What You Need to Know Before You Start Working with an E-Commerce Consulting Agency
Working with an ecommerce consulting agency can help you boost your business' success by increasing your online visibility and sales. Your consulting firm provides you with digital strategy to get you ahead in the competition and boost your online sales. Though there is no discussion on how beneficial working with an ecommerce agency is, there are several considerations you should look out for before choosing one. Considering these listed factors before choosing an ecommerce consulting agency will increase your chances of success.
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Defining your goals and objectives: You need to be clear about your expectations, and short-term and long-term goals from ecommerce consulting services.
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Budget planning: What is your budget for the project? Being clear on your budget helps you narrow down potential agencies.
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Research and references of the agency: You need to search for the agency's previous work, references, and portfolio. Is there a special field or niche that the agency specializes in? Are their previous work aligned with your expectations?
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Technical background: Before working with an ecommerce consulting agency, you need to make sure that you have enough background information on the technical aspects of e-commerce. This includes having knowledge about the platforms, and the basis of web design.
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Project timeline: You need to clearly define the project scope and the desired timeline. Creating a realistic and still active timeline is critical.
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Communication channels: Having clear and open communication allows your project to achieve success more effectively. You should improve your communication channels as well as check for potential e-commerce agencies' channels.
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Legal aspects: You need to check the legal aspects, contracts, and agreements with e-commerce agencies.
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Data security and privacy: Collecting and protecting data is a critical consideration for e-commerce considering users' privacy and legal obligations. It is better to increase your knowledge and awareness of cyber security before starting an e-commerce business.
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Scalability and Growth: Another factor you need to consider before working with an e-commerce agency is the scalability and growth potential of your e-commerce strategies. If you aim for scalable e-commerce strategies, it is better to choose an e-commerce that can continue the partnership with you.
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SEO and Digital Marketing: Integrating SEO and digital marketing is essential for successful e-commerce strategies. So, you need to consider the extent of SEO and digital marketing strategies served within the e-commerce agency services.
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Quality Assurance and Testing: You need to consider and check for the e-commerce agencies' assurance and testing policies before launching the site.
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Measuring and Analytics: It is better to consider the measuring and analysis metrics of the e-commerce agencies. What are the main key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the e-commerce project? Is it increased traffic, conversion rates, customer engagement, increase in sales, or a combined metric?
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Flexibility and Adaptability: Every project, especially in dynamic fields like e-commerce, requires a certain level of adaptability and flexibility. That is why it is crucial to choose an e-commerce agency that can adapt to changes and create a flexible project.
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Feedback and Communication: Make sure that you have clear communication channels with the e-commerce agency. Having open and clear communication channels is essential for running a successful project and to create desired outcomes.
As we stated, choosing the right e-commerce agency is a key step in the development and success of the digital transformation of your online business. Leading ecommerce platforms are the ones working with ecommerce experts for an efficient marketing plan. You can choose the best e-commerce agency that is also aligned with your goals and visions when you take these factors into consideration.
Factors Affecting E-Commerce Consulting
Providing a good user experience
The first thing you should pay attention to in e-commerce consultancy is to create a good user experience. User experience is the core structure of ecommerce sales. User experience can be improved with elements such as the user's ability to easily access the product they want on the online stores, to convey and react to their complaints, and to make the interface understandable. With e-commerce satisfying the customer with your product or service also requires your website to provide a good user experience. That's why e-commerce consulting services emphasize the enhancement of providing a good user experience.
Remarkable site design
An aesthetic and understandable appearance of the site design is necessary to keep the user on the site and to include them in e-commerce. It is important to follow current trends with your website's design and to include understandable and easy-to-use elements in the design.
Quality product photos and descriptions
One of the most important points for users in e-commerce is the reliability and quality of the product. Uploading product photos clearly and including necessary information in descriptions is a critical point for users' buying decisions. Every online shopping carries a certain amount of risk for users. The incompatibility of the image and the product may lead to the decision not to shop from the site again. That's why it's necessary to regularly add the right product and photo match and realistic photos to the site. It is also beneficial to allow your customers to comment and add their own photos to increase credibility and trust.
Improving mobile e-commerce experience
Creating a compatible mobile view of your e-commerce website and having a user-friendly channel that can be accessed with mobile applications creates a factor that directly affects sales. For most people who are at the consumption end of e-commerce, e-commerce offers an opportunity to reach the product or service they want with one click. Especially when we consider impulsive buying -even though it is not encouraged-, the critical role of mobile user experience in e-commerce becomes clear. Having a mobile application and designing a compatible web view on the mobile site is therefore one of the issues addressed by e-commerce consultancy.
Providing quality customer service
You should be able to provide quality customer service to effectively collect and respond to the customer's questions, complaints, and feedback. You should keep in mind that in e-commerce, the customer always faces a certain risk especially if it is their first time shopping on that site. You need to effectively integrate up-to-date customer service methods such as providing effective and mutual customer service, live support, and artificial intelligence-supported communication into your e-commerce site.
Keeping up with the competition
E-commerce and e-commerce consultancy currently constitute one of the most dynamic and growing markets. That's why there is a lot of competition, and as an e-commerce company, you need to follow the competition and up-to-date trends. You can create market analysis, and follow academic publications, and studies to follow the competition. It is necessary to make proactive moves by synthesizing this data.
What is the Scope of E-Commerce Consulting?
E-commerce consulting is a very comprehensive and multidimensional process. E-commerce consultancy can offer consultancy services in many different areas such as social media, digital marketing services, market analysis, SEO optimization, and website design. It provides you with an extensive plan of marketing strategy. In this context, the scope of service provided by the consulting firms can vary considerably and this change affects pricing policies.
For example, another factor affecting the cost of web design is how many pages the designed website will have. Each extra page that needs to be created depending on the needs of your website requires a separate design and planning. As the designer's labor increases, the service fee increases in parallel.
Similarly, the e-commerce consultant should specialize in different areas such as SEO optimization and market analysis, and should have versatile experience and knowledge. In the age of digital transformation, ecommerce is one of the fastest developing and growing sectors of our age with many different ecommerce stores online. That is why, e-commerce consultants who will serve in this field should also keep up with current trends, follow developments and develop proactive methods. They must be experts in ecommerce business, and help your business in becoming the best ecommerce platform.
Advantages of Working with an E-Commerce Agency
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Saves you time and money
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Allows you to focus on core business needs
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Creates a roadmap in line with the most profitable and current trends in e-commerce
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Gaining the opportunity to progress confidently with expert opinion and support
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Provides easy access to market analysis and statistics
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Creating a professional roadmap for e-commerce analysis and management
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Reaching professional guidance on web design and SEO planning
What Should You Look for in an E-Commerce Consultant?
The first thing that you should look for is that an e-commerce specialist should have is to have versatile knowledge about e-commerce. This background should include technical skills, sales and marketing knowledge, SEO, and web design knowledge. The e-commerce specialist should have the experience to analyze this accumulation and guide in accordance with the targets. In addition to these, the e-commerce specialist should be able to monitor and analyze the current market activity accurately and follow academic research. Since e-commerce is a dynamic sector that is growing rapidly, the e-commerce consultant should keep himself up to date and follow information and analysis. Agency's portfolio is another important factor in determining the success of an ecommerce consultant: customer feedback, global clients, and references from previous clients are critical in building loyalty.
Are E-Commerce Consulting Firms Expensive?
Prices for e commerce consulting fees can vary widely. There are some factors that affect this price change in e-commerce pricing like the experience and the scope of services provided by the consultant. You can get e-commerce consultancy prices designed for your ecommerce platform after contacting Edvido directly.
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Experience of E-commerce Consultant: The first and most effective factor affecting e-commerce consultancy fees is the experience and knowledge of the e-commerce consultant you will receive service from. Of course, e-commerce consultants, who have 10+ years of experience in the field of e-commerce and consultancy, and the necessary academic and professional equipment, offer consultancy services at higher fees.
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Providing Services to Regional, National, or Global Customers of the Consultant: The regions and scales of the companies that the e-commerce consultant has experienced and worked with affect the e-commerce consultancy fees. For example, an e-commerce consultant serving global companies and agencies will require higher salaries than an e-commerce consultant working nationally and regionally.
Freelancer vs E-Commerce Agency
As we discussed before, e-commerce in itself is a complicated and multi-leveled process. This process includes website design, product and service specialization, target market analysis, sales and marketing strategies, and managing online payment and delivery systems. Considering the requirements of building an e-commerce business, it is more beneficial to work with an e-commerce agency instead of a freelancer. Because, e-commerce agencies work with teams to join their expertise and experience, and create the desired outcomes. On the other hand, freelancers usually work alone and might be insufficient in creating a holistic approach to e-commerce.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an E-commerce Agency
What is the scope of services provided by this e-commerce agency?
You need to ask yourself the scope of the e-commerce agency and its alignment with your goals. E-commerce agencies provide services that may include website development, mobile app development, SEO, marketing strategies, payment systems, and analysis. You can increase or decrease the scope of services you choose to take from the agency after discussing your requirements and expectations. We can list the scope of services provided by e-commerce agencies as such:
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Website Development
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Mobile App Development
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E-commerce Platform Migration
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UI/UX Design
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Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
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Digital Marketing
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Payment Gateway Integration
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Inventory Management
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Analytics and Reporting
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Customer Support and Training
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Security and Compliance
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Custom Development
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Content Management
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Maintenance and Support
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Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
Are the e-commerce consultants working with this agency experienced and skilled in the field?
Of course, you need to ask yourself about the experience and skills of the consultants working with the e-commerce agency. Working with a strong team would result in higher achievement for the e-commerce agency and for your own business growth.
Is it Worth Paying for E-Commerce Consulting?
Yes, most of the time it is worth paying for an e-commerce consultant. But there are a few considerations you need to take into account to derive the most return from your investment in e-commerce consultancy. These considerations include choosing a reliable and experienced e-commerce that is working with talented consultants. It is more likely you will get better results if you are careful about your choice of e-commerce agency. This way, it will be worth your investment in e-commerce consulting.
E-Commerce Consulting Pricing Models
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Pricing Model |
Description |
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Hourly Rate |
With hourly rate payment the bill is based on hours spent on the project. |
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Project-Based |
Project-based payment systems base the payment on separate projects. |
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Monthly Retainer |
Clients pay monthly retainer fees to the consultant and in turn, receive constant support through a long period of time. |
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Percentage of Revenue/Performance-Based |
The percentage of the revenue-based pricing model focuses on the success of the project and relative payment to the consultants. |
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Profit-sharing or Equity Stake |
Profit-sharing is a rare payment method. Consultants share profits or equity from the business. |
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Hybrid Pricing Models |
Hybrid pricing models are the most often used pricing models that usually combine project-based pricing and monthly retainer. |
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Consulting Packages |
Consulting packages are predesigned by the agency and contain certain time periods or projects. |
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Value-Based Pricing |
Value-based pricing is determined based on the perceived value of the service provided by the consultant. |
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Subscription-Based Pricing |
Subscription-based pricing is based on the monthly subscription fees determined by the agency. |
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Custom Pricing |
Custom pricing is chosen by the agency based on specific projects. |
What do E-Commerce Consultants Do?
E-commerce consultants provide services in multiple areas of e-commerce to create the best and most efficient strategies for your online business and content marketing. You can receive consultancy for specific services such as management of your email marketing, or look for a full service agency to work with. E-commerce consultants create a holistic approach and guidelines on different aspects of e-commerce. We can list some of the services provided by e-commerce consultants as such;
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Launch and maintain advertising campaigns
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Negotiate with suppliers
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Market Research and Analysis
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Business Strategy Development
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E-commerce Platform Selection
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Website and User Experience (UX) Evaluation
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SEO and Online Visibility
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Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
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Content Strategy
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Digital Marketing and Advertising
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Analytics and Data Analysis
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Inventory Management
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Customer Experience Enhancement
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Compliance and Regulations
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Training and Knowledge Transfer
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Monitoring and Reporting
How E-Commerce Consultants Can Help Your Business?
E-commerce consultants can leverage their experience and knowledge to help your ecommerce business in several aspects. E-commerce consultants can help you create and develop holistic strategies with their guidelines. Considering how multi-faceted and complicated e-commerce processes can be, it is better to seek guidance from an e-commerce consultant. Here are some aspects that an e-commerce consultant can help your business:
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Strategic Planning
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Improved Website Performance
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Increased Sales and Revenue
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Enhanced User Experience
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SEO and Online Visibility
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Effective Digital Marketing
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Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
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Content Strategy
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Data-Driven Decision-Making
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Inventory Management
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Payment Processing and Security
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Compliance and Regulations
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Training and Knowledge Transfer
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Monitoring and Reporting
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Scalability and Growth
E-Commerce Consulting Pricing for Different Business Models
| Business Model | Average Consulting Price |
| B2B (Business to Consumer) | $5,000 - $25,000 per project |
| Startup E-Commerce Business | $1,000 - $5,000 per project |
| Small to Medium-Sized E-Commerce Businesses | $3,000 - $15,000 per month |
| Enterprise-Level E-Commerce Businesses | $10,000 - $50,000+ per month |
| Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Brands: | $2,000 - $10,000 per month |
| E-Commerce Marketplaces | $10,000 - $50,000+ per project |
| Niche or Specialized E-Commerce | $2,000 - $10,000 per project |
| Global E-Commerce | $5,000 - $25,000+ per project |
| E-Commerce Technology Platforms | Pricing change depending on the project scope |
| E-Commerce Agencies | Pricing change depending on the agency size |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it Paid to Get Offers From E-Commerce Consulting Agencies in Edvido?
No, it is not paid to get offers from e-commerce consulting agencies on Edvido. You can fill out the form on our website and then start listing and getting offers from the best e-commerce consulting agencies.
Can I Find the Most Appropriate E-Commerce Consulting Agencies for My Brand on Edvido?
You can find the most appropriate e-commerce consulting agencies for your brand after filling out the form on our website.
How Can I Get Offers From E-Commerce Consulting Agencies on Edvido?
You can get offers from the best e-commerce business consulting agencies on Edvido after filling out the form on our website and contacting Edvido.
