Starting an e-commerce business can be a thrilling and rewarding venture, but it’s a competitive landscape, and you really need to have a solid plan in place to ensure success. One key aspect of your plan will involve the design and development of your e-commerce website. A well-designed website can make the difference between a successful online store and one that falls flat. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the key considerations for website development in New Zealand, including what e-commerce website development is, what’s involved in building an e-commerce website, and where to find the best web development company in NZ.
What is E-commerce Website Development?
E-commerce website development is the process of creating an online store that can be used to sell goods or services online. It involves building a website from scratch on WordPress with a plugin like Woo Commerce or using a ready-made sales platform such as Shopify or BigCommerce. Any e-commerce website should include features such as product pages, shopping carts, secure payment processing, order tracking systems, customer service tools, and more.
Building a successful e-commerce website with bespoke functionality requires knowledge of web design and programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP. Additionally, it takes experience in developing user interfaces (UIs), setting up databases for products and customers, configuring payment gateways for secure transactions, and integrating with other third-party applications such as shipping carriers and accounting software. While some pre-made platforms are relatively “user-friendly”, there’s a lot of work needed behind the scenes for everything to operate seamlessly. It can be a complex process, as it involves not only designing a visually appealing site but also ensuring that it is functional and user-friendly.
Why it’s Worth Investing in E-commerce Website Development
Investing in e-commerce website development will enable you to reach a wider audience than if you only sold your goods or services offline. By taking your business online, you have the potential to increase your sales significantly because people from all over the world will be able to access your site 24/7. Additionally, an e-commerce website allows you to market your products directly through email campaigns and social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. This means that not only will you be able to reach potential customers quickly but also target them with specific offers tailored just for them.
It’s also important to remember that since the Covid-19 Pandemic, the way consumers buy has changed, and people are now more likely to shop online than ever before. This means having an effective e-commerce website is essential for businesses looking to remain competitive in the current climate.
Building An E-commerce Website
As a small business owner in New Zealand looking to expand your online presence, you’re probably reading this here as you’ve realised an e-commerce website is a perfect way to do it. Here are the steps that need to be taken to build a successful e-commerce website for your small business.
Choosing the E-commerce Platform That’s Right for You
The first thing that needs to be done is choosing the right platform for your website. There are many options out there—Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce—so do some research and talk to some experts to find out which one best suits your needs. Spend some time exploring each platform and getting familiar with their features and capabilities before making a final decision. Consider factors such as pricing, speed, scalability, ease of use and customisation options.
Set up Payment and Shipping Options
Now that you’ve selected an eCommerce platform for your site, it’s time to set up payment methods and shipping options so customers can purchase from your store. You will need to decide what kind of payment gateway you want to use (such as PayPal or Stripe) and how customers will be able to pay (credit card or even possibly bank transfer). You should also consider what shipping methods you’ll make available (standard courier or express delivery) and who will be responsible for shipping costs (you or the customer). When setting up payment options, you’ll need to ensure they are secure so customers feel safe making purchases from your website.
Decide Upon Your Website Design
This involves creating a visually appealing and user-friendly layout, selecting a colour scheme, adding content and images, integrating your payment systems, and more. The balance between aesthetics and functionality is an important one, as neglecting one aspect in favour of the other will result in an unsuccessful e-commerce website.
Creating Content and Product Descriptions
It’s important to provide potential customers with as much information as possible regarding your products and services so they can make informed decisions when purchasing from you. This includes providing detailed product descriptions, including specifications such as size, colour, weight, and material used; creating category pages that organise products into categories/subcategories etc.
Creating informative blog posts that help create brand awareness, provide helpful advice related to your products, and that answer commonly asked questions about your business will help to increase conversions.
Quality content is a crucial yet often overlooked element when building an effective e-commerce website that resonates with its target audience.
Test, Test, Test, then Launch
Before you launch your site to the public, it’s important to make sure everything works properly. Testing for bugs can help ensure that your website runs smoothly before going live. It’s also wise to have one or two other people at different IP addresses to undergo a test purchase for you. Any feedback they offer can help improve the user experience before you take your e-commerce store live.
Where to Find The Best Web Development Company in New Zealand?
When it comes to finding the best web development company in New Zealand, there are a few things you should consider. First of all, you need to make sure that they have experience in developing e-commerce websites and have a good track record. You also want to ensure that their team understands your specific requirements and can provide customised solutions tailored specifically for your business. Finally, it’s always important to read reviews from previous customers as well as look at customer portfolios on their website so you can get an idea of the quality
Seek out those web developers who have significant experience in building e-commerce sites and who are willing to involve you in the process and offer advice on how to get your project underway. Many companies can offer a comprehensive package of services, including design, development, hosting, and maintenance which makes things easier in the long run when your tech solutions are all under one roof.
Finally, don’t forget to ask other business owners within your network for recommendations on trusted web developers who have successfully designed e-commerce sites in New Zealand. Getting feedback from others can help you make an informed decision about which web developer is right for you.
There’s no doubt online shopping is the way of now and also the future, but building an e-commerce website design requires careful planning and attention to detail. By understanding what e-commerce website development entails, how to build an e-commerce website, and where to find the best web development and design companies in NZ, you can give your online store the best chance of success. With the right plan in place and quality design work executed by experienced professionals, you’ll be able to share your products on an attractive and user-friendly e-commerce website that will bring in customers and help your business thrive!
