If you are someone from the print industry or planning to enter one, having a Web-to-Print store is a way to upscale your business. But it is not as easy as it sounds to start a Web-to-Print store if you don’t have enough knowledge of choosing the eCommerce platform.
There are numerous factors to consider to make sure you choose the right platform. The tool’s features depend on how much user interaction and customization you want on your website. And of course, on the product, you want to sell.
How to Choose the Right Ecommerce Platform for Web-to-Print
Let’s dive in to know about different types of eCommerce platforms for your Web-to-Print store so that it helps you choose wisely.
Open Source or Commercial
There are two types of platforms to choose from Open source or Commercial. Firstly, let’s understand what a Commercial platform is. If your business doesn’t have a premise tech team then it is advised to opt for a commercial platform.
On this platform, you have ready-to-go tools which you can purchase as monthly or yearly subscriptions and pay only for features you need, and you will have an eCommerce platform in no time. You can choose Shopify or BigCommerce for your eCommerce platform. These platforms provide SaaS(Software as a Service).
Suppose you prefer open-source platforms like WooCommerce if you are looking for a high level of customization. It is designed to integrate with WordPress and is suitable for SMBs.
You will save from paying for a subscription instead you will need a tech team to manage your store which in turn gets expensive. Also, it will take time to get developed, whereas with commercials you get ready to use stores. Large companies also use Magento for creating complex storefronts.
On-Premise or Third-Party Hosting
In self-hosted or on-premise hosting, you will need your own physical server that requires maintenance, updates, and data backup which is done by in-house IT specialists. Your data will be managed on that server. This solution is expensive, but you can customize it as per your requirements.
Another option is to go for third-party cloud-based eCommerce platforms like Amazon Web Services. These platforms are cheaper and don’t require any other maintenance or updates from your end. It will provide all the data storage for your storefront. You will have to pay licensing fees over hosting charges which can be expensive, and you will have less control over all hosting operations.
Navigation is the Key
Navigation is important when it comes to your Web-to-Print store. If the users don’t understand or find it difficult to figure out things then the store might not succeed as planned. Simple navigation and an understandable interface are what your designer tool must be.
Also, you can integrate marketing and analytics features on your end to upscale your business. With open source solutions, you can enhance your tool with free or paid extensions.
Maintenance
Maintenance is mandatory for any eCommerce store, especially one’s like Web-to-Print, where customization and user involvement are more. If your store stays down or is facing any issues, it will affect the store’s functionality. Commercial platforms like Shopify provide 24/7 multichannel support to ensure your store is functioning and running smoothly.
On the other hand, if you have open-source eCommerce solutions like WooCommerce Web to Print or Magento, you won’t have the benefit of calling customer care at any point in time. They do have community or public support forums to assist you. So, if you need support, consider getting eCommerce solutions with support options.
Design Options
A user-friendly interface is a must for Web-to-Print stores as it involves more user interactions. If you are getting it developed by your developers then you will need UI/UX designers who will make this possible.
On the other hand, if you are going to buy a subscription, you will get multiple themes to choose from. By choosing a theme, you save time from getting a design developed, and you will have a design that is attractive and user-friendly.
Also, it is of utmost importance to have a website that is mobile-friendly as well. As more and more customers are shopping online via mobile phones, it is necessary to have a mobile responsive website. And the design should be such that it works well on mobile devices too.
Wrapping Up
The Web-to-Print industry is snowballing. As customization is what every customer demands with web2print Storefront, you can deliver what your customer wants. You can opt for the Woocommerce Web to Print store if you have a WordPress website. And if you are planning to start from scratch then you can choose Magento, Shopify, or any other platform based on the topics discussed in this article.
Article Source: https://www.bloglovin.com/@brushyourideas/how-to-choose-right-ecommerce-platform-for