Category:
Outsourcing Development

Steps towards the development of an EC site Utilization of EC mall
- Use of packaged software, scratch development -

Table of contents Introduction STEP1. Sales at EC mall STEP2. Build your own EC site using packaged software STEP3. Build your own EC site using scratch development Summary Click here for the steps to build a website

Introduction

EC (electronic commerce) platforms have become essential as businesses become more digital, and many companies are expanding their online sales channels.
On the other hand, selling on e-commerce requires different sales know-how than selling at physical stores, and there are many cases where sales are slower than expected even after starting.

In addition, since the revenue and cost structure is different from that of a physical store, there is a good chance that the business will continue to be in the red unless the business is properly designed.

Therefore, it is necessary to think about the steps for development while establishing e-commerce management know-how as a company.

STEP1.Sales at EC mall

For companies that have not yet embarked on e-commerce, a common step is to start selling on e-commerce malls such as Rakuten Market and Amazon , which have a strong ability to attract customers and have good support for opening stores.

Advantages of selling on EC mall

  • Comprehensive support: You can improve your sales know-how while receiving consulting services.
  • Low initial implementation cost: Sales can be started with minimal system construction and installation.
  • Customer acquisition base: You can access an already established customer base.
  • Compliance: The platform ensures security management and legal compliance.
  • You can also outsource areas in which you have not yet established your own operations.

Disadvantages of selling on e-commerce malls

  • Even if it appears to have all the functions at first glance, customizing it to fit your company’s needs will cost a lot of money, and you will need to adapt your business to the functions of the packaged software. When repairs are added, subsequent maintenance and operation costs tend to increase.
  • Due to the above factors, there is a possibility that you will not be able to realize your own unique sales floor and customer service, or that you will not be able to fully match your own logistics and business flow.
  • It is necessary to utilize not only one packaged software but also a combination of multiple services, and the introduction and learning of each software requires a corresponding burden.

Significance of selling on EC mall

  • Establishing know-how
    While opening a store, we will establish the basic operations of EC store management such as Sasage (photography, measurements, manuscripts), B2C delivery, and customer support.
  • Challenge
    If you are successful enough to reach the top rankings, you will be able to concentrate the huge number of customers from EC malls on your company, and you will be able to promote yourself as “popular in 〇〇 mall.”

STEP2. Building your own EC site using packaged software

Once you have established your know-how through sales at e-commerce malls, the next step is to use packaged software to build your own e-commerce

Advantages of building your own EC site using packaged software

In response to changes in operations and business, we have not been able to add sufficient functionality, and our existing systems have reached their breaking point.
Weak coordination with external parties, especially the inability to collaborate in real time, makes it incompatible with operations/businesses that require immediacy, such as e-commerce.

Disadvantages of building your own EC site using packaged software

・It has all the functions necessary to operate an e-commerce store, so you can set up your own e-commerce site with peace of mind while keeping costs down in a short period of time.

・With SaaS packages, the functionality of the packaged software is expanded day by day without the need for in-house investment.

・There is no margin for EC malls.

The significance of building your own EC site using packaged software

・In addition to selling on EC malls, operating your own EC site requires additional business know-how, and you can first prepare a business foundation by using packaged software.
・By launching your own EC site, you can design your own services for your customers.

STEP3. Building your own EC site using scratch development

As our sales know-how for our own e-commerce site increases, we will consider building our own e-commerce site using scratch development at the stage of further evolution.

Advantages of building your own EC site using scratch development

  • You can set up an EC system that fits your company.
  • Realize sales floor and customer service expressions that fit the characteristics of your company’s products.
  • Build a delivery system that makes maximum use of the inventory of your own store network and logistics infrastructure.
  • Delivery that makes maximum use of the inventory of our own store network and logistics infrastructure.
  • Match your company’s business flow and aim to automate product information maintenance work as much as possible.  
  • Freely design services that integrate online/offline.

Disadvantages of building your own EC site using scratch development

  • You will need to define your own business.
  • They will be responsible for ensuring the stable operation of the service, including security aspects.
  • The initial cost is the highest compared to other methods.

The significance of building your own EC site using scratch development

  • We will bring out the appeal of our products and pursue customer service on the online sales floor and in customer service.
  • Maximize the use of your company’s resources.

Summary

Scratch development, packaged software, and e-commerce malls each have their advantages and disadvantages.
The key to success is to comprehensively evaluate factors such as the business situation, future scale, budget, and time, and make the optimal selection and combination.
Just as it is difficult to succeed in running a physical store overnight, running an e-commerce site requires steady progress in building business know-how and systems. On the other hand, scratch development, which may seem like a high hurdle at first glance, can definitely be achieved if you take steady steps.

Are you thinking of selling on an EC mall?