Low-code and no-code platforms for e-commerce

Low-code and no-code platforms allow people to build websites and apps with minimal or no coding. They have become popular choices for creating e-commerce sites because they offer a way to build, launch, and manage online stores without needing a team of developers. 

Below, we’ll go through what these platforms are and why they might work for you.

What are low-code and no-code platforms?

No-code platforms let you create a website or application by clicking, dragging, and dropping elements on the screen. No coding is needed, so anyone can use them. They’re designed for simplicity, so you can quickly assemble a site with basic functionality.

Low-code platforms are similar but allow some coding. They’re still based on visual interfaces but allow users to add or modify specific parts of the code if they need a feature or design element not offered by default. This is helpful for people who want a more custom look and feel or need certain features that aren’t in the templates.

Why use low-code and no-code platforms for e-commerce?

Low-code and no-code platforms have changed the way people build online stores. Here’s why they’re helpful:

• Speed
  Traditional development can take months. These platforms can reduce setup time to a few days or weeks (in more advanced scenarios).
• Cost
  Hiring a team of developers is expensive. With low-code and no-code, you can cut costs by managing much of the setup and maintenance yourself or with a smaller team.
• Easy to learn
  These platforms are designed for people with little or no technical background. Tutorials and guides are easy to follow, making them accessible for beginners.
• Flexibility
  These platforms usually support various plugins or extensions, so you can expand your store’s features as your business grows.
• Scalable
  Many of these tools can grow with your business. You can start small and add features, and products, or even change design elements as you go.

Popular low-code and no-code options for e-commerce

Here are some popular options for creating an e-commerce store. Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses.

Shopify

Shopify is one of the most widely used e-commerce platforms. It has everything you need to set up an online store – templates, payment processing, inventory management, and customer support.

• Pros: Easy setup, helpful support, a wide range of plugins and themes.
• Cons: Limited customization. For advanced features, you may need to pay extra for plugins or higher-tier plans.

Wix eCommerce

Wix is known as a drag-and-drop website builder. Its e-commerce feature allows users to create online stores with minimal effort.

• Pros: Very beginner-friendly, budget-friendly, plenty of templates.
• Cons: Limited SEO functionality, fewer customization options than other platforms. Not ideal for large, complex stores.

WordPress + WooCommerce

WooCommerce, a WordPress plugin, adds e-commerce features. Together, they offer flexibility for building online stores.

• Pros: High customization, strong SEO features, and access to thousands of plugins.
• Cons: Requires some technical knowledge, setup can be more complex than other options.

Now, let’s take a deeper look at WordPress + WooCommerce duo.

Why are WordPress and WooCommerce good choices for e-commerce?

WordPress, combined with WooCommerce, is a flexible and powerful option for building online stores. Let’s look at why it works well for e-commerce:

• Thousands of themes and plugins are available, so you can customize your store’s design, checkout process, product pages, and so on.
• WordPress is free, and WooCommerce offers a free version with optional paid plugins. This setup allows you to create a store without high upfront costs.
• WordPress has many good SEO plugins, which make it easier to improve your store’s search engine rankings.
• WordPress can handle small and large stores alike, provided you have the right hosting and resources.

How to set up WordPress + WooCommerce for an e-commerce site? (Simplified guide)

Here’s a step-by-step overview of setting up an e-commerce site on WordPress using WooCommerce.

1. Choose a hosting provider:
   Find a hosting provider that supports WordPress. Look for providers like Bluehost, SiteGround, or WP Engine, which are known for WordPress compatibility.
2. Install WordPress:
   Hosting providers usually offer a one-click WordPress installation, so getting started is simple.
3. Install WooCommerce:
   WooCommerce is available in the WordPress plugin directory. Install and activate it. WooCommerce will guide you through a setup process where you set currency, product types, shipping, and payment options.
4. Pick a theme:
   WordPress has a range of e-commerce themes. Popular options include Astra, OceanWP, and Storefront. These themes are optimized for WooCommerce and offer a clean, professional look. You can also customize them, or implement your own design (more advanced knowledge needed).
5. Install plugins:
   You can add plugins to expand your site’s functionality. Some common types include:
   • SEO: Yoast SEO helps optimize your content for search engines.
   • Marketing: MailChimp for WooCommerce lets you manage email marketing.
   • Analytics: Google Analytics plugins can help you track site traffic and user behavior.
6. Add products:
   WooCommerce lets you add and manage products. You can add titles, descriptions, prices, and images for each product.
7. Test the site:
   Before launching, test the site on desktop and mobile devices. Make sure that everything works smoothly, especially the checkout process.
8. Launch:
   Once you’re satisfied with the setup, make the site live. Monitor performance and make adjustments as needed.

Steps to building an e-commerce site with low-code and no-code platforms

Here’s a step-by-step guide to make sure you’re covering every important part of building and running a successful e-commerce store using low-code or no-code platforms. These steps will help you choose the right platform, set up your store, optimize for user experience, and manage ongoing growth effectively.

Step 1: Define clear goals for your store

Start by identifying what you want to achieve with your store. Consider these points:

• Know your target audience: Who are you selling to? Define their age, location, shopping preferences, and any habits that matter.
• Decide on store features: Think about what features your store needs, like payment methods, product categories, shipping options, and customer reviews.
• Set business targets: Outline short- and long-term goals. Whether it’s hitting specific sales numbers, building a loyal customer base, or boosting brand awareness, knowing your goals will guide each step.

These goals will help you select a platform and build your store based on what’s important to your business.

Step 2: Choose the right platform

Pick a platform that aligns with your goals, budget, and technical skill level. Here are some options to consider:

• Shopify: Great for quick setup and ease of use. It includes all basic e-commerce features but limits deep customization.
• Wix eCommerce: Easy, affordable, and best for small to medium stores. Customization is more limited than other platforms.
• WordPress + WooCommerce: Best for full customization and control but requires some basic technical knowledge.

Evaluate each platform’s fees, customization options, and scalability based on your business needs and growth expectations.

Step 3: Select a reliable hosting provider if needed

If using a self-hosted platform, you’ll need a reliable hosting provider to keep your site fast and stable.

• Managed hosting: Provides automated updates, backups, and customer support, which can simplify site management.
• Shared hosting: A budget option but can slow down with higher traffic. It may work for smaller stores but may need an upgrade as your store grows.
• Cloud hosting: Offers flexible and scalable solutions, ideal if you expect rapid growth. Good options here include Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud.

Choose a hosting provider that matches your anticipated traffic and supports your chosen platform.

Step 4: Set up your platform and configure e-commerce basics

Once your platform is ready, configure the essential settings for your store.

• Follow the setup guide: Most platforms have built-in tutorials that walk you through initial steps like setting your currency, selecting payment options, and defining shipping methods.
• Set up payment methods: Choose from payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or Square. Make sure the options are secure and fit your customer base.

Step 5: Choose a theme and customize it

The look and feel of your site are important for customer experience. Choose a theme that aligns with your brand and feels intuitive.

• Select an e-commerce-friendly theme: Many platforms offer a range of themes designed for online stores, such as minimalist or product-focused layouts.
• Check mobile compatibility: Most shoppers use mobile devices, so make sure your theme works well on mobile. Test all major functions, especially checkout.
• Customize the design: Adjust colors, fonts, and layouts to match your brand. Prioritize simplicity and ease of use so customers can navigate without confusion.

Step 6: Add essential plugins or tools

Plugins and apps enhance your store’s functionality. Here are common tools that can help:

• SEO tools: Built-in or add-on tools improve your site’s search engine optimization, helping you appear in search results.
• Security tools: If not built-in, consider adding extra security to protect against data breaches and fraud.
• Caching tools: Caching improves site speed, helping your site load quickly for customers.
• Email marketing tools: Integrate with services like Mailchimp or Constant Contact to manage and segment customer emails.
• Analytics tools: Most platforms integrate with Google Analytics or have built-in tools for tracking traffic and user behavior.

Avoid overloading your site with plugins. Focus on essential tools to keep your site fast and functional.

Step 7: Add and organize products

Adding products requires careful attention to detail so customers can make informed decisions. Here’s how to structure your product listings:

• Detailed product information: Write clear titles, descriptions, and include all relevant details such as size, material, and any specific product features.
• High-quality images and videos: Use multiple images to show products from different angles. Videos can also be helpful, especially when showing product details.
• Organize by category: Sort products into categories based on type, style, or other logical groupings.
• Tagging and filtering: Use tags like “sale” or “new” to help customers find products. Filters for attributes like size, color, or price make browsing easier.

Step 8: Test user experience and performance

Testing is crucial to ensure your site is easy to use and performs well.

• Walk through the user journey: Test each part of the buying process, from browsing products to checking out. Get feedback from others to catch any issues.
• Test on mobile devices: Make sure your site works smoothly on both iOS and Android devices.
• Check loading speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to see if your site is fast enough. Sites that load slowly often lose customers.
• Test payments and checkout: Ensure all payment options work smoothly. A friction-free checkout reduces cart abandonment.

Step 9: Optimize for search visibility

Optimizing for SEO helps your site rank higher in search engines, bringing more traffic to your store.

• Optimize product pages: Use relevant keywords in titles and descriptions without stuffing. Write descriptions that feel natural.
• Add alt text for images: This helps search engines understand your images, which is helpful for ranking and accessibility.
• Create blog content: A blog with relevant content can attract visitors. Focus on topics that complement your products or industry.
• Set up a sitemap: Many platforms automatically generate a sitemap, but you can create one manually if needed. This helps search engines index your site.

Step 10: Launch the site and monitor

Once you’re satisfied with the setup and testing, launch your site. Here’s what to do next:

• Announce your store: Use email marketing, social media, and any other channels you have to spread the word.
• Monitor performance: Check metrics like traffic, bounce rates, and conversions to see how users interact with your site. Use analytics to make improvements.
• Back up your site regularly: Keep backups in case of data loss. Many platforms offer automated backups, or you can use third-party tools.

Step 11: Engage customers and market your store

Once your store is live, customer engagement and marketing will drive growth.

• Email marketing: Send out promotions, product recommendations, and updates. Segment customers to make your messages more relevant.
• Social media: Build an active social media presence to drive traffic and build brand recognition. Share updates, engage with customers, and showcase products.
• Promotions and discounts: Offer discounts for new customers or run seasonal sales. Limited-time offers can help boost sales.
• Collect feedback: Encourage customers to leave reviews. Positive feedback builds trust, while constructive feedback can help improve your store.

Step 12: Regularly update and optimize

To keep customers engaged and improve SEO, keep your store fresh with regular updates.

• Add new products: Regularly introduce new products or variants to encourage return visits.
• Update content: Keep product descriptions, images, and any blog content current.
• Use analytics data: Check where customers drop off or spend the most time. Use this data to improve navigation or adjust product pages with low conversion rates.

Step 13: Plan for scaling and long-term growth

As your business grows, make adjustments to handle increased traffic and support larger product catalogs.

• Upgrade hosting if needed: More traffic may require better hosting to avoid slowdowns. Look into a cloud or managed hosting options.
• Add advanced features: As you grow, consider adding loyalty programs, advanced product search, or other tools that improve the customer experience.
• Stay on top of security: Regularly update your platform, enforce strong passwords, and consider security monitoring if available.

These steps provide a strong foundation for starting your journey with an e-commerce store.

Summary

Using low-code and no-code platforms for e-commerce is a practical option for businesses wanting to get online quickly. From small startups to established businesses, these tools offer a flexible way to build and grow an online store.

FAQs – Low-code and no-code platforms

Are low-code and no-code platforms suitable for large e-commerce sites?

Yes, especially low-code options like WordPress with WooCommerce, Shopify or others, which are designed to handle growth and higher traffic.

How is SEO on low-code/no-code platforms?

WordPress offers strong SEO capabilities. Shopify and BigCommerce are also decent options for SEO, though platforms like Wix may have limitations.

Can I switch e-commerce platforms?

Yes, but it can be time-consuming and may require technical help. It’s best to choose a platform that can grow with your business from the start.