Guns Store eCommerce

Guns and firearms website design needs specialized knowledge, not just about developing eCommerce websites but also about the industry, the legalities and various other nuances.

With our deep expertise in developing gun store eCommerce website, we have even build an advanced platform that provides all the necessary features for a firearms website out of the box. A highly customisable solution, allowing us to build guns websites faster and partner with guns retailers in flexible terms. 

A platform designed to build feature rich guns and firearms eCommerce store

With all the built-in features, you can start selling firearms in no time.

  • Compatible with the best Gun-friendly eCommerce platforms
  • Integrate with all top distributors and suppliers
  • Integrates with High Risk Payment Processors
  • Automatic inventory updation
  • Dynamic product pricing 
  • Complete FFL management 
  • Offer Point-of-sale (POS) Solutions
  • Integrate with guns-friendly logistics partners 
  • Manage your dropshipping 
  • Advanced order management 
  • High level security, including PCI compliance 
  • Customer Relationship Management 
  • Responsive and Stunning Themes 
  • Built-in SEO friendly architecture
  • Built-in Email Campaigns 
  • Ongoing Support and maintenance

Integrate with all top guns and firearms distributors and suppliers

Developing a Firearms eCommerce store is not easy. There are legalities and restrictions that you will need to navigate. We know how to do it. 

Virtina is not just an eCommerce developer - we specialise in guns and firearms industry, to the extent, we have built a platform just for this. We will be much more than your eCommerce website developer, we will be your trusted partner and consultant and help build a successful guns and firearms eCommerce business online. 

Must Have Features in a Gun Store eCommerce Website

High Risk Payment Processor

Many payment processors don't associate with high-risk industries. However, High-Risk Payment Processors are willing to accept the risk involved and provide payment processing for online stores in these industries. Virtina can help you define, select, and integrate the best payment methods.

Complete FFL Management

Virtina will help you maintain and update accurate information of all the Federal Firearms License (FFL) Dealers across the United States, which will make it easier for your customers to locate the nearest FFL dealer at checkout via a Zip Code.

Distributor and Suppliers

The artistic and creative designers at Virtina will design a visually appealing gun website template from the ground up for your online shop. The theme will be SEO-friendly, responsive, and frictionless to elevate UX and increase retention.

Dropshipping integration

Virtina can handle the dropshipping requirements for your firearms store. We'll help integrate the best solution to track, manage, and monitor your firearms consignment from the supplier to the customer.

Logistics Integration

With the performance optimization experts in Virtina, you'll never have to worry about slow page speeds. Our optimization tactics will result in fast page loads to ensure optimal User Experience, SEO ranking, and conversions.

Algorithm driven product recommendations

Our experts will work to improve the way you handle your orders. We'll automate the  process to ensure that you have complete visibility and know-how about the status of every order—no need to rely on manual processes anymore.

Complete Order Management

The eCommerce experts in Virtina can help you manage your customers. Vary the deals, promotions, prices, shipping charges, etc., as per your relationship with a customer. Integrate CRM to analyze and extract unique insights about your users to help your marketing campaigns. Even categorize your customers into tiers and start email campaigns to generate more orders.

Customer Relationship Management

Our developers can create the best PDP for every product in your inventory feed. Our Product Information Management (PIM) solutions will help showcase extensive descriptions of products. Furthermore, we'll integrate stunning imagery,  social sharing buttons, add a wishlist button, proper "Add to Cart" button, compare button, price, and much more.

High Level Security

The PCI Compliance, SSL certificate, and other security measures we take will prevent any unauthorized access to your firearms store. We will take necessary precautions to avoid any attack, fraud, or threat to disrupt your store, steal your sensitive data, and create any downtime.

High Performance

Our experts can help you create the best Product Listing page with Advanced filters that will help your customers arrive at the exact product sooner. You can have filters for gun types, colors, brand, suppliers, cost range, size, weight and much more. Simplify the search process for users.

Stunning Responsive Themes

Our unique algorithm and software engineering will help you suggest the best products to your customers. In essence, your cross-sell and up-sell suggestions will get better, and you'll witness an increase in Average Order Value (AOV) and sales.

Built-in marketing

Your Firearms store will not just run on Desktops and Laptops, but also run smoothly and offer the best user experience (UX) on smartphones as well. Your customers can access the store from any device, leading to higher traffic and sales.

Still not convinced we are the best partner
for your gun store eCommerce? 

How to sell Guns and Firearms online legally?

If this is the question bothering you, here are few things we would suggest.

The intersection of state and federal law and the legal differences between states makes it hard for the eCommerce industry to have a general guidelines about selling firearms online. Before you step into the Firearms eCommerce business, make sure you understand the laws involved. Obtain the proper licensing, & make sure that your customers are qualified according to the law to buy & use a firearm.

However, you will also face certain technical challenges to run a guns eCommerce store. From getting a gun-friendly web hosting service to high risk payment processors that works with guns and firearms eCommerce store, having proper age verification methods and several others. That is where Virtina’s experience will come in handy.

Here are some of the points that you need to follow if you plan to start an online gun store! 

Federal Firearm License (FRL)

Don't even start thinking about selling guns unless you've not heard about FFL before. The federal Gun Control Act (GCA) requires that only licensed persons get involved in the business of dealing in firearms - as per the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). FFL stops the guns from getting into the wrong hands by running background checks on potential firearms purchasers, and ensure that crime guns can be traced. Under federal law, any person who engages in the business of dealing in firearms must be licensed.

Federal & State Laws

You need to make sure that you are following federal & state laws. Some states have more strict rules for selling firearms, which may require you to have a state-issued license for conducting your business there. You should also consider the fact that the laws vary from state to state. For example, some manufacturers do not ship to cities like New York, Illinois & even Hawaii. The anti-gun laws in these States are very confusing and can leave you open to a lawsuit.

Applying for a License

Applying for a Firearms License is pretty simple. All you have to do is go to the official site and fill out an ATF Form 7. The application fees for the license is currently set as $200 for the initial three years and $90 for each 3-year renewal

To know more about the rules and regulations for selling of firearms you may refer this Click here

Working with Firearms Distributors and Suppliers for your eCommerce Store

FFL Locator Directory View Set by Default in Site
Licensed FFL StoresListed Using API
Customer Selects Required Firearms
Adds Firearms to Cart
Default FFL Search Option Appears Automatically at Checkout
Customer Keys in Criteria - Zip Code and Radius
FFL Shortlisted List Displays
Customer Selects the FFL Distributor Closest to Them
Completes the Order
Store Admin Processes the Order
Consumer Visits the FFL Store and Produce Invoice Details
Buyer Collects the Firearms at FFL Store After Verification

You need to make sure that your suppliers are legit. Always keep in mind that dealing firearms is a high-risk business; they need to have the required licenses. FFL is classified on the basis of the types of weapons or types of services you are planning to provide. 

Major firearms suppliers in the US
  1. 1
    Zanders
  2. 2
    Sports South
  3. 3
    Bill Hicks
  4. 4
    MGE
  5. 5
    Davidsons Supply 
  6. 6
    Lipsey
  7. 7
    Bangers
  8. 8
    Lew Horton Distributing
  9. 9
    Ellett Brothers

We have built our platform to integrate with all top Guns and firearms suppliers in the US, making it easy to manage your inventory and supply chain.

The following are the different types of FFL that you need to be aware of

  • Type 01 FFL – Dealer in Firearms / Gunsmithing (firearms repair)
  • Type 02 FFL – Pawnbroker
  • Type 03 FFL – Collector of Curios and Relics
  • Type 06 FFL – Manufacturer of Ammunition for Firearms
  • Type 07 FFL – Manufacturer of Firearms & Ammunition
  • Type 08 FFL – Importer of Firearms/Ammunition

Gun Store eCommerce - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the advantages of selling guns online as a distributor?

You get to sell firearms to upstanding qualified citizens who are eligible to own a gun and otherwise unable to access one. You also get a high-margin sale once the deals go through. You will have a more extensive reach and a new revenue stream. You can also profit by selling ancillary products like cases, ammunition, cleaning kits, etc.

Is it legal to sell firearms online?

Yes, it is. You may want to check the type of firearms you are dealing with, your buyers, your location, where you deliver the consignments, and other restrictions and liabilities that emerge in the online gun trade. Each state in the US has different laws around firearms relative to federal regulations. Ensure that your store is licensed and only deals with genuine FFL dealers to ship firearms.

Who is eligible to sell firearms online in the US?

Firearms manufacturers and independent gun owners can sell guns on the internet. A customer's online gun purchase is akin to a brick-and-mortar purchase except in the transaction mode. Customers can buy the weapons off the website, get them shipped to the nearest FFL dealer, and pick them up after verification. Accessories, though, can be sent directly.

How do I market my online firearms business?

Social media platforms like Google and Facebook prohibit marketing campaigns or promotional activities around firearms. Firearm merchants rely on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to further their brand and increase sales. SEO specialists at Virtina can help your store rank higher in multiple search engines, improve visibility, increase click-through rate (CTR), and elevate engagement.

Can Virtina create an SEO-friendly theme for my firearms website?

Yes, we can. Our expert designers can customize a theme from the ground up. SEO optimizes the theme to ensure that it ranks higher on search engines. Our SEO tactics, combined with our development and design skills, will ensure your theme is mobile-friendly, fast, and offers the best user experience to skyrocket your sales.

Do merchants need to integrate a high-risk payment processor into their firearms store?

Yes. Selling firearms is a high-risk business; merchants need a high-risk payment processor to accept payments and fulfill orders. Regular payment gateways prohibit transactions involving firearms on their platform. Fortunately, Virtina's eCommerce professionals are competent in identifying and integrating secure, swift, and affordable high-risk payment processors.

Which are the best platforms to build gun-selling websites?

Owing to the constantly changing policies and political views, it is always ideal to base your firearms website on open-source CRM platforms. That way, you would not be affected by the change of government or policies. Some recommended open-source CRMs are Magento, OpenCart, X-Cart, WooCommerce, and ZenCart.

Do I need a unique and captivating theme for my online firearms business?

Yes, gun store owners must invest in a lightweight, high-performing, and SEO-friendly theme for their firearms store. The firearms business theme should be fully responsive, multifunctional, fast loading, and have an efficient user interface to impress visitors. Our creative expert designers can help customize a visually appealing storefront.

Who are the major US firearms suppliers with whom Virtina associates?

Virtina closely associates with several prominent, reliable, and efficient US firearms suppliers from the beginning of our business. We always deal with the best in the industry to assure quality for our clients. We have listed some of our prestigious clients below.

  • Lipsey
  • Zanders 
  • Sports South 
  • Bill Hicks
  • MGE
  • Davidsons Supply
  • Bangers
  • Chattanooga
  • RSR 
  • How long does Virtina generally take to complete a firearms project?

    It is difficult to predict an exact completion date. The size, complexity, and detailed requirements will dictate the project cycle. Generally, minor changes require fewer hours, and we finish them quickly. However, specific custom changes initiated from scratch will require more time. Regardless, we will keep you updated.

    What is the cost of starting a firearms project with Virtina?

    We don't offer a fixed cost. The final quote will depend on project complexity, scope, value, and your unique requirements. We offer cost-effective and reasonable rates for all our services. From custom project builds to minor changes, we will consult to understand your concerns before bringing up the price.

    What are the background checks done before selling guns to a customer online?

    You must note that the FFL dealer your customer suggests would verify their background. Make sure to include the relevant field in your checkout process for consumers to furnish details of the FFL. If they fail the background check, the FFL dealer will deny your customer the gun and charge a restocking fee to their account.

    Does your system possess the ability to pick the most profitable distributor from the listed options?

    We do. The same product can come from different distributors. Virtina's experienced eCommerce experts have developed an efficient algorithm to categorize them based on availability and profitability as criteria. You can then use the filters to find the best profitable distributor to shortlist and buy the product according to your individual priorities.

    When I receive an order, will I have the administrator control to place an order with a favored or particular distributor?

    Yes. An administrator would have the right to perform this function automatically based on a set of rules or manually as per requirement. We can set up the website with the provision. You would possess the complete leverage to choose your favored distributor from whom you want to make the purchase.

    In addition to the dropshipper inventory, can we display or store our inventory?

    Of course, yes. You will always be able to display and store your inventory on your firearms website. We can set up the possibility to your liking, based on your company's key requirements and priorities. Our experts can add rules to set your own inventory products as a priority during selling.

    Can I get my firearms dropshipped to an FFL dealer?

    Yes. Merchants can dropship their firearms. However, store owners must comply with the respective US state laws before considering any dropshipping supplier. Merchants must establish where the dropshipped firearms get sold and confirm where they are getting dropshipped to prevent legal hassles.

    Do you possess an FFL search option?

    Yes, we do. We have algorithms to display FFL search options on websites. The firearms will get dispatched along with "Adult Signature Required" and confirmation options. Our expert team can set up the required fields for your eCommerce website per your interests. Customers can choose their preferred licensed FFL dealer at the time of checkout.

    Can my buyers access and view the list of their nearest FFL dealers at Checkout?

    Yes. Our eCommerce experts can integrate the functionality to help consumers view their nearest licensed FFL dealers. We help your buyers locate the closest FFL dealer using Zip Codes. The buyers can then determine the nearest FFL dealer and get the firearm delivered to that address for collection and verification.

    What is the most common type of FFL? Is it possible to have multiple FFL?

    The Type 01 FFL is the most common license type in the US. If you are a gunsmith by profession and want to buy and sell non-NFA firearms, this license will give you a headstart in the online gun business. You would need to obtain a separate Federal Firearms License for specific locations, preventing you from having multiple FFLs.

    How do you communicate with your clients?

    Virtina believes in transparent customer interactions and provides constant updates. We assign a project manager to coordinate with you and update you on progress and milestone completion. You can also reach out to us through Skype, email, phone, instant messengers, or other channels.

    Let Virtina Make Your Guns & Firearms
    eCommerce Website a Success

    Trusted
    consultants.

    Robust, Flexible Platform
    for Guns Website.

    Complete Support & Maintenance.

    Marketing
    Assistance