Are you really staying ahead of the competition if you own a business but do not have an online store? In today's digital world, having an online store is smart. Whether starting a small business or scaling an existing one, choosing the best ecommerce platform can be your gateway to success. With so many options available, from simple to complex systems, it can be quite overwhelming to figure out the best ecommerce platform that caters to your needs. Wondering why the choice of platform is essential? These platforms basically shape your customer experience, turn interested customers into loyal ones, manage your inventory, and streamline sales. If you are not leveraging the best online store platforms, you are definitely missing out on potential sales and customers. Your platform can be a game-changer for your business, it practically defines your success. So if you are ready to tap into the flourishing world of e-commerce, it's time to explore the top e-commerce platforms that can make it happen.
What is an Ecommerce Platform?
Before hopping on to the tools. Let's first understand what structured data is. It's a standardized format that provides information about the page and its content. It helps search engines understand the content in an accurate way which then further leads to timely indexing of pages and richer search results like featured snippets and improved listings.
An ecommerce platform consists of software that allows businesses to build and manage online stores. From product listings to shopping carts and customer payments to inventory management, these platforms handle everything. They serve as a foundation of your online business, allowing you to run and manage operations reducing the hassle and ensuring a smooth customer experience. These platforms make it possible for you to conduct business online in a better and streamlined manner. Whether you want to sell products, offer services, or manage subscriptions & memberships, the online store platforms are there to meet your business goals. Here are 8 best ecommerce platforms for 2024 to help you make the right choice for your online business.
The 8 Best Ecommerce Platforms
1.) Shopify- Best Website Builder for Online Store
Shopify has been leading the list for a long time. When it comes to the best ecommerce website builder, this platform presents itself as a groundbreaker. Be it a small or a medium-sized business, Shopify is the prime choice. This website builder for online stores offers a wide range of features, from basic online store functions to selling on social media. Its user-friendly interface, 24/7 customer support, and large app marketplace for added functionality make this platform a frontrunner. Although, it has limited customization possibilities for larger stores, making it difficult for larger enterprises. It is best for small businesses and growing entrepreneurs who are looking for a scalable ecommerce platform.2.) Wix- Best Ecommerce Platform for Small Business
Wix offers a drag-and-drop interface, making it easier for beginners or small businesses to build a clean and professional-looking ecommerce website. This platform allows users to customize templates and provides them access to web hosting and domain name registration. While you can build the website for free, accessing more features requires an upgraded paid plan. The easy-to-use drag-and-drop design, extensive range of templates, and flexible pricing plan make Wix an affordable choice for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs.3.) BigCommerce- Best E commerce Website Builder for Growing Businesses
If you are wondering which ecommerce platform to choose for growing or large-scale business, Big Commerce is a strong contender. It provides extensive customization and supports large-scale retail. Moreover, this online store platform also provides advanced SEO capabilities, it integrates with sales channels like Google Shopping, Facebook, Amazon, and Etsy. It does provide excellent scalability but has a more complex interface and higher pricing plans as compared to Shopify and Wix. Besides, according to some users, the design tools available on this platform lack user-friendliness.
5.) WooCommerce - Easiest Ecommerce Website Builder for WordPress Users
WooCommerce doesn't strictly fall into a website builder criteria, it's more of a free plugin that converts a WordPress website into a functional online store. This platform is ideal for those who are already familiar with WordPress or those who need a highly customizable ecommerce site. WooCommerce offers great flexibility, allowing you to use thousands of WordPress themes and plugins to customize. It does not require a transaction fee and integrates seamlessly with WordPress. However, it requires a hosting setup, and for more advanced customizations, the platform may require technical knowledge.
6.) Square Online - Best Ecommerce Website Builder for Small Business
Formerly known as Weebly, it is an easy-to-use website builder for online stores. It doesn't have many features like that of Shopify and BigCommerce but is one of the best ecommerce website builders for small businesses for those on a budget. This platform integrates with Square's payment solutions for their physical store sales and wants to grow online without any fuss and hassle. It offers simple drag-and-drop functionality and mobile-friendly designs. Perfect for new entrepreneurs and small businesses who are looking for an affordable ecommerce platform and do not require many customization options.
7.) Adobe Commerce - Website Builder for Online Store
Formerly known as Magento, this is one of the powerful, non-hosted e-commerce platforms suitable for advanced users or businesses with development teams. This open-source platform is highly customizable, offering extensive flexibility. Although, it does require a skilled in-house developer to maintain the website. It does support third-party integrations but lacks exceptional ecommerce features. If you are wondering which platform is best for creating an ecommerce website that integrates with Amazon sales channel, then Adobe Commerce is your answer.
8.) Volusion - Oldest Website Builder for Online Store
Founded in 1999, Volusion is one of the oldest ecommerce website builder platforms. It integrates over 30 payment gateways and provides product management features. It helps small businesses build homepages and product pages and makes it easier to manage many SKUs. Volusion's easy setup only allows you to set up the selling of physical goods. If you are a business owner who's into digital products like ebooks, then this website builder isn't the right choice. This platform is the best website builder to sell products and manage large inventories.How to Choose the Best Ecommerce Platform?
Choosing an ideal e-commerce platform for your online business is a crucial task. After all, this platform will unlock your path to success. Here are key factors you must consider:
1.) Ease of Use
The best ecommerce website builder is the one that ensures easy navigation, especially for those who lack coding experience.2.) Secure and Reliable Payment Gateways
Be it a small-scale business or a large enterprise, checkout is a vital component of any e-commerce website. An easy, secure, and quick checkout process makes the customer experience delightful.3.) Customization Options
Depending on your business requirement, look for a website builder for an online store that offers the flexibility to customize your website. The more the options, the better you can make your website.4.) Marketing Tools
An ecommerce platform with strong SEO tools helps your site rank better on search engines, while other features like social media integrations and customer review functionality increase the website's credibility.5.) Customer Support
A reliable support team is essential, irrespective of the website functionality and design. If you are running an online store with limited tech experience, then look for online store platforms that provide 24/7 assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.) Which is the best ecommerce platform?
The best ecommerce platform depends on your business needs, technical expertise, and budget. However, Shopify is the popular choice for its user-friendly interface and great support. Each platform offers distinct features, so the best one depends on your priority, from ease of use to scalability.2.) Which ecommerce platform should I use?
You should use the ecommerce platform that fits your business goals, knowledge, expertise, and budget. You can review these 8 best ecommerce platforms and compare their features; opt for the one that aligns with your focus and demand.3.) Which ecommerce platform to choose?
Start by evaluating your business needs. Shopify and BigCommerce are great choices if you are seeking an all-in-one solution. For a highly-customized website, you can go with Adobe Commerce or Squarespace.4.) How to create an ecommerce platform?
Follow these steps to create your ecommerce platform:- Define your business model
- Choose the website builder for your online store
- Select a domain name and hosting
- Design your store
- Setup payment gateways
- Test and launch
- Start marketing your store
5.) What is the most popular ecommerce platform?
As of 2024, Shopify is leading due to its ease of use and versatility. Ranging from small businesses to global brands, Shopify has widely gained trust.
