So, what’s the real cost of poor discounting in e-commerce?
- Lost revenue due to ineffective or mismanaged discounting.
- Customer frustration when pricing inconsistencies arise.
- Operational inefficiencies that slow down sales teams and burden IT resources.
This is where Fortis by Symphony Commerce changes the game. Fortis is a smart discount and pricing management system that automates complex discounting processes, improves customer pricing experiences, and ensures that promotions drive real revenue growth rather than margin loss.
Available in headless mode for ultimate flexibility and seamless integration, Fortis was designed to adapt to the unique needs of modern businesses. Whether using the Symphony admin system or leveraging our fully supported API to connect Fortis with their ERP or accounting systems, businesses can implement discounting in a way that aligns perfectly with their existing workflows and operational needs.
In this quick intro guide, we'll explore how Fortis helps businesses eliminate pricing inefficiencies, boost sales, and optimise discounting strategies to stay ahead in the competitive digital commerce landscape.
The Hidden Costs of Traditional Discounting Methods
Many e-commerce businesses operate with pricing models that were designed for simpler times. Today’s digital commerce platforms require dynamic pricing strategies, yet outdated methods persist, leading to major hidden costs.
Manual Discount Management Leads to Errors
Without an automated discounting system, pricing updates are often handled manually by marketing or sales teams. This can lead to:
- Pricing inconsistencies across different sales channels.
- Over-discounting or stacking errors, reducing margins unnecessarily.
- Delayed implementation of discounts, resulting in lost promotional opportunities.
- Increased risk of human error, leading to customer disputes and negative reviews.
Lack of Pricing Automation Creates Inefficiencies
Many businesses struggle to adjust pricing dynamically in response to:
- Market demand and seasonal fluctuations.
- Volume-based and negotiated B2B pricing agreements.
- Competitor pricing changes and promotional trends.
Without automation, businesses either miss out on strategic pricing adjustments or spend excessive time manually updating and monitoring pricing structures.
Lost Revenue from Untapped Discount Opportunities
Even when businesses offer discounts, many fail to effectively communicate them to customers at key decision points. Common issues include:
- Customers not realising they qualify for discounts until too late in the checkout process.
- Failure to highlight bulk purchase incentives, leading to lower order values.
- Static pricing rules that do not adapt to customer behaviour, missing opportunities to upsell or cross-sell.
The Bottom Line
Traditional discounting methods cost businesses more than they realise. Between revenue loss, operational inefficiencies, and customer dissatisfaction, failing to optimise pricing strategies has a direct impact on growth.
Fortis allows businesses to move beyond these outdated models and embrace automated, intelligent discounting that increases revenue while reducing the time and effort spent on pricing management.
How Fortis Automates & Optimises E-Commerce Pricing
Buy X, Get Y Offers: Encouraging Bulk Purchases
One of the most effective ways to increase order volume is by offering Buy X, Get Y promotions. However, managing these manually can be time-consuming and error-prone. Fortis allows businesses to:
- Automate Buy X, Get Y promotions across all product categories.
- Ensure customers receive the correct discounts without manual intervention.
- Apply tiered discounting for high-volume purchases, driving bulk sales.
Example Use Cases:
- B2B: A wholesaler offers Buy 10 units, Get 1 Free on office supplies.
- B2C: An online fashion retailer runs Buy 2, Get 1 at 50% off to encourage multi-item purchases.
Volume-Based Discounts & Tiered Pricing for High-Value Sales
For B2B e-commerce businesses, volume-based discounts are crucial. With Fortis, companies can:
- Set up automated tiered pricing based on purchase volume.
- Offer custom discounts for high-value customers and repeat buyers.
- Increase Average Order Value (AOV) by encouraging larger bulk purchases.
Example Use Cases:
- B2B: A distributor provides 10% off on orders over £10,000 to incentivise large purchases.
- B2C: A beauty brand applies 5% off on orders above £100 to boost checkout conversions.
Special Pricing Agreements (SPAs) for B2B Customers
In B2B commerce, negotiated pricing is the norm. Fortis enables businesses to:
- Set contract-based special pricing that applies automatically at checkout.
- Provide customer-specific discounts without manual overrides.
- Ensure consistent pricing across multiple sales channels.
Example Use Cases:
- B2B: A manufacturer offers pre-negotiated pricing to key distributors.
- B2B/B2C: A subscription-based business provides VIP members exclusive pricing.
Deal Finder: Helping Customers Unlock Savings
Customers often abandon carts because they are unaware of available discounts. Fortis' Deal Finder ensures they never miss a deal by:
- Displaying real-time discount notifications at checkout.
- Encouraging customers to increase order size to unlock discounts.
- Preventing missed savings opportunities that can drive conversions.
Example Use Cases:
- B2B: A supplier notifies buyers: “Add £500 more to your order to get 15% off!”
- B2C: An e-commerce store highlights: “Buy 1 more item to qualify for free shipping!”
The Competitive Advantage of Fortis
By leveraging automated, data-driven pricing strategies, businesses can:
- Save time and reduce human error with fully automated discounting.
- Maximise revenue by offering discounts that drive larger purchases.
- Improve customer experience through clear, transparent pricing.
With Fortis, businesses no longer need to rely on outdated, manual discounting processes. Instead, they can embrace a modern, scalable, and intelligent pricing engine that supports growth.
Business Benefits of Smart Discount Pricing with Fortis
Operational Efficiency
- Reduces time spent on manual discount configuration.
- Ensures consistent pricing across multiple sales channels.
- Decreases the risk of pricing errors and margin loss.
Increased Revenue & Profitability
- Maximises AOV by encouraging bulk purchases and upsells.
- Avoids over-discounting through smart rule-based pricing.
- Provides data-driven insights to optimise future promotions.
Enhanced Customer Experience
- Buyers see pricing that makes sense to them, reducing frustration.
- B2B clients get instant access to negotiated rates, improving retention.
- Real-time discount notifications increase customer engagement and conversions.
Powerful Integration and Ongoing Support with Fortis
Effortless Integration with Existing ERPs and Accounting Platforms
Integrating a new pricing management system can be daunting, but Fortis is designed for compatibility and ease of use. Here's how Fortis ensures (and maintains!) smooth integrations:
- API-First Architecture: Fortis offers robust APIs that allow for straightforward integration with popular Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms, accounting platforms and other custom-built solutions.
- Minimal Disruption: The integration process is designed to be swift, ensuring that your business operations continue without interruption.
- Comprehensive Documentation: Detailed guides and support materials are available to assist your teams during the integration process.
Dedicated Support During Implementation
Transitioning to a new system requires support, and Fortis provides:
- Onboarding Assistance: A dedicated team helps configure Fortis to align with your specific business needs.
- Training Materials: Empower your team with training on how to maximise the benefits of Fortis.
- Ongoing Support: Access to a support team ready to address any questions or issues that arise post-implementation.
Continuous Updates and Improvements
The digital commerce landscape is ever-evolving, and Fortis stays ahead by:
- Regular Feature Updates: Introducing new functionalities to meet emerging market demands.
- User Feedback Integration: Actively seeking and incorporating user feedback to enhance the platform's performance and usability.
- Scalability: Ensuring that as your business grows, Fortis scales with you, handling increased data and transaction volumes effortlessly.
When opting to manage their e-commerce discounts with Fortis, businesses not only gain a powerful pricing management tool but also a partner committed to their success through seamless integration, dedicated support, and continuous innovation.
Transform Your E-Commerce Pricing with Fortis
Key Takeaways
- Automated Pricing Management: Fortis streamlines complex discounting processes, reducing manual errors and operational inefficiencies.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: By offering dynamic and personalised pricing, Fortis improves customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Increased Revenue: Optimised pricing strategies lead to higher average order values and overall sales growth.
- Seamless Integration: Fortis integrates effortlessly with existing e-commerce platforms, ensuring a smooth transition and minimal disruption.
Next Steps
- Assess Your Current Pricing Strategy: Identify areas where manual processes or outdated systems may be causing inefficiencies or revenue loss.
- Schedule a Fortis Demo: Experience firsthand how Fortis can address your specific pricing challenges and integrate with your existing systems.
- Plan for Implementation: Work with the Fortis support team to develop a tailored integration plan that aligns with your business objectives.
- Train Your Team: Ensure your staff is well-equipped to utilise Fortis effectively through our comprehensive Knowledge Base.
- Monitor and Optimise: Continuously track performance metrics and adjust your pricing strategies as needed to maximise benefits.
By embracing Fortis, businesses can revolutionise their pricing strategies, leading to improved efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profitability in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
Find out more about Fortis from Symphony Commerce and speak to our dedicated team when your business is ready to take its retail strategy to the next level.
