An e-commerce platform is software that allows a business to sell over the internet and customers to purchase products or services online. If your business has a website, chances are it came with a package option for online sales. These options can vary widely depending on your business size and needs.
E-COMMERCE OPTIONS
There are two main types of e-commerce platforms. One is an open-source, meaning it can be customized and built to suit specific needs using free, open-source code. A few of the most popular open-source platforms are Magento, Drupal, Joomla, Woo-Commerce, and Open Cart. The second and most user-friendly option is to use downloadable plugins or apps that are ready to use. Also known as software as a service, many of these come packaged with popular web design programs like Weebly, Wix, or Squarspace. The most popular platforms usually offer both options. One can think of these options as the difference between building a house from the ground up or purchasing a move-in ready home. Budgetary constraints will determine the best solution.
Basic questions to consider are:
- Does it require developing and coding skills?
- Do you have to pay for hosting in case you use one of the paid plans?
- What is the comparative cost of upgrading to premium plans?
- Is it scalable for growth?
- Will you be using search engine optimization marketing?
- What features does it offer?
- Does it allow third-party integration, such as payment gateways, accounting applications, and social networks?
- How much time can you dedicate to administration?
- Does the platform offer direct customer support?
COST
The old saying “you get what you pay for” holds true in e-commerce as well. Many small businesses can function just fine with free options through a web design and host account like Opencart or Squareonline but many require hosting and plugin fees. Conversely, the larger the business or the more complex the needs, the higher the cost. That cost can go up from hundreds to tens of thousands annually.
BUSINESS FUNCTIONS & NEEDS
Determining a business’s e-commerce needs will depend on whether a business is just starting out, is home-based or operating a multi-location franchise with employees, or is selling products online in addition to booking service appointments. While it’s exciting to be your own boss, many small business owners never consider the administrative and accounting details their websites and sales platforms will need when it comes to quarterly tax filings, sales reports, and integrating multiple functions into one system. Do your research first to consider what local, state, and federal business requirements are needed before you purchase a solution. If your e-commerce package does not automate sales tax or shipping cost reports, you could be wasting valuable hours manually working out the details of each customer transaction one by one each quarter.
DEVELOPERS & SERVERS
Chances are, you might not have the skill set needed to personally customize your e-commerce package, so you will need to hire a developer to do these actions for you. It could be a monthly, quarterly, or annual cost of paying an administrative fee, building everything out, and keeping it up to date. In line with this, decide if you will be using a personal, private server or a shared server with your web host.
COMPATIBILITY
Research how compatible your choice is with other systems and plugins or apps. Do you need to be proficient in WordPress to use it? Is it designed to only use one management system like Joomla? Is it only suitable for small businesses, using countless ads which can annoy your clients? Does it have a poor inventory system? Think about marketing integration with search engine optimization and linking capabilities with social media and e-mail marketing as well.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Consider which methods you will use to allow your clients to pay for goods or services conveniently. Traditional credit card payments require a merchant processing account and monthly fees. Consider whether you will allow COD, ACH Banking, PayPal, and Venmo or other app-based payment services such as Amazon Pay, Google, or Apple Pay. Verify that your e-commerce platform will support and run all the various payment processing options and include those annual fees in your budget.
SCALABILLITY & GROWTH
Consider how much growth you anticipate for your business in the coming years. Make sure the platform you chose is scalable to handle small business needs now and larger multi-functional needs later.
CUSTOMIZING DESIGN & FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS
As your business grows and trends change, be sure you have the ability to change layouts and designs or update templates without losing all your data. If you are selling products on your storefront, you should be able to offer various options such as color, size, type, or bundles of the same stock-keeping unit. Another idea is to see if you can customize treatments with drop down menu options.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT, SHIPPING, & RETURNS
Consider how you will be operating and processing orders. Ensure the software solution will support client returns and update shipping prices, including domestic and international selections. If selling overseas, see if it supports different currency and exchange rates.
PRIVACY & SECURITY
Your customers are trusting you with very valuable banking and credit information. Is the system you chose a secure system that protects the website as well as client information?
MOBILE FRIENDLY
Most platforms are now cross-functionally coded for mobile, tablets, and desktops. Make certain this is true before you commit to a product. You don’t want to find out after the fact that your clients can only use your storefront legibly from a home computer.
SWITCHING TO ANOTHER PLATFORM
After years of growth, you may find your current e-commerce system just isn’t performing the way you need it to, and you may want to switch to a more robust option. Confirm that your current platform allows you to transfer data and style files without having to recreate it or determine if you need to hire a third-party vendor and change your whole operational model.
Once you have considered the above scenarios and questions, you can be well on your way to establish an online storefront and e-commerce solution that grows with you and suits all your business needs effortlessly.
This article was published online at : https://www.dermascope.com/business/14028-online-shopping-choosing-the-right-e-commerce-solution
Rachelle Dupree has over 20 years of experience in marketing, media, and communications. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication arts and marketing and a second degree in graphic design. She studied with a Denver-based herbalist and naturopath for four years, combining her marketing knowledge with her love of natural remedies. She currently contracts as a marketing and communications director for Vivoderm Natural Skincare and various design clients.
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