Building an E-Commerce Site: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building an Online Shopping Website

Making a good website to move your existing business to the digital market or to enter the profitable e-commerce sector gives you an advantage. Setting up an e-commerce site gives you the opportunity to meet the target audience expressed in millions. With a popular e-commerce site, you can introduce your products or services to a wider customer base and achieve success in your brand growth strategy. You need to follow the right steps to take your place in the ever-growing online shopping sector. If you know what you will gain from setting up an internet sales site and make a correct entry, you can increase your sales volume beyond your estimates with the support of the sector that is growing day by day.

What is E-Commerce?

E-Commerce can be defined simply as the execution of traditional trade activities over digital platforms. E-commerce, which is a business model where the promotion, sales and distribution of products and services are carried out through websites, is based on the principle of creating orders with desktop or mobile devices using various payment methods. In e-commerce, the buyer and seller meet on online platforms and the exchange process takes place with the systems used for every process from order creation to product delivery.

How to Do E-Commerce?

E-commerce is conducted through the brand’s website or onlinemarketplaces. The seller brings its products and services together with its target audience through these platforms. Buyers interested in the products or services create orders using payment methods supported by the marketplace. Every stage of the process until delivery to the customer is tracked through integrated systems. While the risk of error is minimized with the help of integrated systems, the human resource requirement for the organizations to be created is minimized.

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Is It Necessary to Build a Website for E-Commerce?

There are two options to start e-commerce. The first option is to open a shop on popular marketplaces and bring your products and services together with your customers. In this preference, the high commissions paid to the marketplaces and the high amount of expenditures required for promotions that will make you stand out support you in setting up your own website.

Opening a shopping website is the most effective way to communicate directly with your customers. You can have a more advantageous position with this method, where you do not have to pay commission to any platform and you can create your promotional campaigns for your brand name. The e-Sales site you open with this move that increases your brand awareness allows you to take your place among the important actors of the market by increasing your sales in a short time with the right strategies.

How to Set Up an E-Commerce Site?

Establishing an e-commerce site requires good planning. In order to achieve the targeted sales figures, it is necessary to enter the right sector, follow the right steps and make all the moves in place. You can follow all the steps of E-Commerce below in order.

1. Identify Your E-Commerce Sector

You need to take the first step to enter e-commerce by choosing the sector you will sell in. Choosing a niche sector allows you to achieve the success you will achieve in this process in the fastest way. Analyze consumers well and try to understand their changing needs. A trend you catch can turn you into a popular e-commerce site in a short time!

2. Identify the Product to Sell

After identifying your sector, you need to determine which products or product groups you want to sell in your chosen sector. Use the analysis skills we recommended in the next step at this stage as well. Get to know your target audience in every aspect and think about being one step ahead of your competitors by identifying their potential needs. At this stage, you can either decide on a specific product, or you can determine the right products and product groups for sales by following Turkey’s instant consumer sales data. For example, you can examine the best-selling products on Hepsiburada.com or you can get ideas based on search volume with Google Ads keyword planner.

3. Know Your Competitors

Especially during the pandemic, consumers’ preference for online shopping increased. Traditional brands stepping into the sector one after another also led to increased competition in e-Commerce. Even if you have identified a niche sector and a specific product, you are likely to have competitors in the product you are targeting. Determine who you will compete with with a goodcompetitor analysis. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of your competitors well, following what they do right and learning from their mistakes will shorten your time to achieve your online sales target. For example; your competitors may offer free shipping to their customers, the issues that have been complained about can be examined and measures can be taken for disadvantages.

4. Build your brand

After deciding which sector and how you will enter e-commerce, you can move on to the stage of creating an identity that your customers will recognize you. You can move on to the next stages by creating a good brand in the sector you aim to be permanent. Creating a brand is an important process. You can achieve success with short and clear choices that are catchy, evocative of the sector or products. When creating your brand, you can follow the suggestions below and take the brand strategies that bring success to the best in the sector as an example:

• Make sure your brand matches the corporate identity you want to create.
• Concentrate on names that are memorable, recognizable and have easy syllables.
• Your brand name should be able to appeal to your target audience.
• Make original and creative choices.
• Register your brand name.
• Check if a domain name has been purchased for your brand.
• Create social media accounts for your brand.

5. Build your company

After creating your brand, you can proceed to the stages of establishing a company in order to engage in e-commerce with legal status. You can establish a sole proprietorship and limited liability company for e-commerce. When choosing a sole proprietorship or limited liability company, you should decide according to the partnerships you will make, your capital and tax brackets. Include your e-commerce company in commercial life depending on your sales targets, potentials and company size.

6. Build Your E-Commerce Site with a Reliable Infrastructure

After your incorporation and opening your brand, you are ready to open an e-Commerce site. At this stage, you first need to get the domain name (domain) of the brand you have created. After domain purchase, create your site by choosing a reliable e-commerce infrastructure. There are two options in front of you at this stage. If you wish, you can work with ready-made e-Commerce infrastructures, or you can create your site with open source (custom software) preference.

11 Steps to Consider When Starting E-Commerce

In 6 steps, we explained that you need to set up your e-commerce site and take your place in the online market, promote your brand, prove its reliability and fulfill your activities without any disruption. The steps described above define how to create an online store. What we will cover under this heading is essential for a digital business that runs smoothly and gradually increases its sales.

There are some tricks that will help you succeed in the online market, starting with the process of creating your site. It is not enough just to establish a company and open an online shopping site. It is important to follow the footsteps of the most recognized brands in the sector in order to reach your target audience, turn them into your customers and increase your loyal customer base in the new world you step into. In 11 steps, the things to be considered to make a successful e-Commerce site can be listed as follows:

1. Be Realistic in Your Analysis

Sector, target audience and competitor analysis are important. These three variables are directly related to many variables such as site design, advertising campaigns, product selection and selling prices. In order to achieve success, you should determine the sector you will enter well, get to know your target audience and correctly identify the weaknesses of your competitors.

2. Let Your Logo Reflect Your Corporate Identity

When creating your brand, you should not neglect your logo. Your logo is your showcase that welcomes your customers and reflects your corporate identity. It is important to work with designers or use professional graphic design tools when making your logo. Your logo should be unique and not reminiscent of different brands operating in the sector.

3. Get Your Brand Social Media Accounts

Social media is a must for e-commerce. After choosing your brand name, it is important to start by providing the domain and social media accounts that carry this name. Create an account for your business on social media channels such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. In addition to publishing advertising campaigns through these accounts, attract the attention of your target audience with regular visual and content sharing.

4. Choose a Sales-Oriented Site Design

When designing your site, make sure it is sales-oriented and useful. At this stage, you can benefit from the data you have about your target audience and blend this data with known sales strategies. You can get conversion optimization and UX design support in this regard.

5. Embrace the Power of Mobile Internet

Mobile compatible website design and mobile application are of great importance in e-commerce. Today, 80% of internet usage is done via mobile devices. Responsive designed mobile websites and fast iOS and Android applications help you reach your target audience more easily.

6. Take Cyber Security Measures

After setting up your site, especially if you have started with a new brand, you need to convince your target audience that you are reliable. By securing your site, you can both show your professionalism and protect your site against possible attacks. Don’t forget to complete security protocols that reflect your prestige such as SSL certificates, 3D Secure and Trust Stamp to protect your brand reputation.

7. Promote Your Brand to Your Target Audience

Building your site alone won’t attract customers. You need to publicize your brand and be visible. Look to gain rankings in all search engines, especially Google, by having SEO work done. Organize promotional campaigns that will bring you directly to your target audience with social media and Google Ads advertising campaigns. At this stage, you can also utilize traditional media in line with your budget. Keep in mind that traditional media is still considered a benchmark for credibility in our country and contributes positively to your brand reputation as well as increasing your awareness.

8. Use Plenty of Visual and Textual Content on Your Site

Use product images with descriptions to keep the customer’s interest alive on your site and to do search engine optimization correctly. While giving importance to your customers to get detailed information about the products, also consider search engines with the use of keywords. It is important that product photos are high resolution and unique. Instead of using an image from a different site, use photos of your own products taken by you.

9. Emphasize Diversity and Reliability in Payment Methods

Diversity is important for the collection of the products sold. Offer your target audience different options by including virtual payment methods as well as credit card payment on your site. It is important that the payment methods you choose are reliable. Do not neglect the security detail while dealing with details such as commission rates and installment options! You can get support from intermediary companies such as PAYTR for secure payment systems. Remember that reliability in online payment is the first priority of your customers.

10. Your Order Management Should Be Flawless

A successful e-commerce site must be flawless in order management. The secret of success in online shopping lies in delivering the product to the customer in the fastest way possible. Get support from integration applications for details such as supplier selection, warehouse layout and logistics organization. Be transparent at every stage of the process starting with the order. Customers tend to trust e-Commerce sites where they can check the stages of their orders from moment to moment. Make the most of this opportunity for your reputation!

11. Emphasize Customer Relations

Use every means to communicate with your customers in the right way. In addition to actively following customer requests and complaints on social media, don’t forget to create a live customer service line. Include contact forms on your website where your customers can reach you. Keep in mind that your customers will trust you as soon as they can reach you when they need you.

How Should Software Selection Be?

We mentioned that you have two options when setting up an e-Commerce site: using custom software and choosing ready-made e-Commerce platforms. Before choosing these two options, it is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of each. You can bring your site to life by choosing E-Commerce software that suits your budget, needs and operational skills.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Custom Software

Starting e-commerce with custom software allows you to differentiate with a completely unique design process. You can be successful in the sector with custom software e-commerce sites using the right coding skills and appropriate visual designs. This preference takes you one step ahead if you know what you are doing in terms of SEO compliance. Every search engine, especially Google, gives importance to originality. With a customized software, you can gain a “respected” identity in the eyes of search engines.

Going for custom software is preferable if you have a good command of coding knowledge. If you do not have enough code knowledge and are not sure what you are doing, this choice will be a wrong choice. In addition to increasing your external dependency, you will gradually move away from the success you are aiming for with wrong processes. When choosing custom software, you should recognize the pros and cons that await you and make your choice accordingly.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Off-the-shelf Software

If you think that you do not have the necessary code knowledge for custom software, you can choose ready-made software to open an e-Commerce site. These software, which have different package options in line with your budget, help you to set up your turnkey site and start operating. They contribute to a healthy process by continuing their technical support in line with the requests you create for the problems you encounter.

Ready-made software also includes ready-made options for integrations. They also provide support in the organization phase with the solutions they offer for different needs such as payment methods, cargo integrations, stock tracking and customer communication. Even if you have no knowledge about setting up an e-commerce site, you can overcome the negativities in this process with ready-made software.

The disadvantage of ready-made software can be summarized as the inability to achieve the originality you desire and the difficulty in achieving the success you dream of with low budgets. As you continue to grow in the sector, your current e-Commerce package will be insufficient for you. At this point, you can eliminate the risks of disadvantages by turning to the best in Turkey and the world.

With Which Ready E-Commerce Platforms Can You Build an E-Commerce Site? How Much Does It Cost?

Ready-made E-Commerce platforms set up your e-Commerce site from scratch and make it operational with the packages they organize. They support your goal of making money online with their ongoing support and special software solutions from the installation phase to the operation period. At this stage, price and performance come to the fore for the software you choose. The best in the industry turn to ready-made e-Commerce platforms such as Ticimax, ideasoft T-Soft, Shopify, Opencart, CMS, Wix and Magento. You can follow what you wonder about the options you can choose from below.

Ticimax E-Commerce Packages

Ticimax has 5 e-Commerce packages that you can choose according to your budget. Package options that you can pay in 9 monthly installments have an attractive price advantage with periodic discounts. Ticimax’s current e-Commerce package prices are as follows:

• Soft: 2,299 TL
• Plus: 3,299 TL
• Special 3,799 TL
• Special Extra: 5,499 TL
• Special Omni 7,299 TL

T-Soft E-Commerce Packages

T-Soft provides service with 5 different e-Commerce packages. There is also a rental option in packages with traffic limits starting from 800 GB per year. Package versions that support e-Export option are available for customers who want to sell abroad. Current price information for e-Commerce packages is shared below:

• Clever: 10.500 TL (Annual rental fee 4.700 TL)
• Real 18.000 TL (Annual rental fee 6.500 TL)
• Business 30.000 TL (Annual rental fee 9.500 TL)
• World: 45.000 TL (Annual rental fee 11.500 TL)
• Ultimate 80.000 TL (Annual rental fee 25.000 TL)

Ideasoft E-Commerce Packages

CMS Bilişim has 3 different package options starting with 10 GB and increasing up to 30 GB web space. CMC E-Commerce package prices are as follows:

• Package 1: 2,400 TL + VAT
• Package 2: 4,950 TL + VAT
• Package 3: 5,750 TL + VAT
• Package 4: 7,250 TL + VAT
• Package 5: 9,750 TL + VAT

Shopify E-Commerce Packages

Shopify, which is widely used in e-commerce sites abroad and is becoming increasingly active in our country, has three package options. It is possible to start from the lowest package with monthly rental on the platform and grow your package in line with the need. Shopify monthly e-commerce package fees are as follows:

• Basic Shopify: $29 per month
• Shopify: $79 per month
• Advanced Shopify: $299 per month

Wix E-Commerce Packages

Wix offers 3 different e-commerce packages. The monthly usage fees of the packages are listed below:

• Basic Business: 35 TL
• Unlimited Business: 50 TL
• VIP Business: 73 TL

Proticaret E-Commerce Packages

• Standard: Free of charge
• Professional 1.450 TL + VAT
• Professional+: 2500 TL + VAT
• Exclusive 3.750 TL + VAT
• Exclusive 4,750 TL +VAT

Note: Prices here are taken from the websites of the relevant platforms at the time of publication. They may vary depending on the time.

Payment Infrastructure Selection and PayTR Virtual Pos System

When choosing your payment infrastructure, you need to strictly adhere to the principle of security and diversity. By adding traditional payment methods and reliable options such as virtual POS to your e-commerce site, you can both protect your reputation and expand your customer base. PayTR Pos system integrates easily into ready-made e-commerce packages and CMSs. Payment methods are one of the most important details that customers pay attention to on e-commerce sites. Although traditional payment methods such as credit card, debit card, money order / EFT involve high commissions, they must be available on your site for reliability. Apart from these payment methods, online payment systems and virtual POS integrations should also be included in your site.

PayTR virtual POS system is one of the most utilized solutions in e-Commerce. The biggest advantage of the system, which is installed in just two hours, is that the payments received are credited to the account on the next business day. PayTR has a low commission. It also works successfully in terms of security. While you focus on sales, the security of payments is provided by the PayTR virtual POS system at the lowest commission.

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Most Profitable E-Commerce Sectors

When stepping into e-commerce, you may be undecided about which sector to enter. If you have a bright idea, you can pursue this idea. If you need help in this regard, you can start selling online by choosing sectors that stand out in terms of growth and current volume. It is important to catch the trends in e-commerce. You can make the right sector selection by taking a look at the trend sectors of recent years below:

• Souvenirs
• Cell phone
• Clock
• Mother and baby products
• Textiles and clothing
• Personal care and cosmetics
• Bags and accessories
• Computer
• Jewelry and jewelry
• Toy

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Much Does an E-Commerce Site Cost?

E-Commerce site cost varies according to your preferences. There are costs ranging from 1,000 TL to 50,000 TL for entry into the sector. Even if you want to set up a free e-Commerce site, you need to sacrifice at least 1,000 TL. Domain name, hosting and design costs should not be forgotten.

I Want to Start an Online Shopping Site, What Should I Do?

To set up an online shopping site, you need to determine the sector, find products to sell and build your brand. After completing these steps, establish your company and create your site. After setting up your site, complete your ETBIS registration created by the Ministry of Customs and Trade.

Is E-Commerce Profitable?

E-Commerce profitability is related to the chosen sector and the competition of the sector. Even if the profit margins are high when you first hear about it, you need to take the right steps to enter the sector and increase the recognition of your brand with customer-oriented promotional campaigns. When you do everything right, it is possible to make a profit of 30% to 50% of your turnover by selling online.

What Should E-Commerce Profit Margin Be?

Profit margins in e-commerce vary according to the product. Depending on the product sold, you can work with profit margins between 30% and 50%. The biggest obstacle to profit is to increase your recognition and high commissions paid. You can easily reach the mentioned profit margins with the right virtual POS system selection and effective strategy preference in brand promotion.

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