Tips For Developing An eCommerce Website
Developing an eCommerce website takes A LOT of work, so let’s cut to the chase. If your in-house team needs additional help with building a site or you’re interested in learning more about what it takes to develop an eCommerce website, then read on. However, if your team doesn’t have the resources to build a site on their own, don’t worry. Groove Commerce is here to help mid-market and Enterprise merchants build, design and grow their eCommerce websites.
1. Purchase a Domain Name
After determining what your eCommerce store plans to sell, whether it be products or services, one of the first steps is to purchase a domain name. A domain name is essentially the name of a website. A domain is what comes after “www.” in a web address and also after the @ sign in an email address.
A domain name can be purchased either at the beginning of the website development process or when your site is ready to be launched. We advise you to purchase it earlier rather than later to avoid the possibility of your creative domain name becoming unavailable at a later date. Check out our Website Launch Checklist to learn more about purchasing a domain name.
2. Branding, Branding, Branding
Dior, McDonalds, Corona Extra.
What do all of these brands have in common?
These brands build strong connections with their customers based on the way they’ve positioned themselves through branding. Consumers feel emotionally connected to these brands and remain loyal to them over time 一 and this attachment is created through branding.
Like brick and mortar stores, eCommerce stores must be recognizable through a logo, color scheme and tone of voice. Each of these aspects of branding create a brand’s personality and affect the online user experience. Also, storytelling is crucial for any eCommerce brand because it shows that there are humans behind the company. Tell your customers who you are and why your website exists to give it a sense of humanity rather than it looking solely like an online shop.
3. Invest In The Right eCommerce Platform
There are a few different types of eCommerce platforms to choose from: SaaS, on-premise and hosted. At Groove Commerce, we advocate for SaaS platforms like BigCommerce and Shopify due to the fact that merchants do not need to maintain the software themselves, among other things.
Both BigCommerce and Shopify maintain the servers, run upgrades and respond to issues so that merchants don’t have to. Plus, they don’t take as much time to develop as on-premise and hosted platforms do, and they integrate seamlessly with ERP and CRM systems.
4. Create a Content Marketing Strategy
When developing an eCommerce website, it’s also important to take into account how you’ll market your content. We recommended creating a few buyer personas to better understand the majority of your target audience. Analyzing their demographics, why they’re shopping on your website and how they behave when they’re on your website is important. At Groove Commerce, we offer eCommerce strategy services to help merchants align their marketing efforts, creative assets and technology stack with their business goals.
5. Follow SEO Best Practices
Once your eCommerce store is launched, that means it is live to the public to find. However, if they’re unable to find it through organic search, that means you need to implement SEO best practices to increase visibility. A few ways to do this are through writing detailed product descriptions on product detail pages, performing keyword research and adding structured data and keyword rich titles and meta descriptions.
6. Invest in Reliable Shipping Software
If your website sells products online (as opposed to having an eCommerce website to promote your brand’s services), then it is critical to invest in software that ensures your website’s shipping process runs smoothly. There are a multitude of tasks that must be completed in the back end to ensure customers have a great experience with your brand from beginning to end 一 including importing and printing shipping labels, managing inventory and orders from ERPs and marketplaces and sending tracking information out through APIs.
Our team loves ShipStation as it helps merchants ensure customers have a positive experience even after the product is delivered. From custom emails and packing slip templates to branded tracking pages, SMS tracking updates and a branded returns portal, ShipStation has what you need to make the shipping and return process a breeze.
7. Invest in a Site Search Tool
Using an eCommerce site search tool can be really advantageous. A site search bar makes it easy for online shoppers to search for exactly what they’re looking for on your website, and it returns instantaneous search results. We recommend investing in a tool that lets you fine tune merchandising rules and offer personalized product recommendations based on each shopper’s behavior.
Our team is a huge supporter of Searchspring since it helps merchants streamline their merchandising, offer product recommendations, narrow down searches with filtering and sorting options and report on shopping behavior, performance and more.
8. Invest in Fraud Protection Software
Protecting your eCommerce store and your customers from fraud is an essential component of building customer trust. According to Signifyd, more revenue is lost to the fear of fraud than it is to fraud itself. In fact, Card Not Present fraud pressure across industries sits at about 1% while limited data and the liability of fraudulent chargebacks cause eCommerce merchants to turn down about 10% of orders. This is a huge chunk of potential revenue that is lost! With Signifyd’s fraud protection, merchants can automate fulfillment for legitimate customers while at the same time block fraudulent orders. Plus, when you augment order automation with a financial guarantee against fraudulent chargebacks on approved orders, you pay zero dollars in fraud losses.
9. Use a Customer Support & Live Chat Tool
Did you know that 73% of customers say that a company valuing their time is the most important part of a good customer experience? When eCommerce websites have a live chat tool to support their customers, it helps shoppers and customers answer their questions and provide a better experience. Gorgias is one of Groove’s favorite apps for managing live chat not only on eCommerce sites but also on other channels like email, social media and more.
10. Ensure Tax Compliance
Selling products through an eCommerce website means that you’re bound to have customers from various states and countries. That said, it’s critical that your website is compliant with tax laws in each state and country. Avalara operates across 95 countries and offers SaaS solutions for businesses of all sizes. It really is an all in one solution to calculate tax rates, apply tax rates and rules to invoices, validate addresses, prepare and file returns on time and manage documents.
Conclusion
From the front end to the back end, there are many factors that go into developing an eCommerce website. Keep these 10 items on your radar when building your site, and let our team know if you have any questions.
Groove Commerce builds, designs and grows eCommerce websites for mid-market and Enterprise merchants. Our team of certified eCommerce developers, designers and marketing strategists is partnered with the aforementioned companies to make the process of developing an eCommerce website as seamless as possible. If you want to learn more about how Groove Commerce or our partners can help, we’re happy to set up a call.
Happy website building!
Tips For Developing An eCommerce Website
Developing an eCommerce website takes A LOT of work, so let’s cut to the chase. If your in-house team needs additional help with building a site or you’re interested in learning more about what it takes to develop an eCommerce website, then read on. However, if your team doesn’t have the resources to build a site on their own, don’t worry. Groove Commerce is here to help mid-market and Enterprise merchants build, design and grow their eCommerce websites.
Amazon’s Impact on Global Supply Chains and Logistics
Amazon, the global e-commerce behemoth, has transformed not only the way consumers shop but also the intricacies of global supply chains and logistics. Since its inception in 1994, Amazon has grown from a small online bookstore to a trillion-dollar enterprise that has disrupted industries across the globe. Its influence extends far beyond retail, profoundly impacting supply chains, logistics, and even the environment. This article explores Amazon’s multifaceted impact on global supply chains and logistics, examining how the company has reshaped these industries and what this means for the future.
The Evolution of Amazon’s Supply Chain
Amazon’s supply chain is one of the most sophisticated in the world, characterized by its efficiency, speed, and scale. The company has invested heavily in technology and infrastructure to build a supply chain that can deliver millions of products to customers in a matter of hours or days. This rapid delivery is made possible by a vast network of fulfillment centers, sophisticated inventory management systems, and a logistics arm that rivals traditional carriers like FedEx and UPS.
One of the key innovations Amazon has introduced is its Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service. FBA allows third-party sellers to store their products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers, with Amazon handling the picking, packing, and shipping of these products. This service has not only made it easier for small businesses to reach a global audience but has also significantly increased the volume of goods flowing through Amazon’s supply chain. As a result, Amazon has become a central hub in the global supply chain, connecting manufacturers, suppliers, and customers across the world.
Disruption of Traditional Logistics
Amazon’s influence on logistics is equally profound. The company’s relentless focus on speed and efficiency has forced traditional logistics providers to rethink their strategies. In many cases, Amazon has bypassed traditional logistics networks entirely by building its own. Amazon Logistics, the company’s delivery arm, has grown rapidly in recent years, with a fleet of planes, trucks, and delivery vans that allow the company to control every aspect of the delivery process.
This vertical integration has enabled Amazon to offer services like same-day and two-hour delivery in many urban areas, setting a new standard for speed in the industry. Traditional logistics providers have struggled to keep up, leading to increased competition and innovation in the sector. For example, companies like FedEx and UPS have had to invest in new technology and infrastructure to remain competitive, while others have formed partnerships with Amazon to leverage its vast logistics network.
Amazon’s logistics network has also expanded globally, with the company establishing regional hubs and fulfillment centers in key markets around the world. This global expansion has allowed Amazon to offer faster and more reliable delivery services in regions where traditional logistics infrastructure is underdeveloped. In many cases, Amazon has played a role in building out this infrastructure, partnering with local logistics providers or investing in its own facilities.
Impact on Global Supply Chains
Amazon’s impact on global supply chains extends beyond logistics. The company’s demand for speed and efficiency has rippled through the entire supply chain, from manufacturers to suppliers to retailers. This has led to significant changes in how companies operate, with many adopting new technologies and strategies to keep up with Amazon’s pace.
One of the most significant changes is the increased reliance on automation and technology in supply chain management. Amazon has been at the forefront of this trend, investing heavily in robotics, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to optimize its supply chain operations. For example, the company’s use of robotics in its fulfillment centers has reduced the time it takes to pick and pack orders, while its AI-driven demand forecasting tools help ensure that the right products are always in stock.
This emphasis on technology has influenced other companies to follow suit, leading to a wave of digital transformation across the industry. Manufacturers and suppliers are increasingly using data analytics and AI to optimize their operations, while retailers are adopting new technologies like blockchain to improve transparency and traceability in their supply chains.
Another significant impact of Amazon on global supply chains is the shift towards a more customer-centric model. Amazon’s focus on the customer has forced companies to rethink their supply chain strategies, with many now prioritizing speed, convenience, and flexibility over cost. This has led to the adoption of new fulfillment models, such as just-in-time inventory and dropshipping, which allow companies to respond more quickly to changes in customer demand.
The globalization of Amazon’s supply chain has also had broader implications for international trade. By connecting sellers and buyers from different parts of the world, Amazon has made it easier for companies to access global markets. However, this has also led to increased competition, with companies now competing on a global scale. This has put pressure on manufacturers and suppliers to lower costs and improve efficiency, leading to changes in how goods are produced and distributed around the world.
Environmental and Social Implications
While Amazon’s impact on supply chains and logistics has been largely positive in terms of efficiency and convenience, it has also raised concerns about the environmental and social implications of its operations. The company’s emphasis on fast delivery and the constant movement of goods around the world has contributed to increased carbon emissions and environmental degradation. In response to these concerns, Amazon has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and has invested in initiatives like electric delivery vehicles and renewable energy projects.
However, critics argue that these efforts are not enough, and that Amazon’s business model is fundamentally unsustainable. The constant pressure to deliver goods faster and cheaper has led to concerns about the working conditions in Amazon’s fulfillment centers and the treatment of delivery drivers. Reports of long hours, high injury rates, and low wages have sparked protests and calls for better labor practices across the company’s global operations.
The Future of Supply Chains and Logistics
As Amazon continues to grow and evolve, its impact on global supply chains and logistics is likely to deepen. The company’s investments in technology and infrastructure will continue to set new standards for speed and efficiency, forcing other companies to innovate and adapt. At the same time, the environmental and social challenges associated with Amazon’s operations will require the company to rethink its approach to sustainability and labor practices.
In the future, we can expect to see more companies adopting Amazon-like supply chain strategies, with an emphasis on speed, technology, and customer-centricity. However, these changes will also require a greater focus on sustainability and ethical practices, as consumers and regulators increasingly demand more responsible business operations.
Conclusion
Amazon’s impact on global supply chains and logistics is undeniable. The company has reshaped the industry in its image, setting new standards for speed, efficiency, and customer service. While these changes have brought many benefits, they have also raised important questions about sustainability and labor practices. As the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon will continue to play a central role in the future of global supply chains and logistics, driving innovation and change across the industry.
