We reviewed the top 10 ecommerce platforms available on the market to help you decide which is the best for your specific situation.
Are you ready to get straight to the solution? The most effective e-commerce platforms for many people are BigCommerce and Zyro.
Are you ready to begin selling online? You’ll require an ecommerce platform.
E-commerce platforms allow users to build and manage your online store and accept payments. The software you use will manage your website, products operations, and everything else associated with sales on the internet.
However, finding the most effective e-commerce software can be difficult.
The market is now overrun with hundreds of E-commerce platforms of all kinds and sizes. We have narrowed the options of the 10 top eCommerce platforms that meet the needs of different customers.
If you’re creating a brand new website from the ground up or want to switch providers this guide will direct you to the proper direction.
The Top 10 Top E-Commerce Platforms
- BigCommerce– The best ecommerce platform for small-sized businesses
- Zyro – Newest and best web-based and ecommerce builder
- Square Online Best free e-commerce platform plan
- Bluehost is the best choice to set up an easy WooCommerce store
- Shopify is ideal for newbies, entrepreneurs and small-scale e-commerce stores
- Wix Best drag-and-drop website builder for ecommerce with simple installation
- Squarespace– The best website builder with built-in eCommerce capabilities
- WooCommerce– the best WordPress plugin for ecommerce capabilities
- OpenCart the best open-source and free E-commerce platform
- Ecwid – the best free ecommerce extension that is compatible with many CMS platforms
Below, I’ve listed the best advantages, features price, and possible negatives for each. I’ll also discuss the platforms that are suitable for certain kinds of online stores.
1- BigCommerce — the Best Ecommerce Platform for Small Businesses
BigCommerce is a powerful all-in-one platform for e-commerce that offers everything you require to sell online. In actual fact, BigCommerce actually has more functions native to it than Shopify that are built right into the box.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the features it offersfor those who intend to make use of these features, it’s good to be aware that you don’t be required to shell out extra money for functions.
BigCommerce lets your to control sales on different channels, as well. You can sell to customers via platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Instagram as well as Facebook. BigCommerce is also a partner with payment services such as PayPal or Square to give your customers more choices to buy your items.
The platform boasts an impressive reputation for performance, speed of loading security, as well as other performance indicators. They provide innovative solutions to B2B stores wholesale shops, B2B stores, and WordPress users.
BigCommerce offers specific choices for online stores across different sectors, too.
When you’re launching a new store on the internet or transforming your brick-and-mortar small business into an e-commerce marketplace, BigCommerce is a top option to think about.
Here’s a brief review on the BigCommerce plans:
- Standard — $29.95 per month
- Plus — $79.95 per month
- Pro — $299.95 per month
As you’d expect, each plan comes with extra advantages and features. However, what’s special in BigCommerce’s pricing model is that stores can immediately be upgraded the latest plan once they’ve reached certain sales milestones within the course of a year.
The 12-month sales limit is as the following:
- Standard -Up to $50,000
- Plus -Up to $150,000
- Pro -up to $400,000
As an example when you enroll with Standard plan, for example Standard option, then you’ll be moved into the Plus plan when you’ve surpassed $50,000 in the past twelve months.
While this shouldn’t stop you from taking advantage of them, it’s crucial to know about this prior to time so that you don’t get caught off guard if your monthly rates increase.
Save 10% discount on Plus and Pro plans with an annual contract. You are able to test any BigCommerce plan at no cost for one month.
2- Zyro — The Best Web Builder and Ecommerce Platform
Zyro offers you an easy method to set up an online store in a matter of minutes.
It’s customizable. If you’re planning to build an online store or a portfolio that showcases what you’re working on, or even a straightforward blog Zyro provides a variety of gorgeous templates specifically tailored to your requirements.
Their e-commerce capabilities are top-of-the-line too. The drag-and-drop site builder lets users to build the ideal online store and then customize it to reflect your brand. It’s extremely responsive, meaning you’ll observe the changes you make in real-time.
One of their unique features that is unique is their AI tool. For instance Their AI Writer generates text for your website in a matter of minutes. This means that you do not have to think about writing compelling copy on your own.
In terms of pricing, Zyro is hard to beat. You can currently get 80percent off of the cost if you sign up for specific annual contracts. Find out more.
3- Square Online — The Best Online Ecommerce Plan for Free
Many people recognize Square because of their POS software and solutions. They also provide an excellent eCommerce platform that works well with other Square solutions.
If your business is already running Square then you’ll have an accurate inventory count of your inventory when you offer it to your customers.
With Square’s online e-commerce platform it is also capable of doing things such as schedule appointments, accept donations, schedule pickups or deliveries, and even market your merchandise on Instagram.
Square provides you with great online tools to improve your SEO and reach more clients via the internet.
The platform is free to get started and comes with the integration of Square POS, automatic inventory sync, and unlimited items for delivery and pick-up. However, there is a caveat that it will cost 2.9 percent plus 30 cents for each transaction.
For more information on pricing, visit Square’s pricing solutions page.
4 – Bluehost — The Best Choice for Easy Setting Up the WooCommerce Store
Bluehost maximizes the benefits features of WooCommerce and WordPress through their special WooCommerce hosting plan.
Although they’re famous for their web hosting, it’s not only web hosting. It’s a way of building an WooCommerce shop within your WordPress website that works like a dream in the first few minutes of using it.
You will receive a helpful store creator, which comes with all the extensions, features and plugins you require. The majority of the plugins available for WooCommerce including shipping options with USPS or FedEx are priced at an annual fee for utilize. Some are priced up to $200 per year.
Through Bluehost online stores powered by WooCommerce You get all the basics at no extra cost to you at all.
Additionally, you can avail the Bluehost customer service, which is available 24/7, to help you with any questions as well as a myriad of store features, such as:
- Email marketing
- Customer reviews
- Unlimited products
- Pay processing that is easy to set up and install
- Manual creation of orders
- Discount/promo codes
- Traffic metrics for the site
All of these can be found in the Standard as well as Premium plan offered by Bluehost’s WooCommerce hosting.
Pricing scales are based on the initial commitment you make:
Standard
- $12.95/month for a term of three years which can be renewed at $24.95/month
- $15.95/month for a year-long term which can be renewed at $24.95/month
- $29.95/month when you pay month-to month
Premium
- $24.95/month for a 3-year period renewal at $39.95/month
- $32.95/month for a year-long term and then renewal at $39.95/month
- $49.95/month when you pay month-to-month
Bluehost Ecommerce, powered by WooCommerce is a fantastic alternative for those who are new to WordPress or WooCommerce and customers who are looking for an easy, reliable and complete solution to set up an WooCommerce online store.
Start your today by logging onto Bluehost.
5- Shopify Ideal for Startups or beginners, as well as Boutique Ecommerce Shops
Shopify is, in fact, the most well-known e-commerce platform around the globe. They run thousands of online stores across a wide range of sectors and types of products.
This is due to it being simple to set up and use as well as highly efficient. It’s a fantastic choice for those who are new or haven’t the resources of internal technological solutions.
Shopify is also incredibly flexible. It’s used by small companies as well as larger scale operations. Kylie Jenner used Shopify to make her billion-dollar fortune selling lipstick kits from Kylie Cosmetics. You could also use it to start an alternative to a small-scale startup.
Another thing that stands out from Shopify is the outstanding 24/7 support that you’ll be able to access even before signing to an Shopify plan.
Shopify lets you to sell your products through your website in addition to via social platforms, marketplaces online and even in person with Shopify POS.
The Shopify drag-and-drop builders are an efficient method of creating an e-commerce site starting from scratch. The themes are all optimized for mobile and are essential for maximizing your sales.
They also have a superb payment processor. It is compatible with over 3200 apps on the Shopify App Store.
Three different base plans that are offered by Shopify:
- Simple Shopify — – $29 per month
- Shopify — $79 per month
- Advanced Shopify -$29 per month
Remember, these are only the basic rates. The addition of apps, processing payments or other features are priced at an additional cost.
Large-scale stores that require enterprise-grade solutions can receive an individual Shopify Plus quote to fit your requirements.
The basic plan should be sufficient to start you off I’d suggest the middle-tier Shopify subscription as a minimum. It has more options like gifts cards and professional reporting and more discounts for payments and shipping.
Shopify provides an 14-day trial for free of all its plans.
Further QuickSprout Shopify Shopify Shopify Reviews and Guides
- Shopify Review
- How Do You Transfer Your Website’s Content to Shopify
- The Most Effective Ecommerce Web Builder
- How to create an eCommerce Website in just 9 easy steps
- How to Launch an Online Store that Drives Sales
6- Wix the Best Drag-and Drop Ecommerce Website Builder with Easy Installation
Wix is an adaptable, drag-and-drop web-based builder. It can be adapted to meet any of your web-based creation requirements.
The most appealing aspect of making use of Wix is that it’s an e-commerce platform. The best part is the simplicity. Your online store will enjoy the same drag-and-drop features as a standard Wix site. All you have to do is choose an e-commerce plan that allows online payments.
If you are currently using Wix You can always upgrade your account to enable the e-commerce features.
Wix store manager is your Wix store manager lets you easily keep track of inventory, manage orders, and keep in touch directly with customers. Through its integration with bookskeeping software such as Quickbooks, Wix really shines as an e-commerce website builder.
Wix offers more than 500 templates for e-commerce that you can choose from. You can personalize your storefront with galleries, collections or related products. You can also create the customer’s wishlist.
You’ll also be able create global shipping rules with several carriers. At present, Wix does not support dropshipping. However, their website states that dropshipping platforms are in the works which is why I’d like to see to see it within the next year.
In contrast to other platforms for e-commerce, Wix doesn’t take any commissions on transactions. The only charges be paid by the processor.
Wix provides four different e-commerce plans. All accept online payment:
- Business Basic -$23 per month
- Business Unlimited – $27 per month
- Business VIP -Monthly cost of $49
- Enterprise -500 dollars per month
All plans include unlimited bandwidth. You’ll receive additional storage with each pricing level.
Wix is a newcomer to the online retail space The platform isn’t yet perfect. They are constantly making improvements. For instance, customers can now take action to target abandoned shopping carts, something that was not always an possibility.
Another enhancement is Corvid created by Wix. It is a web-based development platform that lets you to create apps using an editor like the Wix editor. This may result in more efficient integration to CRMs in the coming years. I anticipate to see more of these kinds of advancements in the coming years.
7- Squarespace — The Best Website Builder With Built-in Ecommerce Capabilities
Squarespace is another popular site builder. Squarespace offers an integrated e-commerce platform integrated into all plans with the exception of the entry-level plan.
With Squarespace the ability to create a stunning website is simple. The templates are contemporary and completely customizable. It is possible to install several templates on one site and switch them around at any moment.
I’d suggest Squarespace for new online shops that aren’t certain about what the future will bring. This is because the platform allows you to expand or change in the direction you want to take your marketing strategy.
Squarespace offers a myriad of e-commerce advantages. Here are a few of the best features to provide you with an understanding of what you’ll get:
- Unlimited products
- Flexible product varients
- Sell digital and physical products
- Manage subscriptions
- Multiple payment methods
- Mobile-optimized checkouts
- Gift cards
- Abandoned cart Recovery
The disadvantage of the use of Squarespace is that it doesn’t have an app store where you can integrate additional extension or integration. You see what will get. The most well-known and effective applications are already included However, be sure to go through the entire list of features in case you need or require something particular.
Here are Squarespace plans and costs:
- Personal -$11 per month
- Business -$18/month
- Basic Commerce – $26 per month
- Advanced Commerce -$40 per month
The Personal plan doesn’t include e-commerce features. It is possible to sell on the internet with the Business plan, however you’ll have to pay an additional 3percent charge for transactions to Squarespace but you won’t have access to all the useful e-commerce options.
At a minimum, I’d suggest using the Basic Commerce plan. There aren’t any transaction costs and you’ll get customers’ accounts, checkouts on an individual domain the use of social media, point-of-sale as well as other features are expected of an e-commerce shop.
To get gift cards or abandoned cart recovery subscriptions, and other advanced features you’ll have to join Advanced Commerce. Advanced Commerce plan.
8- WooCommerce — the best WordPress plugin for Ecommerce.
WooCommerce is different from other platforms we’ve come across to date. It’s an e-commerce plugin designed specifically for WordPress instead of an all-in-one eCommerce platform.
However, with more than 800 million users, WooCommerce is most widely used e-commerce service in the world. More than 30% of online stores around the world are powered by WooCommerce.
With WooCommerce every website that runs using WordPress can be converted into an online store.
WooCommerce will cost you nothing to download or install on your WordPress website. It’s not free, but you need to have your domain hosting, domain name and WordPress account in place. It’s as easy to install as any alternative WordPress plugin.
You can personalize your store by adding more than 300 extensions available from WooCommerce’s Extension Store. WooCommerce Extensions Store.
This is where you’ll incorporate payments processors and subscription tool and store management tools. A majority of these extensions are free but some cost at $300 or more per extension.
Since WooCommerce runs on WordPress it means that the customization options for an online retailer are infinite. It is only necessary to include features you’re planning to utilize, which means you don’t need to fret about any other cluttering up your dashboard.
I would recommend WooCommerce to websites with content, which means the main purpose of your site isn’t its e-commerce capabilities.
For instance, if have an existing WordPress blog and wish to market 10-20 items to generate additional income You can install WooCommerce to perform the ecommerce functions.
However, if you’re looking to design a new eCommerce website from scratch, and sell hundreds of items I suggest you look at another solution from our list.
9- The OpenCart — the Best Free and Open Source E-commerce Platform
The OpenCart eCommerce platform offers everything you need to build an online shop and run it. More than 342,000 online stores around the world use OpenCart
OpenCart isn’t a website builder. It’s an open-source program that you can install to provide eCommerce capabilities to your current website.
One of the main reasons I enjoy OpenCart is that the administration dashboard allows users to manage all of their accounts by using a single, simple interface.
Another benefit to OpenCart is the marketplace it offers. It is home to more than 13,000 themes, modules and extensions. Therefore, if you’re looking to incorporate something into your online shop, it’s a high possibility that it’s through the OpenCart marketplace.
The greatest benefit of OpenCart? You can download it for free and add to your site. There aren’t any annual or monthly fees for the use of this software.
But, you’ll have to pay for certain extensions. If you’re operating an e-commerce site that is simple and don’t require a lot of extensions that are premium, OpenCart is a great option to keep costs low.
If you require help or assistance you can find greater than 110,000 registered users who are active in the OpenCart community forum. You can look through the more than 550,000 posts to see if somebody has answered your question.
If you want specific technical assistance directly via OpenCart You’ll have to pay. The price is $99 for one-time fixes or $99 for a month of advanced continuous support.
10- Ecwid — The Best Free Ecommerce Extension that is Compatible with multiple CMS platforms
If you’re an WordPress user and you’re looking for an alternative in place of WooCommerce Ecwid would be my next suggestion.
It’s not as popular as WooCommerce but it’s still a great option and is a specialist in ecommerce transactions from various marketplaces.
In contrast to WooCommerce Ecwid can be used with other platforms too. Alongside WordPress Ecwid is able to be integrated into:
- Wix
- Weebly
- Squarespace
- Joomla
- Tumblr
- Blogger
- Adobe Muse
In essence, you can transform almost any website into an e-commerce platform using Ecwid. Ecwid also provides an all-purpose platform for selling on Amazon as well as the integrations with CRMs, such as Salesforce.
Another advantage for Ecwid has the fact that they provide an unlimited plan for free that is restricted to only 10 items. You can’t connect your online store to other marketplaces for free , either.
To make the most of Ecwid, it’s best to enroll in the premium plan.
- Venture — $15 per month
- Business -$35 per month
- Unlimited — $99 per month
There are two plans available: the Venture and Business plans are only limited to 100 and 2,500 items and 2,500 products, respectively. The name implies that there aren’t any limitations for Unlimited. Unlimited plan.
As you’d expect, benefits and features improve as you progress to the next tier. Therefore, you can begin with the basic program and then upgrade any point you’d like when you’ve outgrown the plan you have.
How to Find the Right Ecommerce Platform for You?
With the many options available to think about, it’s important to narrow your options. This is the method we employed to make the selections in this list.
These criteria can be used to help aid in your decision. I’ll discuss which aspects are important and those that don’t, and provide the in-depth explanations of each one below.
Easy to Setup and Use
Starting from scratch should be the first step to take into consideration. If it’s hard to set up your system out of the box it’s usually a sign you’ll encounter problems in the future.
You must ensure that the platform you choose to use makes it simple for you to set up an online store, control your product as well as edit your website and also accept payments online. Ideally, everything is managed through one administration dashboard or interface, with the minimum of third-party requirements.
Different types of Ecommerce Platforms
Each e-commerce platform was not all created equal. The kind of platform you pick will be based on your current situation.
There are eCommerce website builders, plugins and extensions. In case you have already created a site it is important to make sure your website is compatible with the CMS it is you are using.
For instance, WooCommerce is a plugin specifically designed specifically for WordPress websites. J2Store is an extension for shopping carts that works with Joomla. Ecwid can be an extension that works with WordPress, Joomla, and other platforms, too.
If you have a website, and want to make it an online store using a plugin or extension will be more suitable over a website builder.
The type of website
The kind of website you are using will determine the ecommerce platform you choose to use.
How many items are you selling? Are you selling physical products such as services, digital items? Do you require dropshipping services or are you handling deliveries by yourself?
A blog which wants to include digital downloads does not require the same approach for an online shop that has to be designed from the ground up.
Features
All online stores allow online payment transactions. However, you must examine beyond that to determine the features they provide and what features you really require.
Does everything come pre-integrated into the platform? Is there a marketplace for themes or integrations? What about extensions, extensions, and integrations?
Some plans are more sophisticated and include features such as abandoned cart recover and customer profiles, as well as detailed analyses, and product recommendations. If you’re running a an unassuming website that sells handful of products These features might not be necessary for you.
Value
The price of your online shopping solution is likely to depend on the features included by the plan you choose. Certain e-commerce platforms are completely cost-free, but you’ll be charged when you install specific extensions.
The price you pay could change depending on the sales you make. Make sure you know the way pricing functions before making a the final decision.
I’m always looking for e-commerce platforms that offer a trial period as well as a money-back assurance. This allows you to play around with the options to determine whether you’re getting the greatest value for money.
Summary
Selecting an e-commerce platform can be a challenge due to the fact that there are a myriad of options available. It is a good thing that you can limit your options by using the criteria I’ve listed in the previous paragraphs.
There’s something for everyone in this list. If you’re a novice seeking an e-commerce website builder or an experienced programmer who requires sophisticated technology for selling B2B you’ll have the option of using this guide to discover the right software.
This is a brief review of the top e-commerce platforms I’ve reviewed in this article.
- BigCommerce — The most effective E-commerce platform for small companies
- Zyro — The best new eCommerce and website builder
- Square Online— The best E-commerce platform for free
- Bluehost —Best to set up easily an easy to set up WooCommerce store
- Shopify — Excellent for newbies, entrepreneurs and boutique e-commerce shops
- Wix — The best drag-and-drop site builder for e-commerce with simple setup
- Squarespace — The best web-based website builder that has built-in ecommerce capabilities
- WooCommerce — The best WordPress plugin to enable e-commerce.
- OpenCart the best open-source, free and free-of-cost e-commerce platform
- Ecwid -Free ecommerce extension that works with a variety of CMS platforms
