Guide for Entrepreneurs: 7 Steps to Create an Online Store

Is it still possible to manage a business effectively without using the various sales platforms on the internet in 2024? Certainly, some will say it is. But it will generally be traditional merchants who pay little attention to what a domain name is. For the rest, we can easily imagine that in the digital age, with all the current technological advances and the possibilities it offers, it is impossible for a serious company to sell products or services without creating a dedicated website for online sales. 

Indeed, e-commerce and its features are now an integral part of our daily lives and activities. It has grown to such an extent that when it comes to shopping in stores or shopping, almost everyone will first need to research online and on social networks. In 2023, for example, there were no less than 88.3 billion visits per month on average on Google. That is why choosing to create a website for online sales is one of the best solutions to boost sales and brand image in the 21st century.

The main steps to follow for creating a dedicated e-commerce website

There are several ways to create a dedicated website for online sales. Nevertheless, the vast majority share certain key points such as researching the e-commerce platform or hosting for data storage. The latter can be done in the cloud or on-site. Next, there are steps for acquiring the domain name and finding a developer for those starting a business. After that, it will generally involve the form of the site, its design, and the themes one wishes to use. The customer navigation must be smooth to keep them on the site. Still within the form aspect, the homepage style, which is very important, will be addressed. After the form comes the content. In this stage, the ultimate goal will be to propose and add original, high-quality, and convincing content.

The best platforms to use for creating an e-commerce site

There are different types of platforms for creating a site. Each version meets a specific need and has varying levels of knowledge. There are 2 categories of tools for creating online stores. On one side, there are what we call website builders. Among the most well-known are Wix, Weebly, and Ecwid. These platforms aim to be simple to use and easily attract a large audience, as there is no need for special knowledge to use them. They are perfectly suitable for small online stores. These are SaaS software charged by subscription.

On the other side, we have large-scale e-commerce platforms like Shopify or PrestaShop. These are aimed at a more experienced audience and provide advanced features and more customization. There are two categories of software of this type: SaaS and Open Source platforms. SaaS CMS types attract due to their online accessibility, but also because they are billed by subscription. Among others, there are open-source software. The code of these software is “open.” Developers can thus make significant customizations. Of course, to benefit from this type of tool, one must have a good degree of knowledge in the field in question.

Factors to consider when pricing the creation of the site

Like any other service, creating sales sites, if assigned to a service provider, has a cost. This can change depending on the goals and scope of the project. To accurately assess the value of a service, there are certain factors that should be prioritized. Among the most important are the needs and objectives that define the specifications. Here, it should be as detailed and complete as possible. If one wants a showcase site with a few static pages or an e-commerce site with advanced features such as online payment, customer account management, or logistical flows, costs may increase.

Secondly, one must consider the functionalities that have a direct impact. These include elements such as contact forms, newsletters, member areas, or even blogs. However, these are generally simpler and less costly to implement than an internal search engine, product comparator, or integration with third-party services like CRM or ERP. Thirdly, there are various levels of customization. This involves determining whether the site will be developed specifically according to the needs or based on an existing CMS like WordPress. Of course, a custom development from scratch is generally more expensive.

Next, one should consider the technical complexity of the project if there is a need to present a marketplace or the development of a free web application (front and back-end). And above all, one must not forget scalability to support high traffic. In the best cases, we will integrate AI services, etc. Depending on the agency chosen, its skills, its experience, and the delivery time, there will be variations in rates. Lastly, but certainly not least, there are ancillary costs from the hosting provider like EasyHoster. Among other things, you should consider licenses, maintenance, SEO, SSL certificates, etc. They should be included in the final budget.

Steps 1 to 3 of creating a website for online sales

Strategic compasses that will always serve you, objectives guide your trajectory towards the development, design, and management of the site. Once you have established the goals to be achieved, it will be easier to measure performance, optimize user experience, and personalize content for targeted audiences. Among other things, you will need to develop financial objectives which include revenue and profitability that greatly contribute to the site’s sustainability and profit. However, keep in mind that defining clear objectives is important to establish an effective strategy. This way, you will be able to make informed decisions and adapt to market changes.

Conducting a brief for the website

Creating a briefing for an online sales website is a guarantee of its success. Indeed, an established brief represents a solid strategic foundation. Its role is to guide the creation process and align essential elements such as visual and functional aspects with the company’s objectives. Setting up a complete brief also keeps you informed of technical constraints, aesthetic preferences, and security needs. This approach aims to simplify communication between the various teams involved. In short, creating a brief for the online sales site has the sole purpose of ensuring commercial success and identifying areas for improvement to satisfy the customer.

Choosing and purchasing a domain name for your online sales site

The choice and purchase of a domain name when creating an online sales site is of utmost importance from a strategic, marketing, and professional point of view. Indeed, the domain name is the virtual identity of the site. You must choose it carefully and opt for one that is easy for users to remember. To do this, you can turn to sites like Maxdom.fr that allow you to exploit expired domain names. Also, you should know that having an e-commerce site with a domain name helps enhance your credibility.

As advice, choose a clean, distinctive, and representative domain name of your activity so that you can establish a professional and memorable online presence. Similarly, this process can strengthen potential customers’ trust and thus simplify the search for your site on the Internet. Moreover, a relevant domain name greatly contributes to the good SEO of your website and improves its visibility on search engines.

Steps 4 and 5 of creating a website for online sales

Selecting an e-commerce platform

Currently, there are many e-commerce platforms, and among them, there are several systems available and thousands of extensions. Notably, we can mention subscriptions to SaaS or Cloud hosting and downloadable e-commerce software. Hosted e-commerce solutions or Software as a Service (SaaS) are currently very popular. There is little to no skill required for using them, and they are easy to handle. Furthermore, nearly everything is already considered (hosting, domain name, customization, theme catalog, technical maintenance, backups, SEO, etc.).

This option is a great way for companies to focus on their business, sales, and customer marketing. Among the most famous platforms are Shopify (29 euros per month), which has been around since 2009 and used over 1 million times. There is also WooCommerce (20 euros per month) for those who want to use the “Drag and Drop” creation system. Afterwards, we have platforms like Wizishop (27 euros per month without commitment) and BigCommerce that offer a whole host of advantages and disadvantages.

Steps 6 and 7 of creating a website for online sales

Testing site features before launch

Websites cannot be launched without testing. Among the tests to be carried out, there is the browser test. A site must be able to run on all browsers and operating systems. Then, there are responsiveness tests that must ensure that a site functions correctly on all platforms, whether on PC or mobile. Next, we have speed tests that will assess how quickly a website loads all the content to display. A page that takes time to display will encourage users to look elsewhere.

Speaking of user experience, one of the most negative points for an internet user is being directed to broken links. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that all internal and external links work correctly. There are several tools that can be used for free to rectify this inconvenience. Finally, there are readability tests that should please the reader. Content that is too exhaustive or not enough, or that speaks to the wrong target audience, risks boring the reader or overwhelming them with information that does not interest them.

Professional services for creating an online sales website

As mentioned earlier, aside from existing sales platforms like Amazon, Fnac, Cdiscount, and others, we find hosted SaaS/Cloud e-commerce solutions as well as open-source software.

SaaS or Cloud platforms are valued for their plug-and-play aspect. They do not require advanced knowledge in a specific field. Thus, their use is accessible to everyone. Moreover, they offer very interesting features as we have seen a bit earlier. With these quality options, it is possible to manage an online sales site in just a few days or a few hours, depending on the site’s scale. In addition, costs are generally very low. In this case, the company does not have to worry about the numerous technical management aspects of the site. It can fully concentrate its efforts on sales objectives and marketing operations to gain visibility among more consumers.

On the other hand, we have e-commerce sites created with an open source CMS. A developer or web agency will take care of designing and optimizing the site. A content management system or open-source CMS will be necessary here. The difference with SaaS solutions and marketplaces is that the installation of this solution has no cost. No commissions imposed, and you will have access to several customization and design options. However, to enjoy all these advantages, one needs to have advanced knowledge. It is necessary to know all the intricacies of hosting management, purchasing a domain name, securing the site, and backing it up.

Comparison of e-commerce platforms for creating an online sales website

Shopify

There are different e-commerce platforms, the most widespread being Shopify. This platform impresses with its ease of installation and use. Additionally, it offers a wide selection of themes to customize a site. It requires only a small initial investment. Furthermore, this solution allows using social networks like Facebook or Instagram depending on the sales channel. It can be used from a plan costing 29 euros per month. Here, there is a 2% commission. For this price, you get a user-friendly platform with hosting, technical support, a secure payment system, and much more.

Wix

There is also Wix , which you are probably familiar with. This Israeli company has successfully capitalized on the rapidly growing e-commerce market. The site offers a recommended store option for those who are just starting with a limited budget. Accessible at a price of 20 euros, this solution is really simple to use even though it has limited customization.

WooCommerce

Next, we have WooCommerce , which was launched in 2011. Although younger than those mentioned earlier, this platform has made a name for itself thanks to its services. It is a free open-source option that works on WordPress. This tool can assist both bloggers and businesses. Among its competitors, it is renowned for reliability and comprehensiveness. Additionally, with WooCommerce, it is possible to create an e-commerce site with an ultra-professional graphic presentation using the multiple themes and plugins available.

PrestaShop

One of the most used platforms is PrestaShop, which is one of the most widespread e-commerce solutions made in France. It accounts for 27% of the market share in France and is used by no less than 300,000 e-commerce sites. While its use is free, you should budget about 1000 euros for the assistance of a developer. PrestaShop offers an ergonomic administration interface. With its large French-speaking community, finding tutorials will be easy, and training is also available on the site.

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating a website dedicated to online sales requires a methodical and well-thought-out approach. By following the steps presented, from defining objectives to implementing an effective SEO strategy, entrepreneurs can successfully establish their online presence. The choice of e-commerce platform and service provider is crucial, directly influencing the performance and long-term success of the site. In summary, the success of an e-commerce site relies on the harmonious combination of thoughtful design, an appropriate platform, and an effective SEO strategy. Thus, online sales actors must consider every aspect of the process to ensure an optimal user experience and maximize their impact on the market.