If you want to start an online store, you need the best ecommerce platform. Comparing traditional retail to e-commerce, the latter has no geographic restrictions, allowing you to reach a much larger audience.
If you want to start an online store, you need the best e-commerce platform. Comparing traditional retail to e-commerce, the latter has no geographic restrictions, allowing you to reach a much larger audience.
Finding an e-commerce platform to host your store and expand your customer base is critical. So, to help you choose an e-commerce platform, here are some things to look for.
- Simple to Use
- SEO Friendly
- Easy Shop Setup
- Analytics
- Mobile Friendly
- Integrations
- Tech Support
- Customer Payment Options
- Price
- Vendor Experience
Simple to Use
If you’ve ever visited a website that was difficult to navigate, you’ve probably left. Choose an e-commerce platform that is user-friendly, whether you are tech-savvy or not. Finding an e-commerce platform that provides a seamless experience is essential to growing your online store and keeping users interested in your brand.
SEO Friendly
When customers are looking for specific products or services, they need to find your brand quickly. With so much competition on the internet, you need to know how to stand out. That said, if you are new to the game, your online store should rank highly in search results. Choose an SEO-friendly e-commerce platform to improve your ranking. Choosing your own domain name, collecting customer reviews, and adding your own blog all help drive organic traffic to your online store.
Easy Shop Setup
Aside from navigation, the e-commerce platform you choose should be easy to sign up for. Starting your own store takes time and patience, but you don’t want to waste hours trying to get it up and running. Many e-commerce platforms offer user-friendly templates that can help your store look professional and stand out from competitors. Depending on the template, you may have to pay.
Analytics
It’s natural to want to make as much money as possible before your online store goes live. It’s vital to track your online store’s performance to achieve your goals. Choose an e-commerce platform that allows you to track payment methods, sales, and order amounts. There is no room for error, so finding an e-commerce platform with analytics tools is essential.
Mobile Friendly
Most consumers are too busy to sit at their computer and scroll through the internet. Many of us own smartphones, so choosing a mobile-friendly e-commerce platform is critical. Customers will likely go elsewhere if your online store isn’t optimized for mobile. Finding a platform that allows users to easily access your store is key.
Integrations
While having many options can be overwhelming at first, having multiple paths to take when integrating an e-commerce platform can be beneficial. When choosing an e-commerce platform, look at the available plugins and integrations. Toolkits and features abound on platforms like Shopify. Visit PieSync for a guide on the best e-commerce platform. Whether you use Shopify or WooCommerce, PieSync can sync your customer data with other apps.
Tech Support
Excellent customer service is critical to any business’s success. Server and software outages are unavoidable when setting up an online store and choosing an e-commerce provider. Customers won’t be able to access your business during these times, so find an e-commerce platform that offers 24/7 tech support. Because time is money, you can rest assured that if any issues arise, a tech support team is available 24/7 to assist you. There are several things to look for in their customer service, such as contact methods.
Customer Payment Options
Buying from your online store should be simple and easy. Before looking for an e-commerce platform, decide what payment methods you accept. Finding an e-commerce platform that works with popular payment providers like Stripe, PayPal, or Square is critical.
Price
Some e-commerce platforms charge a monthly fee while others charge a one-time fee. Before committing to a platform, do your homework and weigh the pros and cons. As a small business owner, you must set and adhere to a budget to allow your online store to grow.
Vendor Experience
And lastly, researching current vendor experiences can help you find the right e-commerce platform. Users’ ratings and reviews will clearly show you which e-commerce platforms are the best on the market.
Setting up your online store and choosing the right platform can be a great way to expand your business and audience. All of the above information should help you choose the best e-commerce provider.