E-commerce: the main advantages of Shopify
Shopify is one of the world’s most popular e-commerce platforms. It is used by companies of all sizes to create and manage their online stores. In this article, we’ll cover the main benefits of using Shopify for your e-commerce business. We’ll also talk about how it works and how you can get started.
What is Shopify?
Founded in Canada in 2006, Shopify is an e-commerce platform that enables users to create and manage their own online stores. It’s a powerful, user-friendly tool that can be used by individuals and businesses alike. With Shopify, you have total control over the design and layout of your store, as well as its content, including images and product descriptions. It provides users with a host of tools for managing orders, payments, inventory, shipping options, customer service and more.
Shopify is a closed source (or proprietary) platform. Only its publishers can access, modify and use its source code. Shopify is also :
- more than 1 million merchants worldwide,
- more than 10,00 employees,
- more than 6,000 applications available to merchants to help them work efficiently.
It will be the most widely used e-commerce platform in France in 2022, just ahead of PrestaShop.
How Shopify works
Working with Shopify is easy and straightforward. All you have to do is sign up for an account, select your plan and start creating your store. You can easily customize your store’s design and layout using the drag-and-drop editor, or choose from one of the predefined themes.
Once you’ve finished setting up your store, you can start adding products, configuring payment methods, shipping options and more. Finally, once everything has been set up correctly, all that’s left to do is publish your store and start selling.
In principle, the process is within everyone’s reach. However, it is strongly recommended that you contact a web agency to create a high-performance Shopify e-commerce solution that will really boost your sales. An agency specializing in the creation of Shopify stores offers a wide range of services to meet the needs of professionals:
- creation of a personalized e-commerce store in line with the company’s image,
- redesign of an existing Shopify store,
- implementation of an omnichannel sales strategy (combining a physical store with a Shopify store),
- implementation of online store management automation solutions (automation of repetitive tasks),
- training online retailers in the use of Shopify.
Using a specialized agency to create your Shopify e-commerce site can also enable you to benefit from SEO and SEA (search engine optimization) services. This will improve your online store’s visibility on search engines and make it easier to attract new customers.
What are the advantages of Shopify for an e-commerce business?
Shopify offers many advantages for entrepreneurs wishing to start an online business. Its strengths make it the preferred platform for a host of major companies, including Pepsi, Red Bull and Tesla Motorhell.
Easy to use
Shopify is extremely intuitive, making it easy to get your store up and running quickly. You can choose from a multitude of professionally designed templates, customize them with your brand, then add products and content. The whole configuration process is simple, so you don’t need any technical knowledge or experience to get started.
Comprehensive list of features
Shopify provides users with an exhaustive list of features that allow them to customize their store to their specific needs. These include options for payment processing, shipping management, customer service integrations and much more. There are also many applications that offer additional functionalities such as analysis and marketing.
Safe and reliable
Shopify is a secure and reliable platform that allows users to store their customers’ personal information, such as credit card details, securely in an encrypted database. It also provides them with fraud protection tools to ensure that their transactions are safe from malicious activity. The platform is PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) certified.
Shopify’s servers are designed to handle heavy loads. So you won’t have to worry about your store slowing down if orders or traffic increase. Businesses with very high annual sales volumes can even opt for Shopify Plus, a more powerful and advanced version of the platform.
Scalability
With Shopify, businesses can easily scale up or down depending on the size of their business. Ideal for small and large businesses alike, it allows them to grow at their own pace without having to worry about the additional costs or commitments associated with other e-commerce solutions.
Manage multiple stocks
With Shopify, you can manage multiple stores from one central dashboard. This means you can easily track inventory across multiple sites or product lines without having to manually update each store individually.
Affordable pricing plans
Shopify offers different pricing plans depending on the size of your business and the features you need. Subscription prices start at under $30/month, making it an affordable option for businesses of all sizes. Companies able to pay annually or over two years benefit from discounts of up to 20% on their subscription price.
A trial period is offered to enable sellers to check whether the platform is right for them. You can also cancel your subscription at any time.
Assistance
Shopify offers comprehensive support via e-mail, telephone and 24-hour chat options. They also provide a comprehensive knowledge base and video tutorials to help users get the most out of the platform.
How do I choose a Shopify agency?
If you’re thinking about which agency to choose for quality support in creating your online store, there are a few criteria that can help you. Firstly, we strongly recommend that you choose a Shopify Partners agency. Professionals who have joined the platform’s partner program have access to exclusive resources and in-depth training, making it easy for them to satisfy their customers. They are also better equipped to respond quickly and provide the necessary assistance in the event of a problem.
Another important aspect to consider is the experience of the agency that will be handling your project. Ideally, you should work with a company that has been around for many years and has developed real expertise in creating Shopify stores. Take a look at his list of past achievements and visit the stores that are already up and running to get your own idea. Pay particular attention to the quality of sites in your field of activity.
Finally, take a look at the agency’s rates and the flexibility of its offers. Are they up to the task of providing the support you need? You can evaluate the proposals of several specialized Shopify agencies to make a choice that will benefit you.