/CHECKLIST · ECOMMERCE
E-COMMERCE AUTOMATION CHECKLIST
Workflows that compound margin for DTC brands and retailers. Each item ranked by typical weekly time savings.
8 OPPORTUNITIES · USE WHATEVER FITS
Inventory sync across channels
8–14 hrsShopify + Amazon + Etsy + warehouse → single source of truth with real-time updates.
ROI: Eliminates overselling + reconciliation labor
Customer support deflection
10–20 hrsAI chatbot grounded in order data + return policy + FAQ. Auto-handle 60-70% of tickets.
ROI: Support team handles 2-3x volume at same headcount
Abandoned cart + browse recovery
2–4 hrsMulti-step email + SMS sequence with personalized product surfacing.
ROI: Recovers 8-15% of abandoned revenue typical
Return + refund workflow
5–10 hrsCustomer-initiated returns with photo upload, auto-RMA, auto-restock, automated refund.
ROI: Return processing time drops from days to minutes
Reorder + replenishment alerts
3–6 hrsInventory dropping below threshold → supplier email + PO draft + receiving workflow.
ROI: Stockouts drop; supplier relationships improve
Product description + SEO automation
4–8 hrsAI-drafted product descriptions in brand voice. SEO meta titles + descriptions generated.
ROI: Catalog content speed 5-10x. Each SKU gets proper SEO.
Wholesale order workflow
6–12 hrsB2B portal with custom pricing tiers, credit limits, invoice billing, MOQ logic.
ROI: Wholesale orders go from email back-and-forth to self-service
Subscription billing + dunning
4–8 hrsRecurring charge with retry logic, payment method updates, churn save sequences.
ROI: Failed payments recovered automatically; subscription churn drops
/HOW TO USE THIS
Mark the items you're currently doing manually. Sum the weekly hours. That's the actual cost of running your business the way you're running it.
Now rank: which one would relieve the most pain if it disappeared tomorrow? Start with that one. Either build it yourself, use a SaaS, or scope it with us — whichever path the math supports.
/OTHER INDUSTRY CHECKLISTS
WANT THE ROADMAP?
30-minute free audit. We pick the top 3 from this checklist for your specific business, anchor the cost on each, and give you a 1-page written roadmap within 48 hours.