Did you know that thirty-five percent of people will choose not to do business with companies that have poorly designed websites?
If you’ve got an e-commerce business and want to increase your revenue, it’s essential to have a great website. If you don’t have one, you’re missing out on the chance to boost revenue. Unfortunately, many business owners don’t understand what’s involved in building an ecommerce website.
To help you out, we’ve created a guide. Keep reading and we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
Why You Should Build an Ecommerce Website
Once you have an ecommerce website, it will be easy to develop meaningful relationships with new clients. If you’re still in the process of starting your business, an ecommerce website will make it easier for you to reach new markets.
Your business will also attract customers who seek unique shopping opportunities that they wouldn’t have if they were shopping at your brick-and-mortar location.
If you choose to do business on an online marketplace such as Amazon or eBay, it’s difficult to showcase your brand. The majority of customers don’t actually know what companies they’re buying products from.
Those who have their own ecommerce websites are able to engage customers by offering videos, stories, and personalized services. This increases their brand recognition.
Once you’ve built your own ecommerce website, you can decide how to list and present your products. It’s also more cost-effective to have your own ecommerce website.
Steps for Building an Ecommerce Website
It’s easier than most people think to build an ecommerce website. You can even hire an ecommerce website design company to help you out. Here are the steps you need to take to build a fantastic website for your business.
Find the Right Ecommerce Platform
Your first step is to find the right platform that will meet the particular needs of your business. There are various types of ecommerce platforms. Some are more user-friendly than others.
The most challenging platforms to use are open source. These types of platforms are free to use and are highly customizable. The downside of using open source platforms is that they are not user-friendly.
If you’re looking for a user-friendly, secure, and scalable platform, you should consider using a Saas (software as service) platform.
These are designed specifically for those with ecommerce businesses, which means that they can easily handle processes such as checkout and payment processing. The downside of using a Saas is that they tend to be more expensive than other options.
Choose the Right Ecommerce Website Hosting Solution
If you want to have a website, it will be necessary to have a place to store your data. Many business owners choose cloud-based hosting solutions. The majority of SaaS commerce companies offer this type of storage.
Your Saas service will usually take care of the logistics of making updates, adding patches, and keeping your data secure. Many open-source platforms also have cloud options available. Unfortunately, it’s often the merchant’s responsibility to take care of things such as security maintenance.
If you want to have more control over your data and page loading speed, you should use on-premise hosting. The downside of this option is that you’ll need to take care of all the logistics related to finding server space, taking care of installation, and finding employees to keep your site running.
Choose the Right Domain Name
It’s essential that you choose a domain name that is easy for customers to remember and that will help them recognize your business. Make sure that your domain name is easy to spell and that it isn’t too generic. As a rule of thumb, shorter domain names are better than long ones.
Hire a Developer
No matter what stage you’re at in growing your business, a developer can make it easier for you to get your website up and running. They’ll have the skills and technical know-how to help you create a unique website that fits your brand’s voice.
You can also work with a developer that offers a website builder. This will make it easy for you to quickly make a website.
Choose the Best Template
Templates are ready-made pages that you can customize in minutes. All you need to do is add your images, videos, and text.
When choosing a template, look for a style that represents your brand’s voice. You should also try to choose one that is highly customizable. Lastly, make sure to choose a template that’s specifically created for ecommerce sites.
Add Your Products and Set Up Payment Methods
The most important pages on your website are your product pages. When they look professional, customers are more likely to make purchases.
Consider working with a copywriter to optimize your product descriptions. Add great photographs of your products that show them in the best possible light. If your product photos aren’t yet up to par, it’s a good idea to hire a product photographer.
You’ll also need to set up an ecommerce payment gateway. Two of the most popular and user-friendly options are Stripe and PayPal.
Creating an on-site payment gateway is also possible, which gives you more control. This is a better option for large companies.
Create a Great Ecommerce Website Today
If you’re wondering how to effortlessly create an ecommerce website, remember the first step is to choose the right ecommerce platform. You should then find a hosting solution, set up your domain name, and select the right website template for your business.
Do you want to create a great online presence with the best website design for your company? If so, then reach out to us today at Decisive Sites, and we will help you create the best site for your business.