How to Perfect Your Website for eCommerce

Thanks to the power of eCommerce and digital marketing, it’s now easier than ever to introduce additional streams of income into your personal or professional life.?

This is partially enabled by plug-and-play eCommerce functionality, which almost any budding entrepreneur can master with a bit of hard work.

As experts in digital marketing and?white label website development services, Agency Stack has seen a rise in enquiries regarding eCommerce capability. So, we thought it necessary to address such interest with a helpful little article.?

But beware: just because eCommerce is easier than ever, doesn’t mean setting things up won’t take a little head scratching and navigation of each important step.?

That is, of course, unless you’re well-versed in website development and pillars of good user experience.?

The Importance of eCommerce Capabilities

Perhaps you’re still unsure if eCommerce is important to your business strategy and you need some convincing.?

Well, one needs to only consult?statistics like this?to find that eCommerce is growing at pace, with the industry expected to grow by 88% from 2022 to 2027.?

In 2023, online sales are expected to make up 23% of all retail sales. That’s potentially more than one-fifth of sales you could be missing out on without eCommerce capabilities.?

By selling your wares online, you can open yourself up to all kinds of new market acquisitions and a stronger overall reputation.

More to the point, a vast majority (83%) of online shoppers do so at least once a month, according to?IPC, so a one-off sale can become a regular stream if nurtured correctly.?

How to Get Started

Pick a suitable platform

To get started, the very first thing you’ll need is a web building platform that suits your business needs.?

Some of the most popular choices for eCommerce include Shopify, BigCommerce and Wix.

Shopify has a basic and a premium package, offers pricing in USD to suit a global audience, and includes a great range of add-ons and plug-ins in its online store. The biggest roadblock for start-ups or small businesses is that premium parts of Shopify can be expensive and inaccessible.?

BigCommerce comes at a similar price, but though it lacks Shopify’s extensive customisation, it excels with a range of analytics tools. This allows you to track the progress of your business as you scale up.?

Finally, Wix is an up-and-coming platform that’s impressing business owners with its use of artificial intelligence, growing range of features and excellent versatility.?

Honestly, all three platforms are great options for building new eCommerce sites but it pays to know all the best options available to you.?

Find a domain

Your domain is where your website will live. It’s your address – literally.?

Choosing a reputable domain name will have a great effect on your web traffic as users will be less likely to trust a domain with unfamiliar extensions like .io, .xyz, or .bid.?

Of course, the more recognisable extensions will cost a little extra, but that’s the price you pay for eCommerce success.

Choose templates & themes

Hopefully you’ve put some thought into the aesthetic of your brand, or at least have an idea of your favourite themes.?

With any luck and a little bit of customisation, you’ll be able to bring these ideas to life in your chosen platform.?

Try to keep it simple, as a busy website can confuse the user and lead your visitors astray as they attempt to navigate the site.?

Perfect product descriptions & images

Users want to know exactly what they’re paying for as they search your website, so descriptions and images need to be clear and concise.?

If either element is unclear, customers will receive their item with disappointment and will be unlikely to shop with you again.?

Ensure the description highlights the benefits of your product while listing a few features too – especially those which make it stand out against any competition.?

Depending on your product, it will also help to offer multiple angles to give a greater understanding of the item.?

Streamline checkout

One of the beauties of online shopping is that you avoid the queue and can get on with your day. If an online checkout is difficult to work with, you may as well be shopping in-store.

That’s why it’s so important to streamline your checkout process, removing unnecessary steps, auto-filling fields where possible and offering shortcuts to time-poor customers.?

Make sure you test this all out before going live with your website, because there is every chance you won’t notice inefficiencies until you put yourself in the customer’s shoes.?

Flexible shipping options

In Australia Post’s Annual?eCommerce Industry Report, the national courier found that 42% of shoppers wanted retailers to improve their range of delivery options.?

In response, 63% of businesses said they’re currently investing in just that.?

Whether this involves things like click-and-collect, express shipping, or sustainable packaging is up to you, but customers want the power to choose.?

Contact Agency Stack

Believe it or not, there’s even more to developing a working eCommerce website, but we won’t bore you with the details.?

If you don’t have the time or know-how to do it yourself, Agency Stack has the expertise to build you a brand-spanking new eCommerce website that will soon be raking in the revenue.?

Get in touch if you need support with your next website – just have those favourite themes in mind!