eCommerce Website Starter Guide: Take Your Offline Business Online

Author: Swati Maheshwari
Published: June 28, 2023

This comprehensive guide provides actionable steps and resources for traditional brick-and-mortar stores to establish a successful online presence through eCommerce websites.

Introduction

Customers are increasingly turning to eCommerce websites for shopping across all industries—from groceries and books to jewelry and flight tickets. Physical distancing and self-quarantine measures have made eCommerce an essential choice for business owners and consumers.

The internet influences every stage of the customer journey, from creating awareness to fostering relationships with consumers. Traditional stores must create online platforms to stay connected with customers and service orders.

Hybrid Business Models

One successful hybrid model is BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick-up In-Store):

Customers browse products on a retailer's website
Make instant purchases online
Pick up items at a physical store location
Benefits: More product choices, increased store footfall, reduced shipping time, fewer returns

Benefits of Going Online

Expand presence from local to broader geographical areas
Increase reach and visibility
Generate more revenue
Maintain business continuity during disruptions

Can You Build Your Own eCommerce Website?

In 2020, building an eCommerce website and running an online store from home is accessible without previous experience or training. Modern site builder platforms offer:

Sophisticated drag-and-drop capabilities
Extensive plug-ins
Ability to build a website in one to two days

Why Your eCommerce Business Needs a Website

Beyond Social Media Presence

While Facebook has 2.27 billion active users (more than China's population), relying solely on a Facebook page is insufficient. A dedicated website provides:

Access to global internet users
Better control over brand and identity
Higher traffic generation compared to social media

Pagevamp Experiment Results

A restaurant owner in Arizona experienced:

55x more website visitors compared to Facebook page
Significantly more reservations from website phone number

Key Reasons for an eCommerce Website

1. Building Credibility

Enables global discoverability
Serves as virtual office
Communicates valuable business information
Displays testimonials and reviews
Builds trust and confidence
Essential for new eCommerce businesses

2. Effective Marketing

Your website is the most powerful marketing platform under your control. Essential strategies:

Content Marketing:

Start a blog
Create high-quality videos, infographics, and images
Implement alternate content forms

SEO Optimization:

Use relevant keywords across website and blogs
Optimize for all devices (responsive design)
Create fast-loading pages

Website Elements:

Include links from all social media handles
Enable customer reviews and feedback
Provide comprehensive information (products, services, FAQs, contact details)

Marketing Channels:

Social Media Marketing:

Create digital marketing strategy for products
Include organic and paid marketing
Focus on Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms
Instagram marketing is particularly effective for eCommerce

Content Marketing:

Improves search ranking
Incorporates long-tail keywords
Attracts relevant visitors
Includes blogs, social media posts, YouTube videos, infographics

SEO/SEM:

SEO: Google's algorithm lists content based on context and keywords
SEM: Pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns with Google and search engines
Combination of SEO and SEM drives significant results

3. Positive ROI

Cost-effective compared to brick-and-mortar setup
Accessible 24/7 every day of the year
Permanent investment that continues working
Unlike time-bound advertising (newspaper ads, Google AdWords, Facebook Ads)
Long-term return potential

How Much Does It Cost to Build an eCommerce Website?

eCommerce website development prices range from $5,000 to $10,000+, with no real upper limit. Costs depend on:

Site-builder platform choice
Marketing spend scale
Tech infrastructure for traffic and sales handling

Platform Costs and Commissions

Platform	Monthly Plans	Transaction Fees
Shopify	$29 to $299	0.5% to 2%
Squarespace	$34 to $50	No transaction fees
WooCommerce	Free to download; premium themes ~$50	N/A
Magento	Opensource free to use	N/A

Domain, Hosting, SSL Costs

Domain Names: $1-$80 initial cost; $10-$80 annual renewals
Hosting: $400 to $2,000+ for busy eCommerce sites with speed and security
SSL Certificates: $100+ yearly (essential for building trust)

Payment Gateway Costs

Braintree: No monthly fees; 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Stripe: Flat rate 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (under $1M volume/year; varies by country)
Authorize.net: $49 setup fee; $25 monthly gateway fee; 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
PayPal: 2.9% + $0.30 USD per transaction

Design & UX Cost

Self-hosted platforms (WooCommerce) require design/development help
Costs range: $1,000 to $100,000+
Includes web design, user experience, extension selection

Marketing Cost

Monthly marketing investments include:

CRM software for 360-degree communication (live chat, support tickets, email)
Email marketing software (e.g., Mailchimp with eCommerce package)
Social media marketing
Content marketing
Digital ads
Google AdWords
SEO services

Logistics Cost

Inventory management software (free options: Delivrd, Odoo; paid for scaling)
Warehouse costs
Shipping costs
Free shipping considerations for P&L

How to Build an eCommerce Website from Scratch

1. Decide What You're Selling

Choose products you can stock easily and sell at profit
Select items you can ship independently
Consider target audience demographics
Design website to appeal to your specific audience

2. Think of a Name and Domain

Naming Guidelines:

Create catchy, memorable names
Use puns or alliteration
Show personality and humor

Domain Selection:

Choose memorable domains
Indicate store purpose
.STORE domains are ideal for eCommerce

Domain Name Best Practices:

Short, easy to type, easy to remember
Unique, relevant, and meaningful
Clean, crisp, uncluttered
Free of lingual or grammatical errors
Descriptive of products and industry
Reflects brand or product name
SEO-rich

3. Know the Platforms You Can Use

Platform Selection Criteria:

Reputation and service quality
Previous client satisfaction
Quality of clientele
Success of similar projects
Cost of services and ROI
In-house development costs comparison

Top eCommerce Platforms:

Shopify:

#1 eCommerce platform
User-friendly without extensive coding knowledge
Hundreds of apps and scalable features
Specially designed for online stores

BigCommerce:

Shopify's biggest competitor
No transaction fees
User-friendly for developers and customers
Single-page checkout

WooCommerce:

WordPress plug-in
Requires preexisting WordPress account
Extensive features and customization options
Closest to free platform
Open API for customizations

Other Platforms:

3dcart
OpenCart

4. Follow Web Design Trends

Color Selection:

Blue is most well-liked background color (both genders)
Red is close second
Avoid overly bright hues

Dark Mode:

White text on black/dark background
Scientifically proven easier on eyes
Allows longer page viewing

Navigation:

Easy, minimalist navigation
Prevents visitors from getting lost
Maintains comfortable browsing experience

5. Look at Other eCommerce Sites

Research trends through search engines and blog posts
Check proven effective eCommerce website designs
Put your own spin on liked design aspects
Don't copy explicitly

6. Use Visual Media

Importance:

65% of people are visual learners
Essential for engaging sites

Images and Graphics:

Show products or people using products
Demonstrate items are being used and enjoyed
Use infographics for conveying information
Present sales statistics and numbers visually

Video:

Show people talking about and using products
Build human connection
Drive meaningful engagement
Build loyalty and make sales

7. SEO and Advertising

SEO Services:

Hire professionals to write blog posts
Use keywords, backlinks to boost search engine position
Targeted eCommerce SEO drives organic traffic

Advertising:

Use algorithms to show products to searchers
Target ads by demographics (age, gender, location)
Automate advertising activities

How to Ensure the Success of Your eCommerce Website

1. Responsive Web Design (RWD)

Essential for multiple device types (smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, car systems)
Seamless brand experience across devices
Critical for mobile shopping growth
Automatic browser size adjustment

2. Various Payment Methods

PayPal
Stripe
Google Pay
Credit Cards
Debit Cards
Cash on Delivery
Alipay

3. HTTPS and SSL Security

Hypertext Transport Protocol Secure (HTTPS)
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
Protects sensitive visitor data
Builds customer trust
Protects personal information and transaction data

4. Systematic Online Store

Automatic backend notification for orders
Immediate order preparation capability
Customer notification when order ships
Smart flow for superior customer experience

5. Simplified Sign-up Process

Easy sign-up using Facebook or Gmail
Avoid extensive or complicated procedures
Streamlined membership process

6. Simple Web Interface

Logical information and product page flow
Superior user experience
Simple website design template
Adequate whitespace
Compressed high-quality images for faster loading

7. Sharing of Products Anytime, Anywhere

Social media sharing buttons
Enable sharing across platforms
Reach more people
Share experiences with others

How to SEO-Optimize Your eCommerce Website

Organic search engine visitors are more likely to buy than visitors from social media or email.

1. Determine Your Target Keywords

Keyword Research Tools:

Google's Keyword Planner (based on Google search data)
SEMrush
Ubersuggest
Wordstream
SEO Chat

Research Process:

Find volume and competition of keywords
Use suggestion tools for ideas
Compile primary keywords list
Develop sub-sections of related keywords

Keyword Research Factors:

Search Volume: Average monthly searches (aim for moderate volume like 15,000)
Keyword Difficulty (KD): Level of difficulty ranking for keyword
Cost-per-click (CPC): What advertisers pay for clicks

2. Use Long-tail Keywords

Phrases with at least three words
Popular with voice search advent
Google auto-complete shows popular long-tail keywords
Example: "buy stylish shoes in London" vs. "shoes"
Include in product copy and blogs

3. Optimize Meta Description, Alt Tags, URL Structure

Best Practices:

Write compelling blog content
Write descriptive product copy
Include meta descriptions for all product pages
Use ALT tags for images with relevant keywords
Simple, straightforward URL structure
Include customer reviews and testimonials
Link to relevant internal pages and blogs
Logical website flow for user journey
Clear contact details on every page

4. Craft Unique and Engaging Content

Quality Indicators:

Bounce rate
Average time on site

Content Creation Tools:

TrustMyPaper: Hire content creators
Grammarly: AI-powered grammar, spelling, plagiarism checker
WritingJudge: Compare writing services
Canva: Create infographics, visuals, explainer videos
GrabMyEssay: Order SEO-friendly original writing

Content Approach:

Value-driven
Well thought out
Easy to consume
Informative
Avoid being too sales-focused

5. Optimize All Sections of Your eCommerce Website

Elements to Optimize:

Homepage text
URLs
Meta tags
Headings and subheadings
Image titles
Image tags
Article body

6. Pay Attention to Links

Internal Links:

Ensure anchor text and destination page are relevant
Check for broken or dysfunctional links
Use WordPress plugins to check broken links

External Links:

Link to high-authority sources
Use credible sources (scientific articles, studies, journals, news outlets)
Ensure relevance to article topic

How to Create an Enticing Coming Soon Page

What Is a Coming Soon Page?

A special webpage that:

Gives audience a sneak peek
Hides work in progress
Creates hype around upcoming website
Gathers feedback
Lays foundation for eCommerce marketing

The Essence of a Coming Soon Page

Benefits:

Build buzz and excitement
Collect emails for newsletter marketing
Notify users about website release
Include social media links for cross-promotion
Raise awareness

Three Main Purposes:

Announce upcoming website launch
Provide valuable information about website, products, or services
Persuade visitors to return after official launch

What Your Coming Soon Page Should Include

1. Introduction

Mission Statement Should Include:

What's coming
Purpose of the website
Valuable information to build curiosity
Launch date or countdown

2. Building a Pre-launch Audience

Capture visitor data
Email newsletter subscriptions
Offer exclusive discounts or early bird pricing
Accept pre-bookings
Interact with audience until launch
Get feedback

3. Social Media Links

Fill gap before website is ready
Engage and connect one-to-one
Get followers/subscribers
Instagram marketing for product launch hype

4. Point of Contact

Communication Channels:

Email
Social media
Live chat
Messenger chatbot tools

Benefits:

Field customer queries early
Convince visitors to join pre-launch audience
Get honest inputs about concept

5. Viral Loop

Give incentives for sharing (extra discounts, freebies)
Create continuous loop of sharing
Discounts for subscribing
Bigger discounts for sharing with others

How to Create a Coming Soon Page

WordPress Plugins

Available Plugins:

Coming Soon Page and Maintenance Mode by SeedProd
Coming Soon and Maintenance Mode by wpdevart
Coming Soon by Dazzlersoft
Minimal Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode by WebFactory

SeedProd Setup Process:

Install and Activate:
- Log in to WordPress site
- Click "Plugins > Add New"
- Search for "SeedProd Coming Soon"
- Click "Install Now"
- Click "Activate"
Enable Coming Soon Mode:
- Navigate: SeedProd > Settings > Content > General Section
- Enable Coming Soon Mode
- Save All Changes
Customization:
- Navigate: SeedProd > Settings > Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode > Page Settings
- Upload logo
- Write headline
- Add descriptive text
- Set background color or image under Design tab
- Make background responsive
- Use Live Preview tab to check appearance
- Save All Changes

Shopify Methods

1. Password Page:

Quickest method
Password-protected
Share password for preview access
Suitable for small business owners

2. Publish Coming Soon Version:

Create two theme versions
One for final launch work
One as coming soon page
Single page with explainer video, product photos, CTAs, social proof

How Your eCommerce Website Can Leverage a Good About Us Page

The About Us page is one of the most important pages of an eCommerce website.

Purpose of an About Us Page

Should Cover:

What online store sells
Story of how it came to be
Who the founders are
Vision and mission
How it differs from competition

Objectives:

Communicate business essence and founding story
Elaborate on vision, mission, and purpose
Explain business model and product creation
Introduce founders or core team
Give readers reasons to buy
Link to content or explainer videos

How to Create an Outstanding About Us Page

1. Tell Your Story, Honestly

Be genuine and honest
Connect emotionally
Make story relatable
Explain how you solve customer problems
Share current products and future plans
Build trust through authenticity

2. Introduce Your Team

Include:

Founders and core team members
Qualifications and skill sets
Personal stories
Why they fit the company
Hobbies and passions
Relatable details

3. Show Your Business Model

Unique Selling Points:

Employ specific communities
Use environment-friendly packaging
Cut out middlemen to save customer money
Donate percentage of sales to charity

Showcase:

Supply chain efficiency
Progress toward vision and mission
Customer benefits

4. Use Your Stats

Back up words with numbers
Show goal achievement
Demonstrate growth
Display customer benefits
Include social proof

5. Include Creative Infographics & Videos

Content Ideas:

Unique company aspects
Product impact on society
Appreciation from reputed personalities
Customer testimonial montages
Contextual photos and videos

6. Plug-In Social Media Buttons

Platforms:

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn

Benefits:

Enable deeper exploration
Keep audience updated
Build follower base

7. Add CTAs to Landing Pages

CTA Objectives:

Send to product catalog
Get social media follows
Newsletter subscriptions for email marketing
Direct to career section
Encourage blog post reading

Examples of About Us Pages

Yellow Leaf Hammocks

Story of empowering artisan weavers and families
Segregated into words and graphics
Creative, descriptive, and emotive
Humanizes brand and gives product purpose

Moz

Humble approach
Non-standard format
Shares milestones since 2004 founding
Clean design with clear headers and graphics
Honest about ups and downs (funding, brand positioning changes)
Builds trust through transparency

Cultivated Wit

Breaks traditional mold
Edgy name
Fun story video
Parallax scrolling on homepage
Creative personality showcase throughout website

How to Create an FAQ Page for Your Online Store

What Is an FAQ Page?

Organized collection of frequently asked questions about products and services.

Benefits:

Improves customer experience
Provides purchase decision information
Saves customer support staff time
Increases online visibility and boosts eCommerce SEO
Boosts sales

When Is an FAQ Page Appropriate?

Use FAQ Page When:

Customers raise similar questions repeatedly
Need to address concerns publicly and permanently
Want to convert visitors into customers
Business nature raises queries with generic responses

Avoid FAQ Page When:

Business requires straightforward answers
Queries are not common
Would clutter website unnecessarily

Alternative:

Ensure contact information is readily available

Essential Features of a Great FAQ Page

1. Draft Questions from Customer's Point of View

Example Questions:

Do you sell gift cards?
How do I buy gift cards?
What do I do if I receive a defective order?
How do I make changes to an order I've already placed?
Where are you located?

2. Keep a Positive Tone

Show concern for customer queries
Project confidence and understanding
Handle problems professionally
Avoid chasing customers away

3. Keep It Brief

Avoid long paragraphs
Provide direct answers
Prevent confusion
Maintain customer interest

4. Provide Your Contact Information

Help for unanswered specific questions
Prevent customer loss
Portray communicative, welcoming business

5. Include the Right Call-to-Action

Convert satisfied visitors into customers
Direct to next step
Increase sales chances

FAQ and SEO

SEO Benefits:

Search engines love FAQ pages
Helps Google understand business better
Perfect space for brand, product, service information
Include relevant long-tail keywords
Keyword-rich content improves ranking

Best Practices:

Hyperlink questions to separate pages
Improve site structure and domain authority
Help search engines crawl efficiently
Get found for industry-related searches
Optimize for specific search queries

MVMT Watches Example:

Answers written for all questions
Separate landing pages for retail locations and return policy
Smart website structure
Found on Google for similar queries

Best FAQ Page Examples

1. MenuDrive

All questions on one page
Segregated into two categories (general and technical)
Quick and efficient information finding

2. Dropbox

Search bar for finding answers
Browse previously asked questions
Find questions fitting specific needs

3. Zappos

Uses actual questions as headers
Ranks for similar search engine queries
Improved SEO and traffic

4. Bank of America

Well-designed and organized
Various categories for customer convenience
Builds trust with target audience
Clear overview of services (loans, accounts)

5. Roody Originals

Creative approach for custom ugly sweater product
Incorporates brand image into FAQ
Interesting, thought-provoking questions
Non-conventional Q&As

How to Generate Leads from Your eCommerce Website

What Is a Lead?

A person who has shown interest in your company's product or service.

What Is Lead Generation?

The process of enticing and converting strangers into prospects interested in your company's product or service.

Importance:

Significant part of growth process
Depends on inbound marketing activities (social media, content marketing, referral marketing, SEO)

Components of a Lead Generating eCommerce Website

1. Chart Out the End-Goal First

Define "Lead":

Someone who fills out a form?
Someone who signs up for newsletter?
Someone who requests callback?

Benefits:

Set clearer goals
Plot visitor journey through sales funnel
Plan conversion process

2. Include Contact Details

Display:

Phone number
Office address
Email ID

Benefits:

Build confidence among new buyers
Indicate customer service standards
Assure personal reachability

3. Mobile Responsiveness

Statistics:

51.12% of global web traffic from mobile devices
2.15 billion people expected to make mobile purchases by 2021

Requirements:

Device-agnostic optimization
Seamless shopping experience
Superior brand experience
Capture high-quality leads

4. Include Forms on Every Page

Best Practices:

Simple pop-up or permanent form
Easy access on all pages
Ask limited information initially
Start with name and email ID only
Prompt proactive sign-ups

5. Include Testimonials and Social Proof

Elements:

Customer testimonials
High-quality content and media
Podcasts or videos
Photos

Social Proof Parameters:

Number of Facebook likes
Instagram followers
Number of products sold
Number of happy customers

6. Strong Product Copy

Requirements:

Crisp, clear, and concise descriptions
Informative content
Address important questions and queries
Sell the products

Writing Style:

Use action verbs ("get", "feel", "have")
Avoid passive tone ("imagine having", "imagine feeling")
Stir visitors to consider offer
Explain product utility

Visual Elements:

High-quality images from all angles
Videos showcasing product utility
Multiple scenario demonstrations

7. Test, Test, and Test Some More

Every business is different
Every website is unique
Every target audience is different
Determine what works for your business
Lead generation takes time
Quality and conversion rates improve gradually

How to Supercharge Your eCommerce Website's Performance

The Significance of Website Speed

Statistics:

Google recommended loading time: 3 seconds
2018 average US eCommerce load time: 9.8 seconds
Consumers don't wait more than 3 seconds for homepage
Slow sites lose customers to competitors

Prioritize Mobile Website Performance

Statistics:

9% of smartphone users shopped online in last 6 months
Nearly 40% of 2018 holiday eCommerce purchases made on smartphones
Smartphones have overtaken laptops and personal computers

Impact:

1-second delay causes 20% drop in conversions (Google, February 2019)
Bad mobile experience disconnects brand from customers

Requirements:

Constant mobile website performance testing
Meet customer expectations
Optimize for mobile

Search Engine Results

Importance:

Customers start product searches using search engines
Multiple websites sell same products
Website performance metrics affect ranking
Load time and speed critical for ranking

Google Rewards:

Better and faster mobile rendering
Mobile page speed is critical SEO ranking factor (desktop and mobile)
Slow loading reduces crawled pages
Damages indexation and ranking position

eCommerce Website Scalability

Considerations:

Performance isn't only about speed
Platform scalability is crucial
Choose right eCommerce platform
Factor in scalability during selection
Amazon set high customer experience benchmark
Users expect similar experience from smaller brands

eCommerce Website Flexibility

Requirements:

Platform allowing customizations
Stay in consumer's consideration set
Open API (Application Program Interface)
Create completely customized user experience

Benefits:

Expensive customizations on legacy platforms
Open API enables budget-friendly customizations
Set apart from competitors

eCommerce Website Reliability

Traditional Platforms:

Responsible for website maintenance
Periodic upgradations required
Hire technical help (additional costs)
Proactive update downloads and installations
Protect from hackers and data breaches

SaaS Solutions:

Costs covered in standard monthly fee
No risk to site security
No downtime issues

Customer Expectations:

Reliable website at all times
Critical for holiday sales
Big sales opportunity
Build long-term customer relationships
Unreliable sites cost sales and long-term business

How to Take Care of Your eCommerce Website's Security

What Is eCommerce Website Security?

Principles guiding safe electronic transactions for buying and selling goods and services online.

Importance:

eCommerce websites are major hacker targets
Store thousands of user IDs
Financial and personal information
Product catalog and prices
Essential for earning and maintaining customer trust

Common Terminology

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): Industry standard ensuring credit card information transmitted and stored safely online
ISO (International Organization for Standardization): International body setting standards for product and process fitness; ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for data security
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and HTTPS: SSL certificate authenticates and encrypts links between networked computers; enables HTTP to HTTPS transition
MFA (Multi-factor Authentication), 2FA (2-factor Authentication), 2-step Verification: Similar methods requiring additional identity verification for login
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service): Server, network traffic, or service disruption by overwhelming with huge online traffic, blocking customers

Importance of Cybersecurity

Compliance: Meet specific standards
Financial Solvency: Breaches require spending on forensic investigation, credit monitoring, data recovery
Customer Trust: Critical to business; losing it has huge impact

Biggest Security Threats

Phishing: Tricking victims into providing private information (account numbers, passwords, social security numbers)
Malware and Ransomware: Malware is any attacker-installed software; ransomware locks system until ransom paid
SQL Injection: Malicious query injection into SQL database payload for data manipulation access
Cross-site Scripting (XSS): Malicious code insertion exposing page users to phishing, malware
E-skimming: Stealing credit card information or personal data from card payment processing pages

Best Practices for eCommerce Website Security

#1 Implement Strong and Unique Passwords

Requirements:

At least eight characters
Combine both cases, numbers, and symbols
Never share passwords
Don't use for other logins
Avoid sensitive information (date of birth, social security number, security question answers)
Don't publicly share sensitive information

#2 Protect Your Devices

Ensure connected devices are cyber secure
Use firewalls
Install antivirus software
Protect office computers, personal computers, smartphones

#3 Avoid Social Engineering Attempts

Phishing Email Identification:

Obvious grammatical and spelling mistakes
Familiar-looking domains with spelling errors
URLs with spelling errors
Suspicious money transfer or charge authorization requests

Best Practices:

Don't fall for phishing traps
Provide personal information only after proper identity verification
Don't click suspicious email links
Don't download unexpected attachments

#4 Implement Additional Authentication Factors

Use 2-factor authentication
Implement one-time passwords
Add security layer for users
Ensure only authorized users log in

#5 Store Only Necessary Customer Data

Store only business-required data
Avoid storing unnecessary data
Reduce vulnerability to cyberattacks

#6 Keep the Site Up to Date

Cybersecurity is dynamic
Attackers constantly search for vulnerabilities
Engineers identify and update vulnerabilities
Updated sites have necessary security updates
Regularly update security systems and firewalls

#7 Switch to HTTPS

HTTPS hosting keeps website secure
Positive signal to customers
Acquire SSL certificate for HTTPS switch
Google includes HTTPS as ranking factor

#8 Back Up Data

Possibility of data breach exists
Lose collected information
Back up data regularly
Quick business recovery after breach

#9 Regularly Review Plugins and Third-Party Integrations

Inventory all third-party solutions
Know what they are
Assess trust level
Remove unused integrations
Improve security by limiting data access parties
Don't hinder business operations

How to Start a Blog for Your eCommerce Website

Why You Need a Blog

Boosts SEO

Search engines love new content
Regular blogging provides fresh content
eCommerce SEO uses relevant keywords
Target specific long-tail keywords
Build SEO for website

Builds Authority

Blog about tips, tricks, trends, style mantras
Cater to target audience
Build authority in niche
Valuable, high-quality content
Become expert in field

Increases Conversions

SEO and authority drive more traffic
More website traffic
Audience browses products
Make purchases
Credible store reputation

Engages Customers

Engage with customers ongoing
Share inspirational stories
Explain business origins
Include images and video tutorials
Show product applications

Builds Loyalty

Keep audience engaged with brand
Blog doesn't solely build loyalty
Plays significant role in process
Quality content balance: quirky, professional, relevant, information-driven

How to Start a Blog

Step 1: Choose a Blogging Platform

Popular Platforms:

WordPress
Blogger
Squarespace
Wix
Weebly

WordPress:

Most popular and widely used
Simple-to-use interface
Flexible functionality

WordPress Options:

Hosted: Free but limited controls
Self-hosted: Nominal cost; more customization and functionality control

Step 2: Select a Simple Theme

Requirements:

Sync with website design or brand guidelines
Legible typography
Clean background
Adequate whitespace
Soothing reading environment

Selection Process:

Explore all options
Preview before selection
Read reviews
Check last update date
Ensure constant developer support
Verify responsiveness (all device types and screen sizes)

Step 3: Get the Best Blogging Plugins

Recommended WordPress Plugins:

Yoast SEO: Optimizes blog for best SEO results
BackupBuddy: Stores and backs up all website content regularly
WPForms: Creates contact forms, subscription forms, payment forms, online forms
Google Analytics: Provides statistics and insights into blog performance and audience
Edit Flow: Offers smooth workflow management for multiple authors
After the Deadline: Ensures blog is free of grammatical and spelling errors
Sucuri: Runs checks for suspicious activity; provides real-time alerts

Step 4: Write Compelling Content

Content Requirements:

Value-driven
Well thought out
Easy to consume
Informative
Woo readers

Content Strategy:

Compelling content across sales funnel
Engage with target audience
Build community
Become authority in niche
Build credible eCommerce brand

Topics:

Online shopping industry
Fashion industry
Style guides
Subtly include products

Writing Approach:

Avoid being too sales-focused
Prompt reader action through words
Move readers with content
Act on CTAs
Keep things simple and informative

170+ eCommerce Tools, Resources, Guides, Agencies, Marketing Software

Comprehensive list of tools organized by category:

Accounting Tools

Tool	Description
salecalc.com	Calculates fees and profits from various transactions; breakdown of online selling fees, stock trading, restaurant tips

Agencies

Agency	Description
bobsledmarketing.com	Amazon Agency based in New York; manages Vendor Central and Seller Central accounts, advertising campaigns, marketing for Brand Manufacturers
visiture.com	Award-winning eCommerce digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Amazon, Magento design & development
tinuiti.com	Largest Independent Performance Marketing Agency; accelerates brand growth across Google, Amazon, Facebook and beyond
ignitevisibility.com	89 Employees, 160 Clients, 3x Inc. 5,000 Company, 55+ 5 Star Reviews; SEO & PPC Agency with integrated social and email services
amzadvisers.com	Leading Amazon Marketing Agency; helps grow Amazon sales channel
webfx.com	#1 SEO company since 1996; generated over 3 million leads and calls for clients; 400+ client testimonials
stylefactoryproductions.com	E-commerce and web design experts in London; digital communications agency offering web design, e-commerce, SEO
impactbnd.com	Inbound marketing strategy, advice, and agency; shares unfiltered and honest advice, real-world data
lyfemarketing.com	Leading social media management company; helps businesses grow online, increase leads and sales
imaginationfactory.co.uk	London-based product design and creative engineering studio; founded 2010; people-centred product designers
sparkinnovations.com	Industrial design and product development company; strong intellectual patents and exceptional product design
insight-quality.com	Product inspections, factory audits, quality control services in Asia and North America; Dallas, TX based
elkfox.com	Digital Commerce Experts; makes media that looks good, feels good, performs to purpose
pmyb.co.uk	Leading Global Digital Influencer Marketing Agency; manages creative campaigns for world's leading B2C brands
buyboxexperts.com	Amazon account management and branding strategy consulting; helps sell more on Amazon and manage brand equity

Amazon Tools & Resources

Tool/Resource	Description
shopkeeper.com	Business Dashboard for Amazon Sellers; tracks sales, automatically calculates profit, pulls in all Amazon fees
amazonseoconsultant.com	Amazon Optimisation & Ranking; generates high ROI campaigns
ebusinessboss.com	Documents Amazon FBA journey; inspiration for starting online business
channelreply.com	Truly Connected Customer Service; consolidates eBay and Amazon messages on Zendesk, Freshdesk, Help Scout, Gorgias
amazonsellerslawyer.com	Amazon Seller Suspension, Account & ASIN Reinstatements; Intellectual Property Protection Attorneys
sourceapproach.com	Top Rated Amazon & eCommerce Consultant; 15 Years Experience; helps with Amazon, Walmart, WooCommerce, Shopify
salesbacker.com	Get More Amazon Product Reviews; automatically email Amazon customers
thesellingfamily.com	Full-time income selling on Amazon; tips and tricks for Amazon FBA
garlicpressseller.com	Amazon FBA Product Launch Case Studies, PPC, Product Research with Jungle Scout
webretailer.com	World's leading resource for businesses selling through online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay
amazonhacker.org	How to Sell on Amazon – Ultimate Guide
museminded.com	Expert Accounting For Amazon FBA Business; processed over $240 million of Amazon settlements since 2014
deliverr.com	Fast and Affordable eCommerce Fulfillment; Amazon-like fulfillment for leading online sellers
salehoo.com	Directory of 8000+ verified wholesale and dropship companies; designed for eBay and Amazon sellers
synccentric.com	Amazon ASIN Bulk Lookup; convert inventory file to Amazon ASIN numbers by SKU, Part Number, ISBN, or UPC
marketplacesellercourses.com	Amazon Seller Courses, Consulting, and Tools for brands and inventors
forecast.ly	Predictive Analytics and Demand Forecasting For Amazon Sellers; analytics tool to boost sales
fbamastery.com	Selling books & more with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
thelastamazoncourse.com	Brock Johnson built $6 million brand in 6 months; 340+ videos, 12+ Industry Experts
awesomedynamic.com	Amazon Consultants providing e-commerce solutions; works behind-the-scenes to give sellers advantage

Build/Platform Tools

Tool	Description
mofluid.com	Create native iOS and Android App for Magento Stores; React Native source code available
nichehacks.com	Helps people find perfect online niche idea, build website, win back freedom
websitebuilderexpert.com	Best resource to help people get online; helps over 4.5 million people yearly
cedcommerce.com	Leading ecommerce facilitator; specializes in Ecommerce Solutions, Web development, Theme Development
woocommerce.com	Fully customizable, open source eCommerce platform built for WordPress
ecommerceguide.com	Ecommerce platform reviews, advice, and consultancy
bplans.com	Business planning resources and free business plan samples
makeawebsitehub.com	How to make a website in 2020; free easy guide
doofinder.com	Best search engine for web & eCommerce sites; powerful, cheap, straightforward internal search
digital.com	Genuine reviews to help find best online tools for running & growing website or online shop
nichepursuits.com	Find Business Ideas, Niche Websites, and more
sleeknote.com	Engage visitors with on-site messages; helps e-commerce shops engage website visitors
inventorsmart.com	Turn invention ideas into reality; research, protect, develop & profit from innovations

Coaching

Service	Description
justonedime.com	Coaching for online businesses and entrepreneurs; coaches to build multiple online passive income streams

Community

Community	Description
hustlr.com	Growing community of entrepreneurs and hustlers; helps hustlers hustle better
smartinsights.com	Digital marketing strategy advice; actionable advice from community and expert commentators

Development

Service	Description
boldcommerce.com	Shopify App & Development Experts; 90,000+ merchants use Bold Commerce tools
cadcrowd.com	Freelance 3D Modeling, 3D CAD Design, CAD Services & Drafting
makodesign.com	End-to-end physical product development; Est. 1999; Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering
nectarpd.com	Leading product design & development firm in USA; turns ideas into reality

Finance

Service	Description
fundera.com	Compare best small business loan and credit card options
paypal.com	Send money, pay online, set up merchant account

Inventory Management

Tool	Description
shopkeep.com	#1 Rated iPad POS system; inventory management, detailed reporting, 24/7 support

Learning Resources

Resource	Description
mywifequitherjob.com	How to start an online store; learn to sell on Amazon, start online store, run PPC ads
amzignition.com	Tips, tricks, strategies for growing Amazon empire; includes Kindle, Merch by Amazon, FBM, FBA
dreamgrow.com	Source of content marketing & social media information
thebookflipper.com	Launch and scale Amazon book flipping business; articles and videos on sourcing, listing, pricing
withintheflow.com	Drop shipping business tips for helping entrepreneurs
ecommerceceo.com	Hype-free business advice for entrepreneurs; learn eCommerce and build legit business
ecomcrew.com	Weekly ecommerce business blog from two small store owners
startupbros.com	Help new entrepreneurs launch first successful business and escape day jobs
jefflenney.com	Official blog for Internet Marketer & SEO Expert Jeff Lenney
sampriestley.com	Lifestyle entrepreneur; builds businesses that are fun and interesting
abetterlemonadestand.com	Online ecommerce incubator; supports early stage ecommerce entrepreneurs
theworkathomewife.com	Helping women find work from home jobs and home-based business ideas
dropshiplifestyle.com	How to start an online store; voted #1 eCommerce Course
thesellingguys.com	Amazon Selling Community; tips and advice for Amazon FBA and Private Label
neilpatel.com	Helping succeed through online marketing; automated conversion funnels & sequences
smallbiztrends.com	Small business news, tips, advice; covers tech products, news, movers and shakers
digitalcommerce360.com	18 years delivering valuable facts, figures, analyses for digital transformation
entrepreneur.com	Advice, insight, profiles, guides for established and aspiring entrepreneurs; home of Entrepreneur magazine
fitsmallbusiness.com	Information to help small business owners succeed; learn to start, market, run, grow business
ecommercebytes.com	Vital ecommerce news, information, resources for serious online merchants
practicalecommerce.com	Independent analysis and strategy for e-commerce merchants
business2community.com	Top trends, news, expert analysis in social media, digital marketing, content marketing
searchenginejournal.com	Latest search news, best guides, how-tos for SEO and marketer community
websitesetup.org	How to create a website; tutorials on building websites using WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, HTML
businessnewsdaily.com	Small business solutions & inspiration; learn to start, grow, market business
inventioncity.com	Inventor help; prototype, patent, license, sell inventions
theproductstartup.com	Product development for small business; turn ideas into physical products
locationrebel.com	Freelance writing, niche sites, lifestyle businesses
bpmlegal.com	Information on Intellectual Property, Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights
thefounderhour.com	Weekly podcast diving into minds of Los Angeles founders
yaro.blog	Blog and podcast of entrepreneur and investor Yaro Starak
foundr.com	Learn from proven entrepreneurs & startup founders; home of Foundr Magazine
learntomakeaproduct.com	Teaches entrepreneurs how to design, manufacture, launch physical products

Marketing Tools

Tool	Description
merchantwords.com	Largest database of shopper search trends; uncover product opportunities, spy on competition
wordstream.com	Online advertising made easy; free tools and 20-Minute Work Week
hootsuite.com	Social media marketing & management dashboard
adespresso.com	Digital advertising made easy; drive results across Facebook, Instagram, Google
socialmediaexaminer.com	Guide to social media jungle; helps millions of marketers
beeketing.com	Marketing automation for eCommerce
econsultancy.com	Achieve excellence in modern marketing
innovate-design.co.uk	How to patent an idea; complete service from patent search to marketing advice

Platforms

Platform	Description
nchannel.com	SaaS integration platform; syncs data between eCommerce, ERP, POS, 3PL systems
feedvisor.com	AI-First optimization and intelligence platform for large sellers and brands on Amazon
getshogun.com	Drag and drop website builder for eCommerce stores on Shopify and BigCommerce
klaviyo.com	Email marketing and SMS marketing platform for eCommerce
instapage.com	Advertising Conversion Cloud; create, personalize, optimize post-click landing pages
omnisend.com	eCommerce marketing automation platform for growing businesses
yotpo.com	eCommerce marketing platform; advanced solutions for reviews, visual marketing, loyalty, referrals
coredna.com	All-in-one SaaS digital platform; integrates Web Content Management, eCommerce, Intranet, Marketing

Software/Tools

Tool	Description
algopix.com	Amazon, eBay, Walmart product market research tool
helium10.com	Insanely powerful tools for Amazon sellers; find keywords, identify trends, spy on competitors
sellerengine.com	Intelligent repricing tools and services for Amazon sellers
projectfba.com	Best tools for Amazon sellers 2020
amzscout.net	Amazon product research tool & niche finder
viral-launch.com	Amazon seller tools; source, launch, dominate
crazylister.com	Easiest way to list and sell on Amazon & eBay
sellbrite.com	#1 multi-channel selling software for eBay, Amazon, & more
junglescout.com	Amazon product finder & research tool; FBA seller software
repricerexpress.com	Amazon repricing software; increase sales and profits
sellics.com	#1 Amazon software to maximize potential
feedbackexpress.com	Amazon feedback software; remove negative feedback, increase rating
amzfinder.com	Feedback and review software for Amazon sellers
sellernexus.com	Feedback & email automation software for Amazon
feedbackwhiz.com	Amazon seller tools; manage feedback, monitor listings, automate emails
ecomengine.com	Powerful Amazon seller tools; accelerating growth since 2007
volusion.com	Ecommerce website store & shopping cart software
sellerlabs.com	Amazon seller software, tools, services, platform
taxomate.com	Amazon seller accounting software
adbadger.com	Amazon PPC software tool and ads optimization
bqool.com	Amazon repricer, feedback tool, help desk, product finder
sonar-tool.com	FREE Amazon keyword tool
amzinsight.com	Amazon market research & SEO tool
sellerzen.com	Automated Amazon QuickBooks data sync
ecomdash.com	Multichannel inventory management for eCommerce
sagemailer.com	Amazon feedback & review software; #1 Seller Central autoresponder tool
unicornsmasher.com	Amazon product research tool; free alternative to Jungle Scout
amzsecrets.com	Amazon Private Label Podcast; Amazon FBA seller tools, strategies, secrets
linnworks.com	Order management software; automate processes, reduce costs, grow business
amazon-asin.com	Amazon ASIN lookup; free ASIN search and lookup tool
xsellco.com	eCommerce software; eDesk, Amazon repricing, feedback
x-cart.com	#1 eCommerce PHP shopping cart software
sellerapp.com	Amazon all-in-one seller tool for PPC, keywords, profit
hubspot.com	Inbound marketing, sales, service software; full CRM platform
ecommerce-platforms.com	Unbiased review site for online store building and shopping cart software
3dcart.com	Best software for eCommerce websites
shopify.com	Best ecommerce platform; sell online, on social media, or in person
sproutsocial.com	Social media management solutions
tradegecko.com	Powerful automated inventory management software
referralcandy.com	Best customer referral program software for referral marketing
shipstation.com	Shipping software for eCommerce fulfillment
squareup.com	Solutions & tools to grow business; secure credit card processing to point of sale
crazyegg.com	Website optimization; heatmaps & A/B testing
emergeapp.net	Best inventory management software for small business
disruptiveadvertising.com	PPC management company; Google AdWords and Facebook ad experts
magento.com	Best eCommerce software for selling online
optinmonster.com	Most powerful lead generation software for marketers
merchantmaverick.com	Merchant account, credit card processing, loans reviews
channelape.com	Warehouse + fulfillment management
avalara.com	Automated tax compliance software
buffer.com	Social media management software for growing brands
vendhq.com	World's best retail POS software
mailchimp.com	All-in-one marketing platform; email marketing, ads, landing pages, CRM
storeya.com	Online marketing tools for eCommerce SMB
easyship.com	Global shipping software for eCommerce
ipwatchdog.com	Patents & patent law information
skuvault.com	eCommerce inventory management software

Solutions

Solution	Description
bigcommerce.com	Most versatile enterprise ecommerce solution

Sourcing

Platform	Description
oberlo.com	Dropshipping; find products to sell on Shopify
sourcify.com	Product sourcing simplified; stress-free sourcing experience

Starting a Business

Resource	Description
projectlifemastery.com	Online business and self-development advice
thebalancesmb.com	Start business or make existing business more profitable
printful.com	On-demand print & embroidery fulfillment and warehousing services
alidropship.com	Start AliExpress dropshipping business on WordPress
ecwid.com	#1 free e-commerce shopping cart & online store solution
inventiontherapy.com	Start making money by manufacturing product ideas

Tax

Tool	Description
taxjar.com	Automated sales tax reporting & filing

Tutorials

Resource	Description
magenticians.com	Magento tutorials for all users; step-by-step learning

Conclusion

This exhaustive guide covers taking offline businesses online through eCommerce websites. The list of 170+ resources provides clarity on building and running eCommerce websites. Success requires:

Open mind for experimentation
Different business strategies
Content ideas testing
Identifying what works for your audience

Get Started: Sign up with .store domain to begin creating your eCommerce site.