How to choose the best platform to create an online store

Electronic Commerce Tips

With the multiplicity of options, choosing the best platform to create your 5 Best Professional E-commerce Store Builders and starting your journey in the world of e-commerce can be a complex decision.

How can it be made simpler? Well, we have created a list of factors that you should consider before making your decision. Before we get into the details, let us give you an overview of the global ecommerce industry.

What is an e-commerce platform and what is it used for?

It is a software used to create your 5 Best Professional E-commerce Store Builders . You can develop it on your own, outsource to an expert, or hire a pre-built solution that gives you everything you need to focus on selling and not the technology needed to maintain your platform.

Electronic Commerce is the future! In 2018, global e-commerce retail sales are expected to rise to 2.774 billion, according to, Statista .

For the future, global e-commerce sales are predicted to grow by 20%. With a sustained global growth rate, e-commerce shows no signs of deterioration in the short term!

All this translates into millions of opportunities for those who want to start and bet on an accelerated change in the way we shop.

If you have already made the decision to create your online store , this is the right way.

Now, continue to make wise decisions.

5 Types of Ecommerce Platform: Which One Is Best For Me?

Markets and social networks : These are applications within social networks such as Facebook + electronic commerce or a kind of shopping centers on the Internet (in English, marketplaces) such as Mercado Libre .

SaaS solutions : You pay to use the software as a service. (Jumpseller)

Own development : Someone from your team or an expert programs the platform according to your needs and requirements.

Open Source Platforms (Open Source) : They are developed by experts and are used in various types of electronic businesses since they are available on the Internet for the user to download and build their store on them. Within this category there are two types:

Full Open Source (Prestashop and Magento)

Open Codes that allow you to install modules on a website for the purpose of selling. The best known worldwide is WooCommerce, the WordPress e-commerce module.

Authorized platforms : They are created by software companies such as IBM and Oracle and are paid for their use. Due to its high price, it is recommended only for large companies.

15 questions to ask yourself

What products / services will I sell?

Who will I sell to? What will my market niche be?

Is there a market where I can first validate if there is demand for what I offer? Among the most recognized markets in the world are:

OpenBazaar (contact between buyers and sellers, payment with bitcoin).

Flipkart (India market)

Rakuten (Japan market)

Alibaba (Asian Giant)

TaoBao and TMall (Chinese Version of eBay and Amazon)

Amazon (The largest in the USA)

Mercado Libre (the largest in Latin America)

Can I sell first on social media?

Where will I sell? (Geographic location)

Do I need internationalization?

In how many languages ​​do I need my store?

Do I have a developer on my team?

If not, in what language do I need the support of the platform on which I sell?

What kind of integrations do I need? For example: electronic billing, cross-channel marketing, chatbots, search for suppliers for delivery of shipments, etc.

What volume of products will I sell?

What levels of graphic customization do I want to have?

What means of payment do I need?

How much can I invest in the beginning?

How long do you want to have your store ready?

13 key factors to consider.

Cost : You must calculate the total price of the platform that includes: the projected commission charged by the means of payment, the commission for the sales charged by the platform and the monthly fee for hosting the platform.

Technical Support : It is essential that you choose a platform where you are comfortable requesting technical assistance, ideally where your language is spoken. Check the availability they offer you. There are platforms that have 24/7 customer service.

Languages : If you need to sell to different countries, evaluate what possibilities the platform you hire offers to make your e-commerce available in several languages ​​and what level of ease it offers to translate the content.

Templates : Outside of the market, where you can not customize but the photos of your products, the graphic design of your store will be the visual magnet of your customer. Therefore, I recommend that you do not underestimate this aspect and explore what variety of templates (predesigned themes) you have available. Also, check for extra charges for certain designs.

Personalization module : Check if the platform you hire offers a level of personalization if you require it. If you have a developer on your team, you can tweak the code and further customize the store.

Integrated Applications : The first recommendation is that you do not be dazzled by the number of integrations they offer, break down what needs you have and check which applications fit them. Some of the ones that stand out for making life easier are: electronic invoicing, cross-channel marketing, Facebook application, integrations with popular markets such as MercadoLibre and Google Shopping, email marketing and shipping. Check out some built into Jumpseller

Types of Accommodation : There are two options to host your store on the Internet: buy your own host or host it on a platform. The first option is recommended if you have a large company and require a high level of customization and control of the software code. The second is recommended if you are just starting out because generally multi-store hosting platforms have excellent security because your credibility depends on this.

Payment Methods : Having already defined the geographic location where you are going to sell, you must ensure that the platform has the best payment gateways for your customers. Check out some of the most popular

Order and inventory management : When selling considerable volumes of products, it is essential that you can maintain an inventory in the most orderly and easy-to-understand way. Evaluate how is the interface offered by the platform to manage your store.

Shipping Management : The simpler, the better. Evaluate the integrations offered by a platform to facilitate order delivery. Check out some pre-integrated shipping means

Analysis and Reports : In electronic commerce, a crucial success factor is the ability to process information about users. Not only in relation to sales, but to the entire consumer journey (customer journey). You can take advantage of this by optimizing your marketing campaigns on different channels.

Usability : This last aspect is key and very personal. Do not hire a platform that you do not understand. If you are starting, you must take control of your electronic commerce and for this, it is recommended to choose the simplest and most intuitive to use.

Security : With cybersecurity problems, it is very important that you make sure you have a platform that provides security guarantees.

Which is better? It depends on what your goals and needs are. Some people feel that it is better to start selling in a market or on social media, especially if the product includes clothing, accessories or others that can be visually exploited and that are easy to market.

When you see that you have to manage large amounts of orders and build a strong brand, it will be time to migrate to a website that provides the service of an e-commerce platform like Jumpseller.

Recognize current needs according to the stage your company is in, compare different platforms and choose the one that best suits your 5 Best Professional E-commerce Store Builders business.

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