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16 Feb 2023

How Do Online Stores Operate?

Starting an online business or running a large online retail or trading website is a tough, challenging, and chaotic struggle. However, the many software solutions and AI-based eCommerce trends and plans have made online trading easier than before. For a startup owner and a business mind, the question that comes up is, what is an eCommerce platform? An eCommerce platform is an all-in-one spot for businesses to trade and sell online. It acts like a digital storefront for businesses to display their products, process orders, manage inventory, and handle other critical functions of their eCommerce website. An eCommerce platform consists of three components, that are the front-end, back-end, and payment gateway.

The front end consists of the user interface, design templates, product catalog, and shopping cart. It is part of the website that the customers interact with. The backend part of the platform handles the business logic and data processing. It also includes the server-side application code, the database, and the infrastructure needed to support the platform. The back end is typically built using a programming language such as PHP, Ruby, or Python. The payment gateway is part of the website that manages the processing of payments from customers. It securely collects payment information, validates the transaction, and communicates with the payment processor to complete the transaction.

Different Types of eCommerce Platforms: 

SaaS

SaaS is the abbreviation of Software-as-a-Service. In the current era, SaaS has great importance in the world of the internet. It is a cloud-based software delivery model that allows users to access a web app without having to install the application in their systems. aaBusinesses prefer SaaS enterprise eCommerce platforms as the SaaS provider is responsible for the maintenance and security of the source code, making the struggles of selling online less hectic for the businesses. One of the factors that have made SaaS the primary type of eCommerce platform is that it is a cost-effective and flexible solution that enables businesses to quickly set up and launch an online store without requiring significant upfront investment in infrastructure or technical expertise. SaaS eCommerce platforms typically offer a range of features and tools that allow companies and businesses to customize their online store, manage their product catalog, process payments, and handle other critical functions of their eCommerce website. A SaaS eCommerce platform offers numerous benefits such as:

PaaS

PaaS is the abbreviation for Platform as a Service. Unlike SaaS, this platform is a cloud-based platform that provides users with a framework for developing, deploying, and managing their own software applications instead of having the service provider do it all themselves. PaaS offers a higher level of control and flexibility than SaaS, as users have the ability to customize the underlying infrastructure, software components, and application code. PaaS is typically used by software development experts to create and deploy web applications, mobile apps, and other software products. PaaS comes with its own set of advantages such as:

Custom Solutions

For companies and businesses that are interested in having their websites built from scratch, the ideal choice is going for custom development of their website. This type of eCommerce platform is tailor-made by a team of developers to fit the requirements of the specific business. Customized eCommerce solutions help companies in targeting the right audience, keep the customers interested, and keep up with the rapidly changing demands of the consumers. 

How Do eCommerce Platforms Work?

Understanding the process of an eCommerce platform is quite simple as it is divided into a series of steps which are listed in detail in this section. 

Setting Up the Store

Once the brand logo, name, and products have been decided, the initial step of having an eCommerce website is to set up the website with the help of a SaaS provider, custom development outsourcing agencies, or by signing up on eCommerce platforms such as Shopify, Magneto, and BigCommerce

Product and Order Management 

The next step in the line is keeping track of the products. This includes adding new products, updating prices and descriptions, and tracking inventory. When a customer purchases one of these products, the eCommerce platform sends the customer a confirmation email, tracks the order status, and updates the itinerary. 

Payment Processing 

This step is where the platform handles the payments carried out via the listed payment methods such as debit cards, credit cards, Payoneer, PayPal, etc. The platform will ensure that payment is processed securely and that the funds are transferred to the business's account.

Shipping and Handling

The e-commerce platform can integrate with shipping carriers like UPS, DHL, and FedEx to handle shipping. This includes generating shipping labels, tracking packages, and providing estimated delivery dates to customers.

Customer Management 

E-commerce platforms provide businesses with tools to manage their customer base. This includes tracking customer information, providing customer support, and managing returns and exchanges. In case of any issues with delivery, the platform also provides an ln option for Customer Support chat service for the customers.

Create and Manage your eCommerce Website with Blue Coding

If you are a startup owner or part of a huge enterprise that is looking for eCommerce website solutions, then Blue Coding is your one-stop solution. We are a specialized agency that helps with SaaS, PaaS, and custom eCommerce solutions. Our wide range of services also includes IT staff augmentation, nearshore outsourcing of software development experts, and custom development services. To learn more about us, contact us now and stay tuned to the current tech trends with our blog

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