{"id":6796,"date":"2020-07-07T12:56:25","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T12:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/invoice.ng\/blog\/?p=6796"},"modified":"2022-10-30T00:41:02","modified_gmt":"2022-10-30T00:41:02","slug":"tips-on-picking-the-right-platform-for-your-online-store","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/invoice.ng\/blog\/tips-on-picking-the-right-platform-for-your-online-store\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Tips On Picking The Right Platform For Your Online Store"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you intend to launch an <\/span>online store for your small business<\/span>? First, let’s show you how to pick the right platform for your online store.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>Statista<\/span>, over 2 billion people will shop online worldwide in 2022.\u00a0<\/span>Fortunately, an eCommerce platform allows you to create your online store for displaying products, enabling you to partake in the profitable eCommerce industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, you can use several eCommerce platforms, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, Open Cart, and others.\u00a0<\/span>With their unique features, settling on an eCommerce platform for your online store can be challenging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, we will show you the best tips you need to know when picking the right platform for your online store. Stay tuned!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Consider your affordability<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Regarding online business, it is essential to be prudent with your spending. Therefore, you should consider pricing when choosing an eCommerce platform for your online store.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some eCommerce platforms are available with a subscription billed monthly, bi-annually, or annually. Some platforms charge as high as $100 per month while others charge as low as $9; however, some eCommerce platforms are free or open-source.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, it would be best to consider your starting business scale when opting for an eCommerce platform. For example, if you are a small business just starting, you might not have the funds to pay high fees for an eCommerce platform.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also Read: 6 Tips For Creating The Perfect Website For Your Business<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2. Avoid complexity<\/b><\/h2>\n

This has to do with how the platform works. Is it complex or easy to use? How do you manage orders, display products, process payments, etc.?\u00a0<\/span>These are the questions you must answer before <\/span>opting for an eCommerce platform<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can try out the demo versions of the eCommerce platforms and test their admin panel or dashboard. This will enable you to figure out their user-friendliness.\u00a0<\/span>Also, check out how to upload your products, <\/span>generate online invoices<\/span><\/a>, and monitor your online store in real-time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, you should consider a user-friendly eCommerce platform based on your experience as a newbie or experienced user.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Prioritize the platform’s security<\/b><\/h2>\n

According to <\/span>CNBC<\/span>, online stores experienced increased online attacks in 2019. However, you can take proactive measures against cyber-attacks by opting for a highly-secured platform for your online store.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides, customers who patronize your online store should be guaranteed that their payment information is safe and secure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, some eCommerce platforms incorporate standard security measures; however, you must check.\u00a0<\/span>Additionally, you should check whether your eCommerce platform supports SSL encryption for HTTPS encryption. <\/span><\/p>\n

Also, check out their privacy policy page to know how the eCommerce platform collects, uses, and stores information.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Check for flexibility<\/b><\/h2>\n

A typical eCommerce platform may incorporate standard online store features while providing additional features as add-ons.\u00a0<\/span>For instance, other features, such as payment processors, email newsletters, social media management, SEO, etc., may be absent on an eCommerce platform.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, some eCommerce platforms support third-party integrations. Therefore, you should consider an eCommerce platform that allows you to extend its basic capacity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, it would help if you considered utilizing an international payment gateway on your online store for collecting payments from your foreign customers. <\/span><\/p>\n

An eCommerce platform that integrates with PayPal will be ideal; besides, it is the most preferred online payment method<\/span> after credit cards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, it would be best to consider your online store niche and business objectives before deciding upon the third-party tools required for your online store<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also Read: How To Start A Successful Online Dropshipping Business<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

5. Use a responsive platform<\/b><\/h2>\n

A <\/span>responsive eCommerce platform<\/span> ensures that your online store loads correctly on various screen sizes, whether mobile or desktop.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A recent study revealed that up to <\/span>50 percent of online purchases<\/span> are made using mobile phones. That’s about half of the total number of online purchases. <\/span><\/p>\n

So if your online store is not well-optimized for mobile devices, you will likely lose half of your customers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although several eCommerce platforms have several mobile responsive designs; however, you should take your time to test their mobile responsiveness before making a decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

When starting an online store, one of the most important decisions you will need to make is choosing the best eCommerce platform for your business<\/a>. There are many options to choose from, each with its strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n

For instance, specific eCommerce platforms may be suitable for companies focusing on high-volume eCommerce transactions. In contrast, others may be more suitable for businesses with many unique or customizable products.<\/p>\n

Considering these factors, you can choose the best platform to set your business up for success in this increasingly competitive digital landscape.<\/p>\n

6. Consider the SEO-friendliness<\/b><\/h2>\n

About <\/span>87 percent of online shoppers<\/span> carry out online searches for products before they make purchases. This implies the necessity for your online store to be search-engine friendly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although there are several eCommerce platforms in the market, some are not SEO-friendly, resulting in low organic traffic for your online store.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Conversely, search engine optimization (SEO) allows you to generate organic traffic to your online store from search engines. Not to mention, vast <\/span>traffic translates to more sales<\/span><\/a>, thereby increasing your profitability.<\/span><\/p>\n

With an SEO-friendly eCommerce platform, your online store products or brand will rank well on search engine results pages (SERPs). This ensures that you do not lose your prospective online customers to your competitors.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Pay attention to scalability<\/b><\/h2>\n

You should think ahead when choosing an eCommerce platform for your online store. A time will come for a successful online store when you might need to expand, include more products, handle many customers (traffic), and process more orders. <\/span><\/p>\n

So, i<\/span>f your chosen eCommerce platform is not scalable, you might face uncomfortable limits, making it challenging to expand your online store.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, some eCommerce platform providers offer tiered packages that allow you to migrate to a better plan once your online store starts advancing.\u00a0<\/span>With a scalable eCommerce platform, you can expand your online store without limitation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Also Read:\u00a0How To Start Ecommerce Business Like Jumia And Konga In Nigeria<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

8. Good support is essential<\/b><\/h2>\n

Finally, you must opt for an eCommerce platform that offers extensive customer support. Besides, you may encounter some technical issues while managing your online store.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, contacting your eCommerce platform support team can efficiently resolve such issues without delays. And\u00a0<\/span>you can as well opt for an eCommerce platform that offers community-based support. This will enable you to solicit help from users who have had a similar experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Final Words<\/b><\/h2>\n

You can opt to build your eCommerce platform from scratch, but that will cost you time and money.\u00a0<\/span>However, professionals built some already-existing platforms, such as WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, Open Cart, etc. <\/span><\/p>\n

Not to mention, they incorporate both standard and unique features that you need to run your online store.\u00a0<\/span>By applying the tips listed above, you should be able to pick the right eCommerce platform for your online store.<\/span><\/p>\n

Author’s\u00a0Bio<\/h2>\n

Roberto Garvin is the co-founder of <\/span>Mofluid<\/span><\/a>. He is amazed to see how technology continues to evolve. From email to browsers, search engines, mobile, AI, and blockchain, he feels fortunate to witness it all and is excited to see what’s next.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Do you intend to launch an online store for your small business? First, let’s show you how to pick the right platform for your online…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":6904,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[37,40],"tags":[703,716,187,175,702,717],"yoast_head":"\n8 Tips On Picking The Right Platform For Your Online Store<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do you intend to launch an online store for your small business? 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