Imagine you’re on a fast-moving train named eCommerce, zooming through the digital world. As the scenery changes, so do the tracks—these tracks are the platforms that keep your online store running smoothly.
But what happens when the tracks you’re on aren’t taking you where you need to go? It’s time for a switch!
That’s where eCommerce replatforming shines. We’ve put together an easy-to-follow guide that’ll help you jump onto a new set of tracks, ensuring your business speeds ahead without a hitch.
You’ll discover the various eCommerce platforms out there, along with their upsides and downsides. Ready for a thrilling ride to success? Let’s dive in!
What Is eCommerce Replatforming?
eCommerce Replatforming is a way for businesses to improve their online presence by switching to a newer and more advanced platform. It can make your website faster and easier to use, while also increasing security and reliability.
The benefits of eCommerce replatforming are numerous. For starters, it can help online retailers improve their functionality and performance. New platforms often offer more powerful features that allow for better merchandising and sales processes.
They also tend to be more user-friendly, making it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for and navigate through the site. In addition, newer platforms typically have lower installation fees than older ones, which makes them a good investment for small businesses.
In addition, eCommerce Replatforming can help you cut costs by migrating your entire online presence to a single platform. This makes it easier to manage and updates all of your content automatically, without having to go back and update individual pages.
You can also use this platform to improve your branding and marketing efforts, by implementing features like social media integration and search engine optimization.
Why Is eCommerce Replatforming Crucial?
If you’re looking for reasons to conduct eCommerce replatforming, below are a few of the most common ones.
Insufficient Performance
Inadequate performance is one of the top reasons to replatform your eCommerce sites.
A poorly performing eCommerce platform can cause serious delays in customer orders, making it difficult for you to keep up with demand.
Additionally, slow site speeds can make browsing and ordering a frustrating experience. If your eCommerce site is struggling to meet the demands of your customers, it might be time to consider a new platform.
Lack Of Customization And Control
Some eCommerce platforms are designed to be fully customizable, while others offer limited options. The limitation in functions can make it difficult to create an interface that fits your unique brand, and can also lead to lost sales as potential customers struggle to find what they’re looking for.
If you’re looking for a platform that lets you tailor your site to your own specific needs, you’ll likely need to look elsewhere. Many modern eCommerce platforms offer powerful tools for customizing the look and feel of your sites, making it easier than ever to create a unique interface that meets customer demands.
In addition, it’s worth considering replatforming your eCommerce site to another platform that offers backup and disaster recovery options in case of an unexpected outage.
Inability To Scale Up Or Down
If your eCommerce site is struggling to keep up with demand, it might not be able to handle a sudden increase in traffic. This can lead to lost sales and frustrated customers, as your platform struggles to cope with the increased demand.
If you’re looking for a platform that can grow and adapt along with you, look for one that offers scalability features.
What’s more, if your eCommerce site is currently struggling to cope with demand, consider investing in server capacity upgrades. This will help ensure that your site can handle increased traffic levels without causing any issues.
If you’re looking for a platform that can help your business reach its potential, it’s worth considering a new eCommerce server. These servers offer advanced features and scalability, making them the perfect solution if your site is struggling to meet customer demands.
Inability To Interact With Customers
If you’re not able to reply to customer queries or emails, this can result in lost sales.
If you need help managing your customer interactions, consider investing in a platform that offers CRM (customer relationship management) capabilities. This will make it easy for you to keep track of all the activities related to your customers and respond quickly when necessary.
Moreover, if you want more control over how your site looks and works, consider using an eCommerce platform that allows for custom design features. This will give you the ability to create an interface that perfectly matches the look and feel of your site, while also providing you with the necessary tools to manage customer interactions effectively.
Poor Reporting and Analytics
If you’re not able to track your site’s performance accurately, it’s difficult to make informed decisions about how to improve it. This can lead to wasting valuable resources. Attempting to solve a problem without accurate information is often unsuccessful and can even damage your reputation.
If you want access to reliable analytics that help you manage your business effectively, look for a platform that offers comprehensive reporting features.
Inability To Integrate
Integrating new plugins or extensions into your legacy system can be a difficult and time-consuming process. Not to mention, it can also be extremely frustrating if your legacy system doesn’t integrate with new plugins or extensions easily.
If you’re looking for a platform that makes it easy to add new features and functionality to your site, look for one that offers excellent integration capabilities. Plus, be sure to check out the platform’s support staff, as they may be able to help you with any issues that arise.
Exorbitant Cost To Maintain Your Site
If your existing site requires regular, costly, or time-consuming maintenance, replatforming could eliminate much of this for you. Replatforming means moving your website from one platform to another, which can significantly reduce the amount of maintenance that you need to do.
Some common reasons why a website may require regular maintenance are because it’s outdated and doesn’t suit the current design or look of your business anymore. By switching to a new platform, you can modernize your site and make it look more professional with pre-made themes and designs that are tailored specifically for businesses like yours.
Additionally, by using a new platform, you’ll also be able to improve load times and security levels. This will help boost visitor engagement and keep them on your site longer so that they can complete more transactions or learn more about your products or services.
What Is The Suitable Time To Replatform Your Site?
It’s important to consider when is the best time to replatform your website. There are a few factors that you need to take into account, including your website’s age, audience, and current platform.
When it comes to age, you should assess how long your site has been online and whether there are any major updates or changes that you need to make.
If your site is older and doesn’t have any major updates or changes recently, then it may be a good idea to replatform it to stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies.
When it comes to audience, you should also consider how big your target market is and what kind of platforms they are using.
These different user groups will require different types of platforms and design templates. If your site is mainly for a specific demographic or platform, then replatforming may be the best option for you.
5 Factors You Should Consider Before Replatforming Your eCommerce Site
When considering whether or not to replatform your website, it’s important to consider the impact on your business.
There are several factors you should consider, including total costs, integrations with future and legacy systems, skills and ability of your team, features and capabilities, future improvements and needs, customer service, and support.
1. Total Costs
Figuring out the total cost can be difficult – but it’s important to include everything from development costs to ongoing maintenance fees.
It’s also important to make sure that your team has the skills necessary to manage the new system – whether that means hiring a dedicated technical expert or training them on the new platform.
Make sure that you have a clear understanding of what features and capabilities you need for your site to function effectively – this will help ensure that you don’t end up spending money on features you won’t use. Integrations with future and legacy systems
2. Skills And Ability Of Your Team
For your team to be able to manage the new platform effectively, they’ll need skills in both coding (if applicable) as well as design. Make sure that you assess your team’s abilities and skills before making the switch – this will help ensure that everything goes smoothly.
3. Features And Capabilities
When considering replatforming, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting the features and capabilities you need for your site to function effectively.
This includes things like functionalities such as login systems, payment processing options as well as search engine optimization (SEO). It can be challenging to know exactly what you’ll need before making the switch – but by taking some time to think about it, you can make an informed decision.
4. Future Improvements And Needs
Once you have your replatforming in place, it’s important to keep an eye on future improvements and needs.
This will help ensure that your platform is kept up-to-date as newer technologies and platforms emerge – which can save you time a lot of time and money. and money. By being proactive, you’ll be able to stay ahead of the curve and maintain a competitive edge over your competition.
Future needs include things like automation or enhancement of certain features, as well as expansion into new markets or geographies. By assessing these areas and making the appropriate changes, you’ll be able to continue providing high-quality service while also expanding into new territories.
5. Customer Service And Support
One of the most important aspects of any replatforming is ensuring that customer service and support are top-notch.
This means being able to provide quick and easy access to admins, as well as experienced staff who can assist with whatever needs may arise. By keeping your support team in good shape, you can ensure that customers have a positive experience whenever they need help.
In addition to customer service, it’s important to make sure that your platform can handle any spikes in traffic or activity. This means having a reliable and scalable infrastructure in place – something that many businesses lack today.
By taking these steps, you can ensure that your site runs smoothly no matter what happens.
How to Replatform Your Ecommerce Website
There are a lot of benefits to replatforming your eCommerce sites. By taking the time to do it right, you can improve your site’s SEO, increase traffic and conversion rates, and build a stronger brand identity.
Here are some steps you can take to make the process as smooth as possible:
1. Define Your Requirements And Benefits Of Replatforming
This will help you determine which areas need improvement and which ones are worth investing in.
One of the most important things to remember when replatforming your eCommerce stores is to make sure that you consider both technical and non-technical benefits.
Technical benefits may include improved performance, increased security, and easier maintenance. Non-technical benefits may include a more streamlined design, improved brand awareness, and an increase in customer loyalty.
It’s also important to keep in mind the size of your company and the number of resources available. If you’re up against stiff competition, it may not be worth your while to invest in replatforming. Instead, you should focus on improving your existing products and services.
However, if you have more breathing room, then it’s a good idea to invest in replatforming. Thus, you can stay ahead of the curve and offer your customers something new and exciting.
2. Make Sure That All Parties Are On Board
It’s important to get all stakeholders on board before starting replatforming your eCommerce stores. This includes not just the owners of the site but also any third-party services that may be impacted by the change.
Owners should make sure that everyone is aware of the proposed changes and understands their implications. They should also ensure that any third-party services that may be impacted are briefed on the changes and given a chance to provide feedback.
Finally, they should take into account any potential objections or concerns that stakeholders may have, and address them as soon as possible.
This process will help to ensure that everyone is on board with the proposed changes and that there are no surprises afterward. It will also help to avoid any potential negative reactions from stakeholders, which could lead to delays in the project altogether.
3. eCommerce Platforms Need To Be Researched And A Shortlist Created
There are a number of eCommerce platforms that you can use to start replatforming your eCommerce stores. However, it’s important to choose one that meets your specific needs and preferences.
In addition, you can also use online resources like user reviews and experts’ opinions to make up your mind. Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing an eCommerce platform is your unique business needs.
Some of the most popular eCommerce platforms include Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. Be sure to read reviews and compare them against each other so that you make the best decision for your eCommerce replatforming.
4. Compare The Top eCommerce Platform Options And Schedule A Demo
A demo is a great way to test out different eCommerce platforms and see which one is the best suited for your business.
By scheduling a demo, you’ll be able to see how each platform works and which one is best suited for your needs. This will help you make a decision about which one to go with and save you a lot of time and hassle down the road.
There are a few things you need to factor in when scheduling a demo:
- The platform’s price tag. Most demos are free, but some charge a fee. You’ll want to be sure that the price of the platform is worth it.
- The availability of the platform. Some platforms are only available during certain times. Make sure that you know when these are so that you can schedule your demo accordingly.
- The availability of customer support. You’ll want to make sure that whoever is demonstrating the platform can answer any questions that you have about it.
Once you’ve decided on a platform, be sure to read through the documentation carefully so that you have a clear understanding of all its features. You’ll also want to make sure that you have enough space on your server so that everything runs smoothly.
5. Backup Old Data Of Your Online Store
Backup of old store data is essential. If you want to make sure that you have a backup of all the information and data that was stored on your old eCommerce site.
This will ensure that you have a copy of everything that was important to your business, including product data, customer information, sales records, and more.
There are several different ways to do this – depending on the type of data that you’re storing. You can either use a cloud-based storage solution like Amazon S3 or Google Drive, or you can use an external hard drive.
Whichever route you choose, make sure that you keep track of backups so that you can restore your site if necessary.
6. Design The Interface Of Your New eCommerce Store
To design the perfect new eCommerce site for replatforming, you first need to think about what you want it to look like.
What kind of layout will work best for your products? How will you organize them? What features will you include?
Once you have a good idea of what you want, it’s time to start designing. Start by sketching out a rough idea of what you would like your site to look like.
Then, you can flesh it out further using Adobe Photoshop or another graphic design software.
Once that’s done, it’s time to think about how you’re going to organize your products.
Will they be displayed in a grid format or chronological order? Will they be grouped by category or product type?
Next, it’s time to consider how you’re going to display the information on your site. Will the pages be loaded one after the other or can users sort the items by any criteria they choose?
Finally, make sure that all the features that you’ve decided on are included in your design. If everything looks good and works as planned, then it’s time to start building your website.
7. Utilize Data Migration Service
You need to take into account the fact that it will require a lot of data migration.
A data migration service will be able to help you move all the store data over to your new website. Consequently, everything is up and running smoothly once it’s launched.
There are a few different ways to do this:
- Use an online product data migration tool. These tools will help you transfer all the information about your products and prices automatically. They also allow you to keep track of which products are selling well and which ones aren’t, so you can tweak your pricing accordingly.
- Use a manual data migration tool. This is a more time-consuming option, but it’s usually easier than using an automated tool because it doesn’t involve any computer programming or automation. You simply input the data into the tool and it will take care of the rest.
- Use a hybrid approach. You can use both an automated tool and a manual data migration tool together. This way, you have both options available if one is more suitable for specific parts of your store.
8. Optimize The Checkout Experience By Connecting The Checkout Platform
One of the best ways to improve your checkout experience is to connect your checkout platform with a third-party checkout optimization tool. This will help you optimize the process and make it easier for customers to purchase items.
The tool will help you to understand which parts of the checkout process are causing the most problems for customers. It will also provide tips on how to streamline these processes, making it easier for them to complete their transactions.
This will result in greater customer satisfaction and better conversion rates, which in turn will boost your business overall.
9. Audit SEO For Your Site Before Launching
Before replatforming your eCommerce site, it is important to do a full SEO audit and make sure that you retain as much domain authority as possible. This will help you rank higher in search engine results pages (SERP), which will lead to more customers.
There are a few things that you can do to achieve this:
First, make sure that your website is well-designed and optimized for search engines. This includes using keyword-rich titles and descriptions, as well as creating high-quality content that is relevant to your target audience.
Second, make sure that your site is up-to-date with the latest Google algorithms. This includes using updated images, removing duplicate content, and linking to relevant websites.
Finally, build links back to your website from authoritative sources like article directories and social media profiles. Doing this will help improve the trustworthiness of your site and increase the likelihood of people clicking through to it from search engine results pages.
10. Continuously Test And Optimize Your Site
It’s important to test and retest your website every time there’s a change or update made to it. This way, you can be sure that your website is always up to date and performing at its best.
There are a few ways to test your website’s performance:
- Use Google Analytics to track the number of visitors and pageviews on your website over time. This will give you an idea of how people are using your site and what areas might need attention.
- Use WebPageTest to check the speed and stability of your website on different devices and browsers. This will help you determine whether there are any problems with the load times or connectivity.
- Check whether any redirects or 301s have been implemented correctly. If anything goes wrong, this will let you know right away so that you can make the necessary corrections.
- Check for broken links or images that haven’t been updated for some time. These errors can make navigation difficult for users, which could lead to lost traffic and revenue.
11. Initiate The Launching Process Of Your Site
You should test your new site throughout the entire launch process to ensure that everything is working as it should. This includes making sure that all of your pages load quickly and smoothly, that your payment systems are functioning properly, and that your shipping rates are accurate.
You should also make sure that all of your products are displaying correctly on the site, and that you’re getting the correct amount of traffic to your pages.
Once you’ve confirmed that everything is working as it should, it’s time to publish your new site!
Publish the new site at least a few days before you plan on actually selling anything so that people have enough time to check it out and feedback can be solicited. Once everything is up and running, start selling using your new eCommerce site.
12. Notify Your Existing Consumers Of The Migration
You must notify your clients of your new eCommerce site after it has been replatformed. Communicate through email, social media, and whatever methods work best to let your customers know that you’ve moved and what the new site is all about.
Email is one of the most common ways to communicate with customers. You can use email to confirm order details, provide shipping information, and update them on the site’s progress (or lack thereof).
You can also use social media to connect with your followers. This is a great way to keep them updated on what’s going on with the company as a whole and their favorite products or services.
You can also use social media as a way to offer discounts or other special offers that are only available to those who are following you on Twitter or Facebook.
Top Choices For eCommerce Replatforming
If you are thinking of moving your business to an eCommerce platform, it’s important that you understand the different features and advantages of each one. This will help decide which platform is best for your needs and how to make the transition as smooth as possible for both you and your customers.
There are a number of popular eCommerce platforms out there, but in this guide, we will be focusing on four of them – WordPress, Magento, WooCommerce, and Shopify.
These prominent platforms have their own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important that you know what they are before making any decisions. Meticulously going over all options before initiating the switching process is the very first step to having your site successfully replatformed.
Let’s dive deep into the four eCommerce builders listed below and decide the most suitable one for you.
WordPress
Pros of switching to WordPress:
- WordPress is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in use today, so it’s likely that there will be a wide range of plugins and themes available to help you get started quickly.
- WordPress is also relatively easy to customize, which makes it easy to create a custom look and feel for your site.
- It’s consistent with most online marketing strategies, meaning that you’ll be able to easily push out promotional content and ads.
- The plugin ecosystem is huge, so there’s likely to be something available that will help you solve any specific problem that you face.
Cons of switching to WordPress:
- Because it’s so popular, there may be more competition for higher-quality plugin developers than with other platforms. This can lead to poorer performance and reliability on your site.
- Unlike other platforms such as WooCommerce or Shopify, WordPress doesn’t have its own payment gateway. This means that you’ll need to rely on an external service if you want to accept payments via credit cards or PayPal.
- Stores provide a wide range of premium theme options. Some users have complained about the high price tags associated with many of them.
Magento (now Adobe Commerce)
Pros of switching to Magento:
- Magento is highly customizable. This makes it possible for you to create a custom platform that’s perfectly tailored to your needs.
- Magento offers a wide range of features, including secure payment systems, international shipping options, and many others. It also has an extensive community that can help you solve any problems that you might encounter.
- Magento is one of the most affordable eCommerce platforms on the market. It is ideal for businesses that don’t want to spend too much money on their website.
Cons of switching to Magento:
- While Magento is generally considered to be a stable platform that’s well-suited for larger businesses, it may not be suitable for smaller businesses with limited resources or who want more flexibility in their website design.
- Can be challenging to manage
WooCommerce
Pros of switching to WooCommerce:
- WooCommerce is easy to set up and use.
- WooCommerce has a lot of built-in features that make it easy to manage your online store.
- WooCommerce is compatible with a wide range of devices, including mobile devices and tablets.
- WooCommerce has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for you to customize your store the way you want it.
- WooCommerce is able to handle large volumes of sales easily.
- WooCommerce offers multiple payment methods, including PayPal, Stripe, and credit cards.
Cons of switching to WooCommerce:
- You need to be experienced in online marketing before using this platform.
- You may experience problems with scaling if your business proliferates.
Shopify
Pros switching to Shopify
- Shopify is affordable and easy to use.
- Shopify has a wide range of features and integrations.
- Shopify is reliable and has been around for many years.
- Shopify has a large user base.
- Shopify is supported by many big names in the tech world, like Google, Facebook, and Amazon.
- Shopify can handle a lot of traffic and transactions quickly and easily.
Cons of switching to Shopify
- Shopify’s design can be bland and uninspiring.
- Shopify’s customer support may not be as good as some others.
Wrap Up
By now, you should have a clear idea about how the eCommerce platform works and the benefits each one can offer. But before you make the switch, don’t forget that it is your responsibility to analyze your business requirements and assess the viability of different platforms before making a decision. Because switching can be very problematic if done without planning ahead.
If you encounter difficulties in replatforming your eCommerce sites, Tigren is here to help. With experience and technical competency in four prominent eCommerce builders: WordPress, Magento, Shopify, and WooCommerce, we can help you to replatform your site from one platform to another in the shortest time with minimum resources.
Our experts are always well-prepared to bring you one-stop-shop eCommerce services to ensure you a successful switching process.
Let’s reform your site with Tigren.
