E-commerce is booming globally, opening up a myriad of opportunities for businesses, especially small businesses. In today’s fiercely competitive landscape, online presence is not just an option but has become a vital factor for the survival of any business. To maximize the potential of e-commerce, small businesses need a solid, efficient platform that suits their size and resources.
This article will help small businesses solve the dilemma: Choosing the best ecommerce platform for small business to launch and grow their online business?
What is an eCommerce Platform?
An eCommerce platform is a software application that allows businesses to create an online store and manage their entire online selling process. It provides the tools and functionalities necessary to:
- Design and build your website: Customize the look and feel of your online store.
- Manage products: Add, edit, categorize, and track your inventory.
- Process payments: Integrate with payment gateways and manage transactions.
- Handle shipping: Calculate shipping costs, generate labels, and track orders.
- Market your business: Implement marketing campaigns, integrate with social media, and optimize for search engines.
- Manage customer relationships: Store customer data, track orders, and provide support.
eCommerce platforms can be broadly classified into two categories:
- Hosted platforms: These platforms are cloud-based, meaning they are hosted on the provider’s servers. They are generally easier to use and require less technical expertise. Examples include Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace.
- Self-hosted platforms: These platforms require you to host the software on your own server. They offer more flexibility and customization options but require technical knowledge. Examples include WooCommerce and Magento.
It’s important to note that while Amazon is a giant in the eCommerce space, it is not an eCommerce platform in the same way as Shopify or Wix. Amazon is a marketplace where sellers list their products, whereas eCommerce platforms allow you to build your own independent online store.
Key Criteria for Choosing an eCommerce Platform
When choosing the best ecommerce platform for small business, consider the following factors:
- Cost:
- Analyze the different types of costs involved: setup fees, monthly fees, transaction fees, third-party app integration fees, and hosting costs (if not included).
- Compare the pricing of popular platforms like Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Square Online, Hostinger, and GoDaddy.
- Choose a platform that balances cost-effectiveness with the features you need.
- Features:
- Essential features: Product management, payment processing, shipping, marketing, and inventory management are crucial.
- Advanced features: Multi-channel selling, international selling, POS support, third-party app integrations, customizable themes, abandoned cart recovery, customer segmentation, and loyalty programs can enhance your online store.
- Consider your business model (B2C, B2B, dropshipping, selling physical/digital products), business size, and future growth plans when evaluating features.
- Ease of Use:
- Prioritize platforms with user-friendly interfaces, easy setup, and intuitive management, especially if you lack technical expertise.
- Look for features that aid usability: drag-and-drop builders, tutorials, and video guides.
- Compare the ease of use of different platforms based on user reviews and expert opinions.
- Scalability:
- Choose a platform that can handle your future growth in terms of product volume, order volume, and traffic.
- Compare the scalability of different platforms: Shopify is known for its scalability, while Wix and Squarespace have limitations.
- Customer Support:
- Evaluate the quality of customer support offered by each platform.
- Consider support channels like email, phone, live chat, documentation, and community forums.
- Other Factors:
- Customization: The level of flexibility in changing the look and feel of your website.
- Third-party app integrations: The ability to connect with other applications like CRM, inventory management software, and email marketing tools.
- Security: Data security measures, SSL certificates, and PCI DSS compliance.
- International selling support: Multi-language support, multi-currency support, and international tax and shipping calculations.
Detailed Evaluation of eCommerce Platforms
Platform | Pros | Cons | Best for |
Shopify | Easy to use, feature-rich, highly scalable, POS support, multi-channel selling, extensive app store | Can be expensive, requires some SEO knowledge | Businesses looking to scale, sell internationally, and integrate online and offline sales |
Wix | Easy to use, beautiful templates, affordable, SEO-friendly, social media integrations | Limited product and storage capacity, poor tax automation | Small businesses, startups, businesses needing a visually appealing and easy-to-manage website |
Squarespace | Beautiful templates, high performance, easy to use, great for image-focused websites | Limited app integrations, transaction fees on basic plans, no multi-currency support | Businesses focused on visuals, simple websites, selling physical products |
BigCommerce | Extensive management features, suitable for large businesses | Less user-friendly interface, expensive | Large businesses, businesses needing complex management features |
WooCommerce | Flexible, free, integrates with WordPress, many customization options | Requires technical knowledge, cost of extensions can add up, limited support | Businesses familiar with WordPress, businesses needing a highly customizable website |
GoDaddy | Easy to use, good customer support, POS integration | Limited features, outdated templates | Businesses wanting a quick setup, small-scale businesses |
Hostinger | No transaction fees, advanced fraud detection, flexible payment options | No email marketing, no POS integration, no mobile app | Local businesses, simple websites, businesses not needing many features |
Square Online | Free, POS integration, good for brick-and-mortar businesses | Limited customization on the free plan, no multi-currency support, limited multi-channel integration | Small businesses, businesses wanting a free online store, businesses combining online and offline sales |
1. Shopify
- Overview: Shopify is a popular and user-friendly cloud-based most scalable eCommerce platform suitable for both beginners and experienced businesses.
- Pricing:
- Basic Shopify: $29/month
- Shopify: $79/month
- Advanced Shopify: $299/month
- Pros:
- User-friendly interface, easy to use even for those without technical experience.
- Offers a comprehensive set of features needed to run an online store.
- Extensive app store with various apps to support sales, marketing, and management.
- Highly scalable, suitable for businesses with growth plans.
- Supports multi-channel selling (website, social media, marketplaces).
- Offers POS (Point of Sale) support for in-person sales.
- Cons:
- Can be more expensive than some other platforms, especially when using many apps.
- Requires some SEO knowledge to optimize the website for search engines.
- Notes for small businesses:
- Shopify is a good option for small businesses looking to scale, sell internationally, and integrate online and offline sales.
- Carefully consider the cost and choose a plan that fits your needs.
- Invest time in learning about SEO or hire an SEO expert to optimize your website.
2. Wix
- Overview: Wix is a popular website builder that also offers eCommerce functionality. Wix is easy to use and has a visually appealing interface, making it suitable for small businesses just starting out.
- Pricing:
- Free (with Wix ads)
- Connect Domain: $4.50/month
- Combo: $8.50/month
- Unlimited: $12.50/month
- VIP: $24.50/month
- Pros:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface, easy to use for those without technical experience.
- Many beautiful and professional design templates.
- Affordable, with a free plan available for trial.
- Basic SEO support.
- Social media integration.
- Cons:
- Limitations on the number of products and storage space.
- Limited scalability.
- Poor tax automation.
- Notes for small businesses:
- Wix is suitable for small businesses, startups, and businesses needing a visually appealing and easy-to-manage website.
- Consider upgrading to a paid plan to remove ads and access more features.
- Be aware of the limitations on products and storage space.
3. Squarespace
- Overview: Squarespace is a website builder known for its beautiful templates and high performance. It also offers eCommerce functionality, making it suitable for businesses focused on visuals.
- Pricing:
- Personal: $16/month
- Business: $26/month
- Basic Commerce: $30/month
- Advanced Commerce: $46/month
- Pros:
- Beautiful, modern, and professional templates.
- High website performance.
- Easy to use, even for those without technical experience.
- Suitable for image-focused websites.
- Cons:
- Limited app integrations compared to Shopify.
- Transaction fees on basic plans.
- No multi-currency support.
- Notes for small businesses:
- Squarespace is suitable for businesses focused on visuals, simple websites, and selling physical products.
- Consider the Advanced Commerce plan for more features and to remove transaction fees.
4. BigCommerce
- Overview: BigCommerce is a powerful eCommerce platform that offers a wide range of management and customization features. It is suitable for large businesses with complex needs.
- Pricing:
- Standard: $29.95/month
- Plus: $79.95/month
- Pro: $299.95/month
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
- Pros:
- Extensive features for managing products, orders, customers, and marketing.
- Highly customizable.
- Suitable for large businesses.
- Cons:
- Less user-friendly interface compared to Shopify or Wix.
- Expensive.
- Notes for small businesses:
- BigCommerce can be a good option for large businesses needing complex management features.
- However, small businesses should carefully consider the cost and complexity of the platform.
5. WooCommerce
- Overview: WooCommerce is a free eCommerce plugin for WordPress. It is highly flexible and customizable but requires some technical knowledge.
- Pricing: Free (but you need to pay for hosting, domain name, and extensions)
- Pros:
- Flexible and highly customizable.
- Free.
- Integrates with WordPress, the world’s most popular content management system.
- Many theme and plugin options.
- Cons:
- Requires technical knowledge to install and manage.
- The cost of extensions can add up.
- Limited support.
- Notes for small businesses:
- WooCommerce is suitable for businesses familiar with WordPress and needing a highly customizable website.
- Be prepared to budget for hosting, domain name, and extensions.
6. GoDaddy
- Overview: GoDaddy is a well-known domain name and hosting provider that also offers a website builder with eCommerce functionality. GoDaddy is easy to use and has good customer support, but its features are limited.
- Pricing:
- Basic: $9.99/month
- Standard: $14.99/month
- Premium: $19.99/month
- Ecommerce: $24.99/month
- Pros:
- Easy to use, suitable for beginners.
- Good customer support.
- POS integration.
- Cons:
- Limited features compared to other platforms.
- Outdated templates.
- Notes for small businesses:
- GoDaddy is suitable for businesses that want a quick setup and small-scale selling.
- Consider other platforms if you need more features and design options.
7. Hostinger
- Overview: Hostinger is a budget-friendly hosting provider that also offers a website builder with eCommerce functionality. Hostinger’s advantage is that it doesn’t charge transaction fees, but its features are limited. This is cheapest ecommerce platform for small business
- Pricing:
- Starter: $9.99/month
- Business: $15.99/month
- Pro: $25.99/month
- Pros:
- No transaction fees.
- Advanced fraud detection.
- Flexible payment options.
- Cons:
- No email marketing features.
- No POS integration.
- No mobile app.
- Notes for small businesses:
- Hostinger is suitable for local businesses, simple websites, and businesses that don’t need many features.
8. Square Online
- Overview: Square Online is a free eCommerce platform that integrates with Square’s POS system. It is suitable for small businesses that want to combine online and offline sales.
- Pricing:
- Free
- Plus: $29/month
- Premium: $79/month
- Pros:
- Free.
- POS integration.
- Suitable for brick-and-mortar businesses.
- Cons:
- Limited customization on the free plan.
- No multi-currency support.
- Limited multi-channel integration.
- Notes for small businesses:
- Square Online is suitable for small businesses that want a free online store and to combine online and offline sales.
- Consider upgrading to a paid plan for more features and customization options.
Tips for Choosing the Right Platform
- Clearly define your business needs and goals: product types, business size, target market, and growth plans.
- Make a list of essential and prioritized features, considering your budget.
- Thoroughly research different platforms, comparing their pros, cons, features, and costs.
- Try free trials or demo versions to experience the platforms firsthand.
- Consult reviews and seek advice from experts or businesses already using the platforms.
Axalize’s eCommerce Website Development Services
We craft stunning and high-performing eCommerce websites that enhance user satisfaction, drive sales, and optimize conversion rates. Our expert team provides comprehensive eCommerce website development services, including:
- Intuitive and user-friendly design: Captivating storefronts that engage customers.
- Robust back-end development: Seamless functionality for smooth operations.
- Advanced features: Product pages, checkout processes, payment integrations, and more.
- Cutting-edge technologies: Feature-rich websites built for success.
- Performance optimization: Fast loading times and smooth navigation.
- Third-party integrations: Connect with essential business tools.
- Scalability: Grow your online store as your business expands.
Partner with Axalize and transform your eCommerce vision into reality.
Choosing the right eCommerce platform is a critical decision that can significantly impact the success of your online business. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so carefully analyze your needs, research your options, and select the platform that best aligns with your business goals.
Choosing the optimal platform depends on many factors such as: business scale, product type, budget, and technical skills. Businesses need to carefully consider these factors to make the most appropriate decision. E-commerce is a market full of potential but no less competitive. Small businesses need to be proactive, flexible, and constantly learning to adapt to market changes and achieve success