According to the latest statistics, global e-commerce sales in 2018 were close to $3 trillion. The reason for this is that four out of ten purchases were made online. 

Customers just believe that online shopping is a more convenient alternative than walking outside to purchase from a real store because 51 percent of the world has access to the internet today. 

So, how is an e-commerce website different from a standard website? What are the essential criteria and technical aspects that make purchasing on your e-commerce site simple for customers? 

Ecommerce software, in general, enables buyers to acquire goods or services, accept online payments, and integrate all aspects of essential e-commerce functionality.

Let's have a look at the 10 most important factors to consider when selecting e-commerce software to ensure that your online store has all of the necessary features and functionalities. 

1. Safety and security of the website 

Nobody wants to catch a bug while surfing the internet, but it's not just their computer's security that's at risk. As an eCommerce business, you save a lot of information about your products and the customers that register to buy on your site, thus security is one of the most critical eCommerce website requirements. 

2. Optimization before and during the building of an eCommerce website 

When it comes to bad reputations, Google's new feature for users flags websites that take too long to load. If people used to click on a link, wait for it to load, and then go back if it didn't, they might now avoid checking out a website with a slow load speed entirely. According to a study conducted by Think with Google, if a page takes more than five seconds to load, the likelihood of users bouncing jumps by 90%.

3. Search and filtering capabilities on the website 

Even if your website doesn't sell anything, people utilize the search bar, and if it does, it should have advanced search functionality. For example, a visual search feature allows users to upload a photo of an item they want, and your search engine will try to find a product that is similar, if not identical. 

4. Issues relating to registration 

Although there are certain advantages to registering on an eCommerce website, such as keeping buying history or shipping address, some users prefer a guest checkout form or a one-click-buy function. 

Consider how many different online accounts you have. You undoubtedly have a lot of them if you're like the typical user,

and some people don't want to register on yet another website just to place a one-time order. 

5. Various payment alternatives 

When you're just starting with an eCommerce website, including all potential payment alternatives can be too much, but merely offering one limits you to customers who utilize that option. Although unexpected shipping prices (55%) and a lengthy checkout procedure (26%) are two of the most prevalent reasons for shoppers quitting their shopping carts, the 2019 Payment Methods Report discovered that 6% of them would abandon you if you didn't have enough payment alternatives. 

6. Shipping charges 

As previously said, surprise shipping costs cause 55 percent of shoppers to quit their purchasing carts. It could be because they were uninformed of the rates or expected a smaller amount, or it could be because there are additional expenses.

7. Integration with a content management system 

All of your visual and written content, as well as your marketing paperwork, can be stored and managed in one place with a content management system (CMS). You can alter or add new information, and the changes will be reflected on the website after they are published. A (CMS) can also help your staff reply to customer tickets more swiftly. 

8. Mobile compatibility 

According to Criteo's 2018 Global Commerce report, mobile devices account for more than half of all online purchases. Even if people prefer to shop via a phone app, if your eCommerce interface is simply adaptable to the mobile web, you'll see a greater conversion rate. 

9. A website design that complements and matches the things you offer

The website's color scheme should complement and match the products you sell. If you're creating an eCommerce site for gaming or fandom-related merchandise, the typeface or background you use should be self-explanatory of the wide range of products available. 

10. A well-designed shopping cart 

We don't need statistics to convince us that internet shoppers like simple yet useful shopping carts. There are ways to increase the usefulness of a simple shopping cart, even though it has the fewest steps imaginable. 

Final Thoughts 

To say there's a lot to think about when creating an eCommerce website is an understatement. We have firsthand knowledge of all the features, details, and technologies required to create a user-friendly, functional, and high-performing online store that will attract customers. Even if you utilize WordPress, eCommerce plugins, or software like Shopify, it's not easy.