In 2024, the global eCommerce market is projected to generate an astounding $1.2 trillion in revenue. If you’re eager to claim a share of this booming market, now is the perfect time to build your eCommerce website.
An eCommerce site serves as a virtual storefront, enabling you to reach a vast audience at a fraction of the cost of traditional retail.
Unlike a physical store limited by geography and high operational expenses, an online store allows you to cater to a diverse customer base worldwide. All you need is a reliable eCommerce platform, a hosting solution, and a domain name to get started.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step of how to build an eCommerce website — from selecting the right platform to promoting your site effectively. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Step 1: Planning Your eCommerce Business Model
The first step to building a successful online store is defining your business model. What products will you sell? Who is your target audience? And who are your competitors?
Determine your business model
There are various business models you can adopt for your online store.
- Business-to-Business (B2B): Sell products or services directly to other businesses, often in bulk and at a discount.
- Business-to-Consumer (B2C): Sell products directly to individual customers, the most common eCommerce model.
- Dropshipping: Partner with suppliers to sell products that are shipped directly to customers without holding inventory.
- Wholesale: Purchase products in bulk from manufacturers or distributors and sell them at a markup to retailers or consumers.
- Digital products: Sell intangible goods such as eBooks, software, online courses, or digital art that can be delivered electronically.
- Whitelabel: Rebrand generic products produced by another company and sell them under your own brand name.
By selecting the right business model, you’ll lay the foundation for your eCommerce strategy and ensure you’re meeting the needs of your intended market.
Step 2: Choosing the Right eCommerce Platform
The next step in building your online store is choosing the right eCommerce platform. An eCommerce platform is where your online store will be hosted and managed. The platform you choose will impact your store’s functionality, scalability, and overall user experience.
Overview of popular eCommerce platforms
Let’s take a quick look at all of these platforms.
Shopify
Shopify is a leading hosted eCommerce platform known for its ease of use and comprehensive feature set. It’s an all-in-one platform that handles everything from hosting to payment processing. Shopify’s robust infrastructure and 24/7 customer support allow you to launch and scale your online store efficiently.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is an open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress. It’s ideal for those who are comfortable with WordPress and desire complete control over their online store’s design, functionality, and data. However, it requires technical knowledge for setup and maintenance, making it more suitable for users with some experience in web development.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a robust hosted eCommerce platform designed to support businesses at various growth stages. It offers a comprehensive set of built-in tools for search engine optimization (SEO), marketing, and multi-channel selling. With no transaction fees and a flexible API, it provides a scalable solution that allows for advanced customization and integration capabilities.
Magento (Adobe Commerce)
Magento, now part of Adobe Commerce, is a powerful open-source eCommerce platform renowned for its extensive customization capabilities and scalability. It caters to large businesses with complex needs, offering robust features like advanced product management, multi-store support, and comprehensive analytics.
However, substantial technical expertise and resources are required to develop and maintain it effectively.
Factors to consider while choosing the eCommerce platform
Cost
Typically, costs include either a one-time fee for purchasing the license or ongoing payments through a subscription model. Additionally, consider other expenses such as initial setup fees, transaction fees, and the cost of any necessary plugins or themes.
Shopify, for instance, has a fixed monthly fee plus transaction costs, whereas WooCommerce is free but requires separate payments for hosting, themes, and extensions.
Ease of use
The next thing to consider is how user-friendly the platform is, especially if you have limited technical skills. It ensures a smoother setup process, reduces the learning curve, and minimizes the need for extensive technical support.
Customization options
Determine the level of customization you need. Shopify and BigCommerce offer numerous apps and themes, but WooCommerce provides the highest degree of customization through coding and a vast library of plugins.
For extensive customization without coding, consider platforms that offer a rich app ecosystem or easy-to-use builders.
Scalability
Think about your long-term business growth. Platforms like BigCommerce and Magento are designed to scale with your business, handling large inventories and high traffic.
Ensure the platform can accommodate your future needs, such as multi-channel selling, global shipping, and advanced analytics.
Hosted vs self-hosted platforms
There’s one more critical factor to consider when choosing your eCommerce platform: whether to opt for a hosted or self-hosted solution.
Hosted platforms
Hosted platforms, like Shopify and BigCommerce, provide an all-in-one solution where the hosting, security, and maintenance are managed for you. They offer ease of use with straightforward setup processes and user-friendly interfaces, making them ideal for those with limited technical skills.
These platforms also provide automatic updates and 24/7 customer support, allowing you to focus on your business rather than technical issues. However, they come with monthly subscription fees and may have restrictions on customization and data access.
Self-hosted platforms
Self-hosted platforms, such as WooCommerce and Magento, give you full control over your website’s hosting, security, and updates. This option is suitable for those who have technical expertise or want complete customization and flexibility.
You can tailor your online store to meet specific needs and integrate with a wide range of tools and services. While this provides greater freedom, it also means you are responsible for managing the technical aspects, including hosting, security, and regular maintenance, which can require more time and resources.
Here’s an overview of hosted vs self-hosted platforms:
| Hosted Platforms | Self-Hosted Platforms |
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Pros
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Cons
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Cons
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Read also: A Smart Guide to eCommerce Website Development in 2024
Step 3: Choose a Hosting Solution and a Domain Name
A hosting solution is essential as it provides the server space and resources needed to store your eCommerce website files and make them accessible to visitors online.
Four common hosting types
Shared hosting: It involves hosting multiple websites under one single server, making it a cost-effective option for eCommerce beginners. It’s easy to manage but offers limited control and performance as other sites impact the server load.
VPS hosting: Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting provides dedicated resources within a shared environment, offering more control and better performance than shared hosting. It’s a suitable choice for growing stores needing greater reliability and customization.
Cloud hosting: Cloud hosting utilizes a network of virtual servers to provide scalable and flexible hosting, allowing for high availability and resilience. This model ensures you only pay for the resources you use, making it ideal for handling fluctuating traffic levels.
WordPress hosting: This is appropriate if you are building a WordPress eCommerce website. It offers optimized performance, enhanced security, and tailored support.
Some of the popular hosting solutions are GoDaddy, Bluehost, Hostinger, and more. Once you are done choosing a hosting solution, the next step is to find and register a domain name for your eCommerce store.
Choose and register a domain name
A domain name is the address of your website on the internet, like www.myonlinestore.com, which users type into their browsers to visit your site. It serves as your online identity and makes it easier for customers to find and remember your business.
Choosing the right domain name is crucial as it reflects your brand and can impact your site’s visibility and memorability.
Generally, your domain name should match your brand name to ensure consistency and strengthen your brand identity. Check its availability using domain registrars and ensure it does not infringe on any existing trademarks to avoid legal issues.
Tips for Choosing a Domain (or Brand) Name
Opt for .com: If available, choose a .com extension, as it is the most recognized and trusted by users worldwide.
Keep it short: Aim for a concise and easy-to-remember name to help visitors recall and type your URL quickly.
Avoid symbols: Steer clear of hyphens, numbers, or special characters, which can make your domain harder to remember and type.
Use AI generators: Utilize domain name generators or try different variations of your desired name to find a unique and available option.
Also read: What Is Domain Reputation and How Can You Improve It?
Step 4: Designing Your eCommerce Website
Now, it’s time to start building your website. Your eCommerce website is a crucial extension of your brand’s identity, so its design should reflect your brand values and resonate with your target audience.
You can opt for pre-made templates for a quick start or customize your site to achieve a unique look and feel. Regardless of your choice, the design should be intuitive and user-friendly, enhancing the overall online shopping experience.
Here are a few key considerations while designing your eCommerce website.
Images: Use high-quality images that showcase your products effectively, as they can influence buying decisions. Ensure images are clear, professional, and load quickly to avoid slowing down your site.
Color schemes and fonts: Choose a color scheme that aligns with your brand’s identity and evokes the right emotions in your audience. Select readable and aesthetically pleasing fonts that match your brand’s tone. Use a limited number of font styles to maintain a clean and professional look, ensuring text is legible on all devices.
Site navigation: Organize your site’s navigation to be logical and easy to use, allowing customers to find products quickly. Use clear, descriptive names for menu items, and include a search bar to enhance navigation. This can improve the overall user experience and reduce bounce rates.
Mobile responsiveness: With over 60% of website traffic coming from mobile devices, you need to ensure that your eCommerce site is fully responsive and adapts seamlessly to various screen sizes and devices.
Important pages: Feature best-sellers and promotions on the home page and provide detailed descriptions and images on product pages. Also, simplify the checkout with clear instructions and secure payment options, and include an About page that tells your brand story.
Read also: 6 Stunning eCommerce Website Design Examples
Step 5: Adding Products and Setting Up Categories
Building effective product pages and organizing them into well-defined categories is crucial for enhancing user navigation and driving sales. A well-structured product catalog will help improve your customer’s searchability.
Consider organizing your products into categories that reflect how customers think and search. For instance, you can group fashion items by ‘Women’s Fashion,’ and ‘Men’s Fashion.’ Use subcategories to further refine the browsing experience.
Another tip is to implement filters (e.g., price range, color, size) and sorting options (e.g., newest, best-selling) to help customers narrow down their choices.
Things to consider when building product pages
Your product pages are the core of your eCommerce website, where visitors make critical purchase decisions. Effective product pages with high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and easy-to-navigate layouts directly impact sales and customer satisfaction.
High-quality images: Include high-resolution images of your products to help customers clearly see their textures and details. Display products from multiple angles and offer zoom functionality so that customers can inspect them closely — similar to examining items in a brick-and-mortar store.
This can reduce returns and build confidence in their purchase. Also, showcase all available variations of the product, such as different colors or sizes, to give a comprehensive view of your offerings.
Detailed description: Write thorough descriptions that clearly explain the product’s usage, features, and benefits. Your product page should answer common customer concerns to help them decide on a purchase.
Use bullet points for easy reading, and naturally incorporate relevant keywords into descriptions to improve SEO.
Clear pricing and shipping & return information: Customers prefer transparent pricing without having to navigate multiple pages. Clearly display the price and any discounts on the product page, including detailed information about shipping costs and return policies.
This saves customers extra clicks and helps avoid surprises at checkout, increasing the likelihood of conversion.
Product reviews: Display customer reviews on your product pages to build trust and credibility. Seeing positive feedback from other buyers can reassure potential customers and boost their confidence in purchasing your product.
This social proof is crucial for encouraging new customers to make a purchase.
Read also: Top eCommerce Business Ideas for Aspiring Entrepreneurs [2024]
Step 6: Setting Up Shopping Cart and Payment Solutions
An online business can thrive by streamlining the customer shopping experience. A well-organized and secure checkout process with various payment options reduces friction, builds trust, and minimizes cart abandonment.
By making it easy for customers to pay using their preferred method and ensuring their data is protected, you enhance satisfaction and encourage repeat purchases.
Different payment options to consider
Credit/Debit cards: Accept major credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) as they are widely used and trusted by customers globally.
Digital wallets: Integrate digital wallets such as PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Wallet to cater to customers who prefer quick and secure transactions.
Bank transfers: Offer direct bank transfers for customers who prefer this method, especially for high-value transactions.
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Services like Afterpay, Klarna, and Affirm allow customers to split their purchases into installments to buy now and pay later.
Cryptocurrencies: Consider accepting cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others if your customer base includes tech-savvy or international users who prefer these methods.
There are many payment gateway options you can consider for your eCommerce websites, such as Razorpay, PayPal, Stripe, and others. However, integrating these payment gateways requires you to ensure the security of transactions and protect customer data.
Consider the following tips when integrating payment solutions
Add an SSL encryption certificate: Ensure your website has an SSL encryption certificate to protect data transmission, giving customers confidence that their information is secure.
Meet PCI-DSS requirements: Ensure your payment processing complies with PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) to handle credit card information securely and reduce the risk of breaches.
Use fraud detection tools: Implement fraud detection tools and services to monitor transactions for suspicious activity, preventing unauthorized access and potential fraud.
Secure checkout process: Clearly communicate your privacy policy and how customer data is protected to build trust and transparency with your shoppers.
Step 7: Shipping and Delivery Configuration
The next step is to develop a clear and effective shipping policy for your customers.
A well-defined shipping strategy determines how you deliver products and significantly influences customer buying decisions. It impacts your operational costs and shapes your brand’s reputation in terms of reliability and customer service.
If you are serving a global audience, including international shipping options is essential.
Provide multiple shipping options, such as standard, expedited, and same-day delivery. While same-day delivery may not be feasible for international shipping, offering express shipping can significantly reduce delivery times for international customers.
Use reliable carriers known for their strong track record in both local and international deliveries. This helps ensure the timely and safe arrival of products.
Additionally, consider using shipping calculators to provide accurate real-time shipping rates at checkout. This transparency helps customers make informed decisions and enhances their shopping experience.
Read also: eCommerce Email Marketing Simplified [Examples & Tips]
Step 8: Marketing Your eCommerce Website
Now that you have built your online store, it’s time to launch it. However, simply launching your online store is not enough — you need to market it effectively to attract and retain customers.
Here are a few marketing strategies to consider for promoting your online business:
Optimize your content
Optimize your web pages with relevant keywords to increase visibility on search engines. This includes optimizing product descriptions, meta tags, and headings to improve your ranking in search results.
If you target a local audience, include location-specific keywords and optimize your Google My Business listing to drive local traffic.
Content marketing
Creating informative and engaging blogs that address your audience’s needs and interests is a great way to drive organic traffic to your eCommerce website. It establishes your store as a trusted resource.
Apart from blogs, invest in developing guides, how-to articles, and other valuable content that can nurture prospects and keep them engaged with your brand.
Social media integration
In today’s time, it’s important to have a strong social media presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Share your company updates, ongoing promotions, and behind-the-scenes content to engage your audience. This enables you to have a direct interaction with your audience.
You can even integrate your social media accounts with your online store, allowing visitors to view your social media feed and encouraging them to follow and interact with your brand on those platforms.
Email marketing
Embed sign-up forms on your landing pages to collect email addresses from visitors. Once you have their email address, send regular newsletters with relevant content, product updates, and special offers. Share news about new launches and exclusive promo codes to keep your audience interested and engaged.
You should always personalize your emails to address the recipient’s interests and past behaviors. Personalization can increase engagement and conversion rates.
Read also: 5 eCommerce Email Marketing Software to Help You Sell More
PPC advertising
Combine paid advertising campaigns with your organic marketing efforts to drive more traffic to your site. Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads allow you to target specific audiences based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.
It’s a good practice to experiment with different ad creatives and messages to see what resonates best with your audience and yields the highest return on investment.
Run promotions
Consider running promotions like “First-Time Buyer” discounts,” “Buy One, Get One Free” deals, or referral rewards that encourage existing customers to refer friends and family.
Implementing time-limited sales or flash deals can create a sense of urgency and prompt immediate purchases.
Read also: 25+ eCommerce Marketing Tools Sure to Boost Sales
Conclusion
The eCommerce sector is brimming with growth opportunities — an online store can provide a vast potential market. As your business grows, you can scale your operations by expanding your product range, optimizing logistics, and enhancing your marketing efforts.
However, for building a successful eCommerce website, it’s essential to recognize that every detail matters — from selecting the right platform and designing an intuitive website to setting up secure payment methods and crafting effective marketing strategies. Each step is a building block that contributes to the overall success of your online store.
By following this comprehensive guide on how to build an eCommerce website, you can lay a solid foundation for your online business.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best eCommerce platforms for small businesses?
The best eCommerce platforms for small businesses include Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce — known for their affordability, ease of use, and scalability. These platforms offer various features and integrations tailored to small business needs.
2. How much does it typically cost to start an eCommerce website?
Starting an eCommerce website typically costs between $250 to $5,000, depending on factors like platform choice, design complexity, and additional features. This includes costs for domain registration, hosting, eCommerce platform fees, and any necessary plugins or themes.
3. What are the key features to look for in an eCommerce platform?
Key features to look for in an eCommerce platform include ease of use, customizable design, mobile responsiveness, secure payment processing, and strong inventory management. Additionally, consider SEO capabilities, integrations with other tools, and scalability for future growth.
4. How do I ensure my eCommerce website is secure?
Ensure your eCommerce website is secure by implementing SSL encryption, adhering to PCI-DSS standards, and using reputable payment gateways. Regularly update software and plugins and employ fraud detection tools to monitor suspicious activity and protect customer data.
