e-commerce
E-commerce encompasses all aspects of doing business online. An E-commerce Web site (or E-shopping Web site) is a site that allows users on the internet (customers) to purchase products or services from a company (vendors). Think of it like a virtual store. Some of the most popular E-commerce sites on the internet are Amazon.com and buy.com. Companies that have set up E-commerce sites report higher revenues and improved customer satisfaction. More and more today, E-commerce sites are becoming essential to remain competitive for certain avenues in the retail marketplace.Main Reasons for Creating an E-commerce Site
- Increased Customer Audience
- Open for business 24 x 7
- Decreased Overhead (No Sales Representatives or Rent)
- Improved Customer Service
- Equal Playing field for competing with larger companies
More Explanation on the Benefits of an E-Commerce Site
- Increased Customer Base
Retailers on the internet have a global market reach to customers, allowing a company to do business far past the geographical areas of their physical stores. - Increased Presence for Physical Stores
An E-commerce site can help with the entire marketing strategy for a business to direct customer traffic to existing stores. - Provide a more personalized shopping experience
Customers can be suggested products based on their perceived shopping interests and retailers can portray to them more specific marketing messages. - Reduced Overhead
Producing and maintaining an E-commerce site is far less expensive than maintaining a physical store. Inventory doesn't have to be "on the shelf" as it can be ordered from the manufacture based on demand (drop-shipping). - Improved Customer Service
The Internet can serve as a two way communication channel between you and your customers. - More Convenient for Customers
E-commerce sites allow customers to order products and services at any time, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Also it allows customers to purchase products from any location in the world with an internet connection. - Improved Product Information
Consumers can research specific details on a product from the site which may not otherwise be available to them.
At Sol Design we have developed an extensive E-commerce shopping cart system that is 100% customizable to suit the needs of any business. An example of an e-commerce solution implemented by Sol Design can be viewed at MarkEdge.com. Mark Edge is an independent jewelry designer and manufacturer located in Atlanta, GA. For more information on the design of this E-commerce application visit Mark Edge from our portfolio section on this site.