What is an eCommerce platform?

It is a web tool that allows you to assemble a digital shelf where users (customers) can choose a product and make a purchase process that ends with a transaction.

The main function of an eCommerce platform is to simplify the purchase process for the user and for the owner of the store is able to manage without having much experience in coding allowing you to devote to your true core business “sales”.

What can I market through the internet?

Everything that can be commercialized legally applies to be published on an eCommerce platform, be it a physical product or a digital product.

Aspects to take into account when implementing a virtual store?

Platform:

It is new and you want to learn without investing a lot of money: hire a platform like Shopify, Volusion, Squarespace, Weebly, Site123, Strikingly, wix, etc.

Already have a store and want to evolve? Go to the premium version of your current platform or think of a solution like Oracle, Vtex, etc.

Website content: must contain clear and simple information, quality images, no hidden costs, policies and explicit conditions on warranties, shipments, returns, etc.

Technical Conditions: the site must have a pleasant user interface, with a fast loading speed, it must have a website security certificate, secure payment platform, simple payment process.

Marketing: Just as important as having a functional platform is the diffusion of the site so that people find the store and are interested in their products, so it must have a marketing plan that involves digital and traditional channels.

Customer service: Use the communication channels that you can attend to have closeness to the customer, chat, telephone, call to action, social networks and in general any tool that allows attention 24 hours 7 days a week.

What do I need to start?

Business Model: You need to have one or several products of your own or a third party of which you have authorization to resell, you must have a defined target audience and have the ability to respond immediately to deliver in record time.

What knowledge should I have?

– No previous knowledge: Hire an all-in-one platform where the provider guides you from how to choose the domain until the publication of the products; in this mode you pay for a SaaS service in the cloud and do not have to worry about hosting, security , or any other technical aspect.

In this type of platform (Shopify, Volusion, Squarespace, Weebly, Site123, Strikingly, wix, ) usually pays a monthly fee and does not have permanence clauses, it is ideal to explore eCommerce without investing a significant amount.

– With advanced knowledge: If you are familiar with any programming language you can build your virtual store using CMS such as Woocommerce that is managed from the WordPress platform, there are also other platforms such as Magento, Oscommerce, BigCommerce, Nopcommerce among others.

In this modality you should be responsible for hosting the administration of the domain and the security of the site.

You must know how to make a connection with different services such as payment gateways, shipping systems, plug-in configuration, optimization, among others, which are essential for the store to have excellent online performance.

How many people do I need to set up a virtual store?

Companies that are in the process of implementing a virtual store can start normally with one or two people who are responsible for the management and can outsource services to avoid incurring fixed costs.

When the revenue generated through the store contributes at least 10% of the company’s total income, it must invest in a more robust team that manages all areas of the digital ecosystem.

If you have managed to obtain benefits and consistency, consider migrating your services to a professional platform, hire services managed by companies that have experience, discard free services, remember that as you grow you will need more power and many basic services that has been using may not support unexpected growth and may lose image and reputation.