Many businesses considering ecommerce have to contend with this question: To sell products on a third-party website, like Amazon or Flipkart, or on the company’s website itself? Most would consider listing on an online marketplace first and then branching off to start their own independent ecommerce website. However, business models have changed and the landscape is now perfectly primed towards independent ecommerce websites.
Incorporating a basic ecommerce store into your website is down to choosing a template from a service provider; the latter will take care of your hosting, PCI compliance, and platform maintenance among others. Equally inexpensive and more customized options are provided by ecommerce application development companies. Here are some factors that help you to have your own ecommerce website for your products:
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1) Ecommerce website can build your brand
An ecommerce website differentiates your brand and, if proactively managed, can become a successful launchpad for your products. It would require some social buzz to get the traction. Once operational requirements get demanding, you may consider hiring an in-house team or an ecommerce solutions company to take your business to the next level.
2) Reach out to new customers
Big names control the online marketplaces and your product might not stand out in a crowded marketplace. However, you ecommerce site can be tuned to reach new customers and new demographics. You have to put in marketing efforts to get the word out. Having a digital agency to run campaigns would be ideal here.
3) Target existing customers
Online marketplaces do not let you communicate with buyers, hampering you greatly in your efforts relating to promotions or new product announcements. On the other hand, your ecommerce site can be tuned to target and connect with people who hadvisited your site and already purchased from you.
4) Be available and accessible at all times
A great advantage of owning your own ecommerce store is that you can provide personalized services. By tying up with a hyperlocal service provider, you can also deliver goods faster than when it is booked on a marketplace. This improved availability and accessibility helps in building your brand saliency.
5) Customize your product list & offering
There are times when your product requires a supportive video, a detailed user guide, or a wizard to help customers choose a size or whatsoever. Some products require different customization options that change dynamically based on the product selected. Such level of customization can be built only in your ecommerce website.
6) Have a mobile app to enable customers
Having a web or mobile app for your ecommerce company is a strategic decision. For most products, customers prefer using a web app and choose a mobile app for services. You may seek the help of an ecommerce mobile app development company to frame the user experience based on customer journeys.
7) Show that you are in for the long haul
Most products on online marketplaces keep disappearing, causing customers to cast aspersions on brand trust and credibility. Your ecommerce storefront, on the other hand, is a long-term project and is built to last. Customers have shown higher satisfaction when buying at targeted websites than on mainstream marketplaces.
Interested in knowing how to make your ecommerce site take off? Get in touch with us.
