E commerce is an important channel for companies trying to expand their customer base and promote crucial products and services. Online platforms enable you to create not just a website but also an online store, increasing product visibility and brand recognition.
These platforms have a strong mobile and social presence, and they take use of emerging technology and communication channels. To take advantage of eCommerce, the platforms you utilize must meet the requirements of your company strategy. There are several platforms available, but the five highlighted below are good choices for businesses aiming to increase digital marketing activity and sales.
SHOPIFY
Shopify may be the most popular and effective E commerce platform today, and you’re undoubtedly already familiar with it.
With millions of merchants in 170 countries, Shopify is the most comprehensive and feature-rich platform accessible. It also accounts for 10% of total US eCommerce and generates $444 billion in worldwide economic activity.
There are several tools available to help you run your business. For example, you can:
Sell items and services both physically and digitally
Sync with various social networks like as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, as well as online businesses such as Amazon
Accept payments with over 100 payment methods, including Shopify Payments and Google Pay;
Complete incomplete transactions with its built-in abandoned cart recovery. Offer discount codes to customers
Obtain SEO assistance
Track payments using Shopify’s online invoice generator.
Running an online business using Shopify is not only straightforward, but also enjoyable. You may personalize your checkout with logos, brand colors, and fonts. You may drop-ship, provide downloads, and sell whatever you want. Shopify has several pricing options, with the most basic starting at $34. Shopify may be the ideal location to start for organizations or digital marketing professionals looking to go into E commerce.
WIX
Wix, which began as a website builder with drag-and-drop functionality, has evolved into a dependable center for developing online storefronts. It is not as adaptable as Shopify since you cannot sell across different channels without installing applications, and there is no abandoned cart recovery. It does not have the same variety of possibilities as a website with E commerce capabilities, as opposed to being dedicated for this purpose.
However, because of its drag-and-drop functionality, you may preview how your shop will seem. Furthermore, your online store is mobile-friendly, making it easier for potential consumers to explore and make purchases. Pricing is similarly reasonable, with its E commerce plan costing roughly $27 per month.
You get phone, email, and social media help, as well as a forum and a comprehensive knowledge base. Furthermore, you will receive on-page assistance when developing your store, making it suitable for small firms or self-starters.
You have complete control over which elements are most prominent thanks to its highly customization features that show you how your shop will seem to clients as you modify. You may employ product videos, lead collection forms, and Safeguard Sockets Layer (SSL) certifications to secure your website. This certification lets you to ensure your clients that their data is secure when they submit their information to purchase a product.
You may supplement your E commerce website with other applications such as Wix Stores and Ecwid. Ecwid lets you to sell things on Instagram and Facebook, while Wix Stores allows you to send consumers automated confirmation emails and provide discounts. You can maintain your website while on the move and save money by learning how to build a site and operate a business at the same time.
BIGCOMMERCE
BigCommerce is the most suitable option for large and rapidly expanding organisations. It is a hosted E commerce platform that can be used as both a full SaaS solution and a shopping cart for various sorts of websites. As a reason, it is sometimes compared to Shopify.
This platform includes powerful shop administration skills, with several tools and features like as promotions, return options, coupons, discounts, and more. BigCommerce also offers various shipping choices, including live estimates and cost calculators.
It has numerous high-profile clients, including Clark’s, a shoe firm, and Ben & Jerry’s, an ice cream brand. Big Commerce features email marketing, search filters, and allows consumers to establish profiles and give reviews, which explains why large brands trust it.
Everything you need for a successful E commerce website is built in, increasing your chances of converting your online store into a large-scale enterprise. All of this is possible with plans beginning at $29.95. However, you may encounter some hiccups. For starters, it lacks a mobile app and does not offer the most user-friendly user interface.
You may begin selling as soon as you build your store and follow the success of your items using the platform’s analytics report. A store overview, real-time reports, customer reports, abandoned cart reports, and merchandising reports are among the reports available. You may choose from over 65 payment processing alternatives with no transaction fees. You also have complete control over the URL, and there are many templates.
If you expertise in business or technology, this is an excellent method to start your own company.
WEEBLY
When it comes to value for money, few E commerce platforms are better than Weebly. It has four price plans, all tailored to E commerce, including benefits such as Google Ads credits and email marketing.
The ideal strategy is determined by your company. You may sell up to ten goods on its free plan. If you utilize the business plan, you can sell an infinite number of things without worrying about transaction costs. Only the most costly option, the Performance Plan, includes features like abandoned cart recovery, gift cards, and real-time shopping rates.
Weebly allows you to sell digital, physical, and service-based items and manage your inventory in bulk using built-in tools. There is also a mobile app that allows you to manage your online store while on the road, as well as print shipping labels from your phone. Weebly also includes a blog and portfolio for your store, allowing you to interact with consumers and show them the greatest elements of your company and items.
There are several application possibilities. You may show your company’s Instagram feed on your homepage while also include a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) area where consumers can leave comments about the store or product features. It includes a drag-and-drop interface similar to Wix, so you can rapidly design your store while adhering to the restrictions of your theme.
Weebly is a better choice for small businesses because its limited options for managing shop inventory are insufficient for larger firms. There are just three major payment channels available for checkout: PayPal, Square, and Stripe. However, Weebly gives you more creative power than nearly every other eCommerce platform available, is extremely SEO-friendly, and may offer you with an excellent return on investment when utilized appropriately.
VOLUSION
This platform is a cloud-based, hosted alternative that allows you to create customer accounts, securely store customer information, and simplify purchasing experiences.
Volusion provides a robust site search function as well as E commerce and product management facilities such as rich text product descriptions, native fulfillment choices, and subscription or loyalty opportunities as a drag-and-drop website builder with in-page editing. It interacts with a variety of payment systems, including PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay.
To boost multi-channel integration, Facebook shops may be linked to a Volusion website. It works with markets like Amazon and eBay, allowing website owners to enhance their online presence while better measuring clients. The disadvantage of using this platform is that you cannot offer digital things or utilize blogging tools to help you promote your items or services more effectively.
Volusion offers a well-organized inventory system with several useful prompts. It includes thorough analytics and insight reports that allow you to track your entire inventory in one spot. This functionality allows you to optimize your multi-channel selling potential without having to perform the heavy lifting. Meanwhile, website visitors may get help 24 hours a day, seven days a week via live chat and phone. There are articles, guides, and other resources available as part of a comprehensive knowledge base to keep clients informed.
Volusion is better suited for starting a store or running a small to medium-sized business. Plans are dependent on specified bandwidth restrictions, and an SSL certificate is required for enhanced protection – but if those are fees you’re prepared to bear, give it a shot.
Conclusion
To create an efficient E commerce strategy for your company, you must select a platform that will allow you to keep your consumer in mind throughout the creation and research process. The examples shown above can assist you in increasing conversion rates, maintaining an active customer review area, and improving product exposure and brand recognition.
Choosing the correct platform for your business will be simple if you create a business strategy and carefully choose the things you want to offer.