Choosing an ecommerce website builder can be overwhelming if you’re just getting started: there are so many different options, pricing, and features to consider!
In this short guide, we’ll give you an overview of the main features and factors to consider when choosing your e-commerce platform, to start your online business on the right foot.
Let’s dive in!
At a glance
📌 Features to Look for in an E-commerce Website Builder
When starting an online store, you may get lost in the wide number of features you’ll need. However, if we have to stick to the basics, here’s what you absolutely should take into consideration:
User-Friendliness
One of the essential features of an ecommerce website builder is user-friendliness. A store that is intuitive and easy to navigate is also a store that will likely sell more.
Moreover, your platform should have an easy-to-use interface that allows you to create your online store without any coding or technical skills. Look for a builder with drag-and-drop functionality and intuitive navigation, so you can easily customize your online store to meet your needs.
Customization
Customization is another important feature to consider, because your online store should be unique and reflect your brand’s identity.
Your platform should provide a variety of customizable templates,the flexibility to add or remove features, and the ability to include custom descriptions for your products.
It’s also essential to look for support for third-party plugins to extend the functionality of your online store.
Payment Gateway Integration
When it comes to selling products or services online, payment gateway integration is a crucial feature to look for.
Your e-commerce website builder should support multiple payment options – such as credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay – and multiple currencies if you’re planning on selling internationally.
It should also provide secure payment processing to protect your customers’ sensitive information.
Mobile Responsiveness
In today’s mobile-first world, your online store must be optimized for mobile devices.
Look for an e-commerce platform that provides a mobile-optimized designand a responsive layout, meaning that it will automatically adapt itself to different devices.
💡 Modern website builders are often natively responsive
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving organic traffic to your online store.
Your ecommerce website builder should provide built-in SEO tools to help you optimize your online store for search engines. For example, you should be able to customize URLs, meta tags, and descriptions.
Analytics and Reporting
Finally, look for a robust analytics and reporting feature. This is crucial to track the performance of your store.
Your platform should provide tracking and reporting of key metrics, such as website traffic, conversion rates, and sales. You should also look for integration with third-party analytics tools, such as Google Analytics or its alternatives.
📌 Factors to Consider when Choosing an E-commerce Website Builder
Besides these main features, there are also several factors that could make you decide on an ecommerce platform instead of another.
Here are a few crucial ones:
Pricing
Pricing is, of course, the first thing that comes to mind.
When choosing your e-commerce website builder, don’t just take into consideration the monthly or yearly subscription, but be aware of additional fees for features or services.
Customer Support
When running an online store, timely support is essential. Choose a builder that provides reliable customer support through multiple channels, including phone, email, and live chat.
Scalability
As your online store grows, so will your website’s traffic and the number of products or services you offer. Choose an e-commerce website builder that can handle growth and allows you to add more products or services with ease.
Security
The security of your online store is paramount to protect your business and your customers’ information. Choose a platform that provides SSL certification and PCI compliance.
Additionally, make sure you can add your legal documents to ensure compliance with privacy laws.
We hope this guide helped you have a clearer idea!
Now you’re ready for the next step:
👉 Best E-commerce Platforms Comparison + Finding your Perfect Fit
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