You're going to need a webstore if you're looking to sell products online. Take your time finding the right one, because there are many choices. Making a decision strictly based on low cost will hurt your business in the long run. Before deciding where to host your store, you must make look at all the details. Here are some pointers to help you make the right choice.
The primary factor will likely be the look of your store. Usually eCommerce host providers have a catalog of free website templates for you to try. Having the right visual appeal is critical for sales conversions. The type of market you're in will dictate the design you should absolutely go with. Templates that are not right for your type of business should be avoided absolutely.
Now you need to figure out your webstore's overall layout. Your landing page could have the option of listing multiple items. Or, you can have a layout that focuses on your top products right as visitors arrive to your site. Sometimes, it'll be up to you to make the right choice for your type of business. This should not be taken lightly, and is something that requires serious thought.
The number of products you plan on selling should be another consideration. You may find that the shopping cart package cost is going to be tied to that number. Or, you'll be charged monthly on the amount of traffic you receive. This way, as your customer base grows they can adjust the price of your package. Whichever pricing method you choose, the cost of each will typically be very similar.
Make sure to verify any positive customer feedback about the webstore you decide on. You're probably going to find that many of these eCommerce providers are very similar. On the other hand, some of them may lack in customer service. The trick is to find out the number of active users each company has. If you see 20,000 or more active users then they're a decent eCommerce provider.
It's important to note that most eCommerce sites will let you try them for free. You can use this time get more comfortable with making a decision. You can install a template, and upload some products to see how everything looks. Learning to use the control panel will also be required during this time. It's critical that the platform you're using feels right to you. After playing around with it for a few days, you'll have a good idea if it's right for you.
