Posted At: Sep 12, 2024 - 233 Views
Here’s a rundown of the best e-commerce platforms for 2024, let’s find the one that fits your needs.
1. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is an all-in-one platform that's great for both small businesses and big companies. It offers built-in tools for marketing, analytics, and customer support. Plus, it's secure, so you don't have to worry about your data being compromised.
Pros: Easy drag-and-drop builder, solid mobile responsiveness, top-notch security, 24/7 support, and lots of advanced features.
Cons: Can be a bit complex and pricey for smaller businesses.
Pricing: Starts at $39/month.
Adobe Commerce, previously known as Magento, gives you full control over your store. It's open-source, meaning you can customize it however you want. However, it requires more technical knowledge and can be expensive to set up.
Pros: Super customizable, perfect for B2B, and integrates well with Adobe products.
Cons: Expensive setup, you’ll need a developer, and security can be a hassle.
Pricing: Starts at $22,000/year. Yes, you read that right!
3. Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular best e-commerce platform software options. It's very easy to use, handles payments and security, and has a huge selection of apps and themes. It's perfect for beginners or small businesses, but larger companies might feel limited.
Pros: Easy to use, millions of stores globally, and tons of themes and apps.
Cons: Limited customization options, especially if you’re growing fast, and there’s a fee if you don’t use Shopify Payments.
Pricing: Starts at $39/month.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud is great for large businesses that want to manage both online and offline sales. It's packed with features but can be complex and pricey.
Pros: Excellent for B2B and B2C, seamless upgrades, and a strong set of features.
Cons: Super expensive, complex to set up, and sometimes feels like a patchwork of products.
Pricing: Based on your revenue, 1% to 3% of GMV.
Commercetools is perfect for businesses that need complete flexibility and control. It’s highly customizable, but you’ll need a developer team to make the most of it.
Pros: Fully customizable and great for B2B, B2C, or DTC markets.
Cons: Requires a lot of development work and can be expensive to maintain.
Pricing: Custom pricing based on your needs.
6. WooCommerce
If you're already using WordPress, WooCommerce is the perfect add-on for an online store. It’s free to use but you’ll need hosting and possibly some technical help.
Pros: Free to use, integrates seamlessly with WordPress, and has a large extensions store.
Cons: Requires a developer, you’re on your own for PCI compliance, and it can be difficult to scale.
Pricing: Free, but hosting and extras can add up.
7. Wix
Wix is a simple platform that’s great for beginners who want a professional-looking store without much hassle. It’s user-friendly but not as flexible for growing businesses.
Pros: User-friendly, lots of templates, and perfect for getting started.
Cons: Limited storage, not as flexible for scaling, and not great for SEO.
Pricing: Starts at $17/month.
8. PrestaShop
PrestaShop is free to start, but you’ll need to cover maintenance costs. It’s highly customizable but requires technical knowledge to manage.
Pros: Free and highly customizable, supports multi-currency and multi-language.
Cons: High cost of ownership, limited support, and not ideal for scaling.
Pricing: Free, but maintenance costs can add up.
9. Shift4Shop: Best for Free Features
Shift4Shop is a great choice for budget-conscious businesses. If you use Shift4 Payments, it’s free! It offers advanced SEO tools, built-in features, and free themes.
Pros: No monthly fees if you use Shift4 Payments, Extensive feature set, including SEO tools, abandoned cart recovery, and more, Free professional themes available for customization, Unlimited products, staff accounts, and bandwidth
Cons: Customer support is not always prompt, May not be as user-friendly for beginners, Limited international payment options
Pricing: Completely free if you use Shift4 Payments, otherwise plans start at $29/month.
10. Squarespace
Squarespace is great for anyone looking for a beautiful, easy-to-manage store. It’s ideal for creatives who want a polished look without complex setup.
Pros: Gorgeous templates, easy setup, and solid e-commerce features.
Cons: Limited customization options for bigger businesses.
Pricing: Starts at $23/month.
11. Square Online
If you're a business owner juggling both online and offline sales, Square Online is here to simplify your life. Square started off as a payment processor, but now they've built a seamless e-commerce platform that lets you sell in-store, online, on social media, or even at pop-up events, all in one place. Whether you're selling coffee or clothing, Square Online ensures your inventory is always synced and up to date across all your sales channels.
Pros: Easy integration with existing Square systems, Free plan available with no monthly fees, Great for combining online and offline sales, User-friendly, drag-and-drop site builder
Cons: Limited customization options for more complex needs, Transaction fees apply, even on the free plan
Pricing: Square Online offers a free plan, with premium plans starting at $12 per month.
12. Ecwid
If you already have a website but want to add an online store without the hassle of migrating platforms, Ecwid is your go-to. Ecwid is all about integration, it works with popular platforms like WordPress, Wix, and even social media channels like Facebook and Instagram. You can set up shop without having to rebuild your entire site.
Ecwid is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses looking to expand their reach. With a simple plug-in, you can turn any website into a fully functional online store. It's also great for selling on the go since you can manage everything from a mobile app.
Pros: Easily integrates with existing websites, Syncs with social media platforms and marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, Free plan available with essential features, Mobile app for store management on the go
Cons: Limited design flexibility compared to full e-commerce platforms, Paid plans required for access to advanced features
Pricing: Ecwid has a free plan, with paid plans starting at $15 per month.
13. Weebly
When it comes to simplicity and value for money, Weebly is a crowd favorite. Weebly has been around for a while and is known for its easy-to-use drag-and-drop website builder, which is perfect for those who aren’t tech-savvy. Though it’s a website builder first and an e-commerce platform second, Weebly offers all the essential tools you need to run a small online store, including inventory management, a shopping cart, and mobile-optimized designs. Plus, it integrates smoothly with Square’s payment processing, making it great for small business owners who need to balance both online and offline sales.
Pros: Extremely user-friendly with drag-and-drop functionality, Affordable pricing with plenty of value-packed features, Integration with Square for in-person sales, Free plan available for basic websites
Cons: Limited e-commerce features compared to other platforms, Not ideal for businesses looking to scale significantly
Pricing: Weebly offers a free plan, with e-commerce pricing starting at $6 per month.
14. Big Cartel
For all the artists, makers, and independent creatives out there, Big Cartel is your platform. Big Cartel caters specifically to small businesses, creatives, and makers looking to sell their products online without the overhead of a big, complex platform. It’s simple, affordable, and doesn't overwhelm you with unnecessary features. With Big Cartel, you can create a beautifully minimalistic store that reflects your brand’s vibe. While it might not have the same robust set of tools as Shopify or BigCommerce, it excels at giving smaller brands a platform to showcase and sell their unique products. Plus, the free plan lets you list up to five products, which is perfect if you're just starting out.
Pros: Ideal for creatives and small-scale sellers, Simple, straightforward interface, Free plan for up to five products, No hidden fees, just straightforward pricing
Cons: Limited features for scaling or complex needs, Not great for high-volume stores or businesses with large inventories
Pricing: Big Cartel offers a free plan for up to five products, with paid plans starting at $9.99 per month.
There you have it—our guide to the best e-commerce platform 2024! Whether you’re running a small business or a large company, there’s something for everyone. Choose the platform that best fits your needs and budget, and you'll be well on your way to running a successful online store. If you have any questions or need more advice, feel free to reach out. We're here to help you succeed online!
