WordPress is one of the most popular Content Management Systems, used by millions of websites worldwide. It is extremely versatile and offers an abundance of features that can be used to build almost any type of site.
No matter what type of business you are in, whether it is online or offline, there is a way you can use WordPress to gain a competitive edge.
In this article, we will discuss how you can use WordPress to build an amazing online store, review three different scenarios for using WordPress to launch an e-commerce store, and then explore some of the best WordPress e-commerce plugins available today.
Why Should You Build An Amazing Online Store With WordPress?
Let’s be honest, the web today is a competitive place. Just about anyone with a decent sized audience can make money online, and if your product is good enough, you will find a way to make money even if you are running a small online store.
WordPress is a great choice for those who want to build an amazing online store because of its flexibility, scalability, and robust infrastructure. It also offers features that are useful for e-commerce websites such as shipping calculators, coupons, and more.
Three Different Scenarios For Using WordPress To Launch An E-commerce Store
There are many situations where WordPress can be helpful in the world of e-commerce, and we will discuss a few of them. Keep in mind that every situation is different and requires thought, planning, and execution to be successful.
The first and most basic scenario is to simply use WordPress as a blog platform to log detailed content about your products and initiatives. This content can then be repurposed and presented in a more formal manner via a brochure site or corporate news site. This is helpful for existing businesses who want to expand into an e-commerce segment and are looking for a simple yet robust solution to launch a shop.
If you are looking for a more robust solution, the second scenario involves taking advantage of WordPress’ popularity to build a fully functioning e-commerce store on your own server. This can be achieved by using a cloud-based host such as Shopify, Bigcommerce, or WooCommerce. These solutions give you the advantage of having a professionally managed e-commerce store that is completely portable and can be used on any device, anywhere, at anytime. If you have experienced sudden downtime or performance issues with your current host, this solution is ideal.
The Pros And Cons Of Each Scenario
Let’s examine each scenario in detail and then discuss the pros and cons of each.
The first scenario, using WordPress as a blog platform, is ideal for those who want to simply build a catalog of products they are already offering. This can be a time-tested strategy that has worked for countless businesses who want to expand their online presence. By leveraging WordPress’ popularity and established audience, you can quickly gain credibility with potential customers and raise your conversion rates.
The major downside to this scenario is that you will have to build the site from the ground up. You will not get the benefit of using a pre-existing store design like Amazon or WalMart since you will have to design an e-commerce themed site from scratch. As much as possible, you should avoid hiring freelancers or getting help from friends to build your e-commerce store. Hiring experienced professionals to do this for you is advisable. This way you can be sure that the process will be done correctly and will give you the best results possible.
The Pros Of Building A WordPress E-Commerce Store On Your Own Server
The second scenario involves using WordPress to build a fully functioning e-commerce store on your own server. Although this solution gives you total control over your product catalog and can be a time-conserving strategy, it comes with its own set of pros and cons. Let’s examine these items.
The advantage of building a WordPress e-commerce store on your own server is that you can take full advantage of the platform’s features. You will not have to worry about the hosting service offering any performance benefits because all the hardware is being handled by you. This means your site will load very, very fast and will be incredibly responsive on any device.
On the downside, building a WordPress e-commerce store on your own server requires a significant amount of technical expertise, and it is extremely difficult to build a functional e-commerce store using the off-the-shelf solutions available today. If you are looking for a simple yet robust solution for your e-commerce needs, building a WordPress e-commerce store on your own server is not for the faint of heart.
The Pros Of Using A Cloud-Based Or Managed WordPress Host For Your E-commerce Store
The third and final scenario involves using a cloud-based host or a managed WordPress host for your e-commerce store. This solution enables you to launch a fully functioning e-commerce store in a matter of minutes and with minimal effort. You will not have to build the site from the ground up because the host will take care of that for you. The benefits of using a managed WordPress host for your e-commerce store are numerous. Let’s examine these advantages.
The major advantage of using a cloud-based host or a managed WordPress host for your e-commerce store is that all the hardware and software infrastructure is being handled by experts. This means your site will always load fast and will be highly mobile-friendly. In addition, the hosting service will take care of security, keeping your site free from malware and hackers. You can be absolutely sure that your site will be safe and will be able to handle significant traffic levels.
On the downside, these types of hosts are much more costly than a traditional web host, and it takes a considerable amount of time to launch and manage a successful e-commerce store using cloud-based hosts or managed WordPress hosts. If you are looking for a short-term solution, using a cloud-based host or managed WordPress host is not the way to go.
To recap, here are the three different scenarios for using WordPress to launch an e-commerce store. Keep in mind that not all situations are created equal, and you should carefully consider what you are looking for before making a decision. Each scenario has its perks and drawbacks, and you must decide what is most important to you.