Building an online store is essential for many businesses today. Whether you are running a small business or a big retail company, having an online store will allow you to reach a large group of people, knowing that almost everyone is connected to the Internet.
But building an online store can be exhaustive and complicated. Add to that the fact that you will need to choose how you will create it. Generally speaking, there are two choices. It’s either you build it from the ground up, or you use a content management system or an available platform.
If you are quite confused, here is a simple primer that will help you decide:
Using an E-commerce CMS
For those who want to make things much easier when it comes to building an e-commerce site, they choose to go for a content management system. For starters, CMS is a software program that helps you build a website. This comes with templates, and it enables you to create and manage content much more quickly. Common examples include WordPress, Wix, and Tumblr.
Because it can be easily customized, you can expect that it comes with lower costs. Many of them charge fees monthly. For open-source CMS platforms, your developer will be able to customize up to a certain degree. You can take things apart, bring them together, change the layout, and add some features. However, before you decide on the platform to use, check it thoroughly to gauge how much room for customization it gives you.
Another known benefit of using CMS is that you can save time. Creating an e-commerce site takes time, but with CMS, you can compress your schedule, which is valuable, especially if you already have a launch date in mind.
If you don’t feel like delving into the complexities of coding and things, like SQL performance management, then you can try the likes of Shopify, Magento, OpenCart, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.
Building the Site from Scratch
If you have a lot of time in your hands, you should consider building your e-commerce site from scratch. The first benefit that you will enjoy is that it gives you total control over everything down to the last detail.
You can modify, improve, and enhance the system as you wish, thus making it easier for you to keep up with the demands of your business. This freedom ultimately allows you to achieve nearly perfect functionality for your online shop.
However, you need to take into account that it comes with some disadvantages. For one, it isn’t easy to develop. If you are new to the online business, you should use CMS. Coding from the ground up requires phases, milestones, and expert knowledge of web developers.
You will also need to deal with bugs now and then since the website is not perfect at first. Not to mention, it could be costly.
Choose wisely
Choosing a mode for your e-commerce site largely depends on the following things: time, budget, and your business needs. Study the pros and cons carefully so that you will be able to choose wisely.