A website is a collection of interconnected web pages under a single domain name, typically used to provide information. Think of it as an online resource that showcases your business, services or personal portfolio.
On the other hand, an online store is a specific type of website designed primarily for sales transactions. It includes features like product listings, shopping carts and website payment processing. It's your virtual storefront where customers can browse and purchase products or services.
Whether you choose to go about building a website or start an online store depends on your business goals and the needs of your customers.
What's the difference between a website and an online store?
Definition and purpose
The core purpose of a website is to provide information. It's a place where you can tell your story, share details about your services or offer insights through a blog. Websites are versatile and can serve various functions from showcasing an online portfolio, starting a blog, to hosting a forum.
In contrast, an online store is designed with one primary goal in mind: selling products or services directly to consumers. It's an e-commerce platform that allows visitors to become customers by selecting items, adding them to a cart and completing purchases.
Design and user experience
When it comes to website design the focus is on user engagement. They aim to be visually appealing and easy to navigate so that visitors stay longer and explore more content. The user interface of a website is crucial as it impacts how visitors perceive your brand.
For online stores, the design revolves around conversion. Every element from product displays to checkout processes is optimized for efficiency and simplicity. The goal is to minimize obstacles between the customer and the sale, ensuring a smooth shopping experience.
Functionalities and features
Online stores boast unique functionalities that cater to online shopping needs. Some of the core ones include:
Shopping cart: Allows customers to accumulate various items before proceeding to checkout.
Payment gateways: Secure payment systems that process transactions with various payment methods.
Customer accounts: Enable users to create profiles for faster checkouts and order tracking.
Order management: Systems that handle orders from confirmation through delivery.
Conversely, informational websites might include:
Contact forms for inquiries or service requests.
Blogs or news sections for updates and articles.
Photo galleries showcasing work or products without direct sales capabilities.
Isn't an online store also a website?
Yes, an online shop is a type of website. It falls under the broader category of websites but with a specialized purpose – to sell products or services online.
An online shop features all the elements of a website, such as a domain name and web hosting but it also includes additional e-commerce functionalities that transform it into a marketplace. Think of it as a subset of websites, tailored specifically for commercial transactions.
The specialized nature of online shops means they are designed from the ground up to facilitate the buying and selling process. This includes not just product listings and shopping carts but also customer service features like live chat support, user reviews and return policies that enhance the shopping experience and build trust with customers.
All online shops are websites, not all websites are online shops. An online shop is simply a more focused version of a website with the specific aim of e-commerce.
Website vs eCommerce website features
When it comes to starting an online store, you'll need to build an ecommerce website to bring it to life. Understanding the difference between a general website and an ecommerce one can help you make the decision about what's right for your business.
eCommerce website features
Because ecommerce sites are designed to handle the buying and selling of goods or services online they come with a set of features tailored to facilitate e-commerce activities:
Product management: Tools to add, organize and manage product listings including descriptions, images, and prices.
Inventory tracking: Systems that monitor stock levels in real-time, helping to manage supply and demand effectively.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Features that help store owners track customer interactions and purchasing history to enhance marketing efforts and customer service.
Analytics and reporting: Integrated analytics tools that analyze sales patterns, customer behavior and website traffic to inform business decisions.
Typical website features
Regular websites may not have the complex selling functionalities of e-commerce platforms but they still offer valuable features for different purposes:
Content Management Systems (CMS): These allow for easy updating and management of website content without needing technical expertise.
Mobile-friendly design: Ensures that the website is accessible and visually appealing across various devices, including desktops, tablets and smartphones.
Multimedia integration: Ability to incorporate videos, images, and audio into the web pages to enhance user engagement.
SEO optimization: Features that help improve the visibility of the website on search engines like Google.
All of these site features can also be included in an ecommerce website or online store and many are.
Online shop vs online store - is there any difference?
The terms online shop and online store are often used interchangeably but they can imply subtle differences that might influence your business strategy.
An online shop typically refers to a smaller-scale e-commerce operation, perhaps focusing on a specific niche or offering a curated selection of products. It's akin to a boutique that provides a unique shopping experience and personalized customer service. It's most commonly used to refer to small businesses, like a crafter selling handmade goods from their home.
An online store, on the other hand, might suggest a larger, possibly more comprehensive e-commerce site. Think of it as akin to a department store with a wide array of products and categories. It may cater to a broader audience and often requires more complex logistics and inventory management. Examples might include Gap or Target online stores.
In terms of the type of business model, an online shop might be operated by an individual or small business focusing on handcrafted items or specialized goods. An online store could be part of a larger business with multiple product lines and an extensive supply chain.
While the difference in terminology is subtle, the practical use can hint at the scale and scope of the business. As you plan your e-commerce business, consider how you want your customers to perceive you and choose the term that aligns with your vision and operational scale.
What to consider before building a website or online store
Before making a website
Before you dive into creating a website, there are several preliminary considerations to keep in mind:
Purpose: Define what you want to achieve with your website. Is it to provide information, showcase your portfolio or establish credibility in your industry?
Audience: Understand who your visitors will be and then tailor the content and design to meet their expectations and needs.
Content: Plan the type of content you will offer, this could range from blog posts and company news to detailed service descriptions.
Design: Consider how you want your brand represented visually. The design should be consistent with your branding and appealing to your target audience.
Maintenance: Think about how you will keep the website updated as regular updates are important for engaging visitors and improving SEO.
Before launching an online store
Launching an online store comes with its own set of steps and considerations:
Business model: Decide on the type of products you'll sell and how you'll source or produce them.
E-commerce platform: Choose the right platform that can handle your product range, traffic expectations, and scalability needs.
Payment processing: Set up secure payment options that are convenient for customers and reliable for your business.
Shipping and fulfillment: Establish how you will manage inventory, packaging, shipping and returns.
Legalities: Ensure that you comply with online business regulations, including data protection laws and consumer rights.
Security for websites and online stores
When establishing a business online, security should be at the forefront of your planning. Both websites and online stores require protection against cyber threats but online stores often face higher risks due to the fact that they use and sometimes store sensitive information, such as their buyers credit card details and other personal information.
For websites, basic security measures include:
SSL certificates: Encrypts data between the server and the user's browser, ensuring that personal information is transmitted securely. All Wix sites, for example, come with SSL.
Regular updates: Keeping software and plugins up to date to protect against known vulnerabilities. Wix sites are automatically updated.
Secure hosting: Choosing a reputable web hosting provider, like Wix, with robust security measures in place.
Online stores need to implement additional layers of security:
PCI DSS compliance: Adherence to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is essential for online stores that handle credit card transactions.
Two-factor authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification when logging into customer accounts.
Fraud detection systems: Monitors for suspicious activities that could indicate fraudulent transactions or attempts to breach customer accounts. Wix ecommerce sites and online stores, as well as all Wix websites, are monitored by a 24/7 web security team/
Websites vs online stores and their SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is vital for ensuring that your website or online store is easily discoverable by your target audience. However, the strategies differ between informational websites and online stores due to their distinct content and objectives.
For informational websites, SEO strategies often focus on:
Content quality: Producing high-quality, relevant content that provides value to your audience can improve search rankings.
Keyword and intent optimization: Including relevant keywords in your content helps search engines understand and index your pages appropriately.
Backlinks: Earning links from reputable sites can boost your site's authority and search ranking.
For online stores, SEO requires additional considerations:
Product descriptions: Detailed, unique descriptions with relevant keywords can help products rank higher in search results.
Image optimization: High-quality images with descriptive file names and alt tags improve visibility in image searches and enhance user experience.
User reviews: Encouraging customer reviews can generate fresh, keyword-rich content and improve product credibility.
Website vs online store - what's best for your business
Deciding whether to build a website or an online store is a strategic choice that should align with your business goals and the needs of your customers. Here are some factors to consider:
Product or service: If you're selling goods, an online store with e-commerce capabilities is essential. For services or non-transactional business models, a regular website may suffice.
Customer interaction: Consider how you want to interact with your customers. An online store often requires more direct interaction through sales support, whereas a website might focus on providing information and generating leads.
Budget and resources: E-commerce platforms can be more complex and costly to develop and maintain - unless you use an ecommerce website builder like Wix, where the paid plans include most of your functionality. Ensure you have the budget and resources to manage an online store effectively.
Scalability: Think about future growth. An online store should be able to scale with your business, handling increased products and traffic without compromising performance.