Do you want online strangers to select your business over the many others they may access? Then you will need a professional-looking, high-quality digital shop. When choosing the optimal eCommerce platforms for your small business, you can anticipate improved sales and a nearer approach to your objectives. Consider it one of the initial eCommerce steps for your small business.
However, how can you determine the right platform for your expanding business? What traits should you be on the lookout for? With so many alternatives available, it might be challenging to choose the best.
What is an Ecommerce Business?
A retailer that sells goods and services using e-commerce technology to transact and manage sales constitutes an eCommerce business. They frequently sell through their website’s online store. Although large organizations use eCommerce technologies to reach consumers directly, most eCommerce companies are small businesses. Among them are retail behemoths with online shopping websites, such as Wal-Mart, and online-only firms like Amazon. Ecommerce businesses differ from conventional stores in that they frequently interact with clients directly instead of via a physical location.
Types of Ecommerce Business
Ecommerce involves a vast array of commercial activities. Among the most prevalent are the following:
Online Retailer
An online shop’s website offers goods and services directly to customers. It is the most prevalent sort of eCommerce enterprise. An online business can either offer things from a physical storefront or sell products only online.
Marketplace
An online marketplace that connects independent buyers and vendors. A marketplace enables the exchange of products and services between the two groups. Achieve it by utilizing a retail website or an online marketplace.
10 Best Small Business Ecommerce Platforms in 2022
1. Shopify
Shopify is commonly recognized as the most effective eCommerce platform for small enterprises. Our all-in-one website builder offers free tools and features that allow you to sell online, in person, and through social commerce, third-party marketplaces, and dropshippers. Building a store with Shopify using any of the more than 100 paid or free themes does not require coding knowledge.
Shopify features eCommerce capabilities for small businesses and functionality for other business areas. With our best-in-class business tools, you can build a comprehensive command center for your company. Shop Pay offers reduced transaction fees for online purchases. Shopify POS enables in-person transactions, and Shopify Fulfillment can assist with order fulfillment. Shopify customers can now take advantage of discounted shipping prices from USPS, UPS, DHL Express, and other carriers. The platform provides unlimited bandwidth and online storage, so your prices will not increase as your website’s traffic and sales increase.
Shopify also provides business owners with a free email marketing solution, abandoned cart recovery, and search engine optimization (SEO), among other native features. Shopify’s mobile app lets you run your business from your phone by fulfilling orders, adding products, updating sales and inventory, etc. Is there something you can’t seem to locate despite your efforts? There are over 6,000 third-party applications available to help you extend the functionality of your website.
2. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is WordPress’s e-commerce plugin. What began as a blogging platform has expanded into a full-featured website builder with WooCommerce integration for e-commerce.
Because WooCommerce is open source, it is very adaptable, especially for web lld design and developers. Similar to Shopify, over 6,000 third-party integrations are available to enhance your store’s functionality. Consequently, WooCommerce offers a great deal of versatility.
Because it is effectively a free business platform, the WooCommerce plugin is affordable. However, if you add integrations and plugins, you may find that you must pay for premium tools, which may soon add up if you’re not careful.
Here is a website powered by WordPress and WooCommerce: Google Pay is integrated into the WooCommerce website of Surf&Hemp, where various CBD and surf products are available.
3. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a robust and feature-rich eCommerce platform. Consequently, tiny enterprises may experience difficulty. BigCommerce, on the other hand, maybe the most refined platform for you if you plan to expand your business and have access to technical expertise.
BigCommerce is particularly advantageous for large firms, corporations, and enterprises that seek unique, bespoke solutions. These businesses typically have more excellent technical resources or the budget to recruit them, which is necessary for setting up and creating a BigCommerce online store.
BigCommerce provides international commerce, SEO, and multichannel selling on third-party and social marketplaces. Additionally, it accepts various payment methods and offers meager (and usually free) processing fees.
Use BigCommerce to build Sharpstone Grinders. The brand serves both retail customers and distributors. In addition, it includes a PayPal link for alternative payment methods, such as buy now and pay later.
4. Squarespace
Due to its user-friendly design, Squarespace is another good eCommerce website builder for small enterprises. The styles, drag-and-drop features, and trustworthy operation of Squarespace allow you to construct an online store with minimal technical expertise.
Squarespace originated as a website builder rather than an eCommerce platform. Still, it has subsequently grown to add eCommerce-specific capabilities. It is still possible to establish a product-based business on Squarespace, even though most users focus on selling services.
Highlights include:
- Tight scheduling and calendar linkages.
- Email marketing.
- Social media integrations.
- Embeddable maps (if you have one).
The recurring billing features of Squarespace are accessible to subscription-based businesses.
Apostrophe Puzzles hosts a website using the Squarespace eCommerce platform. As is evident, the design and functioning are straightforward but effective.
5. Wix
Wix also offers a simple website builder with eCommerce functionality. Paid options include order monitoring, online payments, multichannel selling, and shopping cart abandonment campaigns. Access to analytics tracking, which allows you to track your eCommerce KPIs, requires a premium membership (KPIs).
When constructing your storefront, you may choose from over 500 themes. The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to tailor the appearance of your online business. Wix enables dropshipping from third parties and subscription-based pricing.
Evolve Clothing Gallery is a Wix-built eCommerce website. Large multimedia visualizations, voice search, and live chat are featured on this website.
6. Weebly
Weebly is a small business platform owned by Square and operated and managed by Square. Consequently, it is compatible with other small company systems owned by Square. Inventory management and a fully integrated and secure online shopping cart are among these capabilities.
Weebly’s eCommerce platform for small businesses offers, among other things, enhanced product search, mobile checkout optimization, order management and processing, and configurable shipping options. Weebly is one of the most basic eCommerce platforms in terms of functionality. Still, it is straightforward and user-friendly, making it suitable for any new business.
Companion Bike Seat is an example of a Wix-powered eCommerce website. Because the online business sells only a few things, it is a perfect fit for the platform.
7. Square Online
Square’s first product offering consisted of a point-of-sale device for stores. Still, it has now expanded to incorporate other company administration functions. It connects to mobile wallets, Afterpay, and other services, and its excellent compatibility with other Square products.
Square allows you to choose from various retail, restaurant, non-profit, and other company themes when creating an online store. Square Online charges 0.9 percent + 30 cents for each transaction for payment processing.
The Vermont-based salon Parlour increased its online presence with Square by adding products to its eCommerce website.
8. Big Cartel
Big Cartel is a website builder specializing in digital artwork and handcrafted goods such as jewelry. Additionally, clothing and other tangible things can benefit from the platform. Big Cartel has become a cult-favorite platform, housing the websites of labels such as D and Rifle Paper Co.
Big Cartel does not have its payment processing system; instead, it links you to various payment gateways. Integrate your inventory with Shopify and other eCommerce systems. This site is worth looking at if you want to advertise art and craft products. Still, you will need to explore elsewhere for e-commerce capability.
9. Wekanoo
Wekanoo is a “micro-e-commerce” platform that other websites can embed as an application. It is designed for small enterprises that sell unique items like handcrafted jewelry, leather goods, and other comparable products.
Similar to Shopify, Wekanoo’s eCommerce platform demands that you already have a website. Wekanoo can help you sell your things online, but it is not a business website in and of itself. To publicize your new eCommerce store, you need a separate platform or website. Here is the complete description of Wekanoo’s eCommerce service.
Consider features, integrations, and pricing when comparing e-commerce platforms for your business. Even if a tool is not ideal for your business, it may serve as a fantastic beginning point for your online store.
10. Big Cart
Square’s Big Cart is another eCommerce platform. It is a more extensive and robust solution than Square Online, with more features and the capacity to accommodate more complex small business needs.
Big Cart contains functions such as inventory management and shipment management. Use it to accept online payments outside credit cards, including mobile wallets, international payment methods, and subscriptions. Big Cart also includes multichannel selling features, allowing you to sell on more marketplaces.
Big Cart’s design interface is highly customizable, allowing you to customize your website to your brand. You can generate customized catalogs for various products with distinct categories, prices, and SKUs to stay organized. Advanced order management and inventory restructuring can also be configured.
To Sum it Up
Small businesses have a multitude of eCommerce website builders from which to pick, especially given the prevalence of colossal platform and software vendors. We have selected a few of the most popular platforms, although there are many others. Consider your company’s needs, industry, and intended audience while studying and selecting e-commerce website builders for small businesses.
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