RUNNING an e-commerce website is no longer a luxury or the domain of big business. Small businesses require a website just to compete in today’s market and the rise of instantly open information and technology online makes it much easier than ever to increase your own. Ecommerce essentially implies doing business on the internet. According to various sources, ecommerce product sales are growing year on year by 10 to 19 percent. Some reports show more than 80 percent of customers have bought a product online. And it is remarkable that customers buy more when on the online shopping than in a traditional retail outlet. While setting up an ecommerce website may seem overwhelming, it can give you an edge when compared to just having straight bricks-and- mortar shopfront.

Thanks to an array of platforms available to small business you no longer need development skills, be computer savvy or hire an expensive expert to assist you to build an ecommerce ready site.

The Advantages of E-commerce:

There are many advantages of doing business online. Here are a few:

1. Track your customers: Utilizing the free tools provided by search engine research (Google Analytic) you can see where your customers are coming from, where they are clicking on your website and how long they stay on your site. This allows you to target your audience more effectively with marketing and promotions.

2. Lower costs: Bricks-and-mortar shopfronts cost a fortune in lease, resource, staff and more. E-commerce is far cheaper by comparison and simply leaves you more budget for targeted marketing.

3. Change it up: Not at all like a settled shopfront, if you want to modify your website’s web page, pictures and special offers, you can, quickly.

4. Easy Stock: Selling online means you can track your stock easily and see what is being purchased, by whom and when. Similarly, selling online means you can greatly increase your offerings and division out into new and interesting areas.

5. Communicate with customers: A website gives your customers with immediate access to you, building vital connections to ensure repeat business and informal deals.

6. Grow your business: You are no more limited to local visitor. Now you can sell worldwide and entice potential clients.

7. Larger orders: Research show people who buy online end up buying more than just one item. Why not consider combining items on your website with regard to sales?

8. Track advertising: Using search engine research (Google Analytic) you can track which advertisements are driving customers to your site and which ones are not working.

9. Always open: You will never close, as your site is open for business every minute of every day.