Have you started researching the different options you have to create your online store? Names like Wix, Squarespace, Woocommerce, Shopify are sure to be line database familiar to you. If you already know everything you need to sell online, now we want you to feel confident when choosing a platform that will help you create a competitive, different and successful online store.
These are the characteristics that your online store must have to succeed in the market
A design adapted to new technologies and that stands out above the rest. The number of online stores is growing rapidly and it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate yourself from the competition. Getting the design of your online store right is essential. Your store must be attractive, but at the same time simple to achieve a good user experience.
Great usability, meaning users need the page to be intuitive and easy to navigate.
An optimal loading speed: According to Google, three seconds is the maximum time that users are willing to wait for your website to load. However, the demands are greater among so much competition, and as experts we recommend that your loading time does not exceed two seconds or you will lose customers.
Good SEO. The design of the store must be aimed at achieving an attractive, differentiated page that allows it to be positioned prominently in the different search engines.
The purchasing process must be simple, fast and secure to convince the customer. Gaining their trust is essential.
Clear and accessible content. Information about the product or service should be easy to understand, and frequently asked questions are always helpful in this regard.
Adaptability to different devices. It is essential that your store has a design that also adapts to mobile phones and tablets. More and more Internet users make their purchases via mobile.
It is important that you establish a marketing plan to attract and retain customers.
Website creation platforms: which one is best for your online store?
These are some of the ecommerce platforms that can help you create your online store:
Wix. Wix is a web development platform that allows you to quickly and easily create an online store without the need to know how to program. They define their process as “easy, fast and incredible”, since registering and selecting from one of their templates will take you very little time. Their users point out that one of their advantages is the competitive price of their services, while they see as a disadvantage that it is a service that offers very limited design options.
Shopify offers specialized templates to cover a wide range of industries, so you won't have a hard time finding one that suits your business. However, like Wix, it offers limited options, so you'll have a hard time standing out from your competition. Among Shopify's problems, we highlight that its pricing system is somewhat complex. At first glance, it may seem very cheap, but it's easy to go over your budget if you want a professional service. Many of its extensions, apps, and themes are only available to Premium users.
Woocommerce is a free and open source WordPress plugin for ecommerce and, as such, it has all the advantages of WordPress –its possibilities are endless– and one drawback: you have to learn how to use its CMS. Yes, you must have certain knowledge or you will feel lost. Let's say that it is a platform that forces you to be self-taught.
Squarespace Commerce. This will allow you to create more original websites than other platforms such as Shopify or Wix, however, if we compare it with the latter, its prices may seem a bit unaffordable. Some of its customers complain that its loading times are usually slow, which is a problem especially for people who buy from their mobile device.
IceCream Marketing Shop. It is a digital marketing platform that allows you to almost automatically purchase the service that best suits your needs. After the purchase, a personal advisor will contact you to find out the details of the project, which will be carried out by a team of professionals. This is the main advantage of the platform compared to the previous ones: it is not you who develops your e-commerce, but rather you entrust it to an expert team under your supervision. Therefore, the work will not slow down and will have a certified guarantee. This platform has another fundamental advantage over the rest: it allows you to hire digital marketing services, such as social media. You already know that being present on social networks and offering your followers quality content will make your business grow.
