What is eCommerce website development? Building your online store

In the fast-paced world of online shopping, standing out is more than just a good idea—it's essential. As AI eCommerce Personalization becomes necessary for businesses, understanding eCommerce website development is crucial. It’s not just about having a website; it’s about creating a seamless, personalized experience that keeps customers returning. This article will guide you through the fundamentals of eCommerce website development, helping you understand how to craft a site that meets the expectations of today’s digital consumers.

Consider using tools like Instant’s Shopify product page builder to make the process smoother. It simplifies development and helps you create a functional and optimised site for AI-driven personalization.

Table of Contents

• What is eCommerce website development?

• What are the different ways of building an eCommerce website

• What functionalities should you add to your eCommerce website?

• Steps for building a custom eCommerce store

• How much does eCommerce website development costs?

• Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify product page builder

What is eCommerce website development?

Think about how you shop these days. Nearly half of us use the internet and social networks to research before buying. Retailers need to be online to stay relevant. eCommerce websites open doors to new markets and offer resilience when brick-and-mortar stores face challenges. If you're starting a business, an eCommerce site can introduce your brand to a global audience before opening a physical location.

Building your eCommerce site: What it means

Creating an eCommerce website involves more than just setting up a digital storefront. It's about the technical stuff: How your site works, how it looks, how it takes payments, and how it reacts to users. The web development services industry, valued at $11 billion in 2022, helps businesses create user-friendly sites that address eCommerce challenges.

Why your business needs an eCommerce site

The rise of eCommerce is excellent for business profits, but there are other reasons to go online. An eCommerce presence offers chances to make connections that drive growth.

Reaching new markets

For small businesses and startups, getting customers beyond your local area can be tricky with just a storefront. An eCommerce site lets you connect with new customers online that you wouldn't reach otherwise.

Creating unique experiences

Online businesses can shape the customer journey by crafting a distinctive shopping experience with videos, stories, and personalized services. These experiences can continue beyond checkout, reaching customers through email marketing or social media.

Strengthening your brand

Selling on marketplaces like eBay or Amazon can make your products seem generic. Customers might not even realize they're buying from you. Building your eCommerce site gives you control over how your products are presented, ensuring customers remember you—not just a marketplace.

What are the different ways of building an eCommerce website

When building an eCommerce website, the platform you choose is crucial. You have three main types:

Open source

Open-source platforms like Magento and WooCommerce offer endless customization but require coding skills. They're great for those who want full control but be aware of potential security issues. 

SaaS

SaaS platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce are user-friendly and scalable, though they come with subscription fees. They handle the heavy lifting for you, from checkout to payment processing. 

Headless commerce

Headless Commerce gives you the most creative control, allowing you to separate the shopping cart from the display layer so you can use a CMS or other technology on the frontend.

Choosing the right eCommerce website builder

Your website builder choice sets the stage for your online store's success. Shopify is a popular SaaS solution known for its ease of use and extensive plug-ins. But be careful, as the costs can add up quickly. BigCommerce is another SaaS option, offering scalability and support for headless commerce. Magento is a self-hosted solution that gives you complete creative freedom. Nevertheless, you'll need a developer to make the most of it. WooCommerce is an open-source WordPress plug-in, ideal for those with an existing WordPress site. It's free to install and highly customizable.

Why you should consider hiring a developer

Even if you're trying to keep costs low, hiring a developer can make setting up an eCommerce site much more straightforward. They have the technical skills to get you up and running quickly so you can start selling sooner. When choosing a developer, ask about their timeline so you can plan your launch date. Look at other websites they've built and get references from their clients. Make sure the developer understands your vision and can work within your budget.

Take control of your eCommerce site's design with Instant

Instant is a game-changer for those using Shopify. This user-friendly Shopify product page builder allows you to create fully customizable pages without any coding knowledge. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can quickly design and publish:

• High-converting landing pages

• Blog posts

• Product pages

• Sections

Boosting conversions effortlessly

Instant offers seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, making it a versatile choice for enhancing store performance and boosting conversions. Try Instant's Shopify product page builder today!

What functionalities should you add to your eCommerce website?

Mobile-friendly design is not just an option; it’s essential. With more than half of all website traffic coming from mobile devices, you need your eCommerce site to look and function well on smaller screens. Responsive web design is your best friend here. It automatically adjusts your website to fit all devices, from laptops to smartphones. The result? A seamless experience for your customers, no matter where they are shopping from.

Easy navigation: Help shoppers find what they need

If your users can’t find what they need quickly, they’re not sticking around. Create clear menus to help them browse product categories effortlessly. Place these menus in prominent spots across the top of every page. Let your visitors filter and sort products by important characteristics like price, size, and style. The easier they find what they want, the more likely they are to purchase.

Security features: Show shoppers they can trust you

Online shoppers are wary about security — and for good reason. If your site seems sketchy, they won’t buy. Use a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate for secure data transmission. Implement measures like address verification and CVV checks at checkout. Ensure you and your customers are using secure passwords and updating them regularly. These actions will help protect your business and your customers’ data.

Prominent shopping cart and checkout: Keep shoppers moving forward

Your ‘add to cart’ and ‘check out’ buttons must stand out. Once users click into their cart, show them all the relevant details, like product names and prices. Let them remove items or change quantities right from the cart. And allow them to save their cart so they can come back later. These features will encourage more people to complete their purchases.

Payment options: Make buying easier

Offer several payment options to make buying easy for your customers. Accept major credit cards, but consider options like PayPal and Apple Pay. Shoppers will appreciate the flexibility, which can encourage them to buy more—display icons of accepted payment methods so your customers know what to expect.

High-quality visuals: Use photos and videos to sell

Visuals are crucial in eCommerce. They grab attention, engage users, and help them decide to buy. Use high-quality images and videos to show off your products from multiple angles. Let users zoom in on images. Show your products in action. Videos, in particular, can boost conversion rates significantly. Just make sure your visuals don’t slow down your site.

Shipping and return info: Be transparent

Straightforward shipping and return policy information helps customers feel more comfortable buying from you. Make this information easy to find and understand. The footer of your website is a great place to put links to this info. Transparency can increase trust and boost conversions.

Social proof: Include reviews and ratings

Online reviews are a big deal. Most customers read them before making a purchase. To keep potential customers on your site, include user-generated ratings and reviews. You can also encourage customers to leave reviews on third-party sites like:

• Google My Business

• Facebook

Other forms of social proof, like user-created social media content and testimonials, can be helpful.

Item availability: Avoid frustrating customers

Let your customers know whether a product is in stock. If not, include info about when it will be available again. This transparency can help you avoid frustrating your customers and losing sales.

FAQ page: Answer common questions

An FAQ page can save your customers time and reduce frustration. Make it easy to find, and include answers to common questions. Update it as needed to address new questions that arise. This will help improve the overall user experience on your site.

Contact page: Make it easy to reach you

Include a contact page with multiple ways to get in touch. Offer options like phone numbers, email addresses, and social media profiles. You can also use a chatbot to answer common questions and direct users to the right team members. This will help you appear more trustworthy and approachable to your customers.

Steps for building a custom eCommerce store

Clarify your business goals first

Before you dive into building your eCommerce store, take a step back and figure out what you're trying to accomplish. Is it about moving from a physical store to online sales? You can sell directly to consumers and cut out the middleman or add a B2B channel to your B2C business. Whatever it is, set clear goals and metrics to measure your success. Knowing what you want will guide your decisions on platforms, design, and marketing later.

Design a shopping experience that wows

Think about what experience you want your customers to have when they shop with you. It's not just about selling stuff—it's about making the whole process easy and enjoyable. Consider features like product filtering, side-by-side comparisons, and a simple checkout process. Tailor the design of your products and how people shop for them. Everyday items might need a quick checkout, while high-end goods require a more interactive experience.

Pick the right eCommerce platform

You don't need to build your store from scratch. Plenty of platforms offer the necessary tools, like inventory management and payment processing. Choose the one that fits your business goals, tech skills, and budget. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento each have their strengths, so pick what works best for you.

Present your products effectively

Don't just upload images and descriptions. The way you present your products affects conversions. Use high-quality images—customers can't touch or try your products online, so clear photos are crucial. Write compelling descriptions that highlight benefits, not just features. Use relevant keywords to help your products rank higher in search results. Sync your inventory across all sales channels to prevent overselling and stock issues.

Simplify payments and shipping

A smooth checkout is key to increasing conversion rates. Offer multiple payment options and make sure the transaction process is seamless. Consider payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square and offer buy now, pay later options. If you're selling internationally, choose gateways that support multiple currencies. Offer flexible shipping choices and integrate real-time shipping rates from carriers. Use tax automation tools to ensure compliance with different tax laws.

Test everything before launching

Before you go live, run a complete quality assurance check to ensure everything works.

• Test the checkout process

• Check for broken links

• Review product listings

• Optimize site speed

Ensure your site is mobile-friendly, as over half of online purchases happen on mobile devices. Verify that promotions and discounts apply correctly at checkout. Once everything checks out, launch your store and optimize to improve conversions and customer experience.

How much does eCommerce website development costs?

When it comes to crafting an eCommerce website, costs can swing wildly. Think between $5,000 and $250,000. The final tally hinges on a mix of factors. What platform are you using? Are you opting for Shopify’s monthly fees or diving into the vast customization of WooCommerce? Maybe you’re going fully custom. Each choice has its price tag and set of features.

Size matters: The role of complexity and scale

The bigger the website, the bigger the bill. A vast catalog of products, nuanced search options, and complex shipping rules all add complexity. Throw in multilingual support, and you’re looking at a higher cost. Complexity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a real factor in pricing.

Design decisions: Templates vs. tailored experiences

Your site’s design isn’t just about looks but function and cost. A professional, custom design will lift your user experience and conversions but will cost more than a template. The right design choice aligns with your goals and budget.

Integrations and extras: What do you really need?

What about the extras? CRM integrations, fancy email tools, and advanced SEO features can transform your site into a powerhouse. But each add-on adds dollars to the final tab. Consider what functionalities are truly essential for your business.

Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify product page builder

Imagine crafting a Shopify product page without ever touching a line of code. With Instant, eCommerce teams and agencies can now effortlessly build advanced pages that resonate with their brand. The intuitive drag-and-drop interface ensures that anyone can design, tweak, and publish:

• High-converting landing pages

• Blog posts

• Product pages

No more waiting on developers—just pure creative freedom at your fingertips. Seamlessly integrate with Figma and other eCommerce tools to enhance performance and boost conversions. If you want to shake things up, try Instant's Shopify product page builder today.