Everything You Need to Know About e-Commerce Websites

In today’s world, the internet is taking precedent over more and more aspects of our lives. There have been major shifts in how consumers are browsing, shopping and purchasing. As a business it is important to ensure that your customers have access to your products, but how exactly do you stay relevant? The simple answer is to utilize an e-commerce website.

What exactly does e-commerce mean? 

E-commerce is any website that allows viewers to purchase goods or services directly from the website. 

Would e-commerce be a good fit for me?

There are a few things that your business needs in order to be a good fit for utilizing an e-commerce platform. Do you offer products/services that can be offered online? If your company is selling retail items, it is easy to sell them directly online. If your company is more service oriented, think about how your customers interact with your services. For example, a company selling lawn care services can still utilize an e-commerce platform by offering different service plans and allowing customers to select, schedule and purchase services online. A company such as a hair salon may not be the best fit for e-commerce, considering that the customer is directly engaged with the service. So take the time to think about how your business fits into the world of e-commerce websites.

It works for me! How do I start?

Once you’ve decided that your business fits well with e-commerce, it’s time to put it all together. 

Design is a huge factor in how a customer shops on an e-commerce platform. Think about some of the stores that you shop in… It can be frustrating to shop in a store that’s messy and disorganized. The same is true with a website! An organized design is going to be more efficient for your viewers and can keep them engaged on your site for a longer period of time. It’s best to make sure that products are listed clearly, and if possible sorted into appropriate categories. People want to be able to easily find exactly what they are looking for. 

Stepping into the world of e-commerce doesn’t have to be complicated. Our team here at Oostas is always ready to assist with any website design, or help with marketing your new e-commerce platform!