How to Create, Setup and Launch a Profitable Online Store
Building an e-commerce platform is not as intricate as one may perceive. It’s easier to create an internet store than it is to expand one, trust someone who has managed and created e-commerce businesses.
If you seek methods to construct an ecommerce store on the internet, you will likely come across individuals advocating various platforms and strategies. Some people may find it easier to build an online store using code-free options like Shopify and BigCommerce, while others may discover that platforms like WordPress or Magento are better suited for their products or niche.
How can you determine which platform is suitable for your needs? Furthermore, what is the process of building an online store independently?
5 ways to build an online store
The five predominant methods for building a web store are as follows:
- Hire a web developer.
- Use a no-code website builder.
- Use an open-source platform.
- Sell on marketplaces.
- Build a social media store.
Every method has its advantages and disadvantages. Here is an in-depth look of each strategy to assist you in selecting the most suitable one for your company.
Hire a web developer
Engaging the services of a web developer to construct your online store offers the utmost versatility in terms of both design and functionality. It provides you with full autonomy in customizing the appearance and ambiance of your store, as well as the capability to incorporate personalized functionalities and integrations.
Several benefits of employing a developer to construct an e-commerce platform include:
- Additional customizing choices.
- Capability to incorporate personalized functionalities and connections.
- Full autonomy in customizing the appearance and vibe of your store.
Below is a comprehensive outline of the necessary procedures involved in constructing an e-commerce website from scratch, with the assistance of a professional web developer:
- Determine your specific goals and prerequisites for your e-commerce platform.
- Conduct research and employ a web developer.
- Collaborate with the developer to create and build the website.
- Conduct testing and initiate the launch of the website.
- Ensure the ongoing maintenance and regular updates of the website.
It is important to keep in mind that constructing a website from the very start is a laborious and time-consuming endeavor. In addition, it is necessary to have a sufficient budget to finance the development of the website. At Zrafted, our team consists of highly skilled individuals who specialize in their respective fields and are capable of providing tailored assistance to meet your specific requirements. Get a free quote right now by getting in touch with us!
Use a no-code website builder
An ecommerce website builder is a web-based application that provides a user-friendly interface allowing users to create an online store without the need for coding. It utilizes a drag-and-drop editing system for easy customization. It is the most effective method for building an ecommerce store if you lack any coding expertise or technical abilities.
There is a wide array of ecommerce website builders available in the market. Out of the options available, we suggest the following as the best five choices:
Website builders offer time and cost savings, allowing you to concentrate on launching your online business. They provide users with access to professionally crafted themes and templates, as well as manage hosting and security. No technological expertise is required to utilize them.
An inherent drawback of utilizing website builders is the potential outcome of a generic and unoriginal website. By utilizing a website builder, you sacrifice adaptability in exchange for simplicity. Your level of control over the design components is not as extensive as it would be with an open-source platform or when designing a website using code.
Use an open-source platform
Open-source platforms are software applications designed to facilitate the creation and development of online stores. They are responsible for managing the majority of the technical responsibilities involved in operating an e-commerce website, including catalog administration, customer management, payment processing, and order management.
WordPress is a widely used open-source platform that enables the creation of online stores. However, it is not the exclusive alternative available to you. Additionally, alternative platforms might be utilized, such as:
Sell on marketplaces
Marketplaces such as Amazon or Etsy provide you with the opportunity to sell your products to a large and diverse customer base. They manage the majority of the technical work involved in operating an e-commerce platform, including web hosting, cybersecurity, and payment processing.
One advantage of launching an online business on a marketplace is that you do not require any technical proficiency to do so. You can initiate the process expeditiously and at an exceptionally affordable price. Additionally, you have the opportunity to access a vast client base of millions that are dedicated to the platform, all without incurring costs for advertising or marketing.
Sell on social media
Social media-based businesses, similar to online marketplaces, provide the opportunity to sell products on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. By leveraging the vast user base of social media platforms, you may effectively channel a large number of monthly users to your online business, hence increasing traffic.
Social media platforms provide numerous advantages for initiating online sales, including:
- A low barrier to entry.
- Ability to reach a vast number of individuals.
- Easy integrations with other platforms.
How to build an online store from scratch: 10-step guide
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of everything you need to do to build an online store from scratch.
Choose an ecommerce solution
The process of creating an online store commences with the selection of an appropriate ecommerce solution. The two predominant methods for constructing an online store are through the utilization of an open source or SaaS ecommerce platform.
There are several choices available for both approaches, possibly ranging in the tens or even hundreds. Therefore, we will endeavor to streamline your decision-making process.
If you possess technical expertise and are prepared to invest time in mastering the intricacies of the platform, we suggest opting for an open-source option such as WooCommerce or Magento.
If you desire a simple and uncomplicated process of setting up a store without the need for technical expertise, it is advisable to opt for ecommerce website builders such as Shopify or BigCommerce.
These are essential features you’ll need to run an online store. In addition to this, you may also want to take into account aspects such as search engine optimization (SEO), marketing capabilities, coupon and discount options, and user-friendliness.
Ensure that you evaluate multiple platforms prior to reaching a final decision. This will provide you with an indication of which platform is more instinctive and user-friendly. It is advisable to avoid selecting a platform and investing several weeks in its usage only to discover that you do not find it appealing.
Buy a domain name
Subsequently, it is essential to acquire a domain name for your e-commerce platform. A domain name is the specific alphanumeric sequence that you input into a web browser in order to access a certain website. As an illustration, you would enter “google.com” in the browser to access Google search or “zrafted.com” to visit this website.
Selecting a domain name can be challenging. To establish trust and effectively communicate the values of your brand, it is essential to select a name that is both distinctive and descriptive. Simultaneously, it is advisable to avoid excessive expenditure of time or financial resources on a domain name.
- A top-level domain (TLD) is the final component of a domain name, denoted by extensions like “.com” or “.net”. Choosing a top-level domain (TLD) with the “.com” extension is generally a reliable choice in the majority of situations. However, if you intend to market to a particular location, it is advisable to opt for a country-specific top-level domain (TLD) such as “.uk” or “.com.au”.
- It is acceptable to utilize keywords in your domain name to effectively communicate the purpose or content of your website. However, it will not aid in improving your ranking for those specific keywords.
- Prevent from using lengthy and intricate vocabulary. A typical range of 10 to 15 characters is generally sufficient.
- Refrain from using words that are protected by trademarks or copyrights, as doing so is likely to result in legal action and requests for removal. Take additional precautions by checking the trademark and copyright registries in your own country.
- Avoid using consecutive letters, ensure that there are no concealed words, and abstain from using hyphens. Concentrate on selecting a domain name that may be easily associated with a specific brand.
After you have chosen a domain name for your store, go to register it with a domain registrar. Afterwards, you can direct your domain to your website and proceed to the following stage.
Design your website
It’s time to start designing your website now. An effortless approach to accomplish that is by utilizing a preconfigured theme. Many ecommerce solutions offer specialized marketplaces where you can purchase professionally crafted themes.
Additionally, themes can be purchased from external websites such as TemplateMonster and ThemeForest. However, it is important to select themes that provide possibilities for customizing design and layout, as well as a minimum of one year of complimentary assistance from the theme developer.
One of the greatest advantages of having a theme is that it reduces most of the concerns related to design. It is still necessary for you to personalize the color, content, photos, and other characteristics of your store. However, it should be relatively simple.
Upload products and add content to your website
Now that the website design is complete, you can shift your attention to incorporating products into your store and including content such as videos, images, and text.
The specific procedures for adding products will vary depending on the ecommerce platform you are using. However, to provide you with a concise summary, the majority of product production processes will involve incorporating the following elements:
- Product name and detailed description.
- Pricing and discounts.
- Categorizations
- Information on stocks, weights, and relevant tax rates.
- Materials.
- Different forms or versions.
Give particular emphasis to the product name and description. In addition to helping you convince buyers, effective product descriptions also enhance the SEO of your product pages.
Configure basic store settings
At this point, you will see elements aligning perfectly and likely encounter a slight upsurge in motivation. However, there is still a substantial amount of work that you must complete before to the day of launch.
To ensure a smooth operation of your online store, it is crucial to accurately set up elements such as SSL certificates, tax settings, invoicing procedures, and email notifications. This will prevent any unexpected issues from arising once your store becomes operational. Below is a compilation of the most crucial elements that you need set up:
- SSL certificates.
- Tax rates and regulations.
- Invoicing and other sales documentation.
- Emails related to store operations and sales.
- Supported locations, currencies, and units.
- Cart and checkout settings.
These aspects are hardly addressed in most online store setup guidelines. However, those with experience in constructing, possessing, or managing a web-based company are aware that these elements are crucial for every commercial business.
An incorrect configuration of invoice settings can result in non-sequential invoice numbers, which may pose a compliance issue depending on your geographical location. Likewise, incorrect tax regulations or currency settings could result in you having to cover the difference from your profit margin.
Prioritizing such aspects before starting your store can save you significant difficulties after the launch. It will guarantee a much improved store ownership experience and enable you to concentrate on expanding your business.
Set up payment methods
A payment process enables you to receive payments on your website, similar to a physical cash register. To ensure a seamless checkout experience, it is essential to provide clients with a variety of payment alternatives while conducting online sales. You undoubtedly fear that having too many payment options will make things more difficult. There is no need to be concerned. The majority of ecommerce platforms inherently provide support for numerous payment methods. In addition, customers highly appreciate the convenience of having various payment options.
Each payment method you add will have many providers. For instance, while establishing card payments, it is necessary to select a payment gateway such as Stripe, PayPal, or Square.
Integrate shipping solutions
You have the potential to construct a superior e-commerce platform with an exceptional variety of products. However, if you do not have a carefully devised shipping strategy and efficient fulfillment system, you will not be able to attract clients for future purchases.
Every effective shipping plan begins with a well-defined shipping policy. Specify the structure and guidelines of your store’s shipping policy. Determine whether you wish to provide complimentary shipping for all orders that exceed a specific order value, or if you prefer not to give any free shipping at all.
Prepare to launch your website
We are nearing the end now. However, there are still a few tasks that need to be completed before proceeding with the live launch.
Initially, it is vital to establish crucial store pages such as terms and conditions, privacy policy, returns policy, shipping FAQs, and about us. Customers seek for these pages to verify the legitimacy of your business. Furthermore, it is essential to conduct an in-depth analysis of your website. Perform test orders both as an anonymous guest and as a registered customer. Examine various situations in which you issue partial and full refunds for orders. Ensure that your website effectively dispatches email notifications without being flagged as spam.
Enhance the search engine optimization (SEO) of your ecommerce business by incorporating meta titles and descriptions, refining your store URLs, and using ALT text for photos. These factors assist Google in indexing and determining the ranking of your website based on relevant keywords.
Next, proceed to submit your sitemap to search engines in order to prompt them to crawl and index your website. Afterwards, establish Google Analytics to monitor the sources of your website’s traffic and the manner in which visitors engage with it.
Ultimately, set up social media profiles on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and any other platforms that are relevant to your specific field or area of expertise. These are essential for generating website visitors during the initial months.
Launch your website
If you have successfully followed all the instructions thus far, this step is likely to be the simplest in the entire process.
Ensure that you announce your launch on all available social media platforms. A simple press release won’t cut it. Request your contacts and relatives to publish, tweet, and spread the announcement on all available platforms. Your goal is to maximize the exposure of each post to a wide audience.
Keep driving traffic to your site
The initial order you receive will be unforgettable. Experiencing the moment when you receive your initial payment notification is truly unparalleled.
However, do not become excessively at ease. The sensation will diminish if you fail to consistently generate traffic to your store. There is no worse feeling than opening analytics and observing a complete absence of active visitors. To establish topical authority, it is recommended to publish a minimum of two blog posts per week on your website. Lastly, consider writing guest posts for websites that are relevant to your niche in order to create backlinks and enhance the visibility of your online store.
Final Thoughts
Building an e-commerce store requires significant effort, but it is a task that can be completed at a self-determined speed. There is no rigid and fixed timeline for any of the steps we have mentioned. Feel free to allocate as much time as necessary to ensure the accuracy of each step.
Additionally, it is acceptable to engage the services of a skilled professional from Zrafted in order to efficiently complete this task. It is not always possible to accomplish everything on your own. Therefore, it is advisable to seek assistance from competent experts. Contact us now and get a quote!
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