The craze of online shopping is showing no sign of slowing down. Instead, it is taking on industries one after another, and the fashion industry is not an exception. Hence developing eCommerce websites or apps is the best way to leverage the internet for SMEs to grow 10X faster. Introducing eCommerce into retail businesses not only improves sales but also brings opportunities to earn more, among many benefits.
In this post, we are explicitly talking about the role of eCommerce in the Fashion industry. So, buckle up as we will find out why luxurious brands H&M, Prada, and Gucci to fashion retail startups opt for eCommerce app development over or in addition to their physical stores.
What is eCommerce?
eCommerce is the buying and selling of products, services, and information through the internet. It is a growing industry that has the potential to transform the way people shop and do business. eCommerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba are the most prominent players in the industry and have the most users. But the industry is much bigger than a few large companies.
Millions of small and medium-sized businesses also sell their products and services on eCommerce platforms. Besides, hundreds of millions of people use eCommerce platforms to find and buy products and services. The convenience eCommerce platforms offer to both buyers and sellers has caused sharp growth in eCommerce adoption.
The role of eCommerce in the Fashion industry
Enough of definition as most of us have been using eCommerce for shopping for a while now. So why not delve into why you should also start your eCommerce fashion app like SHEIN or ASOS, right? Here you go, then.
Effective product listing
Product listing on the eCommerce app has successfully increased sales and improved the customer experience. It helps capture more customer attention and, thus, encourages more online sales and purchases.
Furthermore, adding key phrases in the product description makes it easier for customers to find specific items quickly. For example, if a woman wants to buy a casual dress, she can directly type “casual dress for women,” and she shall receive the list of available dresses in a fraction of a second.
That means customers do not have to roam to find and compare prices and quality like they have to while shopping from traditional brick-and-mortar.
Enhance brand visibility
Intuitive eCommerce platforms allow consumers to buy products without needing to visit physical retail locations. As a result, fashion brands have greater access to potential customers, enabling them to increase their market share and build a brand reputation.
Better product discovery and increased brand visibility then lead to increased sales and brand recognition. As a result, eCommerce has been heralded as one of the biggest disruptors in the fashion industry.
Worldwide expansion opportunity
eCommerce adoption has given fashion brands access to larger markets, encouraging them to reach a much wider audience. Especially in the past several years, eCommerce has fueled the expansion of fashion brands in countries across the globe. The invention enables them to reach a new demographic of customers that would not otherwise have been possible with physical stores.
Besides that, new eCommerce business models, such as free shipping and same-day delivery, have rapidly become popular across a range of retailers. Many are now abandoning third-party fulfillment and are outsourcing their own to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs.
Flexibility for customers
eCommerce is good for business also because it is flexible for customers and vendors alike. One of the highlighted flexibility is that the product is available 24×7, which allows the brand to offer its item any place, any time.
Consequently, the likelihood of customers returning for repeat purchases online increases. Moreover, free shipping, express order delivery, deals and discounts, and subscription advantages help attract new customers.
After shopping, customers also share their reviews on the items they buy and their experiences. And each positive feedback results in two additional benefits of eCommerce. One, it helps to build trust with potential buyers. The other is that you can identify your best-selling items.
Cos saving for business owners
eCommerce is advantageous to businesses because it reduces costs. Maintaining a physical store often requires significant upfront costs, such as rent, repairs, store design, and inventory. Sometimes, even after investing in all the right things, sellers don’t get the profits and ROI they want.
eCommerce is an excellent solution for fashion enterprises that want to make more money without a lot of hassle. Because you don’t need a lot of money to get started or don’t have to worry about the overhead of a physical store, it makes it an excellent opportunity for startuppers who want to create an online fashion store but do not have enough capital.
Crucial characteristics of fashion eCommerce
- Design– The design is crucial if you want your eCommerce website to succeed. It has to be readable and user-friendly but also different from other websites.
- The assistance that excels – By intertwining promotions and customer service, many of the best online retailers create long-lasting brand loyalty amongst their customers, and so can you.
- Loyalty programs– Return customers are some of the most valuable to a fashion business as they are more likely to continue using the product or service. Many eCommerce businesses have loyalty programs to incentivize customers to keep coming back.
- Omnichannel marketplaces – Many companies who have a large online presence offer other ways to buy their products along with their platform, for example, Instagram, Facebook marketplace, etc.
- Live chat – This makes it easy for customers to get in touch if they need to.
- Automation– all it takes are a few clicks, and the purchase is made – no need to speak with anyone.
What do you need to develop an eCommerce platform for your fashion brand or startup?
Now, suppose you are all determined to start your online fashion store. Even if you happen to be a fashion vendor and software engineer, you will need a team of experts. The professional development team helps you from ideation to testing and successfully launching your fashion eCommerce platform. Typically, your team is supposed to have the below specialists;
- Project Manager
- Business analyst
- Frontend and backend developers
- UI/UX and graphic designers
- Quality analysts and Testers
- DevOps engineers
- Marketing specialist
Wondering about the budget?
Well, if you talk about setting up a fashion eCommerce platform from scratch, you might need a significant investment of about $30K to $60k or more. Because until your goal or business requirements are precise, no one can give even a rough estimation. But yes, you can always consult with eCommerce app developers and discuss your idea with them. They will help you map out your requirements and give you a ballpark cost estimation.
That’s all. Ciao!
