Is Your Business Prepared To Grow With E-Commerce?
The holiday season is one of the busiest times of year for businesses, making it the perfect opportunity to boost your sales with an e-commerce store. Whether you’re adding e-commerce functionality to an existing website or building a brand-new online store, there’s a lot to consider. To help you prepare, let’s walk through what you need to know, from technical requirements to business operations.
Feeling festive?
Technical Considerations for Your E-Commerce Website
1. Payment Processing
Taking online payments isn’t as straightforward as taking them in your store. You’ll need an online merchant to accept credit cards and other forms of payment. Some businesses can use their in-store processor through an online gateway like Authorize.NET, but simpler options like PayPal or Stripe are also available (though they require account setup).
Setting up payments is a technical process that often involves weeks of testing to ensure everything works smoothly. Your website developer will configure and thoroughly test the payment system before your store goes live.
2. Shipping Integration
Shipping logistics can get complicated quickly. USPS, FedEx, and UPS all offer integrations for e-commerce sites, but they often require developer support and, in some cases, custom coding. You’ll also need to provide detailed product information such as weight, dimensions, and shipping options.
3. Taxes: Know the Regulations
Tax regulations vary widely based on location. Before selling online, consult with a tax professional or attorney to ensure compliance. Tools like Avalara can automate tax calculations, but they often come with a high monthly fee. Your developer can set up the integration, but you’ll need to factor in the costs of software and maintenance.
4. Product Setup: Photos, Descriptions, and Options
Setting up products can be time-consuming, especially if you offer various options like custom colors or multiple sizes. You’ll need professional-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and organized categories to make shopping easy for your customers.
5. User Accounts and Security
Offering user accounts allows customers to view order history, save payment details, and create wish lists. However, this requires enhanced security measures. Make sure you have a secure hosting environment and work with your developer to safeguard customer data.
6. SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate is critical for encrypting customer data and building trust. Most reputable hosts provide SSL certificates, and at Iceberg, we include them free for all customers on our hosting and maintenance packages.
7. Hosting and Maintenance
E-commerce software, such as WooCommerce, requires frequent updates to maintain security and functionality. Highly customized stores may experience plugin conflicts, so your hosting and maintenance provider should have experience with e-commerce to ensure everything runs smoothly.
8. Mobile Optimization
Many shoppers will access your site via mobile devices, especially during the holiday rush. Ensure your e-commerce store is mobile-friendly and offers a seamless experience across all devices. Mobile optimization isn’t optional—it’s essential for customer satisfaction and conversion rates.
9. Analytics and Performance Tracking
To understand how your store is performing, set up analytics tools like Google Analytics. Tracking customer behavior, conversion rates, and traffic sources allows you to optimize your e-commerce efforts and make data-driven decisions.
10. Load Testing and Performance Preparation for Holiday Traffic
The holiday season brings increased traffic. Make sure your website can handle the load without crashing or slowing down. Load testing and performance optimization are crucial to keeping customers happy during high-traffic times.
11. Promotions and Discounts Management
Running promotions, discounts, and special offers can drive holiday sales, but you’ll need to ensure your e-commerce site can handle them without errors. Work with your developer to create a system for managing promotions effectively.
12. Website Accessibility
Ensure your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Accessibility compliance not only broadens your customer base but also helps you avoid potential legal issues.
Operational Considerations Beyond the Website
1. Product Inventory Management
How will you manage your inventory? Will online and in-store stock be separate or shared? You’ll need a dedicated staff member to keep inventory accurate, as your web designer cannot track physical stock.
2. Troubleshooting Payment Integration
When payment issues arise, make sure you have a contact at your payment processor to resolve problems quickly. While your developer can help with the initial integration, some issues may require direct support from your bank or payment provider.
3. Shipping and Order Fulfillment
Your web developer can integrate shipping tools, but fulfillment is up to you. Be prepared to handle incoming orders promptly, which may require hiring additional staff or reallocating resources.
4. Responding to Customer Inquiries
Your customers will have questions—from “Do you have this in another color?” to “Why isn’t my payment going through?” While your developer handles technical issues, you’ll need a dedicated customer support team to answer product and order-related inquiries.
5. Marketing Your E-Commerce Store
“If you build it, they will come” doesn’t apply to any new website, and it doesn’t mean you’ll have instant success with e-commerce. You’ll need a strong marketing strategy to drive traffic and sales. This could include social media campaigns, Google Ads, email marketing, and more. Working with a digital marketing agency like Iceberg can ensure your store gets the attention it deserves.
6. Return and Refund Policies
Establish clear, customer-friendly return and refund policies. This builds trust and encourages potential buyers to complete purchases, knowing they can easily return items if needed.
7. Customer Reviews and Social Proof
Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and testimonials. Positive feedback builds credibility and can significantly influence purchasing decisions.
Ready to Take Your Products Online?
Setting up an e-commerce store can be a rewarding business move, but it’s important to plan carefully. From technical considerations like payment processing and security to operational aspects such as inventory and customer support, there’s a lot to manage. At Iceberg Web Design, we offer solutions ranging from straightforward starter e-commerce sites to fully customized stores that grow with your business. Plus, we provide hosting, maintenance, and digital marketing to ensure your site remains secure and your customers find you.
Want to learn more? Contact us today—we’re web designers who answer the phone and are ready to help make your e-commerce journey a success! 📞
