E-commerce website: Step-by-Step Guide on Building a Successful E-commerce website

According the web development company in Mumbai the success of commerce was determined through a simple formula. Choose a location that will be profitable for your shopping cart. You can operate at a lower price so you can make more money. Louder than your competition to draw more attention.

Today, things are difficult to understand. Large, vocal brands frequently fail to reach modern customers. The physical location could become more of a nuisance than a benefit. Small stores can run on a slim budget and have no inventory.

All of this allows retailers that are digital-first to make a mark even in saturated markets. If you plan to launch an online retailer, there’s plenty of room in 2022.

These are the Statistics for Selling Online

The retail industry went through major chaos. However, the terrible global events spurred the rise of online sales:

• 46 percent of U.S. consumers tried a new brand or placed an order with new retailers last year. Due to the convenience of shopping online and the blurring of the lines between different regions, consumers are constantly shifting their brands.
• According to a study published in May by Accenture that the number of purchases by inexperienced or not frequent users of e-commerce is predicted to grow by 160% over the next few years. 
• Many people in the past year realized the extent to which they enjoy the convenience of shopping online — and are becoming more accustomed to it.
• 50% of online transactions will be made on smartphones by September 2022. U.S. consumers spent $190 billion using mobile devices in 2020.
• Smaller online stores experienced a 96.5 percent increase in web traffic from October 2019 to October 2020. More than one-third of them reported an increase between 100 and 200 percent. Most people also expect this increase to continue in the next few years.

Based on the facts, online retail has immense and increasing potential. The opportunities are expanding. The conditions for the launch of stores online are good as they can be despite the general economic uncertainty.

Based on the information, there’s an opportunity for differentiation chance. How many websites do you browse on your mobile device with a seamless shopping-to-checkout experience? 

If you think that 50% of your spending is likely to be made via smartphones (never think about what that means for browsing on mobile), Let’s imagine that their phones are likely to be the primary interface to all interactions across the funnel. 

Making sure that customers have a smooth and usable shopping experience, even on their smaller phones -is a significant difference.

What is the reason for creating an e-commerce site?

The increase in e-commerce has many advantages to a company’s bottom line. However, the website developers in Mumbai believes are many more reasons to start an online business. Online presence provides businesses with numerous opportunities to make connections that can lead to growth.

• Market acquisitions in the new year.

It is difficult for many businesses, especially small businesses, and startups, to get customers into new markets without an online storefront. 

A website that sells online allows you to connect with new customers on the internet, which you can’t do through brick-and-mortar stores.

• Create unique shopping experiences

Online businesses can also directly impact customers’ experience by creating a unique shopping experience with videos or stories and customized services. 

Shopping experiences don’t have to be finished at the end of the transaction since you can contact customers through email marketing or social media. 

These amazing experiences can be the ability to convince customers that shopping online offers a variety of possibilities that brick-and-mortar stores generally don’t offer.

• Build your brand.

If you are selling through an online marketplace such as eBay or Amazon, your products will be generally listed in generic terms and are often branded with the marketplace’s branding. 

A few customers might not know they’re buying from you and thus will not know about your company’s name. Making your eCommerce site will ensure that you control the way your products are displayed. Your customers will remember you and not the market.

How to build an eCommerce Website Step-by-Step

Creating an online store isn’t as difficult as you’d think. There are e-commerce platforms available that can do the majority of the work. 

However, you need to know what’s available and what you need from your website. If you’re able to do the necessary investigation, you’ll be able to make the right choices to create an amazing website that expands and changes with you over the future. The digital marketing agency in Mumbai offers various packages related to web development.

1. Select your perfect e-commerce platform.
2. Purchase a domain.
3. Find the developer.
4. Select your e-commerce theme.
5. Modify your e-commerce template.
6. Include your items.
7. Install payment methods.
8. Find out the settings for your shipping.
9. Check out the preview, test… as well, and then launch your store on the internet.

1. Find Your Perfect E-commerce Platform

Finding the best web-based store builder for your business is the initial step on your journey. It’s crucial to find one that meets your product’s and brand’s requirements.

Different types are available for Ecommerce platforms

There are three kinds of E-commerce platforms. There are many options to select from that will work for different types of businesses and offer various Functionality. Here’s what you should be aware of:

• Open source

The name implies that open-source platforms make their source code for free for anyone who would like to utilize it. It’s completely free to install and customizable. But, open-source platforms generally require a high level of coding expertise to be used correctly.

Security attacks are also a worry as users are often required to employ people who are committed to protecting the security of their platform, which could be more expensive than a subscription with another kind of platform.

• SaaS

SaaS, also known as Software as a Service, is an online marketplace that’s provided as a subscription-based service. Since they’re specifically designed for online shopping, they can handle the logistics, such as checkout and processing payments. 

They are typically simple to use, adaptable and feature robust security. Pricing is an issue with SaaS since there is a monthly subscription fee, transaction fees, and charges for plugin applications. Certain services also come with branding limitations, which limit designers’ creativity.

Websites built on Wix, such as Wix, include “powered with Wix” in the middle of the page, meaning that you’re not just advertising your company’s image but also being a part of the show with Wix. 

Premium services typically allow you to design the look and feel that represents your company’s identity on its own.

• Commerce without head

Headless commerce ensures that both the cart for shopping and the display layer of e-commerce websites are separate. 

This means you can make use of the content management system (CMS) as well as a digital experience platform (DXP), progressive web application (PWA), or other technology in the front end and combine by integrating an eCommerce engine in the backend.

Headless commerce allows customer-facing modifications to be implemented swiftly and offers businesses a lot of options for creative management. 

Additionally, it lets businesses be more efficient in bringing their products to market at a lower cost and gives them more control over their stores while outsourcing security and PCI compliance.

• Hosting for Ecommerce.

The web hosting of Ecommerce is where your information is kept. It could affect security as well as expenses, so take the time to consider the options available to you.

• Cloud

Cloud hosting is a term used to describe e-commerce websites hosted off-site. It’s typically offered through SaaS as well as headless commerce businesses. 

The platform is responsible for the time of uptime, as well as patches, updates, and upgrades to keep websites secure. 

Open-source platforms may include a cloud service which includes the cost of hosting, but they require security-related maintenance to be performed by the seller.

• On-premise

On-premise hosting refers specifically to e-commerce websites hosted on servers owned by the company and usually come with open-source Software. 

The business must have an area for hosting, managing the installation, and employing staff to manage its maintenance to guarantee that the website is up and running. This is typically more feasible for larger companies.

Considerations to make when selecting your e-commerce service. Many systems must work together to provide your customers with the most enjoyable shopping experience. 

Examine how your chosen E-commerce platform operates in these areas to make sure it operates efficiently now and in the future.

• Website performance

Check that the platform is regularly operating and has a solid uptime record to ensure that your website is up and running for customers to shop. 

Unlimited API calls can make your website easier to manage, while pages that load fast offer customers the best possible experience.

• Capacity for traffic

Does the platform fulfill your current requirements for traffic? Does it have the potential to grow along with you as your business grows? Can it cope with big days such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

• Mobile Optimization

The majority of customers are purchasing through mobile devices. It’s therefore crucial that your website’s platform is optimized your site for a great mobile experience. 

Find ways to improve the user experience by using mobile technology, such as geolocation. It helps shoppers locate the closest retailer.

• Secure payment and data

The platform needs to be secure enough to protect your customers and your data. SaaS solutions offer security features, such as SSL and PCI, as part of their monthly packages.

Open-source and self-hosted solutions demand users to have a better knowledge of security as there is a greater chance of an attack.

• Ecommerce website builders to make use of.

The website builder you choose to use is the base for your store online. Ecommerce-specific options provide more options and the potential to expand than standard website builders using an add-on for eCommerce. Here are some possibilities to consider:

• BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a SaaS solution that is known for its scalability. It offers 24/7 customer assistance, including priority assistance for accounts with large amounts. There are many included options. 

Security layers keep data secure, and local payment methods attract customers from all over the globe. 

BigCommerce is headless-compatible, meaning brands can offer API-driven experience using a CMS DXP, device, application, or even a custom front-end using BigCommerce as the engine behind the commerce.

• Shopify

Shopify is another SaaS solution that is fully hosted and well-known for being fast and easy to set up. Shopify can handle a large volume of transactions every minute; therefore, it can deal with the peaks in traffic. 

Shopify offers an extensive selection of plugins. However, the cost can quickly go up if you’re using lots of plugins.

• Magento

Magento can be described as an entirely self-hosted solution, which means you can be completely creative; however, you’ll require a developer to make the most of the platform. 

There are a variety of integrations, and it’s able to handle instant purchases and suggestions for products.

• WooCommerce

WooCommerce is an open-source WordPress plugin and, therefore, completely free to download. It is generally used by users who have an existing WordPress website.

WooCommerce is flexible and offers unlimited customization options, and industry experts review its code for security.

2. Purchase Domain Names Domain Name

If you have already registered a domain that you want to transfer, it is possible to transfer it to your store builder. If you don’t own an existing domain name, follow the top methods listed below.

• Avoid creative spellings

Domain names should be simple to recall and use, so stay clear of the use of creative spellings. It doesn’t have to pass an examination for spelling, but in fact, Google wasn’t an actual word until Google invented it. 

However, it should be simple to spell. Also, make sure it’s easy to pronounce as you want your customers to share it with their acquaintances about it. Do not use hyphens or numbers, as it makes it difficult for people to share the URL.

• Beware of generic names.

A generic name comes with two drawbacks: people might forget the name or choose a company with a similar name that has a higher ranking in search engine optimization (SEO) rank. A memorable brandable name makes sure your domain name is distinctive.

• The shorter the length, the more efficient.

Make your domain name between 6 and 14 characters long, which makes it simpler for your customers to remember. 

The shorter names are also easier to use for marketing purposes, increasing the number of customers, regardless of whether they are finding you via a search engine.

3. Find an Enterprise Developer

Even when you’re operating your business as a bootstrap, A professional can make creating an online store much easier. They’re equipped with the technology to set up your site quickly, which means you can begin selling earlier. 

When you’re considering a developer inquire about their timeline so that you can determine the time of your launch. See other websites they’ve created and request the names of those companies. 

Be sure that the developer is in agreement with your ideas and can create the website you want within the budget you have set.

4. Pick Your Templates: Choose an appropriate theme to match your eCommerce Website’s Vision

Templates, also known as themes, are pre-built pages that you can personalize to fit your branding and make your website look professional without the need for design or programming expertise. Take note of the following points when choosing a template.

• Customer navigation

A smooth navigation experience is crucial to a positive customer experience. The navigation bar is simple to read and is located on the left-hand side of the page. 

Users read the page from left to right. If a user cannot find what they’re looking for and want, they’ll click the back button and go elsewhere.

• The style that is used on the homepage

Does the homepage of your template reflect your image? Does it include areas that allow you to upload slideshows, photos, or videos? 

Are there spaces to tell your story to your visitors? Customers should be able to identify the type of business you represent from the first moment they see you. Therefore, make sure that your template conveys that.

• Options for customization

What areas of the website can be altered? Are there fonts as well as a color scheme that is consistent with your brand? What number of images can you include? How do you display your products, and how can they be changed? 

Are social media able to be integrated? Most web-based store designers use apps to include features that aren’t built in; therefore, think about the number of apps you’ll require to integrate with the template.

5. Add Your Products

The product pages rank among the top important pages you can have on your site because they tell your visitors what you can offer them. 

Ensure your products are displayed in the best possible light by incorporating optimized product descriptions with appealing images and simple categories.

• Product descriptions.

Descriptions of products are an integral element of your online store. They provide information about the use of the product, its dimensions, colors, textures, and/or the importance of the product for your customers. 

They also allow robots to index your site for search engine optimization. Avoid long sentences, cliches, and complicated phrasing when writing descriptions. Also, ensure that the descriptions address the questions below:

• Who’s the target market for the product?
• What are the basic specifications?
• What is the most appropriate place to be able to use this product?
• What is the best time to make use of the product?
• Product images.
• Visitors to websites are captivated by visual information, which is why photos of high-quality products are crucial. 

When designing photos, think of the following points:

•  Utilize images with high quality

Images reflect what people think of as the quality and worth of the product. Photos that are of high quality make your products stand out. Colorful photos make images more attractive and keep your customers looking.

• Be sure that every image is of identical size

Each photo must be the same size since different sizes of images can frequently cause a misalignment in your gallery. Make use of an image editor program to modify each photo to the proper size.

• Add product variation image

The majority of photos should be exclusive to the product, which shows the product from every angle. 

Including an in-context image that shows the product in use is also recommended. They are useful on product pages and could also be utilized on social media to increase the emotional connection.

• Categories of products

You can include products into categories, such as books, clothes, and movies, to assist customers in finding the items they’re looking for.

They can be utilized with filters that allow people to search for certain categories or price ranges and still stay in their price range. The highlighted items are a fantastic option to direct customers to the path you prefer to shop.

6. Install Payment Methods

The most appropriate technique for payment is crucial to closing the sale. Be sure that it meets the needs of your payment processing. If the payment method is not simple enough or reliable, your customers could quit their shopping cart and never return.

• Three kinds of e-commerce payment gateways

There are three kinds of payment gateways, each with each its pros and pros. When choosing the right gateway, you should consider the steps you must follow to ensure that transactions and data are secure.

• Redirects

A redirection takes the user to a different website for payment processing. The most commonly used illustration is PayPal. This is an easy solution for retailers that transfer security issues to a third party, but it also adds another layer of risk for customers that could turn some customers away.

• Checkout on-site and payment off-site

The gateway is the front-end payment which includes collecting the details; however, the payment processing happens off-site. Stripe is a well-known business providing this service. 

It removes the need for additional steps for customers. However, it is important to ensure your website is properly encrypted so the information can be securely transmitted to the payment processor.

• On-site transactions

On-site payments are processed on your website and give you total control and accountability. It is ideal for large companies that handle many transactions since they have the financial resources to keep it up and running and safe.

• Tips for selecting your payment integration

Integrating a gateway to payment is a safe method that secures and sends your credit card’s data directly to the payment processing company. 

Because it’s an essential component of your online store, ensure that you do your investigation and comprehend the benefits you’ll get through your payment integration.

• Check the easy integration

Imagine how easy it is to incorporate the system into your site. Does it integrate with the e-commerce platform you’ve chosen?

• Take into account reviews from customers

Check out reviews of customers on other sites. Are the gateways reliable? Does it operate regularly? Are there any reports of people having issues paying or receiving money?

• Remember the cost of your visit.

Charges are incurred in each stage of the process, including making payments and processing refunds. Check out the fine print to be aware of how much it costs and are pleased with the cost.

• PCI secure and PCI compliant

Specifically, PCI stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. This is to ensure that your credit card information is protected. 

Failure to comply could result in penalties, lawsuits, and even a decrease in trust with clients, so ensure that your gateway is in compliance and security. 

It is also important to ensure that your website is secured with the SSL certification to make sure that all transactions and data from the customers to merchants are secure.

7. Make sure you have your shipping settings in order

Shipping is an essential element of e-commerce. Customers need their items quickly, so make sure you choose the right shipping settings.

• Decide on the shipping policies of your company

Your shipping policy covers costs and transportation. Do you offer delivery for no cost, a flat fee, or a variable rate? Which shipping company are you using? 

Also, think about whether you’re planning to send your parcel internationally if you don’t ensure that the details are readily available to ensure that international customers don’t get frustrated when they check out.

• Select e-commerce shipping solutions for your business

Select the best shipping option. Are you going to be handling the packing or dropping shipping? The Software for shipping that is integrated with your other workflow lets you automate this part of your company, freeing your time to focus on other things.

8. Review and Publish Your Online Store

A successful launch is contingent on everything that’s on your site running just as it is supposed to. 

If a link isn’t working, payment processing isn’t working, or your site does not look great for mobile users, you could cause customers to leave and cause delays while correcting your errors. Be sure to test every aspect before clicking “Publish”.

• Does the checkout function?

Test the Functionality of an order. Are you able to add items to your cart? Are you able to make the purchase? Did you receive all the confirmation emails you expected?

• Are the functions of the store working?

Click each button and then link to your website. Are the links and buttons work? Are filters and categories working? If a link isn’t working, is your 404-page able to send customers back to your website?

• Does the store function on mobile?

Check out the store on your smartphone. Are the measurements, right? Are the buttons simple to use? Are the images clearer even on smaller screens?

• Try your store out on various browsers

Check out the store in all the browsers you can, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Verify that it is working on all browsers, and If you encounter issues, contact the developers to correct them.

• Set the settings for your store

The store settings cover items like language, time zone, language, email address, contact information, taxes, and measurement units. Ensure all of these settings have been correctly set before starting.

Check out our website development packages in Mumbai for hassle-free e-commerce website. 

 

Conclusion

A successful eCommerce site is more than an online store where you can sell your products. It’s where businesses can provide an experience that builds their brand, draws in new customers, and turns customers who are not loyal to the brand into loyal patrons. 

Selecting the best e-commerce platform as well as having a proper marketing strategy for an online store that is successful can provide you with a leg up in becoming an e-commerce success. I you want to read, check out our previous blog Sales Funnel: Boost Your Sales by Converting Visitors Into Buyers (2022 Guide)