Are you ready to start your own eCommerce business? Are you looking for the best web platforms to help get you started? Look no further! We’ve gathered the top web platforms to help make setting up your online store a breeze.
How to Choose an eCommerce Platform
Choosing the right eCommerce platform for your business can be a daunting task. There are many factors to consider, such as the features offered, pricing plans, and customer support. It's important to research which platform best fits your business needs. This blog post will compare some of the top eCommerce platforms to help you make an informed decision.
Evaluating Which eCommerce Platform is Best for Your Business
When it comes to evaluating which eCommerce platform is best for your business, there are a few things you need to consider. First, you need to consider the type of products you’re selling and the features you need. Do you need a platform that can handle digital downloads? Do you need a secure payment gateway? Do you need an integrated shopping cart and checkout process? These are important considerations when evaluating which eCommerce platform is best for you. Additionally, you’ll want to consider the cost of the platform, its scalability, and any other features it might offer. With all of these factors in mind, it’s time to start exploring the best eCommerce website builders on the market.
Comparing the Best eCommerce Website Builders
Choosing the right eCommerce platform for your business is an important decision. Many options are available, so it can be difficult to know which is the best for your needs. Fortunately, we have compared the top contenders and can help you determine which eCommerce website builder is best for your business. Squarespace is our top pick for most people, as it provides everything you need to launch, manage, and scale an online store. Shopify is another great choice for those looking to get up and running quickly. For those who already have a website, Ecwid is an excellent option. Shift4Shop is the best free eCommerce platform, while Square Online offers omnichannel selling capabilities. Finally, BigCommerce stands out for its payment processing capabilities, while Wix is great for beginners and seasoned businesspeople.
1. Squarespace: Best Overall eCommerce Platform
Squarespace is the perfect choice for creating a website that looks professional and easy to manage. Not only is it an excellent choice as an ecommerce platform, but it's also great for creating any kind of website, including blogs, portfolios, and more. Squarespace offers a wide range of features designed specifically for ecommerce. It offers a range of payment methods, including credit cards and PayPal, as well as the ability to set up affiliate programs and discounts. Plus, plenty of features are designed to make it easier to manage inventory and customer service. These features make Squarespace the best overall eCommerce platform on the market today.
2. Square Online: Best for Omnichannel Selling
Regarding omnichannel selling, Square Online is the best option for small businesses. It offers an integrated approach to syncing all sides of your business, from websites and social media to POS and payment solutions. With Square Online, you can easily customize the eCommerce and mobile shopping experience by allowing customers to create an account on a single platform. This lets customers connect with your business later and stay top of mind for future purchases. Square Online Store also offers powerful integrations and robust features to help you grow your business.
3. Ecwid: Best for Existing Sites
If you already have a website and are looking to add an eCommerce component to it, Ecwid is the perfect platform. Ecwid is a convenient way to add an online store to your existing website without starting from scratch. It is easy to use and can be integrated with many popular content management systems like WordPress, Wix, and Weebly. Its integrated sales channels make it easy to reach customers on popular marketplaces like Facebook, Instagram, Google, Walmart Marketplace, eBay, and Amazon. Ecwid also offers a suite of mobile tools to take your business on the go. With its competitive pricing plans, Ecwid is an excellent choice for existing websites looking to add eCommerce features.
4. Shift4Shop: Best Free eCommerce Platform
Shift4Shop is a great choice for anyone looking for a free eCommerce platform. With it, you can build the perfect website for your business and start selling products or services online. It’s as powerful as Shopify and BigCommerce, but is 100% free to use for store owners in the United States. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to use and set up, making it ideal for beginners. The platform also offers a wide range of features and payment methods.
5. Shopify: Best for Getting Up and Running Quickly
Shopify is the world's most popular choice for setting up an online store. It's beginner-friendly yet capable of handling big-time sales. It powers over 600,000 online stores and has over 1 million merchants across nearly 1.5 million websites. The website builder has a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for beginners to create an online store and start selling quickly. Plus, Shopify offers plenty of payment options and comes with 24/7 customer support. Whether you're starting a brand new store or looking to improve your current eCommerce website, Shopify is an excellent choice for getting up and running quickly.
6. BigCommerce: Best for Payment Methods
BigCommerce is an ecommerce platform well suited to enterprise-level software companies. Like Shopify and Wix, BigCommerce offers web hosting, and its comprehensive range of features allows merchants to create powerful and comprehensive stores. It is ideal for businesses that need to accept multiple payment methods, as it offers over 65 payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more. BigCommerce also offers the ability to set up tax rules for different countries and regions—a feature that can be extremely useful for international companies. BigCommerce also comes with built-in fraud protection and a support team available 24/7 for any queries or issues.
7. Wix: Best for Total Beginners and Seasoned Business People Alike
When it comes to web platforms, Wix is a great choice for both total beginners and seasoned business people alike. Its intuitive website builder makes creating your own website easy, and its advanced eCommerce tools make it a powerful choice for online stores. It offers a range of powerful features, such as customizable templates and integrated payment processing, combined with great value for money. Its intuitive SEO and marketing tools make it easy to get your store up and running in no time. All in all, Wix is an excellent choice for smaller stores, offering excellent eCommerce tools and great value for money.
So, what will it be? Are you going to go for free and easy? Totally customizable? Integration friendly? The eCommerce world is your oyster!
