Three ways to create your online store
Jewellery with the Social Buy Button
The social selling solution
I’ve been making jewellery as a side hustle for a while now. It doesn’t pay the bills just yet, but there’s definitely a market for the unique upcycled pieces I make. With a full time job, I need a fast and convenient way to sell. Going to fairs and markets is time consuming, and you don’t get the same reach. Most micro merchants use social media and I realized I needed to get on board.
After looking around, I chose the IONOS Social Buy Button. It means I can manage everything from my phone, and I don’t even need a website. You just add a buy button on Facebook and Instagram and you’re good to go. For someone like me with a small product range and not much time, it’s the perfect way to sell.
Coffee cups with eCommerce Website Builder
The adaptable store solution
I was always interested in pottery and making kitchenware. I started making my own coffee cups to give to friends and family but was taken aback when demands starting coming in from local cafes. One thing led to another and I needed an online store where I could not only sell products, but where loyal customers can log in, see B2B information and schedule orders. I now sell reusable cups to cafes and wholesalers all around the country.
The IONOS MyWebsite eCommerce platform was so easy to set up and use. It even helped guide me in the right direction with detailed articles on what you need to run a successful online business. However, what really blew me away was that every time my fledgling business seemed to grow, my website was able to meet the demand.
Electronics store with WooCommerce
The customizable store solution
I started selling electronics as a hobby way back when. I wasn’t doing anything groundbreaking, but I must’ve been in the right place at the right time because I started making money. Once I realized I could make a living doing this, I got myself a small unit and started expanding. I slowly built up a team of 10 employees and before I knew it I had orders coming in from all around the world!
I’m so glad my hosting agency recommended I choose WooCommerce for my online store – without its warehouse management feature I’d be lost, especially now I’ve got multiple warehouses. It’s really important to know what is where, and I get notifications if the stock gets low. WooCommerce grew with me, so even though it’s been a complex beast to tame, it has been worth it.
Which of our products is the best fit for you?
| Social Buy Button | MyWebsite Online Store | Managed WordPress with WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features |
Relevant features for social selling |
Lots of integrated functions |
Flexible with plugins |
| Quick to go live |
Go live in 60 minutes |
Installation possible in 1 - 2 days |
Setup takes a little longer |
| No technical knowledge required |
Very easy to use |
Very easy to use |
Previous knowledge necessary |
Scalability (Marketing, operations, B2B, and more) |
Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Messenger |
Large selection already integrated |
Very large selection of plugins |
| Easy changes and adaptions |
Very easy to use |
Very easy to use |
Operation requires training |
| Price | Starting at | Starting at $0/month | Starting at $0.08/month |
| Learn more | Learn more | Learn more |
Be prepared by following our eCommerce checklist
| 1. Get organized: Think of a story! | 2. Design and structure your store | 3. Administration |
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| 4. Secure a domain and go live | 5. Marketing and multi-channels | 6. Stay up to date and relevant |
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The types of eCommerce platforms available
Take control with self-hosted eCommerce platforms
Enjoy all-in-one solutions with hosted platforms
Get the best of both worlds with mixed platforms
Creating an online store
The length of time it takes to create an online store depends on a number of factors and can vary based on the size of the shop, the tech used, the budget available and the creator's IT skill level.
You can find a number of resources in the Digital Guide that will help speed up the process of starting an online store, offering both technical and theoretical advice on dealing with the different stages of creating your shop.
Creating an online store allows you to reach a new customer base and to therefore increase sales by tapping into a new market. An online store is always available and allows users to make purchases 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By freeing you from the boundaries of physical distance, an online shop gives you a wider reach to prospective customers.
Generally speaking, creating an online store can significantly increase your business turnover and can even save you money by allowing you to identify and meet the specific needs of your customers. In this way, you'll have more relevance to your audience and can adapt more easily to their buying habits.
It can be difficult to distinguish the difference between the free, open-source online store platforms, and paid eCommerce solutions. If the outcome is the same, why are some systems free while others must be paid for? The explanation is simple: Since not all online shops have the same needs, the difference in use between the two systems permits different things.
The service that an open-source online store offers is generally intended for professional developers and those familiar with programming language. This is because they enable the utmost customization possible and therefore respond extremely well to custom projects, particularly if there are specific needs in a particular area.
Paid online store platforms are a better idea for anyone starting out in online sales, whether that's to bring an online presence to their business's storefront or launching primarily as an online retailer. They provide everything you need to create an online store independently and with no understanding of IT necessary, meaning anyone can take advantage of the opportunities that the web offers.
It's difficult to know which eCommerce platform to choose when there are so many on offer. Six of the best eCommerce platforms are Magento, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, osCommerce, b2evolution and the IONOS eCommerce Website Builder. Our hosted eCommerce platform makes the best of the six and here's why:
- Magento is a flexible and scalable open-source platform, suitable for small and medium-sized businesses as well as enterprises. Its vast array of features and large support community testifies to its popularity.
- WooCommerce is also suitable for the same-sized businesses as Magento and also boasts a large community on hand to help other users as well as to make improvements to the source code. Unique store designs are possible with this platform as well as the option to set up different accounts to give users different rights.
- Another simple to use, easy to install solution is PrestaShop. Its flexible nature and ability to work without the fastest internet connection are definite plus points, as well as the fact that multiple currencies and languages are integrated in order to be appealing as possible to store owners and customers.
- osCommerce has a huge active community and support forum and with over 8,000 free integrations at your disposal, you can design your store to your exact liking. The open-source solution is especially a good choice for those just starting out.
- Another e-commerce platform that is easy to get to grips with is b2evolution. Uploading and editing web content is simple and the platform also boasts top security, making transactions secure and keeping hackers at bay. It's also possible to run multiple blogs on one platform if you wish.
- The IONOS MyWebsite Online Store package is simple to set up for users with little tech-experience. It is affordable, and provides store owners with lots of embeddable features, as well as great scalability if their online store grows.
This comparison of the different e-commerce platforms can put things into perspective and help you decide on the best e-commerce platform for you and your store.
An eCommerce platform is a software technology solution that enables you to build an online store and run a business online. eCommerce software provides you with tools that facilitate inventory management, help to calculate taxes and make it easier to add or remove products in your store. eCommerce platforms can be very beneficial for those without technical backgrounds since the software takes care of a lot of the operation.
- Many design possibilities
- Top-notch site security
- Easy to create pages and content
- Ability to grow as your store expands
- Expand capabilities with third party plugins
- Online support
- Multi-channel functionality
eCommerce software enables you to have everything you need to run your store in one place. If there are tasks that the platform cannot undertake, it's possible to link other integrations (e.g., Twitter, Facebook) to the platform so you don't have to switch between different services all the time. Choosing the right eCommerce platform is crucial for your business. The general rule of thumb is that the more flexible the software is, the less simplistic is will be.
E-commerce platforms are usually based on a common programming language such as Java or PHP, with Java being used most frequently due to its object- and standards-based nature. To get the platform online, you either host it yourself or have it hosted for you in the cloud. A third possibility is mixed-hosting where you get the best of both worlds. IONOS hosts six of the best e-commerce platforms, which makes it a lot easier for you to get started with half the work already being done.
IONOS offers several hosting packages so there's something for you whether you're a freelancer or a large company setting up their online store. Installation requires a few simple clicks in the IONOS App Center and then you can begin designing your store. Magento, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, osCommerce, b2evolution and the IONOS eCommerce Website Builder provide you with numerous ways to individualize your storefront to help you stand out from your competition.
Visit the Help Center if you have any more questions on how eCommerce platforms work.
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Chat with one of our IONOS experts.