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If you’re hoping to launch or level up your small business, the right ecommerce platform can make or break you. Check out this useful roundup of the best ecommerce software to find out which ones are best for you.
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Are you looking for ways to make your small business stand out among a sea of online competitors?
A professional-looking online store can be a game-changer. With the right ecommerce tools for your small business, you can reach more customers and increase sales.
But which platform should you choose for your growing venture? This post covers the most popular and powerful ecommerce platforms designed specifically for small businesses.
Shopify is the best ecommerce platform for small businesses. The comprehensive website builder comes with tools to sell online, in person, on social media, and on marketplaces. With Shopify, you can design your store using more than 100 professionally designed themes—zero coding skills required.
Shop Pay keeps transaction fees affordable, while Shopify POS lets businesses process in-person sales. Shopify merchants also enjoy competitive shipping rates from USPS, UPS, DHL Express, and other carriers.
For web hosting, Shopify’s platform offers unlimited bandwidth and online storage, so hosting prices won’t go up as your small business grows.
Shopify comes with email marketing features, abandoned cart recovery, and search engine optimization tools. You can manage your business from your phone using Shopify’s mobile app, where you can fulfill orders, add products, view real-time sales, and more.
Missing a feature? Browse the library of more than 8,000 third-party apps to extend your website’s capabilities.
See what you can create with Shopify, and find inspiration for your ecommerce store, with these examples from successful small businesses that chose Shopify.
This step-by-step guide walks you through how to set up an ecommerce website and build a profitable online store.
WooCommerce is WordPress’s online selling platform. What launched as a platform for blogging websites has now evolved into a website builder for small businesses, with the option of adding WooCommerce for the ability to make online sales.
WooCommerce is open source, which means it’s highly customizable if you have the technical skills to design and code websites.
Like Shopify, there are third-party integrations to expand the platform’s functionality. The WooCommerce plug-in is a free business platform, but as your small business grows, you may need to pay for these additional integrations.
Monetize your WordPress blog without migrating to a new platform with the Shopify Buy Button. You can embed the button, products, and a checkout on any type of website.
With its simple interface, Squarespace is another option for small businesses. You can set up an online store using Squarespace’s templates, drag-and-drop tools, and reliable functionality.
Squarespace originally launched as a website builder, not necessarily an ecommerce platform, but has since added features to accommodate sellers. Many Squarespace users sell services rather than products, but you can still use it for product-based businesses.
Features include scheduling and calendar integrations, email marketing, social media integrations, and embeddable maps to help people find your physical store. Squarespace also offers recurring billing for subscription-based businesses.
Wix has a small-business website builder with ecommerce-specific features. Paid plans offer ecommerce capabilities, including order tracking, online payments, multichannel selling, and abandoned cart campaigns. You need a paid plan for access to analytics tracking to monitor your ecommerce key performance indicators.
When it comes to designing your storefront, there are more than 500 templates to choose from. The drag-and-drop interface allows you to customize the look and feel of your online store. Wix supports subscription-based billing and dropshipping through third parties.
Weebly is powered and operated by Square, and integrates with other Square-owned tools. These include a secure online shopping cart and inventory management.
Weebly’s ecommerce platform for small businesses has a filterable product search tool, optimized mobile checkout, order management and processing, and flexible shipping options. Weebly has basic features but is simple for businesses to get started.
Square originally launched as a POS device for retailers but has since expanded to include other business management tools. One of those is Square Online, an online storefront with templates tailored for small businesses like retailers and restaurants. Square Online offers built-in payment processing with competitive transaction fees.
BigCommerce is an ecommerce platform that’s aimed at large businesses, corporations, and enterprises. Growing small businesses may also benefit from its international commerce features and tools for multichannel selling on social media and third-party marketplaces.
Budget is a key factor when choosing a small business platform. Consider upfront and ongoing costs, which may include hosting fees, transaction fees, additional services or plug-ins, and the cost of any necessary development work.
Your ecommerce platform should be intuitive and easy to navigate, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. You should be able to add products, create discounts, manage orders and inventory, and perform other key tasks without difficulty.
You want a platform that can grow with your business. Make sure it can handle increased traffic and sales volume as your business expands. Look for platforms that can be extended with additional features as needed.
The best ecommerce platforms for small businesses allow you to create a site that reflects your brand. This includes a custom storefront, bespoke layouts, and the ability to add or remove on-page elements as needed.
Security is critical in ecommerce, as you’ll be handling sensitive customer data like credit card information. Make sure your chosen platform is PCI-DSS compliant and provides SSL certificates.
It’s likely that you’ll want your ecommerce platform to integrate with other software that you use, like email marketing services, accounting software, or a customer relationship management system. Check to see if the platform supports these integrations.
With the growing number of mobile shoppers, your ecommerce platform must provide a seamless experience across all devices. Check whether the platform offers mobile-optimized themes or templates.
Look for platforms that provide reliable, round-the-clock customer service. This is critical when you encounter issues or have questions about using the platform.
Your ecommerce platform should support your marketing efforts. Look for one that offers features like social media integration, email marketing, abandoned cart recovery, and customer reviews.
Depending on the size and complexity of your catalog, you might need a platform with strong inventory management features, including bulk import/export, stock alerts, and support for multiple product variants.
The platform should support a variety of payment options to cater to different customer preferences, such as credit and debit cards, Shop Pay, Apple Pay, and more.
See how Shopify stacks up to other small business tools:
Choosing the best ecommerce platform for your small business depends on your needs and goals. Whether you’re focusing on budget, features, or other priorities, there’s a suitable option out there for you.
It’s important to pick a platform that is easy to use and can grow with your business. Consider testing several options by signing up for free trials before making a final decision.
Shopify is widely recognized as the best ecommerce platform for beginners. It offers an all-in-one package that includes tools for selling online, in-person, and via social media or third-party marketplaces. Additionally, Shopify provides features like unlimited bandwidth, email marketing, abandoned cart recovery, and search engine optimization (SEO). These tools make it easy for new business owners to start and grow their online presence.
Most small businesses commonly use Shopify as their ecommerce platform due to its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and scalability.
When selecting an ecommerce platform for your small business, focus on these features:
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