The E-Commerce Cheat Sheet: Tips to Build a Successful Online Store

When building an e-commerce site, there are plenty of details to keep in mind — from choosing your platform to creating the look and feel of your store, from setting up shipping methods to deciding how you will handle payments and returns.

The details involved in e-commerce can be overwhelming if you don't know where to start, so we have put together this simple guide to help you build an e-commerce site in only three easy steps.

Step 1: Pick a domain name.

Your domain name is your brand and your home on the web. It is how customers will find you, so it is vital to choose one that is memorable, unique, and easy to spell.

Once you have some ideas, do a quick search on GoDaddy or another domain registrar to see if your chosen name is available as a.com. If it's not, don't worry! There are plenty of other options —.net,.biz,.io, etc.

Step 2: Choose a host.

You need a web host to get your website live on the internet. A web host is a company that provides space on a server they own for you to store your website files and makes those files available to visitors 24/7.

When it comes to choosing a hosting provider for your e-commerce website, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind, such as:

• How much web space do I need?
• What kind of support do they offer?
• How much does it cost?

You also need to decide which type of hosting is right for you. There are four main types of web hosting solutions

• shared, dedicated, Virtual Private Server (VPS), and cloud. Shared hosting is probably the best option if you are just starting out. Once your traffic starts to pick up, you can always upgrade to a more robust plan.

Step 3: Pick your platform.

It is now time to choose your platform. If you are looking for a dedicated e-commerce platform, Shopify is a great option. It is user-friendly, has features like abandoned cart recovery and built-in SEO, and offers 24/7 support.

Next are website builders with e-commerce features — think Wix, Weebly, and Squarespace. And if you are using WordPress, WooCommerce and WP EasyCart are two popular plugins that can help turn your site into an online store.

Hire a professional!

Building an e-commerce website can be tricky. Don't try to do it all yourself — hiring a website development and design company will save you time and ensure that your site is built correctly from the start.

A good website development and design company will have a strong understanding of e-commerce platforms, shopping carts, web hosting, domain names, and email marketing. They will also be able to help you create a branding strategy that will set your business apart from the competition.

To find a reputable company, ask for referrals from other businesses in your industry or search online for reviews once you have found a few companies that look promising, schedule consultations so you can get started on building your dream e-commerce store!

Conclusion

With the rise of e-commerce, building an online store is becoming increasingly important to get your brand or product in front of customers' eyes. To stand out from the crowd, you need to create a great online store with useful information and compelling visuals that will convince customers to part with their hard-earned cash — and this cheat sheet gives you all the tips you need to achieve just that!

Cybernet is a digital agency that specializes in web technology and web marketing. Our services range from graphic design to custom software programming.