Choosing the right e-commerce platform for your startup can be a difficult decision. It is one of the most important decisions you will make for your new business. But do you know how to choose one? Many factors go into this decision, and it can be hard to figure out what they all mean. The e-commerce platforms you choose can make or break your business. If you don’t have the tools that fit your needs, you won’t provide a quality service for your customers. It may be hard to determine which is right for you and your business with different platforms. This article will help guide you through tips and tricks on deciding which e-commerce platform is best suited for what you need to grow and market your business successfully.
Start a Free Trial
The first thing you should do before deciding on which e-commerce platform to choose is starting a free trial. It will give you direct insight into what the software can and cannot do for your business, as well as how easy it is to use. There’s no need to move forward with an e-commerce solution that won’t work or be compatible with your business. Free trials can be started very easily on almost every e-commerce platform out there, so don’t overlook this step in your decision process! A free trial will allow you to learn about the features and functionalities of each respective software before spending money on it later down the road. In addition, it allows you to gain a better understanding of how easy it is to use each platform. Suppose you are running a business of area rugs, for example, and test out some e-commerce platforms. An e-commerce platform built for an art gallery may not be the best choice if your business sells area rugs.
Compare the Cost
For startups, the cost comparison is one of the most important factors. The last thing you expect is to spend time and money building a business website that isn’t up to par with your budget, especially if free e-commerce platforms are available. However, it’s also worth noting that even though some e-commerce platforms might be free, it doesn’t mean they offer everything you need to build a website. Evaluate the cost of additional features you’ll need and determine if your budget can handle it.
Evaluate Your Content Management Needs
Your content management needs should be another key factor in selecting an e-commerce platform for your startup business. Do you plan on selling products that require customized options? For example, maybe you’ll sell shoes in different colors, sizes, and styles? If so, you need to make sure the e-commerce platform you use offers customization. For example, for a business of Persian rugs, the e-commerce platform would need to have a very user-friendly interface for uploading and managing images.
Evaluate Your Target Audience’s Experience with Mobile Devices
When looking at an e-commerce platform, you should consider how your target audience interacts with mobile devices. If it’s likely that a large portion of your customers will be using a mobile device to shop, you need to make sure that the e-commerce platform is optimized for use on a smartphone. Another factor is payment options because this will be an important part of your brand’s shoppers’ experience. If you want to bring customers from all over the world shopping at your store, make sure the platform you choose supports different payment options.
Evaluate the Design
The design should also be another key factor in selecting an e-commerce platform for your startup business. What is the look and feel that you are trying to achieve? How do you want your brand portrayed online to be viewed by customers? Will the platform help make this vision possible, or will it inhibit this aspect of your business? The best e-commerce platform for your startup should be one that allows you to customize the look of your website without too many difficulties.
Will It Scale With Your Business
Businesses that start small but have aspirations for growth might need an e-commerce solution that can also scale. The platform you choose for your startup should be one that can grow with you. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where the platform becomes too limited as you expand and need additional features or functionality.
Is it Flexible Enough to Meet Your Needs?
Can the e-commerce solution meet all of your business needs? Will it provide everything that you need to start, run and grow your business? You might want a platform that can easily integrate with other platforms or software that you use. Suppose you are selling rugs like RugKnots (an online rug seller), and you also want to sell your rugs on eBay. You will need a platform that can easily integrate both programs and provide the necessary APIs without additional development costs.
In the End
The right marketing platform plays a huge role in your business growth and success. The key is to make sure it matches your business goals and has the features you need. Many eCommerce platforms are available today, but before deciding on any platform, make sure it has the essential tools and features you need and is easy to use. Taking a free trial or a test drive is a great way to determine if the platform meets your needs. Evaluating the platform will help you understand what features are available and how easy it is to use them.
It’s important when choosing an eCommerce platform that the solution is scalable as your business grows, with additional costs of scaling up or down not being prohibitively expensive for a growing company. Make sure you can easily upgrade to the next level of service without too many hassles. It’s also important that your eCommerce platform is easily integrated with other applications you use, like accounting and marketing tools.
