Managing Inventory, Pricing, and Taxes in Flowlance
Learning Objectives
- Set up pricing for your products and services on Flowlance
- Manage inventory levels and stock alerts effectively
- Apply correct tax rates to comply with regional requirements
- Create discounts and promotions to boost sales
Introduction
Managing products and services online doesn't have to be complicated. Flowlance provides straightforward tools for pricing, inventory tracking, and tax management that help you run your business smoothly. This chapter covers the essential features you need to get your products set up correctly and keep your business running efficiently.
Lessons
Setting Up Your Pricing
Getting your prices right is crucial for your business success. Flowlance makes it straightforward to set and adjust your pricing.
Step 1: Access Your Product Pricing
- Go to your dashboard and find the product or service you want to price
- Click on the pricing section for that item
- Enter your desired sale price in the price field
Step 2: Review and Adjust
- Save your changes and preview how the price displays to customers
- Use Flowlance's analytics to track how your pricing affects sales
- Adjust prices based on performance data and market conditions
This is the bit most people miss: Regular price reviews help you stay competitive. Check your analytics monthly to see which products perform best at different price points.
Managing Your Inventory
Keeping track of stock levels prevents you from overselling and disappointing customers.
Step 1: Set Up Inventory Tracking
- Navigate to the inventory management section in your dashboard
- Enable inventory tracking for products that have limited stock
- Enter your current stock levels for each product
Step 2: Configure Stock Alerts
- Set up low-stock alerts to notify you when items need reordering
- Choose your preferred alert method (email, dashboard notification, or both)
- Set the alert threshold based on your typical sales volume
Step 3: Update Stock Regularly
- Update inventory counts when new stock arrives
- Flowlance automatically reduces stock levels when sales are made
- Review stock reports weekly to identify trends
Roll your sleeves up: Set realistic alert thresholds. If you sell 10 units per week, set alerts for when you have 20 units left to give yourself time to reorder.
Applying Tax Rates
Tax compliance is essential for any business. Flowlance helps you manage different tax rates across your products and regions.
Step 1: Identify Your Tax Requirements
- Research the tax rates that apply to your products and services
- Note any regional differences if you sell to multiple locations
- Keep records of current tax rates for reference
Step 2: Configure Tax Settings
- Go to the tax settings section in your product configuration
- Enter the appropriate tax rate for each product or service
- Set up different tax rates for different regions if needed
Step 3: Keep Tax Rates Updated
- Review tax rates quarterly or when regulations change
- Update your settings promptly to maintain compliance
- Test your checkout process to ensure taxes calculate correctly
Here's the quick version: Start with your local tax rate and expand to other regions as your business grows. Don't try to set up every possible tax scenario at once.
Creating Discounts and Promotions
Strategic discounts can increase sales and attract new customers. Flowlance provides flexible discount options.
Step 1: Plan Your Discount Strategy
- Decide on the type of discount (percentage, fixed amount, or buy-one-get-one)
- Set the duration and any conditions for the discount
- Consider which products or customer groups the discount applies to
Step 2: Set Up the Discount
- Access the Discounts section from your dashboard
- Create a new discount rule with your chosen parameters
- Set start and end dates for the promotion
- Add any minimum purchase requirements if needed
Step 3: Monitor Performance
- Track how well your discount performs using Flowlance analytics
- Adjust the discount terms if needed during the promotion period
- Review results after the promotion ends to inform future campaigns
It helps to know where things usually go wrong: Test your discounts before launching them. Create a test order to make sure the discount applies correctly and the final price is what you expect.
Practice
Set up a practice product in your Flowlance account to test these features:
- Create a new product with a competitive price
- Enable inventory tracking and set a low-stock alert
- Apply the correct tax rate for your region
- Create a 10% discount promotion lasting one week
- Test the entire process by making a test purchase
This hands-on practice helps you understand each feature before applying them to your real products.
FAQs
How do I change prices for multiple products at once?
Flowlance allows bulk price updates through the product management section. Select multiple products and use the bulk edit feature to adjust prices simultaneously.
Can I set different tax rates for different product categories?
Yes, you can configure unique tax rates for each product or service. This is useful if you sell items that have different tax classifications.
What happens if I run out of stock during a promotion?
Flowlance will automatically mark items as out of stock and stop taking orders. You can choose to continue the promotion when stock returns or end it early.
How do I track which discounts are most effective?
Use Flowlance's analytics dashboard to compare sales data during different promotions. Look at total sales, conversion rates, and customer acquisition during discount periods.
Jargon Buster
Inventory Management: The system of tracking how much stock you have, when to reorder, and ensuring products are available when customers want to buy them.
Tax Rate: The percentage of tax that gets added to your product prices, which varies by location and product type.
Discount Code: A special code customers can enter at checkout to receive a reduction in price.
Stock Alert: An automatic notification that tells you when inventory levels drop below a set threshold.
Wrap-up
You now have the foundation for managing your Flowlance inventory, pricing, and taxes effectively. Start with basic setups and gradually add more complex features as your business grows. Regular monitoring and adjustments will help you maintain smooth operations and maximise your sales potential.
Ready to take your Flowlance skills further? Check out our advanced reporting features to gain deeper insights into your business performance.