E-commerce is becoming a bigger and more important part of the economy every day, and that means more small businesses are trying to get in on the action. If you’re one of them, which platform should you use? There are many different e-commerce platforms out there, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here’s what we think:
Shopify
Shopify is an open source, hosted solution that offers a free trial and a developer community. Shopify also has its own app store where you can find apps to help you create your online store. The platform integrates with other services such as MailChimp and PayPal, so you don’t have to worry about setting up those integrations yourself.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a popular e-commerce platform that lets you sell online and in-store. It has a large number of features, including a mobile app and an API. BigCommerce also offers free training, support and tools for merchants to manage their business more effectively.
The biggest advantage of BigCommerce is its low cost of entry: You can get started with the lowest tier package (at $29/month) without having to pay anything up front or commit long term with any contracts.
Magento
Magento is a feature-rich e-commerce platform that’s been around since 2008. It’s open source, which means it’s free to use and install on your own server. It’s popular with large retailers and brands like Walmart, Nike and Macy’s because of its flexibility and scalability.
Magento has a large community of developers, designers and other experts who contribute to the software via its forums or GitHub repository (which hosts all of the code). This ensures that you’ll never lack for help when you need it–and if you’re willing to pay someone else to do the work for you, there are plenty of freelancers available through sites like Upwork or Freelancer who specialize in Magento development projects.
Demandware
Demandware is a cloud-based e-commerce platform that’s used by large retailers like Nike and Lululemon. It has a wide range of features, including:
- A powerful CMS that allows you to create your own branded storefronts
- Integration with social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter
- The ability to create loyalty programs for repeat customers (such as discounts for buying multiple items)
Easy Digital Downloads
Easy Digital Downloads is a WordPress plugin that allows you to sell digital products like ebooks and videos. It has a wide range of features, including:
- A wide range of payment options, including PayPal and Stripe.
- Easy to use interface that makes it simple for customers to purchase your products.
- A great support community where you can get help with any issues that arise while using the platform.
Volusion
Volusion is a best-in-class ecommerce platform that’s easy to use and has a low learning curve. If you’re looking for an ecommerce solution for your small business, Volusion is worth considering.
Volusion offers many features out of the box, including product pages with built-in SEO and social sharing buttons; dynamic pricing based on quantity or customer group; gift card support; multiple shipping options; customizable checkout pages; and more. The platform integrates with many payment processors (including Stripe), so it’s easy to get started accepting payments from customers immediately after setting up your shop on Volusion’s website.
These are the best e-commerce platforms.
E-commerce platforms come in a variety of shapes, sizes and prices. Some are designed for beginners, while others are more suited to experienced e-commerce entrepreneurs. The best platform for you depends on your budget, business goals and technical know-how.
Here’s a rundown of the most popular options:
- Shopify — This is one of the most popular e-commerce solutions available today because it’s easy to use and offers plenty of free tools that make running an online store easier than ever before. If you’re just getting started with your first online store or want something simple but still powerful enough for larger businesses with complex needs (like inventory management), Shopify is probably right up your alley!
With so many options and features, it can be difficult to decide which platform is the best for your business. Fortunately, we’ve done all the work for you by comparing all of the major ecommerce platforms. In this article, we looked at Shopify vs Magento vs BigCommerce vs Demandware vs Easy Digital Downloads vs Volusion and determined which one stands out as being superior in terms of pricing plans, customer support access points and overall functionality.
