There are drastic changes in the business world as millions of customers are now shifting into digital platforms to look for products and services. Today, customers expect businesses to be diversified, and therefore if you lack an online presence, you risk losing a competitive advantage. Decades ago, building a website was such a daunting experience as they were very text-heavy, using only fundamental HTML. Today, building a website is within reach for anyone as the tools are now available. There is the development of numerous coding languages such as Java and CSS to develop more visually attractive websites. The process of building an eCommerce website is not different from that of other websites. However, it needs to be designed for selling physical or digital products. Below are the essentials of building an eCommerce website:
1. A Domain Name and Hosting
So, how imperative is the website domain name? Do most entrepreneurs think that if they have a quality website and business, their target audience will just visit their site regardless of the domain? Unfortunately, the isn’t the case. Your domain name is the fundamental element of your website as it is the address of your site. It can break or build your business. Therefore, it is vital to select a domain name that works for business.
A domain name is essential since it impacts SEO, creates the first impression, and defines the brand. When choosing your domain name, ensure it is easy to type and pronounce, shorter, not trademarked, brandable over generic, use a keyword that reflects your website and use. Com. Org or. net since these are the most common ones.
Web hosting is a service that accommodates your website files such as HTML, CSS, images, scripts, and others on a server to make it simpler for people to access your website.
2. Web Browsers
Every web browser exhibits HTML and CSS differently. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure that your website portrays and works efficiently in each one. It should also incorporate technology in order to be compatible with several different web browsers. Many products are displayed on these websites in eCommerce, which can be challenging for business owners whose images and product descriptions have not been exhibited appropriately on all browsers. When building an eCommerce website, ensure the browser is compatible with several other browsers to avoid the loss of potential customers. If you are not sure whether your website is compatible with available web browsers, you can get an alternative to WIX thanks to UENI. At UENI, you can be assisted in building a professional website that will make it simple for customers to buy your products. Most famous web browsers include Google Chrome, Windows Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Opera.
3. An integrated Payment Processor
You cannot have an eCommerce site without a payment gateway. Most businesses use a credit card in almost every transaction. However, as an entrepreneur, if you lack knowledge of processing card transactions, you might end up messing things in case there is a challenge. A payment processor controls credit card transactions by linking the merchant and the financial institutions involved. Having an integrated payment processor enables secure payment authorization for your eCommerce site. Without it, you may not be able to charge customers when they buy products from your website.
4. A platform or Tool to Build Your Store
An eCommerce platform is vital as it allows business owners to offer an individualized view of some of their available content. It is also a platform for customers to engage with business owners. Therefore, it is crucial to create a user-friendly eCommerce platform to which will act as your store. The platform should display all categories and descriptions of products and services being offered. The platform should also be easier to navigate to allow customers to find the products they are looking for with zero struggles. Some of the most popular eCommerce platforms include WordPress/WooCommerce, Magento, and website builders.
5. Elements to Include on eCommerce Website
The structure of an eCommerce website is very crucial as it determines the user’s experience. First, you need to determine how many pages and categories to include. Since you will require a home page and pages for every product being sold, you must simply organize them to enhance quick access. You might organize your page based on how close your products correlate with subcategories under each product type. Ensure to include a search bar to enable customers to get straight to the page they need, ensure to include reviews to receive feedback about your products, and to allow customers to relate to each other. Finally, ensure you include a shopping cart and a wish list functionality.
Summing Up
As an entrepreneur, customers have zero chances of accessing your products when they search for products online. Therefore, to increase your customer base, you must create an eCommerce website for your products.
