In the current technology-driven world, online business is not an exception. Every kind of business needs to be promoted in the market for enhancing its market base. The internet plays an effective role in doing so as it provides you with a global platform to expand your business.
For starting any kind of business, there are some initial setup-related formalities to be done. And for this purpose, the necessity of having a website is mandatory.
The website is used as a shop window to display your products and services. But apart from the requirement of having a website, there are some other things that are also required.
Like, the website should have a professional look that entices your targeted customers to engage with you. Moreover, the site should also be safe and secure. For this, you don’t have to worry as there are several eCommerce website-building platforms that help you in creating a remarkable eCommerce website easily.
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What Are the Best eCommerce Platforms?
Here we have listed 7 such potential eCommerce website builders that provide you with an array of services for creating a fashionable and interactive website that can effectively help you in enhancing your business.
1. Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce website builders available today. It offers a user-friendly platform that allows businesses of all sizes to easily create and manage an online store. Here are some of the key features and pricing plans of Shopify:
Features:
- Unlimited products
- Mobile-responsive themes
- Multiple payment options
- Abandoned cart recovery
- 24/7 customer support
- Social media integration
- SEO optimization
- Third-party app integrations
- Sales channels (including Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and more)
Pricing plans:
- Basic Shopify: $29 per month, which includes all the basic features, 24/7 support, and the ability to accept credit card payments in-person and online.
- Shopify: $79 per month, which includes everything in Basic Shopify, plus additional features like gift cards, professional reports, and abandoned cart recovery.
- Advanced Shopify: $299 per month, which includes everything in Shopify, plus advanced features like advanced report building, third-party calculated shipping rates, and the ability to sell on multiple channels.
Shopify also offers a 14-day free trial, which allows you to test out the platform before committing to a pricing plan. Overall, Shopify is a great option for businesses that want a user-friendly platform with plenty of features and integrations. However, it may not be the most cost-effective option for small businesses with a limited budget.
2. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is another popular ecommerce website builder that offers a robust set of features for businesses of all sizes. Here are some of the key features and pricing plans of BigCommerce:
Features:
- Unlimited products, file storage, and bandwidth
- Customizable templates and themes
- Multi-channel selling (including Amazon, eBay, and social media channels)
- Built-in SEO tools
- Advanced shipping and tax settings
- Gift cards and discounts
- Abandoned cart recovery
- 24/7 customer support
Pricing plans
- Standard: $29.95 per month, which includes all the basic features, plus up to $50,000 in online sales per year.
- Plus: $79.95 per month, which includes everything in Standard, plus additional features like customer groups and segmentation, abandoned cart saver, and professional reporting tools.
- Pro: $299.95 per month, which includes everything in Plus, plus additional features like Google customer reviews, faceted search (filtering), and custom SSL.
BigCommerce also offers a 15-day free trial, which allows you to test out the platform before committing to a pricing plan. Overall, BigCommerce is a great option for businesses that want a scalable platform with advanced features and integrations. However, it may not be the most cost-effective option for small businesses with a limited budget.
3. Nexcess
Nexcess is a popular ecommerce website hosting provider that offers a range of plans to suit businesses of all sizes. Here are some of the key features and pricing plans of Nexcess:
Features:
- Optimized for ecommerce websites
- Fast page load times
- Auto-scaling to handle traffic spikes
- SSL certificates
- Daily backups
- 24/7 customer support
- WordPress and Magento hosting options
- Multiple data center locations
Pricing plans
- StoreBuilder: $19 per month, which includes a drag-and-drop website builder, 100 products, and unlimited bandwidth.
- StoreBuilder Pro: $79 per month, which includes everything in StoreBuilder, plus advanced features like product options, custom SSL, and abandoned cart recovery.
- StoreBuilder Plus: $249 per month, which includes everything in StoreBuilder Pro, plus additional features like priority support, dedicated IP address, and unlimited products.
Nexcess also offers custom enterprise solutions for businesses with larger needs. They also offer a 14-day free trial, which allows you to test out the platform before committing to a pricing plan. Overall, Nexcess is a great option for businesses that want a reliable and fast hosting solution for their ecommerce website. However, it may not be the most cost-effective option for small businesses with a limited budget.
4. Wix
Wix is a popular website builder that also offers ecommerce features for businesses of all sizes. Here are some of the key features and pricing plans of Wix:
Features:
- Customizable templates and themes
- Mobile-responsive design
- Payment processing through multiple providers (including PayPal and Stripe)
- Built-in SEO tools
- Inventory management
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Social media integration
- Gift cards and discounts
- Shipping and tax settings
Pricing plans
- Business Basic: $23 per month, which includes a custom domain, no Wix ads, and basic ecommerce features.
- Business Unlimited: $27 per month, which includes everything in Business Basic, plus advanced ecommerce features like product reviews, automated sales tax, and up to 10 email campaigns per month.
- Business VIP: $49 per month, which includes everything in Business Unlimited, plus priority customer support and priority access to new features.
Wix also offers a free plan with limited features, as well as custom enterprise solutions for businesses with larger needs. They also offer a 14-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to test out the platform before committing to a pricing plan. Overall, Wix is a great option for small and medium-sized businesses that want an easy-to-use platform for creating an ecommerce website. However, it may not be the most scalable option for businesses with complex needs or high traffic.
5. Ecwid
Ecwid is an ecommerce platform that allows businesses to add online stores to their existing websites and social media pages. Here are some of the key features and pricing plans of Ecwid:
Features:
- Easy integration with existing websites and social media pages
- Mobile-responsive design
- Multi-channel selling (including Amazon, eBay, and social media channels)
- Built-in SEO tools
- Advanced shipping and tax settings
- Gift cards and discounts
- Abandoned cart recovery
- 24/7 customer support
Pricing plans
- Free: Includes up to 10 products, basic features, and Ecwid branding.
- Venture: $15 per month, which includes up to 100 products, no Ecwid branding, and additional features like discount coupons, abandoned cart saver, and automated tax calculations.
- Business: $35 per month, which includes up to 2,500 products, everything in Venture, plus additional features like product filters, real-time shipping rates, and custom SSL.
- Unlimited: $99 per month, which includes everything in Business, plus unlimited products and priority support.
Ecwid also offers a 14-day free trial, which allows you to test out the platform before committing to a pricing plan. Overall, Ecwid is a great option for businesses that want an easy and affordable way to add an online store to their existing website or social media pages. However, it may not be the most customizable option for businesses with more complex needs.
6. Weebly
Weebly is a popular website builder that offers an easy-to-use platform for creating ecommerce websites. Here are some of the key features and pricing plans of Weebly:
Features:
- Customizable templates and themes
- Mobile-responsive design
- Payment processing through Square or PayPal
- Built-in SEO tools
- Email marketing integration
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Inventory management
- Social media integration
Pricing plans
- Free: Includes a basic ecommerce website with limited features and Weebly branding.
- Personal: $9 per month, which includes a free domain name, no Weebly branding, and basic ecommerce features.
- Professional: $16 per month, which includes everything in Personal, plus advanced ecommerce features like digital goods, inventory management, and shipping calculators.
- Performance: $29 per month, which includes everything in Professional, plus advanced features like real-time shipping rates, abandoned cart emails, and gift cards.
Weebly also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to test out the platform before committing to a pricing plan. Overall, Weebly is a great option for small businesses and individuals who want an easy-to-use platform for creating an ecommerce website. However, it may not be the most scalable option for businesses with larger needs.
7. Squarespace
Squarespace is a popular website builder that also offers ecommerce functionality. Here are some of the key features and pricing plans of Squarespace:
Features:
- Customizable templates and themes
- Mobile-responsive design
- Unlimited products and bandwidth
- Integrated analytics
- SSL security
- Multiple payment options
- Abandoned cart recovery
- 24/7 customer support
Pricing plans
- Personal: $16 per month, which includes all the basic features, plus a free custom domain and up to 2 contributors.
- Business: $26 per month, which includes everything in Personal, plus additional features like professional email from Google, premium integrations, and promotional pop-ups.
- Basic Commerce: $30 per month, which includes everything in Business, plus ecommerce-specific features like integrated accounting, customer accounts, and powerful shipping tools.
- Advanced Commerce: $46 per month, which includes everything in Basic Commerce, plus advanced features like abandoned cart recovery, gift cards, and flexible discounts.
Squarespace also offers a 14-day free trial, which allows you to test out the platform before committing to a pricing plan. Overall, Squarespace is a great option for businesses that want a sleek and modern website with integrated ecommerce functionality.
eCommerce Platforms FAQs.
What is eCommerce?
Ecommerce is the buying and selling of goods and services, typically over the internet.
Ecommerce can be broken down into two main categories: Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C). B2B eCommerce is when a company sells products to other companies. B2C eCommerce is when a company sells products directly to consumers.
There are three major types of eCommerce models: online store, marketplace, and digital storefront. An online store is where you sell your own products on your own website. A marketplace is where you sell other people’s products on your website or mobile app. A digital storefront is when you use an existing website to sell your company’s product catalog or create a new one.
Is eCommerce easy?
The answer to this question is not as simple as one might think. The truth is, it’s never been easier to buy and sell goods online. But it’s also never been more difficult to make a profit.
Nowadays, there are so many eCommerce platforms that it can be hard for a new business owner to know where to start. Plus, with so many competitors out there, it’s difficult for any new company to get ahead of the game.
How does eCommerce work?
E-commerce is the process of buying or selling products or services over electronic systems such as the internet. It has grown in popularity and is now one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.
The e-commerce industry has grown exponentially over the past decade, with an increase in online shopping and online transactions.
There are many different types of e-commerce business models, but there are two that dominate:
- B2C – Business to Consumer, where a company sells directly to consumers
- B2B – Business to Business, where a company sells to other businesses
Why is it important to invest in eCommerce?
Ecommerce is a growing industry and it’s only going to get bigger. It’s important for retailers to invest in eCommerce now because it will allow them to stay competitive in the future.
Online shopping is becoming more popular and we are seeing more people switching from physical stores to online stores. The conversion rate for online stores is also much higher than that of physical stores – which means that retailers who invest in eCommerce now will be able to generate more revenue with less effort.
What should I consider before choosing an eCommerce platform?
Ecommerce platforms are a dime a dozen these days. There are so many different options to choose from that it can be difficult to know which one is the best fit for your company.
There are a few things you should consider before making your decision:
- What type of product do you want to sell?
- How much do you want to spend on your website?
- What features and integrations do you need?
- Do you need an eCommerce platform with built-in SEO?
How much money do I need to spend on an eCommerce platform?
When it comes to eCommerce platforms, the price range for these tools is quite vast. And the more features your platform has, the higher the price will be.
The most expensive platforms can cost you anywhere from $500 to $10,000 a month. But with that being said, these platforms are worth the investment because they offer a number of features that cheaper platforms don’t have.
The cheapest eCommerce platform you can find costs about $10 per month. This is perfect for someone who wants an easy-to-use platform and doesn’t need many features.
How can I sell online for free?
This is a question that many people ask when they are starting out. They want to know how they can sell online without paying for anything.
There are a few ways you can do this:
- Sell your own products on Amazon, Etsy, or eBay.
- Create e-books and sell them on platforms like Kindle and Nook.
- Offer services to other businesses or individuals in exchange for money.
Is Shopify easier than WordPress?
Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform that is used by more than 600,000 businesses globally. It is an easy-to-use and intuitive platform that has been designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their businesses.
Shopify is a perfect solution for small businesses that don’t have the time or skills to create a website from scratch. It offers many features such as inventory management, order fulfillment, and shipping rates, customer service tools, payment gateways, and more.
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems in the world with over 20% of all websites using it.WordPress powers sites like CNN, TechCrunch, and Forbes. The open-source CMS makes it easy for developers to customize the platform according to their needs but the lack of an intuitive interface might be an issue for some.
Is it better to sell on Amazon or Shopify?
The answer to this question is not a simple one. There are many factors to consider and the answer can only be found by looking at your specific needs.
Amazon is an online retailer that offers customers a variety of products in all categories, from books and electronics to clothing, furniture, and food. Amazon sells these products both directly and through third-party sellers on the website.
Shopify is an eCommerce platform that allows businesses to create their own online stores. They offer various plans for different types of business models, as well as various add-ons for small businesses that want more features like marketing tools or customer service agents.
Can I sell on Facebook without a website?
Facebook has become a major player in the e-commerce industry. It is now the second-largest search engine and the third-largest retail platform in the world.
The company has also announced that it will push to get more online retailers on its platform to sell their products without a website, by creating a new checkout experience for them.
Facebook is not just a social media site anymore, it is transforming into an e-commerce marketplace.
eCommerce Platforms (Conclusion)
building an eCommerce website is a crucial step for businesses to take in order to expand their reach and increase sales. With the plethora of eCommerce website builders available in the market, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to choose.
Based on our research and analysis, we have listed the 7 best eCommerce website builders that offer a range of features, customization options, ease of use, and affordability. Each of these builders has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable for different types of businesses.
Shopify tops our list as the best overall eCommerce website builder due to its extensive features, intuitive interface, and user-friendly nature. It is followed by BigCommerce, which is ideal for large enterprises and has advanced functionality. Wix and Squarespace are suitable for small businesses that require simple yet effective online stores.
Overall, it is important to consider the specific needs of your business, such as the type of products you sell, your budget, and the level of customization you require, when selecting an eCommerce website builder. By choosing the right platform, you can create a successful online store that meets the needs of both you and your customers.
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