eCommerce Websites

If you run a local business–or have a passion for sales–then you need an eCommerce website. It’s the most cost-effective way to distribute products or services online, and Whiteboard would like to help you build it.

What is an eCommerce website?

“eCommerce” is the act of buying and selling online. An “eCommerce website” is the place where online buying and selling happens. Simple, right?

So what’s the big deal? Why has “eCommerce” become such a buzzword these days? Because it’s one of the biggest, fastest growing industries in the world. Companies are flocking to the internet because it’s global, cost-effective, easy to automate.

Here are some statistics:

  • 96% of Americans have shopped online
  • ~80% of Americans have shopped online within the last month
  • Americans spend 36% of their shopping budget online
  • Over 50% of millennials shop online regularly
  • Online Black Friday sales topped $5 billion worldwide in 2017
  • That same year, mobile Cyber Monday sales topped $2 billion
  • 46% of American small businesses DO NOT have a website

Despite these figures, local retailers and service providers seem to have missed the eCommerce revolution. Only 46% of American small businesses have a website. Fewer have online shops.

If you’re part of that 46%, you should seriously consider a digital transformation.

Which eCommerce storefront is right for me?

Though there are dozens of eCommerce storefronts available, we tend to focus on the two biggest: WooCommerce and Shopify. While both have strengths, we recommend you use the one that best fits your business.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin that allows you to create custom shops from scratch. It offers a variety of extensions that integrate WooCommerce with all your favorite apps, including Facebook, Amazon, Google Analytics, PayPal, Square, Stripe, and Zapier.

If you want complete control of your store, WooCommerce is perfect for you. And set up is pretty easy if you already own a WordPress site.

Shopify

Shopify is essentially the eCommerce version of Wix: pay a monthly subscription fee and receive a beautiful storefront that works perfects out of the box. No need to integrate or add plugins. Simply choose your theme, add your colors and logo, and upload products.

If you want to open a shop right now, Shopify is your best bet.

Where do I start?

Starting an online store can be a lot of work, no matter what you choose. So let us handle it.

Let Whiteboard design your next online business, and we’ll build you a storefront that looks and works great. If you’re transitioning your WordPress site into a store, we’ll set up WooCommerce for you; if you’re exploring Shopify, we’ll help you pick a theme and customize it for your branding and products.

Ready to start making money with your own eCommerce website? Let’s Talk!