Disclosure: This content material is reader-supported, which implies when you click on on a few of our hyperlinks that we could earn a fee.
What would you do with an additional $1,500 a day?
With a bit of labor and the proper ecommerce platform, you possibly can create a web based retailer that generates that form of income (and extra).
Shilpi Yadav is a wonderful instance. She give up her job to start out a web based clothes retailer based mostly round her Indian heritage.
Regardless of all of the dangers, the model now makes greater than half one million {dollars} a 12 months (averaging round $1,500 per day).
She constructed her on-line retailer utilizing Shopify, top-of-the-line ecommerce platforms available on the market. Nonetheless, there are a ton of various choices to select from relying on what you want.
And essentially the most important factor standing in the way in which of your individual $500k success story is deciding which ecommerce platform is correct to your new retailer.
On this submit, I’ll break down the key elements to contemplate in choosing the proper platform to your present state of affairs. Then we’ll take an in depth take a look at seven of high choices accessible at this time.
#1 – Wix Overview — The Greatest for Flexibility and Customization
Wix is a superb choice when you’re in search of an inexpensive and versatile ecommerce platform. It’s well-known for its drag-and-drop interface, one that gives some wonderful freedom of design.
As an alternative of getting to write down code, you should use the visible constructing instruments to get your website trying simply the way in which you need it.
With Wix, you additionally get entry to greater than 500 web site templates which might be able to exit of the field whereas additionally that includes loads of customization choices.
The Wix template choice is actually useful for launching a brand new on-line retailer. As an alternative of getting to mess with settings, you possibly can plug your merchandise right into a framework that’s going to look nice each time.
Individuals visiting your retailer will suppose you spent days getting such an expert look, but it surely takes hardly any time in any respect with Wix.
Or, you possibly can create your retailer’s pages from scratch with full management.
Moreover, they’ve a strong cell app so you may make modifications and handle your retailer from wherever on the earth.
Wix additionally contains all kinds of promoting options, like electronic mail accounts and posting Fb advertisements and social media posts proper out of your account dashboard. You’ll be able to even promote instantly by way of social media.
Their ecommerce plans embrace highly effective options, like:
- Assist of 90+ languages and native currencies
- 250+ apps so as to add further performance to your website
- No further transaction charges
- Customized product pages
- Worldwide delivery and taxes
- Coupons and reductions
- Superior sorting and filtering
- Product collections
- Customizable checkout
- Recurring funds
Plus, when you already use Wix, you possibly can improve to an ecommerce plan in only a few clicks inside your account dashboard.
Wix provides 4 ecommerce plans for on-line outlets of various sizes, together with:
- Enterprise Primary — $23/month
- Enterprise Limitless — $27/month
- Enterprise VIP — $49/month
- Enterprise — customized pricing
This is a wonderful choice you probably have a small retailer or particular design necessities. Nonetheless, When you anticipate a excessive order quantity and enormous vary of merchandise, you’re higher off with BigCommerce or Shopify as a substitute.
Strive Wix totally free at this time.
#2 – Squarespace Overview — The Greatest Ecommerce Platform for Creatives
Squarespace is well-known as a free web site builder, however in addition they have a trio of engaging ecommerce packages.
You’re getting the identical prime quality of templates that Squarespace is known for, with loads of customization potential to create a singular buying expertise to your prospects.
Among the different easy-to-use platforms are slightly restricted with what you are able to do. Squarespace offers you much more inventive freedom.
Set up and customise a number of templates at a time to see which one you want greatest. And switching between templates takes only a few clicks.
Other than lovely templates, Squarespace’s net retailer plans embrace:
- Subscriptions, digital merchandise, and in-person compatibility
- Constructed-in tax instruments for computerized tax calculations
- Low cost codes and reward playing cards
- Deserted cart restoration
- Cell-optimized checkout
- Cell retailer administration
- Wealthy product listings
- Fast view functionality
- Stock administration
- Actual-time delivery estimates
Moreover, Squarespace integrates with a lot of the common electronic mail advertising and marketing and social media platforms so you possibly can promote and market your merchandise like a professional.
And so they have unbelievable 24/7/365 buyer assist able to reply your questions and make it easier to get issues arrange the way in which you wish to.
Squarespace provides three ecommerce plans:
- Enterprise — $18 monthly + 3% transaction charges
- Primary Commerce — $26 monthly + 0% transaction charges
- Superior Commerce — $40 monthly + 0% transaction charges
As you scan their pricing choices, you’ll see a Private plan for $12 monthly. That is nice if you wish to construct a web site, but it surely doesn’t include any ecommerce options, so it’s not going to work if you wish to arrange a web based retailer.
Additionally they have an enterprise plan with a devoted account supervisor, web optimization consultations, and prioritized technical assist.
And whereas the Marketing strategy provides ecommerce capabilities, I extremely advocate selecting Primary Commerce to start out. It’s the most affordable plan with no transaction charges, plus it contains different important options like, buyer accounts and ecommerce analytics.
Be taught extra and get began at Squarespace.
#3 – Bluehost Overview — The Greatest for Arms-Off WooCommerce Retailer Setup
I actually like WooCommerce. And, luckily, I’m comfy sufficient with WordPress to put in, customise, and handle the WooCommerce plugin and the extra plugins that actually make it shine by myself WordPress websites.
However I do know many people who would reasonably not have that accountability, whether or not due to a scarcity of familiarity with WordPress plugins or only a lack of time to self-manage WooCommerce.
Bluehost will get that, too—that’s why they’ve rolled out a simple, turnkey answer to getting a WooCommerce retailer up and operating very quickly, for anybody.
With Bluehost’s package deal for ecommerce powered by WooCommerce, you get a useful guided retailer creator, plus:
- Constructed-in SSL and Jetpack for safety
- Limitless product listings
- Cost processing
- Buyer evaluations
- Coupon codes
- Handbook order creation
- One 12 months freed from CodeGuard Backup Primary, for every day website backups
And that’s all within the Customary Plan. The built-in SSL certificates is actually useful as a result of it encrypts info prospects enter in your web site (like bank card numbers or login credentials), and protects everybody from hackers. All it’s a must to do is click on a button and your set with Bluehost–this may be way more difficult if the host doesn’t handle SSL certificates for you.
What I believe is most handy, although, is that Bluehost has preselected the highest 20 retailer plugins that your WooCommerce retailer will want. Not solely does that prevent the headache of researching and putting in plugins by yourself, they’re included at no further cost.
That’s large. A few of these plugins price round $200 a pop to put in.
Take it one step greater to the Premium plan and also you’ll additionally get:
- On-line appointment scheduling
- Subscription-based ecommerce
- Superior product customization
- Native tax administration
- Free area privateness
- CodeGuard Backup Primary, included totally free
Pricing is predicated in your preliminary time period dedication. Select from month-to-month billing, a one-year contract, or a three-year contract.
The Customary plan begins at $12.95/month for a three-year dedication, whereas Premium begins at $24.95/month for a similar.
Each plans renew at the usual month-to-month charge after the time period is accomplished—$29.95/month for Customary and $49.95/month for Premium.
So, if you wish to get a WooCommerce retailer up very quickly with no trouble in your finish in any respect, head over to Bluehost at this time.
#4 – BigCommerce Overview — The Greatest for Medium to Massive Shops
BigCommerce is an all-in-one ecommerce web site builder particularly for big on-line shops. It contains extra superior ecommerce options appropriate for managing excessive volumes and numerous merchandise.
With a buyer base of 100,000+ shops, together with some large names like Ben & Jerry’s and SkullCandy, they’re a smaller participant within the {industry}.
However that doesn’t make the platform any much less highly effective.
BigCommerce plans embrace entry to highly effective, industry-leading options, together with:
- Buyer accounts for sooner checkouts
- Cell-optimized checkout
- Deserted cart restoration
- Google AMP and Akamai
- Superior product filters
- Coupons and low cost codes
- Superior stock administration
- Buyer teams for personalised buying
- 65+ fee gateways with no further transaction charges
- Constructed-in delivery administration
Plus, all of their plans embrace limitless merchandise, file storage, bandwidth, and employees accounts.
And you’ll select between 12 free mobile-responsive design templates or go for a paid template to make your on-line retailer stand out from the gang with out touching a single line of code.
BigCommerce provides 4 paid plans (with a 15-day free trial), together with:
- Customary — $29.95/month with a $50,000 annual gross sales restrict
- Plus — $79.95/month with a $180,000 annual gross sales restrict
- Professional — $299.95/month with a $400,000 annual gross sales restrict
- Enterprise — customized pricing
When you’re simply getting began, BigCommerce is overkill to your on-line retailer. Nonetheless, when you’re a longtime enterprise or plan to promote excessive volumes, it’s a wonderful alternative.
#5 – Shopify Overview — The Greatest All-In-One Ecommerce Platform
Shopify is an all-in-one ecommerce web site builder that powers multiple million on-line shops, making it one of the common selections on this checklist.
Nonetheless, it’s not as customizable as Wix. However it provides extra superior ecommerce options as a result of it’s constructed particularly to host on-line shops. Plus, it’s straightforward to make use of with simply the proper degree of flexibility.
It’s additionally extremely versatile, powering micro to giant shops, and all the things in between. Shopify plans embrace entry to an unimaginable suite of ecommerce options, together with:
- Level of Sale for brick and mortar outlets
- Actual-time provider delivery charges
- Deserted checkout restoration
- 100 completely different fee gateways
- Computerized tax calculations
- Buyer accounts and profiles
- Achievement facilities
- Superior stock administration
- Limitless merchandise
- In-depth analytics
Plus, with 70+ skilled themes (9 of that are free) and 4,100+ apps, you possibly can create an exquisite and extremely useful ecommerce retailer with out having to start out from scratch. Or write a single line of code.
Mix that with award-winning 24/7/365 buyer assist and you’ve got a wonderful ecommerce platform.
Shopify provides 5 plans for companies of all sizes, together with:
- Shopify Lite — $9 monthly
- Primary Shopify — $29 monthly
- Shopify — $79 monthly
- Superior Shopify — $299 monthly
- Shopify Plus — customized pricing
Shopify Lite is a superb choice if you wish to embed merchandise and “purchase” buttons onto an current web site. Nonetheless, it doesn’t include the all-inclusive web site builder.
Remember the fact that Shopify has its personal fee processor. They cost 2.4% – 2.9% + $0.30 relying on the plan you select. Additionally they cost further charges (0.5% – 2%) when you use a separate fee processor like PayPal or Sq..
#6 – WooCommerce Overview — The Greatest for WordPress Web sites
You don’t must accept a cookie-cutter web site builder to run your ecommerce retailer. When you’re severe about promoting on-line (and also you’re utilizing or planning to make use of a WordPress website to do it), you must go for WooCommerce, one of the highly effective instruments on the market.
This light-weight WordPress plugin provides ecommerce capabilities like accepting on-line funds, configurable delivery choices, and product listings to your website. However that’s simply the beginning.
WooCommerce is wildly extendible and capable of be built-in with different enterprise instruments. Customise it by means of extensions in classes starting from stock, delivery, and success to advertising and marketing, buyer loyalty applications, reside chat assist, and way more.
The platform, like many good WordPress instruments, is developer-friendly. Use REST API to tweak and tailor WooCommerce to your wants with customized coding and modules.
Not offered but? Right here’s a style of among the different built-in options you get:
- 140 region-specific fee gateways
- Assist of subscriptions and deposits
- Automated tax calculations
- Actual-time delivery charges
- iOS and Android cell apps
- Bodily and digital product functionality
- Limitless product variations
- Intensive tutorials and documentation
- Public assist discussion board
And one of the best half? It’s free to obtain, set up, and use. Without end.
Nonetheless, among the extensions aren’t free, so be careful for that when you begin digging into these.
With the facility of WordPress behind it, your customization choices are solely restricted to what you possibly can think about. So, the sky is legitimately the restrict with WooCommerce.
However with that stated, it’s not the best or most intuitive ecommerce platform. So, I don’t advocate it when you aren’t already utilizing WordPress and 100% comfy with it.
#7 – OpenCart Overview — The Greatest for Promoting Digital Merchandise
OpenCart is one other open supply ecommerce platform, very like WooCommerce. Nonetheless, it’s not restricted to WordPress web sites. However you do must have an current web site to make use of it.
Over 300,000 on-line shops use OpenCart to confidently promote merchandise of all sizes and styles on-line. Plus, most website hosting firms provide one-click set up or will set up it totally free, so it’s extremely straightforward to arrange.
Word: I solely advocate going this route if you have already got a web site up and operating.
When you can promote merchandise of any type, the no-fluff interface (and free price ticket) makes it a wonderful choice for promoting digital merchandise to make more cash together with your on-line enterprise.
All with out including an additional month-to-month expense as a result of it’s 100% free eternally.
OpenCart provides a strong set of ecommerce options, together with:
- Easy and centralized admin dashboard
- Superior person roles and entry controls
- Handle a number of shops from a single dashboard
- Limitless product variables and variations
- Constructed-in affiliate administration and rewards system
- Reductions and coupons
- Limitless merchandise
- One-click digital downloads
- Product evaluations and rankings
- 36 built-in fee strategies
- Recurring funds
Plus, with 13,000 modules and themes within the market, you possibly can add any performance you possibly can think about together with service integrations, conversion modules, electronic mail advertising and marketing, and extra.
Remember the fact that not all of OpenCart’s extensions are free. You will have to pay for extra superior capabilities.
And so they don’t at present provide assist totally free, both.
When you can’t discover what you’re in search of on their group discussion board, it’s a must to pay for devoted assist. Devoted assist begins at $99 per website monthly or $99 for a one-time repair.
#8 – Ecwid Overview — The Greatest for Integrating With Your Present Platform
Like OpenCart and WooCommerce, Ecwid is an ecommerce platform you should use to combine together with your present platform, no matter what you’re already utilizing.
It integrates with platforms like Weebly, Wix, WordPress, Squarespace, and extra. So, if you have already got a web site arrange and wish to add ecommerce performance, Ecwid is a wonderful alternative.
With that stated, in addition they provide an all-in-one ecommerce web site builder if you wish to begin from scratch. Nonetheless, there are higher web site builders to make use of.
So, I solely advocate Ecwid if you wish to combine ecommerce into your current web site.
This ecommerce platform contains a variety of options, like:
- Multi-channel promoting (social media, marketplaces, in-person, and many others.)
- Built-in electronic mail advertising and marketing and promoting options
- Centralized stock and order administration
- No transaction charges
- Totally responsive designs
- Constructed-in POS integrations
- Buyer accounts for simple checkout
- Actual-time delivery charge calculator
- Poduct variations
- Digital product capabilities
- 40 fee choices
The largest draw back is which you could’t handle your retailer from inside your web site account dashboard. It’s important to log in to Ecwid as a substitute. So, you want to handle two separate accounts.
However the excellent news is which you could begin on the restricted free eternally plan to strive it out earlier than making any investments.
The free plan solely permits as much as ten merchandise, so it’s a must to improve when you want extra. Ecwid additionally provides three paid plans, together with:
- Enterprise — $15/month (as much as 100 merchandise)
- Enterprise — $35/month (as much as 2,500 merchandise)
- Limitless — $99/month (limitless merchandise)
That is the worth when you pay month to month. If you’re prepared to signal a contract for a 12 months, the worth is slightly decrease.
As a stand-alone retailer builder you may be higher off with different choices (like Wix and Shopify).
But when you have already got a web site and wish to add an ecommerce retailer, Ecwid is a superb different to WooCommerce and OpenCart.
What I Checked out to Discover the Greatest Ecommerce Platform
The perfect ecommerce platform for what you are promoting relies on a number of components like your expertise degree, your customization necessities, and the kind of merchandise you wish to promote.
However choosing the proper platform can really feel overwhelming as a result of there are numerous choices to select from.
It could assist to start out with a listing of necessities and the options you want. From there, you possibly can slender down your selections based mostly on the next standards.
Bodily vs Digital Merchandise
Digital merchandise are a booming market. On-line programs, music, artwork, and podcasts are simply among the digital merchandise netting new companies tons of money.
However promoting and delivering digital merchandise isn’t the identical as delivering a bodily product to somebody’s doorstep.
If you wish to promote digital merchandise, Shopify is a extremely nice choice, however some ecommerce could not assist digital merchandise in any respect. So it’s essential to grasp which sort you propose to promote earlier than you decide.
Deployment Choices
What do you want to do to get your ecommerce platform up and operating?
There are a couple of alternative ways to deploy your platform relying on the place you might be ranging from and the place you wish to go.
If you have already got a web site, the most suitable choice is integrating a web based retailer reasonably than making a model new web site on a brand new platform. This fashion, you construct on what you’ve already performed. OpenCart is right for this use-case.
For folks with WordPress websites, you possibly can add ecommerce performance by way of a plugin like WooCommerce. That is tremendous easy to arrange and straightforward to handle.
When you’re ranging from scratch, you’ll need a web site builder and different instruments that will help you design your platform.
On this case, going with options like Wix and Squarespace makes loads of sense. They bundle all the things you want to get began at a extremely inexpensive value.
Day-to-Day Administration
Order administration, product creation, monitoring orders, and dashboard navigation are essential components of day-to-day ecommerce administration.
Select a platform that’s straightforward to make use of and handle every day. It shouldn’t really feel like a wrestle to create new merchandise, test the standing of an order, or replace the pages of your web site.
It’s all about discovering the proper steadiness of flexibility, customization, and ease of use. The extra a platform can do, the tougher it’s to handle.
You’ll be able to simplify your workload by selecting a platform that provides simply sufficient flexibility with out going overboard to your particular wants.
Design Capabilities
Some ecommerce web site builders (like Wix) are really drag and drop, which means the customization choices are limitless. When you can think about it, you possibly can construct it. However, that freedom additionally makes the platform harder to make use of.
Different platforms combine into your present website, taking the appear and feel of your current web site with only a few customization choices. For some customers, that is good.
However others might want extra management.
When you’re simply beginning out, easy designs and ease of use are extra essential than design flexibility.
Nonetheless, when you already personal a bodily retailer or a longtime model, design is extra essential so you possibly can create a cohesive aesthetic from one contact level to the following.
Superior Ecommerce Options
Would you like to have the ability to provide reductions or settle for funds by means of completely different fee processors? Possibly you wish to ship guests a reminder electronic mail once they exit your web site with one thing of their cart.
Maybe you’re excited by creating buyer profiles and analyzing superior analytics.
Different superior ecommerce options embrace:
- E mail advertising and marketing integrations
- Memberships and recurring funds
- Present playing cards and low cost codes
- Partial funds or fee plans
- Transport and success administration
- Product variations
- Product classes
Consider carefully about what you want and what could be good to have. Then, you should use your checklist of necessities to slender down your checklist of selections.
Abstract
Discovering an ecommerce platform does what you want is a breath of recent air. After utilizing dozens of various choices over time, I’m assured with my collection of the highest choices accessible:
- Wix – Greatest for flexibility and customization
- Squarespace – Greatest ecommerce platform for creatives
- Bluehost – Greatest for hands-off WooCommerce retailer setup
- BigCommerce – Greatest for medium to giant shops
- Shopify – Greatest all-in-one ecommerce platform
- WooCommerce – Greatest for WordPress web sites
- OpenCart – Greatest for promoting digital merchandise
- Ecwid – Greatest for integrating together with your present platform
My #1 suggestion for many customers is Wix. It’s nice for customers of all expertise ranges. Plus, it’s straightforward to make use of, extremely customizable, and inexpensive as effectively. But when Wix is simply too customizable for you, Squarespace is a unbelievable different.
For big shops, I extremely advocate BigCommerce or Shopify.
Nonetheless, if you have already got a web site, WooCommerce, OpenCart, and Ecwid are wonderful selections relying on what you want.
When you’ve got a WordPress website and need a better method to arrange your WooCommerce retailer on it, you possibly can’t go incorrect with Bluehost’s WooCommerce On-line Shops.
