The Modern Struggle of SMBs in Global Trade

In today's hyper-connected and fast-paced global economy, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are standing at a crucial crossroads. On one hand, globalization opens doors for SMBs to access new markets, suppliers, and customers across borders. On the other hand, the growing complexity of international trade, price volatility, inflation risks, and shifting government policies have made it increasingly difficult for SMBs to stay profitable and competitive.

Unlike large corporations with dedicated legal, logistics, and compliance teams, SMBs often operate with limited resources and bandwidth. They face some of the toughest challenges — from rising import costs due to tariffs, unpredictable supply chain disruptions, to being forced to pay hefty commissions on big marketplaces like Amazon, Uber Eats, or DoorDash. This makes surviving — let alone thriving — in global trade a daunting task for smaller businesses.

The Tariff Problem for SMBs: A Growing Concern

Tariffs are no longer just a government policy footnote — they are a real and pressing issue for SMBs worldwide. Trade wars, especially between economic superpowers like the U.S. and China, have led to unpredictable tariff implementations across various product categories. SMBs often find themselves caught off guard, struggling to absorb higher import costs while maintaining competitive pricing for their customers.

In his famous 2003 article "America’s Growing Trade Deficit Is Selling the Nation Out From Under Us", Warren Buffett brilliantly explained the danger of unchecked trade deficits. Using the analogy of a wealthy family selling off assets to maintain consumption, Buffett warned that persistent trade imbalances can lead to foreign ownership of domestic industries. While Buffett didn’t directly support traditional tariffs, he proposed a market-driven import certificate system to protect domestic producers and restore economic balance — essentially a smarter way of applying tariffs.

This idea remains highly relevant today — especially for SMBs who are directly impacted by rising import costs without the cushion of billion-dollar revenues.

Esplanda.com: Empowering SMBs to Compete in a Global Marketplace

This is where Esplanda.com steps in — a revolutionary platform designed specifically for SMBs, with the mission of enabling them to compete on equal footing against multinational giants. Esplanda provides powerful tools, automation, and cost-saving features that help SMBs sell online directly to customers while navigating the complexities of global trade.

Below are the standout features of Esplanda.com and how they benefit SMB owners:

Esplanda Dashboard Features – Everything You Need to Run & Grow Your Store Effortlessly

Managing an online or physical store isn’t just about selling products — it’s about delivering a seamless experience, managing operations efficiently, and staying on top of your sales performance.

This is where the Esplanda Dashboard shines.

It offers a powerful, all-in-one platform that simplifies store management, marketing, billing, and reporting — all from a single dashboard.

Let’s take a deep dive into all the features of the Esplanda Dashboard — and how they can help store owners streamline operations, save time, and boost sales.

1. Dashboard Overview – Real-Time Business Insights at Your Fingertips

What it does:

The Dashboard is your command center. It gives you a complete snapshot of your store’s performance in real-time.

Key Metrics Displayed:

Total Revenue — Instantly track your earnings.
Sales Comparison — Compare current vs previous performance.
Category-Wise Sales — Know how Beer, Wine, or other categories are performing.
Order Summary — Breakdown of Pickup, Shipping, Delivery orders, and Tips collected.

Benefits:

Quickly identify sales trends.
Spot underperforming categories.
Stay updated on daily revenue without manual tracking.
Make faster business decisions based on real-time data.

2. Menu Management – Total Control Over Your Product Offerings

What it does:

This feature allows store owners to easily manage their digital storefront.

Key Functionalities:

Add/Edit/Delete Products.
Create Product Categories (e.g., Beer, Wine, Spirits, Snacks).
Set Custom Pricing for products.
Update Product Descriptions & Images.
Control Inventory Visibility.

Benefits:

Keep your product listings fresh and accurate.
Easily introduce new product lines.
Quickly adjust pricing during promotions or market changes.
Ensure customers always see up-to-date information.

3. Order Management – Handle Orders Seamlessly Across Channels

What it does:

Manage all incoming orders from multiple sales channels in one place.

Types of Orders Managed:

Pickup Orders — Customers can order online and pick up from the store.
Shipping Orders — Track products shipped to customers.
Delivery Orders — Manage local deliveries.

Benefits:

Real-time order tracking minimizes mistakes.
Faster processing means happier customers.
Easily monitor the status of every order (Pending, In Progress, Completed).
Reduce customer support requests by having order visibility.

4. Marketing Tools – Grow Your Store with Built-In Promotion Features

What it does:

Esplanda equips store owners with marketing tools to promote their business without needing third-party apps.

Tools Included:

Promotional Posts — Announce deals, discounts, and offers.
Campaign Planner — Schedule marketing campaigns in advance.
Product Listing Management — Optimize product visibility.

Benefits:

Attract new customers with special offers.
Engage existing customers with promotions.
Plan holiday or seasonal campaigns in advance.
Boost product discovery within the platform.

5. Sales Summary & Reports – Data-Driven Decision Making

What it does:

Get detailed reports and visual graphs to analyze your sales performance.

Reporting Features:

Current Sales Trends — Daily, Weekly, Monthly tracking.
Sales Comparison — Compare with previous periods.
Top-Selling Products — Identify what’s working.
Sales by Category — Understand customer preferences.

Benefits:

Make smarter stocking decisions.
Identify your best-performing products.
Spot sales patterns to improve business strategy.
Back every decision with real data.

6. Store Settings & Customization – Tailor Everything to Your Business Needs

What it does:

Control every setting of your store to match your preferences.

Customization Options:

Payment Settings — Configure preferred payment methods.
Store Appearance — Customize themes, layout, and visuals.
Order Settings — Control minimum order amounts, delivery preferences, tax settings.
Multi-Store Management — Manage multiple locations from one dashboard.