Whether launching an online startup or breathing new life into your existing eCommerce business, choosing the right CMS (content management system) is easily one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.
With so many options on the market, finding the right one may feel like an uphill battle. Thankfully, this simple guide will help you discover the best solutions for the rest of 2024 and beyond.
Why the CMS selection matters
A CMS is a type of software used from the backend of your company website to create and modify content. While it is commonly used to manage blogs, eCommerce businesses rely on CMSs for a host of additional tasks, such as;
- Managing product listings and details,
- Tacking inventory,
- Providing smooth payment processing,
- Order fulfilment,
- Managing customer support queries.
The best CMSs for eCommerce offer scalability, customisation, and easy integration with third-party tools like payment gateways. While experts at a London e-commerce agency can complete the installation and help you choose the right solution, business owners should familiarise themselves with the most popular options. Aside from finding the perfect fit, it should enable you to get more out of the chosen CMS over the years to come.
Five of the best CMSs for eCommerce in 2024 and beyond
1. WordPress WooCommerce
WordPress was first launched over 20 years ago and is used by almost 2 billion websites, including millions of eCommerce web stores. Traditionally, WordPress was for bloggers, but the WooCommerce plugin has also helped to facilitate product sales and more.
Consumers are familiar with WordPress website layouts, promoting a smoother experience that can lead to more conversions. Crucially, the user-friendly interfaces are supported by backend eCommerce tools like cart abandonment, promo codes, and newsletter functions.
Combining this with the opportunities to personalise the design of a site without coding experience appeals to many eCommerce site owners, too.
2. Shopify
As the name suggests, Shopify is a SaaS CMS platform dedicated to eCommerce. Over 4.5 million online stores power their ventures with this particular CMS, so you can certainly rely on it.
It has gained a reputation as one of the best options for startups and small businesses, not least because a multi-tier system allows businesses to start small before moving to larger packages as their companies (and requirements) grow.
A dedicated POS system makes it easy to manage payments and orders while storefronts can be customised to reflect the brand.
3. Squarespace
Squarespace is a website builder that you may have used before launching an eCommerce site. However, its integrated eCommerce facilities are up there with the very best, especially if you want to host an online store and content in one place.
The popular website builder and CMS allows users to upload unlimited products. Moreover, inventory management and secure checkout capabilities put business owners in full control of the commercial aspects.
When combined with the plethora of design features and templates, creating a successful eCommerce platform becomes very accessible to owners of varying technical abilities.
4. OpenCart
In addition to being a free and open-source CMS software package, OpenCart is very user-friendly for users with web development experience or an agency behind them. The PHP-based CMS has existed for over 14 years and can deliver fantastic outcomes.
The impressive array of plugins and themes allow you to turn your vision into a reality. Moreover, its intuitive interface allows you to streamline the process of launching an eCommerce store while ongoing management is equally simple.
OpenCart does offer paid packages that include hosting and payment processing. Or you can opt for a free package and integrate it into existing features.
5. Adobe Commerce
Formerly known as Magento, Adobe Commerce is used by over 200,000 business owners. Thanks to a range of services available, it can be tailored to suit companies of all sizes, ranging from microbusinesses to global organisations.
Given that it’s from Adobe, it should not be a surprise to learn it supports versatile designs with a user-friendly interface, which is underpinned by ‘drag and drop’ solutions. Security, load times, uptimes, and language capabilities are all positive too.
A host of additional integrations, such as CRM (customer relationship management) and chatbot features, allow businesses to satisfy the demands of modern clients.
The final word
Selecting the right CMS will provide a solid platform for building a better eCommerce site, especially when supported by the right hosting package. All of the above options are built with both business owners and end consumers in mind. A quick look at some of the stores created on those individual CMSs should highlight the possibilities and help you pick the perfect solution.
