The combination of the rise of the Internet and the growth of eCommerce has created an explosion of online shopping. In just a few short years, eCommerce has become one of the most popular types of digital marketing. This has created a massive opportunity for small and large-scale businesses alike.
After all, not only can online shopping give customers access to a vast array of products at competitive prices, but it can also help businesses expand their customer base and drive foot traffic to their stores.
However, while the potential for eCommerce is enormous, so is the opportunity for those who are not well-versed in the ins and outs of developing an eCommerce website.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most important factors to consider when designing and launching your own eCommerce site.
Purchase A Domain Name
Before you begin to think about the technical requirements and features of your eCommerce website, you should first think about the name. Why not go with a name that is descriptive and easy to remember?
This will make your customers’ lives a lot easier since they will be able to find you much quicker when looking for retailers that sell similar products.
Invest In The Right eCommerce Platform
One of the most important things you can do for your eCommerce site is to decide which eCommerce platform you’ll use. There are a variety of different platforms to choose from, and the most common among new eCommerce businesses is WordPress.
However, if you’re primarily looking to sell digital products, you may want to choose a platform that has a bit more bells and whistles like Shopify, BigCommerce, or Wix.
Unfortunately, there is no “best” eCommerce platform. Each platform works best with certain types of software whereas others may not be ideal for all types of businesses.
So, before you sit down and start designing your website, it’s a good idea to do some research and find out which platform would be best for your product and your business.
Branding, Branding, Branding
The branding for your eCommerce site is just as crucial as the technical requirements for your site. You may have already realized this, but you should probably re-brand your site once you’ve launched.
The most important thing you can do as a business owner is to ensure that your site is consistent with your brand. This will help your customers find you much faster when they are looking for retailers that sell similar products.
Create A Content Marketing Strategy
Although eCommerce sites can be used to sell a variety of products, the majority of them are built around content. You may have already realized this, but you’re likely guilty of not putting enough focus on your site’s content.
Your site’s content is what gives your eCommerce site its personality, and it is what will likely draw customers to your store in the first place.
By creating engaging and useful content, you can not only increase the likelihood of customers buying from you, but you can also build a following of loyal customers that will likely stick with you for a long time.
You can take a look at some of the most popular topics on your site and see what type of content you have available to share. If you’re not sure where to begin, try starting with the easiest topics first.
Follow SEO Practices
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a vital part of any online strategy. Although it is true that most eCommerce websites won’t need to worry about getting into the top-ranking positions for search engine results, it is still important to follow SEO best practices for your site.
SEO is about more than just getting onto the first page of Google or the first page of Bing; it is also about getting your content as search engine accessible as possible.
You can take a look at your site’s HTML and see what header and meta tags are available. Are there any opportunities to include your site’s location in the top-level header?
Are there any opportunities to include your site’s language in the meta-descriptions field? You can also take a look at the way your site loads. Are there any opportunities to load your content quickly?
If not, your visitors will have a much harder time connecting with your brand and will likely forget about your eCommerce site once they are done browsing.
Invest In Fraud Protection Software
Although it is important to follow SEO best practices for your eCommerce website, it is even more critical to follow them when dealing with fraud.
Fraud is a very real threat to the security of your eCommerce site. Even the smallest slip-up can lead to a site being shut down or penalized by Google.
Fraud detection software is able to look for small clues such as broken links in the database that can indicate fraud. Once detected, the software can help your business to shut down early and save itself from potential legal problems.
Invest In Reliable Shipping Software
One of the easiest ways to increase your sales is by using shipping software. This can help you lower your costs and increase your profits. The shipping software you choose will determine the ease with which you can bring products to your customers.
There are many different types of shipping software, and the best for your eCommerce website will depend on how you plan on handling international orders.
Use A Customer Support & Live Chat Tool
Having a live chat feature on your eCommerce site is a great way for you to respond to any questions or concerns of your customers. It can also be a great way to troubleshoot problems your customers might be having.
You can in some cases set up a bot that will reply to customer support questions and concerns using a live chat feature on the website. This way, you both get to benefit from the expert advice and the feedback from your customers at the same time.
Nowadays, it is very easy for consumers to shop online. They can go to any website and search for the products they want, and then they can go to their local store to shop around.
The rise of eCommerce has created a huge opportunity for both businesses and individuals. With the right strategy and planning, any small business can start selling online. All they need is a website and eCommerce software.
