Top 10 Things To Keep In Mind While Selecting The Best eCommerce Platform

The eCommerce sector is valued at $2.3 trillion at the moment and is expected to nearly quadruple in size to $4.48 trillion by 2023. If you’ve decided to make use of an eCommerce software in order to ensure that you obtain the greatest possible slice of the pie, we’re delighted to say that you’ve made an excellent decision.

However, if you want to sell products online on online selling sites in India the process isn’t straightforward.  This is because selecting the finest eCommerce software is not as simple as it appears. Indeed, it is one of the most critical decisions you will make early on in your eCommerce journey.

To assist you in determining how to pick the finest eCommerce platform, we’ve compiled this guide outlining all of the important criteria and considerations to bear in mind.

What is the definition of an eCommerce platform?

An eCommerce platform is a piece of software that enables internet businesses — small and large — to manage their website, marketing, sales, and operations more effectively. Consider it to be your business’s core hub or home base.

Ecommerce systems like Shopify provide the robust capabilities required to operate a business while also connecting with popular business tools, allowing businesses to centralise operations and manage their enterprises their way.

Why is it critical to choose the finest eCommerce platform for your business?

Developing an eCommerce business entails much more than just posting your product listings online. It is far more complex than you expect. As with maintaining a brick-and-mortar store or manufacturing site, the same amount of strategic thinking and planning goes into creating and operating an eCommerce firm.

And if you nail this essential, you can leverage the digital environment to automate and simplify a large number of jobs and activities that previously required human interaction.

However, while choosing an eCommerce platform, keep in mind that your eCommerce site will define the following four factors:

• Growth: How swiftly can your business expand?
• Costs of operation: These include the cost of developing your eCommerce platform as well as continuing development and maintenance.
• Customer engagement: Managing your customers’ interactions with your business.
• Service: The appropriate eCommerce platform will enable you to provide the service you have set out to provide.

It is critical to note that many eCommerce sellers prefer to focus exclusively on concerns such as:

• Design
• User experience
• Branding
• Content

However, the true eCommerce challenges lie in company processes, consumer interaction, and lead creation. All of these procedures can assist you in determining whether your eCommerce platform is generating a reasonable return on investment.

Top eCommerce platforms

E-commerce systems come in a variety of flavours. Before delving into features, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the different categories and their distinctions. The three primary categories you should be aware of are as follows:

• Open-source

On these platforms, you must create and customise the website, as well as host and install it in the cloud. This will require a development team. You will be responsible for the original development, implementation, and maintenance. Magento is a good example of this.

• Cloud computing platforms

Cloud platforms combine open-source platform capabilities with a hosting infrastructure. In a nutshell, it’s a platform for developing and deploying websites. As a result, you will receive minimal assistance.

• SaaS-based eCommerce

Consider a physical shop that is already constructed, has adequate space, and also offers support to ensure that operations run smoothly. All you have to do is add the items and choose a theme. This is the structure of a SaaS platform for eCommerce. You will have a fully functional web store. You are not necessary to deploy the site (which means no developers or tech knowledge is required).

SaaS is the way of the future in eCommerce. Businesses are increasingly utilising such platforms. If you lack technical expertise and want dedicated help, this is the platform for you. Some examples of SaaS eCommerce systems available in India are:

• Instamojo
• Shopify
• BigCommerce
• Wix 

Critical Considerations When Choosing An eCommerce Platform

The simplest method to determine whether an eCommerce platform is right for you is to review its features on their website, look at their free resources, and determine whether they have a community of small business owners that trust them.

These are the critical characteristics to consider when selecting an eCommerce platform.

• User Experience

Customers are the lifeblood of every firm. As a result, an eCommerce website should be capable of streamlining the purchasing process for your consumers. 

• Pricing

Consider the platform’s price structure. Consider subscribing on a yearly/monthly basis. Is there a free trial available? If so, which may be viewed prior to making a purchase?

• Security

This is a critical aspect in ensuring the safety of both you and your consumers. Examine the platform’s security features. Verify that they adhere to PCI standards and utilise multi-layered security.

• Mobile compatibility

Another critical aspect that any eCommerce website must have is a mobile-friendly user experience. Consult the platform’s documentation to see whether it provides mobile-friendly themes or templates. Additionally, the checkout method should be mobile-friendly.

• Payments and checkout

To accept payments, your eCommerce business must be associated with a payment gateway. It is ideal if your site accepts numerous payment methods, allowing your clients to select their favourite method.

• Is the gateway capable of one-page checkouts?
• How long will it take for you to get funds in your bank account?
• How much does it cost to do a transaction?
• Is it secure and simple to use?

Consider the following while making your payment gateway selection. 

Select an integrated payment gateway with all of the following capabilities for your eCommerce website. You won’t have to worry about making payments, and it will arrive on schedule.

• Catalogs 

If you operate a product-based firm, it is preferable to use a platform that allows for unlimited product additions. Verify if the platform enables you to upload multiple product images. Adding goods to your online store should be straightforward.

• Management of orders

Order collection and management is a difficult process. A strong eCommerce platform simplifies this process for you. From a single dashboard, you should be able to see, update, and fulfill orders. Additionally, determine whether the platform is capable of sending email notifications to customers.

Additionally, your online business will require a customer relationship manager to properly gather leads and manage abandoned carts.

Additional important qualities of eCommerce stores

To pick the finest eCommerce platform, you must look beyond the fundamental functions. These tools will assist you in growing and scaling your internet business. Here are some more characteristics that your online store should offer.

• Support

It is possible that something will go wrong. As a result, you’ll want a strong support crew to assist you. Each platform will have a support crew, but the key is how responsive they will be to your inquiries. Are they available 24 hours a day?

• Integration

Apart from payment gateways, additional apps may be required based on your company requirements. You may require a chat application, email marketing integration, and trademark registration, among other things. Examine the platform’s integration capabilities with third-party systems.

• Shipping

Shipping and handling orders are one of the most difficult aspects of an internet company. A decent eCommerce platform will provide a variety of delivery options. It should either provide built-in shipping functionality or support shipping plugins. You should have the option of selecting your preferred shipping partner.

Conclusion

The e-commerce industry is growing each year by leaps and bounds. By following the steps mentioned above, you should be able to examine every significant aspect of an eCommerce platform – while avoiding the common software selection errors.

However, as we enter an era dominated by IoT devices being utilised by increasingly demanding customers, it’s critical to pick an eCommerce platform that is created to help you develop both today and future. That is why we advocate for a headless eCommerce platform, which enables you to adapt to every new device or channel that becomes available. 

E-commerce is booming, and in the coming years, the market will expand a lot. Anyone getting into e-commerce is set for a bright future ahead. 

Summary

In today’s world, it is clear that your internet business will require a website. You’ll need to carefully select an eCommerce platform that is efficient and fits your business model and requirements in order to manage your online business effectively. This may appear to be a difficult undertaking for any business owner but have no fear. Whether you’re an entirely online merchant or developing an online extension of your physical store, there is an eCommerce platform that is ideal for your business operations. Here we will evaluate the factors which you should consider if you want to select the best e-commerce platform for yourself.