Most of the buyers shifting online has given a boost to the e-commerce business. But initiating an online business can be difficult and is all about making the right choices like opting for the right e-commerce platform etc.
Honestly making these choices can be exhausting and risky especially if you are starting a small business.
But today you have landed on the right page. Because in this post we are going to tell you about the e-commerce platform and how to choose among them.
Let’s first see the list of features you should keep in mind whilst choosing the platform:
5 Features to look at in Ecommerce Platform:
There is a list of features given below which you should consider before choosing a platform.
1. Budget:
When starting a new business, you have a limited budget and resources. And the cost of e-commerce platforms can range from thousands of dollars to free versions. Most of the platforms have a free trial. Just make sure that whatever platform you choose offers all features you want like hosting etc. and it suits your budget.
2. Mobile-Friendly:
Having a mobile-friendly website is not a choice, it is a necessity now. Because the majority of people are using their mobile phones to access e-commerce platforms in order to buy products. So whatever platform you choose just keep in mind that it should be mobile-friendly.
3. Scalability:
It is also a very essential feature to keep in mind while choosing the right platform. With time as your business progresses you will need more features and solutions. That is why you have to choose a platform that is flexible and enables your growth. Without it being too difficult and costing you an arm or leg.
4. Easy to Use:
The user experiences the platform offers are of crucial importance. Because the success of your website will mainly depend upon how user-friendly your website is and how conveniently the customer navigates through it. It doesn’t matter how good your page looks graphically as long as it is functioning and user-friendly it will fetch more customers.
5. Fast Speed:
Make sure the e-commerce platform you choose is fast in speed. As people have a tendency to leave websites that are slow and take time to load. In the future, this can lead to low conversion rates costing you fewer sales in the longer run.
The Ecommerce Platforms for Small Business:
1. Shopify:
Shopify is a feature-rich platform and contains all the functions you might need for your e-commerce websites like building product-rich inventory and cart etc. There is also a rich app market with a huge variety of plugins that can be utilized.
Charges:
Whilst starting a new business it is important that you select the platform in accordance with the prices. You can go for the cheapest Basic Shopify plan which is 29 dollars per month and it includes all basics you need for starting the new business.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- A various and a large number of Plugins
- Different themes
- Option of opting Free trial
- All plans offer an unlimited amount of products
- The integrated payment options
Cons:
- Not that cost-effective or cheap
- Additional fee
- The limited blogging platform
2. Square Space:
It is a suitable option for e-commerce websites developed especially for small businesses. Because it is a simple website builder and makes the final product look amazing. There are many theme templates, and you can get access to the inventory management system too.
Charges:
You can have a Basic Commerce plan which pretty much covers every feature and costs 24 dollars per month. And once you are earning more you can move to Advance which is 36 dollars per month. The advance plan has advanced discounts, and sell subscriptions etc.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- It is easy to set up
- Excellent SEO tools
- Suitable for simple stores
- Amazing themes and designs
Cons:
- No optimal Speed
- Not an app store
- There is no marketing automation integration
- No “free” option
- No integration with Amazon
3.WooCommerce:
It is quite easy to connect the WooCommerce plugin to your WordPress. It is quite a simple methodology for the creation of a website that is functional for e-commerce activities. The biggest advantage is that it is open-source e-commerce and you can include any e-commerce functionality you want. There are many e-commerce web development services available that can create the best eCommerce website for your business.
Charges:
WooCommerce is free of cost. However, you cannot use WooCommerce because it’s a plugin. You need to pay for hosting.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Unlimited products and services
- Enables you to add extra features
- Highly customizable with thousands of themes
- Limitless selling
Cons:
- Technical knowledge is required for its setup
- Requires third party payment gateways
4. Weebly:
Weebly is a very budget-friendly platform. For beginners, there is even a free version and it is best for small businesses just starting up and have a very limited budget. This platform is quite easy to use so anyone with basic technical knowledge can use it.
Charges:
They offer the cheapest plan which is 10 dollars per month. You can also get a free domain and various other functionalities. However, the business plan charges 20 dollars per month.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- User friendly especially for the beginners
- Integrated apps
- Wide range of themes to choose from
- Cost-Effective
Cons:
- The checkout page is not customizable
- Limited design options
- Not suitable for the international websites
In Conclusion:
Choosing an e-commerce platform is a crucial decision. There are many ecommerce web development services available that can help you in this regard. It is important that you choose these services based on your e-commerce web development needs and wants