If you operate a business, selling products or offering services, the answer to whether or not you should have an online presence is a big YES. Having an E-commerce platform will help you reach an enormous customer base that now prefers online shopping.
Under the global competition pressure being witnessed today, and the changing market trends, any organization that fails to integrate E-commerce might compromise its success path.
Most retailers fear taking their businesses online, thinking that it might be hard to manage it. Not with the right e-commerce platform. E-commerce platforms are end-to-end software solutions that allow online business owners to manage their businesses properly.
An E-commerce platform incorporates website builders, accounting systems, inventory management systems, and customer service infrastructure to manage your business effectively.
The platforms are real-life-savers, especially those launching their online businesses from scratch. It could also be an effective tool to manage your brick-and-mortar e-commerce store. This article discusses why you should consider this service and also provides five key considerations that you should keep in mind when choosing an E-commerce store. Let us first start by looking at the benefits of an e-commerce platform.
Benefits of a Great E-commerce Platform
Exemplary Customer Service
Talking of customer service, I do not refer to you alone but to your customers and prospects. I am sure you want the best E-commerce platform that acts as your brand ambassador and mirrors your business to the public. A good E-commerce platform will ensure that your customers get the best services. If you feel that your customers are not getting the best out of the platform, you can consider another platform. We will later check out some of the key considerations you should keep in mind when selecting an ideal E-commerce platform.
Reduced Downtime
If you choose a properly functioning E-commerce platform, you will witness a great boost in your website’s performance. Your customers will not be put off by error messages that will drive them away from your website.
I am sure it is your primary intention to see your clients make purchases from your website, and a great E-commerce platform will help you do just that. Furthermore, you do not have to waste your precious time and resources trying to fix your platform. You can direct that energy somewhere else. A great platform will function properly without any complications and fixes.
Proper Site Security
Any retailer conducting business online should be well aware that security is of utmost importance. As an E-merchant, you have to take proper measures to protect your business and your customers from security threats. E-commerce platforms can help you strengthen your business’s security and keep it safe from hackers. However, not all E-commerce platforms offer these security measures. This is why you must take your time to do your homework and choose a platform that offers your business the utmost security.
Overcome Geographical Limitations
A physical store limits your scope of operation. You will only sell within a specific location, and it will be hard to expand your customer base. An E-commerce platform helps to wipe out this restraint. It opens up the whole world as a playground, ensuring you reach out to new global customers.
5 Things to Consider When Choosing an E-commerce Platforms
Not all E-commerce platforms are similar. This is logical given the high number of E-commerce platforms today. Today, there are over 100 E-commerce platforms, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Before finally settling on a platform, there are five critical factors that you should take into consideration.
- Platform Pricing and payment
The first thing you should look at when selecting the right E-commerce platform is the price. Different platforms offer different features at different prices. Whether you are a newbie wishing to engage in online business or a brick-and-mortar retail store moving online, knowing what you are paying for is critical.
Some E-commerce platforms offer one flat rate price that does not tack on additional transactional costs. Other platforms will offer a base rate and a subscription for different website optimization features. The best approach is to weigh each offer’s pros and cons and pick one that brings maximum benefits to your business. Before making a pick for the platform you need, it is important to identify the features you need and then pick a platform that offers these features at the lowest price possible.
Additionally, you should also consider how your clients will make payments. Some platforms do not allow third-party vendors such as PayPal, which could cause inconvenience to your clients. You cannot afford to take the risk. Decide which form of payment is convenient for you and your customers, and then pick a platform that offers that form of payment.
- Security
Today, E-commerce stores are a major target for hackers. LexisNexis Report records that E-commerce fraud is rising rapidly, and so is the cost of E-commerce fraud. E-commerce stores deal with huge amounts of money and confidential user data, all of which are being targeted by hackers. If you do not take the necessary security measures, you are treading on the wrong path. Soon, you will be a victim of a devastating cyber breach that will leave your E-commerce business on its death bed, and your reputation will be completely tarnished.
You are responsible for protecting all your customers’ data, and a perfect E-commerce platform will help you do that. Always ensure that the platform you choose supports the HTTPS protocol. You need an SSL certificate to secure the communication between your website and your clients’ browsers.
The SSL encrypts all the communication, ensuring that hackers and cyber intruders are out of reach. It is important to ensure that an SSL certificate secures every domain on your site. It does not take much to do so. There is no need to invest in an SSL certificate for each subdomain. Just a Wildcard SSL certificate is enough to do the task for you. You can check this list of cheap Wildcard SSL. It will secure your chosen primary domain in addition to multiple first-level subdomains.
For E-commerce websites, I recommend getting a Wildcard certificate that gives you maximum security benefits and other features. You can consider choosing the RapidSSL Wildcard certificate, Comodo Wildcard SSL certificate, or the QuickSSL Premium Wildcard. The three are the best options for E-commerce websites.
- Mobile Friendliness
Mobile usages are increasing day after day. Most consumers and online shoppers are now making most of their purchases on mobile phones. If you are to succeed in E-commerce, you should focus on building responsive websites that are optimized for all platforms including mobile, tablet and desktop. Smartphones- that is where most of your potential customers lie. And the only way of reaching out to them is by going for an E-commerce platform that allows customers to visit your website and make purchases via their mobile devices.
- Customer Service/Support
Customer service is one of the most crucial aspects that determines any business’s success. You will probably have full control of how smoothly you conduct your business at your physical store. With E-commerce, things are a bit different.
You will probably experience server failures and software outages that are totally out of your control. Such failures will prevent your clients from accessing the crucial components of your business. At one point in time, the chances are that you will experience a problem with your E-commerce store. The problem will negatively impact your revenues, and in worst-case scenarios, they can tarnish your reputation.
Choosing an E-commerce platform that you can reach out to in case of difficulties to get things up and running is a great thing. It would help if you considered the availability of the E-commerce platform before choosing it. Please take a look at each E-commerce platform’s customer service and determine whether they are available 24/7 to aid you in case of catastrophic failures.
- SEO Friendliness
Search Engine Optimization is important for the success of any business. You need to outshine your competitors by being visible and ranking higher than them in Search Engines. There are many Search Engine Optimization strategies that you should use to achieve this. Most E-commerce store owners do not know how to go about that, and they will often leave some things undone. Fortunately, an E-commerce platform can be a great asset in ensuring that you rank high in search engine results pages.
You should choose an SEO-Friendly platform to rank higher than your competitors on search engines. Some of the factors that you should consider when choosing an SEO-Friendly platform are:
- The ability of the platform to include a blog on your website
- The ability to use your domain name
- Your clients’ ability to leave reviews and feedback about their experience with your products.
To Sum Up
Moving your business from a traditional physical store to an online version is a great step to success. However, this step can be daunting, especially with the many available options. It can be difficult for you to choose the right e-commerce platform. Do not rush into making a pick for a platform. You might be making a grave mistake that could potentially be hazardous to your business. Take your time to do your homework and consider the above factors to make the best pick.
