ECommerce Website Development Made Easy: Building Your Online Store with Shopify

In today's digital age, eCommerce websites have become essential for businesses of all sizes looking to reach customers and drive sales. However, developing an eCommerce website can be a complex and challenging process, especially for those who lack technical expertise. Fortunately, several eCommerce platforms offer a user-friendly solution for website development, including Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, and more.

Each platform has its unique features and benefits, but the core principles of eCommerce website development remain the same across all platforms. To build a successful eCommerce website, you'll need to consider various aspects, such as website design, product listings, payment gateways, shipping options, and more.

In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive guide to eCommerce website development, with a focus on Shopify. We'll cover topics such as the benefits of using eCommerce platforms for web development, the costs involved, the different aspects of eCommerce website development, and whether you need to hire a web designer or developer. By the end of this article, you'll have a better understanding of eCommerce website development and how to use Shopify or other platforms to achieve your eCommerce goals.

Is Shopify Good for Web Development?

Yes, Shopify is an excellent platform for ecommerce website development, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. Here are some of the benefits of using Shopify for web development:

Shopify is easy to use and requires no coding skills, making it accessible to beginners and non-technical users.
Shopify offers a wide range of design templates, customisation options, and integrations to create a unique online store that meets your business needs.
Shopify is a fully-hosted platform, meaning that it takes care of website maintenance and security, freeing up your time and resources.
Shopify offers excellent customer support, with 24/7 access to a team of experts to help you with any issues or questions.

What is Shopify Website Development?

Shopify website development involves creating an online store using the Shopify platform. This includes:

Choosing a design template or creating a custom design that fits your brand and business needs.
Customising the website layout, colours, and fonts to create a unique online store.
Adding product pages, collections, and categories to organise your products.
Setting up payment and shipping options to process customer orders.
Integrating apps and plugins to add additional functionality to your website.
Launching the website and ongoing maintenance and updates to keep it running smoothly.

Is it Difficult to Build a Website with Shopify?

No, it's not difficult to build a website with Shopify. Although, it can be difficult to create a well structured and conversion optimised website without prior experience.

The platform is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, with no coding or technical skills required when editing your Shopify Theme. Shopify provides step-by-step guidance through the theme setup process, making it accessible to beginners and non-technical users.

What is the Biggest Problem with Shopify?

While Shopify is an excellent platform for eCommerce website development, there are some common issues and complaints that users have, including:

Limited 'out-of-the-box' design customisation options without further technical skills, compared to other platforms.
Shopify Payments Transaction Fees - there is a 2.9% + 30¢ fee per transaction. While this fee is standard for most payment gateways, it can add up over time, especially for high-volume businesses.
Limited scalability for large businesses with complex needs, on Shopify's standard plans.

What are the Disadvantages of Shopify?

In addition to the common issues mentioned above, there are some limitations of Shopify as a platform, including:

Limited control over website hosting and server resources.However, this is really only an issue if you are are an ecommerce business doing major product launches, that wil generate extreme peaks in traffic demand.
Limited access to backend code and functions, making it difficult to customise certain features and functionality.
Limited integration capabilities compared to other platforms.

Despite these limitations, Shopify remains a popular and reliable eCommerce platform for many businesses.

Do I Need a Web Designer for Shopify?

While it's possible to build a website on Shopify without a web designer, hiring a professional web designer can help you create a more customised and visually appealing online store. A web designer can help you with:

Custom design templates that align with your brand and business needs.
Layout and colour choices that are optimised for user experience and sales.
Integration of plugins and apps that improve website functionality and user engagement.
On-page SEO optimisation to improve website ranking and visibility.

Is Shopify a Good Choice for Beginners?

Yes, Shopify is an excellent platform for beginners and non-technical users. Its user-friendly interface and step-by-step guidance make website development accessible to anyone, regardless of technical skills or experience.

Do I Need a Shopify Developer?

If you need more complex website customisation or integration with external systems, you may need to hire a Shopify developer. Here are some situations where a Shopify developer can help:

Custom development of features and functionality not available on the Shopify platform.
Integration with external systems such as CRMs or ERPs.
Performance optimisation and security enhancements.
Migration of data from other eCommerce platforms to Shopify.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Shopify Web Designer?

The cost of hiring a Shopify web designer varies depending on their level of experience, portfolio, and location. Here are some rough estimates:

Entry-level web designer: $50-$75/hour.
Mid-level web designer: $75-$125/hour.
Senior-level web designer: $125-$200+/hour.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Shopify Website Built?

The cost of building a Shopify website depends on various factors, including design, development, and ongoing maintenance costs. Here's a rough estimate of the costs involved:

Shopify subscription fees: Starting at $29/month for basic Shopify and going up to $299/month for advanced Shopify.
Custom design and development: $4,000-$25,000+, depending on the complexity of the website, design exploration, etc.
Apps and integrations: Vary widely in price, depending on the features and functionality needed.
Ongoing maintenance and updates: Varies based on the level of support needed.

Is Hiring a Shopify Expert Worth It?

Yes, hiring a Shopify expert is worth it if you want to create a high-quality, customised online store that meets your business needs. A Shopify expert can help you with:

Custom design templates and layouts.
Integration of apps and plugins for improved functionality and user experience.
Ongoing maintenance and updates to keep your website running smoothly.
Optimisation for Ecommerce SEO and user engagement.
Conversion rate optimisation (CRO)
Ecommerce Email marketing automation and campaign management

Working with a Shopify expert can help you save time and money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes and maximizing the potential of your eCommerce store.

Can I Design My Own Website on Shopify?

Yes, you can design your own website on Shopify using the platform's user-friendly interface and design templates. However, if you want a more customised and visually appealing website, hiring a professional web designer may be worth the investment.

Conclusion

Shopify is an excellent platform for eCommerce website development, offering a wide range of customistion options and integrations to create a unique online store. While there are limitations to the platform, hiring a Shopify expert can help you overcome these limitations and create a high-quality website that meets your business needs. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced website developer, Shopify is a reliable and user-friendly option for eCommerce website development.

For more tips and insights on eCommerce website development, check out these resources from Hello Different:

Website Design Services: Learn more about Hello Different's website design services and how they can help you create a professional and effective eCommerce website.
eCommerce SEO Services: Discover how Hello Different's eCommerce SEO services can help you improve your website's visibility and attract more customers.
6 Actionable Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) Tips and Tricks: Get practical tips on how to optimise your website's conversion rates and increase your eCommerce sales.

Thank you for reading, and we hope this guide has been helpful in answering your questions about Shopify and eCommerce website development.