Want to make direct sales using your online visibility? Or looking forward to targeting a specific market? You need a digital storefront, then. It’s essentially an e-commerce website that offers you the ground to sell your products or services online. The basic difference between a digital storefront and a common website lies in its functionalities and features. You see, unlike a business website, it’s an online store with sales and transaction capabilities.   

What if you prioritize brand awareness over selling things online? Or providing information about your company is all you want? In that case, you don’t need a digital storefront. Rather, it’s a business website that does the work for you. It’ll be a centralized platform for your business for proper brand building. You can use it for marketing, lead generation, and even customer engagement. It would also be good to have in terms of competitive advantage. You’ll have an upper hand over your competitors, who are relying solely on their digital storefronts. A business website also means you’ll have reach to very valuable customer insights.  

This guide will explain which is the right choice for you between a storefront and business website.  

Key Differences Between a Digital Storefront and a Business Website  

It seems like “a no-brainer” when you have to select between a business website and a digital storefront for your brand. But this decision isn’t that easy. If you’re a B2B business, a retailer, or a subscription-based service, a digital storefront is the way to go. However, for an information-heavy company, a business website is more suitable. There are businesses that use both because they can also co-exist.  

Below are the key differences between a digital storefront and a business website: 

A digital storefront is exactly what the name shows: A digital face of your brand or company. An online presence that you can use to sell goods or services online. It’s your customer-facing platform within your e-commerce system. You can also say that a digital storefront is an online version of your physical establishment. A point of interaction between you and your customers where they can browse and purchase products.  

There are many features that distinguish an online store from a business website. It contains product catalogs and shopping carts. Your visitors (who can potentially be your customers) can enjoy automated checkout processes and payment systems. Another thing that makes it different is that it provides a shipping option to prospects.  

A business website isn’t where you sell your offerings online. It’s where you build your brand image and identity. It’s where you provide valuable information regarding your company so your target audience can know about it. In fact, a business website provides you with an online platform to tell your brand story and boost its credibility.  

It contains “Informational Pages” that give essential details about your brand, organization, or company. You regularly publish articles called “Blogs” to showcase your industry expertise. On this site, there’s a page dedicated to showcasing your portfolio. “Contact Forms” and “Service Descriptions” are also included in the business website.  

There are a number of differences between a digital storefront and a business website. Are both the tools of online visibility? Yes. This might be a common point between these two. Other than that, a digital storefront and a business website have key functionality differences in terms of: 

A business website informs about your business. It contains features like blog posts, testimonials, contact forms, and service descriptions. A digital storefront is about selling products online. It has features like product catalogs, shopping carts, and inventory tracking. 

When you need either of these two websites or both, you must be familiar with the cost and maintenance. A digital storefront is undoubtedly more expensive and complex to build and maintain. You need a subscription for a specific e-commerce platform and also have to pay for a secure payment gateway.  

Then, there are charges in terms of other integrated features, such as inventory management, database integrations, and other custom features. A business website, on the other hand, doesn’t need such complicated integrations. It’s easier and more cost-effective for a business to build and maintain.  

There are many businesses that are currently using both a digital storefront and a business website. Being different doesn’t mean that you can’t run both. Nonetheless, it’s important to learn which of these types is specifically suitable for your business. A business website is usually good for: 

On the flip side, if you’ve a retail shop, fashion brand, or subscription-based service, a digital storefront would be a good choice. Whatever type you choose, it’s critical to hire a professional web developer for an excellent outcome. You can opt for web solutions in Dubai to achieve the milestone.  

Need a Business Website or a Digital Storefront? 

A digital storefront is a suitable option for retailers or fashion brands because it allows them to sell their products online. A business website is well-suited for healthcare sectors or educational institutions to build brand awareness. You can also have both if your business requires so. Get in touch with a reputable web development company now if you need a business website or a digital storefront.