5 Common Myths about E-Commerce Web Development

by Shelly k. Ecommerce Specialist

A good e-commerce website is very critical for the survival of any online store. There are so many new e-commerce websites that are launched every week on the internet. However, not all are successful. In fact, approximately half the e-commerce websites launched across the world shut down within the first year. A major reason behind that is a list of common misconceptions people have about e-commerce web development. Recognizing these myths and misconceptions will get you closer to coming up with a better and concrete e-commerce strategy.

Myth 1. All platforms are the same

There are so many platforms that can be used to create e-commerce sites. Magento, Shopify, and BigCommerce are a few of them. If you believe that it does not matter which of these platforms you use to create your website, you are seriously mistaken. Each and every one of these platforms has their own unique features and advantages for e-commerce web development. Know your online store’s requirements and understand the features of these platforms to make an informed decision about which platform to develop your site on.

Myth 2. The cheaper the better

Most online store owners believe that the key to e-commerce success is reducing the prices of the products. The ideology is that customers flock towards inexpensive goods and increase their sales in the process. Although e-commerce is a very competitive business and price point gives companies advantages, it is not the only factor. There are other factors like product availability, the popularity of the brand, customer loyalty, customer service etc that give an online store competitive edge.

Myth 3. Traffic will come by itself

If you believe that all you need to do is to make your website live and customers will automatically flock towards it, you are completely wrong. In order to bring traffic to your website, there are so many activities that need to be carried out. Some of these are – Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Social Media Marketing (SMM), Social Media Optimization (SMO) and many other activities for online promotion. Along with generating traffic, the important thing is to generate relevant traffic to the website to increase conversions.

Myth 4. E-Commerce business does not cost that much

Although running an e-commerce store does not have all the expenses that are involved in operating a brick and mortar store, it can still burn a hole in your pocket if you are not careful. You need to have long-term business plans and focus on the customer journey. The key areas of expenditure are usually in marketing, logistics, inventory procurement and inventory management. Make sure you do not overstretch your budget.

Myth 5. One size fits all

If your website targets an international audience, then you must modify a few things or add additional features on your website to make it more appealing to the customers of your target country. Even though English is considered a universal language, visitors will have more trust in your site and would purchase products from you if your website supports their local language as well.

Once you recognize these myths, you can create a better and more informed e-commerce web development strategy that will reap you benefits for years to come. A good understanding of your target audience and their needs are just as important as knowing which platform to choose for your webstore. If you need any further assistance with setting up your new e-commerce store, contact Clap Creative today for a free quote.