With so many e-commerce platforms to choose from, it's important to pay attention to which features are most important to your business. After all, what works for one seller may not work for all. For example, he can only sell 7 varieties, so he doesn't need software to support large inventories.
Or, if you have a brick-and-mortar store but want to branch out online, you need a platform with POS capabilities so your inventory is automatically synced no matter where you shop. In addition to the features you need, you should also consider your budget, ease of use, whether you need multichannel sales, and whether the platform includes an SSL certificate. This certificate is required and lets your customers know that it is safe to enter their credit card details when placing an order.
Important e-commerce features
No matter what type of e-commerce platform you choose, there are certain features that every business needs to succeed online. These include:
Payment procedure. The ability to accept payments online is clearly essential for any e-commerce business. All platforms offer some form of payment processing, but be sure to check what types of payments they accept. You may need your own payment processor or merchant account.
delivery. Shipping is also an important aspect of e-commerce. Make sure the platform you choose offers shipping integrations that suit your business. For example, if you sell large items that require freight shipping, you'll need a platform that can integrate with freight forwarders.
Inventory control. It's important to track your inventory to avoid overselling or running out of stock. Most e-commerce platforms offer some form of inventory management, but the level of detail and functionality varies by platform.
Customer management. A good e-commerce platform also offers some type of customer management. This includes customer accounts, wishlists, order history, loyalty, etc. This is important for providing a great customer experience and tracking customer orders.
analysis. Analytics are essential to understanding your business and seeing where you can improve. Make sure the platform you choose offers in-depth analytics so you can track conversion rates, average order value, customer lifetime value, and more.
marketing. Marketing is a great way to drive traffic and sales to your store. Make sure the platform you choose offers marketing features like coupons, abandoned cart emails, and social media integration.
Product management. Managing your products is important to ensure accuracy and stay organized. Make sure the platform you choose offers features such as product variations, inventory management, and product reviews.
Mobile optimization. Mobile optimization is important to ensure your store looks great and functions well on mobile devices. Make sure the platform you choose is responsive and mobile-friendly.
safety. Security is important to protect your customers' data and ensure your store is safe from fraud. Make sure the platform you choose offers features like SSL certificates, password protection, and PCI compliance.
Types of e-commerce platforms: self-hosted vs. cloud-based
E-commerce platforms fall into two different categories: cloud-based and self-hosted. When you self-host your e-commerce site, you are responsible for maintaining your own server. This can be cumbersome, but it gives you more control over things like security, uptime, and scalability.
Cloud-based e-commerce platforms, on the other hand, are hosted by a platform provider. This means you don't have to worry about things like server maintenance, but it also means you have less control over your site.
Self-hosted e-commerce platform
cloud-based e-commerce platform
Limitations and challenges
E-commerce platforms have some limitations and challenges. Please note the following points:
Fee: E-commerce platforms can be expensive, especially if you need a lot of features. Research the features you need and compare the costs of platforms to make sure it's right for your business. Some platforms advertise free plans, but they usually have limited functionality or higher processing fees.
complicated: E-commerce platforms can be complex to set up and use. Choose a platform that is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Look for 24/7 customer support, clear documentation, a user-friendly interface, and more. You don't want a platform that's too complex to use or whose support team is only available to him from 9-5.
Limited customization: Some e-commerce platforms have very limited customization. If you need a lot of customization, make sure the platform you choose can accommodate your needs. Otherwise, you'll end up spending a lot of money on workarounds and customizations that could have been avoided with a more flexible platform.
Out of control: The level of control you have over your website varies between hosted and self-hosted platforms. It all depends on what you need. If complete autonomy is important to you, make sure your platform choice reflects that before doing anything.
Additional considerations
Besides the features and limitations of e-commerce platforms, there are some other considerations to keep in mind when choosing a platform.
Store size: The size of your store will determine the type of platform you need. If you're just starting out, a simple platform with basic functionality is sufficient. However, larger or more complex stores require a platform with more powerful features to accommodate their needs.
Inventory turnover rate: The frequency of inventory rotation also influences the type of platform needed. If you have a high turnover, you will need a platform that can handle high volumes of traffic and transactions.
Payment method: Make sure the platform you choose supports the payment method you want to use. Some platforms only work with certain payment providers, so it's important to check this before using a platform.
Transportation method: Like your payment method, the shipping method you use must also be compatible with your chosen platform. Otherwise, you will need to use a workaround or find another platform. For example, dropshipping only works on certain platforms.
Localization: If you want to sell to customers in multiple countries, you'll need a platform that supports different languages and currencies. Make sure the platform you choose can support your localization needs.
Omnichannel capabilities: If you want to sell through multiple channels (in-person, online, mobile, social, etc.), make sure the platform you choose can support an omnichannel strategy. Not all platforms offer this functionality, so it's important to check before committing.
Scalability: The platform you choose for your business should be one that can grow with you. Make sure you can accommodate all your future needs. Otherwise, you'll just end up having to switch platforms later. That costs money and time.
Integration: The platform you choose should be able to integrate with other software you use, such as accounting and CRM software. Otherwise, you will need to use a workaround or find another platform.
Design and customization: The design and customization options offered by platforms can vary widely. If you need a lot of control over the appearance of your website, make sure the platform you choose can accommodate your needs. A more flexible platform may require higher initial costs, but avoiding workarounds can save you money in the long run.
