E-commerce platforms grew by a staggering 44% in 2020. The pandemic changed how businesses operate, and several businesses shifted to selling their products online. This change is not limited to FMCG products but includes B2B products as well. This has resulted in an increase in demand for eCommerce platforms that can help businesses take their products online. E-Commerce is one of the fastest growing sectors and is showing no sign of slowing down. If you want to start your own platform, it can be viable. But before you get started, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. In this blog post, we'll go over 10 essentials you need to start your very own E-commerce platform.
1. Mobile-friendly interface
It is critical that e-commerce platform has a mobile-friendly interface. Above 61% of consumers are more likely to use your interface if it is mobile-friendly. By ensuring your website is mobile-friendly, you can ensure your platform gets more traffic and conversions. You need to ensure your website has a responsive design. Because responsive websites adapt to the size of the device being used to view them, your website will look amazing and function appropriately on laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Later you can launch an app for your platform.
2. User-friendly navigation features
For any e-commerce platform to be successful, it must have a good user interface. Your customers are unlikely to use your platform if they find the site difficult to navigate. They should be able to find quickly what they need. The menu should be clearly visible, like at the top of the page, and they should be able to browse through your product portfolio easily.
Additionally, you need to add search functionality to your website. This will allow customers to quickly find what they are looking for without having to go through the entire product list. Your customers should be able to use filters and sort products according to factors like price, style, size, manufacturer, and other details. The elements you incorporate into your e-commerce website design depend on the goods you sell and what matters to your target market.
Remember to choose colors and fonts that create a good user experience and help people navigate your website more easily.
3. Security
To become a successful e-commerce platform, you need to ensure your website is secure. Users are unlikely to use your platform if they feel your website if they feel their personal data is not secure. It must be underlined inadequate security exposes your company to both financial loss and legal liability. Some security measures you can adopt are -
Using an SSL certificate is a digital certificate that helps encrypt information sent between users' browsers and your website's server.
Using the CVV and address verification value (AVS) of credit cards during payment.
Having a secure password that is regularly updated.
4. Payment options
You will need to have a payment processor. This is how you'll accept payments from your customers. Again, there are a number of different options out there, so do your research and choose the one that's right for you and your business. Ensure you include popular options so that your customers have a seamless experience. Include accepted payment methods on your website so that customers can see what they can use to purchase your stuff in advance.
5. High-quality photos and videos
A picture is worth a thousand words, and never has that been more true than in the world of e-commerce. A high-quality photo or video can be the difference between a successful product launch. That's where 3D rendering comes in. By using 3D Product rendering services, businesses can create realistic images and videos. Potential customers get realistic images of your products, and they get a clear idea about the product and how it can be incorporated into their lives. They can examine the product from different angles and request modification if required. You can use 3D renders to incorporate changes easily without any additional expenses of hiring a photographer.
Remember to include the product description with the photograph. The product description should include information like detailed specifications, warranty, guarantees, and accessories. The product description should be easy to read and understand, you can include bullet points to make it more readable.
6. Clear shopping cart and checkout buttons
If you want a successful website, you must ensure a user-friendly cart and checkout. Ensure the “add-to-the cart” and “check out” buttons are prominent and easy to find. Display all pertinent information, including the name, price, and the number of each item in the user's cart, when they click on their cart.
Customers should have the flexibility to delete goods from the cart or alter the quantity of already-added products. Most platforms allow customers to keep goods in their cart and return them to the cart later. You can remind your customers about items left in the basket through pop-ups or emails.
Ensure the checkout process is quick and easy. The fewer steps involved, the better. The process should be intuitive and easy to follow. You can include a progress bar to show the customer how many steps are involved in the process and where they are in the process.
7. Provide detailed shipping and return information
Your website should clearly state the shipping and return policy. Customers will be able to understand the policy and make informed purchasing decisions. This will help boost their confidence and increase conversion. Ensure the information can be found easily.
Several platforms include the information in the footer with requisite links on their website. Try to offer a generous return policy and low shipping costs to encourage customers to purchase products from your website. It is important to have a return policy as it builds trust with the customer and makes them feel confident about their purchase.
8. Ratings, reviews, and other social proof
Consumers today are savvier than ever before. With access to the internet and a wealth of information at their fingertips, they know what they want, and they know how to find it. When it comes to making a purchase, they often turn to reviews and ratings to get a sense of what others think about a product or service. This social proof can be essential for businesses, particularly when it comes to launching a new e-commerce platform. By harnessing the power of positive reviews and ratings, businesses can build trust with potential customers and increase the likelihood of success.
Of course, not all reviews and ratings will be positive. But even negative feedback can be useful, providing businesses with an opportunity to address any concerns and improve the customer experience. In today's competitive landscape, social proof can be the difference between success and failure. For businesses looking to launch a new e-commerce platform, it is essential. Remember to include review functionality in your website, and encourage your customers to leave reviews on your website and other social media platforms and product review websites. You need to engage with both positive and negative reviews to show that you care about your customers' experience.
9. Product availability
If you want your e-commerce platform to be successful, you need to make sure that you have a steady supply of items to sell. Customers get frustrated if they order a product only to be told stock is unavailable. This means having a good relationship with suppliers and being able to source products quickly and efficiently. It also means having enough stock to meet customer demand without overstocking and tieing up valuable capital. Getting item availability right is essential for any e-commerce business, so it's something that needs to be given careful thought and attention from the beginning. If a product is unavailable, be sure to provide details of when it will available again.
Have multiple vendors for each product to ensure that if one vendor is out of stock, you can still source the product from another vendor. This will help to avoid any disruptions to the customer experience and ensure that orders can be fulfilled quickly and efficiently.
10. Customer service
When you have an e-commerce platform, you need to respond quickly to customer inquiries and complaints. A good customer service experience can help build rapport with your clients. This can be done by providing personalized service and showing that you value their business. When it comes to e-commerce, providing outstanding customer service is the key to success.
You can include a well-planned and accessible FAQ page. A FAQ page can assist consumers in rapidly locating the solution if they have a question. Make a FAQ page one of the elements of your e-commerce website. Your contact page should be easy to find, be sure to include multiple contact options on your page - phone numbers, email addresses, chatbot, and social media page.
Conclusion
There are many things to consider when launching a new e-commerce platform. By following the tips in this article, you can give your business the best chance of success. Creating a user-friendly secure website, adding high-quality video and photographs, providing multiple payment options, and providing excellent customer service are all essential for any eCommerce business. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can launch a successful eCommerce platform that will help your business thrive.
Thank you for reading! We hope this article has been helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us at Atellier Studio.
