If you are planning to start an eCommerce business, the timing could not have been better.
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic is no doubt a global catastrophe. But there is a silver lining, nevertheless, for those who want to enter the eCommerce market. Globally eCommerce sales will increase to 16% of all sales in 2020
While selling products online is easier these days, the major hurdle lies in choosing the right eCommerce website development platform. There are too many factors to consider which makes the choice difficult for existing and new eCommerce players alike.
In this article, we look at some of the most popular eCommerce platforms- their pros and cons, the things to keep in mind, and other factors that you would love to learn more about. Hope the information will help you make an informed decision and you will use the tips we share to build a successful online store in a smooth and hassle-free manner.
Factors to Consider When Opting for an eCommerce Platform
Whether you are creating an online store from scratch or migrating an existing store to a new platform, it’s important that you have a ‘working backward’ approach- which means identifying your needs first and then choosing the platform that best serves these needs.
Below is a list of factors that you must consider to choose the best website development platform.
Now that you have a fair idea about the key factors, let’s move on and learn in detail about some of the most popular eCommerce website development platforms out there.
To make your choice easier, we would be comparing the three most popular and widely used eCommerce platforms: Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. These three platforms account for the majority of eCommerce websites today.
Shopify:
Launched in 2006, Shopify has been the preferred choice for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to set up their very own online e-commerce web stores. As of 2020, Shopify has over 1,000,000 active users and has recorded sales worth $319bn.
The best thing about Shopify is that it is truly merchant-friendly. It is extremely easy to use and navigate. As a business owner, you can hire Shopify Web Development Services and get started with your online store in no time.
Plus Shopify also assists with other key business aspects such as payments and marketing. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned merchant, Shopify has you covered across most fronts.
Shopify Pros:
Shopify Cons:
Shopify Pricing Plans
Shopify offers users five different monthly subscription plans.
No points in guessing that the more expensive plans offer you some exceptional features and core e-commerce functionalities that you won’t enjoy with the cheaper plans. Shopify Lite is not an ideal plan if you are looking to create a standalone online store.
Shopify does offer a 14-day free trial. So there’s no harm in checking the plan that you feel best fits your needs. Make a purchase only when you are 100% sure about the functionality, third-party apps, discounts, etc.
In case of any doubt, it’s always wise to hire a Shopify web development Services like us.
Our experts will give you a complete walkthrough of all the plans and are always ready to answer all your queries.
Magento:
With a 12% eCommerce website market share and gross merchandise of $155 billion a year, Magento is another very powerful eCommerce platform. It’s particularly popular among large online stores and businesses. A good reason for this is it’s growing community of developers that make for unparalleled technical support for merchants, sellers, and service providers.
Unlike Shopify where you might have to reach out beyond your scope to find the best Shopify web development Service, you can find a Magento developer easily. Other advantages of Magento include:
Magento Pros:
Magento Cons:
Magento Pricing Plan
If you want to create an online store using the Magento platform, you can either choose the Magento Community Edition or the Magento Enterprise Edition.
The community edition is completely free. However, there are other components that you will have to consider if you wish your Magento store to be budget-friendly. This includes:
eCommerce website development that you can outsource to an agency or a freelancer, Magento themes, extensions, domain, hosting, SEO maintenance, and support.
The Magento Enterprise Edition starts at $22,000. It gives you a whole lot of add-on features not accessible to community edition users. However, you still will have to take into account other pricing components such as website development costs, extensions, domain, hosting, etc.
So yes if you are willing to use Magento, you must be prepared for comparatively higher ownership costs than Shopify.
Woo-Commerce:
Unlike the other two platforms in our list, WooCommerce is not a platform designed specifically for creating online stores. However, it is open-source and customizable in nature makes it an extremely popular e-commerce website development platform.
Woo-Commerce Pros
Woo-Commerce Cons
Woo-Commerce Pricing Plan
WooCommerce offers you greater control over what you spend than other eCommerce platforms. It offers a ton of features that are free and customizable. Plus if you already have a WordPress website and using a Business plan, there are no additional costs for using WooCommerce plugins.
But this doesn’t guarantee that your store will look unique. There could be tons of merchants using the same theme and features as yours. That’s why hiring a woo-commerce web development service is always a good decision. With experts at your service, you will get lucrative value from your investments in premium Storefront theme, extensions, etc.
Which One Should You Choose?
Every online store has its unique needs. When choosing a platform it’s important that you keep your needs in mind and then make an informed decision. WooCommerce is powered by WordPress, the most popular CMS platform. Magento gives you tons of wonderful eCommerce features out of the box. Shopify, on the other hand, is easy to use and offers a low cost to entry.
So, each platform has its unique set of advantages. To make the right choice, identify your business needs, and choose the platform that best serves those needs. In case you need any help, we are always happy to help. You can also get a free quote by calling us at 9828086155 Or writing to us at info@i4consulting.org
