Can the online retail sector maintain its upward trend after rising by a whopping 55% at the start of this decade? In 2023, how will e-commerce look?

Retailers must keep up with new trends to stay competitive due to changing consumer behavior and emerging technologies. Since 2020, both B2C and B2B stores have seen significant changes in in-person and online retail, and in 2023, people and technology will continue to shift the focus on what matters.

However, before knowing or following the trends in 2023, know the steps to create an e-commerce website. With the help of these steps, you can quickly develop your own website for your shop and also on the Shopify store.

How to Create an E-commerce Website? (7 Steps)

Step 1: Pick the Content Management System (CMS)

A content management system serves as the cornerstone of every website (CMS). Open-source platforms like WordPress and beginner-friendly all-in-one website builders like Shopify or Squarespace are just a few of the many content management systems available. Which is best for you and your online store will depend on your financial situation, experience level, and particular e-commerce requirements.

The most well-liked content management systems for e-commerce websites are listed below:

• WordPress is the most popular CMS in the world and one of the most adaptable.
• An excellent e-commerce option for starting a dropshipping company is Shopify.
• One of the finest website builders for beginners who wish to quickly create a professional website without any prior knowledge of web design is Squarespace.
• Square Online is the best for current merchants wishing to sell both offline and online.
• Wix is a simple-to-use, highly configurable, all-in-one website builder.

Learn more about the best e-commerce platform to help you choose the ideal CMS for your e-commerce requirements. Also, hire someone to build Shopify Store.

Step 2: Register for an Account (Or Get Web Hosting)

Unless you pick WordPress, the next step is establishing an account after choosing which CMS to use. Purchase a hosting web package if you want to use WordPress to develop your e-commerce website. The top web hosting companies provide one-click WordPress installation, free SSL certificates, and domain names that can be used immediately. It eliminates the need to link your domain and host to WordPress manually.

Use the provider’s website to sign up for an account if you use a website builder like Shopify, Squarespace, Square Online, or Wix. If your selected CMS permits it, register your domain name using it to save having to configure it manually.

If the CMS you have selected does not allow you to purchase a domain name, you should use a domain name registrar to do it. Check out our post on the top domain name registrars for assistance in making your decision.

Step 3: Choose an E-Commerce Theme or Template

A website theme is the first thing you need to think about. Themes are prebuilt themes that offer your website a unified appearance and feel. Whether you choose to construct your e-commerce website using WordPress, Shopify, Wix, or another platform, you will have a wide selection of prebuilt templates and themes to pick from on all subscription platforms.

Although most platforms typically provide free templates, be aware that some also offer paid (or premium) layouts. For instance, Shopify and WordPress have premium themes with prices ranging from $30 to over $200. The advantage is that many of them provide more distinctive designs, which may assist companies that desire a specific appearance to spend less time designing their preferred theme.

Step 4: Create Web Pages and Customize Your Site

The next step is modifying the theme or template you have chosen for your online business. It is where you will build up the homepage to your refunds and return policy page, update your header and footer, and set up your site’s navigation.

Step 5: Create Product Listings

There always needs to be more product listings in an online shop. The next stage is to construct your product catalog with all of your individual product listings once you have set up your website. Make care to classify and arrange your listings throughout this process so that you can manage them efficiently and future site users can discover them.

Step 6: Configure an Inventory System, a Payment Gateway, and Tax Tools

After populating your e-commerce website, you must take care of a few crucial components, such as setting up a payment processor and integrating inventory and tax tools.

• Pick a payment processor.

Many online shops use third-party solutions like Stripe or PayPal to make selecting and setting up a payment gateway quicker and more secure. You must ensure that the data is completely secured before transmission if you send the client to other websites.

When selecting payment integrations, keep the following in mind:

• How simple is the tool’s integration with your platform?
• Is the device safe?
• Does the tool comply with PCI?
• What are the costs that both you and the client must bear?

• Ship Integration

For a seamless experience, you should integrate shipping with your e-commerce website if your platform permits it. Operations will be made more straightforward, and you can concentrate on selling. Before combining shipping, decide on your shipping rules, such as free delivery, variable fees, flat rates, etc. Additionally, create regulations for returns and refunds while you are at it.

• Include a Sales Tax Estimator (Optional)

Consider adding a tax calculator to checkout so that it can compute shipping, sales tax, and any other taxes for you.

Step 7: Test and Launch Your E-Commerce Website

You must test your e-commerce site before making it available to your clients. Every link and button on the website must function. Even 404 error web pages must be created with the subject in mind.

Test your ability to add items to the cart and complete the payment. You may test payment processing on the majority of platforms without actually using your credit card. After a purchase has been completed or denied, ensure that all emails arrive in the correct inboxes. Lastly, check how your website appears and works on mobile devices. Try, if you can, to evaluate the functionality of the website using several web browsers.

Everything from product descriptions to category pages should have been tested and double-checked before you are ready to publish.

Use your social media profiles, guest pieces on well-known retail blogs in your industry, influencer marketing, and email lists to announce the opening of your e-commerce site. You may also use sponsored advertising on Google, Facebook, and other platforms if you have the money.

To help you plan ahead, we’ve compiled a list of 13 trends that will be important to watch in 2023.

Why is it essential for a company like yours to be aware of new e-commerce trends in 2023? Well, if you apply recent trends to your industry, you can:

• Remain relevant
• Outperform the competition
• Anticipate client demands
• Explore new prospects.

The Following 13 Trends Are Ones to Watch Out for in 2023

• E-commerce is Still Expanding

COVID-19 propelled the e-commerce sector’s expansion at a never-before-seen pace. Since then, that growth has leveled down, and people are learning how to modify their tactics in a post-covid world. Thankfully, e-commerce is here to stay. Statista predicts that global e-commerce revenues will increase from $5.7 trillion in 2022 to $7.5 trillion in 2025.

Due to the pandemic, customers preferred online shopping, and analysts predict that this trend will persist in the years to come. 

Therefore, retailers should focus again on their online companies in 2023. E-commerce is essential to the future of retail, and analysts anticipate years of rapid development.

• Omnichannel Shopping Experiences Predominate

After two years of online shopping during COVID, customers’ need for in-store experiences indicates that merchants need to examine their omnichannel experience. The whole client experience, which only sometimes begins and concludes on your website, must be taken into consideration.  

Before making a purchase, about 75% of consumers search across several channels. It implies that merchants must take into account the whole experience they are providing to customers across all platforms, including their website, physical stores, and social media accounts. Omnichannel or unified commerce is the term used for this.

When buying with you, customers demand a smooth transition across channels. That implies that each channel ought to mirror the others’ images. No matter where a customer chooses to buy with you, they should be able to explore and purchase the same products.

Modern consumers could first peruse social media, visit your website to review price and return policies, and ultimately make their purchase in person. What are three different touchpoints that all help to sell your stuff?  

Integrating your in-store and online processes via e-commerce is one of the first steps to success in omnichannel retail. Once your company is linked, you will be able to implement some of the significant omnichannel trends for 2023, including:

• Integrating your inventory across your online and offline stores
• Employees can access more client information and provide better customer care by giving express shipment and delivery information.
• Sync your stock with your social media shop.
• Businesses that successfully integrate channels will prosper online in 2023.

• More People Than Ever Are Using Mobile Devices to Shop

Mobile purchasing will increase as omnichannel experiences become more common, taking a larger share of the e-commerce market. Your website must appear fantastic on all devices, to put it simply.

Nearly half of all online purchases, or 41.6%, will be made on mobile devices by the end of 2022. You must have a responsive website allowing clients to peruse your complete product selection regardless of the device they use to make their purchases.

With a Next Gen theme, WebSell shops may significantly increase the performance of their websites, lower cart abandonment rates, and streamline the checkout procedure. To explore your possibilities for a redesign in 2023 and get your year off to a great start, schedule a conversation with one of our Next Gen Specialists.

• Customers Will Be Delighted with Personalization

No matter what technology they are currently using, everyone wants to have a tailored experience. For instance, when we start Netflix, we anticipate finding something they believe we’ll like. Nowadays, shoppers expect a similar experience while purchasing online.

52% of customers want to receive offers that are tailored to them based on information from their accounts. Customers are also open to providing their data if it creates a more customized experience.

Clients are more likely to become repeat customers if they see you utilizing their data in valuable ways. Make customized offers for your consumers using the data at your disposal to let them know you respect the information they’ve given you.

• With Gen Z, Social Commerce Is Still Growing

Social media-savvy retailers can provide an omnichannel experience and draw in a younger generation of customers. About 60% of Gen Z users on social networking sites make direct purchases.

Social media has evolved from a tool for finding products to a location where your company can increase sales. Businesses that ignore social media risk being left behind as Gen Z drives the social commerce revolution. They are omnichannel natives who seek a seamless experience.

Download our Social Commerce guide to learn how your company can successfully sell on social media in 2023.

• Customer Service Continues to be a Differentiator

Regarding customer service in 2023, availability is critical before and after the transaction. Your customer service must be effective and efficient in resolving issues, but sometimes, clients need to know that someone is there to hear them out. Most cases may be handled when a conversation starts with the consumer.

But expecting a person to be available to respond to inquiries all the time is unreasonable. Retailers need to investigate cutting-edge solutions like chatbots in this area. With the help of chatbots, you can create a flow of replies that will make the consumer feel as if they have had a genuine interaction.

89% of customers are more inclined to buy something else after having good customer service. If a company provides excellent customer service, customers are also ready to give a lot of wiggle room for things like shipping delays.

In 2023, give providing excellent customer service top priority.

• The Average Order Value May be Impacted by Inflation

Retailers should prepare for the potential effects of inflation on consumer spending in 2023. As consumers grow more aware of their purchasing patterns, this may lead to decreased average order values.

Retailers, however, have a great chance to gain consumers by providing flexible returns and more cost-effective solutions. Prior to buying, 67% of customers read the return page. Do your company a favor and get your returns policy and web page in order if you still need to get them by 2023.

You can miss out on sales if you still need one. Create a reasonable return policy that gives consumers time to ponder if the item they purchased was the correct choice for them. In 2023, showing compassion to your consumers will humanize your brand and, ideally, transform them into devoted patrons.

• Subscription-Based Business Increases Client Loyalty

It is less expensive to keep a current client than to acquire new ones. In 2023, building trusting connections with customers will be essential to long-term success. A lot of companies will look at subscription commerce as a means to keep clients and guarantee future recurring income from them.

Currently, around 35% of weekly internet consumers utilize subscriptions, and that number may increase in 2023. If it makes sense for your company, subscription commerce may make it easier for repeat consumers. Your consumers will have one less thing to worry about as manual ordering is no longer a part of their daily life.

• The Ecology and Sustainability Are Increasingly More Important

Our everyday lives now include a more significant portion of environmental issues. Customers are paying attention; therefore, retailers should make an effort to look out for ethical suppliers for their goods.

According to Statista, 42% of online customers would choose a company that utilizes sustainable packaging over one that doesn’t.

In 2023, reducing your company’s carbon footprint is a good message to spread and one that customers will be interested in. Significant businesses, like McDonald’s, Adidas, and Zara, have recently made numerous attempts to cut down on plastic usage in their operations.

Your consumers will notice and search for smaller stores in 2023 because they can provide value.

• For 2023, Flexibility in Fulfillment Is Essential.

For customers who have grown tired of the online-only experience they experienced during COVID, Buy Online, and Pick Up in Store (BOPIS) will continue to be a popular option. Customers may engage with your brick-and-mortar shop and your website to complete a transaction with BOPIS, giving them the best of both worlds. It would help if you thus considered your omnichannel experience.

Consumers claim that BOPIS enhances their whole purchasing experience proportion to 70%. BOPIS offers your clients freedom in how they purchase, which will be a significant trend in 2023. Since clients must switch between online and in-person buying experiences, it is also a highly effective approach to advertise your omnichannel experience.

• There Are More Payment Alternatives at the Checkout

In 2023, retailers that don’t provide a range of payment choices run the danger of losing even more customers. They utilize various payment providers based on where and how they purchase as a result of the growth of social commerce and mobile purchasing. Retailers must determine whether they are fully prepared. For instance, Gen Z makes purchases considerably differently from other generations. Does your business accommodate customers’ preferences?

The goal is to provide quick checkout options without compromising security. By 2026, it’s anticipated that more than 60% of people on the planet will use digital wallets. Do you allow customers to pay using popular digital wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay? If not, it may be wise to change your mind.

• Customers Have Less Tolerance for Late Deliveries.

Customers want complete transparency about the whereabouts of their packages as well as the expected time of arrival in order for their purchases to be delivered on schedule. As part of your after-sales support, you must tell clients at every stage of the fulfillment process if you want to general repeat business.

A significant retail trend in 2023 will be transparency throughout fulfillment. Customers don’t object if a package is delayed as long as it is notified. If a delivery is delayed and they are not informed of it, over 70% of customers believe they would be less inclined to make another purchase from the company. So be sure to provide your consumers with realistic delivery estimates before they complete the checkout process and give them the authority to check on the status of their deliveries.

• Data Security and Protection Are Always High Priorities

Customers are prepared to provide personal information if it results in a better-customized experience, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of their data’s security. Customers want to make secure online purchases in 2023.

A unique SSL certificate that prefixes your site URL with HTTPS is required for your website to be completely safe. This assures clients that their personal information, including credit card information, will be handled securely and confidentially.

Retailers should consider allowing consumers to check out as guests for individuals who don’t want to give up their sensitive personal data. By 2025, the e-commerce fraud detection and prevention market is anticipated to double.

Conclusion

The first hurdle is setting up your internet business; the second is expanding it. You should think about incorporating some of these trends into your online plans for 2023 if you want to outperform the competition and make your shop stand out from the crowd.

You don’t have to invest significantly in something you’re not confident will succeed. Try to start small with a limited number of clients and then iterate from there.

Customer experience is the overarching trend that all others fall under in some fashion. You must provide your customers with the finest possible experience. Having a website that looks excellent on all devices, providing customers with enough ways to finish their transactions, or providing total transparency and flexibility with their delivery choices are just a few examples.

In 2023, you should focus on improving the customer experience in all you do. It’s the only way your company can stand out in the crowded field of internet shopping.