SixBit Software

What is SixBit Software

SixBit Software is a comprehensive desktop-based eCommerce management tool designed for online sellers. Its core purpose is to provide a single platform to manage listings, inventory, and orders across various online marketplaces, with a strong focus on eBay. The company has a long history in the eCommerce space, having been founded in 1997 and being involved in the development of the first listing tool for eBay. This extensive experience is reflected in the software's robust feature set, which caters to both new and experienced sellers. SixBit Software operates from Sayre, Pennsylvania, and aims to help entrepreneurs grow their online businesses by providing a flexible, powerful, and efficient management solution that runs directly on their computer.

SixBit Software Features

SixBit Software offers a wide range of features to cover all aspects of an online selling business:

• Listing Management: Create and manage product listings efficiently. Use presets, templates, and wrappers to speed up the data entry process and submit listings to multiple sites.
• Inventory Management: Keep accurate track of your stock levels, purchase history, storage locations, and costs. This helps prevent overselling and provides a clear view of your inventory.
• Order Management: Process all your orders from a central location. You can manage packaging, shipping, and tracking for all marketplaces in a unified workflow.
• Consignment Support: Manage consignment sales by designing custom plans, communicating with consignors, and generating detailed payout reports.
• Drop Shipping Capabilities: Update inventory from your drop shipping suppliers and automatically send them order notifications as sales are made.
• Reporting and Analytics: Access detailed reports to understand what is selling, track profits, and make informed business decisions.
• Fitments Management: For sellers in the automotive parts industry, the software supports eBay fitment and compatibilities, including UK MVL and MML.
• Promotions Management: Create, schedule, and manage promotional campaigns for your eBay listings directly from within the SixBit application.
• Purchase Orders: Integrate your supply chain by creating and managing purchase orders, turning SixBit into a complete inventory management system.
• Custom Labels & Packing Slips: Print customized packing lists and shelf labels with barcodes to streamline your picking and packing process.
• Desktop Application: As a desktop-based tool, it allows you to work offline without being affected by internet speed. You can also store your data locally for as long as you need.

SixBit Software Pricing Plans

SixBit Software offers a subscription-based model with several tiers designed to scale with your business. The plans are structured to allow sellers to pay only for the features they currently need.

• Home & Hobby Plan: This entry-level plan is ideal for individuals or small sellers just starting out, offering essential listing and inventory management features.
• Small Business Plan: Aimed at growing businesses, this plan includes more advanced features like consignment and drop shipping support, along with higher limits on listings and orders.
• Professional Plan: Designed for established sellers, this tier provides access to the full suite of features, including purchase order management and advanced reporting.
• Enterprise Plan: This is the most comprehensive plan, offering multi-user support with permissions, API access, and dedicated support for large-scale operations.

SixBit Software Free Plan

SixBit Software does not offer a permanent free plan. However, they provide a 30-day free trial that gives new users full access to the software's features. This trial period allows sellers to thoroughly test the platform and determine if it fits their business workflow before committing to a paid subscription.

How to use SixBit Software

Getting started with SixBit Software involves a few key steps:

1. Download and Install: First, download the software from the SixBit website and install it on your Windows computer.
2. Initial Setup: Launch the application and follow the setup wizard to create your database and configure basic settings.
3. Connect Accounts: Link your eCommerce marketplace accounts, such as your eBay User ID, to allow the software to sync your data.
4. Import Data: Import your existing items, listings, and orders from your connected marketplaces to populate the SixBit database.
5. Create Templates: Set up item templates, listing presets, and description wrappers. This will save you significant time when creating new listings.
6. List Products: Begin creating new listings using the templates. You can add details, images, and pricing, then submit them directly to the marketplace.
7. Manage Orders: As sales come in, they will appear in the 'Ship Orders' view. From here, you can print packing slips, purchase shipping labels, and update tracking information.
8. Track Inventory: The software will automatically update inventory levels as items are sold. You can also manually adjust stock and manage purchase orders.

Pros and Cons of SixBit Software

Pros:

• Comprehensive Feature Set: Covers nearly every aspect of eCommerce management, from listing to shipping and reporting.
• Desktop-Based: Runs fast and allows you to work offline. Your data is stored locally, giving you full control.
• Highly Customizable: The interface and workflows can be adjusted to fit your specific business needs.
• Long-Standing Reputation: The company has over 20 years of experience in the eCommerce software industry.
• Scalable Plans: Pricing tiers allow your subscription to grow with your business.

Cons:

• Windows Only: The software is not available for Mac or Linux operating systems.
• Learning Curve: The extensive number of features can be overwhelming for new users.
• Not Cloud-Based: Being a desktop application means you cannot access your data from different devices or locations without a remote setup.
• Dated Interface: Some users may find the user interface to be less modern compared to newer, web-based applications.

SixBit Software Integrations

SixBit Software is primarily built for deep integration with eBay. It also supports connections with other systems through various methods:

• Marketplace Integration: Direct integration with eBay for listing, order, and inventory synchronization.
• File-Based Integration: You can import and export data using standard formats like CSV, Excel, and XML. This allows you to exchange information with other software systems that are not directly integrated.
• API Access: For advanced users and businesses with custom needs, SixBit provides an API for building direct integrations with other applications.

SixBit Software Alternatives

1. InkFrog: A popular cloud-based alternative focused heavily on eBay. It is known for its powerful listing template designer and ease of use, making it a strong competitor for eBay-centric sellers.
2. Sellbrite: A multi-channel management tool that connects with major marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, Etsy, and Walmart. It is web-based and offers a more modern interface, but may not have the same depth of features for a single channel as SixBit does for eBay.
3. ChannelAdvisor: An enterprise-level solution for large retailers selling across dozens of channels. It is significantly more powerful and expensive, targeting a different segment of the market than SixBit.
4. SellerActive: Another multi-channel management platform that focuses on inventory synchronization and repricing strategies across various marketplaces. It is a good alternative for sellers who prioritize price competitiveness.

SixBit Software API

Yes, SixBit Software provides an API (Application Programming Interface) that allows developers to create custom integrations and automate workflows. The API enables you to programmatically interact with your SixBit data, such as adding items, updating inventory, or retrieving order information.

To get access to the API and obtain an API key, you typically need to be on one of their higher-tier plans. You should contact SixBit Software support or consult their developer documentation for specific instructions on enabling API access for your account.

An example of a conceptual API call might look like this (syntax will vary based on the actual API structure):

{
  "apiKey": "YOUR_API_KEY",
  "action": "AddItem",
  "item": {
    "sku": "SB-12345",
    "title": "New Product Title",
    "quantity": 100,
    "price": 19.99
  }
}

SixBit Software Affiliate Program

There is no publicly advertised affiliate or referral program on the SixBit Software website. Companies like this often handle partnerships on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in becoming a partner or promoting their software, it is best to contact their support or sales team directly through their website to inquire about any potential partnership or influencer opportunities they may offer.