As social distancing measures have become the “new normal” around the world because of the coronavirus pandemic, retailers are struggling to find new ways to adapt to market changes. E-commerce demand is on the rise, while other sales are dropping in stores everywhere. Even those who used to believe that time was on their side when it came to joining the digital revolution have now started to reconsider. However, before making a bold move to take your business online, you need to consider the best options when choosing an e-commerce platform.
An e-commerce platform is not just a key piece of software that provides you with the ability to develop and manage an online store. It’s also the foundation for your whole online business. It should provide you with the tools to manage your website, products, and operations, so you need to choose carefully and make sure it fits your business. Multiple options are available on the market, but there are many additional aspects to consider. The decision you make after assessing all options will probably be one of the most important steps in building a digital business. So good research is essential.
Here are 5 of the most popular e-commerce platforms available. Some of them have free features, while others may offer premium benefits. Let’s explore each of them in more detail.
Shopify
Shopify is one of the most well-known e-commerce platforms to consider, with plans starting at $29 for basic features. Used by more than 1,000,000 businesses worldwide, according to their website, the e-commerce platform boasts key features, like a user-friendly dashboard, multiple interchangeable characteristics, and powerful analytics to assist online businesses everywhere. It also offers constant reliable support for a reasonable monthly subscription. The single dashboard can be used to easily manage purchases, shipping, and payments.
Among other advantages, Shopify also provides unlimited hosting for users’ shops, detailed analytical and marketing tools, and an extended 90-day free trial to assist new businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
BigCommerce
Another well-known e-commerce platform you should look at is BigCommerce, especially if flexibility is crucial to your business. This platform is specially designed to scale with your business, providing you with adjustable management solutions, reliable support, access to web design, and advanced marketing tools. Subscriptions start at $29.95 for the standard plan you probably need at the beginning.
BigCommerce is a great alternative for those who are looking for multiple features in their standard plan. With a 3-month free offer on each plan, this platform might be an excellent tool for all small businesses.
WooCommerce
Unlike Shopify and BigCommerce, WooCommerce is not an independent platform in itself, but a flexible, open-source e-commerce plug-in developed for WordPress. Ideal for new businesses and with zero costs attached, WooCommerce can help you develop an online store, design the website of your choice, or simply take your brick and mortar store online. WooCommerce supports other free or paid plug-ins, offering even more flexibility when it comes to creating offers, memberships, or subscription for your customers.
Like WordPress itself, Woocommerce is free and easy to use after investing some time and effort. It may prove to be the best choice for your business, especially if you’re reducing costs or investing in additional online resources, like digital marketing.
Volusion
Volusion is one solution that provides experience when it comes to e-commerce, having been on the U.S. market since 1999. With four monthly plans starting at $29 per month, it provides users important advantages, such as multiple website management tools and resources. Volusion boasts that its platform is first and foremost easy to use while offering assistance whenever needed.
Experience is a key factor to consider when choosing an e-commerce platform, and Volusion takes advantage of it by offering other useful apps from its partners, reliable support, and a centralized database with useful information. It also provides a free 14-day trial for prospective buyers.
Wix
Wix is a platform that allows users to develop and manage their website of choice, while also providing them with the ability to upgrade to a full online store for a plan starting at $20 per month. One of the key features it provides is the availability of hundreds of designer-made templates within the platform. Wix also boasts “the world’s most innovative drag and drop website builder,” making the platform easy to use, and the results beautiful to look at.
Beautiful templates aside, the platform will also allow you to create discounts, special deals and gift cards, attractive product galleries, and tailor-made content. As it combines artificial intelligence with web design, it may be the perfect solution if you really want to take your business to the future.
Conclusion
Choosing the right e-commerce platform for your business is not an easy task, but the good news is that most available platforms allow you to develop and grow your online store for a reasonable monthly fee. You will need to take multiple factors into account before making your choice, but information about different platforms and their characteristics is widely available online. You should know from the very beginning what the true needs of your business are and what you are looking for in an ideal e-commerce platform for your future store. If you take all this into account, you will most likely find a perfect fit among the platforms suggested above.
