E-commerce websites: How much does it cost to build one?

Having an e-commerce website is one of the best ways to take a business online. It is important to know how much of an investment you have to make to get one up and running. It is advisable that you pair up with a partner agency that knows how to go about it.

BUILDING AN E-COMMERCE WEBSITE FROM SCRATCH

There is no ideal value as such to create an e commerce website. It actually depends on what you want. Are you planning to use an already existing platform such as WordPress, Shopify or Magento? Or are you looking to create your own tailor made, customized website?

Based on what you are looking for; costs can range anywhere between 15,000 to AED 300,000+. Still seems daunting? Not sure where to start?

Let’s have a look at it step by step.

GETTING YOUR DOMAIN NAME

Price: AED 20 – AED 200 / per annum depending on .com, .net, .ae etc.

This is the simplest part of starting your website. Think of it as your company’s online house. A domain can be yours for a period of one year after which you will have to renew it.

HOSTING YOUR WEBSITE

Price: AED 400 onwards

Once the domain is up and running, you have to set up a hosting solution.

Hosting solutions allow internet users to access your website. Typically, your solution needs to be fast and allow quick interaction with its visitors.

When picking a server host, you can choose between a shared host server or have your own dedicated server. The downside to having a shared server is that your site will be slower and may not have support services. Having your own server on the other hand will enable you to customize features which then distinguishes you from the crowd.

Because E-Commerce sites are meant to generate revenue, it is advisable to have hosts that offer support. Maybe this may not sound essential in the beginning, however when your website has issues, they will be able to assist you. It could save you from losing out on revenues for days.

ANALYSING COSTS OF AN E COMMERCE WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

Based on what you are looking for; costs can range anywhere between 15,000 to AED 300,000+

There is no easy way to know how much you may need to get your online business running, but the best way to get a ballpark figure is to get a comparison between different e-commerce platforms, add-ons, tools and any other additional services that your company may need.

It is also important to realize whether you want a hosted or self-hosted website. Hosted platforms such as Shopify, use external servers that you are not able to control. Hence, there will be features that are unalterable.

Whereas self-hosted websites always have the advantage for you to customize your website the way you want it to be.

Entry-level e-commerce solutions can be built on WordPress or Drupal as well.

DO YOU NEED WEBSITE MAINTENANCE?

Price: AED 3,000 to AED 30,000 / monthly

Constant website maintenance is vital. You have to make sure that it is properly working. Just the way a typical house needs servicing and maintaining to keep in form, a website has this need too! Have dedicated personnel to keep checking on bugs that may pop up. With time, many pages do become unresponsive. There could even be graphical errors on online pictures. You may also require constant SEO if you are in a competitive industry.

Every site does experience its downtimes. Maybe having a dedicated budget to this side may not seem crucial but setting some funds aside for it could go a long way.

WHAT FEATURES SHOULD YOU KEEP IN MIND?

Functionality is of key importance now. Your users will visit your site more if they are able to navigate your site with ease. A typical site should integrate the following features:

• Customer Registration

Although most companies keep a no registration policy for checking out items, it would be a plus point for your company to track buyer information, collect data, monitor buyer history and create a database.

• Search function/ Navigation

This is one of the most crucial features to add. Helping a user search for what they want will be effective and user friendly. It will generate more sales on your website.

• Product Reviews

This is one of the best marketing tactics out there on the internet. Most people review a product before purchasing it. Having this feature on your website will show your users the past experiences that other users have had. Rating stars, comments, friend recommendations – all these are useful.

• Flexible check out

The easier the checkout, the more convenient it is for a customer. It could easily vary from simple add order carts to more detailed versions that ask for your shipping method, billing address etc.

• Multiple payment options

It is more convenient to tie up with third party services like Paypal, Visa, MasterCard etc. If you operate locally it would be advisable to tie up your services with local companies as well. For example, in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and rest of the United Arab Emirates, there are payment gateways such as Telr, Payfort, Checkout, Cashu which are more relevant in the market. Localize your methods.

LET GTECH BE YOUR PREFFERED PARTNER

GTECH, known to be a fully integrated digital service partner, will assist you in building one of the most eye catching and fully functional websites. With high success rates, world class customer support and 300+ customers across the globe, we are able to understand your initial needs and bring life to them. You have our guarantee to stand by you.