Top 5 eCommerce Platforms

Online shopping is taking over, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic forced consumers to fill their trolleys online (remember hard lockdown? Yes, we all spent hours online, buying everything from groceries to running shoes). It is such an exciting time to be in the eCommerce business, but it can also be daunting since there are MANY platforms to choose from. We have done the research for you, and whether you are a small business or a multinational corporation, we share the top five eCommerce platforms you should be aware of.?

But first, let’s look at the definition of an eCommerce platform. According to?Adobe, an eCommerce (or electronic commerce) platform can be described as “software that enables the commercial process of buying and selling over the Internet.” Any and every online retailer needs an eCommerce platform to run an online store.?

Top 5 eCommerce Platforms

1. Shopify

Shopify is undoubtedly one of the most popular software-as-a-service (SaaS) eCommerce platforms out there, especially for businesses seeking a quick, easy-to-use, and all-in-one platform. More than two million sites have been built using Shopify’s 100+ paid and free templates, and they claim that they “handle all aspects of your business” by offering their “best-in-class suite of business tools to build a complete business command center.”?

Some of the pros include customisable themes, fast and reliable sites, community support, built-in marketing tools, and access to 6,000+ apps. They also offer a 14-day free trial, after which you can upgrade to various plans (Basic Shopify: $29.99/month; Shopify: $79/month; or Advanced Shopify: $299/month).?

Find out more here:?https://www.shopify.com?

2. WooCommerce

If you use WordPress, you will love WooCommerce. It’s a free plugin that allows you to turn your website into an online store (in minutes). The plugin seamlessly integrates into your already-existing WordPress site, which makes it extremely easy since you don’t have to start from scratch on a new and different eCommerce platform.?

The platform is open source and customisable, plus you can add features and extend your store’s functionality with their official extensions. It has over 6,000 integrations and WordPress plugins, and you can manage your store from anywhere with the WooCommerce Mobile App. In terms of cost, it’s free.?

Find out more here:?https://woocommerce.com?

3. Adobe Commerce

Previously known as Magento, Adobe Commerce lets you build multi-channel commerce experiences for B2B and B2C customers. If you’re a developer looking for a powerful system that you can customise, this non-hosted platform is for you. But be warned, it is complex and costly. Much like the rest of Adobe’s tools, it requires some skill in terms of coding and development.?

Although it is not hosted and you can easily find developers to help with customisation, the platform has no free trial and only custom pricing options.?

Find out more here:?https://business.adobe.com/africa/products/magento/magento-commerce.html?

4. Squarespace

Their high-quality and sleek templates and drag-and-drop functionality are what make Squarespace so popular. You don’t need a coding background or a lot of technical experience to use this platform – it’s very user-friendly. It allows you to add unlimited products and they have over 100 payment gateways which make checkout secure.?

It’s hosted, their customer support is good, and you can start a free website trial (no credit card required). After the trial period, you can upgrade to Personal: $19/month; Business: $33/month; Basic Commerce: $36/month; Advanced Commerce: $65/month; plus, Enterprise pricing is also available. When paid annually, you can save up to 30%.?

5. BigCommerce

There is a reason why it is called?BigCommerce. It is one of the world’s leading cloud eCommerce platforms best for large-volume sellers, and enterprise-level software companies. The platform has hosted over 100,000 websites and has more than 52,000 active sites.?

It is fully hosted, it has a strong SEO performance, and the business management abilities are extensive. There is a free trial period of 15 days after which various plans can be considered (on request).?

Find out more here:?https://www.bigcommerce.com