The ecommerce market is on the rise: global sales are expected to reach nearly $10T by 2027, with online purchases accounting for 23% of all retail sales. Over 33% of the world's population shops online, making up 2.64B buyers in 2024.
This translates to a massive business opportunity, but capitalizing on it requires a strong online presence. However, building and maintaining a successful ecommerce store isn't as simple as setting up a website. Many businesses struggle to overcome key hurdles when it comes to building an online store, such as lack of technical expertise, complexity of inventory management, and high market competition. This is where outsourcing retail software solutions comes into play. With 8 out of 10 new stores failing within the first two years, outsourcing offers a strategic path to overcome these challenges and build a thriving online business. Businesses can get the expertise and resources needed to succeed by partnering with a specialized development company. Read on to find out how to find the right ecommerce outsourcing partner and transform your online store into a successful sales channel.
Benefits of outsourcing ecommerce development
Thriving ecommerce demands more than product listings; outsourcing development unlocks a range of expertise to propel your online business. Here's how outsourcing ecommerce development empowers you to build a secure and user-friendly online store while focusing on your core strengths:
User-friendly shopping experience
A streamlined and secure online store is crucial for converting visitors into customers. When you partner with an experienced tech vendor to outsource ecommerce development, it can help you:
- Capture international customers. To boost your international sales, consider partnering with a tech company to develop a strategic plan for reaching new markets. Additionally, focus on improving your checkout process for a smooth buying experience. This includes offering guest checkout options and ensuring transparent pricing throughout to reduce abandoned carts. According to Statista, over half of online shoppers purchase internationally, so this optimization is the key to unlocking significant growth in your customer base and revenue potential.
- Boost conversions. User-friendly design and a well-structured website translate to higher conversion rates. Integrate essential features like product listings, shopping carts, payment gateways, and order management systems to provide a frictionless experience. Remember, 38% of shoppers will abandon a website if they find it inconvenient, reports Adobe.
Read more: 5 steps to choosing e-commerce app development company
SEO domination
Drive organic traffic and improve your ranking in search results. Consumers research and gather information online before making purchases. A trustworthy ecommerce development partner can help you:
- Deliver content faster. Enhancing your content creation process can help you capture customer interest and drive traffic.
- Optimize SEO. Optimized product pages, a proper website structure, and an SEO-friendly platform can significantly improve your search engine ranking.
- Improve visibility. Higher conversion rates are achieved when visibility is combined with a great user experience.
Personalized marketing
According to a BSG study, customers exposed to personalized experiences are 110% more likely to purchase more items and 40% more inclined to surpass their initial spending plans. By leveraging AI, an experienced tech partner can help you achieve personalized marketing and recommendations at scale without increasing headcount or spending.
Multi-channel mastery
Less than 20% of online shoppers purchase directly from brand websites, reports Activate Consulting. A multi-channel strategy is crucial for reaching a wider audience and scaling your business. An experienced technology partner can provide the tools and expertise needed to overcome challenges like:
- Maintaining consistent branding. Ensuring consistent branding, value propositions, pricing, and promotions across all online platforms is essential for a seamless customer experience.
- Optimizing product assortment and inventory. Let your engineering partner streamline inventory allocation and product assortment across various channels for a unified and efficient experience.
- Customer data unification. Your tech partner team can help you collect and analyze customer data across different channels, providing valuable insights to inform future decisions.
Secure transactions
84% of people will abandon their purchase if they don't trust a website's security measures, according to a GlobalSign survey. Partnering with an experienced development team ensures your online store adheres to the latest security best practices, including:
- HTTPS encryption. Secure your website with HTTPS encryption, which scrambles data transmissions and protects sensitive customer information like credit card details.
- Payment gateway security. Integrate secure payment gateways that comply with industry standards to protect financial transactions.
- Regular security audits. Perform regular security audits to detect vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them.
Mobile usability
According to Statista, over 60% of all online searches are carried out on a mobile device. This means many of your potential customers will be browsing and shopping from their smartphones. A website not tailored for mobile devices will frustrate these users and lose them to competitors with user-friendly mobile experiences. An outsourcing partner can ensure your website has the following:
- Responsive design. Your website uses responsive design principles, ensuring it adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices (desktops, tablets, smartphones).
- Fast loading speeds. Your website is optimized for fast loading speeds, which is especially crucial for mobile users on slower connections.
- Easy navigation. Designed with intuitive navigation, the store makes it easy to explore products, add items to carts, and complete purchases on their mobile devices.
By outsourcing ecommerce development, businesses can navigate these complexities and focus on their core strengths while relying on experienced professionals to build and maintain a successful online store.
Read more: Ecommerce technology trends in 2024
Finding your perfect fit: How to choose the right ecommerce development outsourcing partner
Building a successful online store requires a strong foundation. Outsourcing ecommerce development can be a strategic decision, but with so many options available, how do you find the perfect partner? Here's a guide to help you navigate the process:
1. Define your needs and goals
Before diving in, step back and establish your goals and needs for the ecommerce store. What products will you sell? What functionalities are essential (shopping cart, payment gateway, etc.)? Do you have a specific target audience or market? A clear roadmap will help you choose a partner with expertise aligned with your vision.
2. Research potential partners
With your objectives in mind, start researching potential outsourcing partners. Utilize online directories, industry publications, and freelance platforms to discover companies specializing in ecommerce development. Look for a company with a proven track record and experience developing online stores similar to what you envision. Outsourcing to an ecommerce development company can provide the technical expertise needed to create a secure and user-friendly online shopping experience.
3. Evaluate expertise and experience
Review the potential partner's portfolio, focusing on projects similar to your own. Do they have experience with the ecommerce platform you prefer (e.g., Shopify, Magento)? What technologies do they utilize? Look for a company with a strong understanding of ecommerce best practices and current trends.
4. Consider communication style and time zones
Communication is key to a successful partnership. Assess the company's communication style. Do they prefer email or video calls? How responsive are they to inquiries? Additionally, consider time zones. While a significant time difference isn't insurmountable, large discrepancies can hinder smooth and efficient communication.
5. Request references and review portfolios
Reach out to the potential partner and request references from past clients. They can give insight into a company's work ethic, communication style, and ability to meet deadlines and budgets. Furthermore, explore their portfolio in detail. Look for well-designed and user-friendly ecommerce stores that showcase the quality of their work.
6. Negotiate a clear contract
Once you've identified a promising partner, it's time to solidify the agreement. Don't underestimate the importance of a clear and concise contract. The contract should outline the project's scope, timelines, deliverables, payment terms, and intellectual property ownership. A clear contract protects both you and the outsourcing partner, ensuring a smooth and successful collaboration.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to finding the ideal ecommerce development outsourcing partner. Remember, choosing the right partner to outsource ecommerce development will save you time, money, and frustration in the long run, leaving you free to focus on growing your online business.
Wrap-up
Outsourcing ecommerce development offers a strategic advantage for businesses looking to establish a strong online presence. With the global ecommerce market projected to reach nearly $4,117B in 2024 according to Statista, leveraging expert teams, cost-effective solutions, and faster time to market becomes imperative. By partnering with a specialized development company like N-iX, businesses can overcome key challenges such as technical expertise, inventory management complexity, and market competition. With a proven track record of success and a portfolio featuring global retailers and Fortune 500 companies, N-iX enables businesses to build secure and successful online stores while focusing on core strengths.
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