Brick and mortar stores still exist. Some cafes, restaurants and retail stores are still trying their best to get back on their feet despite the huge changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although these traditional stores are somehow surviving, we can’t hide from the fact that eCommerce is making its way towards growth and success. According to Statista, Singapore’s eCommerce revenue is expected to reach US$2,401 million before the year ends. Given these figures, it’s safe to say that creating an eComerce website for your Singapore business is the best thing you can do.
Then and Now: Brick and Mortar Store to eCommerce
From depending solely on traditional brick and mortar stores, Singaporean business owners are now gradually realising the need for digital transformation. With consumers continuously heading online for fashion items, electronics and even for food and beverages, creating an eCommerce website can no longer be considered an optional business strategy but rather a powerful tool for a stronger and more successful business.
Out of 5.8 million Singaporeans, 3.12 million of them are active eCommerce users. While making the digital switch may seem like a challenging thing to do, the vast majority of eCommerce users provide businesses with a large pool of potential customers.
Why Need an eCommerce Website in Singapore?
Let’s face it, the entire world is now moving online. People of all ages, genders and races are now becoming more and more digitally-dependent. Consumers are becoming less interested in spending their time shopping in physical stores. Today, people are getting used to purchasing all possible items online in the comfort of their homes.
To shed some light on the importance of having a well-produced eCommerce website in Singapore, here are some good reasons you may want to look into:
Easier, faster and more convenient.
Apart from providing customers with excellent quality products and competitive pricing, one of the most essential factors you need to prioritise is giving them the most remarkable buying experience they could ever have. A well-made eCommerce website in Singapore offers just that. It provides customers with your store’s essential information, detailed product catalogs and reviews from other clients, all in one place.
Even better, an eCommerce website allows them to shop anytime and anywhere they want, giving them the freedom they can never experience from a brick and mortar store. With a mobile responsive eCommerce website, customers are not only limited to using their desktops and laptops, they can also use their smartphones and tablets to make a smooth online purchase.
Widens your customer reach
Given the limitless power of the internet, almost everything you can think of can be made possible. For starters, marketing your business online through an eCommerce website can help widen your reach locally and internationally. Unlike traditional retail stores that can only cater to nearby customers, an eCommerce website can help eliminate geographic limitations and time constraints by providing all online consumers with access to your site regardless of their location.
Makes your business available 24/7.
Unlike a brick and mortar store that only operates for several hours a day, having an eCommerce website in Singapore means making your business up and running seven days a week, 365 days a year. By marketing your business online, you can reduce costs on staff, rent and advertising while allowing your customers to shop at their convenience.
Overall, an eCommerce website in Singapore can help boost awareness, expand customer reach, reduce overhead costs and increase overall sales.
How to Create an eCommerce Website in Singapore
Creating your first-ever eCommerce website in Singapore can be exciting and terrifying at the same time. In this article, we’ll help you go through the steps you need in building a powerful online store.
1. Purchase your domain name
Once you have established a concrete business plan, the first thing you have to do is to purchase your domain name. The domain name refers to the web address your customers will type in on their search bar to find your eCommerce website in Singapore. A domain name typically starts with your company’s name followed by top-level domains (eg .com, .sg)
2. Choose a domain registrar.
After selecting your domain name, the next thing you need to do is to select a domain registrar. A domain registrar caters to local and international needs providing services such as web hosting and domain registrations.
3. Choose your eCommerce web hosting platform
Along with a domain name and domain registrar, you’ll also need a web hosting platform for your e-Commerce website. Two of the most popular e-Commerce platforms in Singapore include Shopify and WooCommerce.
Shopify
Compared to other e-Commerce platforms that can be used for general purposes, Shopify is designed exclusively for eCommerce website development. Built with essential features, Shopify is an effective, one-stop solution for creating and running a startup eCommerce website. Providing a wide range of tools and templates that can be easily personalised in just a short period of time, Shopify is considered to be the best option for beginners with no technical skills. Furthermore, Shopify features can be integrated on various social media sites, allowing customers to purchase directly from the site they are currently using.
Creating an eCommerce website on Shopify is fast and easy. After creating an account, you can then choose from a variety of themes you want to use for your eCommerce website. Then, pick a monthly plan based on the needs of your business. From there, you can start adding your products, descriptions, prices, shipping and payment options.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is an eCommerce plugin that allows WordPress users to transform their website into a powerful eCommerce store. It is an open-source platform that’s free to install, allowing beginners to create a basic yet efficient eCommerce website in Singapore. WooCommerce comes with essential tools including product pages, shopping carts, options for WordPress theme customisation as well as payment portals. Moreover, it provides users with free themes which they can get from the WordPress theme directory.
4. Market your products efficiently
Once you have created your eCommerce website, the next thing you have to do is to market your products efficiently. You can do this in various ways:
Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing has been known to be one of the most effective and most popular ways to effectively sell products and services online. To do this, you can create a business account on various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The best way to make the most out of social media marketing is to choose the most suitable channel for your business.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) allows business owners to market their products and services effectively by granting them a spot in the search results through the help of relevant content for a specific keyword search.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
By using paid advertisements, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) helps entrepreneurs to market their products efficiently by putting their ads right in front of potential buyers who are ready to make a purchase.
5. Look for a reliable digital marketing agency.
Creating an eCommerce website in Singapore can be truly overwhelming. While these steps can help you come up with an efficient online storefront, hiring a reliable digital marketing agency is still the most sensible option you might want to consider.
SMMILE: Your Digital Marketing Specialist
Improve your business potential with a comprehensive eCommerce website. Create yours today with SMMILE. We offer all-inclusive digital marketing services such as Web Design, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Web Maintenance Services and more.
For enquiries, you can email us at hello@smmile.com or call us at (65) 8687 8143.
Maximum Grants to Launch an eCommerce Website
Up to 88% Grant Support* Available For Your eCommerce Website With Productivity Solutions Grant (70%) + SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (18%).
