A bespoke ecommerce solution is a custom built online shopping platform that has been developed to meet the unique requirements of a specific, online business. Unlike off-the-shelf ecommerce solutions such as Shopify or WooCommerce, which offer ready built templates and features, a bespoke solution is designed and developed from the scratch and carefully tailored to fit specific workflows, branding and/or functionality.
However, a bespoke ecommerce solution could also refer to a specific component of an online store that has bespoke elements within an otherwise off-the-shelf solution. These components allow businesses to create a distinctive online experience within the structure of an existing platform, providing the benefits of customised features and functionality with the support and reliability of an established e-commerce system.
A bespoke ecommerce system may have one, multiple or all of the following features. As we have alluded to above, many organisations are perfectly happy using their off-the-shelf ecommerce platform with one or two custom components whereas some enterprise grade organisations may need many more if not all of their ecommerce solution and the components within custom built.
Either way, here are some popular custom components that may be present in an e-commerce system.
Advanced Search and Filtering - Custom search tools with features like auto-complete, advanced filtering and personalised suggestions improve navigation, especially for stores with large inventories. Tailoring the search to a company's inventory’s unique categories can make it easier for customers to find exactly what they’re looking for.
Custom Checkout Flow - Modifying the checkout process to fit a specific audience’s preferences, such as a simplified one page checkout, custom payment gateways or subscription options, can help increase conversion rates. This is a common bespoke component that many businesses add to make checkout feel smooth and streamlined.
Personalised Product Recommendations - Using data-driven algorithms to generate unique product recommendations or "frequently bought together" suggestions adds a personal touch. Tailoring this to a companies products’ specifics and customer preferences can create a much more engaging shopping experience.
Membership and Loyalty Programmes - Custom loyalty programmes or membership models encourage repeat purchases. Features like point tracking, tiered membership levels and exclusive offers have been proven time and again to make customers feel more connected and loyal to brands.
Custom Reporting - Off-the-shelf platforms often have basic analytics, but adding custom dashboards for real-time insights, detailed customer behaviour or specific sales trends can help companies make better decisions.
Integration with Niche/Bespoke Third-Party Services - Integrating with specialised services that are not typically available for developers to connect to via API such as specific CRM systems, shipping providers or bespoke inventory management software can streamline operations and provide a better experience both internally and externally.
Branded Email and Notification System - Customising order confirmation, shipping updates and abandoned cart emails with bespoke designs and messaging can help reinforce brand identity and make customer communications feel more personal.
Here at Cool Code Company, we've developed a number of fully bespoke ecommerce solutions as well as many custom components for existing ecommerce systems so whether you need our help creating a solution from the ground up or just some help to make your existing system function better by adding in some individual components - we're well placed to help!
And, if you'd like to see a real example of our ecommerce experience in action, why not check out the Westermans International Testimonial.
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