Cash flow issues are common for online vendors. Whether sales are down, there are supply challenges, or you want to expand, having enough money is vital. Intuit’s international analysis indicates that 61% of small businesses meet cash flow problems, and 42% had issues last year. As an online business landlord, managing the cash flow is essential for development.
This guide will assist you improve cash flow problems and keep your business operating.
Table of Contents
Understanding Cash Flow Management
Cash flow is vital for eCommerce, but 82% of businesses fail due to cash flow problems. Income flow management is tracking money in and out of your business.
Positive cash flow is when payment > costs; negative cash flow is when costs > payment. Free cash flow is the cash left behind expenditures. Profit is what’s left after costs. Negative cash flow happens when expenses exceed earnings. This happens due to high costs, excess inventory, or delayed client payment. Negative cash flow makes paying bills difficult. A beneficial cash flow indicates making more than you spend, making it manageable to pay bills. It’s a fine idea to keep 3-6 months’ value of expenditures in savings for troubles.
According to Forbes, Weak cash flow causes business failure, but planning can stop it. Budgeting, forecasting, and adjusting payment terms keep cash flow positive. It’s also wise to arrange for credit or loans before you need them, giving you time to secure better terms. Track finances with accounting tools or spreadsheets to track cash flow.
Ways to Compute Cash Flow
- Direct Cash Flow Method: Tracks actual cash in and out, like sales and payments. Formula: Starting cash + Received cash – Cash paid out = Current cash balance.
- Indirect Cash Flow Method: Works with accrual accounting, recording revenue when earned, not received. Start with net income and adjust for changes in assets and liabilities.
Types of Cash Flow
- Operating Cash Flow: Money from selling products and paying employees.
- Investing Cash Flow: Money spent on or earned from big purchases like equipment.
- Financing Cash Flow: Money from loans or paying off debt.
Solving Cash Flow Problems For Online Sellers
For online sellers, cash flow problems are common. Whether it’s low sales, supply issues, or growth, having enough cash is vital. QuickBooks reports that 61% of businesses face cash flow issues, and 42% experienced financial issues last year.
Despite these issues, eCommerce is a growing option. E-commerce will grow by eleven trillion dollars by 2025, making now a great time for online sales. Without cash, you can’t buy stock, pay workers, or seize opportunities. Once you have a constant cash flow, your business can succeed.
One problem is waiting for payments after sales. Sales on platforms like Amazon or Shopee can take weeks to pay, despite quick sales and shipments. This delay forces upfront payments, causing cash flow issues.
Another issue is buying new inventory before receiving payment for the last one. For example, If you sell out of a popular product before your payment arrives, you may lack cash to restock. This can lead to lost sales.
To solve cash flow problems, online sellers can do a few things. Analyzing sales channels improves inventory management, while budgeting tracks expenses. Planning for future cash flow can also reduce worry.
If you need extra cash, options like Payoneer’s Capital Advance can help. This service offers up to $750K in capital to help sellers grow and invest. Before using financing, understand the terms and ensure it’s the correct option. Capital Advance offers easy repayment terms, helping sellers grow without traditional loans.
Best Practices for E-commerce Cash Flow
- Use past profit and loss statements to estimate growth.
- Factor in things like taxes and depreciation that don’t affect cash directly.
- Track your store’s liquidity by measuring assets minus liabilities.
- Plan for taxes and any loan interest you expect.
- Estimate income from asset sales and costs for new purchases.
- If you need more cash, consider using savings or loans.
Ways to Improve Your Net Worth
- Seek ways to make additional money, such as beginning a side job or funding.
- Concentrate on paying down high-rate debt to save money and free up cash.
- Save and fund in inventories, property, or retirement objectives.
- Buy things that increase in value over time, like property or stocks.
- Know personal finance and investing to make smart money choices.
Way to Forecast Cash Flow
Forecasting helps you spot cash flow problems early. Use software to track your sales and expenses. It integrates with Xero and Float to help with forecasting.
- Pick a time frame to forecast (6 months, 1 year, etc.).
- Estimate your sales and expenses each month.
- Check past data for trends.
- Factor in new products or services.
- Consider different scenarios: best, worst, and most likely.
How to Increase Cash Flow
- Build a Cash Reserve: Save some profits for unexpected costs.
- Cut Expenses: Look for ways to reduce unnecessary costs.
- Diversify Products: Add new products or services to increase sales.
- Negotiate Payment Terms: Ask suppliers for extended payment periods.
- Collect Payments Sooner: Speed up the payment process with your sales channels.
- Promotions & Discounts: Use sales offers to boost revenue.
- Increase Order Value: Bundle products to encourage customers to spend more.
7 Things That Affect Cash Flow
- Higher sales mean better cash flow, but slower periods can cause problems.
- Lowering your product costs can improve cash flow.
- Managing expenses like shipping, salaries, and marketing is key.
- Sales can be higher in peak seasons and lower in off-seasons.
- Getting faster payments from customers helps cash flow.
- Managing returns well can keep cash flow stable.
- Changes in the market can affect how much people spend.
Conclusion
Operating cash flow doesn’t have to be difficult. Using tools to track and predict cash flow can make the process manageable and assist your business stay on track. Weak cash flow is a major reason retail businesses collapse. EA can aid by delivering cash flow planning services. With remote accountants, EA allows businesses to cut costs and enrich cash flow. It’s an effortless and practical way to boost your business.