What is an online store?

An online store is basically a website where you can display products or services of your brand or business. In the style of large companies such as Amazon, Mercado Libre, Alibaba, which have their own online stores and are seen by customers from all over the world.

A virtual version of what a physical or traditional store would be, but with this option there is a greater possibility of reaching more people throughout the internet, connecting with potential buyers from other cities, provinces or countries.

An online store offers more than products, but also convenience, flexibility and shipping options, for those people who prefer to shop from home.

How can I set up an online store?

If you are thinking of starting a business, setting up an online store would be very helpful, depending on the type of business you want to project, whether it is sales of physical or digital goods or services.

It is important to consider creating an online store if you are just starting out and do not have enough resources to set up a conventional store.

You should choose a platform that is a good fit for your type of online store. Consider the features, design customization options, pricing, available plugins or extensions to consider the best option for the type of eCommerce you are planning.

Also, you should evaluate whether it is open source, security and software updates, scalability, and easy support for multiple languages.

You must take into account some elements that your online store must have to guarantee better functionality for customers, such as payment methods, purchase process, wish list, data collection, filter system, product categorization, among others.

These elements, without a doubt, will facilitate and help you a lot with the interaction with the users who are going to visit your online store, since you will be able to have all the key resources that are needed at hand.

What are the benefits of an online store

Always available, unlike other physical or conventional stores, online stores do not have a set schedule, they will always be available at any time of the day, every day of the week.

Making purchases easier for people who cannot go to the store due to time differences. It is a great advantage that you can go shopping at any time without checking the clock.

It will increase customers, You no longer depend solely on selling products to people who have set foot in your store. Without geographic restrictions, market niches grow exponentially.

The advantage is that customers can get the product they want with a single click, wherever you are. Increasing your sales and, therefore, also increasing your profits.

Minimize expenses, Starting a physical business requires local costs, employees, assembly and more. For online stores, this all boils down and is really beneficial for anyone who is starting a business idea.

You will be able to display all kinds of products, without any space limit, which clearly gives you an advantage over potential customers and even the most outstanding competitors.

It allows to know the clients, You can use the data obtained through the online store and analysis tools to investigate the behavior and preferences of the clients.

And you will ask yourself, why do I want this? We will use these results to drive campaigns and offers, with the aim of being more effective and increasing sales.

What types of online store exist

catalog store

This type of store has a product catalog with detailed information about them, it does not allow online orders, but it provides the necessary information to know how to acquire them (contacts, mail, telephone, location, payment options).

Blog with online store

This type of store also integrates a blog which allows you to show and explain the use of products with customer opinions, this type of model improves web positioning by placing you as a reference on the subject.

Pay for some advertising and customers can easily recommend your products and communicate with you. Efficiency, being able to achieve this, will almost certainly help the business.

Closed store for individuals

This store does not allow visitors to view any products or prices without first registering as a customer, this store model is common in private shopping clubs or coupons.

The prices and products change depending on each client to a more personalized style for each type of user. It is true that it requires a little more planning, but it is still precise when carrying it out.

Mixed shop for naturals and professionals

This model is a mix between an open and private store, the user enters the page where he can view the products and prices offered to natural customers.

But when you enter your credentials as a registered customer, the store changes showing specific products, according to the rate assigned to this type of customer.

As time progresses, things evolve and physical stores are no exception, as you will see, an online store offers many benefits for merchants and new entrepreneurs.

Since they want to open a store, providing growth and improvements over a conventional store, at low costs and reducing risk, there are already many people who are implementing it, don't be left behind.