E-Commerce Website Design

Design your way to e-commerce success: Here are the key elements for creating an irresistible online store and how much it costs!

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In the current age of digitalization, having a strong online presence is essential for businesses to stay competitive. 

When it comes to selling products or services online, e-commerce website design is a crucial component for success. In this post, we’ll explore the different options available for setting up an e-commerce store, the pros and cons of each, and the estimated costs involved.

There are two primary options for setting up an e-commerce store: directly on an e-commerce platform, or on a traditional website with a shopping cart.

Option 1. Using an E-Commerce Platform

This option involves creating your store directly on an e-commerce platform. While this may seem like a simple and cost-effective solution, it does come with its own set of pros and cons.
Some popular platforms include:

1. Shift4shop
2. Wix
3. Shopify
4. Ecwid
5. Bigcartel
6. Square

The monthly fees for these platforms range from $0 to $39 per month, but you may need to factor in the cost of a domain name.

Pros of the DIY option include easy setup, turn-key solutions, and 24/7 support. However, cons include the time required to figure it out and complete the tasks, and monthly fees to use the platform.

Option 2: Your Own Website + Shopping Cart

Building an e-commerce website with a shopping cart plugin allows for greater flexibility and control over your site.
Popular options include:

1. Building Your Site on WordPress + Shopping Cart
2. Building Your Site on Showit + Shopping Cart
3. Building Your Site on Squarespace + Shopping Cart

While this option can be more costly upfront due to development costs ($8,000 to $20,000), but it provides long-term savings by not requiring monthly rental fees on an e-commerce platform.

Pros of the Website + Shopping Cart option include greater flexibility in your design and website capabilities, professional email options, and the ability to create a blog and marketing funnels with landing pages. However, cons include higher web development costs and the need for ongoing maintenance unless you would like to learn DIY maintenance. We recommend WordPress, a popular, free, open-source platform with many design and functional options and features.

Shopping Cart Plugin Options for your WordPress Website

Shopping cart plugins can be added to an existing brochure or blog-style WordPress website to turn it into an e-commerce store.

Popular options include:

1. Shopify
2. SureCart
3. WooCommerce
4. Ecwid
5. WP Easy Cart

Adding a shopping cart plugin to a WordPress website can be done at a low subscription fee. Pros of using shopping cart plugins include low costs and the ability to use the plugin on an existing WordPress website. However, cons include the need for additional third-party subscriptions or licenses depending upon which shopping cart you choose, and some plugins have a need for ongoing maintenance.

Conclusion

Setting up an e-commerce store can be done in various ways. Each option has its own pros and cons, and it’s essential to consider the estimated costs involved before making a decision. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your business needs, technical expertise, and budget.

With careful planning and research, you can design an e-commerce website that meets your needs and provides a seamless shopping experience for your customers. If you’re looking for professional assistance and expertise in e-commerce website design, contact Designs by Kiki today to discuss your requirements and start building your successful online store.