HOW TO BUILDING AN E-COMMERCE WEBSITE FROM SCRATCH
Introduction
Are you considering starting an eCommerce business? Are you thinking about how to build an eCommerce website from scratch?
Building a website from scratch can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, plenty of tools out there make building a simple online store easier than ever. All you need to do is know where to look and what steps to take for your website build to go smoothly without breaking the bank.
Here's how to build an eCommerce website from scratch.
Pick the right platform.
Are you wondering how to build an eCommerce website from scratch?
The first thing you'll want to do is select the right platform for your site. There are many eCommerce platforms available, so you must choose carefully and ensure that your choice aligns with your business goals.
WooCommerce is perhaps the most well-known open-source platform for building a website from scratch. It powers over two million sites and can be used on both desktop computers and mobile devices.
WordPress is another great option because its flexibility allows for the customization of a wide range of features from page layouts to shopping cart functions. Not only that but there are also plenty of plugins available (for example, WooCommerce) to help streamline specific features such as payments or shipping management functionality while still keeping everything within one system (which makes updating easier).
Buy a domain name.
This is the next stage of how to build an eCommerce website from scratch.
You're almost ready to build your website, but first, you need to buy a domain name. A domain name is the website address that people will type in their browsers when they want to visit your site. It's important to choose a memorable and relevant domain name. If you already have a company name and logo, this might be easy for you (e.g., www.yourcompanyname.com). If not, it may take some time and brainstorming before you find something that works well with what you offer or does not clash with other popular sites in its category (e.g., www.myjewelrystore1stplaceforblingbling).
If possible, try avoiding hyphens (-) or numbers in your domain namesbecause they make them harder for people to remember and type correctly into their browsers' address bars when searching online (eBay became eBay; Apple became Apple Inc.). These days many companies use words only without any punctuation marks between them but again this means more effort on behalf of users who must type everything correctly themselves rather than auto-fill from their browsers' memory banks! So make sure there are no dashes or numbers anywhere in your URL, if possible!
Choose a web host.
The next step on how to build an eCommerce website from scratch is choosing a web host.
A web host is a company that provides space on its servers for you to store your website files and make them available for viewing.
· Select a web host with a reputable brand and who can provide you with the features you need to run an eCommerce site.
· Look for one that offers 24/7 customer support, especially if it will be your first time building an eCommerce site from scratch and running an online business.
Design your website.
You can begin designing your website once your domain name and hosting are established. This is the most exciting part of creating an eCommerce business because it's where you get to showcase your brand and products. But don't rush into anything designing a good user experience for your customers is critical to driving sales.
Here are some basics:
· Make sure it's easy to use
· Consider how customers will use it (e.g., mobile devices)
· Make sure your search engine rankings are high enough so people can find you online
· Ensure that your content loads quickly on any device
Configure your payment gateway.
Make an eCommerce website from scratch. This is the next step.
Once you've chosen a payment gateway and checked that it meets your needs, it's time to sign up. Most gateways allow you to do this online, but if not, they will have a phone number or email address you can use to sign up. Make sure that any requested information is accurate you don't want to run into any issues later because of inaccurate data in their system!
Set up shipping options.
Now that you've got your products on the site, it's time to set up shipping.
· Shipping options are critical for eCommerce stores because they allow customers to see their exact costs. Not only will this help retain them as buyers and encourage them to buy more in the future, but it can also make your store seem more trustworthy and legitimate.
· There are three basic types of shipping: free, flat rate, and per unit (aka calculated by weight). Flat rates are typically set at $5-$15 per unit, calculated by weight plus packaging material cost. You'll probably want both options available so customers have choices when they check out; however, if you're running a small business or selling items under $10 then only offering free shipping might be enough incentive for potential buyers to buy now instead of waiting until later when they may forget about it altogether!
Add products to your eCommerce store.
The first thing you'll want to do is add products to your store. The most effective method is to import products from an existing eCommerce store, spreadsheet, or another tool. You can import products from an app (like Shopify or BigCommerce), a third-party tool like Oberlo or Dropship Direct, and even directly from manufacturers if necessary.
You should create a spreadsheet with all of the information about each product that you want to sell on your new eCommerce store, including:
· Product name
· Product category (if relevant)
· Product image (optional)
Market your website and products.
The next step in how to build an eCommerce website from scratch is marketing your website and products.
Your marketing strategy is a critical component of any business, but it's especially important for eCommerce businesses to understand how to market themselves effectively. You can use social media, email marketing, and other techniques to reach out to new customers and encourage repeat purchases. It's important that you have a clear marketing plan in place so that you can measure the effectiveness of your efforts. If you want more information on effective online marketing strategies, we've got plenty!
How to build an eCommerce website from scratch
You can build eCommerce website from scratch, so long as you do it in steps and create a good design and marketing plan.
· A good design is crucial.
· A good marketing plan is also key.
· The platform you choose for your eCommerce store will make or break your business.
· Choose a web host that offers reliable, fast service and plenty of storage space for your products' images and videos.
· Setting up shipping options will be essential in many cases, especially if you're selling something that needs to be shipped ordelivered in person (like clothing).
· Adding products to your eCommerce store can often be done quickly by importing them from an Excel sheet. However, it's still important to check each entry carefully to avoid mistakes like misspellings or incorrect prices before putting them up online!
By following these steps, you can make an eCommerce website from scratch.