Your online store’s success hinges on the foundation you set. For small business owners taking the plunge into the digital market, it means finding the perfect platform to build their ecommerce empire. But with a sea of site builders promising the moon, where does one start? And which choice ensures that your online presence is not just launched but thrives?
This comprehensive guide dissects the site-building process for small business owners looking to launch or revamp their digital storefront.
We’ll explore the best site builders in the market, including a deep dive into the bespoke Ecwid Instant Site, designed to cater to online retail’s demanding needs without coding complexities. Plus, we’ll uncover the virtues of integrating ecommerce into a custom site.
Ready to hit “publicera” on your digital dream? Read on!
Why Use Site Builders for Your Ecommerce Journey
Before we launch into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand why opting for a site builder can benefit your online store.
Modern site builders are not just about dragging and dropping elements; they are scalable and offer immense flexibility. They handle the nitty-gritty details of hosting, domain management, and security, leaving you to focus on what truly matters – your products and customer experience.
For small businesses, the efficiency and affordability of site builders are unmatched. You can create a professional-looking site without an extensive investment in development or design. Updates are typically easy to perform so that you can adapt swiftly to the market’s demands.
Ready-Made Templates
Pre-designed website templates act as a framework that you can customize to fit your branding.
They take the legwork out of layout and web design so that you can quickly build off a pre-established format. Without a template, att bygga en webbplats kan vara en betydande tidsinvestering med en rejäl prislapp.
Att anpassa en färdig mall är mycket enklare än att skapa en webbplats från grunden
Mobiloptimering
Webbplatsbyggare fungerar också bra eftersom de erbjuder mobilvänlig design som passar det växande antalet mobilanvändare.
I januari 2024, Mobil enheter (exklusive tabletter) stod för nästan 60% globala webbsidor. Data visar att mobilanvändningen överträffade datoranvändningen – och det fortsätter att göra det. Med detta i åtanke, det är viktigt att närma sig webbdesign med en mobil-först-mentalitet för att tillgodose din publiks onlinepreferenser.
Värdskap
De flesta webbplatsbyggare erbjuder värdskap som en del av sina paket – vilket innebär att din webbplats är säkert värd för webbplatsbyggarnas servrar, och du kan köpa en anpassad domän.
Det fina med detta är att du ofta kan hantera ditt webbhotell direkt inom webbplatsbyggaren – du behöver inte gå igenom en extern kanal som lägger till ytterligare ett steg i processen.
sökmotoroptimering
Om sökmotoroptimering (SEO) är en prioritet för dig, vissa webbplatsbyggare erbjuder mallar skapade med detta mål i åtanke.
Att välja en SEO-vänlig mall gör det enkelt för dig att optimera ditt webbplatsinnehåll och kopiera för att hjälpa dig uppnå dina optimeringsmål. Återigen - du får denna fördel utan att behöva anlita externa utvecklare.
Prisvärdhet
Webbplatsbyggare är ett prisvärt alternativ för e-handelshandlare eftersom de vanligtvis erbjuder olika prispaket baserat på verksamhetens storlek och behov.
This allows business owners to select the pricing plan that best fits their budget and will enable them to select only the features they need.
It also creates an opportunity to scale the services of the site builder up or down as the business evolves.
While some online retailers may decide to hire a designer to help with elements of a website created through one of these platforms (like customizing a template, graphic elements, etc.), att använda en webbplatsbyggare kan hjälpa till att göra processen snabbare och mer överkomlig i motsats till att börja med en skräddarsydd webbplats från början.
Också: Hur man skapar en onlinebutik utan en webbplats
Översikt över de mest populära webbplatsbyggarna för e-handel
När det kommer till webbplatsbyggare för e-handel, en storlek passar inte alla.
Det finns många alternativ för webbplatsbyggare, men vår uppmärksamhet kommer att ligga på de mer populära plattformarna som konsekvent används för att bygga onlinebutiker.
Here’s a quick review of the most popular site builders and how they stack up.
Ecwid Instant Site
For those seeking a straightforward, user-friendly path to an ecommerce site, Ecwid Instant Site is a game-changer. It embraces a code-free build, ensuring that anyone can easily set up a polished, feature-rich site.
An example of an Instant Site
Ecwid Instant Site includes professionally designed layouts and content, as well as free pre-designed templates tailored to different niches, such as apparel, home, elektronik, tjänster, mat, och mer. It takes the stress out of decision-making, and you can easily customize the design and layout to match your brand’s unique visual identity.
Välja från 40+ site templates tailored to various niches
Ecwid Instant Sites are optimized for mobile and include a free SSL certificate, which is a must-have for online stores.
Plus, du kan buy a domain through Ecwid, för, and it will be set up automatically – even less manual work for you!
Since Ecwid Instant Site was created with ecommerce in mind, it ensures that any site built through it comes with a built-in online store. Så, you don’t have to use any integrations or add-ons to add an online store to your website – it’s already there.
Specializing in ecommerce, Instant Site integrates with nearly a hundred payment methods and effortlessly connects with shipping providers.
If you’re concerned about your site’s discoverability, Instant Site has you covered. Some SEO tasks are taken care of automatically, som webbplats robots.txt-filer och sitemap.xml, alt-taggar för produktbilder, rena webbadresser för produkter, och mer.
Bäst av alla, eftersom Ecwid Instant Site är gratis, du kan experimentera och bygga din webbplats utan några förskottskostnader. Plus, du kan sälja ett begränsat antal produkter gratis så länge du vill.
Lär dig hur du skapar en e-handelswebbplats med Ecwid Instant Site i artikeln nedan:
WordPress
WordPress driver ett otroligt antal webbplatser på internet, and its extensive plugins make it a go-to for many online sellers. The platform offers a high degree of customization and has a supportive global community.
i alla fall, its open-source nature can mean that the responsibility for updates and security falls squarely on your shoulders or your developer’s.
What if you prefer using Ecwid for your online store but wish to create your website using WordPress?
Ecwid seamlessly integrates with WordPress, allowing you to turn any WordPress website into an online store with just a few clicks.
An example of an Ecwid store integrated into a WordPress website
De integration connects your WordPress site to your Ecwid account so you can manage your whole ecommerce site in one place.
Också: Why I Use Ecwid for WordPress Ecommerce: Developer’s Review
Wix
Wix shines with its intuitive drag-and-drop builder that’s perfect for beginners. The Wix App Market offers a range of add-ons for ecommerce.
On the downside, the number of free apps is limited, and once you choose a template, you cannot switch to another.
Wix is also integrated with Ecwid, making it easier for Ecwid store owners to add an online store to their Wix website.
An example of an Ecwid store added to a Wix website
Weebly
Weebly is known for its ease of use and the free plan. Its robust ecommerce toolkit allows you to quickly set up an online store with support for digital and physical goods, lagerhantering, och betalningsalternativ.
i alla fall, its SEO capabilities could be more extensive, which might be a drawback for businesses aiming to build a solid online presence.
An example of an Ecwid store added to a Weebly website
Om du har en Ecwid-butik, du kan connect it to your Weebly site, offering a simple way to add an online store.
Joomla & Drupal
More technical than the previous options, Joomla and Drupal are open-source platforms that offer high levels of customization and are suitable for medium to larger businesses.
While they give greater control, they also demand more know-how, and their learning curve might not be worth it for a small business owner just starting.
Ecwid integrates with both Drupal och Joomla to add an online store to your website built with these platforms.
Squarespace
Squarespace is lauded for its stunning design templates and user-friendly design features. It integrates well with third-party platforms for SEO and marketing but has limited payment gateways directly linked, which could be a hurdle for businesses catering to a global audience.
i alla fall, if this option appeals to you for your website, överväg att skapa en Ecwid-butik och integrera den med din Squarespace-webbplats. Genom att göra så, du kommer att låsa upp tillgången till det omfattande utbudet av betalningsalternativ som stöds av Ecwid, som omfattar nästan hundra olika metoder.
Ett exempel på en Ecwid-butik som lagts till på en Squarespace-webbplats
Slående
Strikingly är perfekt för att skapa en enkel webbplats med e-handelsfunktionalitet. i alla fall, det kanske inte är det bästa valet för komplexa webbplatser på grund av dess begränsade anpassningsverktyg.
Om du vill göra din Strikingly-sajt till en onlinebutik, connect it with Ecwid and enjoy the benefits of both platforms.
Adding an Online Store to a Custom Website
While site builders offer convenience and a suite of ecommerce tools out of the box, some business owners may opt for a custom website with an integrated store. This route provides the most control and flexibility but at the expense of time and cost.
With a skilled developer, you can tailor every aspect of your online presence, ensuring it is unique and meets every specific requirement your business has.
Integrating ecommerce into a custom website allows for seamless design and user experience coordination. You can create a tailored ecosystem around your brand that stands out from off-the-shelf solutions.
This option is more popular among brands with an established online presence or those who foresee custom needs that a builder may be unable to handle.
If you decide to go this route, du kan add your Ecwid store to a custom website as long as you can add custom codes to the site. Den här vägen, you can have the best of both worlds – a unique and personalized website with all the ecommerce features and capabilities provided by Ecwid.
Sammanfatta
Selecting the best site builder for your ecommerce store is a decision that can shape the trajectory of your business. Whether you’re attracted to the convenience of an all-in-one service like Ecwid Instant Site or desire the comprehensive control of a custom site, it’s vital to match the platform’s capabilities to your business goals.
Consider your tech-savviness, budget, long-term vision, and any skilled individuals or agencies you can access. And don’t be afraid to test and learn — many platforms offer a trial period or a free plan – before committing. Kom ihåg, your digital storefront is not just a place to sell; it’s an online representation of your business, telling your story and connecting you to the world. Make it count.
For a quick, beautiful, and easily customizable option, consider the Ecwid Instant Site. It provides you with an array of user-friendly tools and ecommerce features for creating your online presence.
Whether you need a landing page about your brand, a straight-forward online catalog for B2B partnerships, a professional ecommerce website with an online store, or any other business objective — Instant Site caters to your needs.
