Picking the Right eCommerce Platform for Your Business

In the digital age, your online presence can make or break small businesses. If you’re selling physical products, an eCommerce platform may be the perfect solution to drive sales. There are many eCommerce solutions available, but not all of them are right for your business. To determine which is the best eCommerce platform for you and your business needs, you should consider several things first. If you’re serious about selling products through a website, it may be time to look into an eCommerce platform that will support your business goals and help grow your company. An eCommerce platform is a set of tools that helps businesses sell their products online. There are many different types of platforms out there, so here is what you need to know before choosing one for your business:

Why use an eCommerce platform?

An eCommerce platform helps you set up an online store to sell products to customers. You can use a platform to create a digital storefront on the web and accept payments. It’s a great way to grow your business by reaching a wider audience without needing additional staff or physical space. eCommerce platforms are designed for businesses of all sizes, and you can find many that are designed for specific types of products or industries. You can use a single eCommerce platform to power all aspects of your business, from managing inventory and customer relationships to receiving and fulfilling orders.

There are many ways to create an online storefront to sell your products but using a platform can be beneficial for your business in many ways. You don’t need to be an expert in web development or marketing to get your products online. An eCommerce platform can help you get your products online quickly and easily. It’ll also save you a lot of time and money.

What are the categories of eCommerce?

There are different ways of classifying and naming eCommerce business setups. But the general agreement says the following types of businesses exist

• B2B (Business to Business)
• B2C (Business to Consumer)
• B2G (Business to Government)
• C2C (Consumer To Consumer)
• C2B (Consumer to Business)
• C2C (Consumer To Consumer)
• B2B2C (Business to Business to Consumer)

Besides, new words have been coined for m-commerce (mobile commerce) and Social Commerce (eCommerce through social media). These are the most commonly used terms and categories for eCommerce.

Now that we know the types of eCommerce, let’s look at how they differ from each other:

Briefly, B2B eCommerce is defined as online transactions between two businesses, while B2C refers to the sale of goods or services from a business to an individual consumer. In C2C eCommerce, consumers sell directly to other consumers through an intermediary (such as eBay), while in C2B transactions, consumers sell products or services to businesses (such as selling handmade goods on Etsy). Social Commerce is a newer category that describes any type of commerce conducted through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. And finally, m-commerce is eCommerce via mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. So, there you have it – a quick overview of the main types of eCommerce businesses.

One important distinction to make is between eCommerce and m-commerce. M-commerce, or mobile commerce, is eCommerce conducted through mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. This type of commerce has seen explosive growth in recent years, due to the increasing prevalence of mobile devices and improved connectivity. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have also facilitated the growth of social commerce, which is any type of commerce conducted through social media platforms.

It’s important to note that eCommerce can be conducted through any type of electronic device, not just mobile devices. For example, eCommerce transactions can also be conducted through desktop computers, laptops, and even televisions. However, the term “eCommerce” is most often used to refer to transactions conducted online via the internet.

Now that you know the basics of eCommerce, you might be wondering how to get started with your own eCommerce business. The first step is to choose the right platform for your business. There are a number of different eCommerce platforms out there, so it’s important to do your research and select the one that’s right for you. Once you’ve chosen a platform, you’ll need to set up your store by adding products, creating pages, and configuring your payment and shipping options.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry! Starting an eCommerce business or putting your store online can seem daunting, but with thoughtful planning and some effort, you can get your business up and running in no time.

What are the Requirements to Have an eCommerce Business?

In order to start an eCommerce business, there are a few key things you need to do:

– first, choose your business model and your goals for the eCommerce business

– second, choose the right eCommerce platform for your business

– next, set up your store by adding products and creating pages

– finally, configure your payment and shipping options

By following these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to starting a successful eCommerce business. You can reach a large audience of potential customers quickly and easily, and there are a number of different platforms to choose from. However, it’s important to do your research and select the right platform for your business. Once you’ve chosen a platform, setting up your store is relatively straightforward – Add products, create landing pages, SEO content such as blogs, set up customer support, and configure your payment and shipping options.

Commerce Pundit can do all of these things for you so that all you have to do is focus on what you do best, your business!

What is Your Budget?

The first thing you should do when researching eCommerce platforms is to determine your budget. If you don’t know how much you’re willing to spend, you might not be able to find a platform that fits your needs and your budget. eCommerce platforms are available in a range of prices and will vary depending on the features and functionality you’ll need. You should also consider how much you’ll need to invest in the long run. Many eCommerce platforms offer monthly subscription plans that can really add up over time. If you want to reduce your costs in the long run, you can look for a platform that offers a one-time payment or an annual fee. Like most things in business, you get what you pay for with eCommerce platforms. If you’re on a tight budget, you may have to sacrifice some features or support in order to get a platform that meets your needs. However, if you’re willing to invest in a more expensive platform, you’ll likely get access to more features and better support.

Identify Your Business Needs

Once you’ve determined your budget, it’s time to figure out what your business needs are. There are many things to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform, including the types of products you’ll sell, how many items you want to list at once, your desired customer service level, and more. When choosing an eCommerce platform, you should consider which features are most important to your business. For example, if your business is new, you may want to look for a platform that includes marketing tools that can help you reach new customers. If you’re selling a wide variety of products, you should look for an eCommerce platform that allows you to list many items at once. If you’re selling a more limited selection of products, you may be able to get by with a platform that allows fewer items on the site.

What Are Your Business Goals?

An eCommerce platform can help you reach a wider audience, automate some of your sales processes, and improve customer satisfaction. But first, you need to know what your business goals are. Do you want to sell products online? Do you want to offer more customer support? Are you looking for a solution that will help you scale your business? Once you know what your goals are, it will be easier to find an eCommerce platform that meets them.

What Products Will You Sell?

The types of products you’ll sell on your site will impact the types of eCommerce platforms you should consider. You should carefully consider what types of products you’ll list on your site, as some platforms may not be able to support the types of products you sell. Certain eCommerce platforms may be designed for specific types of products, including products for children, home goods, prints, apparel, furniture, and more. If you intend to sell a wide variety of products, you may want to look for an eCommerce platform that can support a wide variety of products. Some eCommerce platforms may also offer specific features designed for certain types of products. If you’re selling a product category that you need specific functionality for, you may want to look for an eCommerce platform that offers features designed for your niche.

eCommerce Platform Types

There are many different eCommerce platforms available. You can find eCommerce platforms that offer specific features and functionality, or you can find general eCommerce platforms that aren’t designed for a specific niche. There are many different types of eCommerce platforms available, but here are a few examples that you can research to get started on your search: – Drop shipping platforms – Drop shipping is a popular method of selling products online because it doesn’t require you to keep large quantities of inventory on hand. Drop shipping eCommerce platforms allow you to sell items that other businesses produce and ship directly to your customers.

• Hybrid eCommerce platforms – Hybrid eCommerce platforms offer a blend of both hosted and self-hosted solutions. Hybrid eCommerce platforms will offer hosted solutions for some aspects of your business while allowing you to self-host other features.
• Multichannel eCommerce platforms – Multichannel eCommerce platforms allow you to sell your products across multiple sales channels, including online and offline sales.

Platform Features to Look For

When choosing an eCommerce platform, you should carefully consider the features included in each platform. Different eCommerce platforms will offer different features, so it’s important to find a platform with the features you need for your business. There are many different features to look for when choosing an eCommerce platform, but here are a few examples: – Inventory Management – You’ll want to ensure that the eCommerce platform you select allows you to manage your products easily. The platform should make it easy for you to add new items to your inventory, update existing items, and even remove items from your inventory when necessary.

• Customer Relationship Management – The eCommerce platform you choose should allow you to easily manage your customers and offer them various ways to interact with you. You should be able to accept payments, track orders, and respond to customer service issues through the platform
• Pricing – The eCommerce platform you select should offer a pricing plan that meets your budget and business needs. You may also be able to negotiate a better deal if you’re shopping around for a new platform.
• Inventory Management – The eCommerce platform should have a simple inventory management system, your team should be able to upload product photos, descriptions, specifications, variations, and price points.
• Blogging Capabilities – A good eCommerce platform would supply space for your team to create pages and blogs, to help promote your business and bring traffic with SEO strategies.
• Personalized URL – The eCommerce platform should allow your store to put your preferred domain name, which matches your business.
• Customer Reviews – A great addition to your eCommerce store is the ability for customers to leave reviews of your products and services. This way, more potential customers can read the reviews and make the decision to purchase your products as well. Stores with many positive reviews are more likely to be trusted.
• Coupons – An important feature of an eCommerce store is the offering of coupons for products and services. Coupons can be displayed on the landing pages and made easy for the customers to find so that they can take advantage of your great deals.

Cost and ROI

Before you choose an eCommerce platform, you should consider the costs involved. You don’t want to select a platform that will cost more than it’s worth, but it’s important to consider the long-term costs of using a platform. You should look at the total cost of ownership of each eCommerce platform and the long-term costs of using each platform. If you’re shopping for an eCommerce platform, you should consider how much it will cost to use the platform, along with your potential return on investment. It’s important to calculate how much money you’ll make using the platform over time compared to the costs of using the platform. It’s also important to factor in any future costs you may incur while using the eCommerce platform. You should look at the costs of upgrading or switching platforms in the future. It’s also a good idea to look at the costs of switching payment processors.

Check Out the Reputation

Finally, before choosing an eCommerce platform, you should do some research on each platform and the company behind it. You can learn a lot by reading customer reviews, finding out how long the platform has been in business, and reading reviews from other businesses that use the platform. It’s important to find an eCommerce platform that you and your company are happy with. You should feel confident in the platform you choose and should feel comfortable with the company behind the platform. By selecting the right eCommerce platform, you can improve your business’s online presence and increase your sales. There are many eCommerce platforms available, so you’ll want to carefully consider your business needs and select a platform that meets those needs.

What eCommerce Platforms are Out There?

There are as many as 180 eCommerce options to choose from. It can be overwhelming to choose from that many platforms, so Commerce Pundit has broken down the most popular options that have created a withstanding reputation for customer satisfaction. We also deep dive into the two heavy hitters in the two most popular eCommerce platforms on the web today, Shopify and Magneto, analyzing the pros and the cons. Hopefully, this breakdown will help you make an informed decision in choosing a platform to move forward with based on your business needs.

The Pros of Shopify

Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms on the market. It offers a comprehensive solution for businesses of all sizes, from small businesses to enterprise companies. Shopify is easy to use and has a wide range of features, making it a great option for businesses that want to launch an online store. One of the biggest advantages of Shopify is that it is a hosted platform, which means that Shopify takes care of all the technical aspects of running an online store, such as security, hosting, and website maintenance. This allows businesses to focus on their core competencies and leaves them with more time to grow their business. Another advantage of Shopify is its scalability. Shopify can easily be scaled up as your business grows, which makes it a great long-term solution for businesses that are planning on expanding their online presence. Overall, Shopify is a great option for businesses that are looking to launch an online store. It is easy to use, has a wide range of features, and is scalable, making it a great long-term solution for businesses of all sizes.

The Cons of Shopify

Although Shopify is a great platform, we must discuss a few of its disadvantages as well. First is the pricing; Shopify can be pricier than you bargained for, so make sure that you are prepared to have the platform in your budget! Make sure your sales are going to outweigh your fees. With the right marketing tools, a $300 monthly fee would be nothing. Another drawback is the limited customization. Unlike Magneto, Shopify has fewer customization options as it does not use PHP. It’s quite difficult to migrate from a Shopify store to some other platform. So, if you choose Shopify make sure you want to be in it for the long haul. If not, don’t worry; Commerce Pundit can help you with the migration process.

The Pros of Magento

Magento is a popular eCommerce platform that enables businesses to create and manage their online stores. Magento is a flexible and scalable platform that can be customized to meet the specific needs of each business. Magento also offers a wide range of features and plugins, making it an ideal platform for businesses of all sizes. Magento is also backed by Adobe, one of the largest software companies in the world. Adobe provides Magento with the resources it needs to continue its development and support. Magento is a reliable and trusted platform that can help businesses to grow their online presence. Magento is an excellent choice for businesses that are looking for a flexible and scalable eCommerce solution. Magento can help businesses to drive sales, increase revenues, and expand their online reach. Magento is a powerful and feature-rich eCommerce platform that can help businesses to succeed online.

The Cons of Magento

While Magento is an amazing and powerful platform, it would be fair to say that it also has several disadvantages. One of the biggest drawbacks is the cost of ownership. Magento can be expensive to set up and maintain, especially if you need to hire someone with Magento expertise. In addition, Magento can be slow and resource-intensive, which can impact your website’s loading times. Magento also requires a lot of customization in order to work properly, which can again add to the cost. Finally, Magento will soon be owned by Adobe, which could mean higher costs and less control for Magento users in the future. For these reasons, Magento may not be the right eCommerce platform for your business.

Commerce Pundit can manage your Magento store for reasonable prices, so do not hesitate to contact us and request a quote so we can discuss your budget and how we can improve or launch your business today! 

The Battle between Shopify and Magento

eCommerce platform wars are as old as time, or at least as old as the internet. In the early days of online shopping, there were two main contenders: Shopify and Magento. These days, the landscape has shifted somewhat, with a few new players on the scene. However, Shopify and Magento are still two of the most popular eCommerce platforms around. So, which is the better option for your business? Let’s take a closer look.

Shopify is a cloud-based eCommerce platform that offers users a simple, sleek interface. One of its key selling points is that it requires no coding knowledge to set up and run an online store. This makes it an appealing option for small businesses and entrepreneurs who don’t have the time or resources to invest in learning how to code. Another advantage of Shopify is that it offers users a comprehensive range of features and integrations out of the box. This means that businesses can start selling online quickly and easily without having to invest in additional software or plugins.

Magento, on the other hand, is an open-source eCommerce platform that offers users more flexibility and control than Shopify. While Magento does require some coding knowledge to set up and run an online store, it offers a more customizable user experience than Shopify. This makes it a good option for businesses that want to have more control over their online presence. One downside of Magento is that it can be more resource-intensive than other eCommerce platforms, so it’s important to make sure that your website hosting plan can accommodate your needs.

When it comes to eCommerce platforms, Shopify and Magento are usually the first two that come to mind. And for good reason—they’re both powerful, feature-rich, and scale well as businesses grow. However, they’re not the only options out there. If you’re looking for an eCommerce platform for your business, you should also consider WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Volusion, and Wix.

So, Which is Better: Shopify or Magento?

When deciding which is better: Shopify or Magento, there are several things you should keep in mind. First, each platform has its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. You should carefully consider which platform is best suited to your business and which set of strengths will best help your business grow. Second, you should keep in mind the scalability of both platforms. If your business is growing, you don’t want to have to switch platforms and rebuild your eCommerce store from scratch. To do this, you’ll want to choose an eCommerce platform that’s easy to scale. Finally, you should think about how you’ll integrate your eCommerce store with your other systems. A platform like Shopify, which boasts an expansive array of integrations, makes this easier than a fully-fledged eCommerce solution like Magento. However, if you need a more advanced eCommerce, upscaled, and fully customizable solution that Shopify does not offer, we recommend Magento and hiring a team to help code and manage your Magneto store.

Other eCommerce Platforms

Not to be left out of the conversation are other eCommerce platforms. Although they are not as widely used as Magento or Shopify, they may have features that you favor in them, such as WordPress plugins, forum discussions, social media plugins and more.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that lets you turn your WordPress site into an online store. It’s popular because it offers a high degree of customization (since it’s built on top of WordPress) and integrates seamlessly with other WordPress plugins. Downfalls include the need for hosting fees and ongoing maintenance since it’s a self-hosted solution. Overall, it’s a great option if you’re already using WordPress for your website or if you have a developer on staff who can help manage the technical aspects of running an online store.

BigCommerce

If you’re looking for an eCommerce platform that scales well as your business grows, BigCommerce could be a good option for you. It comes with all the features and functionality you need to run a successful online store but doesn’t skimp on enterprise-level features like fraud protection and abandoned cart recovery. The tradeoff is that BigCommerce can be more expensive than some of the other platforms on this list (although they do offer discounts for annual plans).

Squarespace

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a website platform, and Squarespace is one option that is worth taking a closer look at. On the plus side, Squarespace is very user-friendly and offers a wide range of features, including eCommerce capabilities. It also has a robust customer support system in place. However, there are also some drawbacks to using Squarespace. One downside is that it can be more expensive than some other platforms. Additionally, while Squarespace offers a lot of flexibility in terms of design, it can also be challenging to create a truly unique website on the platform. Overall, Squarespace is a strong option for those who are looking for an easy-to-use platform with eCommerce capabilities. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a final decision.

Volusion

Volusion is another eCommerce platform aimed at small-to-medium businesses. One thing that sets Volusion apart from its competitors is its focus on providing excellent customer support—something that can be invaluable when you’re just getting started with running an online store. That being said, Volusion is missing some key features (like automatic inventory management) that are included with other platforms, so it might not be the best option if you have specific needs for your business.

More eCommerce platforms include OpenCart, PrestaShop, Zen Cart, and Ecwid.

Consider the User Experience

Other than your business needs, you need to be considerate of what your potential customers want to see in from eCommerce store as well. In general people want to use eCommerce websites that have top-tier usability, layout aesthetics, accessibility, responsiveness, mobile-friendliness, speed, and smooth navigation.  If you take the time to design an eCommerce website that pleases both you and your potential customers, success is more likely to follow.

There are a few key factors that make up a great eCommerce platform for consumers. These include:

• Ease of Use: A good eCommerce platform should be easy for consumers to use. This means having a well-designed website with a user-friendly interface.
• Layout and Aesthetics: Consumers should be able to easily navigate your eCommerce website. The layout should be clean and organized, and the overall aesthetics should be pleasing to the eye.
• Accessibility: Your eCommerce platform should be accessible to all users, regardless of their devices or browsers.
• Responsiveness: A responsive eCommerce platform will provide an optimal experience for users regardless of the device they are using.
• Mobile-Friendliness: In today’s day and age, it is essential that your eCommerce platform is mobile-friendly. This means that your website should be designed for mobile devices and should be easy to use on a smaller screen.
• Speed: Consumers expect your eCommerce website to load quickly. If your website is slow, they are likely to leave and go to a competitor’s site.
• Smooth Navigation: Your eCommerce website should have smooth navigation so that consumers can easily find what they are looking for.

If you keep these factors in mind when choosing an eCommerce platform, you will be sure to please both you and your potential customers. By providing a great user experience, you will be more likely to succeed in the world of online sales.

How much control do you need over the look and feel of your website?

Some eCommerce platforms offer more customization than others, like Magento If you have specific branding guidelines or if you want complete control over the look and feel of your website, you’ll need to find a platform that supports customizations. On the other hand, if you’re not too concerned about how your website looks as long as it functions well, you may be able to get away with a less customizable platform.

What are your website’s requirements?

Some eCommerce platforms require specific software or hardware in order to run properly. Before choosing a platform, make sure that your website meets the system requirements. Otherwise, you may run into problems down the road. Make sure that if you plan to run the store alone, you fully understand the platform. There may be a steep learning curb that can take or time you do not have to spend on when you should be managing your business instead. With that being said, hiring qualified staff or an eCommerce-based agency to take care of these things for you will save you a lot of time, money, and energy in the long run.

How much support do you need?

Some eCommerce platforms offer more support than others. If you’re not sure how to set up your website or if you need help troubleshooting problems, you’ll want to choose a platform that offers customer support. Most eCommerce platforms have some form of customer support, but some are better than others. You could also take the hands-off approach and hire staff who can take care of arising issues that cannot be taken care of by the store host customer service.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right eCommerce platform is essential for any business that wants to sell products online. There are many things to consider, but if find the right platform for your business, or consult with professionals who know these platforms like the back of their hands, it will pay off in the long run. By considering your business goals, budget, website requirements, and how much control you need over the look and feel of your site, you can narrow down your options and choose the best eCommerce platform for your needs.

eCommerce platforms offer a variety of features, so it’s important to know which ones are most important to your business. If you want complete control over the look and feel of your website, you should choose a platform that supports customizations. eCommerce platforms also vary in terms of customer support. If you need help troubleshooting problems, you should choose a platform that offers excellent customer service. Another thing to consider is the price—you may have to sacrifice some features or support if you’re on a tight budget. But if you’re willing to invest in a more expensive platform, you’ll likely get access to more features and better support. Finally, make sure that your website meets the system requirements of the eCommerce platform you’re considering. By taking the time to find the right eCommerce platform for your business, you can improve sales processes and offer a better customer experience.

Hire Pros to Manage Your eCommerce Business

Another option if you’re struggling to decide between Shopify and Magento is to hire a professional like Commerce Pundit to manage your eCommerce store for you. This can be a good option if you don’t have the time or resources to build and manage an eCommerce store from scratch. Commerce Pundit have many years of experience getting businesses online and creating successful eCommerce stores for their products We are sure we can create and manage an eCommerce website that meets your needs. Not only do we handle Shopify and Magento websites, but we are also a full-service agency that handles everything from web development to marketing. We won’t leave you hanging alone to manage the digital aspects of your business!

Why Commerce Pundit Should be Your eCommerce Partner

At Commerce Pundit, our team is filled with Magento and Shopify-certified experts who know the platforms backward and forward. Whichever platform is best for your business, we can build and maintain a beautiful store that meets your needs and helps your business flourish. To find the site that works best for you, whether you want to build a new store or migrate to a new platform, reach out to your Commerce Pundit account manager, or set up with us at sales@commercepundit.com.