Build your store - online website: the game changer

This is the 6th blog in a series focussed on Digital entrepreneurship in South Africa.
The ecommerce industry continues to grow rapidly. In 2019, global ecommerce sales hit the $25 trillion mark. Customers are beginning to see the convenience of buying online, and they are even shopping right from their smartphones. Many newbies want to tap into this market but have no idea where to start.  With this blog we give you some insight into the ecommerce world. 

Why should my business consider an ecommerce platform?

The biggest player in the South African eCommerce Market is takealot.com. The store had a revenue of US$602 million in 2021. It is followed by superbalist.com with US$85 million revenue and woolworths.co.za with US$57 million revenue.

The good news is that building an online store has never been easier with ecommerce builders like Shopify, and WordPress plugins like WooCommerce. Even web hosts such as Bluehost are now designed to make your life as easy as possible.

Just remember though as with any new venture, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into. Entrepreneurs’ dreams often fall flat because of unforeseen costs and hidden expenses. It’s particularly important to make sure that your young business can support these costs from the get-go.
Even better news is, even if you are a consultant, designer, or coach, or if you run a digital agency, restaurant, landscaping service or other service business, you can sell online with a shopping cart.

For example, some people might only know that Shopify is a product-based eCommerce solution. In fact, it doesn't matter if you are selling physical items, virtual products, or services on this platform.

Building your ecommerce website

There are essentially two ways through which you can build your ecommerce website.

• Hosted ecommerce website (Amazon, Facebook and Etsy.)
• Self-hosted ecommerce website

A hosted site is suitable for those who are looking for a user-friendly solution that does not require any technical abilities. A self-hosted solution is for those who are seeking to create uncommon/unique stores that call for a more flexible approach and, consequently, demand a lot of technical know-how. Whatever platform you choose will depend on your specific needs and the expertise at your disposal.

What factors should you consider when selecting the best platform?

  • Platform Price. While this may seem like a common-sense suggestion, the truth is that different platforms may offer different features at varying prices.
  • Available Themes.
  • Payment Options.
  • Technical Support.
  • Features.
  • Security.

Benefits of an ecommerce website

 An increase in Internet accessibility, ease of transaction, plenty of products and personalized offers, absence of the constraints of a physical presence and interaction makes online shopping desirable to consumers.

Whether you are a business or consumer, eCommerce has many benefits for you.

1. Global Market


Having an eCommerce website designed will give you the opportunity to reach out and offer your products and services to customers around the world, regardless of the distance and time zone.

2. Open All Hours

Customers will enjoy the round-the-clock convenience of being able to purchase what they want and when they want it, and you won't lose out on sales with an online shop that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, compared to regular store hours.

3. Increase Brand Awareness

Between these social media mentions, gaining fresh customers through search and tapping into new, online markets, the end result is increased brand awareness.

More people will be aware of your company and its products and interested in buying them.
A successful ecomm site can have a snowballing effect. As more people share and spread your site and its products, brand awareness grows exponentially, which means so do your sales.

4. Broaden Your Brand


Diversify your product range and increase sales with intangible goods like eBooks that can be sold on your online store. Customers can also place orders for personalised items which makes it easy to provide all the necessary information to suit their requirements.

5. Less Overheads

It is without a doubt, much cheaper and easier to sell your products and services on an eCommerce platform as online business owners do not have to take into consideration the high expenses of shop rental, security measures, utility bills and a large team of staff. This in turn will enable to sell your products at competitive prices.
In conclusion, online business is making every day life more convenient and easier in obtaining almost anything we can want as a customer. In addition, the communication built by online services, websites and social medias gives customers better relationships with the business and high fulfilment of needs.

It is without a doubt, much cheaper and easier to sell your products and services on an eCommerce platform as online business owners do not have to take into consideration the high expenses of shop rental, security measures, utility bills and a large team of staff. This in turn will enable to sell your products at competitive prices.

In conclusion 

In conclusion, online business is making every day life more convenient and easier in obtaining almost anything we can want as a customer. In addition, the communication built by online services, websites and social medias gives customers better relationships with the business and high fulfilment of needs.

To get a kick start on what is required to understand and apply your Strategic thinking in a digital environment, take a look at our Entrepreneurship Basics course (Entrepreneurship Basics - An Overview). 

This course is applicable to ANYONE who wants a solid, basic introduction to what Entrepreneurship is all about, and how it can be practically applied in setting up a successful and sustainable business. This course gives you entrepreneurship fundamentals, such as drafting a business plan, knowing your competition, and successful marketing.

WHY R|M|V|A?

Simply put, our WHY is to open-up the exciting world of interactive and engaging online learning by providing affordable, quality education to all.
The reason for our existence is based on our passion and commitment to the educational future of this country, and how we can help bring this country into the future of education.

With R|M|V|A, you can engage in interactive and immersive learning learn from anywhere, anytime and on any channel.

Check us out www.rmva.co.za 
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