1. The cost of the platform
While this may appear to be a common-sense recommendation, the reality is that different platforms may offer different features at varying rates, which makes comparison difficult. Some platforms charge a single, modest flat rate and do not charge extra transaction fees on top of that. Other platforms offer a base pricing, charge per transaction, and then demand subscriptions for additional apps in order to maximize your website’s functionality. This can quickly accumulate, resulting in your overall rate being far more than it would be if you used one of the other sites.
Don’t forget to consider the features that each ecommerce platform has to offer while making your decision. Some of them may have additional features in their basic pricing that are not included in the base price of their competitors’ products. Identifying the characteristics you require and then determining which platform can provide those features at the lowest possible price are critical steps in making a decision on which platform to choose.
2. Themes that are currently available
The look of your online store is determined by the theme you choose. Most ecommerce platforms provide a selection of themes from which to pick. The use of some themes is included in the subscription cost, but others are premium and require an additional fee to be utilized. These premium themes will frequently distinguish your website from the competition, providing your customers with a one-of-a-kind buying experience. While clients may have a sense of déjà vu if an ecommerce platform only provides a few free themes, this is not always the case.
Take, for example, the variety of themes that the platforms provide. In addition, think about how much time and work you want to spend into designing your page. Different platforms allow for varying degrees of customization to be implemented. If you are more experienced in website design, it may be worthwhile to put in a little extra effort to create a website that accurately portrays your company’s image.
3. Different Methods of Payment
While many of the major shopping cart platforms provide a wide range of payment alternatives, some may only provide a limited selection of payment options. Consider the fact that not all platforms provide digital wallet solutions such as PayPal, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, or Google Pay, among others. Some of these choices may be ones that you are not willing to give up on. Digital wallets are one of the fastest and most convenient ways to pay for things purchased online, and asking your consumers to get up and look for their credit card may result in a lost transaction for you. One of the advantages of online sales is that they make it easier to make impulse purchases. Having payment alternatives for overseas purchases may be necessary if you sell worldwide and accept payments from other countries. Some platforms even accept digital assets such as bitcoin.
4. Assistance with Technical Issues
New ecommerce entrepreneurs will find that technical support for their chosen platform is quite beneficial to their businesses. Some platforms only provide help during business hours in their respective time zones, which are typically Monday through Friday. Other platforms provide assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The type of help that is provided is also vital to take into consideration. Some businesses will solely provide support online, such as through chat. Of course, the level of support that you may be able to receive may be directly related to the service plan that you have chosen. Self-service help is also available on larger platforms through FAQs and courses.
In the event that your customers are unable to visit your website or finish a purchase, you will lose business. Making certain that you have access to the help you require when you require it is an extremely crucial consideration when choosing an ecommerce platform.
5.Features
Different platforms will have a variety of features to choose from. Additionally to the fundamental ecommerce capabilities, some platforms have built-in marketing tools such as newsletters, abandoned cart emails, reward programs, daily specials, and other similar features.
An ecommerce platform should also offer the ability to replace any built-in functionalities with third-party connections, such as Mailchimp or Shipstation. While the built-in functionality may be wonderful, adopting apps that your team is already familiar with helps to ensure consistency, which can be critical for a growing company’s success.
6.Security
When conducting ecommerce company, you’ll want to be certain that the security is of the highest caliber. It is the responsibility of ecommerce companies to protect the information of their customers. This includes ensuring that your ecommerce platform is PCI compliant, has SSL, has fraud prevention, and has data backups in place. Check to see that your ecommerce website is safeguarded against hacking and data theft from the very beginning.
When it comes to selecting an eCommerce platform,
Making a decision on your ecommerce platform is the first and most important step in launching an online store. Making the decision to move ecommerce platforms should be done with care because it can be a frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive experience. When you are going through the process of creating your company’s online profile, importing your inventory, and selecting a website theme, you are taking time away from other elements of your company. Make certain that you make the best decision possible the first time.
When you choose the most appropriate ecommerce platform for your company, it makes the day-to-day chore of processing online sales much easier to manage. Smoother operations are made possible by using an ecommerce platform that fully integrates all parts of your business, and you have the potential to build your company at the same time.
Source: ecommerce platforms , online selling platform
