Want to start selling online? That’s great – e-commerce is one of the best ways to scale your business. In this article, we’ll look at how to build an e-commerce website. But before we dive in, let’s cover the basics first…
What is an E-Commerce Website?
An e-commerce website is simply a website designed for selling products online. You can think of it as the opposite of a brochure site – which will allow customers to view products, but not to buy them. E-commerce websites should be set up securely to allow online payments.
Advantages of E-Commerce
The most obvious advantage of e-commerce is the ability to sell your products online. This could help you scale your business and reach new customers. Starting an e-commerce business is also much cheaper than starting a bricks-and-mortar business.
The cheapest way to sell online is through a third-party website. Amazon and eBay are the most popular choices. But it’s difficult to build a unique brand on someone else’s website. You’ll also have to play by their rules when it comes to deliveries, returns, refunds and more. That’s why many online business owners prefer to build an e-commerce website of their own.
Self-Built Online Shops
At this point, you might be asking: Can I build my own e-commerce website? The answer is yes! There are plenty of tools available to help, so you won’t even need to pay a web developer.
Before you build an e-commerce website, you need to decide which platform or software to use. Shopify is probably the most famous e-commerce platform. It includes website hosting, an e-commerce builder, and the option to register a domain name. But plenty of Shopify alternatives provide the same benefits. Let’s explore these now.
Shopify Alternatives
Online website builders make building your own website easy. They usually come with web hosting included – and sometimes a domain name too. The best e-commerce website builders allow you to build an e-commerce store without code.
Another option is to start with a self-hosted WordPress website, then install WooCommerce. WooCommerce is a popular WordPress plugin that adds e-commerce functionality. This way, you can have all the benefits of WordPress, plus a powerful online store.
Tip: If you like the idea of a simple Shopify alternative, then our website builder could be perfect for you. Alternatively, our WordPress hosting is ideal if you prefer the WordPress/WooCommerce option.
Learn More About E-Commerce Websites
We’ve covered the basics here to help you get started quickly. If you want to move forward now, you can use the links above to buy a plan.
Of course, you might prefer to learn more about the marketing aspects too. If so, then explore this Entrepreneur.com guide to how to build an e-commerce website.
Good luck!
