For any entrepreneur looking to start an online business, one of the most important decisions they will have to make is choosing the right eCommerce software. This crucial piece of technology will be the backbone of your entire operation. Its main purpose is to provide a platform for you to sell your products or services online, but the best eCommerce software will also offer a range of features and tools to help you run your business more effectively.
With so many different options on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start when choosing eCommerce software. To help you make the right decision for your business, we’ve put together a list of six simple tricks that will help you choose the right eCommerce software:
1. Define Your Business Needs
The first step in choosing eCommerce software is to define your business needs. What are your main goals for your online store? What features do you need to achieve those goals? Defining your business needs is essential in finding the right eCommerce software for your business.
For goals, it means both your long-term goals and your more immediate goals. For example, if you’re starting, you might be focused on getting your store up and running as quickly and cheaply as possible. However, if you’re further down the line, you might be looking for software with eCommerce integrations that can help you automate your operations. The more clearly you can define your business needs, the easier it will be to find exactly what you’re looking for.
2. Research All Your Options
Once you’ve defined your own business needs, the next step is to research all the options that are out there. This means doing a deep dive into the free and paid software products available. Read reviews and comparisons of different eCommerce platforms to have a good idea of what each offers. There are a few different ways to go about this:
- Look at online reviews: A great way to get an overview of the different options on the market is to read online reviews. You can find these on specialist eCommerce and general business software review websites.
- Talk to other businesses: Another useful way to learn about different eCommerce software options is to talk to other businesses in your industry who have already switched to selling online. Ask them about their experiences and see if they have any recommendations.
- Get in touch with the software providers: Once you’ve compiled a list of potential software options, the next step is to get in touch with the providers themselves. This will give you a chance to ask any specific questions you might have and get a feel for the customer service they offer.
3. Consider Your Budget
One of the most important considerations when choosing eCommerce software is your budget. How much are you willing to spend on this crucial piece of technology? When it comes to eCommerce platforms, you generally get what you pay for. The more expensive options will offer more features and functionality, while the cheaper options might be more limited in what they can do.
Of course, there are some free options available on the market, but these often tend to be quite basic and might not offer the features you need. Many options charge a flat monthly fee or one-off payment rather than charging per transaction. Think carefully about how much you’re willing to invest in your eCommerce software, and make sure that you find an option that matches your budget.
4. Look at Support Options
Another important factor when choosing eCommerce software is the support options available. This will include the level of customer service you can expect and how easy it is to get in touch with someone if you need help with something specific.
There are two main types of customer service: managed and self-support. Managed support means a dedicated team that will deal with any questions or issues you might have, while self-support refers to resources such as FAQs and forums where you can find the information yourself. Many businesses find that a mix of these approaches works best, so consider which type of support would work best for your business before committing to a particular eCommerce software provider.
5. Think About Scalability
Another important aspect of choosing eCommerce software is scalability. This means the ability to grow your online business by adding new products, customers, and orders as your business grows. The top eCommerce platforms will offer built-in features that allow you to easily manage this growth and automate certain processes, such as order fulfillment or shipping. Look for software that has been designed with scalability so that your needs will be met down the line.
6. Compare Functionality
The functionality offered by different eCommerce platforms can vary quite significantly, so it’s important to compare the features of each one before making a decision. What might be a deal-breaker for one business might not be so important for another, so make a list of the most important features for your business and use this as a starting point for your research. Some of the key features you might want to look out for include:
- Inventory management: This refers to the built-in tools that allow you to track and manage your inventory.
- Customer management: Features such as customer profiles, order history databases, email marketing capabilities, and more can help keep your customers engaged with your business.
- Payment processing: Will the software integrate with the payment processing tools you already use? It’s important to find a platform that seamlessly fits your existing processes.
- Shipping options: Does the software provide any automation features for shipping processes? For example, will it automatically update shipping costs when an item is on sale or add tax information when an order is placed? This can save a considerable amount of time when fulfilling orders.
Choosing the right eCommerce software for your business can feel daunting. However, if you take the time to consider all of the important factors carefully, you’ll be able to find an option that meets all of your requirements. Ultimately, the key is to research and find a platform that meets your unique needs and offers good value for money.