Things To Consider When Buying Ecommerce Platform
1. Features and Functionality
Consider which features your ecommerce site will need and find a platform that aligns with the functions and elements you need. Eva Parth Dos Santos of Zurich, Switzerland, owner and CEO of Mint-Girls.ch advises: “It’s good to ask around and read a lot. In the end you need to make a decision that works for you and your set up, [but] just because you [make] a decision at one point in time doesn’t mean that you have to stick with it. Circumstances change, especially in a young company.” If you need to fulfil orders for different countries, look for an ecommerce platform with easy-to-use shipping – or a good third-party option – as well as multi-currency payment optimisation. With so much of the world connected to the internet, many platforms make these features standard.
2. Customisation Options
To ensure your site stands out, you’ll want to customise it to appropriately represent your brand, products and company. Consider a platform that provides enough flexibility to customise the layout, while allowing you to embed videos or images. Enhance your site by personalising the browsing and purchasing experience for potential customers. Review other ecommerce sites and note what you found to be particularly nice –⸻or not so nice. It is worth taking the time and energy to design a site that truly captures the essence of your brand. This means it will resonate more strongly with people who are browsing with intent to buy.
3. User-Friendliness and Ease of Use
Even if you’re not tech-savvy or able to code and build a site from scratch, there are many drag-and-drop options for beginners. Consult the esperts to find an accessible and easy-to-use platform. Read up on what other users are saying. Research what ecommerce platforms have been easiest to use – and why – and find out specifically what other people don’t like. With so many choices on the market, there is bound to be the perfect ecommerce platform to support your growing business.
4. Customer Support and Technical Assistance
Each platform has a customer support department, but the degree to which they’re helpful –⁔and sometimes even reachable – varies. Technical assistance at a distance can be a challenge, with different time zones and forms of support, whether it’s email, phone, contact form or chatbot. You want your business to run smoothly and for things to operate efficiently, so consider your access and preferred modes of connection when selecting an ecommerce platform. Is their contact information visible? What are other users saying about their interactions with customer service? Step into your new endeavours with the right customer support team behind you.
5. Integration with Third-Party Apps and Services
Determine what third-party apps and integrations you’d like to help bring you products or services to your customer base. Be sure to research third-party apps and read the reviews. What do they offer regarding capabilities? Are they affordable? Quick enough? Consider the time and energy you’ll save by using integrations and third-party services and apps. Verify that the platform you’re looking at is compatible with other useful, stable integrations, apps and services. This may save you a lot of time and effort on back end work.