CAN YOU PROVIDE MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO CREATE AN E COMMERCE SITE FROM SCRATCH

Decide on a platform:
The first step is to decide on a platform to build your e-commerce site on. There are a few popular options including:

WordPress with WooCommerce: This is one of the most popular open-source platforms. WordPress is flexible and customizable and WooCommerce adds robust e-commerce functionality. It is a good option for beginners and small businesses.

Shopify: This is an all-in-one e-commerce platform that is focused on selling online. It requires no development and has extensive themes and app collection. It requires a monthly subscription fee.

Magento: This is a feature-rich open-source platform commonly used by large enterprises. It has almost unlimited customization options but requires technical expertise to set up and manage.

BigCommerce: Similar to Shopify in features but is less expensive for smaller stores.

Custom built: Using platforms like .NET, PHP, Django etc. This requires development from scratch but gives full control.

I would recommend starting with either WordPress + WooCommerce or Shopify based on your technical skills and budget. Ensure the platform you choose has all the essential features required for your business.

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Choose a domain name and hosting:
Once you’ve selected the platform, purchase a domain name which is memorable and relevant to your brand. You will also need domain hosting to deploy your site files. I advise getting hosting that is optimized for the chosen platform. Popular options are Bluehost, SiteGround etc.

Design and build your site:
Now is the time to design how your site will look and feel. This includes aspects like color scheme, layout, logo etc. You can either design it yourself using tools like Elementor or hire a designer. Develop the navigational structure of your site along with basic pages like About Us, Contact etc.

Set up key infrastructure like SSL certificate for security, payment gateways for transactions and shipping integrations. Configure tax rates and create your products catalog or import existing inventory. Set up categories and other organizational structures.

Optimize for mobile:
A large percentage of online traffic is from mobile devices. Ensure your site is optimized and looks great on both desktop and mobile. Test responsiveness across iOS and Android. You can also consider building dedicated mobile applications later.

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Select marketing and ads channels:
Start planning your marketing strategy right from the launch. Determine where your target audience spends time online and build a presence. This includes search engine optimization, social media marketing, email marketing, partnerships, influencer promotion and more. You can also look at running ads on platforms like Google, Facebook etc. once the site is live.

Launch and ongoing improvements:
Once the basic structure and features are ready, it’s time for the official launch. Send early access to friends, family, existing customers etc. to gain initial feedback. Monitor analytics and user behavior to identify issues. Gradually add more products, content and functionality based on insights. Continuously improve site speed, performance and user experience. Ensure successful order fulfillment to build trust.

Expand functionality over time:
As your store grows, you can enhance it with additional features:

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Customer accounts and order history
Targeted email campaigns
Abandoned cart recovery
Bulk product upload
Affiliate and drop shipping programs
Order tracking
Gift cards
Extended product attributes
Mobile-friendly admin panel
Shipping/tax calculators
Live chat and messaging
Payment options like EMI, cards, wallets etc.

Keep optimizing the site, increasing product selection and delivering great customer service to build a sustainable e-commerce business over the long run. Remember that going online is just the start of your entrepreneurial journey. Regular maintenance and improvements along with data-driven decisions will help the store succeed.

Carefully selecting the right platform, designing an engaging user experience, optimizing for marketing and ensuring operational excellence are critical to launch a successful e-commerce site from scratch. With dedication and continuous learning, any entrepreneur can start their own thriving online store. I hope this detailed guide provides valuable guidance on the overall process. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.

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