Ε-commerce website (eshop)
E-shop development is a process that requires careful planning and a strategic approach. But what exactly do we mean by an online store or e-shop?
An e-shop is a website whose primary goal is to increase product sales. From selecting the right platform to designing a user-friendly interface (UI), an online store must be easy to use and able to present products quickly and clearly to potential customers.
The functionality of an e-shop must be seamless, with the ultimate goal of converting visitors into customers as efficiently as possible. An ideal online store is designed to provide a smooth and enjoyable shopping experience, encouraging customers to return and maintain a positive impression of the brand. Every element of e-shop development—from product search to checkout—must be designed with usability and customer satisfaction in mind.
Research and Strategy in E-Shop Development
Research and strategy are two essential processes that must take place before developers begin the actual e-shop implementation. At Cactus, these processes are not theoretical; they are carried out by specialized consultants who deliver concrete outputs.
These deliverables include:
- Competitive analysis
- Buyer persona research
- UI/UX analysis and design research
- Target market definition and analysis
- Product analysis using the 4Ps framework
At the start of the project, the Cactus Project Manager identifies and presents competitive online stores. This allows informed decisions to be made on critical strategic questions. Next, the Project Manager—together with a specialized marketing consultant—defines the buyer persona, target market, and product strategy using the 4Ps model. Finally, a specialized UI/UX designer proposes a design approach aligned with all research findings and analyses.
By strategy, we mean that from the very beginning of the project, the Cactus team creates a structured plan with clear steps and actions aimed at delivering a high-quality e-shop.
A high-quality e-shop means:
- A strong, visually appealing design that stands out
- Proper technical performance, including fast loading speeds and full responsiveness across all devices
- Well-structured information and content designed to maximize sales
E-Commerce Platform Selection
At Cactus, we understand the critical role that platform selection plays in the success of an e-shop. Before development begins, our specialized consultants present all key factors that should be considered in choosing the right e-commerce platform.
Our long-term goal has always been to ensure that our development team can effectively work across multiple platforms. At Cactus, we do not rely on developers who specialize in only one platform; instead, we employ software engineers who deeply understand how different e-commerce systems operate.
Currently, more than 20 software engineers at Cactus—organized into dedicated teams—develop in-house projects using WooCommerce (WordPress) and OpenCart, while also supporting Magento and PrestaShop. This allows us to remain fully objective in our platform recommendations. We are among the first companies with two vertical software production teams, making us truly technology-independent by international standards.
Many of our competitors tend to recommend only the platform they already know, without presenting clients with all the necessary data. At Cactus, we take a different approach—one based on transparency and informed decision-making.
Custom E-Shop Design vs Template Selection
At Cactus, we can create a fully custom design for your website and e-shop. We analyze your requirements and work closely with you to design a template that reflects your vision. The final design is unique and created exclusively for your business.
The website is fully integrated with WordPress, allowing you to easily update and manage your content. Choosing a custom design increases development cost and delivery time, but results in a distinctive and tailored digital presence.
Content Collection & Product Presentation
Content collection is a critical component in the creation and growth of an e-commerce store. It involves the curation and organization of various content types, including product descriptions, images, videos, customer reviews, and blog posts, all aimed at enriching the shopping experience and attracting customers.
By strategically gathering relevant and engaging content, we ensure that our clients’ e-shops not only showcase their products but also tell a compelling brand story and provide valuable information to potential buyers. Core functionalities include product pages, shopping cart functionality, checkout processes, user accounts, and search features.
Our team creates content with a focus on improving search engine visibility, increasing user engagement, and ultimately driving conversions. With our expertise, businesses can build a strong online presence, establish customer trust, and foster long-term relationships with their audience.
ERP System Integration
We can integrate your e-shop with any ERP or business management system you currently use. For example, orders can be automatically transferred to your ERP system, while product inventory can be updated in real time directly from your ERP.
Terms of Use, Shipping & Payment Configuration
When building an e-shop, defining clear terms of use, shipping policies, and payment options is essential. Transparent and user-friendly terms outline the rights and responsibilities of both the business and its customers.
Comprehensive shipping policies ensure customers clearly understand delivery expectations, helping build trust and satisfaction. Equally important are seamless and secure payment options, which significantly impact both user experience and conversion rates. Popular options include PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.Net, and Square.
Security measures such as SSL/TLS encryption are implemented to protect customer data and ensure secure communication between the user’s browser and the server.
Support & Ongoing Improvements
At Cactus, we maintain continuous communication with our clients throughout every e-shop project. For this reason, we introduced the “Open Kitchen” approach—inspired by the hospitality industry—into digital projects.
Just as an open kitchen allows customers to see how food is prepared, our approach emphasizes transparency and trust. We have developed a custom CRM system that allows clients to monitor project progress at any time.
Quality Assurance & Testing
We place strong emphasis on attention to detail and rigorous testing procedures to ensure that every aspect of our clients’ e-shops meets the highest quality standards. From website functionality and product accuracy to payment gateway security, everything is thoroughly tested.
Our dedicated QA team applies comprehensive quality assurance protocols to identify and resolve issues early, ensuring a seamless and frustration-free shopping experience. This commitment allows businesses to not only meet but exceed customer expectations in a highly competitive online market.
E-Shop Training & Project Delivery
Our goal is to ensure that, after development, you can manage your e-shop easily and efficiently. It is essential that store owners—not technicians—handle day-to-day management, as they best understand their products and customers.
Store owners should be able to update inventory, descriptions, images, and manage orders independently. We also provide ERP integrations to automate order handling and stock updates.
After the completion of your e-shop or website, we offer Website Support Packages to ensure ongoing stability, updates, and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Eshop creation
Custom Web Application
Social Media today is the medium that, today more than ever, your future customers use when they want to get in touch with your company and interact with.
Presentation Website
Google has,for several years, been able to advertise in its search results for keywords and phrases that users are looking for.