Nowadays, many overseas sellers have switched to independent websites. However, independent websites sound difficult to achieve. What should I do if I want to quickly and easily build an independent website to go overseas? First of all, you need to understand the two methods of website building: open source website building and SaaS website building. Open source website construction means that enterprises build websites on their own or rented servers and use open source software such as Magento for website development and operation. SaaS website construction is to achieve website construction and operation by subscribing to the software platform of a third-party service provider. Which method is more suitable for cross-border sellers?
Let’s talk about the conclusion first. SaaS website building is more suitable for small and medium-sized sellers to get started, while self-built websites are more suitable for big sellers like Anker and Shein. why? This article gives you answers from six aspects.
1. Ease of use.
SaaS website building platforms are usually very silly to operate. Sellers who don’t know programming can build independent websites in a day.
At the same time, SaaS website construction provides a wealth of free templates and one-click update functions, allowing sellers to focus on products and marketing rather than the technical details of the website. In contrast, as open source software, Magento requires sellers to have certain technical capabilities or a professional technical team to build and operate the website.
2. Cost.
Cost is a core concern for many independent website sellers. SaaS website construction prices are transparent, with optional subscription fees and commissions. Independent website sellers can choose the appropriate package based on actual needs. Compared with Magento’s high enterprise version prices and complex operation and maintenance costs, sellers can greatly reduce website construction and operation costs by choosing SaaS website construction. Additionally, Magento’s free community version has limited features. If more features and support are required, sellers need to bear additional costs.
3. Customer service.
Customer service is especially important for sellers with non-technical backgrounds. SaaS websites usually have online customer service, including 7*14 manual customer service, 24-hour intelligent customer service, and 1v1 exclusive consultants, allowing sellers to answer and support questions promptly and effectively.
The free community version of Magento does not offer live chat, phone or email support, while the enterprise version does have customer service support, which can be a big roadblock for sellers who need help.
4. Customization and scalability.
As an open source software, Magento is highly customizable and scalable. Sellers can customize the functionality and appearance of the website to suit their needs. However, this level of customization often requires professional developers to achieve, which means it can increase the cost of construction and operation.
SaaS websites, such as Dianjiang, are slightly less customized than Magento, but their functions and templates are sufficient to meet the needs of most cross-border e-commerce sellers, and their ease of use and low cost make them an ideal choice for small and medium-sized businesses. The first choice for corporate and non-technical entrepreneurs.
5. Integrated marketing.
SaaS website building platforms usually provide rich integration and marketing tools. For example, Shop Craftsman provides various marketing tools, such as coupons, full reductions, group purchases, etc., as well as integration with mainstream social media and email marketing platforms to help sellers better promote products and increase conversion rates. While Magento also supports many marketing tools and integrations, implementing these features may require additional development and technical support.
6. Update and maintenance.
The SaaS website construction platform is responsible for software updates and maintenance, and sellers do not need to pay attention to these issues. Magento requires sellers or development teams to perform version updates and security maintenance, which may cause additional stress and cost to sellers.
To sum up, using SaaS system is more worry-free and simpler. Using Magento, high cost is exchanged for high customization. Of course, every seller’s needs and conditions are different. When making a choice, sellers need to carefully evaluate their actual situation, including budget, technical capabilities, human resources, etc. In the ever-changing cross-border e-commerce market, sellers need to constantly adjust their strategies and enhance their strength to adapt to the changing market environment. Choosing the right website building solution will help cross-border sellers stand out in a highly competitive market.