As the local e-commerce market continues to expand, more entrepreneurs are recognizing its potential and building online stores to reach a wider customer base. Whether it’s selling clothing, handmade goods, or everyday essentials, e-commerce allows even startups to compete with established brands.
However, launching a website from scratch requires more than listing products and waiting for orders. It involves careful planning and the right tools. From choosing a platform to ensuring smooth payment processes, each step contributes to creating a store that performs well.
If you’re planning to start your own online store, here’s a practical guide to help you build a well-designed and customer-friendly e-commerce website from the ground up.
1. Choose the Right Platform for Your Online Store
Your website platform serves as the foundation of your e-commerce business. It determines how easily you can manage your store and how efficiently you can grow it over time.
Popular options include Shopify, WordPress, and WooCommerce, each offering unique benefits. Among these, WooCommerce is a popular choice for Filipino entrepreneurs because it’s flexible, affordable, and integrates smoothly with local payment gateways. As an open-source plugin for WordPress, WooCommerce allows you to customize everything, from how your products are displayed to how customers check out. This helps easily align your online store with your brand identity.
When selecting a platform, think about how it will support your long-term growth. A system that supports custom payment gateway WooCommerce integrations, for example, gives you the flexibility to offer more local payment options later on. A platform that’s scalable and easy to manage will also save you time as your customer base grows.
2. Set Up Reliable and Secure Payment Solutions Early
A dependable payment system is essential for building trust and ensuring a smooth customer experience. Many new business owners focus first on uploading products or designing their website, but postpone setting up payments until later. This often leads to delays in launching or even lost sales when customers cannot complete their transactions. That’s why it’s best to establish secure and convenient payment options early.
For entrepreneurs using WooCommerce, integrating a WooCommerce payment gateway is one of the most effective ways to simplify online transactions. The Maya Plugin for WooCommerce makes this process easy. It enables you to install the Maya Checkout payment gateway directly on your website, which allows you to accept various payment methods such as credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and QR Ph, methods that are familiar to Filipino consumers. If you’re building your website on Shopify, a Maya Plugin for Shopify functions in a similar fashion by letting you seamlessly integrate a reliable payment gateway.
Beyond convenience, these Maya Business online solutions provide strong security measures to protect business owners and customers. With a trusted payment system in place, you can prevent transaction issues and build customer confidence right from the beginning.
3. Design for Aesthetics, Functionality, and Mobile-Friendliness
Your website’s design affects how customers perceive your brand and influences their decision to buy. A professional-looking site creates a strong first impression, while a cluttered or confusing design can drive potential customers away.
That said, start with a layout that’s clean, easy to navigate, and consistent with your brand identity. Use high-quality product images, readable fonts, and colors that align with your overall branding. A well-structured design highlights your products and makes your site enjoyable to browse.
Website functionality is just as important as design. So, make sure all links, buttons, and forms work correctly. Since most Filipino shoppers use mobile devices, optimizing your website for mobile users is crucial. Responsive design ensures your site looks and performs well on different screen sizes, providing a consistent shopping experience for all visitors.
4. Write Clear and Compelling Website Content
Your e-commerce website isn’t just an online catalog; it’s a space to share your brand’s story and values. Well-written content helps you connect with customers on a deeper level and guide them toward confident purchasing decisions. When your pages communicate clearly and consistently, they project professionalism and strengthen your store’s overall credibility.
As a start, you can focus on crafting these essential pages:
- Homepage – This is where you introduce your brand and showcase your best products or ongoing promotions. Use concise, persuasive copy that encourages visitors to explore further.
- About Us – In this page, share your story and mission. Filipino shoppers value authenticity, so explaining why you started your business helps build a personal connection.
- Contact Us – You should also make it easy for customers to reach you. Include contact details, social media links, and a contact form for inquiries.
- FAQs – This is where you address common questions about payments, delivery, and returns to make the buying process more transparent.
5. Test, Launch, and Promote Your Store
Before you launch your website, test it thoroughly. Go through the entire shopping process, from browsing products to completing a payment, to ensure everything functions smoothly. Also, check if the payment gateway WooCommerce integration works properly and that confirmation emails or receipts are sent correctly.
Once you’re confident everything is working, it’s time to launch. Promote your store through social media marketing and email newsletters to attract your first customers. You may also consider offering launch discounts or free shipping to encourage initial sales.
After going live, keep an eye on your store’s analytics. Track metrics such as conversion rates and payment completion rates to identify areas for improvement. Regular updates, new products, and design enhancements will help you maintain a competitive edge as your business grows.
Build and Grow Your Online Store with Maya Business Solutions
Sign up for Maya Business to seamlessly integrate a secure and reliable payment gateway into your e-commerce website.
When you sign up, it qualifies you for a no-collateral Maya Flexi Loan offer of up to PHP 2 million in just 3 months, allowing you to have another funding source to quickly launch your business. Just use Maya as your primary processor for all wallet and card payments. The more you use our solutions, the better the loan offer will be.
Setting up a Maya Business account also lets you open a Maya Business Deposit account and use it as your settlement account. With an industry-leading 2.5% per annum interest rate, you’ll earn PHP 25,000 in interest per year on a PHP 1 million deposit. Furthermore, you’ll be able to send money to your partners and suppliers for free via InstaPay and PESONet, letting you save more.
Sign up for Maya Business today to leverage the benefits of Maya Business solutions.
