An eCommerce platform is usually the first thing you need to choose when setting up an online store. Like any other online service, eCommerce platforms offer different services and capabilities for various prices.
Understanding your business needs before choosing a platform that can sometimes take weeks or months to switch to another one is essential. It’s also important to remember that even if you choose the best eCommerce platform available on the market today, it will not guarantee huge sales. The best platform is the one that has all the features you need and provides excellent quality service to your customers at an affordable price.
Ecommerce platforms can be divided into hosted or self-hosted solutions depending on whether they’re installed on the webserver of the hosting service provider or you have access to an installation file. Popular platforms are Shopify, BigCommerce, Volusion, Magento, and WooCommerce.
Shopify and Woocommerce are usually considered the best options. But you can also find some lesser-used ones with equally good or even better results. For example, Gearbubble claims to have the best sales and conversion rate. You can check this Gearbubble review to get an idea.
Here’s what you need to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform.
Speed and performance:
These are essential for any website, but they become even more noticeable when selling items online. Customers expect pages to load fast and have smooth navigation through the site. It is always a good idea to check how your platform works on mobile devices because that’s where people spend most of their time shopping these days.
Conversion optimization:
Many tools can help you increase sales by making your website more attractive to potential customers. A/B testing allows comparing two versions of the page in real-time and choosing the one with a better conversion rate; Google Analytics provides valuable information about the sources of traffic, their behavior on site, number of visitors, etc.
Security:
If you’re planning to process payments on your website, you will need a secure PCI-compliant platform. All eCommerce platforms offer some level of security, but it’s essential to make sure that the platform you choose has a good reputation and is up to date with the latest security measures.
Customer service:
This is another crucial factor when choosing an eCommerce platform. Good customer service can make all the difference in resolving any issues your customers may have. Most platforms offer some support, but you should always check what kind of support they provide and how quickly they respond to queries.
Vendor expertise:
It’s essential to choose a platform developed and supported by a reputable company. This way, you can ensure that you’re getting quality service and that the platform will be updated with the latest features and technologies.
Easy to scale:
Your business will probably not stay small for very long, so it’s crucial to choose a platform that can grow with your business. Some platforms are better suited for small businesses, while others are more suitable for large enterprises.
SEO-friendliness:
This is becoming increasingly important as more people search for items online. A good eCommerce platform will have built-in features that will help you improve your website’s ranking in search engines.
Price:
Last but not least, it’s essential to choose an affordable platform. Most platforms offer a wide range of pricing plans to suit different budgets.
Mobile-Friendly design:
Google favors websites that support mobile devices, and it’s essential to have a website that can be appropriately displayed on any device. Most of the hosted eCommerce platforms are already mobile-friendly, but if you choose a self-hosted solution, make sure your hosting service has this feature to avoid losing SEO traffic, customers, orders, etc.
Flexibility & Integrations:
If you’re planning to sell to customers in other countries, you will need a platform that supports multiple currencies.
Ensure the platform you choose offers enough flexibility to integrate with the other applications you’re using, such as your accounting software, shipping service, and inventory management system.
In conclusion, there are many factors to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform. The most important ones are speed and performance, conversion optimization, security, customer service, price, and SEO-friendliness. It’s also essential to choose a scalable platform and grow with your business.
Looking for a platform that ticks all these boxes?
Shopify might be the right choice for you. It’s a fast, secure, SEO-friendly platform that offers excellent customer service and a wide range of integrations. It’s also affordable, making it an excellent option for small businesses.
If you’re looking for a more custom solution, Magento might be a better option. It offers more flexibility and scalability than Shopify, making it a good choice for larger businesses. However, it’s not as SEO-friendly or easy to use as Shopify, so you’ll need to be comfortable with coding and web development.
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