The Top 12 Ecommerce Platforms and Software for Your Online Store

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Are you searching for the best ecommerce platforms? In addition to having a physical store, taking your business online opens up a world of opportunities. An ecommerce platform is like a special kind of computer program that helps businesses sell things and offer services on the internet. It also makes it easier to manage your website, marketing, sales, and other important things for your business.

The first really great thing about having an online store is that you can reach more customers and sell to people who live far away from you. It’s like spreading your wings and discovering new markets, all without having to open extra stores or hire lots of new employees. Plus, you can save money on costs!

Hear me out! Having an online store is like having a secret weapon. It helps your customers find what they need faster than a speeding bullet. It lets you show off your products and beat the competition with killer prices and unique selling points. Your brand will shine brightly, and everyone will know who you are. You can even hook your customers up with sweet deals like coupons and bargains. Plus, you’ll have more chances to connect with them through your website and social media. And the best part? You can make sales nonstop, 24/7!

If you want to make your mark online, you’ll need to pick an eCommerce platform. Basically, eCommerce platforms are like website builders that help you create your very own online store. They handle all the complicated stuff and take care of both the front and back end of your site’s operations. These platforms are perfect for all kinds of online businesses, whether you’re selling products to other businesses (B2B), selling directly to customers (B2C), doing web marketing, or creating a unique site that combines it all.

The Best 12 eCommerce Software Options for Small Businesses

When you’re choosing eCommerce software for your online store, you’ll be looking for lots of great features. You might want a platform that lets you drag and drop elements, or one that includes a payment gateway for accepting credit card payments.

If you’re looking for the right eCommerce platform for your new online store, it’s important to find one that offers a free trial. This way, you can try it out and see if it’s the right fit for you. Lucky for you, there are plenty of great eCommerce options out there to choose from!

1. Shopify

When it comes to creating your own online store, Shopify is definitely one of the best eCommerce platforms available. It makes setting up your store a breeze with its drag and drop interface. Plus, it offers a wide range of themes that you can customize to match your unique style.

One of the things I love about Shopify is how user-friendly it is. You don’t need to know how to code or design to create your store on this platform. They provide both HTML and CSS access, so you can easily create your content. And the best part? Shopify has its own servers, so you don’t have to worry about buying web hosting or installing any software.

When it comes to adding a product, Shopify makes it super simple. Their onboarding wizard guides you through the whole process of adding your products, customizing the look of your store, connecting your own domain, and setting up your payment options. Whether you’re selling online, on social media, or in-store, you can start selling with Shopify’s $29 monthly subscription. And the best part? You can try it out for free with a 14-day trial, and you don’t even need a credit card.

Shopify is an eCommerce platform that takes care of everything for your store – marketing, payments, secure checkout, and shipping. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily set up and manage multiple sales channels. You can also take advantage of email marketing, whether through their built-in tools or third-party apps. Plus, Shopify offers seamless integration with popular platforms like Facebook, Amazon, and Instagram.

2. Wix

So, let me tell you about Wix. It’s a super popular tool that helps you build and manage your online store easily. And guess what? You don’t even need to be a tech pro!

What’s really cool about Wix is that it has this drag-and-drop feature. You can basically add or remove stuff on your website however you want. It’s like playing with building blocks!

Oh, and did I mention that Wix has tons of templates? They’ve got both free and paid ones. These templates are not only stylish and customizable, but they also work perfectly on mobile devices. So no matter where your customers are, they’ll have a great shopping experience on your site.

Wix even gives you some nifty free business tools. They have this logo maker thingy that you can use to create your own logo. And if you’re having trouble coming up with a name for your business, they’ve got a business name generator to help you out.

When you sign up on Wix, they’ll walk you through a little questionnaire. This helps them understand your needs and preferences better. And guess what again? Based on your answers, Wix can take care of the setup process for you. They have this thing called Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) that can build your site for you! It’s like having a personal assistant.

When it comes to building and growing your online store, Wix has got you covered. They provide all the necessary tools and features to help you succeed. And the best part? You can manage everything right from one place!

With the Wix owner app, you can stay connected to your business even when you’re on the go. It allows you to keep track of your sales, inventory, and more. Plus, you’ll receive real-time push notifications, so you never miss a beat.

What sets Wix apart are its incredible features. They offer abandoned cart recovery, which helps you win back potential customers. You can also integrate your store with multiple channels, making it easier to reach a wider audience. And with the ‘buy now’ and ‘add to cart’ buttons, your customers can quickly make purchases.

Shipping is made simple with Wix. You can easily print shipping labels and save your customers’ card details for future orders. For those who are into dropshipping, Wix integrates smoothly with ShipStation.

But that’s not all. Wix understands the importance of SEO. You can tag your pages to improve your search engine rankings and get more visibility. And if you use Google calendar, Wix allows you to sync it with your website. This means you can send confirmation emails and reminders for bookings, helping you stay organized.

Did you know that you can start using Wix for just $17 a month? It’s a great deal because with Wix, you get a bunch of awesome features. First off, you can make secure online payments, which is super important when running an online store. And guess what? You even get a free domain name! How cool is that? Plus, Wix gives you customer accounts, a custom domain, and a free domain for a whole year. Not to mention, you’ll have a whopping 20GB of storage for all your stuff. Oh, and did I mention that you can upload videos of up to five hours? It’s pretty amazing. Trust me, Wix has got you covered.

3. Shift4Shop

If you’re looking to build your own online store and grow your business, Shift4Shop has got you covered. Their eCommerce software is super easy to use and it makes building your store’s website a breeze. The best part is that they offer a bunch of professionally designed templates that are specific to your industry. Not only are these templates mobile-friendly, but they’re also optimized for SEO. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even customize your site by editing the HTML and CSS directly. How cool is that? Oh, and let’s not forget about all the awesome features you’ll have access to, like product and order management, SEO tools, email and social media marketing, and more. Shift4Shop has everything you need to succeed.

Let me tell you about this awesome eCommerce solution I found. It has a fantastic free plan that gives you access to all the features, and there are no limits on the number of products you can have, the storage space you can use, or the bandwidth you can consume. The best part? You just have to agree to use Shift4Shop’s in-house payment processing option.

This solution provides you with a complete suite of tools to help you with marketing, inventory management, SEO, and customer support. And guess what? They even have an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered fraud protection feature, so you can rest easy knowing your business is safe. However, I should mention that they charge a small transaction fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents for each transaction if you’re using the free plan. But don’t worry, it’s nothing too crazy.

If you’re looking for even more features and flexibility, they also offer paid plans that start at just $29 a month. And the best part is, these paid plans are compatible with popular payment services like Square, PayPal, Klarna, Stripe, and even digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Oh, and did I mention that they also integrate with MailChimp, AWeber, Google, Facebook, and Houzz? So you have plenty of options to choose from to enhance your online business.

4. WooCommerce

Let me tell you about WooCommerce, an awesome tool for creating online stores. It’s like a magic plugin that works with WordPress, giving you tons of ways to customize and personalize your online shop.

With WooCommerce, you can make your store look just the way you want it. You can customize every little detail, from the colors and fonts to the layout and design. It’s like having your own creative playground!

But it’s not just about looks. WooCommerce also helps you make the shopping experience perfect for your customers. You can tweak things like the checkout process, so it’s smooth and easy. And you can even set up secure payments and choose how you want to ship your products.

And guess what? WooCommerce is totally free. Yep, you heard that right. You can add the WooCommerce plugin to your WordPress site without spending a single penny. It’s like getting a fancy online store for free!

But wait, there’s more. WooCommerce also has this cool plugin that helps you set up all the important details of your store. You can add your contact information, write captivating descriptions for your products, set up payment methods, and even choose how you want to handle taxes. It’s like having a helpful assistant by your side!

And if you want to take your online business to the next level, WooCommerce has got you covered. They have a whole marketplace filled with tons of free and paid extensions. These extensions add extra features and functionality to your online store, helping you connect with customers and boost your sales.

So, if you’re ready to start selling online, WooCommerce is the way to go. It’s easy to use, customizable, and best of all, free! With WooCommerce and WordPress, you’ve got everything you need to build a successful online business. Happy selling!

When it comes to online selling, there are many important factors that come into play. These factors include promotions, coupon codes, inventory management, buyer reviews, and product variety. Luckily, there is a platform called WooCommerce that is designed to handle all of these needs.

WooCommerce is not only easy to use, but it is also incredibly flexible. It can work with practically any service or tool, allowing you to start selling for free and expand as your business grows. This makes it one of the best eCommerce platforms out there.

With WooCommerce, you don’t just get a basic online store. You also get a powerful content management system that lets you control and customize every aspect of your website. It offers a wide range of extensions and WordPress plugins that enhance your store’s functionality and appearance. You have the freedom to choose from a variety of products and checkout pages that suit your business needs.

One standout feature of WooCommerce is the ability to include product ratings and reviews on your website. Not only does this help boost your store’s search engine optimization (SEO), but it also builds trust with potential customers. People are more likely to purchase from a store that has positive feedback from previous buyers.

In addition, WooCommerce offers advanced product sorting and filtering options. This means that your customers can easily find the products they are looking for, making their shopping experience convenient and enjoyable.

Overall, WooCommerce is the perfect solution for anyone looking to start and grow their online store. It provides everything you need to manage your inventory, attract customers, and boost sales. Give it a try and see how it can benefit your business!

5. BigCommerce: Enhance Your Online Shopping Experience

When it comes to creating your own online store, BigCommerce offers a range of exciting features to make the process seamless and efficient. With its customizable checkout areas, you have the freedom to design a checkout experience that suits your unique needs. Plus, you can enable guest checkout, so customers can easily make a purchase without having to create an account. Talk about convenience!

But that’s not all. BigCommerce understands the importance of automated communication, which is why it includes automated emails to keep your customers in the loop. And when it comes to taxes and shipping, this platform has got you covered. You can set up different tax options and even offer free shipping to attract more shoppers.

Now, let’s talk about payments. BigCommerce provides various payment options to cater to different customers. It comes bundled with PayPal, allowing you to accept payments securely. You can also accept major credit cards, making it easier for your customers to complete their purchases. What’s more, this platform seamlessly integrates with popular services like Facebook, Sage, Zapier, MailChimp, ShipStation, Square, Stripe, and even Fulfillment by Amazon.

So, whether you’re a small business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, BigCommerce is the ideal choice for building and growing your online store. It offers all the tools you need to provide a smooth and enjoyable shopping experience for your valued customers.

I’m here to tell you all about BigCommerce and how it can supercharge your online store. With BigCommerce, you can easily make changes to your website without any fancy coding skills. It’s like having a magic wand to customize your store!

Not only that, but you also have access to a bunch of cool themes that you can personalize with HTML, CSS, and Javascript. You can make your store look exactly how you want it to, and add awesome features like coupons, discounts, and digital wallets. Plus, you’ll get SEO-friendly URLs to boost your store’s visibility.

And that’s not all! BigCommerce has your back when it comes to email marketing and customer service. Let’s say a customer fills up their shopping cart but leaves without making a purchase. BigCommerce can send them an automated email to remind them about their goodies and entice them to come back and buy.

Did you know that you can make even more connections with your customers by teaming up with other online marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, and Google Shopping? Pretty cool, right? And the best part is, you can do it all right from the BigCommerce control panel. I mean, you can manage your whole product catalog there! Plus, if you’ve got another system you’re working with, you can totally push your stuff through BigCommerce using their Catalog Application Programming Interface (API). Technology, am I right?

Now, let’s talk about what it’ll cost ya. With BigCommerce’s paid plans, you gotta dish out $29.95 each month for a subscription, but they do offer a free trial too. Gotta love free stuff! But wait, there’s more. Their dashboard is like a virtual command center for your store. It’s got all these nifty tools to help you plan your inventory and manage it like a pro. And hey, you can even create customized shopping experiences with specific customer groups. Talk about making things personal!

And the fun doesn’t stop there. BigCommerce hooks you up with all the big players in shipping and payment providers. I’m talking PayPal, Stripe, Square, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, and Adyen. You’ve got options, my friend!

6. Magento

If you’re looking to create an online store, let me tell you about the amazing Magento eCommerce platform. It’s packed with awesome features right out of the box, giving you everything you need to customize your site and make it your own. Plus, it seamlessly integrates with other third-party services, making your life even easier.

One of the things I love about Magento is its easy drag and drop page builder. It’s a super handy tool that lets you create personalized content and add cool things like product recommendations, customer segmentation, and personalization. You can even preview your changes before they go live! Oh, and did I mention there’s an instant purchase option? It’s a game-changer.

Now, here’s the best part: Magento is totally free to download! Yup, you heard it right. It’s open-source, which means you can use it without spending a dime. And if your business starts growing and you have multiple stores, no worries! Magento is designed to scale, making it perfect for companies like yours.

However, I gotta be honest. If you want to unlock some of the more advanced eCommerce features, a little bit of developer experience might come in handy. But don’t worry, Magento comes with a wide selection of themes and templates to choose from, so you can still create a beautiful and professional-looking website without breaking a sweat.

When it comes to selling, Magento gives you the flexibility to buy online or pick up your items in-store. It helps the stores send inventory to the right place at the right time and gives you the options you want as a buyer. You can place orders through a computer, a cash register, or a tablet.

With Magento Commerce, you can take advantage of their cloud-based services and get instant access to updates and improvements. They provide all the tools you need, integration environments, and high performance for both the front and back ends of your store. This ensures that your store is always running smoothly. For enterprise users, there is a paid option available where the price is based on the total sales and the average amount spent per order.

7. Zoho Commerce

Zoho Commerce is like having your very own online store builder. With Zoho Commerce, you can create your own online store in no time. Just choose a template, use drag and drop layouts, and buy your own domain. It’s that simple!

But Zoho Commerce doesn’t stop there. It also comes with all the tools you need to run a successful online business. You’ll have customer relationship management (CRM), email marketing, marketplace integration, mobile commerce, and even a product configurator. It’s like having a whole team working for you!

And that’s not all! Zoho Commerce offers a wide range of capabilities to help you sell your products. You can easily search for products, create basic coupons, integrate shipping options, offer cash on delivery, and have customers subscribe to your newsletter. Plus, you’ll get an SSL certificate to keep your customers’ information safe, automatically publish social media posts, and access detailed reports on your customers and sales. It’s everything you need in one place!

With the Zoho Commerce multi-purpose dashboard, you can do so much to connect with your customers, turn website visitors into buyers, boost repeat sales, and even win back those who got away. It’s like having a superpowerful control center for your online business!

One of the coolest things about this dashboard is that it gives you real-time insights and data. That means you can see what’s working and what’s not, and have all the info you need to make smart decisions and make your business even better. Plus, it’s got all the regular tools you need to run a super successful online store, like taking orders, keeping track of your inventory, processing payments, shipping stuff out, promoting your brand, and crunching all those numbers.

But that’s not all! Zoho Commerce also gives you fancy reports and analytics that break everything down in detail, so you can see exactly how your online store is doing. It’s like having your very own business coach, right at your fingertips. And guess what? The starter plan is just $25 a month! That’s a pretty sweet deal.

I’ve got some exciting news for you about Zoho Commerce. It’s a fantastic platform that can seamlessly connect with all the important apps for sales, marketing, and finance within the Zoho suite. Yep, that means you can integrate it with eZoho Inventory, Zoho SalesIQ, MailChimp, Avalara, Zoho CRM, PayPal, Razorpay, Stripe, Authorize.Net, and more. How awesome is that?

8. Big Cartel

Now let’s talk about Big Cartel. It’s an eCommerce website builder specially tailored for small businesses like yours. Whether you’re selling t-shirts, art, clothing, merchandise, prints, jewelry, or any other products, Big Cartel is the perfect fit for you.

I’m here to tell you about this awesome platform called Big Cartel. It’s a really cool tool that lets you create your very own online store. And the best part? It’s super easy to get started!

When you sign up for Big Cartel, they have a really helpful onboarding process. They give you little hints and reminders to guide you through setting up your store’s online presence. They make it really simple and straightforward.

Big Cartel gives you a bunch of pre-made themes to choose from, so you can find the perfect look for your store. But if you’re feeling adventurous, they also let you do your own coding. You can customize your store by tinkering with the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. So you can really make it your own, if you’re into that kind of thing.

With Big Cartel, managing your store is a breeze. You can do it from anywhere, on any device. So whether you’re at home or on the go, you’re always in control. You can easily update your products, keep track of your orders, and even run promotions to help boost your sales. It’s like having your own little store right in your pocket!

Now, here’s something really cool. Big Cartel actually has a free version! Yep, you heard that right. It won’t cost you a thing, and you don’t even need to enter any credit card info. With the free plan, you can have up to five products on your store. And you still get a bunch of awesome features!

For each product, you can showcase one image to really show it off. And remember those themes I mentioned earlier? You can actually customize them, even with the free plan. So your store can still have its own unique style.

Big Cartel also lets you sell your products both online and in person. So whether you want to reach customers all around the world or sell at local events, they’ve got you covered.

They give you real-time stats, so you can see how your store is doing at a glance. And they even help you out with shipping! You can track your shipments and make sure everything gets delivered on time.

Oh, and did I mention they have a sales tax autopilot? You don’t have to worry about calculating sales tax for every order. Big Cartel takes care of it for you. How great is that?

So, if you’re looking to start your own online store, I highly recommend giving Big Cartel a try. It’s easy to use, has tons of great features, and even has a free option. What more could you ask for?

When you’re ready to take your online store to the next level, you might consider the robust paid version. With a monthly subscription of just $9.99, you can unlock a whole range of exciting features. This paid plan not only allows you to manage up to 50 products, but it also gives you the power to customize your store’s theme code. With the ability to edit your code, you can make your store truly unique and tailored to your brand. Plus, with Google analytics integration, you’ll have valuable insights into your website’s traffic and performance.

But that’s not all! The paid version also offers inventory tracking, so you can keep tabs on your stock levels and avoid any potential shortages. And if you want to attract more customers, you can leverage the power of discounts and promotions. With the ability to offer discounts and run promos, you can entice shoppers and boost your sales. And to top it off, the bulk editing feature makes it easy to make changes to multiple products at once, saving you time and effort. This paid version truly gives you everything you need to succeed in the world of eCommerce.

9. OpenCart: A Powerful eCommerce Solution

If you’re looking for a free and flexible eCommerce solution, look no further than OpenCart. This open-source platform can be downloaded and used without any monthly fees. With OpenCart, you have full ownership and control of your online store, allowing you to customize it to your heart’s content. However, keep in mind that OpenCart is based on the programming language PHP, so some coding knowledge is required to make the most of its features.

One of the great things about OpenCart is the strong support system it offers. Whether you prefer to rely on the free community or invest in dedicated commercial support, help is always available. This ensures that you have the guidance and assistance you need to navigate the world of eCommerce successfully.

OpenCart provides a user-friendly dashboard that presents all the important information in one place. From here, you can easily manage the design and functionality of your web store. This makes it easy to stay on top of your store’s performance and make any necessary adjustments. With OpenCart, you have a powerful tool at your disposal to create a professional and attractive online store.

On this platform, you have everything you need to keep track of your orders, sales, customers, and more. You can even analyze your sales data to see how your business is doing. Plus, there are other helpful widgets available too.

With OpenCart, you can easily manage multiple stores from one admin interface. This means you can list your products, customize the look of each store, and adjust settings specific to each store. You can even set different prices for your products in each store.

When it comes to adding additional features to your products, like size and color options, OpenCart has got you covered. You can easily add these extra product variables to give your customers more choices.

The best part is, OpenCart offers all of this for free! You’ll have access to over 13,000 modules and themes to enhance your online store. These tools include everything you need for payment processing, shipping, social media, marketing, and more. You can even customize your store in different languages to cater to international customers.

When it comes to creating online stores, OpenCart has got you covered. It offers a variety of great features that can help boost your business. With OpenCart, you can easily manage your products, customers, orders, and even taxes. It even comes with built-in SEO, so you can make sure your store gets noticed by search engines. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with popular payment gateways like PayPal, Amazon Payments, and eBay, making it easy for you to accept payments from your customers.

But that’s not all – OpenCart also allows you to offer discounts, coupons, and specials to entice customers and increase conversions. So you can give your bottom line a boost and encourage more sales. With OpenCart, running an online store has never been easier.

10. WordPress

If you’re looking for an eCommerce platform that offers plenty of options, WordPress is the way to go. With WordPress, you have full control over your online store. You can build your landing pages, create a customized payment system, and even handle subscriptions. And with useful plug-ins, you can make your store truly unique.

The best part is, WordPress comes with an easy-to-use site builder. This means you don’t need any coding skills to create an amazing online store. Just drag and drop elements to build your site exactly the way you want it. With WordPress, the possibilities are endless.

In my opinion, WordPress is hands down the best eCommerce platform out there. It’s super popular and has a ton of great features that can help you create your own website. Plus, they have a wide array of extensions, themes, and plugins that you can choose from, both free and paid, to match your unique needs.

What really sets WordPress apart is its user-friendly interface. It’s so easy to navigate and understand, even if you’re not a coding expert. And not only is it easy to use, but it also looks really sleek and minimalistic. It’s definitely got that modern vibe going for it.

One of the things I love about WordPress is that it’s designed with publishers in mind. So if you’re someone who wants to regularly post content on your website, this platform makes it a breeze. Plus, it’s mobile responsive, which means your site will look great on any device.

And when it comes to tracking your site’s performance, WordPress has got you covered. You can easily integrate popular tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel to keep an eye on your visitors and see how they’re interacting with your site. It’s super handy for making data-driven decisions and improving your website.

Let me tell you about the WordPress small business package. It’s a great deal starting at only $25 per month, billed annually. It includes everything you need to run your business online.

First off, you get hosting, which means your website will be up and running smoothly. Plus, you’ll have all the tools you need to collect payments from your customers. It’s super convenient!

But that’s not all – you also get unlimited email support. This means that whenever you have a question or need help, you can reach out to their support team. They’re always there to assist you!

And if you prefer to chat online, they’ve got you covered with live chat support. You can communicate directly with a support agent to get quick answers to your questions. It’s like having your own personal assistant!

Now let’s talk about themes. With the WordPress small business package, you have access to premium themes. These are professionally designed templates that will make your website look stylish and professional.

Are you into videos? Well, you’re in luck! You can upload videos to your website with ease. Share your content in a more engaging way and keep your visitors coming back for more.

But that’s not all – the package also includes Google analytics integration. This means you’ll have access to powerful tools that analyze your website’s performance. You can track your visitors, see where they’re coming from, and understand what they’re interested in. It’s like having your own marketing team!

And speaking of marketing, the WordPress small business package also includes advanced SEO tools. These tools help optimize your website so that it ranks higher on search engine results. This means more visibility and more traffic to your site. It’s a game-changer!

Now, let’s talk about plugins. You’ll have the ability to install plugins and extend the functionality of your site. And guess what? There are over 50,000 WordPress plugins to choose from. So whether you need to add a contact form, a social media feed, or anything else you can imagine, there’s a plugin for that!

So there you have it – the WordPress small business package. It’s the perfect solution for anyone looking to start and grow their online business. With all these incredible features, you’ll have everything you need to succeed. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!

11. Ecwid

If you want to start selling online but have no coding knowledge, Ecwid eCommerce software is here to help you out. It’s super easy to use, and you can create your own website, add cool images, and even integrate it with your social media pages. How awesome is that?

And the best part? You can control everything from one handy dashboard. No more jumping around different platforms – with Ecwid, you’ve got centralized inventory, order management, and pricing all in one place. Talk about convenience!

Oh, and did I mention that Ecwid has a forever free plan? Yep, you heard that right. You can start selling up to 10 physical products every month without spending a single penny. Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me.

But wait, there’s more! Ecwid offers more than 70 design themes for you to choose from. So, you can make your online store look just the way you want it. Plus, Ecwid lets you advertise on popular platforms like Facebook, Google, Pinterest, and Snapchat. It’s like having your own personal marketing team.

And don’t worry about mobile users – Ecwid has got you covered. Your store’s shopping cart will always look great and work seamlessly, no matter what device your customers are using.

Ready to get started? Signing up with Ecwid is a breeze, and the best part is, it integrates with most popular website builders. So, whether you’re using WordPress, Wix, Weebly, Squarespace, Joomla, Blogger, Tumblr, or any other platform, Ecwid has your back.

So, what are you waiting for? Launch your online store today with Ecwid – the easy way to get your products out there and start making sales!

If you’re interested, you have the option to upgrade to a more affordable plan for just $15 per month. This plan comes with extra features that can enhance your experience. The best part is, there are no sneaky additional fees on top of what your payment gateway charges. So, you can rest assured knowing that you won’t lose any profit to hidden charges.

When it comes to accepting payments, you have a lot of flexibility. You can easily connect a Point of Sale system to your Ecwid store, allowing you to accept payments from anywhere. And that’s not all! You can also sell your products on various other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google, WordPress eCommerce, ShopApp, Amazon, and more.

12. Volusion

I’m here to tell you about Volusion’s amazing eCommerce platform. It’s a website builder that makes it super easy for you to create your very own online store – and the best part is, you don’t need to know any coding!

With Volusion, you have the power to customize your store’s layout using a simple drag and drop feature. You can add all sorts of cool stuff like social media links, image galleries, videos, and even customer testimonials. Making changes to your page is a breeze thanks to the user-friendly content editor. Plus, you can make it even easier for customers to find what they’re looking for with the built-in search function.

But that’s not all! Volusion also provides you with a whole bunch of awesome eCommerce features. It has everything you need to manage your inventory, collect payments, and sell as many different products as you want.

Get ready to take your business to the next level with Volusion’s web app. It’s got all the solutions you need to showcase and sell your products online.

With Volusion, you can run your online store right from your phone using their mobile app. You can easily check your inventory, update prices, and even take product photos on your phone. It’s a convenient way to reach more customers and boost your sales. Plus, Volusion has great features like built-in SEO management, newsletters, and a CRM system. You can also handle your social media accounts and sell products across the web, all from one easy-to-use Volusion dashboard.

If you’re interested, Volusion offers different paid plans starting at just $29 per month. But don’t worry, you can try it out first with a 14-day trial. During the trial, you can test out different themes for your website, customize them to fit your style, and watch your online store come to life. Volusion works with many popular payment gateways, including PayPal and Stripe. They even offer digital wallet options through Amazon and Apple Pay.

The Best E-commerce Platforms and Software

Why Does Your Business Need an E-commerce Store?

Did you know that having an online store is super cool? It means you can run your business from your computer or phone, and it’s so convenient! The best part is, you can sell your products to people all over the place, no matter where your store is located.

• Connect and Sell to Your Customers in a Personalized Way: When you have your very own online store, you have the power to connect directly with the people who visit your website and buy your products. This means you don’t have to worry about competing with others and can focus on customizing your offerings to suit your customers’ needs. You can sell your products without any middlemen and gain valuable insights into how your customers make their purchasing decisions. Plus, you can communicate with them directly by sending marketing promotions, announcing new items, and offering special deals, wish lists, and loyalty programs. By having an eCommerce store, you can also increase the number of people who actually buy from you. If customers and potential buyers trust your products and services, they can easily make purchases from your online store instead of going to your physical shop.
• Supercharge your Brand: When it comes to your online store, you have the power to take your brand to new heights and connect with your visitors and customers in exciting ways. You are in complete control of how you express your brand, how often you do it, how it looks, and all the other important aspects that help you build brand awareness and loyalty. When combined with your social media efforts and other promotional activities, this will make your brand stand out from the competition. Not only will people become more familiar with your company and what you offer, but they may also be enticed to make a purchase. By ramping up your digital marketing efforts, you can improve your brand’s visibility and ranking on search engines, making it easier for your target audience to find you online.
• Convenience at Your Fingertips: One big reason you might want to have an online store is because it makes shopping super easy for your customers. Nowadays, people like to look up stuff online before they buy it. With an online store, customers can find all the important info they need, like prices, store hours, product features, availability, and other useful details. By giving them the option to buy online, you’re saving them time and effort. They can do all their research and make a purchase, all in one place.
• Boost Your Profits: Did you know that more and more people are shopping online these days? It’s a growing trend, and most people are using their phones to do it. So, it’s a smart move for businesses to get in on the action. Increasing your revenue should always be a top priority. It not only helps your bottom line, but also gives you more chances to make sales. With an online store, you can be open for business 24/7, no matter the day or the weather. Your website can even do things automatically. Having an online store means you can reach millions of potential customers worldwide. It’s like opening a whole new way to make money.
• Alternative business approach: When it comes to eCommerce, you have the opportunity to explore unique business ideas like dropshipping. This particular model works in a way that allows you, as a retailer, to avoid storing goods. Instead, you pass along the customer’s orders and shipping details to either the manufacturer or a third party who takes care of the shipping process. This means you don’t have to worry about stocking items, dealing with the packing and sending.

Which options do I have for eCommerce platforms?

When you have an online business, you need support from ecommerce platforms that provide everything you need. They take care of hosting, your custom domain, tools, and customer support. With these platforms, you have access to tools that help you manage and monitor your sales and marketing.

Additionally, these platforms assist with shipping, inventory management, customer service, analytics, and more. The trick is to find the right ecommerce platform that fits your business’s specific needs.

• Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS platforms are great for smaller businesses. They offer pre-built solutions that handle the basics of a web store, such as hosting, secure payment gateways, catalog management, content creation, and management. The best part is, you don’t need a tech team or coding knowledge to use them. They are designed to be easily adopted, and you can set up your store in no time. The only downside is that customization options may be limited. While you can tweak the user interface and integrate unique features, there are boundaries set by the SaaS platform. With SaaS, you don’t have to worry about installing software on your computer; everything is available online when you log in to your account. SaaS ecommerce platforms work on a subscription model, with monthly or annual fees. Examples include Shopify and BigCommerce.
• Open Source: When it comes to open source eCommerce platforms, they are often separate from the web hosting service. This means that you have complete control over the platform, but there is something you need to consider. You will be responsible for managing your site from development to design, monitoring the server, and handling the day-to-day operations. Unless you have an IT team or coding knowledge, this can be quite challenging. Open source platforms are typically used by larger companies who have the resources to handle them properly. Examples of open source platforms include OpenCart and WordPress.
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS eCommerce platforms combine the best features of both SaaS and open source platforms. They give you full control over your website without worrying about hosting or infrastructure. These platforms are delivered through the web, allowing developers to focus on building the website without dealing with operating systems, software updates, storage, or infrastructure. This provides flexibility when making changes to your store’s website, ensuring no downtime. The hosting service provider takes care of any issues related to downtime, security vulnerabilities, or slow loading times. Updates or security patches released by the platform won’t negatively impact your site because of the seamless integration. Additionally, these platforms reduce the amount of coding required, offer scalability, and are not limited by platform restrictions. An example of a PaaS platform is Magento.

What should I consider when choosing an eCommerce platform?

Before I start my online business checklist, I need to make sure that the eCommerce platform will work for my specific business model. One big mistake that many eCommerce businesses make is choosing the wrong platform that doesn’t align with their needs. That’s why understanding why eCommerce businesses fail is crucial. Here are some important features to consider when looking for eCommerce platforms:

A Payment Gateway for All Your Needs: My main goal for your store is to help you make more money. That’s why it’s important to find an eCommerce platform that gives your customers lots of ways to pay. They should be able to use credit or debit cards, make bank transfers, use e-wallets, pay with cash, make mobile payments, and even use popular services like PayPal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. The more options you give your customers, the more likely they are to make a purchase!

Keeping Your Business and Customers Safe: Another important thing to consider is security. As a business owner, you have a duty to protect your customers from scams and fraud. That’s why it’s crucial to choose an eCommerce platform that not only offers tools to fight against fraud but also keeps your business safe from security breaches, lost inventory, and chargebacks. Look for a platform that supports HTPPS/SSL, which ensures a safe and secure checkout process for both you and your customers.

Good Prices: Just like with any business tool, you need to know how much you’ll be paying and what you’ll get in return. Most platforms charge a monthly fee, a flat rate, or fees for each transaction. Sometimes, you might have to pay extra for hosting, updates, or unexpected costs. It’s crucial that you do your research and carefully consider the pros and cons of different eCommerce platforms. Make sure they meet your needs and fit your budget.

Getting Started Made Simple: The perfect eCommerce platform should be a breeze to design, set up, and adjust, even if you’re not a tech expert. You can have your online store up and running in just a few hours after signing up. It should be user-friendly and let you choose from different templates that you can personalize. Plus, it should allow you the freedom to align your brand and business model, resulting in a polished and professional store website.

Seamless Connections: As a business owner, it’s important to offer your customers various options. Look for a platform that effortlessly integrates with popular marketing channels like Facebook and Instagram. It should also work seamlessly with your CRM system and support the most popular eCommerce plugins and extensions. Having these integrations in place will make your life easier and your business more efficient.

SEO-friendliness: Your eCommerce site needs to be easily found and used by people. The best eCommerce platform should help your online store rank high in search results and be SEO-friendly, so customers can find you easily and buy your products. This means making sure your product information is easy to access, your store has a memorable domain name, and you include product reviews and other relevant details about your online business.

Effective analytics. Your eCommerce site should give you valuable insights into how visitors and customers behave, so you can make changes to increase sales. Look for platforms that collect email addresses and other contact information, and provide data on sales, payments, order amounts, abandoned carts, and more.