Virtual Store: Definition and Operations of this Online Retail Platform

The e-commerce industry in Brazil has been expanding rapidly in recent years, with positive future outlooks, positioning online sales as a highly promising sector for aspiring entrepreneurs in the country.

The emergence of a strong ecosystem to support Brazilian retailers has led to various e-commerce options, with online stores being particularly favored.

The article discusses the Virtual Store, an online store platform that was previously named Simplo7 and was acquired by HostGator in 2023, a major hosting company in Brazil.

How does an online store operate?

This platform is comparable to a website builder, but it is designed for creating online stores. It can be accessed and controlled through any web browser without the need for software installation on a computer.

To utilize the tool, a rental fee is required, providing access for the agreed-upon duration and can be extended indefinitely. Essentially, it operates as a subscription, where we make periodic payments to access a specific product or service.

By choosing D Store, users can use a dashboard with the necessary tools to set up a virtual store independently, even without programming expertise. Additionally, users can make advanced customizations, particularly in terms of appearance, if desired.

The clean interface, entirely in Portuguese, includes detailed instructions and a step-by-step guide for setting up the store, catering to both beginners and those familiar with the subject, as each platform has its unique features.

Let’s explore the tool further inside. Come with me and discover everything about the virtual online shopping platform! 😉

Get a 50% discount on any annual plan for the Virtual Store by clicking here (limited time offer).

Themes of the Online Shop

The user can choose to begin with a basic theme and make complete customizations or opt for a premium theme that comes with pre-made customizations suitable for their store. Currently, there are 33 premium themes available for purchase across different segments.

The theme in the Virtual Dshop costs R$397 and can be paid in 12 installments with a 10% discount when using Pix. This theme includes custom pages for desktop and mobile, an editable banner package, and exclusive support. Customizing colors, fonts, and the entire theme via CSS is also an option for those familiar with web design.

Purchasing premium themes is a common practice, even in open-source platforms like WordPress, offering benefits such as saving time and money compared to creating or hiring professionals.

Store Settings in General

The initial stage in setting up an online store on the Virtual Store platform involves the overall store setup, which is crucial for its proper functioning and comprises various sections.

The store data is where the company information, like name, CNPJ, address, and phone number, is stored and automatically displayed on the virtual store and in email communications with customers.
You have the option to either register a new domain or use one that is already registered when setting up the website. The domain serves as the online address for your store. If you don’t have one yet, you can refer to our article for guidance on choosing the right domain for your online store.
The Users/User Groups feature enables you to establish users and determine their editing privileges in the online store. It enhances store security by limiting each user’s access to specific sections, and this can be applied at the group level for multiple users with similar permissions.
Email Configuration / Email Customization refers to the place where you can set up, enable, or turn off email notifications sent to customers regarding their orders, payments, and other related matters.
You can opt to use a different professional email service if you do not have a professional email address, such as the email Titan offered by HostGator company. It is not required to use this specific service.
User audit enables you to monitor user logins to the panel, enhancing security in managing the online store.

Store presentation

After setting up the store, the next step is to modify its look using applications. These tools make it easier for shop owners to manage their store daily and significantly decrease the necessity of editing code. Each application serves a specific function, which will be explained further.

Visual aspect

This section starts by adding the page’s logo and icon, also known as a favicon. The logo is shown in the header at the top of the online store, while the icon is visible in the browser tab, aiding users in recognizing the website.

To try out this function, I made a complimentary logo using Canva, a highly adaptable tool for designing social media graphics, printed materials, and more. Explore additional free logo-making choices here.

Imagem: Peggychoucair/UnPlash

The next stage involves determining the layout of the online store, including the alignment of the brand, product display settings, showcase elements, and item presentation.

The section for customizing colors, fonts, and background of the online store is available in a user-friendly and detailed manner, as shown in the image from the store panel.

Other modifications to layouts and styles

The store layout offers various customization options, so here are a few more listed briefly.

You can use the CSS editing section to customize the text colors, backgrounds, button sizes, and table format.
Layout settings enable you to specify the number of products shown on the display and each page, the ordering method, and the applicable rules for mobile devices.
The editing section for standardized texts on the site includes buttons (purchase, notify me), labels, newsletters, and more.
You can manage all site banners in the Banners section, including adding, deleting, and editing them, as well as selecting the position, destination link, image, and other options. This functionality makes updating banners in the store easier and user-friendly.

Testimonials feature enables the showcasing of real customer feedback on the website, which can boost the store’s credibility effectively.
The editing area for all menus in the online store, such as the top menu, main menu, footer menu, and side menu, varies in quantity and types based on the chosen layout.
Scripts feature enables the integration of scripts in three different sections of the pages: within the header tag, at the start of the body tag, and at the end of the body tag. This feature supports not only JavaScript scripts but also allows the inclusion of snippets of HTML or CSS code. An illustration of its utility is using this functionality to add the necessary domain property verification tag for Google Search Console or the updated Google Analytics (GA4) tracking script.

Archived Documents and Media

There is a file gallery in the general appearance section where you can upload various file types like JPG, PNG, GIF, CSS, JS, and PDF for use on the site.

The Complete plan, which is the most comprehensive, allows for the removal or replacement of the logo on the Virtual D Store platform footer with another logo, such as the one representing the customizing agency.

I don’t believe it’s necessary to eliminate the logo. Many big e-commerce sites feature the platform logo in the footer, which can actually enhance credibility for users. It ultimately comes down to personal preference. 🙂

Additional notifications and sections

We now have two additional options for customizing alert pages: most and confidentiality.

The majority alert is necessary for e-commerce websites that contain content intended for individuals who are 18 years old or older. Visitors must confirm their age as over 18 before gaining access to the site, similar to a liquor store.

The privacy notification, found in every store, shows a message to users stating that the website utilizes cookies to enhance their experience and by continuing to browse, they agree to the store’s privacy policy.

Click here to get a 25% discount on any annual plan when you hire the Virtual Store.

Managing and incorporating products on D Store Virtual.

After updating the look, you must add the items to the inventory. Registering a new product in the online store is thorough and beneficial for e-commerce managers. Here are some key fields you can fill out.

Product Category, Name, SKU (Product Identification Code).
Sales value, cost price, dimensions, inventory, minimum and maximum order quantity, etc.
Product images can be uploaded in this section.
Product descriptions should be concise and informative to improve the store’s ranking on Google. It is beneficial to customize the title and description of the page, and include relevant images like measurement tables.
Optional additional details may include brand, supplier, video, product condition (new or used), target age group, gender, production date, expiry date, barcode, ISBN (for book and similar item sellers), and more.
When selecting the “virtual” option, the system does not charge shipping fees. Apart from this distinction, there don’t seem to be any other unique features tailored for service or infoproduct sellers. The platform seems to prioritize the sale of physical goods.
It is possible for the shopkeeper to create and modify variations such as sizes, numbering, and colors as needed.

I would like to emphasize some characteristics that stood out to me, in addition to the options mentioned earlier.

Custom inquiries

The custom questions option is particularly beneficial for online shops that offer personalized products, such as a craft store that sells items with customized engravings, like a customer’s name. This functionality enables you to include a question directly on the product page, such as: “What name would you like engraved on the item?”

A store selling bulk items could let customers choose the quantity they want by showing the price per gram and asking for the desired amount. The system would then calculate the total based on the input quantity, with a minimum purchase amount set to prevent very small orders.

Other compelling characteristics of the product

Product kits enable the customization of sets with chosen products, incorporating various sizes and quantities. They are beneficial for special occasions or for destocking slow-selling items by offering attractive kit prices.
You can use promotion to create special offers for one or multiple products, specifying the discount percentage and the promotion’s duration.
If a product is out of stock, customers can receive automatic alerts when it is back in store by clicking on the alert button.
Customer can add one or multiple items to a wish list.
Customer feedback can be seen on the product pages.
Budgets are useful when it’s essential to create a budget before finalizing a sale. This feature can be activated for a single product, changing the “buy” button to a “take” button. Alternatively, a contact form with required fields can be offered for budget inquiries. Store owners can monitor all budget requests from the dashboard.

Payment options

To make sales on an online store, it is essential to provide customers with payment options through integration with direct or third-party suppliers, enabling shop owners to streamline the process.

The Virtual Store offers a wide range of payment options, with 13 choices available, such as PayPal, pay.me, PagSeguro, Paid Market, Cielo, Network, and Asaas, which is said to have the most competitive rates.

Shipping Methods

When setting up an online store, it’s important to arrange the shipping system to deliver products to customers’ physical addresses, unless the store sells digital goods.

The Virtual Dshop integrates over 10 platform and shipping company choices, including popular ones like Post Office, Best Shipping, Kangu, Jamef, Jadlog, and Mandaê.

You can also customize delivery methods beyond the ones mentioned, such as store pickup, offline delivery, courier service, region-based shipping, etc. Additionally, you have the option to generate free shipping coupons or establish alternative free shipping policies.

Marketing – A strategy used to promote products or services, typically involving advertising and market research.

The apps found in the marketing category have diverse functions, but they all share the goal of simplifying the process of adding resources to the online store for users, eliminating the need to manipulate codes or handle complex technical matters. Each app serves a specific purpose, as outlined later.

SEO tools and materials

The initial SEO element involves additional pages that enable users to generate or modify pages while tailoring information to enhance the store’s ranking on the website. This customization includes the title (H1), meta description, and user-friendly URL structure (e.g., store.com/feminine/baby-look).

An application for creating URL redirects is available for permanent (301) and temporary (302) redirects. This tool is beneficial for transitioning from a published store to a Virtual Store, enabling the retention of existing URLs to maintain Google ranking and prevent users from encountering error pages. Additionally, it can be utilized for redirecting specific pages that need to be removed, such as expired campaigns, by directing them to another relevant page.

The SEO app allows shop owners to personalize the content shown in Google search results easily. It categorizes information by page type and uses variables to create unique results. For instance, the “product” page automatically includes the product name in the title, meta description, and URL.

The next “product name” is available at the “virtual store name”, offering a variety of products in one convenient location. Check it out now at https://dominiodaloja.

The Sitemap feature enables you to set up and create an XML sitemap, which assists search engines in indexing all pages of the website. It allows you to specify the update frequency and priority levels for the various types of pages on the site.

All users who sign up with their email on the online store’s Newsletter app are automatically added to a section containing their name, email, and registration date details. You have the option to export this list for use with an external email marketing tool.

Some widely-used email marketing tools like MailChimp and RD Station are already set for integration with the Virtual Store platform, simplifying the setup process and automating the transfer of data to the email marketing tool.

Involvement

The On exit pop-up feature is beneficial for interacting with visitors who are about to leave the website without making a purchase. When a user attempts to exit a page on the site, a window appears offering a special deal, such as a discount coupon, to entice them to buy from the site. Additionally, this feature enables you to send a personalized offer via email.

The exit pop-up cart functions similarly to the standard one, but it is triggered when a new user is on the verge of leaving the cart without completing the purchase.

It’s possible to connect the online store with specific tools for boosting sales and improving conversions like Shopback, Criteo, Smart Hint, GoTarget, and Ovni, in addition to the mentioned features.

Seals and Official Documents

The SSL security certificate is included for free in all plans at the Virtual D Store and comes pre-installed on the website. It is visible in the footer as a seal, ensuring that information exchange is encrypted and safeguarded from unauthorized access. Today, having an SSL certificate is crucial, especially for online stores.

The shop owner can also choose to integrate different e-commerce badges, like the well-known Ebit, or any others manually desired.

Text: Retargeting

Retailers using Google for remarketing can conveniently establish it through the store panel, enabling them to promote offers to visitors via ads on Google network sites. This approach is highly effective in driving quality traffic to the store and re-engaging potential customers.

The discount coupon function is a valuable tool for boosting sales in online shops. The Virtual Store provides various customization options for coupons, such as setting an expiration date, minimum purchase amount, free shipping, customer usage limit, and specifying the discount amount or percentage.

The countdown feature in the tool is commonly utilized by e-commerce businesses to boost sales by creating a feeling of urgency and prompting visitors to make purchases immediately. It is recommended for time-limited promotions, special offers, and product launches.

The timer can be utilized on the showcase and individual pages, with options to show or hide it on desktops or mobiles. Users can also customize the countdown time and access other features.

Paid media and social networks

This section allows users to add their social media links to the virtual store for display on the platform, with a focus on configuring paid media and selling products through social networks.

You can create XML files automatically containing store product details to be utilized on sales platforms like Google Shopping, Search, Facebook, Zoom, and Pinterest. Additionally, you can activate Facebook/Instagram Pixel, along with Facebook conversion API, among other functionalities.

Sales – revenue generated from selling products or services

The sales division includes various applications concerning shopping carts, orders, services, operations, and more. Explore detailed information on each of these below.

Sales Options

You can see a list of carts and filter them by different categories such as expired, in recovery, and active. Customize the cart duration and actions for buttons like “continue shopping” and “purchase.” Clicking the “purchase” button offers options like “add to cart” or “add and proceed to checkout.”
Enables you to see the cart list and sort it by category (expired, in recovery, and active).
You have the option to customize the duration and actions of the cart for various links and buttons like “continue shopping” and “purchase”. For instance, when you click on the “purchase” button, you can choose to either “add to cart” or “add and proceed to cart”, among other possibilities.
The Checkout feature presents a selection of fields that can be shown during checkout, including the ability to mark certain fields as mandatory. It also enables you to decide whether to display installment options based on the selected payment method.
Lists available fields for checkout display, allowing the option to designate as required.
You can choose whether to show or hide installments when making a payment.
You can check and modify the current status of orders, such as created, paid, sent, delivered, and cancelled. Notifications are sent to clients via email when the order status changes, but you can set up personalized events for each status. Custom statuses can be created and adjusted as required. Additionally, settings allow you to define minimum order values, minimum stock levels, permitted client registration types (individual and business or only individual), and authorized states for legal entity sales.
You have the option to see and modify the current order statuses such as created, paid, sent, delivered, and cancelled. When you change the status of an order, the client receives an email notification. Additionally, you can set up personalized notifications for each status and create or edit custom statuses as required.
Settings can include setting a minimum order value, minimum stock level, client registration options (individuals and businesses or just individuals), and permitted states for sales to businesses.

Enables you to see the cart list and filter by category (expired, in recovery, and active).
You have the option to customize the duration for cart activities and related buttons like “continue shopping” and “purchase.” For instance, when you click the “purchase” button, you can choose to “add to cart” or “add and proceed to checkout,” among other choices.

Shows a selection of fields that can be displayed during checkout, allowing for the possibility of designating them as required.
Enables you to decide whether to show or exclude installment options for the selected payment.

You have the option to see and modify the status of current orders, such as created, paid, sent, delivered, and cancelled. When the status changes, clients receive an email notification, but you can also set up personalized notifications for each status. Additionally, you can create and adjust custom statuses according to your requirements.
It is possible to set a minimum order value, minimum stock, client registration options (physical and legal persons or only physical persons), and authorized states for sales to legal entities in the settings.

Service and operation are closely intertwined.

Chat Apps: Internet chat, Whatsapp Chat, and Facebook Messenger Chat.
Through Google Analytics, the shop owner can activate the E-commerce GPS Tool to view detailed metrics from the online store including revenue, average order value, order quantity, successful orders, conversion rate, and comparison between successful and unsuccessful orders.
The Satisfaction Survey feature enables you to email customers, prompting them to assess the product they purchased. The email is triggered after a set period determined by the seller, starting from when the product is marked as delivered.
Automatic charge involves automatically sending an email when a customer requests but fails to make a payment. You can adjust the email sending deadline, customize the email content, and choose whether to notify the client and the store.

Wholesale – Business to Business

The progressive discount option enables you to establish discount regulations for bigger purchases. Discounts can be implemented based on the product, category, or overall cart amount.

Specific guidelines can be established for individual features, such as size, to help decrease inventory of items that are not selling well.

Integrations are the process of combining different elements or systems.

This section includes additional integrations that are not found in the previously mentioned categories. Some are provided for free by the Virtual Store itself, while others are offered by third parties for an additional cost. Let’s explore these integrations below.

Google Tools

Google Analytics is a tool that simplifies the setup of Google Analytics for monitoring and analysis. The Virtual Store currently does not have built-in integration with the new Google Analytics (GA4), but you can set it up using the Scripts app as explained in the help page.

Marketplaces and ERP systems

Marketplaces enable you to link your store to various online marketplaces by utilizing integrators like Skyhub, Ideris, and Lexos Hub. This integration allows you to sell your products from the online store on platforms such as Free Market, Magalu, Shopee, Amazon, B2W, and more.
Management systems like Bling and Tiny can be integrated with the online store through ERPs.

Recovery Systems for Sale

Trolley Recovery feature enables users to establish and modify guidelines for reclaiming lost sales in the shopping cart. For instance, an email can be dispatched to the customer after 30 minutes of leaving the cart without completing the purchase. Users can adjust the rules, timing for sending notifications, and the content of the messages.
This application enables automated messaging through WhatsApp for various purposes such as cart recovery and product delivery. It is an external app that requires account creation for integration with the store.
E-Sales is an automated notifications platform that utilizes the shop owner’s personal number and can send messages through WhatsApp, SMS, and email, in addition to the Smart Notifications app.

External systems outside of the organization

The public API application enables the integration of various systems with the Virtual Store, allowing access to store data and functions using an API access key provided by the application.
A webhook is a communication trigger that can be set to activate based on certain actions, like adding a product to a cart. It relies on configuring an API with the external service you wish to connect with.

Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn’t keep the products it sells in stock.

Dropshipping is a method of selling where the seller does not keep stock, instead relying on suppliers to handle inventory, packaging, and shipping directly to customers. The online store offers integration with both local dropshipping suppliers and AliExpress (Dsers).

Other – Different

The Purchase Incentive System enables integration between the store and the external tool Fidelizar Mais, a loyalty platform that offers cashback for e-commerce.
Shop owners looking to enhance security for order approvals can utilize Clearsale’s top anti-fraud solution.

Get a 25% discount on any annual plan for the Virtual Store by clicking here.

Virtual D Store panel

It’s now time to explore how the Virtual Store’s management panel operates, after discussing the features for setting up and configuring the online store.

The operation of an online store is carried out through a panel that includes all the necessary tools for running the business smoothly. The dashboard of the virtual store is user-friendly and easy to navigate, despite the extensive range of available resources.

At the top of the panel, we can reach the customer area, theme store, apps, and view the published store, all with a single click.

The primary focus of the panel is what I would like to highlight. It gives a summary of the store, enabling you to quickly and briefly see the main details and performance. Although the test store is inactive, the data may seem excessive, but it still gives an idea of its functionality.

Demands

In the order section, you can see all orders placed in the store or filter them by status (created, paid, sent, delivered, cancelled). I found it particularly intriguing that you can print the order, label, and invoice with just one click and customize them. The product separation report is also beneficial for online store owners.

Reports are documents containing information or findings on a particular subject.

In the reporting area, you can access diverse information to help with store management.

Sales – the act of selling goods or services in exchange for money.
Orders and products
Product inventory
Stock assessment, which involves reviewing items that are already reserved.
Order management document
Inventory of Products
Store’s most searched words report
Page report was not located.
Marketing Analysis
GPS online retail
Diagnosing a Sales Funnel
Customers’ lifetime worth
Report on individuals categorized by gender and age range, region, payment method, and installment.

Items for sale

In this part, we can access and modify recorded details regarding products, categories, brands, variations, suppliers, and more. Users can edit individual items or multiple items from the list, and can also upload files for bulk updates on details like stock levels and prices.

Clients

This section displays the roster of registered clients at the store. It enables adding customers manually or exporting customer information over a specific timeframe. A notable feature is the ability to export a list of birthdays for a particular month, which is handy for running promotional campaigns.

Virtual Store’s pricing and subscription options

The Virtual Store’s plans are categorized as Basic, Essential, and Complete, each providing unlimited visits, users, and registered products, distinguishing them from other virtual store platforms. The payment methods, shipping options, and most features remain consistent across all plans.

The primary distinctions among the plans lie in the transaction commission percentages (ranging from 1.5% to 0.5%) and various resources available.

Plans DSG Virtual
Basic	Essential	Complete
Unlimited visits	All Basic Plan +	All of the Essential Plan +
Unlimited registered products	Facebook Store	API’s Custom
Unlimited domains and subdomains	Instagram Store	Advanced Product Management
Free SSL certificate	Google – Shopping	Removal of the Virtual D Store brand
Commission per transaction 1.5%	Commission per transaction 1%	Commission per transaction 0.5%
From R$ 28.91/month	From R$ 54,45/month	From $ 99.50/month
See more	See more	See more

You can choose between monthly or annual plans, with the annual plan being more cost-effective due to a 50% discount, although payment is required upfront. This promotion is ideal for those looking to start an e-commerce store on the Virtual Store platform.

Assistance

Support for the store owner in the Virtual Dshop can be provided through different means. These will be discussed shortly.

The Virtual Dshop provides a comprehensive knowledge base containing tutorials and articles that cover basic to advanced tasks. Access it here.
Issues needing more details can be resolved by emailing support at support@dlojavirtual.com. The store code should be provided along with a description of the problem.
Phone assistance is available for pressing issues, such as challenges in completing sales, through telephone centers located in four Brazilian cities. These cities are Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.
Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais can be reached at (31) 3181-1070.
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul: (51) 3181-1040
Rio de Janeiro contact number: (21) 2018-3168
São Paulo (SP): (11) 4118-9290

Belo Horizonte (MG) phone number: (31) 3181-1070
Porto Alegre in Rio Grande do Sul can be reached at (51) 3181-1040.
Rio de Janeiro’s contact number is (21) 2018-3168.
São Paulo contact number: (11) 4118-9290

Is the online store beneficial in the end?

The Virtual Store offers a wide range of features at competitive prices, including unlimited visitors, users, and registered products in any plan. Shop owners do not need to upgrade their plan due to e-commerce growth, distinguishing it from other platforms.

The tool is user-friendly and offers numerous customization options. While it may not be as comprehensive as leading competitors in terms of integrations, it has a wide range available in all plans. The recent acquisition by a major tech company (HostGator) suggests potential for future improvement and catching up to industry leaders.

Store designs are customized for both desktop and mobile devices, with a focus on SEO optimization. While you can build a virtual store using the basic template provided, it may require a significant time commitment and technical expertise. Alternatively, purchasing a premium theme separately is a quicker option. However, the absence of free professional themes is noted.

The Virtual Store is primarily geared towards selling physical products, as evidenced by its limitation in excluding freight costs for digital products.

All plans provide thorough reports to assist the merchant in gaining an in-depth understanding of user sales and behavior. It is important to note the transaction fee varies across plans, with the Complete plan offering a reduced rate of 0.5%.

I hope you liked reading this review. For further details on the plans and services, you can check out the Virtual D Store website or leave a comment. 🙂

Publication date: May 15, 2023 (latest update on July 21, 2023)

Tags: Evaluations