Ecommerce platforms are widely considered to be almost essential for online sellers. Today, there are 24 million online stores worldwide, and almost five million of these use Shopify to power their growth. Similarly, a roughly equal number instead use either WooCommerce or Amazon Marketplace in order to stand out from the crowd.
It’s easy to see why platforms like Shopify, Wix or WooCommerce have become essential tools for businesses. After all, these solutions can help you sell your products, manage your inventory and connect with customers across multiple channels.
Plus, the very best solutions will not only facilitate sales, but will also allow for AI integration, comprehensive payment methods, customisability and access to SEO tools that will help you drive traffic to your business.
But, although there are so many positives to using an ecommerce platform, there’s no doubt that they can be expensive and they all seem a little bit different. So, how do you work out which is best for you? Well, here are the key considerations to keep in mind.
Cost
Pricing varies both between platforms and within platforms. For example, Shopify alone has four different tiers of pricing, while Wix has three for those looking to sell online.
Generally speaking, it’s good to choose a platform like Shopify that has various pricing tiers, because this means you can scale your plan as your business grows.
Most providers offer free or inexpensive plans that you can use for your first few months. However, you should note that many initial plans might not include essential features like themes, hosting and integrations.
Security
Security is a major consideration when you’re deciding on an ecommerce platform. After all, keeping your customers’ information safe is crucial.
So, before you make your decision, ensure you can get the relevant security certification, known as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), from your hosting provider or a third party.
Ease of use
The platform you choose must be easy for both you and your customers to use. If you don’t have tons of technical expertise or experience with coding, it’s also best to choose a platform with simple set up options.
Platforms with an intuitive interface are always great because they allow you to complete the set up process quickly and start selling almost immediately.
Customisation
Want to stand out from the crowd? You’ll need the ability to customise your website. So, look out for a platform that has plenty of themes and templates that you can embellish with your branding and design.
Want to go the extra mile and create something bespoke? Shopify is particularly great for this. If budget allows, you should engage a Shopify agency in London who can help you design and build something truly special.
Payment options and processing
The key to growth is making the buying process as frictionless as possible. So, choose a platform that allows your customers to use their preferred payment method.
Popular ecommerce platforms like Wix, WooCommerce and Shopify allow for multiple payment processing options, including credit cards, PayPal, Stripe, and other popular payment gateways.
Shipping options
If you ship internationally (or plan to in the future), you’ll know just how complicated the process for shipping orders can be. So, look for an ecommerce platform that offers multiple shipping options and third-party integrations. This will simplify the shipping process and ensure your customers receive their items quickly.
SEO features
Competition for eyeballs is high. One way that you can increase the visibility of your website is via search engine optimisation (SEO). This is the process of optimising your website so that it ranks higher on Google and other search engines.
Many platforms, including the likes of Shopify and BigCommerce, provide SEO features and integrate with third-party tools, so the process of optimising your website is simple.
Customer support
Selling online can be challenging and frustrating. If you don’t want to face the challenges alone, select an ecommerce platform with good customer support systems, including an extensive knowledge base, live chat support, a community forum and phone support.
Shopify has all of these features, but BigCommerce and Zendesk also have highly-rated customer support features if you’re looking for an alternative.
Final thoughts
Finding the right ecommerce platform may seem like a daunting task. However, if you consider all of the above points, you’ll find it simple to find a solution that works for your business and its budget.
The reality is that all of the major players in the space: Shopify, WooCommerce, BicCommerce, Wix and Adobe Commerce are all great options and will provide you with all of the support that you need (and more) for a reasonable pric, particularly when you get started.
Of course, the price for these services does rise over time, but these solutions can scale with you and power your growth for years to come.
