Ecommerce platforms
The initial and arguably most crucial tool is an ecommerce platform if you haven't yet established your own store. There are two categories worth exploring: one involves a bespoke ecommerce solution, and the other entails typical website builders. In our view, a bespoke solution stands out as a more robust option and provides long-term security to accommodate future needs.
- Shopify stands out as an all-in-one solution, facilitating the establishment and operation of online businesses. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools, including a website builder with both paid and free themes, integrated marketing tools for planning and assessing digital marketing campaigns, a versatile shopping cart compatible with 100 payment gateways, and support for multi-channel selling.
- Wix, on the other hand, offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder. While it covers fundamental ecommerce needs such as customizable templates, web hosting, and domain name registration, additional functionalities like order tracking and online payment acceptance are also included. However, for more advanced features like robust inventory management and analytics tools may necessitate the use of additional plugins or alternative ecommerce platforms.
- Squarespace, primarily recognized as a website builder, can also function as an ecommerce platform when specific features are activated through payment. Once operational, it provides inventory management tools and the option to integrate a Shopify Buy Button, streamlining the sales process. It's crucial to evaluate the costs and features associated with each platform to determine the most suitable fit for your business needs.
- Storizer stands out as a tailored ecommerce solution that integrates all your requirements into a unified platform. What sets it apart from standard website builders is our commitment to personalized design and functionalities, meticulously crafted by experts. While the pricing may be slightly higher than that of website builders, Storizer offers an extensive array of possibilities, allowing you to customize every aspect of your ecommerce store. Whether it involves design preferences, enhancing user experience, or implementing specific functionalities, Storizer ensures a higher degree of flexibility and customization to meet your unique needs.
Website builders may seem more cost-effective initially, but they often end up being more expensive in the long run, especially when dealing with larger volumes or if there is a need for more detailed customization. Complexity tends to arise as the scale of operations increases.
Creative content creation
The process of content creation can be quite demanding, but fortunately, numerous tools have emerged over time to simplify this endeavor. Content creation encompasses various formats, including text and videos, and we have compiled a selection of commonly used tools that can enhance your ability to generate high-quality content.
- Canva is an ecommerce tool that helps teams — even those with little to no experience—create aesthetically pleasing designs. Whether designing a brand identity or just creating supportive imagery for your online store, Canva’s drag-and-drop tools make it easy to create and share well-designed assets.
- Adobe Photoshop, a powerful graphics editing software, is widely employed for tasks such as photo retouching, image manipulation, and graphic design. Its versatile tools and features enable users to enhance and modify images with precision, create digital art, and design visually appealing graphics for various purposes. Photoshop serves as a comprehensive solution for professionals and enthusiasts alike, offering a broad range of capabilities for creative expression and visual refinement. Although using the program professionally requires serious experience, today there is so much high-quality instructional material available online that even beginners can create impressive things with it.
- Figma is a robust cloud-based design and prototyping tool used in the field of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design. It facilitates collaborative design workflows, allowing multiple users to work on a project simultaneously in real-time. Figma is used for tasks such as creating interactive prototypes, designing app interfaces, and collaborating on the development of digital products.
- ChatGPT is an advanced language model that is designed to understand and generate human-like text based on the input it receives. ChatGPT has found application in various contexts, such as natural language understanding, conversation generation, and text-based content creation. Since ChatGPT draws its knowledge from the Internet, it can be used for purposes that require the summarization of information found in the online space, for example to expand articles with additional perspectives, crafting product descriptions, or to provide advice (based on general practices found online).
Communication and organization
Communication tools play a crucial role in optimizing the internal dynamics of an online business. Their utility extends beyond simple interactions and can encompass a dedicated space for seamless employee communication or a comprehensive platform designed to enhance project management efficiency. Whether facilitating team collaboration, fostering transparent communication, or streamlining project-related tasks, these tools contribute significantly to the overall operational effectiveness of an online business.
- Slack is a platform for facilitating effective communication and collaboration within a team or organization. Serving as more than just a messaging app, Slack provides a dedicated space for real-time conversations, file sharing, and the integration of various productivity tools. This platform becomes a central hub for team discussions, allowing for organized channels, direct messaging, and swift exchange of information.
- Trello is indispensable for optimizing project management and fostering collaboration within teams. Functioning as more than a mere project management platform, Trello offers an intuitive and visual way to organize tasks, track progress, and facilitate teamwork. Its user-friendly interface employs boards, lists, and cards to provide a clear overview of projects, enabling teams to prioritize and manage tasks efficiently.
- Monday.com is a platform where teams can create and manage projects using customizable boards, timelines, and workflows. The platform's versatility allows for seamless integration with various apps and tools, enhancing overall productivity. The dynamic nature of Monday.com facilitates real-time collaboration, enabling teams to stay synchronized and respond promptly to changes.
- Microsoft Teams is made for users to engage in real-time chat, video conferencing, and file sharing. The platform's channels provide dedicated spaces for team discussions, while integrated apps and services streamline workflow processes. Teams seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft 365 applications, fostering a cohesive digital workspace.
Sales and logistics
Sales and logistics are integral to online business operations. While some ecommerce platforms include these tools, standalone options also exist for focused and specialized management. These solutions are designed to enhance efficiency in handling sales and logistics processes, contributing to the seamless functioning of online businesses.
- Shipwire is a logistics and order fulfillment platform designed to simplify and optimize the shipping process. It offers comprehensive solutions for storing, packing, and shipping products to customers worldwide. With a network of strategically located warehouses, Shipwire facilitates efficient order fulfillment and timely delivery.
- Veeqo is a comprehensive ecommerce platform designed to streamline and optimize multichannel retail operations. It serves as a central hub for businesses, providing tools and features to manage inventory, order fulfillment, and shipping processes seamlessly.
- Linnworks stands as an all-encompassing ecommerce platform, consolidating and automating diverse elements of online retail operations. Equipped with an array of tools and features, it aids businesses in the effective management of inventory, order processing, and multichannel sales.
Marketing
Effective marketing is a pivotal element in the success of an online business, allowing you to connect with your target audience. Going beyond merely promoting your products or services and achieving impactful marketing requires proficient tools. Among the tools highlighted here, many are not only extensively used by us but are also enthusiastically recommended for their efficacy.
- MailChimp allows users to design visually appealing and responsive email campaigns, manage mailing lists, and analyze the performance of their campaigns through detailed analytics. The platform provides features such as customizable templates, automated email workflows, and A/B testing to optimize the effectiveness of email content.
- HubSpot is an integrated marketing, sales, and customer service platform designed to streamline and automate various aspects of business operations. It serves as a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to attract, engage, and delight customers throughout their entire journey.
- Constant Contact is a widely used email marketing and online marketing platform that caters to businesses looking to connect with their audience through various digital channels. It offers a suite of tools designed to simplify and enhance marketing efforts, with a primary focus on email campaigns.
By hiring a marketing expert, you can relinquish the need to manage the marketing platform yourself and witness the results effortlessly. Explore our marketing services to leverage this convenience.
Analytics
Analytics is commonly employed to comprehend your audience's behavior, empowering informed decisions that positively shape the future. Numerous tools are available, and we've compiled a selection of the most popular ones. Go beyond mere analysis; scrutinize your data with precision.
- Google Analytics is a powerful web analytics service offered by Google that provides detailed insights into website and app performance. It allows website owners and marketers to track and analyze user interactions, helping them understand how visitors engage with their online content.
- Semrush is a comprehensive digital marketing tool that is widely utilized for competitive analysis, keyword research, and overall search engine optimization (SEO) strategy enhancement. It offers a suite of features designed to help businesses optimize their online presence and stay competitive in the digital landscape.
- Optimizely is a versatile experimentation platform designed to empower businesses in testing and optimizing their digital experiences. It provides a range of features focused on experimentation, personalization, and analytics to enhance user engagement and drive business outcomes.
Customer service
A vital component for facilitating the online shopping experience is an ecommerce tool designed to assist customers throughout their journey. Ideally, a customer support platform should not only aid in retaining loyal customers but also attract new ones. This is where the significance of customer service software becomes evident.
- Acquire is a customer communication and engagement platform designed to facilitate seamless interactions between businesses and their customers. Serving as a comprehensive solution, Acquire incorporates a range of features to enhance customer support, sales, and overall user experience.
- Zendesk provides capabilities such as real-time chat for instant communication, collaborative problem-solving through screen sharing, and video chat for a more personalized support experience. The platform also integrates AI-powered chatbots to automate routine inquiries, freeing up human agents for more complex tasks.
- Hiver is a collaborative email platform designed to enhance teamwork and productivity within Gmail. It transforms Gmail into a shared inbox, enabling teams to collaborate on emails, assign tasks, and streamline communication directly within their existing email interface. With Hiver, teams can manage and prioritize emails collaboratively, assign responsibilities, and track the status of tasks associated with each email thread.