The application of the internet in conducting our day-to-day activities has been overwhelming. Individuals, business entities, government agencies, and all forms of organizations worldwide are utilizing the internet to perform all sorts of business transactions and information exchanges.
The power of the internet has eliminated geographical barriers through e-commerce. Since the 1990s, electronic commerce has been a fundamental part of human lives. Individuals and organizations are now paying keen attention to it, and most of them are investing heavily in e-commerce as a strategic tool. According to a report by Statista, the global e-commerce market was predicted to hit 4 trillion in 2020.
With all the benefits that the internet has brought forth as far as e-commerce is concerned, we cannot say that it has been a comfortable ride. This article will explain some of the challenges of conducting your business via the internet and give ten tips on adequately dealing with these challenges.
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Challenges Of Ecommerce
The following are some of the challenges associated with e-commerce.
1. Security And Privacy Challenges
E-commerce security has been said to be one of the critical determinants of e-commerce success. E-commerce security means safeguarding all data from potential threats such as loss or theft by the many cybercriminals that have now flooded the internet. According to a 2018 Verizon’s Data Breach Investigation Report, over 2,216 confirmed data breaches in 2018 alone. E-commerce insecurity has been a significant challenge that has led to negative e-commerce growth, improvement, and general success.
Today, with the increase in cyber breaches, more and more clients are unwilling to be involved in e-commerce because of their fears regarding the security and privacy of the transactions they undertake. When customers do not have confidence in the e-commerce system’s capability to protect their sensitive information, privacy, and transactions, the chances are the clients are less likely to visit the e-commerce website.
Data security should, therefore, be a key concern in e-commerce. Proper measures should be put in place to ensure that security and privacy challenges are adequately eliminated. We will see some of the tips to overcome these challenges later in this article.
2. Legal And Ethical Challenges
The rapid growth in technology and advancements in e-commerce presents a lot of legal and ethical challenges. No proper protocols have been put in place to punish the lawbreakers, and as such, many people are engaging in inappropriate behaviors. Some of the legal and ethical challenges facing e-commerce include web spoofing, internet fraud, and online piracy. These challenges have compromised the success of e-commerce and should be dealt with accordingly.
3. Website Accessibility Challenges
A website is an excellent enabler of e-commerce. For e-commerce to be a success, the e-commerce website should be accessible to individuals like the disabled. Examples of disability may include vision disabilities, hearing disabilities as well as psychological hindrances.
Website inaccessibility has become one of the significant e-commerce challenges. Proper measures should be put in place to ensure that websites are accessible even by those who are disabled. Any e-commerce website which is difficult to use will depict a wrong image to the society and drive away clients.
4. Website Search Ability Challenges
Each e-commerce website expects that visitors will find it when they search for it via search engines. The chances that a newly established e-commerce store will be on the first page of the Search Engine Results Pages will be minimal. Search engine rankings pose a great challenge, and solutions should be installed to ensure that this challenge is eliminated.
5. Ecommerce Website Usability Challenge
Website usability can be the quality measures representing the characteristics that allow for an e-commerce website’s easy use. It has proven to be a critical success factor for e-commerce. Website usability challenges may range from response time, visual qualities, and easy navigability.
The challenges could bring the entire e-commerce website to its knees. Proper measures should be taken to eliminate these challenges. The following are some of the things that you should do to deal with the above challenges:
10 Ways To Overcome The Challenges OF Ecommerce
All the challenges mentioned above are a significant drawback to e-commerce. However, with the below ten tips, the challenges can be overcome and e-commerce success achieved.
1. Switch To HTTPS
As already noted, one of the significant challenges of e-commerce is data breaches. Data is a great asset and is being sought by the many hawk-eyed hackers. They will lay their traps, and before you realize it, you will already be a victim of a data breach. E-commerce servers hold sensitive data such as financial information of both the clients and the owners. Such information includes credit card details, debit card details, financial records, and transaction history.
To a cyber-attacker, this kind of information is very lucrative. Hackers are smart and are using sophisticated mechanisms such as Man-In-The-Middle attacks to get hold of information.
Proper measures should be put in place to ensure the safety of all data. One thing that has proven to be effective in the security of data is the SSL certificate. All those who value their eCommerce website’s data security should install the SSL certificate on all domains and subdomains. By doing so, you will be minimizing the risk of a data breach.
The good news is that you do not need to buy the certificate for every subdomain. Just a single Wildcard SSL certificate has the capability of providing the highest level of encryption to an unlimited number of subdomains. So, stop waiting and get a Wildcard SSL certificate. So, stop waiting and get a Wildcard SSL certificate from best SSL certificate providers across the globe.
2. Use Antivirus And Anti-malware Software
Malware is software that can infect your computer system and damage, disable your eCommerce network’s normal operations, or exploit your e-commerce files. There are several reliable measures that you can take to prevent malware attacks. One of the ways of doing that is by installing antivirus and antimalware software. The tools are useful in detecting and stopping an imminent malware attack that could be a significant threat to your business.
3. Use Firewalls
Another effective solution to eCommerce security challenges is to use a firewall. Firewalls are pocket-friendly yet effective ways of stopping major e-commerce security threats. They keep untrusted networks and software away from your website and control the traffic entering and leaving your Ecommerce website. Firewalls are also useful in preventing security threats such as SQL injections and Cross-Site scripting.
4. Employ A Multiple Security Layer
You should ensure that you have a robust security strategy by having various security layers. Protect your website with multiple-factor authentication, Content Delivery Network, among other security measures. The more security layers that your e-commerce website has, the more secure it is.
5. Carry Out Regular Data Backups
As I already mentioned, hackers are smart and will always try to find new ways of breaking your e-commerce website’s security walls. There is no guarantee of full immunity from e-commerce security threats. A contingency plan is thus needed just in case things go haywire. Conducting regular data backup assures you that your e-commerce business will continue operating long after a data breach or any other kind of uncertainties. You have to frequently back up your e-commerce data files in preparation for delays.
6. Go for A Secure Ecommerce Platform
The success of your e-commerce website entirely depends on the hosting platform that you choose. It is paramount that you go for an e-commerce platform that provides top-notch security and conducts regular updates. The e-commerce platform should also provide you with the proper tools to safeguard you against security threats.
7. Follow Online Selling Laws
Well, I am not a lawyer, and probably you are not one either. However, we both know the essence of individuals, organizations, and businesses following the laid down rules and regulations. You need to ensure that your e-commerce store abides by all the rules and regulations. Some of the rules and regulations which you need to adhere to include:
- Product-specific regulations
- International regulations
- Online marketing laws such as the CAN-SPAM act
- Tax laws and regulations
- Data compliance and privacy laws
8. Employ SEO Best Practices
For your e-commerce website to succeed, your website and your web pages need to be visible on the Search Engine Results Pages. Most eCommerce owners overlook this measure and end up failing. The whole concept of SEO optimization is a broad one and needs to be taken with a lot of concern.
9. Proper Web Designs
Website designs are critical because it dramatically impacts how your clients view your brand. It sets the first impression of your business, helps with SEO optimization, and enhances customer loyalty and trust. A properly-designed website should be functional, easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, carry quality content, and have clear calls to action. Such a design will have a significant impact on the success of an e-commerce store.
10. Adopt a Mobile-First approach
The desktop is no longer the chief online shopping device. Today, more users have opted to use mobile devices. As such, you should strongly consider going mobile if you want your e-commerce business to succeed.
To Sum Up
It is a smart approach to be aware of the challenges that now face the e-commerce industry today. This article has summarized the challenges into five categories. Knowing them will also help you understand how best to deal with them. Apart from outlining the challenges, the article has also provided ten solutions to the challenges. When fully incorporated, the answers could be an assurance of e-commerce success. I hope that you will use these solutions to create a successful e-commerce platform free from such challenges.
If you are interested in even more business-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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