eCommerce means Electronic Commerce which means buying and selling goods or transferring funds over an electronic source, most commonly the Internet. eCommerce encompasses all the aspects of an online business, including customer engagement, utilizing social media platforms, quality of your products, creating an online presence or a website, and securing your website, to name a few. The major difference between an eCommerce business and traditional shopping is the mode of operation. The former uses digital space, and the latter uses brick-and-mortar shops. In eCommerce, the customers cannot interact with the seller in person, but it is the complete opposite in the case of traditional business models. So, having a secure online space is key to a successful eCommerce business. Following are some of the components of a good eCommerce site:
- Compatibility with mobile phones
- Security
- Order management
- Payment Gateways
- Analytics and reports
- Scalable infrastructure
- Logistics integration
- Easy communication
- Content management system
- Regular upgradations
Cost of an eCommerce Website
The next question is, how much does it cost to create an eCommerce website in Pakistan? Let us look for the answer in depth. As we know, the trends show that the eCommerce industry is growing rapidly, and the future is bright for the industry and its people. This, in turn, means the competition is growing as well. The website is an important factor that helps in any eCommerce business’s growth. The following are the factors that should be taken into account before creating any website:
- Web design
- Features of the website
- Payment gateways
- Mobile compatibility
- Load time
- Security
Different eCommerce businesses require different features in a website. We shall look at some of the general features and estimate the cost of a website. According to an estimate calculated by click web, the cost could vary between PKR 39,000 to PKR 76,000, depending on your business’s requirements and the website’s features. But every company has its own packages. On average, creating a website costs PKR 40,000/- and PKR 2,10,000/-
Domain Name
The name of your website is called a domain name. It usually comes before .com or after www. A good domain name should be precise and catchy. It usually reflects the type of your eCommerce business and creates an impression in customers’ minds before exploring the site. To own any name for your site, you have to register it. In Pakistan, registering a domain name costs approximately between PKR 15,00 and PKR 25,00 per year. Having .pk at the end of your domain name will target the Pakistani audience only, whereas .com will also attract an international audience.
Web Hosting
To understand what web hosting is, let us consider an example. All the traditional offices have a storage room to store their files and all sorts of data. The same is the case with eCommerce businesses. They need a computer space to store their files and other data that can be fetched when needed. This storing computer space is called web hosting. Once bought, it stays available 24/7 throughout the year. It costs between PKR 4,000 and PKR 20,000 per annum on average. The cost of web hosting depends on the type of website, the traffic flow, and the back-end support required for the website to work properly. It is an important factor: check the reviews of the hosting providers and never compromise on the quality, for that matter.
SSL Certification
SSL ( Secure Sockets Layer) Certification is a digital authentication that secures a website and provides end-to-end encryption. It is a data file that provides you with security and helps you get a better ranking in Search Engine Optimization. A site that has an SSL certification shifts from HTTP to HTTPS. The cost of an SSL Certification ranges between PKR 1,000 and PKR 3,000.
Web Design
Web design means the design of the website that is displayed to the user. It includes graphic design, authoring, user interface design, and user experience design, to name a few. There are usually four stages of web design:
- The layout
- The content, SEO, Navigation
- Graphics including colors and multimedia
- The launch
So, a web design usually costs between PKR 35,000 and PKR 75,000, depending on the design, graphics, and other factors.
Programming
Web programming means writing and coding involved in making a website. It comes with making the content for the website. The programmer creates a set of instructions for the computer to follow while carrying out any task on the website. On average, it costs approximately PKR 1,00,000 to PKR 15,00,000.
Data Imports
Data import means you can upload the data from an external source and combine it with the data collected through analytics. In simpler words, it means bringing the data from a file into a program. It costs from PKR 10,000 to PKR 25,000.
Support and Maintenance
Support and maintenance are required to keep every website working properly, and most website development companies provide this service. These development companies usually point out and fix bugs, regularly update existing features, etc. The cost of support and maintenance the company provides varies depending upon the type of your website and the company you choose for the development.
Creating a website is crucial for the development of any eCommerce business. It is the space through which the seller can interact with the customers. Having a secure, well-designed, mobile-friendly website and other building features makes your website attractive and easy for people to use. Having a precise and easy-to-remember domain name is important for the same reason, i.e., to gain popularity among the public. eCommerce business in Pakistan is booming more than ever, and it is the optimal time for people to start their businesses. Therefore, never compromise on the quality of your website. Check for the ratings and customer reviews of the company you choose to develop your website. Compare the prices and select the best option. Have an open mind, and never give up!