Global online shopping sales will exceed $6.3 trillion by 2024. No matter what you sell, starting an e-commerce business is a quick and easy way to make a profit. Based on this data, it’s a great time to start selling online to promote your products and services
In addition to development and operation, there are other factors you need to consider when selecting your e-commerce platform.
1. Provider Experience and Expertise
Check whether the provider truly has the experience and technical skills set to meet the needs and complexities of your requirements, and also whether they have both the knowledge and experience to work with your industry.
Take the time to research case studies, customer reviews, and forums to see if the provider is well-equipped to handle more than just development.
2. Support
When things go wrong, and trust us, things can go wrong, will your provider provide the support you need to help you resolve the issue? Always look for providers that offer 24/7 emergency support and can be reached through a variety of channels, including email, web chat, and phone.
3. Scalability
As your business grows, your ecommerce platform will grow with it. Your ecommerce platform is the center of your online business. A platform that is difficult to scale can hinder your business’s growth. In our article on the top eCommerce solutions for small and medium-sized online businesses, you can find some details to help you identify the right eCommerce solution for your needs.
4. SEO-Friendly
Ecommerce platforms that come with full SEO features will allow your ecommerce site to rank very well in search engine results. Important factors to consider when looking for an SEO-friendly ecommerce platform include:
Adding a blog
Using your own domain
Facilitating reviews
Internationalization (Translating into multiple languages)
5. Responsive Frontend - Displays correctly on mobile devices
A platform that is mobile-friendly is a must. A report by BigCommerce predicts that mobile commerce in Germany, the US, and the UK will account for a third of all retail ecommerce sales.
6. Security
Perhaps the most important thing to consider is security. Since ecommerce is a digital platform that actively takes financial payments, you need to make sure that the ecommerce platform you use has the necessary security protocols.
Conclusion
You need to choose a platform based not only on your current needs, but also with scalability and future needs in mind. It's also a good idea to consider the resources available - time, human resources, and how they could be scaled to meet the changing demands of your online business.
