see. News spreads like wildfire online.

For more information about the apparel industry, contact us at ShopWorks.

Benefits to Purchasing Content Management Systems

Content management systems and other software solutions for business make your life easier, and your business much more successful. We gave you several benefits to purchasing a content management system in our previous blog, including that they give you complete control, allow you to keep your content fresh with ease, and facilitate communication within your business and with your customers.

Here are a few more benefits to updating or purchasing a new Apparel ERP or other business software system:

1. Security: You have to do a lot as a business owner, including managing your website, cultivating new products and services, and communicating with customers. One of your most important tasks, however, is keeping all of your and your customers’ information safe. Onsite software systems help you do just this, and make your information secure to hackers or thieves.
2. Organization: Filing cabinets and messy piles of paper are a thing of the past, and make keeping your business information organized very difficult. Even if you have several different systems to help run your business, your information is stored in multiple places, which can make it hard to find quickly. Having a single content management system that does it all makes it much easier to keep your business organized and efficient.
3. Customer Service: Onsite software systems help facilitate better customer service. Many systems have programs that automatically reply to customer emails and help field calls, giving faster and more accurate assistance. These systems also allow customers to contact you through your website instead of through email.

When a custom t-shirt business starts up, it needs commercial screen printing equipment to keep up with demand. If you are wondering, “What equipment do I need to start a t-shirt business at home?” Look no further. Below is our list of the most important items to have on hand when starting up this type of business.

1. Printers. The printer is one of the most important items you’ll need. You can do a lot with just one printer, but the best businesses have several different kinds to choose from. The four types that printing businesses use are inkjet, laser, sublimation, and solvent printers. Solvent printers offer the best graphics, but they are very pricey and might be too expensive for a small business.

2. Computers. You’ll need a PC or Mac to use with graphics and cutting programs for our t-shirt business software. You’ll also need it for payment, inventory, and ordering functions. Our suite of software is ideal for helping you manage your business.

3. Graphics programs. Graphics programs are essential to creating custom images and art for shirts and other media. CorelDraw and Photoshop are two very good programs for this.

4. Transfer paper. You need quality transfer paper for transferring the images from the printer to other materials. This requires the use of a heat press.

5. Heat press. You’ll need at least a 16’x20″ heat press for transferring graphics over onto shirts.

6. Cutter. You’ll need a cutter and the program included in it to create stencils for screen prints. The cutters cut out what you design on the cutter program.

You can save a lot of money by purchasing used t-shirt printing machines and other equipment. Learn how to vet used screen printing equipment.

For more information about custom T-shirts and screen-printing management software, contact us at ShopWorks.

Almost every company has opted to invest in various business software systems, including comprehensive content management systems and similar software solutions for business. Billions of dollars each year are spent on new systems, upgraded systems or training on how to better use business software. Here are some of the top benefits you can enjoy when you purchase a content management system.

1. Complete Control: You know the most about your business, including its mission, products, services, and the tone you want to create on line. Apparel ERP systems and other business management software systems give you total control over the content on your website and the organization of your files and company.
2. Keep It Fresh: Your business will be much more successful if it is constantly growing. This can be as simple as changing your content online or updating a blog and other social media sites on a daily or weekly basis. Content management systems make this much easier.
3. Communicate: It is easier to communicate, not only with current and potential customers, but also with other employees and managers within your business. When the lines of communication are open within your business, your business will run more smoothly.
4. Easy Updating: You are much more likely to continuously update your various sites if it is easy, which is exactly what sign business software and other content management systems do for you. You no longer need to log onto various systems or jump through hoops to get new content live on your website. Content management systems consolidate and make it easy.