The Best Software eCommerce for Your Business
Are you ready to take your online business to the next level? The right software eCommerce is essential for success. But with so many options available, choosing the perfect platform can feel overwhelming.
This blog post is your guide to finding the ultimate eCommerce solutions by exploring must-have features, pricing, and more.
Discover the best software eCommerce platforms to streamline your online store and make selling a breeze.
Why is your eCommerce software so important? It’s the backbone of your online store. The right choice will help you maximize sales, reach more customers, and create a seamless shopping experience that keeps people coming back.
Let’s get started!
What Is eCommerce Software?
eCommerce software is the backbone of any online store, providing the essential tools and infrastructure to manage and streamline your online sales operations. Here’s what it usually includes:
- Product listings and storefront: The ability to showcase your products attractively, complete with descriptions, pricing, and images.
- Shopping cart and checkout: A secure and seamless process for customers to add items to their cart and finalize their purchases.
- Payment processing: Offers integration with multiple payment gateways to accept various payment methods (credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, etc.).
- Inventory management: Tracks stock levels, sends low-stock alerts, and automates inventory updates to keep your listings accurate.
- Order fulfillment: Helps with tasks like generating shipping labels, coordinating with shipping carriers, and updating order statuses.
- Marketing tools: May include features like email marketing, promotional campaigns, built-in analytics, and SEO optimization.
While the most basic eCommerce platform focuses on listing products and accepting payments, advanced solutions offer a comprehensive toolkit for building your website, integrating with social media, and scaling your entire online business. The best eCommerce platforms deliver a fully-featured ecosystem to support your store’s growth at every stage.
The Best Software eCommerce You Should Know
Shopify
Shopify is a top-rated eCommerce platform known for its ease of use and comprehensive feature set. Businesses of all sizes, whether just starting or looking to scale, find Shopify an excellent solution to manage all aspects of their online and in-person sales. You can refer to our article: Shopify vs Squarespace – Which Platform is Better for eCommerce to learn more about these amazing platforms.
Key Features
- Intuitive Online Store Builder: Create a professional-looking store without coding experience using customizable templates and drag-and-drop tools.
- Integrated Sales Channels: Reach customers through your website, social media (Instagram, Facebook, etc.), and marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart.
- Payment Processing: Securely accept and process payments with Shopify’s built-in solutions or your preferred gateway.
- Shipping and Fulfillment: Simplify order management with integrated shipping options and the option to use Shopify’s fulfillment network.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Build customer relationships with built-in tools for tracking orders, insights, and marketing.
- Shopify App Store: Extend your store’s functionality with thousands of apps for everything from marketing to specialized product features.
- Shopify POS: Sell in person, syncing your inventory and customer data.
Pricing
Shopify offers plans to fit different needs:
- Shopify Starter: $5/month
- Basic: $29/month (most popular choice)
- Shopify: $79/month
- Advanced: $299/month
All plans include a 3-day free trial, followed by a 3-month period for $1/month.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a powerful e-commerce platform designed to cater to the needs of large-scale businesses. It offers a robust suite of features geared towards high-volume online stores with expansive product inventories. While its strengths lie in enterprise-level capabilities, smaller businesses might find it less ideal.
Key Features
- Cross-border selling: Facilitates international sales with ease.
- SEO tools: Helps optimize your store’s visibility on search engines.
- Social media integration: Streamlines selling through social platforms.
- Third-party marketplace support: Connects your store with major online marketplaces.
- Mobile app: Enables store management on the go.
Pricing
BigCommerce offers a tiered pricing structure:
- Standard: $29/month
- Plus: $79/month
- Pro: $299/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for high-volume businesses
All plans include a 15-day free trial. Note that point-of-sale systems usually require third-party integrations.
Wix
Wix is a versatile website builder known for its user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface. It offers built-in eCommerce capabilities, allowing you to transform your website into an online store. While the core website builder is free, you’ll need a paid plan to utilize the eCommerce features and remove Wix ads. You can refer to the article: Wix vs Shopify for eCommerce Business & Online Store:
Key Features
- Seamless Store Creation: Design your online storefront with Wix’s customizable templates and drag-and-drop tools.
- Product Management: Easily add product listings, manage inventory, and organize items into collections.
- Payment Processing: Accept secure online payments through various payment gateways.
- Order Tracking: Conveniently track and manage orders from a centralized dashboard.
- Multichannel Selling (Higher Tiers): Expand your reach by selling on marketplaces like Amazon and social media platforms.
- Mobile App: Manage your store, process orders, and track sales while on the go.
Pricing
Wix offers several paid eCommerce plans with varying features and price points. The cost ranges from around $17 to $59 (or higher) per month. They do not offer a free trial for their eCommerce plans.
Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento)
Adobe Commerce, the platform formerly known as Magento, is a robust eCommerce solution designed for larger, established companies. It’s known for its flexibility and customizable nature.
Key Features
- Open-source foundation: Allows for a high degree of customization but comes with technical complexity.
- Well-suited for experienced teams: Ideal for businesses with in-house development resources or the ability to hire external support.
- Third-party hosting: You’ll need to find and manage your web hosting solution.
- Focus on single-store setups: While possible, multi-channel selling and international payments can be more complex to implement compared to other platforms.
- Extensive customization potential: Tailor your store heavily to meet precise needs.
- Scalable: Can handle high-traffic volumes and large product catalogs.
- B2B functionality: Includes features designed for business-to-business transactions.
- Large extension marketplace: Access a wide range of third-party add-ons to expand features.
Pricing
- Custom pricing model: Pricing varies based on business size and specific requirements; contact Adobe Commerce directly for a quote.
- No free trial: Can make initial evaluation challenging.
PrestaShop
PrestaShop is a versatile open-source eCommerce platform that empowers businesses to create and manage their online stores effectively. It’s a particularly compelling choice for newer businesses seeking a customizable and budget-friendly solution.
Key Features
- Customization: Extensive flexibility to tailor your online store’s look and functionality to match your brand and specific requirements.
- Scalability: Designed to grow alongside your business, from a small operation to a larger enterprise.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Built-in tools to help your products rank higher in search results.
- International Selling: Supports multiple languages and currencies for global reach.
- Community Support: Access to a large community of users and developers for assistance.
Pricing
PrestaShop offers a flexible pricing structure to accommodate different business needs:
- Free (Self-Hosted): Download the core software for free. You’ll be responsible for finding your own web hosting and handling setup.
- Paid (Cloud-Hosted): Plans start from around $24 per month, which includes hosting, installation, and developer support.
- Third-Party Costs: Factor in potential costs for themes, modules (add-ons), and payment processing fees.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is essentially a free plugin that seamlessly transforms your WordPress website into a fully functional online store. You gain complete control over your store’s design, product listings, and the entire checkout process. You can refer to the article: Magento vs WooCommerce: Which eCommerce Platform is Right for You?
Key Features
- Customizable Design: Tailor your store’s appearance to reflect your unique brand.
- Product Management: Effortlessly add, categorize, and manage your product offerings.
- Secure Payments: Integrate with various payment gateways for secure transactions.
- Inventory Tracking: Stay on top of your stock levels in real time.
- Flexible Shipping Options: Set up diverse shipping methods and rates.
- Scalability: WooCommerce grows with your business thanks to its extensive library of plugins and extensions.
Pricing
The core WooCommerce plugin is free. However, to unlock its full potential, you may need to invest in premium extensions for advanced features. Additionally, consider costs associated with:
- Domain Name: Your store’s unique web address.
- Web Hosting: Where your store’s files and data reside.
Squarespace
Squarespace is a popular website builder that also offers e-commerce capabilities. It’s known for its beautiful eCommerce website templates and straightforward drag-and-drop interface. While it might not be as specialized as dedicated e-commerce platforms, it still provides essential tools to help businesses build and manage online stores.
Key Features
- Ease of use: Squarespace’s intuitive approach makes building a professional-looking online store a breeze.
- Attractive Templates: Choose from a wide range of visually appealing templates designed to showcase your products effectively.
- Inventory Management: Track your stock levels with ease and receive notifications when products are low.
- Subscription Selling: Offer subscriptions to generate recurring revenue from your products or services.
- Integrated Sales Channels: Connect your store to platforms like Instagram and Facebook to broaden your reach.
Pricing
Squarespace offers two eCommerce-specific plans:
- Basic Commerce: $27/month (billed annually)
- Advanced Commerce: $49/month (billed annually)
The higher-tier plan offers additional features like abandoned cart recovery and advanced discounts.
How to Choose the Best Software eCommerce for Your Business
Selecting the right eCommerce software is crucial for the success of your online business. Here are the key factors to consider:
- Pricing: Budget carefully, considering both initial outlays and future growth costs. Factor in the potential return on your investment.
- Scalability and Usability: Choose software that aligns with your technical skills and can grow alongside your business. Ensure user-friendliness and look for features that integrate with inventory management or accounting systems.
- Streamlined Checkout: Prioritize a frictionless, secure checkout process with multiple payment options to increase conversions.
- Customizability: Look for options to personalize your store’s appearance and functionality through themes, templates, and deeper code customization.
- Integration with Other Tools: Seek a platform with a robust app store or integration capabilities to connect with essential third-party tools for marketplaces, marketing, and customer service.
- Search Engine Optimization Features: Choose software with built-in SEO tools to optimize your content and boost visibility on search engines.
- Web Hosting: Consider whether you prefer a platform with built-in hosting or want to source a separate hosting solution.
- Multichannel Selling: Select software enabling you to sell across diverse channels like websites, social media, marketplaces, and physical stores.
- Customer Support: Prioritize platforms with reliable support channels and helpful online resources to assist you on your eCommerce journey.
Why eCommerce Software is Essential for Your Online Store
eCommerce software provides the foundation for successful online selling. Here’s why it’s important:
- Simplified Store Creation: User-friendly interfaces and drag-and-drop tools eliminate the need for coding, making online store setup easy and quick.
- Secure Payment Processing: eCommerce software integrates secure, optimized payment systems. This streamlines checkout increases conversions, offers a variety of payment methods, and protects customer data to boost trust.
- Efficient Order Management: Track orders from placement to delivery, ensuring customer satisfaction. This also aids in inventory management and return processing.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Professional template options and seamless functionality create a positive user experience across desktop and mobile devices, contributing to your brand’s image.
- Data-Driven Insights: Built-in analytics tools illuminate customer behavior, sales patterns, and more, enabling you to make informed decisions for your business.
- Security and Compliance Assurance: eCommerce software helps you adhere to essential security standards, protecting customer data and preserving your store’s reputation.
- Global Reach: Features like multi-language support and international shipping options help you expand your customer base and sell worldwide.
Read More: How To Create A Shopify Partner Account?
