How to Choose an E-Commerce Platform

So, you have a great online business idea, service or product and you think it can be a real success. Whichever way you look at it, you will need to translate this into an effective online platform in order to actually make sales. But with so many options out there, how can make sure to select the right one for you?

The first step is to think very carefully about your specifications. Make sure that you know how much you want to spend for a start. Then think step by step exactly how you envisage customers making a purchase and set out to find a platform which can comply with your vision. It is also worth taking into account your own technical knowledge. Some platforms will require you to perform more tasks than others.

This brings us neatly onto the first real decision that you need to make. You will need to choose between a Hosted Solution and a Full Source Licensed Solution. The basic difference between the two is that a Hosted Solution provides a basic template which you can alter, specify and essentially design to fit your needs. Usually instructions are simple and the end product is very professional. The Full Source Licensed Solution version gives you greater access to the platform and allows you to tailor its functionality more precisely. Typically, these are the sort of platforms used by big brands, but you may have a specific feature or requirement which is crucial to your business.

Once you have narrowed down the field to one of these two broad categories, you can start to do some real research. Think back to your original A-Z vision of the purchase process and then search online for a platform which will enable you to display your products exactly as you wish and which caters for the range of payment options that you would like to see. There are plenty of other factors to consider too. Some platforms include the option of using coupon codes for example. You might decide that offers such as coupons are important to your sales and marketing strategy.

There are also several features which you would be wise to consider important to your platform. For example, select one which has built-in SEO tools. These are crucial to boosting your site’s online presence and making your business much easier to find. The world of online sales is enormously competitive, so take all the help you can get. Having SEO tools readily available is already a big boost. It is also advisable to make sure that your selected platform allows you to upgrade easily. Ultimately, you will hope to see your business grow and so your online needs of today may not be your e-commerce reality of tomorrow. Make sure that making improvements is as simple as possible.

However, perhaps the most important thing of all is to make absolutely sure that the option you choose is safe and secure. The simplest way to do this is to buy an SSL Certificate for your platform. Why do I need SSL you might ask? For the simple reason that it shows your customers that they can make purchases safely, adding huge credibility to your site. SSL encrypts information between your site and the browser being used by the visitor, creating a secure transaction. With so many decisions to be made, it can be easy to overlook, but make sure security is an integral part of your e-commerce platform selection process. Check out the best SSL products from Thawte to get on the right path towards securing your online store.

Good luck when choosing your path for an e-commerce site. Keep the above tips in mind, and you will be on your way to creating a site that fits your product and brand and provides the necessary security necessary for customers making a purchase online.