Easy Guide to Launch an eCommerce Website for Small Business

You know your business needs a website, but every quote you get feels out of reach. 

Hiring a web developer? Too expensive. 

DIY website builders? Overwhelming. So, what’s the solution? 

In fact, many small business owners like you believe that the cost of building an eCommerce website needs thousands of dollars to launch a website—but that’s just a myth. The good news is—you don’t need to break the bank to get a professional high-converting website for your small business. 

In this blog, we’ll show you the most budget-friendly ways to get an eCommerce website for small businesses.

Let’s jump right into the blog and uncover more.

What is an eCommerce Website?

An eCommerce website is an online platform that allows businesses to sell products or services over the Internet. Customers can browse, select, and purchase items directly from the website. As customer can purchase from anywhere which makes it a convenient and efficient shopping experience.

In eCommerce website, businesses can showcase their products online, provide detailed descriptions, and utilize website templates for effective website design. This accessibility allows small business owners to compete in an increasingly crowded marketplace and capitalize on the growing demand for online shopping.

Why an eCommerce Website is Essential for Small Businesses?

An eCommerce website is very important for small businesses. It helps you to sell products to people outside their local area. With online shopping becoming popular, a website allows you to reach customers from all over the world.

An online store is open 24/7, so businesses can make sales even when your physical shop is closed. This helps you grow and increase your profits. A website also makes it easy to use marketing tools to promote products. Businesses can connect with customers through personalized offers and ads. This helps build strong relationships and makes customers return.

By having an online store, small businesses can show their products to more people, build their brand, and grow in a competitive market. Moving to online sales is important because customer shopping habits are changing.

A website makes it easy to use digital marketing tools. Businesses can promote their products through social media, email, and online ads. This helps attract more customers.

In your online store, You can add more products and serve more customers without worrying about extra costs for a larger store.

So if you don’t have any physical shop your business can also grow without this.

Features of a successful eCommerce website

A successful eCommerce website needs some essential features. Because a well-optimized site enhances user experience, builds trust, and improves search engine rankings. Here are the key features that make an eCommerce website stand out and drive growth.

User-Friendly Navigation

A well-structured menu and intuitive search function make it easy for customers to find what they need. Clear categories, filters, and a search bar improve the shopping experience. 

Simple and logical navigation encourages visitors to stay longer on your website and explore more products.

Smooth User Experience 

Try to ensure that mobile apps and the website run smoothly. it’s essential to use a robust technological stack. 

Utilizing frameworks like React Native for mobile apps and Next.js for web development ensures high performance, responsiveness, and seamless user experience across all devices. Cloud-based solutions and scalable databases further enhance efficiency and reliability.

Secure Payment Options

It’s very important to offer multiple secure payment methods, such as credit cards, PayPal, and digital wallets. It gives customers more choices and builds trust. 

Moreover, secure transactions with SSL encryption protect customer data, reducing cart abandonment.

Fast Loading Speed

A slow website frustrates users and can drive them away. Optimizing images, reducing unnecessary scripts, and using a fast hosting provider can improve loading speed. Faster websites rank better on search engines and lead to higher conversions.

SEO Optimization

A well-optimized website appears higher in search engine results, bringing in more potential customers. 

Using relevant keywords, writing compelling product descriptions, and optimizing page speed can help improve visibility on Google and other search engines.

Product Pages with High-Quality Images

Clear, high-resolution images and detailed product descriptions help customers make informed decisions. Multiple images, zoom-in features, and videos can enhance the shopping experience and boost sales.

Customer Reviews & Ratings

Displaying customer feedback increases credibility and influences purchase decisions. 

Positive reviews help build trust, while honest negative reviews show transparency. 

Encouraging customer reviews can increase engagement and brand loyalty on your website.

Simple Checkout Process

A complicated checkout process can lead to abandoned carts. Reducing unnecessary steps, offering guest checkout, and providing multiple payment options create a smoother shopping experience. The easier the checkout, the higher the conversion rate.

Ways to Build an eCommerce Website for Small Businesses

When you are building an eCommerce website for a small business you can take two main approaches. Each has its own benefits depending on your needs, budget, and technical expertise. 

Using an eCommerce Platform Builder

An eCommerce platform builder is a user-friendly tool that allows you to create a custom online store without needing technical knowledge. 

Examples of platform builders include WordPress with WooCommerce, or using platforms like Squarespace that offer eCommerce options. 

These high-end platforms offer drag-and-drop features and pre-built templates that make setting up your store fast and easy. 

They also include built-in tools for payment processing, inventory management, SEO optimization, and mobile responsiveness. This option is ideal for small businesses that want to get started quickly with minimal hassle.

Using a Ready-Made Solution

Ready-made software solution refers to pre-packaged solutions designed for general business tasks. It is quick to implement and they require minimal setup and help reduce costs.

These solutions often come with all the essential features you need but require you to customize them to fit your brand. 

While this option may require a bit more customization and easy setup, it provides flexibility which allows your website to match your preferences. 

With this approach, you can customize your online store to reflect your brand’s unique style and meet your specific business needs.

How to Build an eCommerce Website Using a Platform Builder

If you want to choose the building process with platform builders, these will be the steps to create an online store.

Choose a Platform

The first step is selecting the right eCommerce platform that meets your business needs. From popular platforms choose a website builder that suits your business goals and ensures a smooth website setup and long-term growth.

Select a Domain Name

Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet, so choose one that is memorable, easy to spell, and reflects your brand. 

It should ideally match your business name or give customers an idea of what your products or services are. 

Pick a Theme or Template

Most platform builders offer a range of pre-designed themes or templates to help you get started quickly. 

Select a theme that fits your brand’s style and offers the features you need for your store, such as product galleries, responsive design, and easy navigation. 

Customize the theme to reflect your brand’s color scheme, logo, and other visual elements. 

Add Products & Descriptions

Once your website design is in place, it’s time to add your products. Upload high-quality images, write detailed product descriptions, and include essential information such as prices, sizes, colors, and available stock.

Well-written product descriptions and attractive images play a crucial role in converting visitors into customers. Make sure each product page is clear, informative, and visually appealing.

Set Up Payment Options

To process transactions, you’ll need to set up secure payment gateways. Most eCommerce platforms allow you to integrate popular payment options such as credit cards, PayPal, or other online payment systems. 

Ensure the payment process is secure by enabling SSL encryption for safe transactions.

Configure Shipping Settings

Shipping is an important aspect of any online store. Set up your shipping options by deciding on delivery methods such as standard, express, or international shipping and rates. 

You may also offer free shipping or flat-rate shipping to attract more customers. Be clear about your shipping policies, including estimated delivery times.

Launch & Market Your Store

Once your website is fully set up, it’s time to launch! 

But the work doesn’t stop there. Marketing your store is crucial after this. Use SEO techniques to improve your website’s visibility on search engines, ensuring it ranks higher in search results. 

Promote your store on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, where you can engage with potential customers and showcase your products. Consider running ads or offering promotions to further boost traffic and sales.

Top 10 Affordable eCommerce Platform for Small Business

It is tough to Select the right platform for your online success. To help guide you, here are some of the top eCommerce website builders that stand out for their features, ease of use, and scalability.

1. Shopify
2. 6amMart
3. WooCommerce
4. Big Cartel
5. Ecwid
6. Squarespace 
7. Prestashop
8. BigCommerce
9. Subbly
10. Wix

These eCommerce platforms are great choices for small businesses because they are affordable and easy to use. Many of them offer low-cost plans, with some even having free options like WooCommerce, Big Cartel, Ecwid, and PrestaShop. Others, like Shopify and Wix, have budget-friendly starter plans.

Most platforms also come with built-in hosting and security, so businesses don’t have to pay extra for those services.

Moreover, their simple design tools make it easy to create a store without hiring a developer. These platforms also allow businesses to start small and grow by upgrading when needed. 

Platforms like WooCommerce and PrestaShop offer customization at a low cost, giving businesses more control over their store without high expenses.

Over all these features make these platforms a smart and budget-friendly choice for small businesses wanting to sell online.

Steps to Build an eCommerce Website Using a Readymade Solution

Readymade eCommerce solutions are ideal for small businesses that want a quick and hassle-free setup. These solutions often include hosting, security, and support.

Purchase & Download the eCommerce Script

First, choose a ready-made eCommerce script that suits your business needs. Buy and download the script from a trusted provider. 

Make sure it has the features you need, like product management, payment options, and mobile compatibility.

Set Up Hosting & Domain

Next, purchase a domain name that matches your brand and set up web hosting. 

Choose a hosting provider with fast speeds, strong security, and great customer support. 

A good host ensures smooth website performance and secure transactions, providing a better experience for your customers.

Install & Configure the Script

After setting up hosting the next step will be to install the eCommerce script on your server. Follow the installation guide provided by the script provider. Then, configure basic settings such as store name, currency, and language preferences.

Customize Your Store’s Design & Layout

After configuring the script your next step is to pick a template or theme that aligns with your brand’s style. 

Customize the colors, fonts, and images to create a distinctive look also organize your store’s navigation, and include essential pages like About Us and Contact. 

Ensure the design is user-friendly to provide a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

Upload & Manage Products

After completing all these steps add your products by uploading high-quality images and writing clear, informative descriptions. 

Include essential details like price, sizes, colors, and stock availability. 

Moreover, organize your products into categories to make it easier for customers to browse and find what they’re looking for.

Set Up Payment & Shipping Methods

Secure payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or credit card options to provide customers with a smooth and trustworthy checkout experience. 

Additionally, set up shipping methods like flat-rate shipping, free shipping, or real-time shipping rates based on the customer’s location. This ensures a flexible and convenient shopping experience while helping you manage costs effectively.

Launch & Market Your Store 

Once you’ve tested everything and are satisfied with your store, it’s time to launch! 

After going live, focus on marketing your eCommerce store to attract customers. Promote your products through online ads, email campaigns, and social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. 

Engage with your audience through posts, special offers, and promotions to generate traffic and boost sales. 

A strong marketing strategy will help you drive the initial traffic needed to grow your business.

Choose the Perfect Ready-Made Solution for You

There are many ready-made solutions available, but most come with compromises. Some offer all the essential features but at a high price, while others are more affordable but lack key functionalities.

However, 6amMart plays a completely different role here. It provides a complete small business eCommerce solution that includes all the necessary features at an affordable price.

6amMart is the ideal multi-vendor eCommerce solution for small businesses. You can manage multiple online businesses from a single platform. 

It offers all the tools needed to build, manage, and grow an online store which makes it a perfect readymade solution for entrepreneurs.

• You can easily onboard and manage multiple vendors, each with its app and panel, while also offering a built-in POS system for independent store management.

• Whether you’re running a grocery, pharmacy, food delivery, or parcel service business 6amMart supports various business modules.

• The platform ensures accurate order tracking with an order management system. It allows admins to manually assign delivery personnel for missed orders. Additionally, it has promotional management for campaigns, banners, coupons, cashback offers, and ads to boost sales.

• 6amMart integrates with top payment gateways that offer quick and secure payment options, including cash on delivery, digital payments, and offline payments.

• It is developed with Flutter so the 6amMart mobile apps are fully compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Moreover, it provides a smooth experience for both you and your customers.

• 6amMart provides extensive customization options to ensure that your business stands out with unique configurations.

Conclusion

Building an eCommerce website for small businesses doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Whether you choose a platform builder or a readymade solution, you can create a professional online store. Follow the steps outlined in this guide, and you’ll be on your way to growing your business online.

Now that you know how to build an eCommerce website, it’s time to take action. Pick a platform, set up your store, and start selling today!

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