Choosing an E-commerce Platform: Questions to Answer First
There are plenty of ways to sell online, from adding a store to your current website to using a hosted store platform. The right choice depends on what you sell and how you run your business. Answer these questions first.
What are you selling?
- Physical products, digital downloads, services, or subscriptions? Some platforms handle one well and others poorly.
- How many products? A handful of items and a large catalog have very different needs.
- Do products have options? Sizes, colors, and bundles add setup.
- Do you sell to businesses, consumers, or both? Wholesale pricing, quotes, or tax-exempt customers need extra features.
How will you take payments?
- Which payment providers do you want to use, and which does the platform support?
- Do you need to accept payments in person as well as online?
- Do you need deposits, payment plans, or recurring billing?
Payment processing fees vary by provider. Check current rates directly with each one.
How will orders get to customers?
- Shipping rates: flat, by weight, real-time carrier rates, or free over an amount?
- Local pickup or delivery?
- Do you need to connect to shipping or fulfillment software?
Taxes
Sales tax rules depend on where you sell and what you sell. Ask your accountant what you need to collect, then check that the platform can handle it.
What does it need to connect to?
Think about your accounting software, inventory system, email marketing, CRM, and point of sale. Connections that are built in are usually easier than custom ones.
Who will run it day to day?
- Who adds products, updates stock, and handles orders?
- How easy is the admin for that person?
- How many staff need access, and with what permissions?
Do you want the store on your website, or separate?
- On your website (for example, a Joomla store extension or a WordPress store plugin): one site, one login, your design, more control. You're responsible for updates and security.
- A hosted store platform: less upkeep on your side, with monthly fees and less flexibility. It may live on a separate address from your main site.
See Joomla vs WordPress: Which Is Right for Your Business? if you're deciding on a website platform too.
What will it cost to keep running?
Beyond the build, list the ongoing costs: platform or add-on fees, payment fees, hosting, security, updates, and support. See What Affects the Cost and Timeline of a Website Project.
Security and compliance
Online stores need SSL, regular updates, and secure payment handling. Most sites use a payment provider that handles card details, which keeps card data off your server. See Website Security Basics for Small Business Owners.
How 3by400 can help
We'll help you weigh the options and build the store that fits how you work. Learn about our website development work.
Start a project
Ready to talk about your website? Start a project or reach us at 678-379-9321 or