Published on: 19 August 2019
Last Updated on: 30 July 2021
In the past few decades, there have been major changes in the world and our digital surroundings. While the geopolitics and social interactions of the world are in constant flux, since the beginning of the 21st century, there have been other types of changes that have occurred. Most of these alterations have come from the rise of Internet technologies around the globe. The web has totally revolutionized the world, from the way people interact with one another to the changes in the job market.
The most important driver of the economy in the 21st century is the Internet! Everything from local businesses to billion-dollar corporations uses web-based tech to survive. One part of the economy that the Internet has totally transformed is retail. Retail has in large part shifted to e-commerce, and people from around the world have been starting their own e-commerce stores.
Starting Your Own Ecommerce Store
There are numerous reasons why people start their own e-commerce stores, from the flexibility of lifestyle it provides to the potential to have a lucrative business. There is a myriad of products, which can be sold online. However, finding a niche in your products is a sure way to be successful. This is why running a pet supply eCommerce store is such a great idea. People love their pets and pay serious money for them, so pet supplies is an excellent niche that will certainly lead your company to earn immense revenue. However, if you want to be truly successful, you need to see that your organization will stand out amongst all the other e-commerce stores.
Learning How to Set Up Your Business
Once you decide to get a website for your online store, one of the first steps is to invest in a robust and user-friendly e-commerce website. This involves selecting a platform, which will allow your website to look professional, run effectively, and will enable you to organize your products and services. After your site has been launched, the next step should involve designing and executing a strong Marketing Campaign on various digital platforms.
You need to ensure that your E-commerce store highlights the hero products of your brand. For example, if you have an extensive range of liver supplements for dogs, you need to ensure that you are placing these medicines on the banner of your E-commerce store page. This will help customers identify the same and click on the page that will take them directly to checkout.
The marketing campaign should aim to create a holistic and 360-degree digital ecosystem. This ecosystem should reinforce the belief and experiences of the users. For example, your e-commerce platform should be linked to your social profiles and vice-versa. This will help redirect traffic from different mediums at all times. You would also want to adopt a creative content marketing strategy.
Your e-commerce website needs to be-
SEO optimized.
Linked to Social Media Accounts
Have a great blog section (Inbound Marketing)
Be optimized to run Google Campaigns.
Learning about these numerous facets will allow you to effectively market your e-commerce site and will let you display your brand to the world.
Final Thoughts:
As the 21st century continues to progress, running an e-commerce store will become a more popular career option. In order to be successful in this industry, you need to set up an excellent site, and effectively build your brand with a quality marketing campaign.
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Marketing is, as many people argue, the backbone of all business success.
Creating and running a business that offers a fantastic service and/or product line is just the beginning. How do you get the word out about your business to attract customers or clients effectively?
Marketing is one common factor that all successful businesses share. Without it, business owners are effectively working in the dark.
Here Are 3 Prime Reasons Your Business Needs Marketing
To build revenue and to continue doing so, people need to know what sort of business you are and why your service or product is worth their time and money.
1. You need marketing to build a strong reputation
Businesses need marketing to show potential customers why they're trustworthy and why they're the best at what they do. It can take the form of product demos, customer reviews, or even some persuasive text! Think about advertising we all see daily, whether on social media, TV or elsewhere. It all exists to help convince people that the advertisers are the ones to trust.
Reputation is key to driving regular business, too. Marketing isn't just a one-step job. A successful business is constantly growing, always pitching and reaching out to people. Otherwise, the money dries up, and people lose jobs - simple!
2. You need marketing to stay relevant
One of the critical principles graduates learn when studying for an online master's in marketing is the importance of relevance. Society - and tastes - move very quickly and change as people develop and age. Regardless of a business' industry or demographic, it's vital to look carefully at technological trends, for example.
Relevance is tricky to balance if a business isn't actively communicating with its customers. Market research is crucial when gauging opinion. Marketers need to learn more about why customers invest in specific services and what they'd like to change (if anything).
Evolving business marketing is vital to survival. Consider a huge brand such as Kodak, which made billions from traditional photography. As digital photography phased out mainstream photo development, they changed their marketing, pivoting towards printing supplies and selling their own digital cameras. Adjusting to a changing market - and keeping a finger on the pulse - keeps a business alive.
3. You need marketing to make the money
From content marketing to active outreach, there are many ways to speak to customers. However, you can't expect to generate revenue if you don't talk to them. Simply running a service and developing products isn't enough.
People need to know who you are. Marketing is, essentially, shouting about your business repeatedly, thereby building awareness. Sometimes, it's not even about how loud you shout, but what you shout - and when!
Businesses that don't market themselves will only ever have a client pool as large as they currently have. Therefore, the need for marketing experts (and in-house teams) will never go away. The role of a marketer, too, is one that changes day after day - it's always interesting to work.
Additionals:
Case Study as a Marketing ToolHow to Manage Your Marketing DataWhy A Business Should Use Facebook RemarketingShould You Consider Outsourcing Your Brand’s Marketing Campaign?
In simple words, without sounding too nerdy, let us try to look at what performance testing is.
Performance Testing is the process of rigorously testing all the tech and digital components of an E-commerce business. This includes the desktop version of the platform and mobile app testing. The key is to look at and analyze how the entire tech and digital ecosystem operates. Especially when exposed to real-world use.
Imagine hundreds of people using the E-commerce platform app at the same time. The questions that then arise are-
Is the server able to handle the heavy load of all the traffic using the mobile app at the same time?
Is there a lag or breakdown that any of the users are experiencing or is there a UI and UX compromise under stress?
What are some of the benchmarks and standards that one should use to judge speed and whether the platform is exposing some bottlenecks?
Performance Testing is more than just looking at loading page speeds. It seeks to test each aspect of the E-commerce platform and suggest the perfect optimization for the same.
Important Things To Consider During Performance Testing For E-commerce:
In this section, we request experts at QA Madness to help us. Specifically, to list some important things that should be considered during performance testing.
1. Testing Financial Transactions
One area where things can go wrong is in financial transactions. With so many people using the same platform at the same time, testing becomes necessary. You need to test to ensure that every transaction is going through.
Integrations with Payment Gateways, the ERP, and Inventory Management Software are all areas that should be covered under this software testing services.
2. Checking The Mobile App Exhaustively
Mobile app testing perhaps constitutes one of the most important verticals for Performance Testing. How does the app perform?
Is it SEO friendly?
Is there a compromise in the graphics?
These are the common issues that mobile app testing will help resolve.
In addition to the app, the mobile version of the E-commerce platform’s website also needs to be tested rigorously.
3. Region-Based Testing For Different Geographies-
If you are starting an e-commerce business, you are looking at a truly global audience.
This is why you need to make sure that the internet protocols of the different countries are not interfering with how the customers in those countries are engaging with your platform. Changed domain URLs, IP addresses, and other rules and regulations need to be considered.
4. Data Management Testing
Any successful E-commerce ecosystem is incomplete without integrated data management. For an E-commerce platform, data is the lifeblood that helps all its verticals- marketing, sales, and CRM.
Performance Testing needs to ensure that the data collection, cloud storage solutions, and the final outputs are ready for systematic generation.
The Three KPIs Of Performance Testing As Stated By QA Madness-
While there can be multiple KPIs that software testing services can help E-commerce brands with, QA Madness states that the following are the three major ones. They refer to the same as the three ‘S’s of their Performance Testing goals.
A. Speed
When it comes to speed, we are referring to the speed of the website, the mobile version of the web, and the mobile application. It also includes the speed with which users are progressing from one page to another on the app and the website.
The higher the speed, the better will be the user experience. This combines to deliver the best sales and revenues for an E-commerce platform.
B. Scalability
You do not want your website and app infrastructure to be so weak that it crashes only after a hundred visitors. You're E-commerce website and the app must go under a test for scalability to handle massive loads all at the same time.
This will help you provide a fluid experience to millions of users and potential customers all at the same time without compromises.
C. Stability
A lot can go wrong on an E-commerce website when it is put under stress. Graphics can fall out of place and payment gateways can collapse. You never want the users to experience these problems on your platform.
An E-commerce platform needs to be stable all the time, with or without load. Performance Testing seeks to build the stability of an E-commerce platform.
What Do Experts Have To Say?
There is no set rule as to when an E-commerce platform should go for Performance Testing. Some believe that it should be done at the early stages of development.
Others believe that it should be done once the development of the platform is complete to identify the loopholes and then plug them in accordingly.
No matter when you get them done, Performance Testing is essential for your E-commerce platform. If you want to create a highly optimized and result-oriented business, this is a great investment to make.
If you have any other questions on software testing services or mobile app testing, feel free to ask them. Use the comments section to drop your queries. We will once again request or reach out to our friends at QA Madness to help you out.
What Happens With A Lack Of Thorough Test?
Not performing performance testing for an E-commerce platform can get you in a lot of trouble. Your site is live; suddenly, hundreds or thousands of people have started using it!
What could possibly go wrong?- Well, without performance testing, things will go downhill really quickly. So, let’s see what could happen when not to perform performance testing.
Crashes And Slowdowns
If your E-commerce platform hasn’t been tested for scalability, it could easily crash when too many users try to access it. A slow website or app not only frustrates users but also drives them away.
No one likes waiting for pages to load, especially when they’re trying to make a purchase. The result? A major drop in sales and a tarnished reputation.
Failed Transactions
Think of users wanting to purchase an item and their transactions fail. Users will not be ready to trust your platform anymore.
This is why performance testing is important as it ensures that all financial transactions are smooth on your site even when there is heavy traffic.
Poor User Experience
Have you ever been on an app or website that lags, has images that don’t fit, or feels unresponsive?
It’s not fun. The UI/UX of your platform can feel the same way without performance testing.
This gives a very unprofessional impression and will make people leave your site out of frustration (high bounce rate).
Increased Costs
Skipping testing might appear to be a good way to keep some money in your pocket, however it will actually cost you more in the end.
If your site crashes during a big sale or promotion, the time and expense of getting those issues fixed after the fact will likely be substantial. Plus, if your site is down for any longer period of time, you’ll be losing out on all that potential income.
Safety Not Guaranteed!
No matter what app you’re building, you’re likely going to be handling some sort of user data.
Whether it’s a login and password or more sensitive financial or health information, users need to know they can trust you with that data.
What About The User's Interest
Finally, one of the most significant risks is losing users’ trust. If your platform crashes, slows down, or declines a transaction, for instance, and that happens to some users, they will probably never come back.
Even if you fix everything afterward!
When people’s trust is broken, it’s very hard to be rebuilt!
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The first quarter of 2019 has almost passed, and it has been predicted that 18% of the purchases will be made online by 2040. Further, 95% of the orders will be facilitated by e-commerce store.
Considering the above statistics, it comes as no surprise that the fate of your online business is dependent on how your website works. But did you know that all your website operations rely on the choice of your e-commerce platform?
Now, as the online store owners narrow down the choices, they are only left with two main platforms as the contenders- Magento and Shopify. While both platforms can create a one-of-kind e-commerce store, they differ in many areas.
To start with, Shopify works best for smaller businesses. On the flip side, Magento is aimed at enterprise businesses. This post is going will give you an in-depth insight on Magento and Shopify and help you decide which is an ideal platform for your e-commerce store.
Magento and Shopify in a Nutshell: e-commerce store
Magento:
Launched in 2007, Magento is a self-hosted e-commerce platform that powers a number of web stores. The platform is open source and comes with two versions including community (suitable for developers and small businesses) and enterprise edition (best suited for mid-sized and large e-commerce stores). The usage of the platform is free, but you’ll have to pay an amount for premium apps, themes, and hosting.
Irrespective of the price you have to pay, this platform is best known for its flexibility, ability to customize, and scalability.
Shopify:
Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform that allows single-step order fulfillment and lets you set up a store with a custom domain and a theme.
This platform comes with an easy-to-use interface and is more for beginner developers. Moreover, it comes with a 14-day free trial, allows integration with over 70 payment gateways, and is available in almost every language.
Although there are numerous Shopify alternatives available across the web, what sets this platform apart from others is its ability to set up a dynamic store in no time. You will have to pay for the platform after the free trial, but the Shopify team takes care of all the technical tasks.
Magento and Shopify: What Numbers Say!
Description
Shopify
Magento
Number of Websites
600,000
250,000
Number of Extensions
2,400+
3,000+
Number of Themes
60 (external purchase is allowed)
12 (external purchase is allowed)
Now when you are aware of what these platforms are, here is a feature comparison of Magneto and Shopify.
1. Basic Functionality and Ease of Usage:
Both the e-commerce platforms have all the basic store functionalities that are easy to use and maintain.
But if we compare both the platforms, Shopify is a drag and drop website builder. Magento has a steep learning curve, and you will have to learn some technical terms to get through the e-commerce store development process.
With Shopify, the developer can add the products; customize the look and feel of your store and set up the payment process in no time. The best part is you can make the entire e-commerce store without any technical knowledge.
In Magento, you have to learn some code to develop an entire e-commerce store. Not to forget, they have comprehensive user guides that walk you step-by-step through various processes. They also have a forum from where you can learn some tricks of the trade.
2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
When it comes to SEO, both have great search engine optimization capabilities. However, you’ll have to leverage extra plug-ins in the cases for both platforms. But in the case of Shopify, SEO features are automatically built into the website, even in the product pages.
3. Themes and Templates Availability:
In terms of themes and templates, both platforms offer highly-functional customization capabilities. They let you edit the raw code directly and give you full control over the design and appeal of your e-commerce store.
Coming to the differences, Shopify offers a wide variation of mobile-optimized themes. Although many of them are free, if you go for the paid ones, your store gets a professional look and gets equipped with great sales potential. You also get the option to add new pages, change the color palette, move or resize the elements, and integrate the social media feeds.
When it comes to Magento, it has 12 themes. Out of 12, 10 of them are fully responsive. This platform does have free themes, and the paid ones also start at just $1.
With this platform, you can also create your theme or template from scratch. You have the option to add a slide, newsletter, and animation to the website.
4. Inventory Management:
All Shopify plans allow unlimited products in the store. Magento also allows you to add or create an unlimited number of products on the website.
But Shopify is one step ahead in this point due to its integration with drop shipping inventory apps such as Oberlo. Further, in Magento, you have the risk of slowing down your website.
5. Hosting Features:
Your website's performance, storage, security, and speed are dependent on the hosting you choose. Did you know that 40% of people will abandon a website if it takes more than three seconds to load? This will result in a loss of customers as well as revenue.
As Shopify is a hosted platform, it takes care of your entire domain and hosting needs; offers you 24*7 support, and let you concentrate on your business.
Magento comes with two hosting options, including Open Source and Cloud. In Open Source hosting, you have to buy your domain and hosting. But in the case of Cloud, your e-commerce store is hosted and maintained by Magento.
6. Payment Processing:
Shopify platform is already equipped with a payment processor, which is known by the name of Shopify Payments. If you use Shopify Payments for your e-commerce store, you won’t be charged any transaction fee. Moreover, it comes with the support of 60 external payment processors.
For Magento, you will have to download the extension of the payment processor that you want in your e-commerce store. You can look for these extensions in Magento’s marketplace. However, some factors that make Magento worth the consideration are international market coverage and support for multiple languages.
Summing Up:
When it comes to choosing an ideal e-commerce platform, there are lots of factors to consider including interface, scalability, number of themes, templates, speed, load time, cost, search engine optimization, and more.
Is Shopify worth it? If your considerations are ease of usage, availability of themes, not wanting to pay the transaction fee, and having the hosting and bandwidth taken care of, look no further than Shopify. It is user-friendly, has a payment processor, and comes with an array of themes to help you get started.
But if you are technically savvy and want to build an e-commerce store for a large enterprise, go for Magento. With this platform, you will also have to find your hosting provider, which can become expensive, as your business scale. Moreover, there is a chance that you might have to invest some time as well.
If you are still stuck on the decision, skim again through the comparison of features, weigh their pros and cons, and make the best choice for your business.
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