eCommerce Website Development: A Complete Guide 2025

The upcoming years could be monumental for e-commerce, as the expected market volume is set to be $5.89 trillion by 2029 at a CAGR(2025-2029) of 8.02%. eCommerce website development is instrumental, especially when a business does not want to get lost in the crowd. Customers’ demands have shifted towards innovative online shopping options, prioritizing personalization.

33% of the world’s population shops online (2.77 billion), and over 30.7 million eCommerce websites exist. Don’t be surprised if someone says that poor-performing websites are digital graveyards, and only ghosts access them. What separates these websites from top-performing e-commerce portals is their incapabilty of following trends.

For growth-seeking businesses, an e-commerce website that offers what customers want—from personalization to a myriad of payment options—is essential. However, when it comes to having one for the business, entrepreneurs look for ways to develop one.

Developing an e-commerce website is not easy. Specific challenges are associated with it, such as defining the goals, determining the features, integrating the latest technologies, implementing payment functionalities, safety, security, etc.

Although multiple e-commerce web development platforms are available, deciding on the most suitable ones can also be challenging and here eCommerce web development company will help you to suggest best platforms. The most significant challenge is finding out how much does it cost to develop an ecommerce website.

To simplify it, we’ve got you covered!

Considering all scenarios and business personas, we have created an e-commerce website development guide for you. This guide walks you through all the crucial information, helping you make the right decision for your business.

Here, you’ll find all the information, such as factors to consider when developing e-commerce websites, steps to take, development costs, and more, that’ll quench your thirst for information on launching your business online.

What is eCommerce Website Development?

Building an eCommerce website refers to the process of designing and developing a website that allows users to buy products and facilitates sellers’ selling products online. It is a rigorous, multi-staged process that begins with an idea and only partially ends at its deployment. Why partially? because maintenance and updates are continuous. Post-release maintenance is a necessity that ensures the website runs seamlessly for users.

You can create your online shopping platform in either off-the-shelf or custom eCommerce development. Both ways have advantages. The off-the-shelf option allows you to launch your website in less time, but the scope of customization is minimal.

A custom-built e-commerce platform lets you customize every aspect, from intuitive designs to customized checkout processes. With the help of experienced developers, you can create a compelling user experience for your customers and have significant advantages in scalability, flexibility, and seamless integrations.

Functionality to Consider When Developing an eCommerce Website

The majority of customers expect easy navigation, quick search functionality, wide product categories, and fully secure payment options. In addition to these, the website’s speed also plays a crucial role in making purchasing decisions.

You’ll be surprised to know that 73% of customers switch to an alternate website if they find an e-commerce website slow, and 40% of shoppers won’t wait 3 seconds before abandoning the site.

A question arises: What are the key functionalities to consider when developing an ecommerce website?

There are some diverse functionalities that you must consider and can’t neglect when building your online store.

1. User Registration

With a particular ecommerce platform, a customer’s journey starts with registration. However, some users do not want their information stored, so they use guest login. Regarding the business growth point of view, you need to consider both Signup/Registration and Guest Login. Let the users decide what functionality they want to use.

2. Seamless User Interface

The user interface is a crucial component of any website. When accessing any e-commerce website, users interact first with the interface. An excellent user interface always creates the best user experience. When designing an interface, it must be easy to navigate, assisting users in finding the desired features, products, and categories. UI/UX must be developed to enhance the accessing experience and make it a joy for users.

3. Responsive Design

Every user’s choice is different. Some find it easy to access online shopping websites through desktops, while others find it suitable to use tablets or smartphones. Keep all customers in mind, and make your website’s responsiveness one of the top priorities.

4. Mobile-first Approach

Consumers are 74% more inclined to revisit an online store optimized for mobile devices.
A significant 60% of adults in the U.S. view mobile shopping as essential for enhancing their shopping convenience. Other stats are also available, indicating the rising graph of mobile-first users. So, when planning for eCommerce website development, prioritize the mobile-first approach.

5. Website Security

Most online shoppers prefer websites that offer safety and security. An e-commerce website contains a myriad of essential data about products and users, and any threat can put it in danger or lead to illegal use. It may also lead to business loss; therefore, consider including robust security protocols.

6. Checkout and Payment Options

Ecommerce websites with poor checkout and payment functionalities experience high cart abandonment rates. Plan to include checkout and payment functionalities that suit your target audience. The checkout process must be effortless, and it would be best to include multiple payment modes.

7. CMS Integration

A content management system (CMS) consolidates visual and written content, marketing documentation, and customer tickets, enabling easy editing, updating, and quick response from customer support. Almost all businesses utilize this tool to improve their relationships with their customers.

8. Shopping Cart & Check-out

A shopping cart can be used by registered and guest users. It is a great idea to include a one-step checkout process without differentiating them. It will not require users to register on your website, and they can easily shop for products.

9. Product Catalog

The product catalog plays a crucial role in user engagement. The more interactive the catalog, the more likely sales are. When developing an e-commerce website, design your product catalog to offer intuitive product browsing, detailed product descriptions (text, images, and videos), product categorization, and filtering.

10. Fast Loading Speed

Quick browsing and seamless experience improve user experiences and enhance repeat visits. In this fast-paced world, customers prefer fast-loading e-commerce websites, so consider this a priority for your next e-commerce website development. According to various studies, faster loading speeds reduce car abandonment and increase conversion rates.

11. AI-Product Recommendations

Users prefer smart choices and consider AI-product recommendations one of them. By analyzing user behavior and preferences, AI recommendation functionality provides personalized recommendations to the users.

12. Chat Support & Chatbots

AI chatbots are the best to include when developing an innovative and custom e-commerce website. They are beneficial not only in terms of innovation but also in terms of providing effective customer support to customers and improving the support team’s productivity.

13. Social Media Integration

Social media is essential for achieving success in eCommerce. Incorporating social media into your eCommerce site improves brand awareness, boosts traffic, and amplifies customer interaction. Inclusion of buttons like- Buy Now on social media posts encourages users for instant purchase.

14. Analytics & Reporting

Powerful analytics and reporting tools help businesses to make informed business decisions. You can monitor sales, understand user behavior, and evaluate conversion performance using analytics and reporting tools.

No matter, what innovative idea you have for custom ecommerce website development, things start with planning. A perfect plan can help you to land your business in the right place. This will help you to lay a solid foundation for your ecommerce business.

Here’s how to develop eCommerce website:

1. Define Your Goals

It all starts with defining the goals. The first step you need to take is to define measurable goals such as target audience, sales traffic, and others. While defining the goals, make them SMART(Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound).

2. Market Research and Analysis

Everyone can’t be a market expert, but you are going to launch your business with an e-commerce website, so it is crucial to understand the market and your competitors. While researching the market, segment information based on economic, technological, industry, regulatory, and consumer trends.

The next sub-step is to learn about your competitors. During competitor research, consider their websites, product range and presentation, pricing strategy, customers’ feedback, marketing initiatives, customer services, and others.

3. Define Functional Requirements

Technical and functional requirements are directly related to seamless execution and customer satisfaction. Therefore, plan accordingly to include the best functionality for your e-commerce website development, such as payments and check-out processes, site load speed, AI-powered recommendations, and more.

Be specific about the features, including the must-have features. Include features that enhance satisfaction, such as a wishlist, product comparison, and multilingual and currency support, matching your target customers’ expectations.

4. Hire Custom Ecommerce Development Company

Hiring an ecommerce web development company is a smart choice compared to use pre-built solutions. The most significant advantage is that you can tailor things to meet your business requirements. But things are not easy, as you must find the right one to develop your online store.

Over the internet you can find multiple profiles – but where to start?
Although finding the right technology partner is possible, you need to go through some steps such as:

• Research over the internet and identify potential companies.
• Explore third-party review platforms like Clutch, GoodFirms, and others to learn the reviews.
• Ask for referrals and recommendations.
• Deeply explore the company’s website and work portfolio.
• Shortlist the companies and inquire about their expertise.
• Request proposals and interview developers.
• Explore the company’s hiring model and hire the developers.

When hiring an eCommerce development company, you need to ask some key questions such as:

• What eCommerce technologies does a company specialize in?
• Do they have comprehensive expertise in developing projects based on an idea you want to build?
• What development process and project management methodology do they follow?
• How do they handle communication and collaboration?
• What is their approach to testing and quality assurance?
• What about post-launch support and maintenance services?

Once satisfied with all the answers, half of the battle you’ve won.

5. Wireframing & Designing

The designing process starts with wireframing, which stands for creating the skeletal framework of your e-commerce website. This stage focuses on the structure, layout, and functionality of the interface. Simply put, consider it the blueprint of your website.

Following wireframing, the designing process takes place, in which designers create the UI and UX design of a website. The designers create the UI(User Interface), focusing on visual elements and interactive components.

Next, the process moves to User Experience (UX) design, encompassing the user journey. When crafting the design, ensure it is intuitive, responsive, and creates a satisfying experience for the user.

6. Custom eCommerce Website Development

After validating the design, your next move is to develop a custom eCommerce website. The developers will translate your idea into a fully functional and robust online store using the latest technologies and platforms. The process includes:

• Setup platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento(aka Adobe Commerce).
• Front-end and back-end development
• Database integrations like MongoDB, Postgre SQL, MySQL, etc.
• API Integrations are needed to expand the functionality of your website.
• Payment mode integrations allow users to choose their preferred ones.
• Setting up hosting and server connection.

Once done, your website is ready in terms of code. But wait? It is not ready for deployment without quality assurance.

7. Testing & Deployment

Testing an e-commerce website is as crucial as designing and developing it. This process involves testing the website to identify bugs, security issues, functionality issues, responsiveness, speed testing, and other issues. Experts will thoroughly test your website, eliminate the issues, and assist you in deploying it.

8. Maintenance and Support

eCommerce website development is a never-ending process, and the deployment stage is not the final step. After launching your website, prioritize periodic maintenance to ensure its seamless performance. The method includes regular security updates, performance optimization, content updates, and feature enhancements. Overall, constant maintenance can ensure your eCommerce remains updated and offers a seamless experience to users.

Different Types of eCommerce Web Development Platforms

Without innovative technology, e-commerce web development would not be possible. E-commerce platforms enable businesses to simplify complex processes like inventory management and product listing. Increased speed to market and easy integration with existing technologies are significant advantages of using e-commerce development platforms.

If your question is- What does an ecommerce platform do? Unlike traditional web development platforms, eCommerce platforms offer numerous features: digital shopping carts, payment processing, powerful search options, various themes, and more.

In technical terms, we can categorize these platforms into:

• Open-source platforms such as WooCommerce, Magento, Joomla, etc.
• Cloud-based platforms, for example: Software as a Service (Shopify, BigCommerce, and Squarespace) and Platform as a Service (Oracle CX Commerce)
• Headless eCommerce Platforms like BigCommerce(headless mode) and Salesforce Commerce Cloud.
• Licensed eCommerce Software such as PrestaShop and SAP Commerce Cloud.

Based on our expertise in e-commerce website development, we have curated a list of top platforms for your reference.

How Much Does it Cost to Develop an eCommerce Website?

The ballpark estimate for developing an e-commerce website ranges from $10,000 to $100,000. However, there is no universal answer to the question of what e-commerce website design and development costs, as it depends on several factors.

The crucial factors in the cost include business size, complexity, e-commerce platform, design, and integrations required. Other costs involved are domain name, hosting, SSL certificate for security, and marketing.

eCommerce Web Development Cost Based on Complexity

When estimating the cost, the website’s complexity is the significant cost influencing factor so, based on the complexity level, the price could be like this:

Cost Estimate Breakdown Based on eCommerce Development Phases

As you have gone through the steps to develop an e-commerce website, it is now clear that it is a staged process. Each phase also contributes to the overall cost.

Hope, you got the idea of ecommerce website development cost estimation taking place. The other contributing factors such as hosting, domain registration, SSL certificate, payment gateway integration, and more come in different prices.

For example:

• Domain Registration: $5-$30/year.
• Web Hosting: $5-$4000 or more per month.
• SSL Certificate: free to $200 annually.
• Payment Gateway Integration: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction(PayPal, Stripe, etc.)

To get an exact cost estimate, it’s a better idea to consult with a trusted e-commerce development company. Once the experts analyze your requirements, they will provide a detailed quote.

How The NineHertz Can Help You With eCommerce Website Development?

The NineHertz is a reliable e-commerce web development company that delivers outstanding e-commerce development services to global businesses and brands. Our comprehensive range of services, from consultations to maintenance, helps businesses make their digitization journey smooth.

Over the years, we have honed our skills in delivering cost-effective e-commerce solutions. We help brands scale their businesses without incurring overhead infrastructure costs. Our skilled team of eCommerce developers will tailor your website to align with your business needs and target audience.

Our expertise and years of dedication to serving diverse businesses allow us to deliver projects on time without compromising quality. We are your one-stop destination for all types of e-commerce web development requirements. Share your requirements and get your tailored e-commerce website.

Conclusion

eCommerce website development is a worthy investment for the future of your business. The best approach to achieve the best results is to invest your time in research, identify the target audience, define features and functionalities, and hire an experienced ecommerce web development company.

When building your online store, identify your USPs and key features that will set your brand apart. Amidst intensified market competition, personalized customer services, AI automation, and the use of new technologies should be your priorities.

If you’re looking for an eCommerce website development company to elevate your brand presence, drive growth, and enhance customer satisfaction, The NineHertz is your ideal partner.

FAQs

1. How can I choose the right platform for my eCommerce website?

Selecting the right eCommerce platform is crucial for long-term business success. Here are the key steps to find the suitable one:

• Understand your business needs
• Define goals
• Define budget requirements.
• Decide about the features and functionalities.
• Evaluate your technical and operational requirements.
• Research and compare platform specifications, pricing structure, and suitability to your needs.

Before making a final decision, carefully analyze all the points and determine how a particular platform aligns with your business needs.

2. What are the must-have features for an eCommerce website in 2025?

Based on the trends, consider the following features to include in your eCommerce website:

• User-friendly navigation
• Mobile-fist design
• AI-based advanced search and filtering
• Engaging product catalog
• Multi-payment options
• Robust transaction security
• Personalization features include AI-powered product recommendations, wishlists, discounts, and offers.
• One-step checkout process
• AI-driven analytics and reporting
• Omnichannel integration

3. What is the e-commerce website development process?

The eCommerce website development is a staged process involving the following steps:

• Identify business needs
• Define goals
• Set your budget
• Market and competitor research
• Hire eCommerce development company
• Set milestones and timelines
• Wireframing, UI, and UX designing
• Frontend and backend development
• Integration, i.e., API, Payment Gateways, etc.
• Quality analysis
• Launch your eCommerce website
• Marketing and Post-launch maintenance

4. Which is better, Shopify or Wix?

Shopify and Wix are both top e-commerce web development platforms, offering numerous advantages. For example, if you need advanced e-commerce features, Shopify is the best; however, if you need creative designs, Wix is the right option. Here, the crucial thing is your requirements; based on these, you can find any of these platforms suitable.

5. What is the easiest website builder for an online store?

Most e-commerce platforms are designed to help businesses grow faster. If you are looking for user-friendly options, consider Shopify and Wix. However, if you are looking for enterprise-grade solutions, platforms like Magento(Adobe Commerce) and BigCommerce could be the right choice.