A company’s online presence has become essential to its survival. To remain competitive, it should provide out-of-the-box solutions and satisfy customer demands.
There are several essential factors to consider to succeed in the e-commerce industry. One of these factors is choosing the right e-commerce platform for your business. Let’s take a look at the best tips to do so:
1. Pricing
Different platforms provide various features at different prices. For example, some platforms offer a fixed rate without adding additional transaction fees. Several free platforms are also available, but make sure you familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of free e-commerce platforms before choosing.
Some platforms have a base rate and a charge per transaction and require subscriptions for individual apps to optimize your site. These can quickly add up, resulting in a much higher overall rate.
When there are so many options available, it’s essential to determine what features you need then compare the pricing of your platform options.
2. Device Compatibility
Mobile commerce has become an important channel for e-commerce stores. eMarketer’s Andrew Lipsman predicts that mobile commerce will drive almost 50% of e-commerce sales in 2022. It is easier and more convenient for your customers to shop on their phones than on laptops or desktops since they always have their smartphones with them.
Hence, it is vital to ensure that your e-commerce platform works on all devices and screens.
3. Technical Support
Technical support for your chosen platform is extremely valuable for new e-commerce enterprises. Certain systems only provide help Monday through Friday during business hours in their time zone. Other systems offer support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It’s also crucial to examine the type of assistance provided. Some businesses solely offer help via email or chat. Of course, the level of assistance you may be eligible for is likely connected to your service plan. Self-service support is also available through FAQs and courses on larger sites.
According to Salesforce Research, 89% of customers are more likely to make another purchase after a good customer service experience. Contrarily, you will lose business if your customers cannot visit your website or finish a purchase. It’s critical to ensure that you have the customer support you need when you need it when choosing your e-commerce platform.
4. Security
E-commerce companies owe it to their customers to keep their personal information safe. This entails ensuring PCI compliance, SSL, fraud prevention, and data backups for your e-commerce platform. From the start, make sure your e-commerce website is secure against hacking and data theft.
5. SEO-Friendly
Your online business needs to consider SEO to reach a larger audience quickly and easily. Ensure that the e-commerce platform you choose is SEO-friendly and optimized for popular search engines like Google. And if it doesn’t work or perform as expected, have your site analyzed by an agency specializing in Google Ads.
6. Theme Or Design
The design of your website is an essential aspect of your business. Consumers today are accustomed to outstanding online design and user experience. According to a 2011 study published on Behaviour & Information Technology, visitors only take roughly 50 milliseconds (0.05 seconds) to establish an opinion about your websites, which affects whether they will stay or leave. Hence, it’s critical to pick a theme or template that best suits your business and appeals to your customers.
Choosing your E-commerce Platform
When it comes to opening an online store, deciding on an e-commerce platform is the first and most crucial step.
Switching between e-commerce systems can be frustrating, time-consuming, and costly. Setting up your web profile, importing your goods, and choosing a theme might take time away from other elements of your business. Therefore, you should ensure you make the best decision possible the first time.
