Building your very own eCommerce storefront is a way to sell products, digital downloads, or even services you provide to a wanting audience. When you have a vision for an online store you’d like to launch, choosing the right software is a vital decision for your new eCommerce business. Before you begin sharing, promoting, and selling your products online, be sure to choose an eCommerce software solution that is truly optimal for your business and the audience you want to reach.
Features and Functionality
Choosing an eCommerce software solution without understanding its features or main functions is never optimal, especially if you have lofty visions for the future of your storefront. Before settling on eCommerce software for your own business, be sure to review and compare various features that are most fitting and suitable for the type of products you intend to sell and the audience or demographic you want to reach online. Some features that you may want for your eCommerce store to keep in mind while comparing eCommerce software solutions include:
- Website Management Features
- Customer Service Management Panel/Features
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Plugins, Tools, an Extensions
- Inventory Tracking/Order Management
- Analytics and Data Tracking
Themes and Template Customization Options
Having the ability to customize your online store’s template and layout is essential when running an eCommerce business. If your eCommerce store appears drab, outdated, or simply inaccessible, you will likely miss out on opportunities to garner new customers and generate sales.
Choosing the layout, design, and overall aesthetic of your eCommerce store can have a major impact on how visitors view your business. When an eCommerce store appears modern, professional, and is accessible to all visitors, it is much easier to gain the trust of your users. With an eCommerce store, you only have one opportunity to make a positive, professional, and lasting impression on your visitors and prospective customers, which is why it is so important to utilize a well-designed layout for your website.
While searching for the right eCommerce software for your online business, consider the types of themes that come with the solutions you are most interested in. Although some hosted eCommerce services such as Shopify may provide an array of both free and premium templates, there is limited ability to fully customized the look and feel of your storefront. Without open-source solutions, building a truly personalized eCommerce experience is not possible.
Consider opting for an open-source solution such as Magento or Woocommerce to build your eCommerce shop. Open-source solutions not only allow the ability to edit source codes and all aspects of your website, but they also provide more flexibility when choosing templates and themes. Browse through hundreds, if not thousands of free and premium themes with open-source software such as Magento and Woocommerce. Compare various theme layouts and let your imagination run wild as you brainstorm new ways to bring your selected template to life once you install it on your own storefront.
Compare Plugins and Extensions
Finding the right eCommerce solution for your business will greatly depend on the plugins, extensions, and additional features you plan to implement into your website. If your intentions for your eCommerce store involve unique functionality and personalized plugins, an open-source solution may be the right choice for you.
Not all eCommerce solutions provide access to plugins, extensions, and open-source software, which can severely limit your options and creativity. Some of the most well-known open-source solutions for eCommerce websites include Magento and WooCommerce for WordPress.
With Magento, gain access to hundreds of versatile plugins and extensions that help to bring eCommerce storefronts to life with a unique and personal twist. Use plugins or a Magento extension such as Order-Related Documents in Magento 2 to create one-of-a-kind order numbers or to keep track of special orders within your eCommerce system. With a Magento extension such as Order-Related Documents in Magento 2, create custom templates for each document type you use while also implementing unique order numbers for custom orders or orders that involve wholesalers or special purchasers.
Pricing and Payment Options
When choosing the right eCommerce software for your business, compare pricing and payment options available for each solution that is appealing to you. While some eCommerce solutions may require upfront fees and monthly payments, others may provide both free and paid services. Solutions such as Magento provide both free and premium packages. Additionally, Magento is an open-source solution, allowing for more customization and personalization when building your eCommerce storefront.
While managing a successful eCommerce business requires hard work, commitment, and an understanding of customers, it is much easier to scale a business and brand online with the right eCommerce software solution. With the right eCommerce software, maximize your online reach and your ability to spread the word of your business and brand in any market or industry of your choosing.
