If you’ve just delved into the business domain or you wish to take your physical business to the online world, you’re at the right place. Before going digital and starting your e-commerce website development, there are several things you should know. What goes behind the scenes in e-commerce website design is much different from what you see later. The process is more complicated compared to the user experience delivered from it.
Researchers suggest that eCommerce will soon surpass $2 trillion in sales leaving all physical businesses behind. Compared to a physical setup, an e-commerce website solution is both cost-friendly and user-friendly. Let’s find out what you need to know before you start your e-commerce business.
What do you need to know before starting an outstanding e-commerce business?
Here’s all you need to know while preparing for an e-commerce business:-
1. Branding it right
How you wish to represent yourself plays an important role in your business. The starting point is your business’ name. You must select a perfectly unique and attractive name that stands out. After you’ve decided on the name, you must search for the domain with the same. Oftentimes, the domain is not available to purchase as it is being used by another business. In such cases, you must research more before going to an e-commerce website design company.
Packaging also plays a huge role in your e-commerce business. Make sure that you have a creative logo, attractive delivery packaging, and more.
2. Know your competitors
Even if you have an extremely innovative idea, chances are that someone has thought about that already. In this digital-driven world, it’s best to keep a check on your competitors and keep up with them. Many successful brands decide the pricing of their products based on their top competitors. Not just the pricing, but the packaging, as well as the online presence, is analyzed.
Go through their website, and look at their user interface and the user experience they’re providing. Try to incorporate a similar experience for your target audience as well.
3. Find the perfect e-commerce platform
It is always suggested to pick one from the most popular e-commerce platforms. These are the most preferred ones since they’re very user-friendly, come with a bunch of theme options, and are seamless when it comes to payment processing. You can go through their pricing options and choose the one that fits your budget. Some of these platforms also provide email marketing features. The best platforms in the market include:-
- WooCommerce: WordPress is the most interactive and fully customizable platform that provides WooCommerce for e-commerce stores. It offers secure payments, various shipping options, and an option to add as many features as needed.
- Magento: Written in PHP, Magento is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms used by several businesses today. It is an open-source framework that offers cloud solutions to aid growth and innovation.
4. Build your content
Content is king and for all the right reasons. Websites with interactive, engaging, and quirky content have a chance of building a higher user base. From the product descriptions to the smallest taglines, content is what takes your website to the next level. If you wish to share your expertise in the domain you’re dealing with, you can also produce blogs for your audience.
The key is to ensure that your audience stays on your e-commerce website. A person who spends more than a minute on your website is more likely to convert into a sale.
5. Know how your products will reach the buyers
Shipping is the key factor that could make or break a business. Once everything mentioned above has been set up, you should handle the shipping partners. You can ask your developer to integrate shipping software to streamline the process. If you’re working with a popular platform like Shopify or WooCommerce, you will not need anything. However, when you go for another platform, you will have to get third-party shipping software. This software helps you manage the shipping, print labels, and send your customers notifications from time to time. You must also decide the cost of shipping each order. It can either be a flat rate or if you have software, it will decide the cost for each order.
6. Market it right
No business in the world can thrive without good marketing. Right from the start, you should understand the marketing basics. Each step you take, whether it is choosing graphics or designing the website, needs to fulfill your marketing goal. Identify your audience and understand what they want. Then you can move on to creating the perfect marketing strategy. Marketing may seem like a difficult task at first, but you can always get help from experts. Promoting your business is the best way to drive sales.
7. Don’t forget about SEO
Search Engine Optimisation is probably the most important task in e-commerce website development. When you’re building the website, ensure that your content has all the relevant keywords and it follows the latest SEO practices. Good SEO would mean more traffic on your website that directly comes from search engines.
Above all, know that it takes time to build an e-commerce business. Before starting any business, it’s best to take some time to understand the market. For a better and more profitable experience, it is suggested to consult an expert. If you’re looking for the best e-commerce website design company, you’re at the right place. We have been serving clients from across the globe for many years now and providing them with the best-in-the-market services.
Confused about your e-commerce business? Get in touch with our team of experts to learn more.