Online shopping won’t be getting smaller, in fact there’s more immersive retail and eCommerce options that are coming down the line! Therefore, it is very important for businesses to have a strong online presence and one which invests in the changing behaviours of its customers. One of the most important aspects of creating an online store is choosing the right eCommerce platform. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which platform will work best for your business. In this article, we will go through the different factors to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform.
Understanding Your Business Needs
Before you start looking at different eCommerce platforms, it is important to understand your business needs. This will help you identify which features and functionalities you require from an eCommerce platform. Some key questions to consider include:
- What type of products do you sell?
- What is the size of your product catalogue?
- What is your budget for an eCommerce platform?
- Do you require any specific integrations with other tools or systems?
Once you have a clear understanding of your business needs, you can start evaluating different eCommerce platforms.
Types of eCommerce Platforms
There are three main types of eCommerce platforms: hosted, self-hosted, and fully hosted. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Hosted eCommerce Platforms
Hosted eCommerce platforms are hosted by the platform provider, which means that you do not need to worry about managing the technical aspects of running an online store. Some popular hosted eCommerce platforms include Shopify, BigCommerce, and Squarespace.
Advantages:
- Easy to set up and use
- No technical skills required
- Built-in features and functionalities
- Affordable pricing plans
Disadvantages:
- Limited Customisation options
- Transaction fees for using third-party payment gateways
- Limited control over the platform
Self-Hosted eCommerce Platforms
Self-hosted eCommerce platforms require you to host the platform yourself, which gives you greater control over the platform. Some popular self-hosted eCommerce platforms include WooCommerce, Magento, and OpenCart.
Advantages:
- Complete control over the platform
- Customisation options
- No transaction fees
Disadvantages:
- Requires technical skills to set up and manage
- Higher upfront costs for hosting and development
- Limited built-in features and functionalities
Fully Hosted eCommerce Platforms
Fully hosted eCommerce platforms are a hybrid of hosted and self-hosted platforms. They are hosted by the platform provider, but also offer a greater degree of Customisation and control. Some popular fully hosted eCommerce platforms include Big Cartel, Volusion, and 3dcart.
Advantages:
- Easy to set up and use
- Customisation options
- Built-in features and functionalities
Disadvantages:
- Limited control over the platform
- Higher pricing plans
Key Features and Functionalities to Look For
When evaluating different eCommerce platforms, there are certain key features and functionalities that you should look for:
Payment Gateways
Payment gateways are the services that allow you to accept payments from customers. Look for eCommerce platforms that support a variety of payment gateways, including popular options like PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay.
Mobile optimisation
With more and more consumers shopping on their mobile devices, it is important to choose an eCommerce platform that is optimised for mobile. Look for platforms that offer responsive design and mobile-specific features.
SEO-Friendliness
SEO (search engine optimisation) is important for driving traffic to your online store. Look for eCommerce platforms that offer built-in SEO features, such as customisable URLs, meta tags, and sitemaps.
Integrations
Integrations with other tools and systems can help streamline your online store operations. Look for eCommerce platforms that offer integrations with popular tools, such as accounting software, email marketing platforms, and social media channels.
This is very important as your store will become the single source of truth for stock and general product information that then gets pushed to all your synchronised social media channels.
For example, in the instance where you would like to market to customers on TikTok, it’s important that you setup your store so that it can sync your product catalogue and that it’s always up to date. By doing it in one place you can then eliminate the resource required to update your store data in multiple locations.
Security
Security is crucial when it comes to online transactions. In addition to SSL encryption and secure login, another important security feature to look for in an eCommerce platform is regular software updates. Updates can help address vulnerabilities and ensure that your online store is protected against the latest threats. Look for a platform that offers regular updates and has a track record of addressing security issues in a timely manner. This goes for the platform itself and anything you’re choosing to add to the platform to support your business such as plugins and other integrations.
