HOW TO START AN ONLINE STORE IN 2021: 3 POWERFUL ECOMMERCE SOLUTIONS

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February 2021

Thinking about creating your very own online ecommerce store? Sounds great! There no better time than now to jump into the world of ecommerce. Also, the right ecommerce web solutions can work wonders for your business.

If you are new to the whole online store idea, then you’d probably be a little confused about where to start. No need to worry, we’ve got you covered.

Today, we will be looking at how to start a successful online store. We will also look into 3 powerful ecommerce web solutions you should consider trying out.

 

How to Start an Online Ecommerce Store in 2021

Ecommerce business is more than just an online store, it’s a long-time investment. It initially takes time and effort to build, but that pays off well in the end. Every business structure differs, depending on the industry you are targeting. Therefore, before you start building your online store, think about what your business plan is going to be. A well-thought business plan can help you target your goals and pinpoint issues in advance.

A few things you might want to look into while creating a business plan are:

  • What is your business model going to be?
  • Which niche will you be targeting?
  • How big is your customer base?
  • How will you drive traffic to your online store?
  • What is your budget?
  • What shopping cart software will you be using?
  • How will you cope with your eCommerce brand evolution?

Perform SWOT analysis to analyze your businesses strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Having an idea about these factors from the beginning can help you come up with an effective business plan.

 

Step 2: Pick an eCommerce platform

The platform that you choose for your online store can make or break the deal for you. An ideal ecommerce platform is the one that can be easily used by both; the customer and the seller.

Since you won’t be switching your eCommerce platform every other day, it is important to pick the right one once and for all. Don’t rush. Take time to compare the advantages and disadvantages of every platform.

We will look into 3 powerful ecommerce web solutions later on. First, let’s have a look at some of the things to consider while choosing the right eCommerce website development platform for yourself.

 

Pricing

Every business has its own budget. Does the platform of your choice offer affordable pricing packages? Will you be able to make the most out of the features offered for the price you will be paying?

 

Tools

What tools does the platform feature? Do these suit your requirements? Can these tools be used to create effective marketing campaigns? Do they allow you to track and analyze all pertinent sales information of your business?

 

Design capabilities

Does the platform offer a user-friendly design? Do the design elements aid your SEO strategy? Will your website’s design be better than that of your competitors?

 

Mobile friendliness

Can your website be optimized for mobile users as well? How easy-to-use will your website be for mobile visitors?

 

Step 3: Choose a domain name and start designing

Choosing the domain name is one of the most important steps for building your online store. Your domain name affects your brand visibility, search rankings, and more. Choosing the right domain name can also help put you ahead of your competition. Once you are done with deciding the domain name for your website. The next step is to design it. If done right, the designing process can be as fun as it sounds. Here are some ecommerce website design tips to keep in mind.

  • The design should be SEO optimized for conversions
  • It should include a unique landing and homepage summary
  • It should include high-quality images and videos
  • The color scheme should be effective
  • Your brand logo should be unique and eye-catching
  • Incorporate call-to-action (CTA) button on every page

 

Step 4: Develop a strong branding strategy

ECommerce branding is what really makes your store unforgettable. The branding strategy for your store includes everything from your logo, typography, color theme to your brand story. The brand strategy of your business should be unique, and it should match the product/service you are offering.

 

Step 5: Start Your Marketing Campaigns

Lastly, your marketing campaigns are going to be the driving force of traffic on your website. There are plenty of free and paid marketing strategies that can help drive customers to your online store, for example : Social Media, Email Marketing, SEO.

 

Three Powerful Ecommerce Web Solutions

Choosing the right ecommerce solution is a critical part of creating a successful online store. Let’s have a look at the 3 best ecommerce solutions you can check out.

 

SHOPIFY

Founded back in 2004, today, Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce web solutions out there. It features a variety of themes that can be customized according to your brand’s requirements. One of the reasons Shopify is loved by so many users is that it is super-easy to learn.

 

MAGENTO

Magento is another well-known ecommerce platform that has gained a huge user base since its launch in 2009. It is an ideal choice for small-to-medium-businesses that have already established demand, skills, manpower and time to create their own website.

 

WOOCOMMERCE

WooCommerce is a popular plugin for WordPress that can be used to turn your website into a very successful online store. Unlike most of its competitors, WooCommerce development is an open-source solution. It is free for commercial and personal use. However, you will need to spend some extra cost on features such as email, hosting, domain, support, theme, etc.

 

Wrapping up

Now that you are familiar with the basics of ecommerce website development and the best ecommerce web solutions, the whole process should be much simpler and easier for you. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started.

author

Fahad Ali, Author

Fahad is PM at ARFASOFTECH but has a knack for writing. He enjoys writing about the latest technologies and evolving trends. Most of his writings revolve around trending technologies and their integration into operations.

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