[E-commerce 100 Questions 09] Who is suitable for e-commerce platform business? Help you compare the advantages and disadvantages of channel platform and platform platform, and recommend three types of people who are suitable for e-commerce business

The 9th episode of E-commerce 100 Questions will help you compare the advantages and disadvantages of the channel platform and the platform platform, so that you can make money every day and make money like a god. Although it is no longer difficult to sell things on the Internet now, everyone can pick up a mobile phone to take a picture and upload it to the Internet to start selling. Since it is such an easy way, why do major brands set up their own brand official websites? If you want to do business on the Internet, there are many channels. What is the difference between selling products in Shopee and building your own brand e-commerce website?

What is an e-commerce platform

We simply say that any platform that allows you to conduct transactions on the Internet can be called an e-commerce platform. Just like finding a place to live, you can choose to rent from others, buy your own, or build your own. These three methods correspond to the access platform respectively. , store opening platform and self-supporting website. Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages, which we will introduce separately below.

Introduction to online e-commerce platform: channel platform/station platform/self-built website

Channel platform: a large number of customer traffic

Let’s talk about channel platforms first. The most common channel platforms in Taiwan are Pchome, momo , Shopee , Dongsen Shopping , etc. These platforms have a large number of brands stationed in them, just like department stores. When customers enter the channel platform, several Thousands of products can be found here, and large channel platforms bring a lot of customer traffic.

However, most of the channel platforms follow the process designed by the platform, and most of the processes are completed within the platform. In the end, merchants cannot master their own customer information and can only wait for customers to passively search. Commodity mix, commodity promotion, etc. also need to cooperate with the platform. It is impossible to play its own brand advantage, and in the end, it can only be reduced to price competition. But the channel platform is a very mature system, so even if you have no experience in e-commerce in the past, you can follow the instructions to start business within a day.

Frame station platform: the best solution to build brand value

By cooperating with system providers like Cyberbiz or 91app, and using modular tools, you can quickly build a brand e-commerce website. This is like you bought an empty house, and then the real estate agent also provides furniture purchase services. You can flexibly choose which parts use the functions of the system provider, and which parts you find a suitable partner for serial connection. Because the functions developed by system vendors will be available to everyone, they must provide the most mainstream and latest functions , and generally 80% of the needs of e-commerce will be included . But even if it is the same function, different system providers have different definitions for it, so this must be chosen carefully. For example, our Cyberbiz has a separate checkout design for refrigerated products and room temperature products for the shopping cart system, so that when consumers buy refrigerated and room temperature products at the same time, they can turn into two shopping carts, and output the freight bill number respectively, so that It is more convenient for consumers, but this feature is currently only available in our family. Therefore, when we choose a platform, we should consider whether the functions provided by this platform meet your needs.

And when you use a platform or a self-built website, it is the consumers who really recognize you. Because when you use the channel platform (ex: Pchome) to sell, the payment is Pchome, the shipment is Pchome, the package is also written with Pchome, and the invoice is still Pchome. For the consumer, he will only remember that he bought a product on Pchome, and it is difficult for him to remember what brand of product he bought.

Self-built website: reconsider if there is a need for customization

As I said just now, whether it is a website platform or a self-built website can help you improve the brand value, and the advantage of a self-built website is that it is fully customized. It is to build a house directly. You can build as many floors as you want, and you can build as many floors as you want. In principle, as long as you find a strong IT team, there will be only budget issues and no other issues. It should be noted here that some IT teams will say that they have cooperated with many companies, so they can directly modify the website structure they have done before, which can save some time and money. This part is not wrong, but as we said earlier, 80% of the functional requirements for e-commerce are problems that can be solved by the platform. Maybe the customized function you need, the platform platform can be solved with just one bend, and you don't need to build your own website at all. In addition, there are many IT companies who deliberately miss one thing when negotiating business with you, that is, the website needs to be maintained and updated. It does not mean that your website can be used for ten years after it is set up. In China, new technologies will be launched, so if you do not update or maintain the website system, your website may be at risk of being attacked or judged by GOOGLE to be a risky website, thereby reducing search rankings. So, if you don't have many functions that need to be customized, I suggest you to find a platform to cooperate with , just like our Cyberbiz has cooperated with OPPO and Yimei, these two big brands have their own development capabilities, but still We have been selected as a partner.

E-commerce platform comparison 1: channel platform / stand platform

Just like I said just now, the function of the customized website depends on your needs, so we will not include it in the scope of comparison. This time, we will discuss the most frequently asked question, "How to choose the channel platform and the platform platform". If it is an individual, it is recommended to use the channel platform to start, mainly to see the market's acceptance of the product, the initial capital pressure will be relatively small, and there is no need to have too in-depth concepts of the website, and more importantly, be familiar with e-commerce operating mode and establish a set of own operating SOP. And if you have been running media such as Instagram or Youtube for many years and have a certain amount of traffic, then you can consider a website platform, because you have solved the most difficult traffic problem. Look at Europe, these consumers are brought by you through social marketing, they are not the ones who just saw these products in Shopee and placed an order. Then these people only place orders because they like your products, so why do these channels charge so many fees? This is also the reason why many people jump from the platform to the platform.

If the company has enough capital and manpower, it can do both. After all, there can never be too many sales channels. Of course, no matter which method you choose, there is a long way to go. You must effectively manage commodities and accounts, regularly check and reconcile accounts, and find the right tools to help you a lot.

Advantages of Access Platforms

E-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Yahoo Mall, Dongsen and other e-commerce platforms are mainly free or chargeable listing platforms.

1. High Flow
2. Easy to set up
3. Variety and simplicity of advertising
4. No website maintenance required

Table of contents

• How to choose an e-commerce platform
• E-commerce platform comparison 1: The advantages and disadvantages of channel platform and station platform
• E-commerce platform comparison 2: Who is suitable for operating an e-commerce platform?
• The official website of the brand is the best treasure of the brand
• Summary: Only by choosing the right e-commerce platform can you grow up quickly

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