Starting an ecommerce business is an exciting venture, but choosing the right ecommerce software is a crucial step in ensuring its success. The ecommerce software you choose will determine the features available to your online store, impact your ability to maximize conversions at the checkout, provide multiple sales channels, and make it easier for you to grow your business. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which ecommerce software is best for your needs.
To help you navigate the world of ecommerce software, this article will cover what to look for in ecommerce software and highlight some of the best ecommerce solutions to try in 2024. Each ecommerce platform offers unique features and benefits, so it’s essential to consider your business goals and requirements before making a decision.
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Shopify: Shopify is a popular ecommerce software that offers an intuitive online store builder, hosting services, payment processing, shipping and fulfillment, customer relationship management, and more. With Shopify, you can manage your business through a single platform, whether you’re selling through a website, social media, marketplaces, or in person. Shopify also provides a suite of tools and products to help you grow your business, such as Shopify Magic, Shop Pay, Shopify POS, and Shopify Fulfillment. Pricing starts at $5 per month.
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Wix: Wix is a website builder with drag-and-drop functionality that offers ecommerce features to sell products online. While the Wix website builder is free, you will need a paid subscription to access advanced ecommerce tools. Wix is suitable for basic ecommerce tasks but may lack more detailed features compared to Shopify. Pricing ranges from free to $159 per month.
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BigCommerce: BigCommerce is an enterprise-level ecommerce software designed for large companies with high turnover and large inventories. It supports a wide range of ecommerce features, including cross-border sales, SEO, social selling, and third-party marketplaces. However, it may be overkill for smaller stores and is more rigid in terms of customization. Pricing starts at $29 per month.
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Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento): Adobe Commerce is a bespoke software solution for large businesses that require a third-party hosting provider and a basic level of technical expertise. It may not be the best platform for selling across multiple channels and integrating international payments. Pricing is custom only.
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WooCommerce: WooCommerce is a free WordPress plug-in that turns WordPress blogs into ecommerce stores with their own branding, products, and checkout. While WooCommerce offers flexibility and additional add-ons for more complex features, it may require separate payments for domain name registration and hosting. Pricing is free for the basic plug-in.
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PrestaShop: PrestaShop is a platform for newer online businesses that offers basic but flexible ecommerce software. The free version of PrestaShop includes simple ecommerce features like a shopping cart and checkout, but you’ll need to find a hosting provider. Pricing is free.
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Squarespace: Squarespace is a website creation platform with ecommerce features that grew from its original web-builder features. While Squarespace lacks some tools compared to dedicated ecommerce software, it offers inventory-tracking features and the ability to sell subscription products. Pricing ranges from $28 to $52 per month.
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GoDaddy: GoDaddy is a domain seller that also offers an ecommerce website builder with artificial design intelligence for quick site design. While GoDaddy can get you up and running fast, it may have limits on the number of products you can sell and scalability. Pricing ranges from $11.99 to $20.99 per month.
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Volusion: Volusion is an ecommerce software that started as a basic website builder and has expanded to accommodate online selling. While you need to register and pay for a domain name through a third party, Volusion includes web hosting in its plans. Pricing ranges from $29 to $299 per month.
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Amazon: Amazon allows sellers to create branded Amazon storefronts in addition to selling on the third-party marketplace. While creating an Amazon store can reach a global audience, it comes with fees and restrictions. Pricing is $39.99 per month plus additional referral fees.
- Shift4Shop: Shift4Shop offers free shopping cart software for businesses processing a minimum of $500 per month through Shift4Shop’s checkout tool. Merchants who make less or prefer PayPal payment processing pay $29 per month. Shift4Shop offers quick online shopping setup with numerous website templates.
When choosing ecommerce software, there are several key features to consider:
- Pricing: Consider the monthly fees, payment gateway fees, and scalability of the software as your business grows.
- Scalability and usability: Ensure the software aligns with your technical skills and integrates well with other tools.
- Streamlined checkout: Look for features that provide a friction-free checkout experience for customers.
- Customizability: Choose software that offers customization options for a unique look and feel.
- Integration with other tools: Ensure the software can easily connect with third-party apps and services.
- Search engine optimization features: Look for software with SEO tools to drive organic traffic to your website.
- Web hosting: Consider whether the software includes web hosting or requires an external solution.
- Multichannel selling: Choose software that enables selling across multiple channels for broader reach.
- Customer support: Look for providers with strong customer support via multiple channels.
- Analytics and reporting: Consider software with built-in analytics and reporting tools for insights into customer behavior.
In conclusion, ecommerce software is essential for any online store to manage products, accept payments, track orders, and provide a seamless shopping experience for customers. By choosing the right ecommerce software that aligns with your business goals and requirements, you can set your online store up for success and growth in 2024 and beyond.
