Key Drivers in Purchasing Online

Building an Ecommerce website to overcome key drivers in purchasing online

Building an ecommerce site may be simpler than you imagine. It very much depends on the products or services you are looking to sell and also the number of items within your product portfolio. There are now ecommerce solutions that do most of the work for you, in terms of adding product imagery, descriptions and pricing.

This allows you to build an ecommerce site but you still need to understand what’s offered and what your site needs. If you research thoroughly, you can identify a platform that allows you to create a functional site that grows and evolves with you in the years to come.

Below is listed a super simple process

1. Select your perfect ecommerce platform WooCommerce, Magento, Shopify etc
2. Purchase a domain name. e.g www.bdolphin.co.uk
3. Find a developer. e.g. www.webdesignpeterborough.co.uk
4. Pick your ecommerce theme.
5. Customise your ecommerce template.
6. Add your products – now if you only have a few products this can be easily completed manually, if you have thousands you might be better off importing them
7. Set up payment options – how are you going to take payment Stripe, PayPal or another merchant system
8. Sort out your shipping settings. In our experience this is one of the elements many businesses getting involved in ecommerce forget about and get horribly wrong.
9. Preview, test… and publish your online store.

Things to consider when choosing your ecommerce system.

Several systems have to work seamlessly to give your customers the best ecommerce experience. Look at how your preferred ecommerce platform works in the following areas to ensure it performs optimally both now and for future online trading.

Website performance

Make sure the platform works consistently and has a strong uptime record, so your website is available when customers want to shop. Unlimited API calls help make your site easier to manage, and pages that load quickly give customers the best experience.

Traffic capacity

Can the platform meet your current traffic needs? Does it have the scope to grow with you as your business expands? Does it handle big days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Mobile optimisation

More consumers are shopping on mobile devices, so it’s essential that your platform can optimise your website for an excellent mobile encounter. Look for ways to enhance customer experience through mobile technology, like geolocation, which helps customers find the nearest store.

Secure payments and data

The platform must be able to protect your data and your customer’s data. SaaS solutions include security, like SSL and PCI, as part of their monthly plans. Self-hosted and open-source solutions require you to have a greater understanding of security, as there’s a higher chance of attack.

The importance of fast loading websites

Website loading speed is extremely important for ecommerce websites. In fact, it can significantly impact the success of an online store. Here are some reasons why website loading speed is crucial for ecommerce:

1. User Experience: Online shoppers expect fast and seamless browsing experiences. If a website takes too long to load, visitors are likely to become frustrated and abandon the site. A slow-loading website can lead to a high bounce rate and lost sales opportunities.
2. Conversion Rates: Studies have consistently shown that slower loading times negatively impact conversion rates. When potential customers have to wait for a website to load, they are more likely to abandon their shopping carts and look for alternatives. Faster loading speeds contribute to a smoother shopping experience, increasing the likelihood of customers completing their purchases.
3. Search Engine Rankings: Search engines like Google consider website loading speed as a ranking factor. Faster-loading websites are more likely to rank higher in search engine results pages, leading to increased organic traffic and visibility. Improved rankings can attract more potential customers and boost the overall visibility of an ecommerce website.
4. Mobile Optimisation: With the increasing use of mobile devices for online shopping, having a fast-loading mobile website is crucial. Mobile users often have slower internet connections and limited data plans, making website speed even more critical. A slow-loading mobile site can result in a poor user experience and lost sales opportunities.
5. Customer Retention: Slow-loading websites can leave a negative impression on customers, leading to a decline in customer satisfaction and loyalty. On the other hand, a fast-loading website can improve customer retention by providing a positive user experience that encourages repeat visits and purchases.

To optimise website loading speed, ecommerce websites can employ various strategies, such as optimising image sizes, utilising caching techniques, minimising server response time, and employing content delivery networks (CDNs). Regular performance monitoring and optimisation efforts are necessary to ensure a fast and reliable website experience for customers.

WooCommerce or Magento

WooCommerce and Magento are two prominent e-commerce platforms that cater to a wide range of businesses, including SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises). When comparing these platforms in terms of ease of use and their suitability for SMEs, several factors come into play.

Ease of Use: WooCommerce, being a plugin for WordPress, is generally considered more user-friendly and accessible, especially for those who are already familiar with WordPress. The integration process is relatively straightforward, and the platform offers an intuitive interface that allows users to manage their online stores without extensive technical knowledge. The setup and customisation options are user-friendly, and a variety of themes and plugins are available to enhance the store’s functionality.

Magento, on the other hand, tends to be more complex, particularly for those without a technical background. Its robustness comes at the cost of a steeper learning curve. The platform offers extensive features and customisation options, but navigating through the settings and configuring the store may require more time and expertise. Although Magento has made efforts to improve its user interface, it may still be more challenging for SME owners who are looking for simplicity and ease of management.

Suitability for SMEs: WooCommerce is often a preferred choice for SMEs due to its ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. Since it operates within the WordPress ecosystem, businesses that already have a WordPress website can seamlessly integrate WooCommerce to set up an online store. This integration provides a familiar environment for managing content and products. WooCommerce is particularly well-suited for SMEs that are just starting out in e-commerce and don’t require highly specialised features.

Magento, while more complex, offers a higher level of customisation and scalability, making it suitable for SMEs with more complex requirements and growth aspirations. Businesses that demand advanced features, extensive product catalogues, multi-store capabilities, and intricate business processes can benefit from Magento’s robust architecture. However, SMEs need to consider the additional costs and potential technical expertise required to manage and maintain a Magento-based online store effectively.

In conclusion, the choice between WooCommerce and Magento for an SME business depends on the specific needs and resources of the business. If simplicity, ease of use, and integration with an existing WordPress site are important, WooCommerce is likely the better choice. On the other hand, if a business requires a higher degree of customisation, scalability, and advanced features, and is willing to invest in technical expertise, Magento could be the platform to consider. It’s important for SME owners to carefully assess their priorities, goals, and available resources before making a decision.