MANAGING A BUSINESS
How to build an eCommerce website?
5 min. read
26th March, 2024
Starting an online business with per capita spending increasing in India is an excellent way to tap into the vast market and extend your reach to your target audience. It comes with a myriad of benefits, like reduced start-up costs, decreased operational charges, and wider audience reach. Besides, around 56.6% of customers prefer shopping from online stores due to its 24/7 availability, discount codes, and convenience.
Many small business owners or even start-ups wonder how to build a website as it requires technical knowledge. However, what if we told you that's not the case? It is easy to build your business' website that resonates with your brand tonality and identity with the help of an e-commerce website builder.
This blog explains everything about an eCommerce website builder and how utilizing an e-commerce website builder can be a cost-effective option than investing in a custom-built website.
Many small business owners or even start-ups wonder how to build a website as it requires technical knowledge. However, what if we told you that's not the case? It is easy to build your business' website that resonates with your brand tonality and identity with the help of an e-commerce website builder.
This blog explains everything about an eCommerce website builder and how utilizing an e-commerce website builder can be a cost-effective option than investing in a custom-built website.
What are the current eCommerce website builders on the market?
Several website maker platforms stand out for their web design and create a website capability. Investing in the right eCommerce website builder goes beyond the requirements of the present. It is essential to invest in a platform that scales easily as your business grows and accommodates the increasing customer needs.
The top contenders include SmartBiz by Amazon, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, and BigCommerce. Let's delve into a concise pros and cons analysis for each, and find out which suits perfect for your business needs.
The top contenders include SmartBiz by Amazon, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, and BigCommerce. Let's delve into a concise pros and cons analysis for each, and find out which suits perfect for your business needs.
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SmartBiz by Amazon
SmartBiz by Amazon is a growing choice among small business owners. Noted for its mobile-friendliness and easy setup, SmartBiz by Amazon provides the best shipping integration with its collaboration with Shiprocket.
SmartBiz by Amazon offers custom domains and themes that reflect your brand's identity. Besides this, sellers get access to the Shiprocket Enterprise Plan (INR 30,000 annually) at no cost, and premium national shipping is absolutely free. Vendors get pre-negotiated rates, which are 20-25% lower than Shiprocket lite plan rates. Also, businesses can deliver anything (up to 150 kg) to more than 26,000 pin codes in India with 17+ courier partners. Not only this, SmartBiz by Amazon provides shipment security for all domestic shipments, covering INR 5,000 as lost or damaged protection.
With its off the bat mobile friendliness, shiprocket integration and security (it's build on AWS). This option stands as a strong contender for new businesses or businesses that are going online.
Pros:
SmartBiz by Amazon offers custom domains and themes that reflect your brand's identity. Besides this, sellers get access to the Shiprocket Enterprise Plan (INR 30,000 annually) at no cost, and premium national shipping is absolutely free. Vendors get pre-negotiated rates, which are 20-25% lower than Shiprocket lite plan rates. Also, businesses can deliver anything (up to 150 kg) to more than 26,000 pin codes in India with 17+ courier partners. Not only this, SmartBiz by Amazon provides shipment security for all domestic shipments, covering INR 5,000 as lost or damaged protection.
With its off the bat mobile friendliness, shiprocket integration and security (it's build on AWS). This option stands as a strong contender for new businesses or businesses that are going online.
Pros:
- Easy-to-set-up and website-launching methods
- Streamlined configuration process and rapid deployment capabilities
- Superior shipping support and incorporation
- Custom domains and themes are provided to reflect the brand
- Zero fees till September 2024.
- Access to the SmartBiz seller community where sellers can address specific pain points from experts
Cons:
- Relatively limited third-party ecosystem to add external integration in the web design
Shopify
Shopify lets store owners add many extra apps to customize their store. It gives shops the freedom to make their online store just right. While BigCommerce may be hard to understand, Shopify is a good choice for those who want options to make their store unique with different apps. Shopify works well for those who want the flexibility to add new features through apps.
Pros:
Pros:
- Highly effective functionality to manage and run online stores
- Extensive personalization options to customize the website design
Cons:
- Difficult to fully grasp and understand the navigation of the platform
- Higher fees associated with the website creator process
Wix
The drag-and-drop interface that Wix provides makes it an excellent choice for site creation because of its vast features. Even though it allows for more creative flexibility, it may be less focused on characteristics that are particular to eCommerce. Wix is a good option for companies who are searching for a flexible website maker; nevertheless, it may be necessary to install extra plugins to provide powerful eCommerce capability.
Pros:
Pros:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop feature makes it easy to create a user-friendly web design
- Free basic plan provides free website hosting service with 500MB of cloud storage and 500MB bandwidth.
Cons:
- Limited eCommerce features restrict scalability.
- Upgradation to the paid plan is essential to access all features to build highly functional websites.
Squarespace
Squarespace lets consumers combine eCommerce with design. The template ideas are attractive, and its interface is simple to understand. However, its eCommerce offerings may be limited compared to SmartBiz by Amazon. Squarespace is great for businesses looking to create a beautiful online presence.
Pros:
Pros:
- Visually appealing templates with customization options
- Strong analytics helps businesses gather useful insights
Pros:
- Limited customization options restrict the sellers from tailoring their websites
- Slow loading times can negatively impact the business
Big Commerce
BigCommerce is for big businesses. It helps stores get very large and make changes easily. It offers powerful online store tools. While it can be hard for beginners, BigCommerce is great for shops wanting to grow big over time. It works well for stores already selling online who want more options for their business.
Pros:
Pros:
- Robust eCommerce features help seamlessly manage and operate the store
- Easily scale up the website to accommodate the growing business demands.
Cons:
- A clunky interface creates challenges in terms of navigation and user experience.
For anyone looking to create a website, find the best eCommerce shipping provider, or start an online business, SmartBiz by Amazon is the preferable choice. It brings together easy website design, shipping integration, and an active community.
Should you go for a free website builder or a paid one?
When launching a new online business, beginning with a free eCommerce website builder allows testing and validating an idea without upfront investment. SmartBiz by Amazon is a free website builder that provides an easy way to create a professional storefront and shopping cart and integrate ecommerce shipping to start selling.
SmartBiz by Amazon offers the core features needed to get started and prove the business model at zero cost. With Amazon's e-commerce expertise, SmartBiz by Amazon is the premier website builder for quickly launching an online store.
Upgrade to a premium website builder for extra features as SmartBiz grows. Paid website creators like shopify or other brands may provide more features but its always highly recommended to start with a free builder and validate your website with enough traffic and growth before scaling to paid plans. The premium features provide eCommerce businesses with enterprise-level capabilities for managing and optimizing bigger operations. The first launch phase on a free website builder proves economic feasibility before adding features.
SmartBiz by Amazon offers the core features needed to get started and prove the business model at zero cost. With Amazon's e-commerce expertise, SmartBiz by Amazon is the premier website builder for quickly launching an online store.
Upgrade to a premium website builder for extra features as SmartBiz grows. Paid website creators like shopify or other brands may provide more features but its always highly recommended to start with a free builder and validate your website with enough traffic and growth before scaling to paid plans. The premium features provide eCommerce businesses with enterprise-level capabilities for managing and optimizing bigger operations. The first launch phase on a free website builder proves economic feasibility before adding features.
Why is using an ecommerce website builder better than building a custom website?
Here are the advantages of utilizing a free eCommerce website builder than investing in custom services to build a website:
Cost Savings
eCommerce website builders provide substantial cost savings compared to investing in a custom-built website. Hiring developers to build a custom eCommerce site from scratch can easily cost the business and increase the expense.
Depending on the scope, some complex builds can reach six figures. It also costs a lot of money to keep the store going. The store needs updates and changes all the time. It means paying developers again and again.
Website builders are different. You can use them for a small cost every month. Good plans start at around INR 2000-4000 per month. You don't have to pay developers each time for changes. The low cost makes website builders very easy to use. Entrepreneurs and small shops can use them without spending a lot at first. They can make online stores without paying developers large sums.
Depending on the scope, some complex builds can reach six figures. It also costs a lot of money to keep the store going. The store needs updates and changes all the time. It means paying developers again and again.
Website builders are different. You can use them for a small cost every month. Good plans start at around INR 2000-4000 per month. You don't have to pay developers each time for changes. The low cost makes website builders very easy to use. Entrepreneurs and small shops can use them without spending a lot at first. They can make online stores without paying developers large sums.
Speed to Launch
Custom development takes months, but simple website builders let companies establish, configure, and launch an online shop in days or weeks. Businesses may validate their concept, generate income, and get client feedback quickly due to the expedited start-up timeline. A bespoke build's extensive development timeframe hinders agility and speed to value for a start-up demonstrating its idea. Website builders empower rapid iteration and evolution.
Optimized eCommerce Functionality
eCommerce website builders are purpose-built specifically for selling products or services online. As a result, they incorporate templates, integrations and tools tailored to the specialized needs of managing an online business.
Its built-in functionality for managing inventory, fulfillment, payment processing, subscriptions, taxes, coupons, promotions and more, all from a unified interface. Custom-developed web design often lacks these eCommerce-specific features without investing substantial additional time and cost into development work post-launch. Builders eliminate this extra effort by providing a natively eCommerce-optimized foundation.
Its built-in functionality for managing inventory, fulfillment, payment processing, subscriptions, taxes, coupons, promotions and more, all from a unified interface. Custom-developed web design often lacks these eCommerce-specific features without investing substantial additional time and cost into development work post-launch. Builders eliminate this extra effort by providing a natively eCommerce-optimized foundation.
Ease of Use
With intuitive drag-and-drop site editors, no coding expertise is required to build a website using a builder platform. The easy-to-use interfaces empower anyone, regardless of technical skill level, to create a professional online store themselves.
Custom website development, on the other hand, requires either learning development yourself or managing a development team, increasing complexity for the business owner. eCommerce website builders simplify the process by handling the technical work behind the scenes while providing business owners with accessible point-and-click control.
Custom website development, on the other hand, requires either learning development yourself or managing a development team, increasing complexity for the business owner. eCommerce website builders simplify the process by handling the technical work behind the scenes while providing business owners with accessible point-and-click control.
Reliability
By leveraging the established, proven website builder platforms used by millions of businesses, reliability and uptime are improved compared to a custom-coded site. New code bases carry an inherent risk of issues cropping up that require ongoing patching and maintenance, whereas builders offer time-tested stability. Builders also often provide automatic backups and disaster recovery, improving business continuity.
Summary
eCommerce website development is a crucial component of establishing a digital business presence. Utilizing a user-friendly website builder platform streamlines the procedure for entrepreneurs lacking technical proficiency.
Utilize a website builder to accelerate the launch process while saving time and money. Prioritize customer acquisition and idea testing over technical complexities. eCommerce website builders make it easy to create a professional online presence, whether you require a basic store or a complicated marketplace, streamlining the process of materializing your business concept.
Establishing an online store with an eCommerce website builder such as SmartBiz by Amazon obviates the necessity for bespoke development. SmartBiz by Amazon provides every feature required to get up and operating rapidly.
Utilize a website builder to accelerate the launch process while saving time and money. Prioritize customer acquisition and idea testing over technical complexities. eCommerce website builders make it easy to create a professional online presence, whether you require a basic store or a complicated marketplace, streamlining the process of materializing your business concept.
Establishing an online store with an eCommerce website builder such as SmartBiz by Amazon obviates the necessity for bespoke development. SmartBiz by Amazon provides every feature required to get up and operating rapidly.
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