With the rise of eCommerce, more and more people are turning to website builders to create their online stores. But how do you know if an online store is for you? And between some of the most popular website builders on the market, which one is right for you?
Pros and Cons of Having an Online Store
One of the biggest advantages of running an online store is that it allows you to reach a wider audience than a traditional brick-and-mortar store. If you already have a physical store, converting to a click-and-mortar model means it can be accessed by people from anywhere in the world, which gives you access to potential customers that you may not have been able to reach otherwise. Alternatively, running an online store is typically much cheaper than opening up a physical location, as it eliminates most costs associated with renting or buying retail space.
Another benefit is that it’s easier to track customer data when selling products through an eCommerce platform. You can use this data to understand customers’ needs and preferences better, so you can customize your products and services accordingly. This information can also create targeted marketing campaigns to improve customer retention rates and boost sales.
Despite its many advantages, there are also some downsides associated with having an online store. One issue is that it can be difficult for customers to get a sense of how products will look or feel before they purchase them, as they do not have access to physical samples or displays like they would in a brick-and-mortar shop.
Additionally, due to issues like fraud protection or shipping delays, customers may become disgruntled if their orders take too long or don’t arrive in perfect condition as expected—this is something that business owners need to keep in mind when offering goods over the internet.
Popular Online Store Builders
Shopify
If you are looking for a website builder that is comprehensive and cost-effective, then Shopify could be the solution for you. Their app store features over 3,000 third-party applications that can add extra functionality to your website. Whatever you need help with, there is an app available that can help you get the job done quickly and easily. This means no having to build custom functions from scratch—you just need to select the right tool for your business needs!
Shopify also offers integrations with popular eCommerce platforms like Amazon and eBay, so you can reach more customers with ease. Plus, it supports payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, and more, so customers always have plenty of options when it comes time to check out!
Shopify also takes security very seriously; not only does it offer fraud protection, but its platform is PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliant as well as SSL encrypted, which ensures data transmission remains secure between users’ browsers and web servers. Furthermore, if you ever run into any issues or need help figuring something out, there are plenty of resources available, including helpful articles written by experts and access to 24/7 support should a problem arise that requires immediate assistance.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce makes it easy to get an online store up and running quickly. The platform provides templates that you can use as starting points for your website design. You can customize these templates or start from scratch if you want even more control over the look of your site. Once you have your design in place, adding products to your store is just as simple with the drag-and-drop interface that helps you quickly upload images, add product descriptions and prices, set up payment methods and shipping fees, and more.
BigCommerce also makes it effortless to manage your store after its launch. With the built-in dashboard, you can monitor sales performance and activity in real-time, view detailed analytics on where most of your traffic comes from (like social media accounts or other marketing campaigns), set up targeted offers and discounts—and much more!
Finally, because BigCommerce is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms on the market today, many BigCommerce developers can help you with any customizations you need—including setting up automated email marketing campaigns, creating unique integrations, and even helping you customize your store to match the look of your brand. These developers can help perfect your website and give customers a more seamless experience when shopping on it.
When it comes down to it, whether you decide to open up an online store comes down largely on your individual circumstances and goals as a business owner. That being said, there are certainly plenty of benefits associated with having an eCommerce website, so if you’re willing to take on some risk, then starting an online store could be right for you.
As two popular options, Shopify and BigCommerce both offer plenty of features that will help you get started selling products right away. Consider your needs carefully before making any decisions so you can choose what’s best for your business’s success!
