Why to choose Ecommerce?

[sansastark]

Basically Ecommerce means buying and selling of goods and services online. Here as i believe major advantages of Ecommerce is reduced costs by reducing labour, reduced paper work, reduced errors in keying in data, reduce post costs.

As it is done online it reduces time also so it helps to take care more on customers.

Agree?? Add some points here..

[pablohunt2812]

Yes i agree for that.! I'm a Beginner. I just start learned Ecom Business one week ago. And now i can earn money from it. easy to do. any one can do this.

[RH-Calvin]

E-commerce (electronic commerce or EC) is the buying and selling of goods and services, or the transmitting of funds or data, over an electronic network, primarily the internet. These business transactions occur either as business-to-business, business-to-consumer, consumer-to-consumer or consumer-to-business.

[marisalewis24]

why choose eCommerce over any other conventional way of doing business? First of all, it's definitely way cheaper to market and maintain. Instead of investing on very costly advertisements, the money you can save you can better utilize for the product itself. Especially in these hard times, with eCommerce, even small scale businesses can be competitive in the market with half the price.

[PaulConner]

It can be seen that using e-commerce helps you to have large market and access to customer quickly. Your location is UK and your customer stays in US. It is possible with ecommerce

[jayashree-marg]

In this modern world of technology, the demand for online purchasing is increasing everyday. This is the reason that the businesses are moving towards e-commerce websites.

[ehostingpk]

the reason behind choosing e-commerce is that in e commerce you have more profit and business.

[rocka]

I think that online selling will continuosly is a good trend in the next 5 years

[michanik]

the reason behind choosing e-commerce is that in e commerce you have more profit and business.

hank you very much.. :)

[seoe]

If you are planning to open an online store, one of the biggest choices you will have to make is which eCommerce platform to use. There are a variety of factors that can weigh into this decision including ease of use, integrations, and pricing. In this post, we’re going to look at the factors you need to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform, along with a few popular options you can choose from.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an eCommerce Platform
First of all, let’s look at the factors that can weigh into the decision when choosing the best eCommerce platform for your business.

What You Are Selling

What you are selling at your business can determine what eCommerce platforms you can or cannot use. Some eCommerce platforms are built to handle both digital and physical products, while others are only set up to handle one or the other. Some eCommerce platforms will allow you to have unlimited products, while others will charge based on number. Some eCommerce platforms will handle inventory tracking and multiple product options, while others will not. So first, you’ll need to define your product options.

Are your products digital or physical?
How many products do you have for sale?
Do you need to track inventory?
How many options do you have per product (sizing, colors, etc.)?
How do you handle shipping?
Do you also sell your products offline?
Also note that certain products (adult, alcohol, etc.) are not allowed by some ecommerce platforms. You will need to read the Terms and Conditions to find out if a platform you are considering allows you to sell those products.

Your Hosting or Theirs

The next thing you have to decide is if you want your store hosted on your own website or on the eCommerce platform’s. While hosting your store on your own website will allow you the most control, it also requires the most maintenance and security as you will be responsible for protecting your customer’s data and keeping the software up to date and functional.
This is why many small businesses choose to have their stores hosted by reliable ecommerce platforms. Most will still allow you to use your own domain (yourstore.com vs. yourstore.platform.com). Be sure to look at the features your ecommerce platform has to offer when it comes to hosting options and custom domain usage.

Design Options

How would you like your online store to look? Most eCommerce platforms come with prebuilt themes to choose from – some designs can be used for free, while others must be purchased. Some platforms also have recommended developers that can help you create a custom theme for your business. Decide whether you are comfortable using someone else’s theme, if the platform has a theme you will like, or if you will want a custom designer.

Integrations with Tools You Already Use

Are you already using QuickBooks for accounting, MailChimp for your email marketing, Ambassador for referral marketing, or other specific tools? Many eCommerce platforms come with integration options with these and other services for the management of your accounting, marketing, customer service, inventory, social media, and reporting. See if the services you already use recommend a specific eCommerce platform, or if the eCommerce platform offers integration options with your favorite services.

Payment Gateways

Do you prefer that your customers pay via PayPal, Strip, Authorize, or other specific payment gateways, like the ones Kabbage uses to qualify you for financing? If so, make sure that the eCommerce platforms you are considering use them as well.

Features and Pricing

Pricing for various eCommerce platforms may seem competitive, but you have to really have to examine the features different price ranges include. For example, you may be comparing one platform that starts at $29 per month, and another that starts at $19. The $19 one on the surface may seem like a good deal, but it may only include the ability to sell 10 products whereas the $29 per month platform may include the ability to sell 100. One platform may allow you to offer discount codes at a certain price point, while another won’t. One may offer support, while another sells that separately. Thoroughly comparing features vs. pricing can help you choose a platform that fits your needs at the best price possible.

Additional Fees

Also remember that the features and pricing page may not contain all of the actual fees for the eCommerce platform you are evaluating. Some platforms also have setup fees, processing fees in addition to what your payment gateway charges, fees for integrating with the services you already use, fees for the themes you might want to use, and other charges. Carefully look for those additional fees, especially in the themes, apps, and terms and conditions to find them.

Ecommerce Platform Comparison
Now that you know what you’re looking for, here is a brief eCommerce platform comparison for your review.

Shopify: Popular eCommerce platform that allows you to create beautiful storefronts hosted on Shopify. Offers a wide range of themes and apps / integrations with popular services. Also has POS for physical stores. Pricing starts at $29 per month for unlimited products.
Magento: Offers scalable solutions for small businesses that want hosted storefronts to enterprise customers. Magento Go (hosted solution) pricing starts at $15 per month for 100 SKUs. Community edition (downloadable to your own web server) is free. Enterprise edition pricing is unlisted.
BigCommerce: Hosted eCommerce platform for both small businesses to enterprises. Pricing starts at $34.95 per month for unlimited products.
InfusionSoft: Mostly known for CRM management, sales automation, and marketing automation, this platform also has an eCommerce option. Pricing starts at $299 per month.
Selz: New eCommerce platform that lets you sell through a hosted storefront and embeddable widgets. Unlike the above options, they have no monthly pricing. They simply take a commission of 5% + $0.25 of the transaction amount.

[michanik]

If you are planning to open an online store, one of the biggest choices you will have to make is which eCommerce platform to use. There are a variety of factors that can weigh into this decision including ease of use, integrations, and pricing. In this post, we’re going to look at the factors you need to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform, along with a few popular options you can choose from.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an eCommerce Platform
First of all, let’s look at the factors that can weigh into the decision when choosing the best eCommerce platform for your business.

What You Are Selling

What you are selling at your business can determine what eCommerce platforms you can or cannot use. Some eCommerce platforms are built to handle both digital and physical products, while others are only set up to handle one or the other. Some eCommerce platforms will allow you to have unlimited products, while others will charge based on number. Some eCommerce platforms will handle inventory tracking and multiple product options, while others will not. So first, you’ll need to define your product options.

Are your products digital or physical?
How many products do you have for sale?
Do you need to track inventory?
How many options do you have per product (sizing, colors, etc.)?
How do you handle shipping?
Do you also sell your products offline?
Also note that certain products (adult, alcohol, etc.) are not allowed by some ecommerce platforms. You will need to read the Terms and Conditions to find out if a platform you are considering allows you to sell those products.

Your Hosting or Theirs

The next thing you have to decide is if you want your store hosted on your own website or on the eCommerce platform’s. While hosting your store on your own website will allow you the most control, it also requires the most maintenance and security as you will be responsible for protecting your customer’s data and keeping the software up to date and functional.
This is why many small businesses choose to have their stores hosted by reliable ecommerce platforms. Most will still allow you to use your own domain (yourstore.com vs. yourstore.platform.com). Be sure to look at the features your ecommerce platform has to offer when it comes to hosting options and custom domain usage.

Design Options

How would you like your online store to look? Most eCommerce platforms come with prebuilt themes to choose from – some designs can be used for free, while others must be purchased. Some platforms also have recommended developers that can help you create a custom theme for your business. Decide whether you are comfortable using someone else’s theme, if the platform has a theme you will like, or if you will want a custom designer.

Integrations with Tools You Already Use

Are you already using QuickBooks for accounting, MailChimp for your email marketing, Ambassador for referral marketing, or other specific tools? Many eCommerce platforms come with integration options with these and other services for the management of your accounting, marketing, customer service, inventory, social media, and reporting. See if the services you already use recommend a specific eCommerce platform, or if the eCommerce platform offers integration options with your favorite services.

Payment Gateways

Do you prefer that your customers pay via PayPal, Strip, Authorize, or other specific payment gateways, like the ones Kabbage uses to qualify you for financing? If so, make sure that the eCommerce platforms you are considering use them as well.

Features and Pricing

Pricing for various eCommerce platforms may seem competitive, but you have to really have to examine the features different price ranges include. For example, you may be comparing one platform that starts at $29 per month, and another that starts at $19. The $19 one on the surface may seem like a good deal, but it may only include the ability to sell 10 products whereas the $29 per month platform may include the ability to sell 100. One platform may allow you to offer discount codes at a certain price point, while another won’t. One may offer support, while another sells that separately. Thoroughly comparing features vs. pricing can help you choose a platform that fits your needs at the best price possible.

Additional Fees

Also remember that the features and pricing page may not contain all of the actual fees for the eCommerce platform you are evaluating. Some platforms also have setup fees, processing fees in addition to what your payment gateway charges, fees for integrating with the services you already use, fees for the themes you might want to use, and other charges. Carefully look for those additional fees, especially in the themes, apps, and terms and conditions to find them.

Ecommerce Platform Comparison
Now that you know what you’re looking for, here is a brief eCommerce platform comparison for your review.

Shopify: Popular eCommerce platform that allows you to create beautiful storefronts hosted on Shopify. Offers a wide range of themes and apps / integrations with popular services. Also has POS for physical stores. Pricing starts at $29 per month for unlimited products.
Magento: Offers scalable solutions for small businesses that want hosted storefronts to enterprise customers. Magento Go (hosted solution) pricing starts at $15 per month for 100 SKUs. Community edition (downloadable to your own web server) is free. Enterprise edition pricing is unlisted.
BigCommerce: Hosted eCommerce platform for both small businesses to enterprises. Pricing starts at $34.95 per month for unlimited products.
InfusionSoft: Mostly known for CRM management, sales automation, and marketing automation, this platform also has an eCommerce option. Pricing starts at $299 per month.
Selz: New eCommerce platform that lets you sell through a hosted storefront and embeddable widgets. Unlike the above options, they have no monthly pricing. They simply take a commission of 5% + $0.25 of the transaction amount.

You also explained most things very well and I would say it was great for someone who understands the basics. It shows you have a good grasp of your business.

[AnnVict]

If you are planning to open an online store, one of the biggest choices you will have to make is which eCommerce platform to use. There are a variety of factors that can weigh into this decision including ease of use, integrations, and pricing. In this post, we’re going to look at the factors you need to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform, along with a few popular options you can choose from.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an eCommerce Platform
First of all, let’s look at the factors that can weigh into the decision when choosing the best eCommerce platform for your business.

What You Are Selling

What you are selling at your business can determine what eCommerce platforms you can or cannot use. Some eCommerce platforms are built to handle both digital and physical products, while others are only set up to handle one or the other. Some eCommerce platforms will allow you to have unlimited products, while others will charge based on number. Some eCommerce platforms will handle inventory tracking and multiple product options, while others will not. So first, you’ll need to define your product options.

Are your products digital or physical?
How many products do you have for sale?
Do you need to track inventory?
How many options do you have per product (sizing, colors, etc.)?
How do you handle shipping?
Do you also sell your products offline?
Also note that certain products (adult, alcohol, etc.) are not allowed by some ecommerce platforms. You will need to read the Terms and Conditions to find out if a platform you are considering allows you to sell those products.

Your Hosting or Theirs

The next thing you have to decide is if you want your store hosted on your own website or on the eCommerce platform’s. While hosting your store on your own website will allow you the most control, it also requires the most maintenance and security as you will be responsible for protecting your customer’s data and keeping the software up to date and functional.
This is why many small businesses choose to have their stores hosted by reliable ecommerce platforms. Most will still allow you to use your own domain (yourstore.com vs. yourstore.platform.com). Be sure to look at the features your ecommerce platform has to offer when it comes to hosting options and custom domain usage.

Design Options

How would you like your online store to look? Most eCommerce platforms come with prebuilt themes to choose from – some designs can be used for free, while others must be purchased. Some platforms also have recommended developers that can help you create a custom theme for your business. Decide whether you are comfortable using someone else’s theme, if the platform has a theme you will like, or if you will want a custom designer.

Integrations with Tools You Already Use

Are you already using QuickBooks for accounting, MailChimp for your email marketing, Ambassador for referral marketing, or other specific tools? Many eCommerce platforms come with integration options with these and other services for the management of your accounting, marketing, customer service, inventory, social media, and reporting. See if the services you already use recommend a specific eCommerce platform, or if the eCommerce platform offers integration options with your favorite services.

Payment Gateways

Do you prefer that your customers pay via PayPal, Strip, Authorize, or other specific payment gateways, like the ones Kabbage uses to qualify you for financing? If so, make sure that the eCommerce platforms you are considering use them as well.

Features and Pricing

Pricing for various eCommerce platforms may seem competitive, but you have to really have to examine the features different price ranges include. For example, you may be comparing one platform that starts at $29 per month, and another that starts at $19. The $19 one on the surface may seem like a good deal, but it may only include the ability to sell 10 products whereas the $29 per month platform may include the ability to sell 100. One platform may allow you to offer discount codes at a certain price point, while another won’t. One may offer support, while another sells that separately. Thoroughly comparing features vs. pricing can help you choose a platform that fits your needs at the best price possible.

Additional Fees

Also remember that the features and pricing page may not contain all of the actual fees for the eCommerce platform you are evaluating. Some platforms also have setup fees, processing fees in addition to what your payment gateway charges, fees for integrating with the services you already use, fees for the themes you might want to use, and other charges. Carefully look for those additional fees, especially in the themes, apps, and terms and conditions to find them.

Ecommerce Platform Comparison
Now that you know what you’re looking for, here is a brief eCommerce platform comparison for your review.

Shopify: Popular eCommerce platform that allows you to create beautiful storefronts hosted on Shopify. Offers a wide range of themes and apps / integrations with popular services. Also has POS for physical stores. Pricing starts at $29 per month for unlimited products.
Magento: Offers scalable solutions for small businesses that want hosted storefronts to enterprise customers. Magento Go (hosted solution) pricing starts at $15 per month for 100 SKUs. Community edition (downloadable to your own web server) is free. Enterprise edition pricing is unlisted.
BigCommerce: Hosted eCommerce platform for both small businesses to enterprises. Pricing starts at $34.95 per month for unlimited products.
InfusionSoft: Mostly known for CRM management, sales automation, and marketing automation, this platform also has an eCommerce option. Pricing starts at $299 per month.
Selz: New eCommerce platform that lets you sell through a hosted storefront and embeddable widgets. Unlike the above options, they have no monthly pricing. They simply take a commission of 5% + $0.25 of the transaction amount.

Well explained. Nice information.

[daniel park]

It's right. E-commerce is new platform; it is good for invest now

[willykevin1]

I agree for that, any one can do this.

[aegisinfoways]

In this contemporary world of technological innovation, the need for online buying is improving daily. This is the reason that the companies are shifting towards e-commerce sites.

[Ritika gosh]

eCommerce is the selling and purchasing of products and services through the help of the Internet. It basically starts with the creation of a website where you can advertise your product. You can start out a website for as low as $20 a month, and in order to keep your business going, you eventually would need to start opening a merchant account & a payment gateway service for your payment transactions.

[Rationaltech]

Nice information..Thank you!!

[kumar1]

E-commerce Platform in which we Easly selling and purchasing of product and service through the help of internet. Another Important thing is we can customize everything. With transactions made through the Internet, consumers tend to hold back because of the need to divulge information.Products are well-packaged when the consumer see's it on the website, but it may not justify when it's already in your hands.