Here are salient features to evangelize your potential customers into lasting ones; how to twist your e-commerce brand for the better!

It’s always the right time to shop with your e-commerce website or app – be it 2 AM or 2 PM. It allows you to buy or sell tangible goods, products or services online at the place of your convenience. E-Commerce is electronic marketing. Traditional businesses include – manufacturer unit, distributor, wholesaler, retailer, customer, advertisement.

Traditionally, many companies had a perfunctory online presence to supplement their in-store experience. People used to browse online to check the availability of items and relevant price comparisons. Now, these websites help in optimizing the search. Retailers didn’t want to sacrifice their in-store sales.

Why use E-Commerce?

• Low entry cost
• Reduces transaction costs
• Access to the global market
• Secure market share

Types of E-commerce

• Business-to-business (B2B) online transactions involve buyer and seller are two different entities, similar to manufacturers issuing goods to the retailer or wholesaler.
• Business to Consumer (B2C) involves businesses selling products online to consumers. It is the direct online trade between the company and the consumers.
• Business to Employee (B2E) involves an intra-business network where companies provide products or services to their employees. E-commerce website development companies use B2E networks to automate employee-related corporate processes.
• Consumer to consumer (C2C) involves many websites that offer – (1) free classifieds, (2) auctions, and (3) forums where individuals buy through online payment systems like PayPal.

How does E-commerce work?

• Ecommerce websites allow customers to find their product(s), add them to their ‘cart’ and securely enter their payment information to complete their purchase.
• Electronic businesses work on business models that facilitate online sales. Consumers use web browsers to connect to the home page of a merchant’s website on the internet.
• The consumer browses the catalogue of products featured on the site and selects items to purchase. The select items get a place in the electronic equivalent of a shopping cart.
• When the consumer is ready to complete the purchase of selected items, she provides a bill-to and ship-to address for purchase and delivery.
• When the merchant’s web server receives this information, it computes the total cost of the order – including tax, shipping, and handling charges – and then displays the total to the customer.
• The customer can now provide payment information, such as a credit card number, and then submit the order.
• Upon validation of the credit card number, the order completes at the Commerce Server site, the merchant’s site displays a receipt confirming the customer’s purchase.
• The Commerce Server site then forwards the order to a Processing Network for payment processing and fulfilment.

What are the pros and cons of E-commerce Websites?

Pros of E-commerce Websites

• No checkout queues
• Reduced prices
• Shop globally
• Easy access 24/7/365
• It caters to consumers of all demographics – age, profession, preferences

Cons of E-commerce Websites

• Unable to examine products personally
• It does not work without the internet
• There are chances of credit card number theft;

How can you convert your e-commerce website traffic?

A vital part of conversion is to offer customers exactly what they are looking for; It might sound deceptively easy, but most retailers get it wrong.

Companies use – (1) AI-enabled search tools, (2) virtual assistants, (3) advanced search, and (4) suggestions, (5) repeat purchase, (6) related search, (7) what goes best, (8) combo offers, (9) seasonal discounts and offers, (10) festive treats, (11) best in this price, (12) best seller, (13) dollar value discounts, (14) percentage discounts, (15) buy one – get one, gift, and (16) free shipping.

Moreover, engaging the voice of the customer can illuminate what works and what doesn’t for an e-commerce retailer’s site.

Also, the best way to resort and improve the overall customer experience is by predictive analytics. It helps companies understand how much inventory they require in the coming days. It also clarifies how the demand-supply gap comes up; and what the competitors bring up within a similar price range and category. AI enhances forecasting, and AI-driven demand forecasting improves accuracy.

Scaling an e-commerce business enables more precise inventory investment, leading to fewer markdowns and clearance. It prevents waste and enhances sustainability. Predictive analytics manages customer’s expectations on the product, pricing, availability, and delivery times. It personalizes the customer journey, listening to the voice of the customer, and putting predictive analytics to work will be the only way that any retailer can take. But if you offer the customer exactly what they want in a shopping experience designed just for them makes omnichannel promises a reality.

Factors to Consider When Creating an Ecommerce Site

• Website safety and security
• Optimization before and during eСommerce website development
• Website search and filtering functionality
• Registration and related issues
• Payment options
• Shipping rates
• CMS integration
• Mobile functionality
• A website design that matches the products you are selling
• Good shopping cart design
• Proper product showcase and descriptions
• Customer support and contacts – Add various chat options for those who don’t wish to talk on the phone;
• Social proof – Written reviews or product unboxing
• Good Marketing strategy
• Supporting Blogs and articles

Top E-Commerce Platforms of 2021

• Best Overall: BigCommerce
• Best for Startups: Squarespace
• Best for Small Business: Wix
• Best for Large Business: Magento
• Best for Ease of Use: GoDaddy
• Best for Dropshipping: Shopify
• Best for International Sales: Smoolis
• Best Affordable Option: Square Online
• Best for Brick and Mortar: Weebly
• Best for Online Only: 3dcart

Business niches for E-Commerce Sites

• Amazon
• Flipkart
• Alibaba
• Snapdeal
• Myntra
• IndiaMART
• Book My show
• Nykaa (and more)

Critical Factors to Consider While Investing In E-commerce Ventures

Customers leave E-commerce businesses in the dust – (1) If they don’t know how to use the site, (2) If the product value isn’t clear, and (3) Navigation is difficult;
Besides following the software development life cycle, businesses need to consider – (1) Branding, (2) SEO, (3) User Experience, (4) Transparency, and (5) Engagement;

In Conclusion

Electronic commerce websites have brought customers to the center of everything. Companies (1) track their purchase history, (2) preferences, (3) site visits, (4) purchases, (5) relevant assortments, (6) the voice of customer data, and (7) predictive analytics to give brands the ability to be fully customer-centric, allowing the customer to dictate how they want to shop regardless of the channel. Also, rewarding them on their every purchase as percentage discounts, loyalty points – can be a great way to evangelize them. Branding is your purpose; SEO brings in traffic; Customers love a great user experience; Transparency builds trust. Boost overall engagement. Follow us for more relevant updates!

Please share your suggestions at info@itfirms.co

The post Planning an E-Commerce Brand appeared first on Top ITFirms - Result of In-depth Research & Analysis.

Entrepreneurs have discovered new avenues to grow and make most of the opportunities on offer. No doubt, the segment is lucrative and holds tremendous potential to keep you going and growing.

With the rate at which eCommerce is flourishing, there is a possibility that by 2019, the worldwide eCommerce market will cross $2.4 trillion mark, as per a research.

While the predictions indicate a fruitful future, one must understand and note the security vulnerabilities related to the online business. Online frauds and security breaches are not new and eCommerce has had its share of incidents when eBay compromised the data of 145 million accounts back in 2014. It was considered as one of the biggest breaches of all time then.

Here are five practices to follow if you want to counteract the latest cyber threats.

1. Integrate SSL certificates

SSL certificate implementation is a mandate, and if your eCommerce developer isn’t pushing to include it then probably your business is in wrong hands. It is recommended to change your eCommerce development company immediately to the one that understands the criticalities of online thefts.

Certificates like SSL authenticate the transaction, identity users and encrypts the data at store and transit, which makes the end-to-end connectivity between website and user’s system secure and authentic.

Users are now well-aware of security basics. They are less likely to share their personal and credit card details with a website that doesn’t have a padlock icon with HTTPS in the URL.

2. Choose hosting provider and eCommerce platform wisely

It’s the sole responsibility of your eCommerce web development company to assist you in choosing the perfect hosting as well as the development platform. However, you need to be aware of the prerequisites for selecting the desired service providers. Look out for a user-friendly hosting provider that offers a range of tools and applications ensuring website’s security and confidentiality for uploaded data. Make sure it offers 128-bits or 256-bits AES encryption, performs regular security checks, has a backup feature and maintains comprehensive logs. Also, it should comply with the PCI DSS requirements.

While selecting a platform, take note of security procedures in place. Most prominent eCommerce platforms by global leaders are Magento and WordPress WooCommerce, especially because of their extensive security features than anything else.

3. Two-factor authentication

Try adding an extra layer of security through two-factor authentication process. In this process, user needs to authenticate himself via two means. The first is the basic combination of username & password while the next comprises a real-time code that is generated by system for short duration and sent over user’s registered phone number or email address.

4. Don’t save customers’ sensitive data

Avoid collecting and storing user data, especially their credit/debit card details because cyber criminals can easily get hold of your database and steal the information for their vested interest. Ask the associated eCommerce web development company to process payments via encrypted checkout tunnel that eliminates the need of server to access customer data.

5. Advanced encryption techniques

Encrypting data is a necessity, and so is it for browser communications. The communication between the browser and the website needs to be protected by implementing advanced encryption techniques, ensuring the information transmitted across communication channel is safe. Make sure the updated versions of SSL, EV SSL are in place that add to the security of your eCommerce store.

Final words

Apart from above-mentioned practices, you need to be proactive in identifying weak links. You can employ a dedicated team of security professionals who check, track and monitor proceedings on a regular basis.

Do not let hackers have the last word. Instead, offer a safer environment to your users who help you earn a livelihood.

The post Follow These Five Practices to Safeguard Your E-commerce Website appeared first on Top ITFirms - Result of In-depth Research & Analysis.

While for many of them it’s the ‘touch and feel’ that matters with products like their favorite fruits or breads- they have personal specifications, some others believe that the quality of product is not same as it is when they go out to shop. Instead,countries like South Korea, Japan, UK are having the highest share of FMCG sales, as reported by Statista. For fast moving consumer goods, eCommerce plays a minimal role in the regions of the United States.

Incorporated into Whole Foods, digital assets are struggling to break into eCommerce. The majority in the US is still picking their grocery from brick-and-mortar stores.

Just like Amazon Fresh is the most excellently planned and executed platform for online grocery shopping, we have here a list of Top eCommerce development companies that can build the best FMCG stores for your grocery business. You can pick the best development partner from this list as per your requirements as each of them has been rigorously evaluated on quality of end-product, expertise and experience in eCommerce development, client reviews and testimonials and project development strategy. These development agencies are globally recognized and have delivered innovative, customer-centric, aesthetically-appealing eCommerce development solutions in the regions of the US, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait and more.

Whole Foods tie-up with Amazon

Grocery shopping is likely to get more sensational as Amazon announced its acquisition of Whole Foods (America’s healthiest grocery store) for $13.7 billion, on Friday, 16^th June 2017. As per Amazon experts, this will accelerate the online grocery shopping among the US audience as both brands hold an exceptional value in the minds and hearts of American consumers.

Amazon is passionate and committed to being the major force for staples and grocery in the worldwide market. Combining Amazon’s quality online and product quality and delivery service of Whole Foods will stimulate shoppers, who were earlier hesitant to buy their everyday food essentials from eCommerce FMCG stores. With Whole Foods, they’re very sure about the quality and superior organic foods, and with Amazon, they can’t doubt the packaging and logistics.

eCommerce stores for FMCG industry will flourish in the years to come. Eventually, consumers will start showing trust in local grocery apps and online stores as their preferences and choices will incline more towards on-demand apps, being served at their convenience. The tech-savvy millennials will contribute in increasing the number of households dependent on getting groceries digitally.

Businesses and retailers should definitely get inspired by Amazon’s strategy to integrate its delivery services and Amazon Fresh with a well-established grocery brand, Whole Foods.

If you’re planning to develop a grocery delivery app or eCommerce store, you must consider tying up with some top-quality grocery stores and shops in your area. This will result in an increased traffic on your website/app, more orders and thus, high ROI.

One thing that FMCG online store owners need to understand that in this industry, it’s not only the home (online) delivery that’s going to work but both options including click-an -collect and delivery will go well with the modern consumers.

Further, the online grocery store must be as simple-to-navigate as buying staples in real. A consumer must find it easy to move from one section to the other and one screen to another. For a simple yet valuable user experience, you can choose from the list of top eCommerce development companies for 2017. You can rest assured that you’re going to get the best development partner.

Start your online grocery store before your competitors take the center stage because anyway, online grocery sale will grow five-fold and is set to grab 20% of the market by 2025, with American consumers spending over $100 million on grocery-at-home (reported by CNBC).

The post eCommerce Development Will Transform the Grocery Market appeared first on Top ITFirms - Result of In-depth Research & Analysis.