From Bland to Vibrant: The Power of eCommerce Replatforming

Technology is accelerating at a faster pace than ever.

Being an eCommerce retailer, you need to keep up and choose the solution that caters to your changing business requirements.

This is because an inefficient or outdated platform can do your business more harm than good. It can have a direct impact on your website performance and customer experience, leading to reduced conversions and revenue.

To ensure that your website yields great results as you scale, you must evaluate and replatform to a better eCommerce solution.

In this blog post, you will learn all about eCommerce replatforming and how it revitalizes your online business.

Understanding eCommerce Replatforming: A Brief Introduction

eCommerce replatforming is the migration of one eCommerce platform to another with advanced features and improved performance.

It is a way to modernize your eCommerce setup for better functionality and cost-efficiency.

With its powerful capabilities, you can improve your online store responsiveness and deliver high-quality service to your customers.

Here’re some key reasons why you should consider eCommerce migration.

– Limited Customization

Customers are attracted to your brand if you provide them with personalized services that resonate with their needs. To do this, you need customization capabilities. If your existing platform lacks or has limited customization, it is time to switch to another platform with better customization options.

– Integration

As your business scales, you may need new capabilities that only third-party solutions can provide. In such situations, you need your platform to be able to integrate with other tools and systems. If your current platform does not offer this functionality, you need to migrate to another solution that does – and does it seamlessly.

– Poor Performance

Slow speed, unresponsiveness, and outdated infrastructure can lead to poor website performance. If your existing platform has any of these issues and requires considerable resources for maintenance, it is time to choose another eCommerce platform with up-to-date infrastructure and features.

Things to Remember During eCommerce Replatforming

Switching to another eCommerce platform is not an easy feat.

It requires careful consideration or expert assistance to ensure a smooth transition.

Here are a few factors to consider while transitioning to another eCommerce platform:

• Feature-Rich: The new eCommerce platform should have all the features that cater to your business needs.

• Cost-Effective: Check the cost of the platform and any associated costs such as data migration, third-party app integrations, and redesign.

• Secure Migration: The data migration process should be smooth, secure, and reliable.

• Integration Compatibility: Third-party integrations should be compatible with the platform.

• Extensive Knowledge/Support Resources: A deeper understanding of the new platform and access to reliable support resources to assist with any issues should be available.

By ensuring that your new platform checks all the aforementioned boxes, you can minimize the risks and carry out successful eCommerce replatforming.

How to Create an eCommerce Platform Migration Plan?

A detailed eCommerce migration plan is key to a seamless platform transition. Here are the steps to create one for your business.

1. Assess Your Current Platform: Evaluate your current eCommerce platform and identify the features and functionality that are lacking or causing issues. Determine the reasons for the migration and what you hope to achieve with the new platform.
2. Research Potential Platforms: Research and compare potential eCommerce platforms that meet your business needs. Consider factors such as cost, features, scalability, customization, and integrations.
3. Develop a Migration Timeline: Develop a timeline that outlines the specific tasks involved in the migration process and assign deadlines for each task. The timeline should include a start date, a launch date, and contingency plans for potential delays or issues.
4. Allocate Resources: Determine the resources required for the migration, including personnel, budget, and tools. Consider outsourcing some of the work, such as data migration or design and development, if necessary.
5. Data Migration: Plan the data migration process carefully, including identifying the data to be migrated, testing the data, and creating a backup plan in case of data loss or corruption.
6. SEO Considerations: Consider the SEO implications of the migration and plan for the implementation of best practices on the new platform. This may include creating 301 redirects, updating meta tags and descriptions, and creating an XML sitemap.
7. Design and Development: Plan the design and development of the new platform, including the layout, navigation, and functionality. Develop a plan for integrating third-party apps and tools, customizing product pages, and testing the new site for usability and performance.
8. Test and Launch: Test the new site thoroughly to ensure that it is working correctly and that all features and functionality are operational. Launch the new site, redirect traffic from the old site to the new site, and monitor the site closely after launch for any issues.
9. Post-Launch Support: Develop a plan for providing post-launch support to customers and managing any issues that arise. This may include training staff, responding to customer inquiries, and monitoring site performance.

eCommerce Replatforming Checklist

To ensure you migrate your online store from one eCommerce platform to another seamlessly, having a comprehensive eCommerce replatforming checklist is crucial.

Let’s take a look at the checklist:

– Define Business Goals

When switching to a new eCommerce platform, identify your business needs to know why you require replatforming. It can include features, functionality, or integration capabilities that are not present in your current platform, leading to reduced conversions. Check if the new platform contains the required features to help you stay ahead of the curve.

– Identify the Right eCommerce Platform

Choose the right platform that aligns with your business goals, provides essential features such as product management, inventory control, and payment options, and last but not least, offers scalability as your business grows.

– Compare Platform Features and Pricing

Before migrating to a new platform, you should compare several other leading platforms that are cost-effective, rich in features, and compatible with your unique business requirements. By doing so, you can identify which one suits your needs the best and help you attain immense success.

– Backup Your Data

Losing your crucial data while replatforming can be a nightmare. So, it is advisable to back up your data to the cloud or some reliable resource.

Adobe Commerce and Shopify: Your Go-to Options for eCommerce Platforms

In today’s hyper-competitive world, there are numerous options for eCommerce platforms.

But, you should know which platform to choose to achieve your business goals.

Here are two great eCommerce platforms options that you can consider choosing:

1. Adobe Commerce: It is one of the best eCommerce platforms for all your business requirements. Adobe Commerce is rich in features and offers out-of-the-box functionality that allows you to keep your website updated. It gives you full control over your site design and management, enabling you to offer stellar experiences to customers throughout their shopping journey. Some of its eCommerce services include:

– Mobile-friendly eCommerce platform
– Customization and design capabilities
– Higher scalability

2. Shopify: It is a full-service eCommerce solution that provides you with advanced features & functionalities to enhance your website performance. Shopify offers support and tools that improve user experience and help you deliver personalized customer experience. By opting for Shopify, you don’t need to worry about any extensions or custom coding to design your site, monitor its performance, and upgradation for seamless functioning. Here are some of its services:

– Easy-to-use interface
– SSL certificate and PCI DSS compliant for better security
– Web hosting is included and can be managed via a Shopify account
– Offers a myriad of extensions and plug-ins

eCommerce Replatforming: Separating Fact from Fiction

Here are some of the most common misconceptions about eCommerce replatforming:

1. Too Expensive: While eCommerce replatforming can be a significant investment, it is not necessarily too expensive. The cost of replatforming varies depending on the platform and the unique business demands. In certain cases, the cost of not replatforming can be even higher due to lost revenue, decreased efficiency, and the cost of maintaining an outdated platform.
2. Disrupt Business Operations: With careful planning, businesses can diminish the impact on daily business operations. A comprehensive migration plan and clear communication with customers can help minimize disruption.
3. Too Long Process: Replatforming can vary depending on the complexity of the project. However, with proper planning and project management, businesses can keep the timeline on track and ensure a timely launch of the new eCommerce site.
4. Only for Large Businesses: eCommerce replatforming is necessary for businesses of all sizes, especially as technology evolves and customer expectations change. Small businesses can also consider replatforming to ensure that their eCommerce site meets the needs of their customers.

How Grazitti Can Assist in eCommerce Replatforming?

Grazitti offers end-to-end eCommerce replatforming services to businesses looking to migrate from one platform to another.

Our team of experts provides consultation, migration planning, data migration, custom development, testing, and ongoing support services to ensure a seamless, hassle-free, and efficient eCommerce migration experience for you.

Our customized eCommerce solutions enable businesses to maximize the benefits of their new platform and achieve their desired objectives.

Wrapping Up

eCommerce replatforming can be a game-changer for your business to convert prospects into customers. By upgrading to a more advanced platform, you can experience glaring changes in your website, leading to more conversions and ROI. Hence, you must start investing in the right platform if you want to gain a competitive edge in this dynamic marketplace. It’s not too late!

Ready to Migrate to a New eCommerce Platform? Talk to Us!