How to choose the best platform for your ecommerce business in 2024

Starting an online store can be an exciting venture, but with the sea of ecommerce platforms available, it can also be quite overwhelming. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just dipping your toes into the e-commerce waters, selecting the right platform is crucial for your business’s success. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top ecommerce platforms in 2024, helping you make an informed decision that best fits your needs.

Understanding your needs

Before diving into the specifics of each platform, it’s important to understand your own needs and goals. Here are a few questions to consider:

  1. What is your budget? Are you looking for a low-cost solution or are you willing to invest more for additional features and scalability?
  2. What is your technical expertise? Do you have web development skills or will you need a platform that requires little to no coding?
  3. What type of products are you selling? Physical products, digital downloads, or services?
  4. What level of customization do you require? Do you need a highly customizable platform or are you looking for something more straightforward and easy to use?

Understanding your needs will help narrow down the platform options and make the decision process smoother. For logistics needs, a service like shipwithmina.com can offer tailored solutions to enhance your overall supply chain efficiency.

Shopify: The go-to for ease of use and scalability

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Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms, and for good reason. It’s designed to be user-friendly, making it a great choice for those who may not have extensive technical knowledge.

Pros:

  • Ease of use: Shopify’s intuitive interface allows you to set up and manage your store without any coding knowledge.
  • Scalability: As your business grows, Shopify grows with you. It offers a range of plans that cater to different stages of business growth.
  • Integrated payment processing: Shopify Payments makes it easy to handle transactions without needing third-party processors.

Cons:

  • Cost: While Shopify offers a lot of conveniences, it comes at a price. Monthly fees can add up, especially when you factor in additional apps and themes. Although, the platform allows you to try it for one month for a very symbolic price.
  • Customization limits: While customizable, Shopify may not offer as much flexibility as some other platforms for more complex needs.

Pricing:

Pricing starts at $39/month for a Basic plan, but you get to try the platform out for just $1 on your first month.

WooCommerce: Flexibility and control

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WooCommerce, a WordPress plugin, is a great option if you want maximum control over your online store. It’s open-source, meaning you can customize it to your heart’s content — provided you have the technical know-how.

Pros:

  • Customization: WooCommerce is highly customizable. If you have specific needs or a unique vision for your store, WooCommerce can likely accommodate it.
  • Cost-effective: The core plugin is free, and you only pay for the additional features you need.
  • SEO-friendly: Since it runs on WordPress, WooCommerce benefits from the powerful SEO features of the platform.

Cons:

  • Technical expertise required: To fully leverage WooCommerce, some knowledge of WordPress and coding is necessary.
  • Maintenance: With great power comes great responsibility. You’ll need to manage updates and security yourself.

Pricing:

Custom pricing only.

Wix: Simplicity and versatility

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Wix is known for its drag-and-drop website builder, making it incredibly user-friendly. It’s a great option for small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to get their store up and running quickly and with minimal fuss.

Pros:

  • Ease of use: Wix’s drag-and-drop builder is as easy as it gets, making website creation accessible to everyone.
  • All-in-one solution: Wix provides everything you need in one place, from hosting to domain registration.
  • Design flexibility: With hundreds of templates and design options, Wix allows you to create a visually appealing store.

Cons:

  • Scalability: While great for small businesses, Wix may not be the best choice for rapidly growing businesses or large stores.
  • Customization limits: There are fewer customization options compared to platforms like WooCommerce.

Pricing:

While the Light plan starts only at $17/month, it doesn’t offer ecommerce functionality. So for those wondering how to sell on Wix — you’ll have to get a second-tier plan Core, which starts at $29/month. 

BigCommerce: Power and performance

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BigCommerce is a robust platform designed for growth. It’s ideal for businesses that expect high volumes of traffic and sales.

Pros:

  • Scalability: BigCommerce handles large catalogs and high traffic with ease.
  • Built-in features: Many features that other platforms charge extra for are included with BigCommerce.
  • SEO capabilities: Advanced SEO tools help your store get noticed by search engines.

Cons:

  • Complexity: With great power comes a steeper learning curve. BigCommerce might be overkill for smaller stores.
  • Cost: Like Shopify, BigCommerce can be on the pricier side, especially for high-volume stores.

Pricing:

Standard plan starts at $39/month.

Squarespace: Beautiful designs and simplicity

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Squarespace is known for its stunning design templates and is perfect for those who want a visually appealing online store without much hassle.

Pros:

  • Design: Squarespace offers some of the best templates in the industry, perfect for showcasing products beautifully.
  • Ease of use: The platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate.

Cons:

  • Limited customization: Compared to WooCommerce or BigCommerce, customization options are limited.
  • E-commerce features: While improving, Squarespace’s e-commerce features are still catching up with more established platforms.

Pricing:

If you want to sell on Squarespace, you’ll have to get a second-tier Business plan which starts at $36/month.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ecommerce platform is a crucial step in building a successful online store. By understanding your needs and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each platform, you can find the perfect fit for your business. Whether you prioritize ease of use, customization, scalability, or design, there’s a platform out there that will help you achieve your e-commerce goals in 2024.

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