So, you want to start an online business. We don’t blame you.
E-commerce businesses have grown increasingly popular because of the convenience and flexibility they provide the consumer. You no longer need to jump in a car and go to the mall to buy what you need. You can easily find it on the internet, from your laptop, in the comfort of your home.
However, there’s a lot that goes into creating and especially optimizing an eCommerce website. From the structural components, design assets, and platform choice: It’s more than what meets the eye! This means there are tons of details you’ll need to iron out before launching your online business and making your first sale.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry. We’re here to teach you how to build an eCommerce website from scratch.
Let’s take a closer look:
The basics: what do you need to create an online store?
Create your brand identity
Your brand identity will be the driving force that helps you land new customers and is the most integral first step in the eCommerce website development process. You’ll want to tailor your branding for your audience. All the eCommerce design assets, images, messaging, colors, and details should be picked with them in mind.
Pick a domain name
Once you decide on your brand name, you’ll want to secure your domain name immediately. Unfortunately, your domain name might not always be available. Popular or generic names tend to go faster than more obscure ones. If your domain is available, you’ll want to secure it with a short-term or long-term contract.
Create a fulfillment process
Before your eCommerce site is launched and ready to go, you’ll need to decide how to fulfill orders. Are you going to work with a third party? Are you going to do it all in-house? What will your standard delivery window be? These are all questions you’ll want to have answered before you go live.
Start building your website
Now, the real fun begins! Once the nitty gritty details and logistical components are figured out, you’ll want to decide if you plan to work with an eCommerce developer and what platform you want to work with. Using a platform can help you cut costs and be a much easier way to build your site.
Design: how to create a great design for your e-commerce website
The eCommerce design needs to be tailored to enhance the user experience and keep customers coming back for more. Before you start throwing colors and fonts places, here are a few questions you’ll want to consider:
- How do you want to lay out your main landing page or product page?
- Do you want to use lifestyle images or simple images for your products? What fonts, colors, and photos do you want to use?
- Where do you plan to place your business logo?
All your eCommerce design elements should complement your brand identity and drive your customers to complete their purchases.
Keep in mind: You’ll want to keep the overall look minimal and avoid adding clutter. Your design components should all serve a purpose and be mobile-friendly.
Platforms: which platform is best for your e-commerce website?
There are several platforms you can choose to start your eCommerce. The three most popular solutions include WordPress, Shopify, and Magento. All three options come with a suite of different features and benefits for your eCommerce website.
One of the biggest determining factors is budget. Before you choose a platform, you’ll want to consider how much money you want to put towards a platform and weigh the pros and cons of all the options.
Features: what features should you consider for your eCommerce website?
There’s a robust amount of features you’ll want to consider adding to your eCommerce website. These features are there to improve the user experience and help you increase conversions.
Here’s a list of features to consider during the eCommerce web development process.
- Easy-to-use, user-friendly navigation
- Reporting and analytic tools
- Seamless checkout experience
- Extensive backend management tools
- A responsive design
What’s Next? Optimize and maintain
The work doesn’t stop there. Once your website is launched, you’ll want to always be on the search for new ways to improve. Whether it’s updating product descriptions, uploading new images, or setting up abandoned cart workflows.
Launch your eCommerce with a trusted eCommerce developer
If you want to see success in the eCommerce space, you’ll need one of the top eCommerce website designers to help you build a successful site your customers will like.
At Byte Technology, our web development team is dedicated to providing you with an e-commerce website built to succeed. We have been creating online e-commerce stores built to convert sales since 2005.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
