DIY doesn’t always fly
There are a ton of ecommerce options out there. Some are poor, a few are pretty good, but most DIY options tie things down pretty tightly.
At first it seems pretty attractive for a small business startup – what better than to build your website yourself with pre-made tools and templates? What could be more straightforward than paying a regular monthly cost plus a cut of sales revenue?
But the problem becomes apparent when you project that cost over the lifetime of your business; it soon mounts up.
Having a custom built e-commerce shop website to sell online allows you to cut out the middle man who takes a slice of your shop’s transactions.
You’re able to own your whole website, moving it to a new host whenever you find a better deal.
You won’t be half as limited in the functionality you can add to your website to provide a better service for your customers than your competition.
But that would cost a lot, right? Think again.
WooCommerce is different
Built by the people behind WordPress (the world’s most popular content management system by far) it’s a fantastically powerful ecommerce tool that extends WordPress’ capability. The best thing is that it’s completely free.
As WooCommerce is built by WordPress it’s open source so there’s a vibrant community of developers and users building compatible plugins and themes, many of those free too. This makes WooCommerce very adaptable. For pretty much every challenge the WooCommerce community will have a solution.
As WordPress and WooCommerce are open source you can own everything about your ecommerce store. Once it’s built you will have no additional fees to pay (depending on which additional plugins and payment gateways you use, if any).
Does WooCommerce integrate with other applications, like accountancy software?
It is fantastically adaptable, being compatible with a host of accounting systems and payment management gateways.
Popular integrations include QuickBooks, Xero and FreshBooks. Add an external professional integration application like Zapier or Integromat and the possibilities get pretty crazy.
Is WooCommerce GDPR compliant?
It’s a solid “yes” for this one.
WooCommerce is fully GDPR compliant (subject to the compliance of other plugins added). WooCommerce allows you to set limits on how long customer data is retained and allows customers to download and delete their data themselves, if you wish.
What kind of sales can WooCommerce be used for?
- Selling physical goods for delivery. You can set advanced delivery options (e.g. allow shipping cost to vary according to item weight or delivery deadline), shipping zones and tax options.
- Sell digital downloads to make money even while you sleep. Whether you’re selling ebooks, music, videos or something else, this can provide you with a truly passive income.
- Event or appointment bookings. Allow customers to see your availability and pay right when they book, reducing the frustrating likelihood of cancellations.
- Regular subscriptions or paid memberships
- Selling with Facebook stores, Amazon stores and other affiliate stores
- Auctions
- Donations
- Drop-shipping
How can WooCommerce help me manage my shop?
Stock control will help you keep track of inventory and optionally hide products from the website when they sell out.
WooCommerce sales reports help you see the whole picture, with charts describing your bottom line by date, product, category or customer.
WooCommerce coupons also allow you to run effective marketing campaigns with limited discounts applying right within the ecommerce system.
I develop e-commerce websites with WooCommerce
Each of the websites we design have a completely unique bespoke design. Browse a selection of the shop websites we’ve built:
What services do you provide for e-commerce website design?
My e-commerce website design services include custom design, responsive design, shopping cart integration, payment gateway setup, product catalog setup, order management, shipping integration and sales and inventory management.
Which e-commerce platforms do you work with?
As I develop websites using WordPress I work with WooCommerce, a well supported and popular open-source e-commerce platform. I have good expertise and can recommend many integrations and feature-enhancing plugins for the platform.
How much does an e-commerce website cost?
The cost of an e-commerce website depends on various factors, such as design complexity, platform choice, features, and functionality. I offer a free consultation to discuss your needs and provide a detailed quote tailored to your specific project.
How long does it take to design and develop an e-commerce website?
The time it takes to design and develop an e-commerce website depends on the project's complexity, features, and size. On average, an e-commerce website may take anywhere between 12 to 20 weeks from concept to launch. This includes design, development, testing, and revisions.
Is my e-commerce website going to be mobile-friendly?
Yes! I understand the importance of a mobile-friendly e-commerce website, as a significant portion of online shopping occurs on mobile devices. All my e-commerce websites are designed to be responsive, ensuring they look great and function seamlessly on all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.
How do you ensure the security of my e-commerce website?
Iprioritize the security of your e-commerce website by implementing various measures, such as SSL certificates, secure payment gateways, strong password policies, and regular security updates. I also offer ongoing maintenance and support packages to monitor and maintain the security of your website.
Can you help with product photography and descriptions?
I can assist you with product descriptions. I have relationships with experienced copywriters who can create compelling product descriptions to showcase your products effectively and drive sales. I don't currently have relationships with a product photographer though.
Will you integrate my e-commerce website with third-party tools and services?
Absolutely! I can integrate your e-commerce website with various third-party tools and services, such as email marketing platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, analytics tools, and social media platforms, to enhance your online store's functionality and streamline your business processes.
How will my e-commerce website handle taxes and shipping?
Your e-commerce website will be configured to handle taxes and shipping based on your specific requirements. We can set up various tax rules and shipping options, including flat rate, free shipping, and real-time carrier rates, to provide a seamless and accurate checkout experience for your customers.
Can you help with the ongoing maintenance and updates of my e-commerce website?
Yes, I offer ongoing maintenance and support packages to ensure your e-commerce website remains up-to-date, secure, and running smoothly. These services include regular updates, security monitoring, backups, troubleshooting, and feature enhancements. You can find details of my supported website hosting packages here.