How To Build An eCommerce Website Step By Step?
Do you remember the time before Flipkart, Amazon, Zomato, Myntra, and Blinkit came when we had to step out of the house to get the goods?
At that time, we could not imagine that a day would come when we would be able to order groceries, buy unique items from another country, or sell our items in other countries without leaving our house in just 10 minutes.
You will be surprised to know that today more than 200 crore people in the world do online shopping.
The question is how all this became possible. The reason behind this is eCommerce.
eCommerce is a business model in which you can open your own online eCommerce store and sell products without a limit.
For this, you need an eCommerce website.
Now what is this eCommerce website?
An eCommerce website is a platform through which a shopper can buy your products online from you, can do online transaction, can do online review.
Today’s blog is going to be on eCommerce Website, where we will understand what is an eCommerce Website, what are the benefits of eCommerce Website, how is it designed and what are the best tools to design it.
So let’s start without delay.
Want to know 15 Shocking Reasons Why Businesses Fail Without A Website.
What does eCommerce mean?
An eCommerce, also known as Electronic Commerce, is a model in which products and services are sold and transactions are done online on the internet.
For this, different online platforms are used on which products are showcased, and people visit and place their orders.
eCommerce started in the year 1960 when many businesses started using EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) to share their documents.
Gradually, this trend of online sharing started increasing and with the arrival of eBay and Amazon in the year 1990, people started buying online items from online vendors.
Brick & Mortar Businesses, which had the capacity of online selling, also started selling products online.
With the arrival of Covid-19 in the year 2020, a huge boom was seen in the eCommerce industry and a growth of more than 16% was recorded in the 2nd quarter of 2020. Amazon USA alone sold 390 crore products online in the year 2021.
Today, thanks to eCommerce, people can buy and sell items from any corner of the world while sitting at home.
Today you do not have to leave the house to find any kind of product or service, you can order everything online in a few minutes.
What are eCommerce websites?
A website that allows people to buy and sell physical goods, services, and digital products over the internet rather than at a brick-and-mortar location. Through an eCommerce website, a business can process orders, accept payments, manage shipping and logistics, and provide customer service.
An eCommerce website allows people to buy and sell physical goods, services, and digital products over the Internet rather than at a brick-and-mortar location. Through an eCommerce website, a business can process orders, accept payments, manage shipping and logistics, and provide customer service.
It’s tough to imagine daily life without eCommerce. We order food, clothes, and furniture; we register for classes and other online services; we download books, music, and movies; and so much more. eCommerce has taken root and is here to stay.
What are the 4 types of eCommerce?
An eCommerce business has different forms where the online transaction takes place between two parties and products are sold. Talking about some common eCommerce business models, they include:
Business to Business (B2B): Under this business model, a business sells items or provides its service to another business. Example – Tata Steel, Deloitte, L&T Limited, IBM, etc.
Business to Consumers (B2C): In this business model, a business or company sells its products online to a customer. There are also distributors, wholesalers, and retailers in between. Examples: Starbucks, Hero MotoCorp, Anchor, Etc.
Consumers to Business (C2B): In this business model, a consumer sells its products or services to a business. Examples: Freelancing, Renting Space, Blogger Promoting Products, Airbnb, Etc.
Consumer to Consumer (C2C): When an individual sells his products or services online to another person, it is called the C2C eCommerce Business Model. Example: Buying & Selling of Items on Olx and eBay, Online Auctions on eCommerce Sites, Facebook Marketplace, Etc.
Direct to Customer (D2C): D2C means Direct to Consumer, that is, in this, a company sells its products directly to a consumer and there is no middleman in between. Examples: Apple, MamaEarth, Traya, Loom Solar, Etc.
You can adopt any of these business models and start your online eCommerce journey.
Now let us know what an eCommerce website is and what are its benefits.
What are eCommerce websites?
Websites that facilitate online transactions and connect shoppers to products & services are called eCommerce websites.
An eCommerce Website has all the tools required to completely transform a physical or brick-and-mortar store online.
You can list products as per your requirement, categorize them, and add checkout pages, payment gateways, etc.
eCommerce Websites can be easily created with simple drag-and-drop builder tools for which you can use tools like Wix, WooCommerce, and Shopify.
What is an example of an eCommerce website?
Amazon. Amazon is one of the largest eCommerce stores there. It’s also a great example of a site that uses its design to make it easy for customers to navigate to what they want.
What is the cost of an eCommerce website?
Medium-sized eCommerce website: A medium-sized eCommerce website (100 to 500 products) with a more complex design and advanced features, such as advanced search functionality, inventory management, and integration with shipping and fulfillment providers, can cost between ₹75,000 to ₹3,50,000.
How does an eCommerce website work?
After understanding what is an eCommerce Website, now it is time to know how eCommerce Websites work.
We can understand eCommerce Website Working in 7 Steps.
- First of all, you optimize your eCommerce store for Search Engine so that its Organic Ranking can be Improved. SEO is mainly used for this.
- Apart from SEO, you can also place your store in top positions on Google through PPC Advertisement.
- Now the user searches for a product and sees your website. The user comes to your webpage, looks for the product he needs, and compares it with other similar products. Whatever product he understands, he puts it in the cart and checks out.
- Now he makes Online Payments, for which he either uses his Cards & Internet Banking or Payment Gateways like Paytm, and Google Pay, here you also provide him the option of COD. As soon as he makes the payment and finalizes the order, the Estimated Shipping Time, Transaction No., Portal Tracking Id, and Invoice are shared with him.
- Now you deliver this order to the customer with the help of your delivery partner.
- Finally, you also use the Return & Refund system on your site so that dissatisfied customers can get their refund or money back.
Thus, all these steps together complete a new order.
Benefits of the eCommerce Website:
There are many benefits of creating an eCommerce website.
Increases Market reach:
The reach of a physical store is limited to the particular area where it is located, but the reach of an online eCommerce store is unlimited. You can open your eCommerce store in Delhi and deliver to customers in Australia.
You do not need to open your stores at different places, just run your online store from your home or office and get your items delivered worldwide with the help of good shipping and logistics partners.
Secure and encrypted transactions:
eCommerce business ensures your payment and all transactions are safe and secure.
SSL certificate helps a lot to ensure your payment, which is not only helpful in online transactions but also in preventing all kinds of malware activities.
Convenient for consumers to shop:
Shopping can be done from a physical store only when the customer himself comes to you and buys the goods. But this is not the case in eCommerce Store.
No matter where the customer is sitting, what time it is, what season it is, or what device he is using – he can shop whenever he wants. This increases the awareness of your eCommerce brand, more people start knowing about your products and start comparing and reviewing them.
And when different payment methods are also available with all this, then shopping becomes even more convenient for the customer.
Helpful in Upselling:
Whenever you go to buy something from Flipkart or Amazon, you must have observed that these sites show you many similar products apart from the products of your choice. For example, if you are going to buy sports shoes on Amazon and are spending some time on the site, then sleepers or casual shoes also start showing in front of you. As soon as you click on them, you start seeing sleepers & shoes of different varieties & companies.
What is all this? All this is Upselling where you not only buy the item you came to buy but also put those items in the cart in which you had no interest till now. But, because Amazon offered you an extra discount on those items, you decided to buy them too.
Similarly, you can also do Upselling on your eCommerce Store, so that the customer also does not get irritated. It is quite difficult to do this in a physical store.
Lower Startup And Running Cost:
eCommerce Business is often set up with less money than a Brick and Mortar (Physical) Business and it can be run from anywhere.
Although it costs money to get a domain, build a website, and keep inventory, here you do not have to think about high rent, or utilities like electricity, water, etc.
Hope you have understood what is eCommerce Website Kya Hoti Hai and what are its benefits.
Now let us talk about the top website builders required for creating an eCommerce website.
Which eCommerce platform is best?
There are top 5 eCommerce Website Builders which are as follows:
1. WooCommerce and WordPress:
WooCommerce is a WordPress Based Open Source Platform that you can integrate with WordPress to create a very attractive & search engine-optimized eCommerce website.
If you want to sell something online – WooCommerce is with you.
If you want to create a powerful online store for someone else – WooCommerce is with you.
Today WooCommerce Plugin is installed on more than 6 million websites and is running effectively.
You have to install a premium theme on your WordPress website (a free theme will also work in the beginning) and list your products by installing WooCommerce Plugin, making a payment gateway, and creating different pages.
Whether you want to create a small website or a high-quality & big eCommerce store, you can do this work easily with the combination of WooCommerce & WordPress.
2. Shopify:
Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms on which more than 4.5 million eCommerce websites have been designed.
If you want to open your online eCommerce store on a large scale then Shopify is the best eCommerce website builder, you can start your journey by purchasing the premium version.
You do not even need coding to design your eCommerce website on Shopify. Along with this, you also get advanced features like Inventory Tracking, ECommerce SEO Features, SSL Certificates, Shopify Shipping, and Payment.
Along with this, you can connect your online Facebook shop to your Shopify store.
All these features provide an excellent user interface & user experience, which makes product navigation very easy.
3. Squarespace:
Squarespace is an easy drag-and-drop eCommerce website builder on which you can design an attractive eCommerce website.
Even if you don’t know how to code and are not that tech-savvy, you can still design a website with great experience with the help of this tool.
All the templates available on Squarespace are mobile optimized, which gives a consistent user experience on every device.
Here also you get inventory management, different payment gateways, and advanced tools that make your customers’ shopping journey smooth.
4. BigCommerce:
BigCommerce is an all-in-one eCommerce platform on which you can open attractive eCommerce stores.
After designing your eCommerce site on BigCommerce, there is no effect on your site speed and performance, no matter how much traffic comes.
Thanks to its advanced features, you are able to automatically categorize your product listings and your performance also gets optimized.
To create a great eCommerce site on BigCommerce and build a high-growth eCommerce business, you have to spend some time on it, only then you can enjoy its outstanding features.
5. Wix:
If you are a beginner and want to create your first eCommerce website, then there is hardly any better eCommerce website builder than Wix.
It is a Drag & Drop Website Builder with the help of which you can create a complete eCommerce store. You get different types of templates on it with the help of which you can create your unique brand identity.
Wix offers 500 MB storage in its free plan, on which a basic eCommerce website can be designed. However, if you want to list more products then you need more space and you can turn to its paid plan.
Along with this, you get to see many advanced features in Wix, such as – Abandoned Cart Emails, Inventory Tracking, Customer Segmentation, Multiple Payment Methods, etc.
How to design an eCommerce website?
Let’s understand how to create an eCommerce website in 8 Steps.
1. Buy Domain and Hosting:
The first step is to name your eCommerce store, for which you have to buy a domain.
When you create your website with a domain, you also need hosting to store the data on which you host your website.
You can buy your domain & host from Bluehost, Hostinger, Hostgator, Namecheap, Godaddy, etc.
2. Choose a Website Builder:
In this step, you have to choose the Best eCommerce Website Builder on which you can create your small or big eCommerce Store.
We have already talked about the Best eCommerce website Builders, so you can start your journey by selecting any one of them.
3. Select a suitable theme for your eCommerce website:
Now it is time to select the best and appealing theme.
You have to select a theme that reflects your brand identity and is simple and appealing.
ECommerce website builder also provides you themes which are in the form of ready-to-use templates, which you can customize as per your requirement.
If you want, you can start with a free theme but to build a brand and create your unique identity, you will have to go for a premium theme.
4. Customize the site and create different pages:
Customization means to properly create the headers, footers, menus, etc. of your site, and decide the structure of the site so that it is easy for users to navigate the site.
Along with this, you now have to create all the pages required for your eCommerce website. Here you can create a Home, Category Page, Product Page, About Us, Contact Us, Search and Listing Results, Cart Page, Checkout Page, etc. You can create it.
Make sure that all the pages on your website fulfill the needs of your customers.
5. Create Products Listing:
Product Listing is an important section of your eCommerce store that has to be created very carefully because in the end, the user finds the product of his choice in this listing.
Product Listing includes all these things:
Product Names and Prices
Product Images or Videos
Product Descriptions
Customer Reviews
Shopping Cart Functionality
FAQ Section
All these features make your Product Listing perfect and help in converting the visitor into a customer.
6. Work on the UX and UI of the website:
To stop a visitor on the eCommerce website, the UX & UI of the website should be very strong.
UI means User Interface, that is, the buttons, screens, icons, toggles, CTAs, site navigation, and other elements of your website with which the user interacts.
Whereas UX means User Experience, that is, how good an experience the user is getting when he is visiting your site. How aesthetic he found your site, how much he liked the color scheme and theme, and how appealing the visuals were.
You have to work on both these elements, only then you can have a unique identity that differentiates you from your competitors.
7. Add Payment and Shipping Methods:
Adding a secure payment and shipping method is important for the growth of your eCommerce business.
Many eCommerce platforms have built-in payment integrations, such as WooCommerce. You can also integrate third-party payment processors, such as Paypal, PayTM, Stripe, etc.
8. Optimize for Search Engines:
Don’t forget to optimize all your pages for search engines. For this, you will have to perform on-page SEO. Under this, you have to properly implement Meta Tags, Descriptions, Alt Tags of Images, Keywords in Product Descriptions, Easy Navigation, Sitemaps, Schema, etc. on all your pages.
How to design an eCommerce website?
While creating an eCommerce Website, you have to take care of some points so that the users get a good experience.
User Friendliness:
Today thousands of sites are offering products like yours, how will you stand out in such a situation?
You have to make the User Experience of your eCommerce Site good. Any user who comes to your site wants the product photo to show properly, the products to be loaded fast, it is easy to navigate, the page loading speed is good, everything is mentioned in the product description, etc.
If you make a mistake anywhere and that thing frustrates your user, then understand that he will go to some other site.
So to make your eCommerce Website successful, definitely pay attention to the User Experience.
Brand Identity:
If you want to convert a normal eCommerce store into a branded store, then you have to create your brand identity.
Your website’s theme, content, color, message, product variety, appearance, social media presence, etc. help you create a brand identity.
It makes you stand out from your competitors and gives you an identity so that your customers remember you.
Easy to Navigate Product Filters:
If you have multiple products, then it becomes very important for you to use easy-to-navigate product filters.
Through this, users can easily reach the things they need. This also makes their experience better.
For example, you can give the option of different filters so that users can easily select the product according to their choice.
Mobile Optimized:
This is a very important feature that is often ignored by new eCommerce store owners.
Whenever you design your eCommerce website, ensure that the site looks proper on mobile devices as well.
Many times it happens that everything looks fine when you open the site on a computer but when you open it on mobile, sometimes all the photos of the product do not appear, sometimes the placement of the buttons changes, sometimes the link goes up and down and sometimes the menu does not appear properly.
It is important to resolve all these things beforehand so that mobile users do not face any problems in scrolling the site.
Simplified Cart and Checkout Process:
It is very important to keep your Cart and Checkout Process simple otherwise users may get frustrated and leave your site and go to some other site.
Keeping the Cart & Checkout Process simple also increases your conversion rate and revenue. Therefore, keep your Add to Cart, and Buy Now Buttons Clear & Simple so that the user can understand them, click on them, and see their Item name, Price, Quantity, Discount etc. on the Checkout Page.
Multiple Payment Options:
Your eCommerce Website must have the feature of Multiple Payment Options. Many people pay through a Card, many pay through UPI, and some like Cash On Delivery (COD) Option.
Therefore, to provide a better experience to your customers and make their checkout easier, you must keep different payment options.
In this way, you can keep all these features in mind while designing your eCommerce Website.
Through this blog, we tried to explain to you the meaning of an eCommerce Website. Hope you have understood what is eCommerce Website Kya Hai, how to design it and what are its benefits.
FAQs on How to Build an eCommerce Website Step by Step?
1. What are the essential steps to build an eCommerce website?
To build an eCommerce website, follow these steps:
- Choose a domain name and hosting provider.
- Select an eCommerce platform (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento).
- Design your website with a user-friendly layout.
- Add product listings with images, descriptions, and pricing.
- Set up payment gateways and shipping options.
- Optimize for SEO and mobile-friendliness.
- Test your website and launch it.
2. Do I need coding skills to create an eCommerce website?
No, coding skills are not necessary if you use website builders like Shopify, Wix, or WooCommerce. However, if you want advanced customization, knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can be helpful.
3. How much does it cost to build an eCommerce website?
The cost depends on the platform and features. A basic website can cost $100–$500 using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. A custom-built eCommerce site may cost $5,000 or more.
4. Which payment methods should I integrate into my eCommerce store?
You should integrate multiple payment options like PayPal, Stripe, credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and even Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services to cater to different customers.
5. How can I drive traffic to my eCommerce website after launching it?
To increase traffic, use SEO, social media marketing, email marketing, paid ads (Google Ads, Facebook Ads), influencer marketing, and content marketing. Also, consider offering discounts and referral programs.
6. What is the best platform for creating an eCommerce website?
The best platform depends on your needs:
- Shopify – Best for beginners with easy setup and built-in features.
- WooCommerce – Ideal for WordPress users who want flexibility.
- Magento – Suitable for large businesses needing advanced customization.
- Wix eCommerce – Great for small businesses with drag-and-drop features.
7. How do I ensure my eCommerce website is secure?
To secure your website:
- Use SSL certificates to encrypt data.
- Choose a reliable hosting provider with security features.
- Keep your platform and plugins updated regularly.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for logins.
- Use secure payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe.
8. How can I optimize my eCommerce website for SEO?
To improve SEO:
- Use relevant keywords in product titles and descriptions.
- Write unique and high-quality content (blogs, guides, FAQs).
- Optimize product images with alt tags and compression.
- Improve site speed with caching and fast hosting.
- Get backlinks from authoritative websites.
9. What are the must-have features for an eCommerce website?
An eCommerce website should include:
- Easy navigation and search functionality.
- Mobile-friendly design for better user experience.
- Multiple payment options for customer convenience.
- Customer reviews and ratings to build trust.
- Cart and checkout process that is simple and fast.
- Order tracking system for customer satisfaction.
10. How can I increase sales on my eCommerce website?
To boost sales, try:
- Offering discounts and special promotions.
- Using email marketing to engage customers.
- Implementing retargeting ads for abandoned carts.
- Providing live chat support for customer queries.
- Using social proof like testimonials and reviews.
Conclusion:
In today’s digital age, many people dream of doing their own online business, but they do not understand what business to do.
Offline Business Owners, who run a small Offline Retail Store, also wonder how to take their Retail Store Online and how to sell goods online.
The answer is by creating an eCommerce Website. An eCommerce Website is a very powerful way to take your Offline Store Online.
In today’s blog post, we discussed many topics related to eCommerce Websites and understood what is an eCommerce Website, how it works, what are its benefits, and how to design an eCommerce Website.
Hope you have learned something new from today’s blog and now you too will be ready to create your own eCommerce Website and do online product selling.
I hope this blog post provided you with the insights you were looking for. If you found it helpful, please share it with your friends and community so that they too can benefit from this information.
At Techblogwala, we strive to empower aspiring bloggers and beginners who are starting their journey in the blogging world. Every post here is crafted to support those who dream of making blogging a successful career.
Techblogwala is your go-to platform for detailed and practical blog posts on topics related to Digital Marketing.
If you have any specific topics or questions in mind related to Digital Marketing, feel free to share your suggestions. Your feedback motivates me to create content tailored to your needs. Don’t forget to follow me on my Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and leave your valuable comments in the blog section below. Your support and suggestions help me grow and deliver better content for you!