A Ecommerce website that allows people to buy and sell physical goods, services, and digital products over the internet rather than at a brick-and-mortar location Through an e-commerce website, a business can process orders, accept payments, manage shipping and logistics, and provide customer service.
We hear of eCommerce and eCommerce marketing agencies all over the digital world, and many people see it as the future of retail. But what is an e-commerce website, and how does it work? If you have an eCommerce business or are planning to build one, here is a quick guide to building eCommerce websites that attract profits and repeat business.
What is an e-commerce website?
Ecommerce, or electronic commerce, refers to a business model that involves sales transactions being done on the web. Virtually every online shopping website – big or small, follows this structure. Any site where you can obtain items for sale over the internet is considered an e-commerce website.
Much like a traditional physical retail store, e-commerce websites allow consumers and businesses to buy and sell to one another on a designated platform. The main difference between e-commerce and physical commerce, however, is that e-commerce transactions occur entirely over the internet rather than at a brick-and-mortar location.
Types of Ecommerce website models
There are four main types of ecommerce models that can describe almost every transaction that takes place between consumers and businesses.
1. Business-to-consumer (B2C): When a business sells a good or service to an individual consumer (e.g., you buy a pair of shoes from an online retailer).
2. Business to Business (B2B):Â When a business sells a good or service to another business (e.g., A business sells software-as-a-service for other businesses to use).
3. Consumer-to-consumer (C2C): When a consumer sells a good or service to another consumer (e.g. You sell your old furniture on eBay to another consumer).
4. Consumer to Business (C2B):Â When a consumer sells their own products or services to a business or organization (e.g. An influencer offers exposure to their online audience in exchange for a fee, or a photographer licenses their photo for a business to use).
How to build an e-commerce website
There are two ways to build eCommerce websites: one is to plan out what you want to see on your website and then get a professional website developer to handle the project for you; the other way is to use a free e-commerce website builder. There is no right or wrong way to build an online store. It all depends on your budget and how much time you are willing to spend on this task.
If you do want to go the do-it-yourself route and use a site builder, the first step is to find the best eCommerce website builder for small businesses. Building your website on your own might sound intimidating, but one of the best innovations the world of programming has shared with us is website builders. If you’re worried about the look of your site, there are eCommerce website templates you can choose from that would fit your branding.
If you want to dip your toes into the world of eCommerce but you are hesitant about making a huge investment, Solter Vision can help you set up your online store for free. Its website eCommerce platform, called Simple Store, is available even for free accounts. Once you’re ready to take the plunge and sell more products, this site builder can help you scale up with even more options on the paid accounts.
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Types of products sold via e-commerce website
The digital component of e-commerce allows sellers to offer a wide range of products, some of which wouldn’t be possible to sell in a physical location.
Physical goods
Items such as clothing, furniture, food, or supplies are tangible products that can be stored in a warehouse. Sellers display goods on their e-commerce website, where consumers can like, save, or purchase them. Upon purchase, the business ships the item to the customer.
Services
E-commerce sites are also a popular way to sell services, like consultations, maintenance, tutoring, lessons, and more. Whether you want to learn to code a website or you’re looking for an experienced trainer to help fix your dog’s troublesome barking habit, there’s no shortage of assistance available online.
Digital products
Digital products—like online courses, software, podcasts, music, and e-books—are becoming increasingly popular on e-commerce sites as well. The rise of digital products has opened up a new way to learn skills on demand.
Build your Ecommerce website.
After you’ve created your new business, it’s finally time to build your e-commerce website. Your goal should be to create a polished website that reflects your new brand’s values and aesthetics. The basic steps of website-building include:
- Purchasing a domain. If you haven’t already, you can buy a custom domain with Solter Vision. This makes it easier for customers to find you and lends credibility to your new site.
- Choosing a website builder Solter Vision makes it easy to design and build the website you’re envisioning for your brand. The all-in-one platform simplifies the process of creating and promoting your website.
- Mapping out your site. Once you’ve taken the time to explore the website builder and its capabilities, it’s helpful to create a site map. Focus on making your site easy to navigate and fun to explore.
- Designing your aesthetic. Take your time establishing a visual package that represents your brand’s values and culture. Solter Vision make it simple to elevate your website design with professional formats and appealing branding.
- Building out your pages. Each page on your website should meet the needs of your target audience. Remember that all roads should lead to creating new customers.
- Connecting your payment processor Make sure your website can accept payments before you launch.
- Optimizing your SEO. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the key to gaining visibility online. Make sure you’re using keywords wisely so you can connect with as many customers as possible.
- Launching your e-commerce store Double-check your e-commerce launch checklist before going live with your new online store.
Ready to start selling online? Build your own eCommerce website today.
