While choosing an e-commerce platform, various factors need to be taken into consideration. Compare the features and pricing of 11 popular eCommerce platforms including Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix, and more to make an informed decision.
Setting up an online store has never been as easy as it is today. With the right kind of e-commerce platform, one can just turn their business idea into reality. But since options abound, how do you choose what would suit your needs the best?
Consider the size of your business, the diversity of your product catalog, and your target audience. Some platforms go great with small businesses, while others are created for big enterprises. The different platforms come with different price models, so consider your budget before choosing one. Some require more technical knowledge than others. If you are not comfortable with coding or designing websites, you would want to select a platform that has an easy interface to work with. Therefore, consider the scaling potential of your business. Not all platforms are as scalable as others, and it is essential to ensure that you choose one that will grow with your business.
With that in mind, in this blog, we will delve into the 11 best eCommerce platforms in 2024, ranging in topics from tips to consider while choosing an eCommerce platform, top features, and pricing to who they are suited for in order to make an informed decision. In this guide, be prepared to see a host of valuable insights, whether you are an established entrepreneur or just getting some ideas to dive into the e-commerce business.
An eCommerce platform is an integrated software solution that enables a business to promote and sell its products or services online. It digitally replaces the storefront, creating a place where customers can browse and find items to purchase.
Here are some key components of an eCommerce platform:
Let’s explore what things to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform. We’ll also list some of the best eCommerce platforms along with it so you can compare their features and pricing before making a final selection.
When selecting an eCommerce platform, make sure to evaluate the factors mentioned below. These factors will directly impact your online store’s success and increase your sales. Let us understand more about the key considerations when choosing an eCommerce Platform:
With the ever-growing popularity of smartphones and tablets, any good eCommerce platform should be mobile-friendly. The platform should have a responsive design so that your store looks great and works seamlessly on different devices.
When considering the look and UI/UX of the platform, here are some additional aspects to think about:
A strong analytics suite provides important insights into how your website is performing and augments data-driven decisions.
Look for a platform offering the following features in real-time:
A user-friendly platform will save you a lot of time and energy. Some aspects to consider are:
A great user experience is at the heart of driving sales and customer loyalty. Seek a platform that provides you with the following:
Having many payment options is highly necessary, owing to different customer preferences. The following must be considered:
Reliable customer support sorts out problems and keeps the online store running smoothly. One should look out for a platform offering:
Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform that boasts ease of use and a wide variety of apps available in its marketplace. From a myriad of features related to customer support, payment options, shipping, and marketing tools, Shopify is ideal for small-scale businesses as well as large-scale enterprises.
BigCommerce is another powerful eCommerce platform, especially for businesses that are likely to grow very fast. Advanced features such as abandoned cart recovery, real-time shipping rates, and paid-for built-in SEO tools ensure this. BigCommerce works best for businesses that require long-term scalability and customizability.
Shopify and BigCommerce make it easy for users to set up and manage a store with lots of features and apps baked into their core functionality. Overall, Shopify would be a good fit for companies of any size, while BigCommerce is better positioned for those expecting businesses that grow very rapidly.
WooCommerce is an open-source eCommerce platform that is highly flexible and customizable. It integrates seamlessly with WordPress, making it a popular choice for businesses that already have a WordPress website. WooCommerce offers a wide range of extensions and themes, allowing you to tailor your store to your specific needs.
Wix is also an online website builder that now offers eCommerce features. It is quite user-friendly and has drag-and-drop features, which is ideal for a business desiring a professional website without having to learn coding. Wix also has many templates and apps available to make your store exactly how you envision it.
Squarespace is another up-and-coming website builder with eCommerce features. It’s also known for its gorgeous design templates and general intuitive interface. It is ideal for businesses that want to create a stylish online store that looks professional.
If you are looking for something basic and super easy, Wix or Squarespace is fine, or Square Online if you are currently integrated with Square’s point-of-sale system. Wix and Squarespace offer hundreds upon hundreds of templates with various third-party apps to choose from, while Square Online has close integration with the Square point-of-sale system.
Adobe Commerce is a widely used enterprise-level e-commerce platform, earlier known as Magento. It is focused on large businesses and has some advanced features, including B2B functionality, multi-store support, and integration with other Adobe products. For companies that want to provide a high level of adjustability and scalability, Adobe Commerce will be a good fit.
Adobe Commerce is a bit more complex and costly than the other options listed. However, if a business is seeking an enterprise-level powerful platform, It would be a good choice. This platform offers more advanced features, such as B2B functionality, multi-store support, and integrations with other Adobe products.
Volusion is an eCommerce-hosted platform that offers everything a person may need from smooth checkout process and shipping down to the marketing tools and customer support. Volusion is the place for businesses that seek ease of use and good customer service.
OpenCart is an open-source platform for eCommerce that is very flexible and adjustable. It provides an enormous variety of extensions and themes to make your store look just as you need it to. OpenCart will be perfect for any trading business in need of an affordable yet customizable platform.
This open-source eCommerce platform is highly flexible in its design and, therefore, suitable for many functions. PrestaShop gives room for many different features, such as secure and flexible payments, shipping, marketing tools, and customer support. It best suits those businesses looking for scalability and customization on the platform.
For some people, WooCommerce, OpenCart, and PrestaShop would work great since one wants a more personalized open-source platform. It is a well-known choice for companies that already have WordPress websites. OpenCart and PrestaShop are good choices if your company needs a highly scalable and customizable platform.
Square Online is a simple, user-friendly eCommerce platform that is seamlessly integrated with the Square point-of-sale system. It’s ideal for businesses with an in-store presence that wants to expand online easily and smoothly.
Big Cartel is a very basic, cheap e-commerce platform made specifically for small businesses, mostly with a limited product line. It’s a great solution for businesses who want a very basic platform without all the frills.
In the final turn, Volusion or Big Cartel would be a good choice if you are short on budget or have a limited product range. Both of them offer quite affordable pricing plans and are easy to use.
Picking an eCommerce platform is among the most vital decisions that every online business has to make. Each of the platforms is bestowed with distinctive features and privileges, and the best would be your specific needs and aims.
Your best way of choosing an e-commerce platform would be to closely evaluate your particular needs and goals and then try a few different platforms yourself to see which one works best for you in the end. Consider your budget, the size of your product catalog, your technical expertise, and your long-term business goals. We will help you carefully select an eCommerce platform for your online store where maximum success can be achieved towards the attainment of the business objectives.
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