11 Best ecommerce platforms for small businesses
Are you a small business owner looking for a reliable and affordable ecommerce software platform to take your business online? With so many options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your business needs. In this article, we have reviewed and listed the 11 best ecommerce software platforms for small businesses to help you make an informed decision.
Introduction
Ecommerce has become a necessity for small businesses to survive and thrive in today’s digital world. It allows small businesses to reach a wider audience, increase sales, and reduce costs. However, choosing the right ecommerce software platform can be a challenging task for small businesses, as they need to consider their budget, business requirements, and the features offered by different platforms. In this article, we have compiled a list of the best ecommerce software platforms for small businesses.
What is ecommerce software?
Ecommerce software is a platform that enables businesses to create and manage their online store, including product listing, inventory management, order processing, and payment gateway integration. It provides businesses with tools to sell their products and services online and reach customers across the world. Ecommerce software comes with various features such as shopping cart, payment gateway, shipping integration, and marketing tools.
Why do small businesses need ecommerce software?
Ecommerce software is essential for small businesses for several reasons, including:
- Reach a wider audience: Ecommerce software allows small businesses to reach a global audience and expand their customer base beyond their geographical location.
- Increase sales: By selling products online, small businesses can increase their sales and revenue.
- Cost-effective: Ecommerce software is a cost-effective solution for small businesses as it eliminates the need for physical stores, reducing overhead costs such as rent, utilities, and staffing.
- Improved customer experience: Ecommerce software provides customers with a seamless shopping experience, from browsing products to making a purchase, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Features to look for in ecommerce software
Before choosing an ecommerce software platform, small businesses should consider the following features:
- Ease of use: The software should be easy to use and manage, even for non-technical users.
- Customization: The software should allow businesses to customize their online store to match their brand and business requirements.
- Payment gateway integration: The software should support multiple payment gateways, including credit cards, PayPal, and other payment methods.
- Shipping integration: The software should provide businesses with tools to manage shipping, including shipping rates, tracking, and delivery options.
- Security: The software should provide robust security features, such as SSL certification, to protect customer data and prevent fraudulent activities.
- Marketing tools: The software should offer marketing tools, such as email campaigns, social media integration, and SEO optimization, to help businesses attract and retain customers.
Top 11 ecommerce software platforms for small businesses
After thorough research and analysis, we have listed the top 11 ecommerce software platforms for small businesses.
1. Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce software platforms for small businesses. It offers a wide range of features, including customizable templates, payment gateway integration, shipping management, and marketing tools. It also provides users with a user-friendly interface, making it easy for businesses to set up and manage their online store. Shopify offers various pricing plans, starting from $29 per month, making it an affordable solution for small businesses.
Key Features:
- Beautiful themes
- Secure and Reliable
- Quick and easy to set up
- Mobile ready
- Customizable
- SEO and Marketing tools
Pricing Plans:
2. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a cloud-based ecommerce software platform that provides businesses with features such as customizable templates, payment gateway integration, and shipping management. It also offers built-in SEO optimization tools and social media integration to help businesses attract and retain customers. BigCommerce offers various pricing plans, starting from $29.95 per month, making it an affordable solution for small businesses.
Key Features:
- Page Builder Visual editor
- Theme customisation
- Mobile optimization
- Checkout customization
- Wordpress integration
Pricing Plans
3. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a popular ecommerce plugin for WordPress websites. It provides businesses with features such as customizable templates, payment gateway integration, and shipping management. It also offers various extensions and add-ons to enhance the functionality of the online store. WooCommerce is free to use, but businesses need to pay for hosting and domain name.
Key Features:
- Offer flexible secure payments
- Manage orders on the go
- Affordable
- Scalable
- Support Teams across the world
Pricing Plans:
Woocommerce is a FREE wordpress plugin. You might need Premium Theme and Premium Plugins, which will come at a cost.
4. Squarespace
Squarespace is a website builder that also offers ecommerce functionality. It provides businesses with customizable templates, payment gateway integration, and shipping management. It also offers built-in SEO optimization tools and social media integration to help businesses attract and retain customers. Squarespace offers various pricing plans, starting from $18 per month, making it an affordable solution for small businesses.
Key Features:
- Customizable templates
- Prebuilt layouts
- Universal asset upload
- Design tools
- Custom CSS
- Built-in mobile site
Pricing Plans:
5. Wix
Wix is a website builder that also offers ecommerce functionality. It provides businesses with customizable templates, payment gateway integration, and shipping management. It also offers various marketing tools such as email campaigns and social media integration to help businesses attract and retain customers. Wix offers various pricing plans, starting from $23 per month, making it an affordable solution for small businesses.
Key Features:
- Stunning templates
- Total design freedom
- Advanced SEO tools
- Mobile optimized
- Advanced design features
- Unlimited fonts
Pricing Plans:
6. Magento
Magento is a powerful ecommerce software platform that provides businesses with customizable templates, payment gateway integration, and shipping management. It also offers various extensions and add-ons to enhance the functionality of the online store. Magento is a self-hosted platform, which means businesses need to pay for hosting and domain name.
Key Features:
- Dynamic blocks
- Category permission
- Advanced catalog search
- Content staging
- Customer segments
- Email reminders
Pricing Plans:
7. Volusion
Volusion is a cloud-based ecommerce software platform that provides businesses with customizable templates, payment gateway integration, and shipping management. It also offers built-in SEO optimization tools and social media integration to help businesses attract and retain customers. Volusion offers various pricing plans, starting from $29 per month, making it an affordable solution for small businesses.
Key Features:
- Mobile friendly
- Customizable layouts
- Logo and favicon
- Product display option
- Category pages
- Search functionality
Pricing Plans:
8. 3dcart
3dcart is a cloud-based ecommerce software platform that provides businesses with customizable templates, payment gateway integration, and shipping management. It also offers various marketing tools such as email campaigns and social media integration to help businesses attract and retain customers. 3dcart offers various pricing plans, starting from $19 per month, making it an affordable solution for small businesses.
Key features:
- Customizable
- Ease of use
- Mobile optimized
- 24/7 tech support
- No transaction fees
- Marketing and SEO friendly
Pricing Plans
9. Weebly
Weebly is a website builder that also offers ecommerce functionality. It provides businesses with customizable templates, payment gateway integration, and shipping management. It also offers built-in SEO optimization tools and social media integration to help businesses attract and retain customers. Weebly offers various pricing plans, starting from $12 per month, making it an affordable solution for small businesses.
Key features:
- Drag and drop design
- Fast page loading times
- Ease of use
- Various apps and integrations
- Ecommerce upgrade
- Built-in themes
Pricing Plans:
10. Ecwid
Ecwid is a cloud-based ecommerce software platform that provides businesses with customizable templates, payment gateway integration, and shipping management. It also offers various marketing tools such as email campaigns and social media integration to help businesses attract and retain customers. Ecwid offers various pricing plans, starting from $15 per month, making it an affordable solution for small businesses.
Key features:
- Payment gateways
- Store management app
- Customization
- Buy now button
- Point-of-sale
Pricing Plans:
11. OpenCart
OpenCart is a self-hosted ecommerce software platform that provides businesses with customizable templates, payment gateway integration, and shipping management. It also offers various extensions and add-ons to enhance the functionality of the online store. OpenCart is free to use, but businesses need to pay for hosting and domain name.
Key features:
- Administrator dashboard
- Multi-store
- Mobile and SEO friendly
- Shipping and payment gateways
- Unlimited access
- User management
Pricing Plans:
Conclusion
Choosing the right ecommerce software platform for your small business can be a daunting task, but with the right information, you can make an informed decision. In this article, we have highlighted 11 of the best ecommerce software platforms for small businesses, including Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, Magento, Volusion, 3dcart, Weebly, Ecwid, and OpenCart.
Each platform offers its own unique features and pricing plans, so it’s important to do your research and choose the one that best suits your business needs and budget. By using any of these ecommerce software platforms, you can easily set up and manage your online store and start selling your products or services to customers all around the world.
FAQs
1. What is the best ecommerce software platform for small businesses?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question as the best platform for your business will depend on your specific needs and budget. However, Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce are popular choices among small businesses.
2. Can I use a website builder to create my online store?
Yes, website builders like Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly offer ecommerce functionality, allowing you to create and manage your online store without any technical knowledge.
3. Do I need to pay for hosting and domain name if I choose a self-hosted ecommerce platform?
Yes, if you choose a self-hosted platform like Magento or OpenCart, you will need to pay for hosting and domain name separately.
4. Are there any free ecommerce software platforms for small businesses?
Yes, WooCommerce and OpenCart are free to use, but businesses will still need to pay for hosting and domain name.
5. Can I sell digital products on these ecommerce software platforms?
Yes, all of the platforms mentioned in this article allow businesses to sell digital products in addition to physical products.
6.Can I customize the look and feel of my online store?
Yes, all of the ecommerce software platforms mentioned in this article offer various customization options, including templates, themes, and plugins/add-ons.
7. Can I integrate payment gateways with these ecommerce software platforms?
Yes, most of the ecommerce software platforms mentioned in this article offer integrations with popular payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square.
8. Are these ecommerce software platforms secure?
Yes, all of the platforms mentioned in this article prioritize security and offer various measures to protect both the business and customers, such as SSL certificates and PCI compliance.
9. Can I manage my online store from my mobile device?
Yes, most of the ecommerce software platforms mentioned in this article offer mobile apps or mobile-friendly interfaces, allowing businesses to manage their online store on-the-go.
10. Can I get help and support if I need it?
Yes, all of the ecommerce software platforms mentioned in this article offer various levels of help and support, including documentation, community forums, and customer support teams.
In conclusion, the success of your online business depends largely on the ecommerce software platform you choose. By considering your specific business needs, budget, and goals, and exploring the features and pricing plans of each of these 11 best ecommerce software platforms for small businesses, you can confidently choose the platform that best fits your needs and start selling your products or services online.