With the right eCommerce platform, youll have the option to get your store fully operational quickly without paying expensive licensing fees or having to hire an expensive team of developers.
What Makes an eCommerce Platform Suitable for Developers and Small Businesses?
When youre ready to get your business on the Internet, several platform options exist. However, every small business needs certain essential features for its online store to convert well.
It included any business that was looking for an affordable eCommerce platform. It needed to be fast, attractive, easy to use, and feature-rich.
1. The potential customer needs a website easily accessible on any device, anywhere. It always has to look crisp and professional, regardless of screen size or display resolution. The e-commerce site should be able to link with the brands offline store, so there are no data entry errors.
Anyone can build their dream e-commerce site without hiring a professional designer. With adaptive themes that work on any device and plenty of options, you can make it your own with a suitable theme.
2. The platform you use must offer an array of services because a single feature wont do. A robust e-commerce platform should be able to sell digital and physical goods, integrate with multiple payment processors, and help you figure out how to handle sales tax after a sale.
The first step towards becoming a successful entrepreneur is finding the right platform for your business.
A multi-channel commerce platform is a powerhouse that can sell physical and digital goods on any sales channel, from e-commerce to social media. It integrates with multiple payment gateways and tax solutions, allowing sales to different countries and regions across the globe.
3. If you manage your business using multiple software suites, you need to be able to aggregate all of this data in one place. A good solution offers a marketplace for finding and purchasing apps related to your industry to have a one-stop shop for your HR, e-commerce, and other business needs.
Any business platform worth its salt has to have a robust plugin and extension marketplace so that users can find the right system for the job. If youre building something bespoke, youll want to remember that important APIs, connections, and integrations are crucial to the long-term success of your business.
Your ecommerce site must be an excellent place to shop because your customers will judge your brand by it.
4. Pricing an Ecommerce business can seem complicated, but its relatively simple. Only two costs contribute to running an online shop: transaction fees and Ecommerce software fees. Transaction fees are incurred per transaction basis, while software charges are a flat monthly fee. Transaction fees vary by the category of your business and the size of your inventory. Still, they can be as low as 2% or as high as 5%.
Best eCommerce Platform for Getting up and Running Quickly - Shopify
Shopify is an e-commerce platform that allows you to create your online store with just a few clicks. Shopify has numerous features to help small businesses create an online presence, including advanced customization options, apps, and inventory management.
We chose Shopify for its ease of use and range of features. Customers can check out with confidence knowing their e-commerce site has the highest level of security available today.
Shopifys 15 years of experience in e-commerce development shows its platforms ease of use, with most sites built within half an hour. With over a million stores created using the platform, Shopify offers solutions to any business, whether B2B or B2C.
Shopify has stood the test of time, with over a million e-commerce stores built on its platform. While it may be one of the most popular platforms in the world, the kicker is that its still simple enough for small businesses to pick up and use instantly. Its super easy to get started on Shopify with no technical skills necessary.
The Shopify web app has an intuitive design that lets you start selling online quickly! Navigate between your storefront, inventory, and blog with ease. The app lets you update product prices instantly, create bundles, and schedule promotions for optimal scheduling.
Shopifys design is simple enough for the most tech-dumb user to understand. The app provides step-by-step directions for adding products, editing their names, taking photos, and setting prices. Even if youve never added a product to your site or used an eCommerce platform before, Shopify will guide you to the correct conclusions.
Shopify is a platform that offers several useful features designed to help you improve your business. The platform offers key features including a sophisticated inventory management system, client-payment processing, drag-and-drop layout tools, and automatic analytics, which you can integrate with other applications. In addition to these core features, Shopify provides a marketplace for hundreds of apps designed to make your work easier.
Find a solution to almost any problem, no matter how specific, with a Shopify app from the apps.shopify.com app store. Shopifys app ecosystem is second-to-none - there are over 5,000 apps ranging from valuable features like inventory management and social media control modules to flashy bells and whistles like personal shopping assistants and advanced mobile payment solutions.
Best eCommerce Platform for Adding a Shopping Cart to An existing WordPress Site - WooCommerce (Web, iOS, Android)
Suppose the website youre working on is integral to your companys online presence. In that case, theres no reason to start from scratch to implement a secure Ecommerce solution. Integrating a payment gateway into an existing online store is quick and easy and typically takes little more than a few hours. This is an excellent option for businesses with an inventory management solution, as the two can be seamlessly integrated.
If you already have a website, you can still enhance your existing web presence by integrating it with your e-commerce site. Online businesses that have previously established their brand on the Internet are prime candidates for this solution. By adding e-commerce to an existing website, businesses can collect more information about their customers while offering more payment options to help make buyers feel more comfortable.
When you sign up for WooCommerce, WordPress will ask if you want to install it. For the best experience, we highly recommend saying yes. Just follow the steps in your WordPress development services to get started. Once youre ready to get down to business, Ive got some helpful tips! Signing up for WordPress is easy, but setting up your site to have the best possible user experience requires certain web development skills. Luckily, installing WooCommerce on an existing site is relatively simple. To get started, you should sign up for a free WooCommerce account on the official website and install the plugin.
WordPress and WooCommerce are a perfect match. WordPresss popularity is directly related to its flexibility with WooCommerce, you can set up an e-commerce site within the same interface that youre already familiar with. Managing inventory and creating new products or categories can be done by making regular posts. When you want to check the performance of your online store, you can view all your stats and reports in one place on your WordPress dashboard.
Read More: Things to consider before choosing an E-commerce Platform
Best eCommerce Platform for Simultaneously Creating a Store and Business Website - Wix (Web, iOS, Android)
Most eCommerce platforms can add an About page, Contact page, or blog to your site. But if you want to build an entire website with an online store at the center of it but only part of the package, Wixs website builder is for you.
Many online store tools are available, but the best e-commerce platforms are all about more than just order processing. With these platforms, you can create an online store backed by powerful Ecommerce software. These software packages are packed with key features that let you turn your website into a full-fledged platform for running your online business.
Building your website has never been easier than with Wix, which people of any skill level can use. Whether youre an entrepreneur, travel blogger, or e-commerce store owner, you can get your business online in minutes with Wix. The platform allows its users to create professional Ecommerce websites without requiring prior coding or design knowledge.
New website builders can help users create a functional and professional-looking website in minutes. They also provide a plethora of third-party apps that add even more functionality to your site with just one click.
Wix provides a "Design Wizard" that lets you test and review multiple designs for your website and then build it according to your preferences. This way of making a website with customer needs and preferences in mind is one of the core strengths of this platform.
While Wixs approach to building websites may only be for some, the platforms greatest strength lies in tailoring websites for clients needs.
A Wix website builder account combines everything you need to build a tailor-made online shop, marketplace, or community. You start with full access to more than 500 stunning templates designed by skilled professionals with business owners in mind. If you need help figuring out where to start, answer some questions about your business and dreams. Let Wixs Artificial Design Intelligence or ADI do the rest.
To build a business, you must take your time. You need to ensure your e-commerce store is safe and secure, that transactions are handled quickly and effectively, and that you have a support system to help you troubleshoot any problems. Wix has everything you need to get started on the right foot. Wixs website builder enables you to create an ecommerce store that meets your needs.
With so many steps to take and ways to succeed, your small business can get overwhelmed. It needs to know the next steps and be prepared for them. Wix takes care of that by guiding you through setting up a professional email address, building an email list, paying for advertisements on Google and Facebook, setting up a payment gateway, and more all listed in their onboarding checklist.
Theres a reason that Wix is perhaps the most well-known site builder around. With its easy-to-use interface and beautiful design, you can create a professional website without any coding knowledge.
Hiring PHP Developers
Are you looking for a way to develop your site while also using one of the easiest programming languages? If thats the case, the PHP programming language might be just what you need. Currently, around 78.9% of all websites use PHP instead of other alternative options.
What are the Reasons for Hiring PHP Developers?
When you are planning to hire PHP developers, make sure the developers you hire must be able to make your vision an interactive reality. They need to understand your brand, know what you do, and be familiar with the unique functionality that makes your e-commerce website special. Wise developers use their knowledge to build an e-commerce site that allows customers to experience your products in the best possible medium - whether theyre shopping at home or on the go.
A good developer knows how to keep technology simple. Theyre familiar with best practices and comfortable working with different programming languages, code frameworks, and databases. A great developer also understands that you dont need intricate technology to power a software application.
Good developers understand that the best way to build an application is to identify what your users need and then design something that gives it to them in the easiest possible way.
Outsourcing may seem expensive, but it saves you more than you can imagine. Not only does hiring a dedicated PHP developer help you in building a solid brand name, but it also gives you the benefit of time and money. To produce the same product, in-house developers require extensive training and vetting at the beginning of their careers. This costs companies valuable money, time, and effort.
The average PHP developer costs less than $50 per hour. Since these developers are only on the job when the employer needs them, theres no need for salaries, sick days, health insurance, or other expenses that add up over a year. Smaller businesses that cant afford a full-time developer can therefore benefit from hiring freelancers whenever they need to do custom programming work and save money.
Your businesss website is the first point of contact between it and its customers. Because of this, having a web developer who can meet deadlines is essential. Timely submission means you get the best possible product without wasting time. Your customers get an exceptionally well-made site to work with. This will increase your companys sales, which will benefit you financially.
PHP developers are a highly sought-after skill with several advantages, from good pay to rapid career growth. In fact, by hiring one, you could save money by not needing outside services to code your digital products.
When choosing a new PHP developer, the choices are limitless. But dont let this seemingly endless selection get in your way. Its important to consider whats most important to you when looking for a talented PHP developer who can meet your needs.
E-commerce Application Development
While desktop spending keeps showing consistent development year by year, the mobile mediums share of online retail sales has seen a soaring yearly increment of 33.8% since 2016. The reason for that is the frictionless process that customers experience.
Access to a business and its products through the medium carried in your back pocket is enough reason to choose it over any other market. Any retailer delaying ecommerce application development might look obsolete if not flawed. One might choose it because of its proximity to ones right pocket. One might choose it because it would be possible to buy its products through ones smartphone.
It takes quite a long time to develop an e-commerce application. The process is even more complicated when there are no precise technical requirements. But in any case, the development process should start with receiving user requirements. A certain kind of experience and qualification are required to create a consistent technical condition.
Final Words
Choosing an eCommerce platform can be rewarding to go with free, open-source stages; however, at that point, everything is dependent upon you. If you dont have any programming experience, its ideal to go with CMS platforms. A good solution is to go with third-party eCommerce development platforms. This way, you wont have to worry about building your store from the ground up while still getting to customize your story.
