Viktor Doletina: One-Stop Shop is a unique approach to the development, management, and growth of ecommerce
In the latest episode of the podcast Eshopový kráľ, our COO from ui42 – Viktor Doletina, was a guest, bringing an interesting perspective on the current world of e-commerce, technological trends, and challenges faced by anyone who wants to succeed in online business today. In the interview, he discussed the latest e-commerce platforms, their advantages and disadvantages, what decisions most affect the profitability of an e-shop, and what strategies entrepreneurs should choose if they want to expand into foreign markets.
SaaS, open-source or custom solution?
E-commerce has dramatically changed in recent years. Everything that was once complicated is now simpler, but at the same time, it puts more pressure on entrepreneurs to choose the right strategy from the very beginning. Viktor explained the differences between the three most common types of e-commerce platforms.
1. SaaS platforms (Software as a Service), such as Shopify or Shoptet, are an ideal choice for starting e-shops that need a cheap and quick way to start selling online. However, these "boxed" solutions come with limitations, especially when expanding to multiple markets or working with large volumes of data.
2. Open source platforms like WordPress (WooCommerce), which is flexible but often demanding in terms of technical knowledge and proper implementation (e.g., in the area of SEO and integration with ERP systems).
3. Custom solutions, such as Magento or CMS Buxus from ui42, are suitable for entrepreneurs who need specific functionalities, such as B2B models, advanced product configurators, or scaling to multiple countries. Despite higher initial costs, custom solutions can offer more efficient management and lower monthly costs in the long run.
According to Viktor, it is always important to define where your business is, what its long-term goals are, and what type of customers you are targeting. These parameters will help you choose a platform that will meet current needs but also allow growth without unnecessary limitations.
ui42 tip: If you want to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of individual solutions, read our blog Comparison of e-shop solutions.
Local versus foreign platforms: Advantages and disadvantages
Shopify and Shoptet are among the most popular SaaS platforms. According to Viktor “Shoptet works great for local Slovak and Czech e-shops, but its limits become more apparent when expanding abroad. Shopify, on the other hand, excels in foreign markets, especially in the Czech Republic, where it supports its Shopify Payments platform – unfortunately, this functionality is still missing in Slovakia."
For Slovak companies with foreign ambitions, the question of expansion is often a thorn in the side. Custom solutions like Buxus prove advantageous in expansion because they allow great flexibility in:
- Localization of payment methods.
- Adapting prices to specific markets.
- Easy management of multiple languages and domains from one admin.
As an example, Viktor mentions the e-shop Dedoles, which was long built on Buxus but recently decided to switch to Shopify to test new sales models. Viktor emphasized that while Shopify may be suitable for simple product portfolios, custom solutions can still be well justified for larger and more complex businesses.
What determines the success of an e-shop?
In discussing what makes an e-shop profitable and successful, Viktor highlighted key areas:
- Customer Experience (CX): Important factors include page loading speed, intuitive design, and a user-friendly purchasing process. If the page is slow or complicated, customers will simply leave.
- Product reviews and ratings: Shoppers want to know they are buying verified quality. Especially younger generations attach great importance to reviews.
- Working with existing customers: Once you acquire a customer, you should strive to work on their loyalty. Retention strategies such as emailing, SMS campaigns, or personalized offers have great potential to increase profit.
- The power of marketing and branding: If the site itself is functional and intuitive, a large part of the budget should flow into marketing and brand awareness – especially when expanding into new markets.
Modern technologies: AI is the future of e-commerce
Artificial intelligence is an unstoppable trend in the world of e-commerce today. Viktor mentioned how at ui42, we have been focusing on AI development for over 5 years and today actively use it in various areas:
- Marketing: Automation of campaigns, creation of descriptions, or creative ideas.
- Development and coding: Using tools like Copilot, which speed up developers' work by up to 30%.
- Translations and text localization: AI enables quick preparation of an e-shop for expansion into new markets without large financial expenses on external translation agencies.
In addition, Viktor emphasizes the need to collect as much data about customers as possible today. At ui42, for example, we use the tool Atomo Analytics, which allows e-shops not only to better track customer behavior but also to "train" accurate AI models for creating predictive strategies or personalized content.
Trends that are changing the way we shop
In conclusion, Viktor mentioned several trends that may shape the world of online shopping in the near future:
- Conversational shopping (chatbots, interaction with AI).
- Livestream shopping, which is already breaking popularity records in Asia and the USA.
- The impact of new AI-based search tools, such as ChatGPT.
“Although some trends have not yet reached the Slovak market, I recommend being prepared for them and actively monitoring them," says Viktor.
How to become a successful e-shop?
Viktor revealed 3 tips on how to achieve this:
- Consult with specialists: Do not close your eyes to experts in development, marketing, or UX. They often show you a direction you wouldn't have come up with on your own.
- Invest in customer experience: A satisfied customer is always the one who returns.
- Don't be afraid of technology: AI, analytics, or new platforms can dramatically improve your e-shop's performance.
The e-commerce world is full of opportunities – the question is just how you will use them. If you are looking for experts in tailor-made solutions, ui42 has been here for you for almost three decades to help you reach your potential. Contact us.
