Provide a comprehensive step-by-step guide to build a fully functional e-commerce website from scratch. Include the following details:
- Planning Phase
- Defining the niche/target audience.
- Key features needed (product catalog, cart, checkout, user accounts, etc.).
- Choosing between platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, custom-coded, etc.).
- Design & UI/UX
- Wireframing the layout (homepage, product pages, cart).
- Mobile-responsive design principles.
- Tools to use (Figma, Adobe XD, or theme templates).
- Tech Stack Options
- For custom builds: Frontend (React, Vue.js), Backend (Node.js, Django), Database (MySQL, MongoDB).
- For CMS: WordPress + WooCommerce vs. Shopify vs. Magento (pros/cons).
- Payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal) and security (SSL, PCI compliance).
- Development Steps
- Setting up the development environment.
- Creating product pages with images/descriptions.
- Implementing cart functionality (session management).
- User authentication (login/signup).
- Checkout process (shipping, taxes, discounts).
- Testing & Deployment
- Testing for usability, performance, and security.
- Deploying to a hosting service (AWS, Vercel, shared hosting).
- SEO optimization (product metadata, URLs).
- Post-Launch
- Marketing strategies (email, social media, ads).
- Analytics setup (Google Analytics, heatmaps).
- Maintenance (updates, backups).