What Is eCommerce Website Development? A Guide

eCommerce Website Development

You’ve probably bought at least one thing online. However, it’s highly unlikely that you thought about how the website was developed. However, if you’re thinking about allowing people to shop from your own website, you may be more interested in the process. You may realize you’re not sure about what is the best eCommerce website. You may even be confronted by the fact that you’re not entirely sure about what is an eCommerce website.

If you want people to purchase your products or services online but you’re a little fuzzy on the details, this post is for you. We’ll start by defining eCommerce and discussing why it’s so important. Then, we’ll talk about some of the features that are key to the development of a shopping site. 

eCommerce Websites Explained

So, what is an eCommerce website? It is a site that allows the customer to buy products or services online so they don’t have to go into a physical store. Both merchants and customers find that eCommerce is more efficient and convenient. So much so that eMarketer projected that eCommerce sales in the United States would reach $794.50 billion in 2020, an increase of 32.% over the prior year. If you’re like many business owners, you’ll want to capitalize on this. You can operate an online-only business or use your website in conjunction with a brick-and-mortar operation. 

In either case, you need to know that not just any website will do. Most website users are busy people and they want their shopping experience to be quick and easy. They want to be able to find what they need and check out without any hassle. This means you need to work with your web development team to build a website that aligns with what customers want. That way, you increase the likelihood that your site will help to create profits for your business.

How Do I Know What Is the Best eCommerce Website?

Now that you know what is an eCommerce website, you should also know that there are certain features that pretty much every site needs to have. These include:

  • A responsive design. Users should be able to view the site and make purchases easily whether they’re using desktops, laptops, smartphones, or tablets.
  • Fast speeds. Chances are, multiple sites are selling the same things you are. If a page doesn’t load after three seconds, your visitors may go elsewhere.
  • A great user experience. User experience encompasses several elements including, design, functionality, and branding.
  • Clear product photos. Shoppers like to know exactly what they’re getting and one way to do this is to provide them with clear, high-resolution photos from multiple angles.
  • Detailed product descriptions. Since your customers can’t see the product in person, you also need to describe it in as much detail as possible. Make sure they know about all the options available to them.

Get a Professionally Designed Website

A lot goes into creating a website that’s easy to use. What is the best eCommerce website for you will depend a lot on the nature of your business. However, you need to work with a professional development team that has the expertise to provide a highly functional, user-friendly site. With the right site, you can boost your market share substantially.