Compare Ecommerce Platforms
CREATING AN ECOMMERCE WEBSHOP HAS NEVER BEEN SO EASY
Shopify
Squarespace
Wix Stores
Best eCommerce website builder
If you want to start an online store yourself, it is difficult to estimate which software suits your personal needs. It's impossible to learn all of the different eCommerce platforms out there. To help you take a step in the right direction, we've tried them all. On this site we explain the differences between the different providers of webshop software so that you can make the right choice.
It is important to mention that the best-rated online store software does not necessarily have to be the right solution for you. For example, one builder is more suitable for beginners and the other for large retail companies. Other eCommerce platforms focus more on Dropshipping.
1) Shopify
Shopify is the most popular online store builder worldwide. A big advantage of Shopify is that the platform can be used for a wide variety of online store types. As a ‘beginner' you can create a webshop yourself relatively easily and inexpensively, and also for large professional eCommerce portals there are lot's of solutions. Thanks to the many plugins/apps you can go in many directions with your webshop. They also offer a lot of opportunities in the field of marketing. Shopify also offers many options for companies with a physical store location. The company also releases hardware that combines online with offline eCommerce.
2) Squarespace
Squarespace's webshop builder offers, in our opinion, the most beautiful and intuitive Ecommerce website builder. This has all been recently developed and has a modern look. Everything is drag & drop so you can easily move elements. That way you can quickly create a webshop from an existing template. The shops are characterized by sleek design and extensive use of photo material. We therefore think it is a builder that is very suitable for a heavily branded online store. The Squarespace Pricing is also quite low compared to others. Beginners should definitely consider Squarespace!
3) Lightspeed
is your budget a little bit larger and are you aiming for a very professional site? Then Lightspeed is a smart option in our opinion. With this software you can create a webshop that can compete with the larger webshops. In our opinion, the templates are the best of what is currently available on the market. Lightspeed is also the choice for retailers and restaurant holders who want to take a serious step towards online. Lightspeed offers an extensive package of POS and restaurant software (and hardware). If price is no issue, and you are not into dropshipping, Lightspeed might be the best choice for you.
4) Wix Stores
Wix is a super simple online store builder which allows you to create an online store in no-time. But sometimes the eCommerce builder is very complex due to the flexibility and the many available options. If you end up in these manual options you sometimes might be better off working with other (easier) software. We therefore recommend Wix a bit more for people and companies who want to avoid these manual options. Overall we would say that Wix scores very well on price and simplicity. If you are new to webshop building, Wix is actually a builder that you should try for yourself to see if it is something for you.
What are eCommerce platforms?
Thanks to eCommerce software, you can sell products to consumers and clients yourself without any knowledge of coding. This is how you can define these platforms:
eCommerce platforms are pre-coded online stores, complete eCommerce solutions with drag and drop website builders to make you easily start a webshop. Eventually consumers can use these platforms to buy products.
Ecommerce SaaS (Software as a service) Solutions can take a lot of work off your hands. All elements that you need for an online store have already been developed and you only have to fill in and format everything yourself.
What is the best eCommerce software for beginners?
If you are going to build an online store for the first time and you only want to sell a few products with it, it doesn't make much sense to look at the most advanced systems.
We recommend taking a look at the sophisticated, yet simple Squarespace. This software is very affordable and works very intuitive for beginners because all elements in the builder can be easily dragged and dropped. The same goes for Wix, but this builder comes across as a bit overwhelming. Perhaps that's also because Wix initially focused primarily on creating regular websites.[1]Wix Origin, Wikipedia
We also think Shopify is a good choice because you can use it in all directions. It is easy for beginners, but you can also create a large professional site with it.
What is the best eCommerce software voor dropshipping?
Dropshipping is a form of business management in which the webshop does not physically keep the products itself but has it delivered by another webshop or wholesaler. You then only have to deal with marketing and customer contact. Over the past few years, this has become quite popular. In particular, products from China (e.g. Aliexpress dropshipping) can be sold with considerable margins in North-America and Europe.
Some eCommerce platforms is better adapted towards dropshipping than others. That's because dropshipping organizations have released some online store software apps for it. These apps are necessary to get the product range automated in your webshop. Here are the top 3 builders to consider if you want to get started with dropshipping:
We also think Shopify is a good choice because you can use it in all directions. It is easy for beginners, but you can also create a large professional site with it.
- Shopify – Best Plugins: Oberlo & Spocket
- Squarespace
- Wix
What is the best eCommerce store owners?
If you already have a store, it may be desirable that the products which are in stock of the stores are linked to the online store. Some POS systems have separate apps or connections with eCommerce software. That comes in handy if you work online & offline. The providers of the eCommerce software now also have the best POS system available. This varies from simple mobile payment methods to complete cash register systems. The following providers of webshop software have amazing plugins available for store owners:
- Shopify
- Lightspeed – Amazing POS Systems
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Frequently asked questions
Thanks to eCommerce software, you can sell products to consumers and clients yourself without any knowledge of coding. This is how you can define these platforms:
eCommerce platforms are pre-coded online stores, complete eCommerce solutions with drag and drop website builders to make you easily start a webshop. Eventually consumers can use these platforms to buy products.
Ecommerce SaaS (Software as a service) Solutions can take a lot of work off your hands. All elements that you need for an online store have already been developed and you only have to fill in and format everything yourself.
References
| ↑1 | Wix Origin, Wikipedia |
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