Role of website creators in e-commerce marketing

Did you know that the world's online shops are expected to make almost $5.9 trillion by the end of 2023? This statistic leaves no room for doubt: the e-commerce sector is booming as never before. Amid this tremendous growth, website builder apps emerge as powerful allies, helping businesses tap into the tremendous potential of the online market.

Website creation has never been so easy

Think about coding a website—does it sound intimidating? Just a decade ago, it might have indeed been a task reserved for programming gurus. Cut to the present, and we have website builder apps and in-context editors turning the tables and making website creation child's play. These platforms break down the barriers of entry, allowing even individuals with zero coding prowess to create and edit robust e-commerce platforms.

The efficient drag-and-drop functionality integrated into these apps lets users build customized websites, with no need to write a single line of code. Advanced features like pre-designed templates also come in handy, allowing users to select an appealing layout and customize it as needed.

Whilst as an agency we promote the benefits of a bespoke website, template websites have become quite advanced and can now be customised quite a bit to suit your requirements without having to edit HTML, CSS and javascript.

SEO tools and social media plugins

The old phrase "If you build it, they will come" doesn't really match the e-commerce reality. A stunning website isn't worth much if it doesn't attract visitors. That's where website builder apps come in with integrated SEO tools and social media plugins.

These tools simplify marketing optimization. First, SEO tools enhance website visibility by improving search engine rankings. Edifying statistics from Ahrefs reveal that the top ranking page gets 10 times more traffic than the 10th ranking page. When used correctly, the integrated SEO tools can help your website climb the search engine ladder and attract more organic traffic.

Second, social media plugins extend a business's marketing reach to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 4.2 billion people used social media worldwide in 2021, Statista says, making it a juicy fruit for marketers.

Adding a dash of brand uniqueness

In today's intensely competitive market landscape, differentiation is key. Customers crave personalized experiences, and providing these can help your brand stand out. Website builder apps amplify this capability by offering powerful customization options that allow businesses to echo their brand identity through their e-commerce platforms.

Various stats underline the importance of personalization:

• According to Epsilon, 80% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase from a brand that provides personalized experiences.
• A survey by Infosys reveals that 59% of customers say that personalization influences their shopping decision.

Managing payments

The main ambition of an online shopping site is to enable online transactions. Website builder apps excel at this by integrating with various payment gateways and offering a seamless checkout process. Given that almost 70% of online shopping carts get abandoned due to friction in the checkout process (Baymard Institute), the simple, secure, and speedy transactions enabled by website builder apps can significantly drive sales.

Why mobile optimization matters

Staying updated with the quick changes in the digital world is a must for companies, especially when we talk about mobile optimization. In fact, mobile devices are driving the lion's share of internet traffic, and these staggering numbers demand attention:

• 51.53% of global internet traffic comes from mobile devices, according to Smart Insights.
• OuterBox informs us that 79% of smartphone users have made an online purchase using their mobile device in the last 6 months.

With these figures in mind, websites must be designed to cater to mobile users, ensuring they enjoy a seamless shopping experience. This is where mobile optimization steps in, and website builder apps play a pivotal role in achieving this goal.

So, how can we do it? Here's some good news - you have a plethora of solutions to make your website great for mobile users. One popular option - you can try website builder like Squarespace which come with mobile-responsive templates, making it easy to design websites that look and perform great on mobile devices. These website builders provide a myriad of features and tools that cater to the modern mobile consumer. They streamline the process of designing responsive websites that are visually appealing and functional across different screens. By leveraging these affordable website builders, businesses large and small can tap into the fast-growing mobile market and boost their e-commerce success.

Final thoughts

Today, website builder apps are redefining the rules of the game in e-commerce marketing. They democratize access to online selling and equip businesses with the tools to create products that are not only visually appealing but also commercially successful.

If you have the skillset and time to plan, create, edit and maintain a website yourself, then using one of these website builder apps can be the right choice for you. But it's important you understand the difference between website builders and bespoke websites so you can make an informed decision. The which way you go depends on your budget and requirements. 

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