Every year, the online business sector in Brazil experiences growth. A recent survey shows that between 2018 and 2019, there was a 37.59% increase in online stores, the largest expansion seen since 2014. Brazil is now estimated to have around 930 thousand websites devoted to e-commerce.
Opening an online business in Brazil is a promising opportunity as the e-commerce sector is expected to grow by 16% in sales volume by the end of 2019, according to ABComm.
To sell online, what is most appropriate: a website or an online store? Although the online store offers a comprehensive solution, in certain cases, a website may suffice and may even be more suitable. Some individuals also opt to sell exclusively through social media platforms, which could be a viable option for beginners.
This article will concentrate on the initial two options. You will learn the requirements for online selling, the distinctions between the solutions, and whether to opt for a website or an online store to establish your business. Ready to dive in?
What is a website defined as?
The term “site” typically refers to various types of web pages, but here I will focus specifically on institutional websites.
Companies, self-employed individuals, and professionals use institutional websites to showcase their business or services. These websites can range from basic online business cards to comprehensive platforms that facilitate sales.
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Institutional websites differ significantly from one another, but they typically share a common structure of pages.
- The home page of a website, known as “Home,” serves as a showcase and prompts users to explore the site further.
- Page that provides information about the company or the professional.
- Page displaying the products or services available.
- The contact page features various contact details like address, phone number, email, and map, along with a contact form.
A website can include various pages like blog, team, clients, portfolio, and a sales page.
Blog for e-commerce: Is having one worthwhile?
Selling via a website
Internet sales can be conducted without the necessity of a virtual store, depending on the nature of the product or service being offered, using a website instead.
Some scenarios that are suitable for this e-commerce model:
- For individuals who exclusively offer a single product or service;
- Small businesses that view online sales as an additional feature rather than a primary focus.
- When the sales volume decreases and there is no need for an e-commerce system to handle orders, customers, and inventory.
- When your website doesn’t generate sales but receives donations.
Some examples of businesses that could use a website to sell their products or services include:
- A professional who offers a digital product in the form of a course.
- A personal tutor who arranges lessons through the website.
- A craftsman looking to showcase and sell their artwork online.
- A non-profit organization that receives contributions.
Selling options through a website.
Sales can be facilitated on a website through various methods, such as integrating an e-commerce module that adds a store section to the site. Platforms like Wix offer this feature as an option, allowing users to easily activate it on their website and choose from pre-designed templates for a virtual store.
To test out Wix without charge, click here or check out our review of Wix.
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Anyone with a WordPress website can depend on WooCommerce, a free plugin designed specifically for this platform. It is currently the most widely used e-commerce platform in both Brazil and globally. To find out more, check out our review of WooCommerce.
Those looking for a straightforward option can utilize a purchase button like PayPal or PagSeguro, which is compatible with various website platforms and facilitates secure and easy transactions.
Selling online requires certain elements.
Some essential elements required for online selling, whether through a website or virtual store, include domain, hosting, SSL security certificate, and payment gateway.
Your internet address is known as the domain, like www.yourstore.com, and the server where it is stored and made available online is hosting. Both domain and hosting are essential, regardless of whether you conduct online sales or not.
The SSL security certificate is suggested for websites and necessary for online stores as it ensures secure transactions through encryption of exchanged information between users and the website or online store.
The payment gateway, also known as a broker, enables you to accept online payments through methods like bills, credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers. Options include using payment brokers like PayPal, PagSeguro, MercadoPago, or integrating your store with payment methods directly, such as banks and credit card providers.
What is an online shop?
A virtual store is a website designed specifically for selling products and services online, with unique features tailored for this purpose.
The homepage typically displays promotions and products with appealing images and commercial texts, while internal pages also use an e-commerce layout featuring category navigation to assist users in finding their desired items.
An online store also comes with a system for managing operations, such as:
- Managing customers and their orders.
- Product enrollment;
- Stock control;
- Promotional offers and discounted vouchers.
- Freight configurations.
- Gateway or payment intermediary.
- Virtual store’s performance indicators panel.
The virtual store is more intricate and requires more effort compared to a website, potentially necessitating a specialized team depending on the e-commerce’s scale.
Types of Online Stores
Several e-commerce solutions are accessible for various sizes and types of online businesses. A cost-effective option includes pre-made virtual shops that come with hosting, SSL, and payment integration. Tray is a leading provider of such platforms in Brazil, catering to both small and large online stores.
Free open-source e-commerce platforms like WordPress, Magento, OpenCart, and Prestashop provide more flexibility but necessitate an initial investment for customization, SSL installation, and separate hosting.
It is feasible to develop a tailor-made solution, but it comes with increased expenses for implementation and upkeep as it must adapt alongside the system.
Virtual Store: an explanation of what it is and how this online shopping platform operates
Is it better to have a website or an online store?
Both the website and the online store enable you to conduct sales online, with each being more appropriate for a specific type of business.
If you intend to sell just a single product or service without requiring customer, order, and stock management, a website may suffice. However, for a full-fledged e-commerce store with multiple products necessitating a comprehensive system, opting for an online store is preferable.
It’s crucial to know how to effectively manage your e-commerce, in addition to choosing between a website or online store. Take advantage of these useful tips for establishing a thriving virtual store! 😉
Publication date: 27/06/2017 (last updated on 16/05/2023)
Tags: Comparison
