The best eCommerce platforms, where are they?
eCommerce is the art of selling online. It has now become one of the most popular methods of shopping worldwide.
Retailers are officially making more revenue than ever by going digital, and consumers have developed a preference for online shopping over high street shopping. With that being said, if you’re ready to start selling online, it’s worth looking at which eCommerce platform is best for developing a site that gets your consumers to commit to that buy button.
Think of an eCommerce platform as your toolbox for building not only your brand but your website and all the technicalities behind it.
If you wish to start selling online you’ll need to use an eCommerce platform whether it be integrated into your site as an additional shopping function or works as a singular platform to develop everything from the website itself to the online store.
No one eCommerce platform fits all. There are multiple eCommerce shopping providers out there that can help you build the perfect online store depending on your needs.
Here’s a list of the top 5 providers and some of their note-worthy benefits that help you build a personalised site to sell products online.
Shopify is a great platform that makes eCommerce shopping an easily digestible topic. It’s the ideal platform for beginners, dropshippers, small businesses, and large businesses alike. Depending on your chosen plan, Shopify offers a range of features that allows your business to be solely managed or grow to great heights.
Their greatest benefit is that Shopify encourages users to work with numerous partners and plug-ins to build a well-rounded site that can function in any particular manner. For example, you’ve built your site and now want to integrate sustainable shopping functions.
Simply install the One Tribe integration to protect rainforests, trees, indigenous land and offset carbon emissions with every product purchase.
Shopify prices are highly reasonable with the amount of benefits and support they offer for free.
All users are eligible for a free 14 day trial period which then moves on to your desired subscription plan which starts at $29/month and 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for the Basic Shopify plan.
Wix is the perfect website builder for those that value design as highly as function. It’s known for its amazing themes and website design functions that makes any person feel like they’ve just been awarded a diploma in graphic design.
Looks aside, Wix’s eCommerce features have evolved drastically in a few years making them a well rounded eCommerce platform perfect for solopreneurs and small eCommerce businesses.
Similar to Shopify, Wix is free for 14 days, with plans starting from $28/month for their Basic Plan. Transaction fees depend on your payment gateway with Wix payments charging 2.9% + $0.30.
Woocommerce is the best integration model for those working off a WordPress website and wanting to sell online. Many eCommerce platforms are known to do “all jobs” but, despite what you may think, that’s not always a winning factor. Especially if you have already built your website externally using a site builder like WordPress.
For WordPress users that may have sold via affiliates in the past and are now looking to trade independently, woocommerce is for you.
WooCommerce is free with use of standard features on a self-hosted WordPress site. Prices start from $29 for additional extensions and transaction fees depending on your payment gateway. WooCommerce is also included in the $45/month billed annually eCommerce plan from WordPress.com.
You will often hear Squarespace promoted among the likes of YouTubers and other creative thinkers.
It’s a platform that works best for small businesses, businesses whose primary function is not selling but still offers some form of ecommerce, or independent sellers. Squarespace is most well known for its stunning designs perfect for those creative thinkers that want simple functionality but mind-blowing visual impact.
Squarespace is free for 14 days, offering the cheapest follow up plans starting from $16/month or $12/annually. Their advanced plan is still highly reasonable with middle-man plans also offered.
The key is in the name, Bigcommerce functions best for large businesses selling a large volume of products.
It’s also great for those of you that wish to expand their online operations or take their in-store success online.
BigCommerce subscription fees start from just $29.95/month for their standard subscription capped at $50,000/year in sales.
Their Plus subscription starts from $79.95/month and is capped at $180,000/year. The figures aren’t a necessity but they do act as a good guideline in deciding if BigCommerce is the right fit for you.
There is no best platform when it comes to selling online. The platform that works best is the one that can cater the best to your needs. Here’s a breakdown of our 5 best, recommended eCommerce platforms in their respective places depending on your need.
Shopify Dropshipping Small- medium-sized
businesses, bricks and mortar stores going online.
Wix Small Businesses Independent businesses, bricks
and mortar stores going online.
WooCommerce WordPress users Medium-sized businesses
SEO centric business
Squarespace Independent businesses Start-ups, small businesses,
BigCommerce Large businesses Bricks and mortar stores going
online, SEO centric businesses,
dropshipping businesses
We’ve reviewed and listed the 5 best eCommerce platforms of 2021 based on what services they offer, fairness in pricing and functionality. Many eCommerce platforms function in a similar way and all can help you achieve your goals as a business.
But finding the right eCommerce platform is really dependent on your goals, and can be determined by aligning the eCommerce platforms functions with your primary function as a business.
Keep in mind- eCommerce platforms that also allow external integrations and plug-ins may be best if you’re seeking the most unique and tailored build.
We recommend integrating functions like One Tribe that work with all major eCommerce platforms to help you offset your carbon footprint and start selling sustainably online.
Which eCommerce platform is best?, what is an eCommerce platform, eCommerce platforms, eCommerce products, eCommerce products online, selling online, start selling, SaaS, company growth, customer loyalty, eyes on sustainability, develop your business, business taking positive climate action, sell more sustainably, ROI, so much damage to our environment, sustainable business, communicating sustainability efforts, a commitment to environmental sustainability, a positive approach to environmental sustainability, build your brand sustainability, commitment to sustainability, climate action tools, functional sustainable business, grow your business, help your customers shop more sustainably, world’s first climate action platform, climate action platform, climate action platform dedicated to e-commerce, climate action certified.
One Tribe is a Climate Action Platform enabling businesses and their customers to make a positive environmental impact.