Which is the best ecommerce platform for startups? There are several different platforms, and a simple search on Google will reveal an endless list of them. OpenCart, Shopify, BigCartel, and Squarespace are all viable options. Considering these features, and your time, it’s easy to see which one is right for you. After you narrow down your list, you’ll be well on your way to an online store!
OpenCart
While OpenCart is available free of charge, the system is also inexpensive. The total cost of setting up an OpenCart store depends on the tools you use. It can range from a few dollars a month to several hundred, but this is usually not prohibitive for small, independent shops. A basic plan from A2Hosting costs only $2.99 a month. You can also purchase additional modules or extensions that improve your store’s performance.
As the development process begins, OpenCart developers will assist in the creation of your ecommerce platform, helping you gain visibility and customer feedback. Once you launch the platform, Opencart developers will provide ongoing support for your new business. The developers will meticulously work on your eCommerce application and thoroughly test it prior to launching it. Once it’s finished, they’ll continue to provide support to ensure it runs smoothly.
Shopify
One of the most popular online store platforms, Shopify is beginner-friendly and can handle the biggest sales. In fact, if you haven’t yet reached your first million dollars in revenue, Shopify will be the right platform for you. Shopify Lite starts at $9 per month and lets you add “Buy Now” buttons to your existing website. Complete online stores start at $29. Shopify’s ease-of-use is lauded by users.
Another great advantage of Shopify is its affordability. The monthly fee is inexpensive, and the platform is built to give you a beautiful online store. After all, your store’s success depends on the look of it. Shopify offers hundreds of different apps that extend the basic features of your web store. Plus, it has a very pleasant collection of professional themes. Additionally, Shopify is highly regarded in the WordPress community, and its forums are very active and helpful.
BigCartel
If you are a newcomer to the ecommerce scene, you may be interested in Big Cartel ecommerce platform. This platform has been designed for those who are creative, want to sell online, or simply don’t have the time to build a website. Big Cartel offers a one-stop shop for all your ecommerce needs. The platform can help you sell products online, handle payment processing, taxes, shipping, and more with just a few clicks of the mouse. Big Cartel is a great solution for those new to ecommerce and can help you build your store quickly and easily without a lot of effort. One of the most important features of Big Cartel is its ability to integrate with social media platforms. With integration with Facebook, Big Cartel can expand its distribution capability to other social networks. However, it lacks some features such as abandoned cart recovery and discount codes. Big Cartel has an API that allows you to integrate with other software and third- party apps. Big Cartel is designed to handle payment processing so that your visitors can make purchases. Big Cartel does not charge you for payment processing, but you will need to choose a payment processor. You may need to pay a fee for each transaction, or you may have to pay a flat fee for this service.
Squarespace
If you’re a startup, Squarespace is probably the best ecommerce platform for you. The drag-and- drop design makes setting up an ecommerce website a breeze, but the platform’s limited payment integrations can be an issue. While Squarespace does offer Stripe integration, it’s not always convenient for smaller-country vendors. Nevertheless, the software does offer decent inventory tracking tools, and higher-tier plans include features like gift cards and subscription- based products.
Both Squarespace and Shopify offer drag-and-drop capabilities. Shopify even offers an in-app social media selling feature, while Squarespace has a comprehensive feature set that includes a wide range of features. A basic plan starts at just $18 per month, and is billed annually. For this price, you’ll also get access to 3% transaction fees. Nonetheless, these features aren’t the only reasons why Squarespace is the best ecommerce platform for startups.
WooCommerce
If you’re looking for an eCommerce platform, you’ve come to the right place. There are many ecommerce platforms to choose from, but they all have some key differences. Some are more geared towards small and mid-sized businesses while others are ideal for larger enterprises. While some platforms are great for startups, others have many bells and whistles that make them more suited to larger organizations. To choose the right one for your company, it’s important to know what you need and want from your platform, and what your marketing budget will be.
If you’re a beginner, you can use a free ecommerce platform like WordPress to start. WordPress is a content management system first, and an ecommerce platform second. Its selling features depend on third-party plug-ins and apps that can break your store if you’re not careful. You’ll also have a hard time getting help with WooCommerce, as it lacks customer support. WooCommerce also requires you to host your website, which can be a hassle, especially for those who’re not sure what to do with your website. Also, you’ll be on your own when it comes to PCI compliance, so you’ll be on your own in this regard.
PrestaShop
While other ecommerce platforms are pricey, PrestaShop is incredibly affordable. You can even create a free online store with a web domain. This platform does require technical and development customization, but it has many free entry-level features. In addition to these free features, PrestaShop also offers a variety of paid modules and add-ons. There are a few things to consider before choosing this platform, however.
A good eCommerce platform will offer intuitive functionality and allow you to scale as your business grows. There are many eCommerce platforms available, and determining which one is right for you will depend on your needs and your budget. For small businesses, PrestaShop is a great choice, as it supports growth and scaling. However, choosing the right one can be a challenging process. There are many ecommerce platforms that call themselves startup-friendly, and not all of them are.
