Everybody knows that retail stores are a good business, no matter what you sell, there will always be people near you willing to buy your products or services. But a retail store is limited to its geographical location. If you want to go global, there are no limits to the internet.
Ecommerce has revolutionized retail since Covid19 shook the retail industry, it has evolved to meet the changing needs of people, and to make online shopping easier for the modern-day consumer. When it started, ecommerce was fairly limited in its capabilities. But not anymore, statistics shows that many people are adopting to shopping online.
Physical retail is driven by branding and relationships. In addition to these two drivers, online retail is also driven by traffic from search engines. It is not unusual for customers to follow a link in search engine results and land on an eCommerce website that they have never heard of. This additional source of traffic can be the tipping point for some eCommerce business.
Let’s look at some factors to consider while choosing an eCommerce platform;
Cost of Ownership – The first thing to consider when assessing each eCommerce platform is the price. Whether you’re a small business just getting started or an already established brick and motor store moving online, you need to understand the full cost of each platform.
Almost all platforms will have monthly fee. There are also processing costs associated with each platform. Don’t sacrifice the things you’ll need for a lower price. Weigh the pros and cons of each to get the best value for your budget.
Integrations – Another critical factor to consider when evaluating eCommerce platforms is integrations and plugins. Platforms such as NEXX eCommerce by CompuLynx allows seamless integrations with your supporting business systems such as ERP, accounting, CRM or completely bespoke systems, and all this solution can be deployed on premises or in the cloud.
SEO Friendliness – Ecommerce business are not exempt from working on their Search Engine Optimization (SEO). SEO friendly with options for blog and domain name hosting. In fact, it can be highly beneficial to have your store rank high in search results. You want your customers to find you when they’re searching for your products. Some of the most important factors when looking for an SEO friendly platform include;
- The ability to add a blog to your website
- The ability to use your own domain name
- The ability for customers to leave reviews
Scalability ––All business owners hope their business will grow in the future, but you may not know to what extent. Nonetheless, it’s important to look for a platform that will scale along your business. Look for platforms that can grow with your business such as NEXX ecommerce by CompuLynx which is scalable.
eCommerce Platform Security – Security is quite possibly the most important feature of an eCommerce website. Without proper security, online retail business owners put themselves, their brand, and their customers at risk of fraud or identity theft. Not to mentioned leaked credit card details that can put a dent in your accounts, resulting in huge casualties for your business. Retailers need to choose a secure host and eCommerce platform with robust security standards. Platforms such as NEXX eCommerce by CompuLynx offers a combination that will offer complete protection from the most common threats, such as malware and SQL injections.
In conclusion, starting any new business is challenging, but moving away from the traditional storefront to an online version can be a little daunting especially with so many options for you to start with, which is why choosing an ecommerce platform is so difficult for many business owners.
Figuring out what you store will need as you grow and keeping up with trends is a challenge, but it is well worth it in the end to create processes that work and will scale with your business. Knowing what to look for ahead of time makes choosing a platform an easier process and can help you find success.
By Carolyne Rabut
Content Marketing – CompuLynx
