The Best eCommerce Platforms for Small Business: The Must-have Features

Price/Budget

Although an eCommerce solution offers much more than just its price, as a small business owner, you’ll be hesitant to go for any big investments. Most small business owners favor eCommerce systems that are both inexpensive and full of useful features. The good news is that most open-source platforms and hosted systems are already accessible with free trials, allowing you to try them out before committing.

Backend tools

What kind of assistance do you require to manage your online store? The top eCommerce platforms for small businesses might offer mobile app management systems, support for CSS and SKUs, or even access to WordPress plugins. Make sure you can access everything in your backend, including inventory management systems.

Scalability

You should not assume that your business will always be small just because it is now. You might seek support as your business expands with support for too many products, new payment methods, and even selling digital goods. Make sure your platform can scale easily and has a low learning curve.

Speed and performance

If a company’s web pages take too long to load, no one will be persuaded to buy its items. No matter how many products you host on your website or how many plugins, add-ons, or other features you use, make sure that you can maintain the performance of your site with reliable hosting.

Ease of use

The best eCommerce websites for small businesses should offer better ease of use can be encouraged by a drag-and-drop editor for editing your eCommerce system and a wealth of back-end documentation. It’s important to remember that open-source eCommerce platforms are frequently more challenging to use than their hosted versions.

User experience

An eCommerce platform for small businesses needs to have a good experience in building the storefront. However, you also need to consider the experience your clients will have. Can you, for example, offer several payment gateways? How easy is it to use your shopping cart? How convenient is it to navigate your online store?

Marketing tools

Can your eCommerce platform assist you to bring in new clients and retain old ones? Small business eCommerce platforms will provide you access to things like SEO tools, cart recovery, and email marketing platforms. Your bottom line can be improved by using everything from content management to marketing solutions.

Customization

Compared to their hosted competitors, open-source platforms are more flexible. However, by employing real-time editors and themes, you can usually still modify the appearance of your online store. Check out the customization possibilities.

Best eCommerce platform for small business

Now that you are aware of some of the features you should be searching for in the tools you use to create your eCommerce website, it is time to start analyzing some of the leading competitors.

Shopify

The Shopify website offers some of the best sales features available, with a variety of effective tools that are leading the industry and a sizable app market that is loaded with plugins.

Shopify’s dedicated eCommerce platform is undoubtedly one of the best choices if you’re serious about selling online and the best eCommerce solution for small businesses. Shopify is a piece of software that you purchase via the SaaS model and is made especially for those looking to create the best possible online business.

Pros:

User friendlyA free trial version is availableA wide selection of themes is availableNumerous plugin options Unlimited items across all plansOptions for integrated paymentsWonderful for any type of company plan

Cons:

On Shopify, several features like abandoned cart recovery that are accessible for free on other eCommerce platforms are only available for a fee. When you have to pay for so many third-party apps, your monthly membership expenses soon add up.The blogging platform is rather constrained.

Wix eCommerce

Wix is one of the top solutions for eCommerce sites in terms of performance and cost-effectiveness. Wix allows you complete creative control over your website and is built to provide outstanding performance, even if you’re new to creating your own online store. Hundreds of designs, a drag-and-drop store builder, and performance that is mobile-optimized are just a few of the features that come with Wix’s eCommerce subscriptions.

Pros:

Simple to useExcellent selection of premium themes for your website customization Multiple secure payment methods for your customersA wide variety of plugins and programsPlenty of coupons and discount alternatives

Cons:

Since it is not open source, adding new features seems challengingIt is difficult to export your site if you later wish to switch to another platform. It needs to be rebuilt to work with the new platform.It is comparable to what is offered by Shopify but lacks many of the SEO tools seen in rival packages.

Squarespace

For businesses that require a great deal of creative freedom, Squarespace makes a great eCommerce platform. This cloud-hosted website builder has a similar aesthetic to Wix, but it has some more sophisticated capabilities, like good social network channel integration.

Squarespace is a wonderful option if you’re looking for a means to create a striking online business or portfolio. There are several thoughtfully designed layouts available, and you can change your design whenever you want.

Pros:

Excellent use of social mediaThere are many wonderful templates available.The plans are affordableRound-the-clock customer supportComes with annual plans, a free domain

Cons:

Just three payment gateways are provided (Stripe, Square, and PayPal)Slow to load compared to other eCommerce platforms

Square Online

Are you trying to find an eCommerce platform that will let you merge your offline sales with your online selling strategy? If so, Square Online, the website-building platform offered by Square, is definitely worth checking out. If you already own a Square Point of Sale System, Square will let you create a website without charging you anything. 

However, as Weebly powers the shop builder, you’ll have access to the same customization restrictions that applied to your Weebly store. On the plus side, the Square Online system offers all the usability a newbie wanting to create their shop online might hope for, just like Weebly’s store construction solution does.

Pros:

Excellent if you already utilize features of the Square ecosystemSimple for newbies to useIntegrates offline and online salesExcellent inventory management toolsExcellent for AI design

Cons:

Options for personalization are not many, especially during checkoutOptions for processing payments are restricted

BigCommerce

BigCommerce can be the best eCommerce platform for small businesses that intend to create an online store for scaling and selling across a variety of platforms and channels. BigCommerce is a scalable online sales solution that is ideal for small businesses that are expanding. 

But because of its sophisticated features and usefulness, this application might be challenging to use. There are a ton of features in BigCommerce to explore. This suggests that the majority of the functionality you need will already be available in this best small business eCommerce software. Take some time to get used to this eCommerce platform and you’ll see why we recommend it. 

Pros:

Built-in tool for visual merchandisingWith no transaction costsProducts, storage, and bandwidth are all limitlessReview and rating options for productsA large number of available free programsExtremely effective for cross-channel sales

Cons:

It can be challenging to comprehend pricingNot as simple to set up as some toolsSeveral free themes are available, but not many

Selz

Selz is one of the least expensive eCommerce platforms that are nevertheless capable of producing significant results. Standard and Pro options are available with this website builder. The regular plan will provide you with all you need if you are a small business.

When creating your website, you can choose from a wide variety of themes. You can arrange meetings with the customer service team whenever you need them to assist you in setting up your website. Selz makes it simple for you to select and incorporate the theme that is ideal for your company’s website.

Selz Pros:

Ways to configure and manage all of your items in one locationYou can sell an infinite number of products24/7 Live chat assistanceEnables you to sell on social media and embed your store.Connects directly to Google Smart Shopping and the Facebook store

Selz Cons:

Upsell and Cross-sell options are available, but you must purchase a more expensive packageDoes not allow for full customizationDoesn’t offer advanced features such as a built-in email platform or the chance to make upsells or affiliate program

Big Cartel

Big Cartel is frequently cited as one of the best resources for larger businesses trying to establish a successful internet presence. That’s because if you want to make the most of the service, you’ll need to have a lot of coding skills. 

The design possibilities and pre-built themes are sadly lacking on their own. That does not preclude you from looking at this option for your small business, though.

Big Cartel is a great option if you’re an artist or run a creative business, especially if you have a lot of coding knowledge or know someone who does. Even a free plan is available so you may start selling right away.

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