What is an ecommerce platform?

An ecommerce platform is a software application that helps businesses to sell goods and services online. The platform can handle web hosting, payment processing, order fulfillment, and a variety of other tasks related to online sales. It makes it easier for businesses to manage their online presence and helps to make the buying process easier for consumers.

Your ecommerce platform should be a central hub for your business where you can manage inventory, marketing and other operations.

It should allow you to accept credit card payments, but it should also provide a seamless experience for you to sell your products, whether that’s through your own website, social media, or online marketplaces.

What types of ecommerce platforms are there?

All websites need a hosting solution in order to be accessible to the public. Hosting stores website information on a server, which lets internet users visit the site and view its content. Some ecommerce platforms have hosting built in, while others require self-hosting or open-source hosting.

1. Building on a Hosted Ecommerce Platform

Shopify stores, for example, include website hosting in every plan. Some website builders make things easier by offering a hosted platform. This means you don’t have to worry about the mess of self-hosting or paying extra fees for third-party hosting. 

Shopify’s automatic updates and hosting mean that you can focus on running your business, rather than being bogged down by technical issues.

2. Ecommerce Platforms – Why Self-Hosted Platforms Aren’t Enough

This requires a lot of internal resources that you could otherwise allocate elsewhere. Self-hosted ecommerce platforms can be more complex to manage, as you are responsible for updates, maintenance and bug fixes. This can require a lot of internal resources that could be allocated elsewhere. Paying to rent space from a hosting provider may be necessary with self-hosted platforms.

Self-hosted platforms are usually open source, which means you have to use a third party to host your website data. These hosting plans typically charge fees, and these costs can add up quickly.

Key features of an eCommerce platfor

Despite the variety of features offered by different platforms, the number of platforms with endless features and functions can be overwhelming.

An eCommerce platform should provide you with the unification of core business processes to achieve complete visibility across your company. This will allow you to satisfy even the most discerning customers. With so many choices available, it is important to remember that an average eCommerce platform can provide you with what you need.

To choose a winning eCommerce platform, you can rely on the following features:

A good eCommerce platform should offer a complete view of the customer, including all interactions and transactions across all touchpoints and channels. This allows for consistent experiences, targeted marketing, and excellent customer service.

An intelligent order management system creates convenience for customers while also maximizing profitability. By centralizing the order management process, businesses can keep a closer eye on their inventory and ensure that they are making the most of their sales.

An eCommerce platform should offer a centralized view of inventory across all channels and units in the company’s supply chain. This would allow for more efficient order management and could potentially lead to increased profits.

An eCommerce platform should have intelligent order management in place to make it easy and convenient for customers to purchase, fulfill and return products. By centralizing the order management process, businesses can maximize their profitability.

It’s important to have a clear and concise view of inventory levels at all times. This allows you to better manage your company’s supply chain and optimize profits.

Offer fast and easy checkouts: customers should be able to find what they are looking for and buy it quickly and easily, without any hassle. 

If you want to make your store stand out and live up to customers’ expectations, choose a platform that creates responsive, friendly, personalized and rewarding mobile, web, and in-store experiences for customers.

Ensure security and compliance: make sure that the platform meets all industry-specific compliance requirements, such as PCI DSS for retail businesses.

Choose a scalable solution: be able to handle large transaction volumes and customer data without compromising performance or stability.

Get up and running quickly: get your store up and running quickly with a platform that is easy to set up, use, and maintain.

When you’re looking for an eCommerce platform, it’s important to choose one that offers an SSL certificate and PCI compliance. This will help to ensure the security of your store and customer data.There are a variety of security packs available from different platforms that you can choose from depending on your needs, future plans, and budget.

A platform with a reliable content management system (CMS) is one you can depend on to keep your content updated and accurate.

Frequent updates: a good platform provider will keep their software up to date with the latest trends and technologies. Scalability: as your business grows, you’ll need a platform that can scale with you.

Important Ecommerce Platform Features

No two online storefronts are alike, so it’s important to choose an ecommerce platform that can address the specific challenges your business faces. The right platform will make it easier to run your store on a day-to-day basis, helping you overcome any obstacles that stand in your way.

Of course, there are some basic things you want to know about a prospective provider.

Hosting environment.

Your hosting environment is the web hosting platform that serves your ecommerce website. It includes features such as payment processing services, security initiatives, SSL, shopping cart software and more.

Depending on the traffic your site gets, its size, your budget, and your experience with web development, you’ll need to find a host that can accommodate all of your needs. This is especially important if you’re relying on your online store to generate income.

BigCommerce is a reliable and secure ecommerce platform that offers fast, unlimited bandwidth on the Google Cloud Platform. As a leading global hosting provider, BigCommerce provides merchants with the tools they need to succeed online.

On top of these features, your online store will have access to:

BigCommerce merchants have access to unlimited bandwidth, a fast content delivery network, the ability to buy new domain names, the ability to use an existing domain name, a shared SSL certificate included, and the ability to buy or transfer dedicated SSL certificates.

Unlimited API call volumes.

When using a SaaS platform, it is crucial to have access to a high number of API calls in order to ensure the platform runs smoothly. The efficiency of the APIs is also important in order to maintain data orchestration.

Businesses need high or unlimited API call volumes to stay competitive.

The way each SaaS platform manages this can vary, as well as the API call volumes they offer.

While some SaaS platforms have rigid API call limits per second, BigCommerce offers industry-leading API calls per second with no cap on the number of API calls for Enterprise merchants. This allows businesses to make the most out of our platform without having to worry about being charged based on their usage.

Plus, you can make as many API calls as you need- we don’t charge extra for that.

User-friendly website builder.

As a business owner, it’s important to choose a platform with a user-friendly ecommerce website builder. This will save you time and money in the long run.

For business owners with little to no experience in web design and development, choosing a platform with a user-friendly ecommerce website builder is critical. A wide range of free ecommerce themes in non-proprietary languages makes the process much easier and less time consuming.

The BigCommerce Page Builder is the perfect tool for web design beginners. Its drag-and-drop functionality makes it quick and easy to make changes to your site. You’ll have full control over your brand, and you can get your site up and running faster.

Security.

As an online store owner, you are responsible for handling sensitive customer data, such as addresses, credit card numbers and other payment information, with care.

If you want to accept payments online, you need to make sure you’re PCI compliant. Otherwise, you could face fines, the loss of your ability to take payments, and a hit to customer confidence. Plus, there are other financial consequences that come with fraud.

Many platforms only provide the bare minimum when it comes to security, which may not be enough. An SSL certificate may come with the platform, but proper protection could mean investing in third-party software or additional infrastructure for your business.

BigCommerce stores come with Level 1 PCI compliance to make your site safe and secure. This way, you can spend your time building your business, rather than worrying about security.

The Top 6 Best Ecommerce Platforms

If you have a large inventory that needs to be updated frequently, BigCommerce is the best ecommerce platform for you. Zyro is the best choice if you’re looking for an all-inclusive online store solution at a great price. Shopify is the best option if you’re just starting out and want to reach your first million in revenue quickly. If you’re looking to corner a niche market, Squarespace is your best bet. Wix is ideal for stores with fewer than 100 products. And if you’re a WordPress user who wants to sell online, Bluehost is the way to go.

To sell products and services online, there are a few different ways to go about it. Two of my favorites are the BigCommerce and Shopify platforms. These platforms have been designed specifically for creating an online store, and they both offer a wide variety of features and tools to help you get started.

If you’re looking for an easy way to create an online store, Zyro, Squarespace, and Wix are great website builders to use. Even if you don’t have any development experience, you’ll be able to create a more unique website with these platforms than with ecommerce-only platforms.

If you’re looking for a web hosting service that will enable you to easily set up an online store, Bluehost is a great option. It’s perfect for people who want to use WordPress and WooCommerce to create their store.

Read on for detailed reviews of the top 10 platforms, followed by our buyer’s guide for choosing the right one for your business.

Other Ecommerce Website Builders to Consider

If you’re not convinced that any of the top ecommerce website builders will work for your business, there are plenty of other options to consider. We’ve included them below for additional research and support.

Weebly

using Shopify and Active Campaign ($29 + $17). But if you plan to do any type of marketing, you’ll quickly outgrow Weebly. If you’re looking for a simple store with marketing automation built in, Weebly is a great option. You can get started for just $38 per month. However, if you plan to do any type of marketing, you’ll likely outgrow Weebly quickly.

If you’re planning on doing any type of marketing for your business, Shopify is a great platform to use. Active Campaign is also a great tool to use for your email marketing needs.

Weebly is not a good website builder if you are looking for good search engine optimization options.

Although ecommerce wasn’t Weebly’s main focus in the past, you can now find many features and tools on the platform that rival those of other top website builders.

Weebly is an excellent choice for startup entrepreneurs or those who do not wish to hire a developer. It remains one of the top platforms because of its simplicity and ease of use.

Prestashop

Prestashop is an open-source ecommerce platform that helps online businesses to reduce their costs and improve their overall value proposition. It is cloud-hosted, which makes it easy to use and manage.

The word “free” entices most people, but the other costs associated with a free version of PrestaShop might make the Ready version look like a better option, especially if you don’t have the technical skills.

Although the free downloadable version of PrestaShop is great for those on a budget, keep in mind that you will have to pay for web hosting, an SSL certificate, and other modules to complete your store. Also, if you don’t have the heavy technical skills in HTML, CSS, andor PHP, you may have to pay a developer.

Open-source code allows for extensive integration with couriers, payment gateways, accounting software, warehouses, and ERP systems. This makes Prestashop a great choice for businesses that need a high degree of customization and flexibility.

You can also buy a theme from the marketplace. You have access to a 16-day trial or you can pay straight away. It comes with an SSL certificate. There are ten themes (all free) available in the admin area. You can also buy a theme from the marketplace.

You might need some basic knowledge of HTML and CSS to use the theme customizer effectively. The dashboard is straightforward and simple, but the onboarding video isn’t as comprehensive as Shopify’s.

However, you can easily achieve most of your needs through modules that you enable with just one click. These modules allow for better SEO working, Ads, Cross-selling, and social analytics.

Pros

There are tons of apps and integrations available with Drupal, making it a very flexible option. It also has great SEO capabilities. The large and ready-to-help community is another big plus.

Cons

Although Wix is a bit slower than some of the other builders, you can add on to it as you please. Keep in mind that these add-ons can start to add up, though. Additionally, there are limited third-party marketing integrations and you need developer skills to tweak it how you want. The hosted version also doesn’t have multichannel functionalities.

Nexcess Store Builder

Nexcess Store Builder is the perfect platform for new ecommerce business owners who are looking for an easy to use and manage store. It includes managed hosting and the WooCommerce WordPress plugin, as well as additional plugins and tools to make it even easier to build and maintain a store. Plus, with no email accounts included and templates that require customization, you can be sure that your store will be unique.

Best Ecommerce Platform For Small Business

In our testing, we also checked scalability. That looks at the features that help your website grow. What is the best ecommerce platform for small businesses? This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on the specific needs of each business. However, some factors to consider when choosing an ecommerce platform for a small business include cost, pricing structure, and scalability.

You might also need apps made just for your business as you scale. As your sales begin to increase, you’ll want to be able to expand your operations smoothly. This means selling through multiple channels, on other platforms, and even in different countries. You may also need custom apps specifically for your business as it grows.

Best Ecommerce Platform For Large Businesses

As such, SAAS like Shopify will not satisfy you. If you run a large ecommerce business, you might want complete control and server autonomy. In that case, buying a dedicated server or VPS from a web hosting company and setting up your platform in there could be the best option for you. However, SAAS like Shopify may not provide the level of control and customization that you require.

If you don’t want to deal with web hosting technicalities, then a platform like BigCommerce could be a good option for you.

A platform like BigCommerce could be a good fit for large businesses with weekly orders in the hundreds or thousands. The platform offers enough flexibility to connect software, reduce errors, and seamlessly integrate warehouse management and other inventory systems. Additionally, it enables multiple currency and store support, allows integration with Google services, and supports 3PLs.

Recommended Platforms

PrestaShop OpenCart If you’re looking for a comprehensive eCommerce solution, then one of these platforms is likely a good fit for you. BigCommerce, X-Cart, Magento, PrestaShop, and OpenCart are all popular choices that offer a wide range of features. However, it’s important to evaluate your specific needs in order to choose the right platform for your business.

Tips And Strategies For Using E-commerce Platforms.

Ecommerce is quickly becoming a popular way for consumers to not only save money, but also for businesses to reach more consumers at minimal costs.

Almost all Americans have made an online purchase at some point in their lives.

With intense competition for attention, it can be challenging to stand out from the crowd.

Simply having great software is only half the battle. You also need to have a proper full funnel strategy in place for when customers first visit your site.

Here are some tips and tricks to help your marketing strategy this year.

1. Focus On Mobile Users.

The use of mobile phones has become more popular than the use of personal computers.

Google has announced that the mobile-first index will be a ranking factor going forward.

This means that if you want your website to rank well on Google, you need to make sure that your mobile site is up to par. This includes having a responsive design, fast loading times, and relevant content.

63% of online users browsed the internet using a mobile device, such as a phone or a tablet, instead of a desktop computer.

It is now more important than ever to focus on your mobile site.

If you want to ensure that your ecommerce website is successful, it’s important to optimize both your mobile and desktop sites. This way, you can cater to all potential customers and maximize your chances of making a sale.

Shopify is a great platform for mobile optimization and theme designs.

Also, optimizing your mobile checkout experience and ensuring that your buying process is user-friendly is paramount. Other SaaS ecommerce platforms can help you improve the mobile browsing experience for your audience. First, check that your software provides a mobile-friendly homepage, category pages and product pages. Also, optimize your mobile checkout experience and make sure that your buying process is user-friendly.

2. Make Your Ecommerce Website Visually Appealing.

You have a very short amount of time to make a good first impression with your website. Make sure it is visually appealing and easy to understand, or you risk losing potential customers.

You need to make sure that you pick a website theme that is not only relevant to your niche, but also appealing to look at. This way, you can pique the interest of your visitors and keep them engaged with your site.

The importance of choosing the right logo and imagery to represent your brand cannot be understated. Your visitors should have a clear idea of what your brand is about from the moment they enter your site.

The key is to be creative while still providing a seamless browsing experience for your visitors.

Check out this website:

This website is visually appealing and easy to navigate. The relevant call-to-actions are placed appropriately to draw the audience’s attention.

3. Provide Ease of Navigation.

It is important that your ecommerce website is well-organized and easy to navigate.

Adding plugins to your ecommerce platform can help make things easier for your website visitors. By adding plugins, you can provide an enhanced experience for your users that includes features such as recent items viewed.

WooCommerce makes it easy to add a plugin that allows users to quickly access items they’ve recently viewed. This makes navigation more comfortable for your website visitors, providing a positive user experience that is more likely to result in sales.

Additionally, ecommerce conversion rates can be increased by leveraging product navigation with recently viewed and suggested products.

4. Data and Analytics.

People are saying that data is becoming more and more important, just like oil.

There’s a lot of data out there and you could use it to your advantage.

Your ecommerce platform generates a lot of data every day. This data can be very helpful in boosting your business if you know how to use it. You should have a plan on how to make use of this data to improve your website and attract more customers.

The ecommerce platform you choose should have an in-built analytics tool to help you track your demographics. This information is important in order to create a strategy that will boost your business.

Take Wix, for example:

This helps you streamline the marketing process and focus on an effective plan of action. Wix’s Visitor Analytics tool provides valuable insights that can help you fine-tune your marketing strategy for better results. By tracking key metrics such as the number of visitors, frequency of visits, and conversion rates, you can make informed decisions about where to focus your efforts for maximum impact.

As an ecommerce business owner, it is important to take advantage of the analytics tools that are offered by most platforms. By doing so, you can streamline your marketing process and focus on an effective plan of action.

5. Provide Stellar Customer Service And Live-Chat Options.

In 2017, an estimated 64% of Americans contacted some form of customer service.

Zendesk found that excellent customer service is the number one deciding factor for customers when it comes to doing business.

The Kano model suggests that websites with features like live chat options and efficient customer service are delighters. This means they can improve your business, boost revenue, and significantly drive up customer satisfaction. Having a live chat option on your website makes it easier for customers to get in touch with you and ask questions. It also shows that you’re available to help them, which builds trust between you and your customers.

Your ecommerce strategy should include the integration of an efficient live chat and customer service system. This will provide your customers with the help they need, when they need it.

Let’s use an example from website building platform, SquareSpace.

Pure Chat makes it easy to add live chat software to your website in just a few simple steps. This makes it a great option for those who want to provide stellar customer service and live-chat options.

With the live chat option, you can provide instant answers to your website visitors’ questions, engage leads and prospective customers, and improve your conversion rates and sales.

6. Omnichannel Strategy.

Increasing numbers of businesses are adopting an omnichannel sales strategy, which allows them to sell products through a variety of different channels.

An ecommerce platform that is able to enable an omnichannel strategy can be extremely beneficial for businesses. By having the online and offline components of the business working together, it can help increase sales and reach goals more effectively.

Magento’s Order Management system is key to achieving your business goals. The system helps to keep track of sales and inventory levels, so you can make sure that your customers are always getting what they need.

Choosing an e-commerce platform that works well with your multichannel strategy can be the difference between hitting your targets and not.

Sales channels are important to outline because they help you accomplish your goals.

And that’s a wrap!

Which is the best ecommerce platform?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best ecommerce platform for your business will depend on a number of factors, including the type of products you sell, your budget, and your technical expertise. However, some of the most popular e-commerce platforms include Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento.

Which ecommerce platform is best for startups?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best ecommerce platform for startups will vary depending on the specific needs of the business. However, some popular ecommerce platforms that may be suitable for startups include Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. These platforms offer a variety of features and tools that can help businesses to build and grow their online presence. It is important to consider the individual needs of the business when choosing an ecommerce platform, in order to ensure that it is able to meet all of the required needs.

Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of which is the best ecommerce platform. It depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, we hope that this article has given you a better idea of what to look for in an ecommerce platform and some of our top recommendations.