How to Choose the Best Ecommerce Platform for Your Growing Business in 2024

6 Sep, 2024

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Best Ecommerce Platform for Your Growing Business

Choosing the right ecommerce platform is one of the most critical decisions for any business looking to sell online. Whether you’re a small business starting out or an established enterprise, the platform you choose will impact everything from how easily you can manage your store to how efficiently you can scale as you grow. Each platform offers its unique features, strengths, and drawbacks, and selecting the right one depends heavily on your specific needs.

In this guide, we’ll break down the key factors to consider when choosing an ecommerce platform. We’ll also compare popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and others to help you find the best fit for your business. Our goal is to provide you with the insights and tools to make an informed decision so you can focus on growing your online presence effectively.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Different Types of Ecommerce Platforms

Before diving into the specific platforms, it’s important to understand the different types of ecommerce solutions available. The two primary categories are SaaS (Software as a Service) and self-hosted platforms. In addition, a newer model known as headless ecommerce is gaining traction for its flexibility and customizability. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, which we’ll explore below.

SaaS vs. Self-Hosted Platforms

SaaS platforms are cloud-based solutions that provide a ready-made environment for building your online store. These platforms handle everything from hosting to maintenance, allowing business owners to focus on running their store rather than the technical aspects. On the other hand, self-hosted platforms provide complete control and customization, but they come with additional responsibilities like server maintenance and security.

SaaS Ecommerce Platforms

Shopify: One of the most popular SaaS platforms, Shopify offers a user-friendly interface with extensive third-party app integrations and a range of pricing options.
BigCommerce: Known for its scalability and built-in features, BigCommerce is ideal for growing businesses that need more out-of-the-box solutions without relying on additional apps.
Wix: Best suited for small businesses and freelancers, Wix offers an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface for building your online store quickly.

Self-Hosted Ecommerce Platforms

WooCommerce: A free, open-source platform built on WordPress. WooCommerce is highly customizable but requires technical know-how and additional plugins for full functionality.
Magento (Adobe Commerce): A powerful open-source solution ideal for large businesses that need extensive customization and advanced features. However, Magento requires significant technical resources to manage.

Headless Ecommerce Platforms

Headless ecommerce is an emerging approach where the front-end and back-end of a platform are decoupled, giving businesses more control over their user interface while still leveraging the platform’s ecommerce functionalities. This approach allows for greater flexibility in design and customer experience.

SureCart: A new player in the headless commerce space, SureCart offers high flexibility for customizing front-end user experiences while using its back-end system to manage transactions and inventory.
Shopify Plus: Shopify’s enterprise solution allows headless commerce setups, making it a great option for businesses looking for advanced customization with powerful backend support.

Mobile Optimization

As mobile commerce continues to grow, having a mobile-optimized ecommerce platform is critical. Most SaaS platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce are designed to provide mobile-friendly stores out of the box. However, self-hosted platforms may require additional optimization for mobile responsiveness, depending on the themes and plugins used.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Ecommerce Platform

When selecting the right ecommerce platform, it’s essential to assess your business’s current needs and future goals. Every platform offers different strengths depending on the size and scope of your business. Below are the most important factors to keep in mind when evaluating your options.

Scalability

Scalability is crucial for businesses that plan to grow over time. As your sales increase, your ecommerce platform must be able to handle additional traffic, transactions, and product listings without affecting performance.

Shopify Plus: Provides scalable solutions for high-growth businesses with enterprise-level needs. It can support high transaction volumes and integrates seamlessly with third-party apps and tools.
BigCommerce: Known for its scalability, BigCommerce allows businesses to grow without transaction fees and offers robust features like multi-channel selling and API access for customization.

Customization & Flexibility

Some platforms offer more flexibility than others when it comes to design and functionality. If your business requires unique features or branding, look for platforms that allow deep customization.

WooCommerce: Offers extensive customization options, particularly for businesses already using WordPress. You can add functionality through plugins and have complete control over the design.
Magento (Adobe Commerce): Best for large businesses needing highly customized features and workflows. Magento offers complete control over both frontend and backend, but requires significant technical resources.

Ease of Use

Not every business has access to a development team, so ease of use is a critical factor for many small businesses and entrepreneurs. Look for platforms that offer intuitive design tools and user-friendly interfaces.

Wix: Ideal for beginners with its drag-and-drop interface and pre-built templates, making it easy for non-technical users to build an online store quickly.
Squarespace: Known for its sleek design options and straightforward interface, Squarespace is a great choice for creatives and small businesses looking for beautiful, easy-to-set-up stores.

Security Features

Security is a top concern for any ecommerce business. Make sure the platform you choose offers robust security features like SSL certificates, PCI compliance, and secure payment gateways to protect both your business and your customers.

Volusion: Includes built-in SSL certificates and PCI compliance, ensuring secure transactions without additional setup.
Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart): Offers end-to-end security features, including fraud detection, SSL encryption, and PCI compliance out of the box.

Must-Have Features for a Successful Online Store

The success of your online store largely depends on the features your ecommerce platform provides. From SEO tools to multi-channel selling, the right features can help drive traffic, improve customer experience, and boost sales. Below are some must-have features to consider when evaluating your options.

SEO and Marketing Tools

A strong SEO strategy is essential for driving organic traffic to your online store. Many ecommerce platforms provide built-in SEO and marketing tools to help you rank higher in search results and reach your target audience.

Shopify: Offers built-in SEO features such as editable title tags, meta descriptions, and mobile optimization. It also supports advanced marketing tools like email campaigns and product reviews.
BigCommerce: Known for its SEO capabilities, BigCommerce includes keyword optimization, auto-generated sitemaps, and integration with Google Analytics and AdWords.

Omnichannel Selling

In today’s ecommerce landscape, selling across multiple channels—such as social media, marketplaces, and physical stores—can increase your reach and sales. The best ecommerce platforms make it easy to manage sales across multiple channels.

Salesforce Commerce Cloud: Allows businesses to integrate their stores with multiple sales channels, including Amazon, eBay, and social media, for a seamless omnichannel experience.
Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart): Offers multichannel capabilities with integrations to major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon, allowing you to manage your inventory across multiple channels from a single dashboard.

Abandoned Cart Recovery and Analytics

Abandoned cart recovery is one of the most effective ways to recapture lost sales. Analytics tools, meanwhile, give you valuable insights into your customers’ behaviors, helping you make data-driven decisions.

BigCommerce: Includes built-in abandoned cart recovery emails to encourage customers to complete their purchases. The platform also provides detailed reporting and analytics tools.
Shopify: Offers abandoned cart recovery emails as well as robust analytics features, including traffic reports, sales tracking, and customer behavior insights.

Payment Gateways and Transaction Fees

The ease and security of payment processing are crucial for any online store. Most platforms integrate with a variety of payment gateways, but transaction fees can vary depending on the platform and payment method you choose.

Shopify: Supports over 100 payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Amazon Pay. However, Shopify charges additional transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments.
Square Online: Fully integrated with Square’s payment system, allowing seamless processing of in-person and online sales without extra fees.

Customer Support and Community

When running an online store, reliable customer support can be a game-changer, especially if you run into technical issues. Some platforms offer extensive customer support, while others rely on community forums or third-party developers for help.

Shopify: Offers 24/7 customer support through live chat, email, and phone, plus an extensive community forum and help center.
WooCommerce: Since it’s open-source, WooCommerce relies heavily on community forums and third-party support, though many hosting providers offer managed WooCommerce support.

Platform Comparison: Best Ecommerce Platforms for Different Business Needs

To help you better understand which ecommerce platform might be the best fit for your business, here’s a side-by-side comparison of the most popular platforms. Each platform offers a unique set of features, pricing options, and strengths, depending on the type and scale of your business.

Shopify

Best For: Small to large businesses, beginners.
Pricing: $39/month (Basic) to $399/month (Advanced).
Key Features: User-friendly interface, multi-channel selling, 1-click upsells, Shopify Payments integration, and a variety of third-party app integrations.
Limitations: Additional transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments, limited URL structure for SEO.

BigCommerce

Best For: Growing and large businesses.
Pricing: $29.95/month (Standard) to $299.95/month (Pro).
Key Features: No transaction fees, advanced SEO features, built-in sales tools, scalable solutions for large businesses, and multi-channel selling capabilities.
Limitations: Some limitations with design flexibility, higher cost as your store grows.

WooCommerce

Best For: Small businesses using WordPress.
Pricing: Free to start, hosting costs apply (from $10/month).
Key Features: Full customization, open-source, built-in WordPress integration, and extensive plugin support for added features.
Limitations: Requires technical knowledge, additional plugins may add complexity, scaling can be challenging.

Wix

Best For: Small businesses and freelancers.
Pricing: $29/month for Business Basic.
Key Features: Drag-and-drop design, customizable templates, easy-to-use interface, and multi-channel selling.
Limitations: Lacks advanced ecommerce features like low-stock alerts, limited customizability for larger stores.

Squarespace

Best For: Creatives and small businesses.
Pricing: $26/month (Basic Commerce) to $65/month (Advanced Commerce).
Key Features: Sleek, professional templates, easy setup, and customizable designs for beautiful storefronts.
Limitations: Limited advanced ecommerce features, may not scale well for larger or complex businesses.

Square Online

Best For: Small retailers with both online and physical stores.
Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans starting at $29/month.
Key Features: Seamless integration with Square POS, easy inventory management, and a free option for basic store needs.
Limitations: Limited features for complex online stores, better suited for smaller retailers.

Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Best For: Mid to large enterprises with omnichannel needs.
Pricing: Custom pricing, based on business needs.
Key Features: AI-driven personalization, robust omnichannel integrations, advanced inventory management, and flexible scaling for large enterprises.
Limitations: Expensive, complex implementation best suited for larger enterprises.

Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart)

Best For: Mid-sized businesses.
Pricing: Starting at $29/month.
Key Features: Built-in SEO and marketing tools, no transaction fees, and integrations with major sales platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Limitations: Limited customer support for lower-tier plans, fewer design options compared to other platforms.

PrestaShop

Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses with technical knowledge.
Pricing: Free to use; hosting and other costs apply.
Key Features: Open-source, highly customizable, no monthly fees, multilingual and multi-currency support.
Limitations: Requires technical expertise for setup and maintenance, may need additional development support for complex features.

Adobe Commerce (Magento)

Best For: Large enterprises needing custom solutions.
Pricing: Starting at $22,000/year for on-premise solutions.
Key Features: Fully customizable, enterprise-level capabilities, deep integration with other Adobe tools, and advanced B2B features.
Limitations: High cost, complex to set up and manage, requires extensive technical expertise.

This comparison should help you identify which ecommerce platform aligns best with your business’s specific needs, whether you’re looking for flexibility, scalability, or an easy-to-use interface.

Industry-Specific Ecommerce Platforms

Different industries have unique needs, and certain ecommerce platforms are designed to cater to those specific requirements. Whether you are selling digital products, running a membership-based business, or managing a physical retail store, choosing a platform that specializes in your industry can save time and provide more effective tools for success. Below are some platforms tailored to specific business models and industries.

Digital Products & Memberships

For businesses that focus on selling digital products like ebooks, online courses, or memberships, some platforms provide specialized features to manage digital assets and content delivery. These platforms typically include subscription management, download protection, and multimedia support.

Gumroad: Known for selling digital products, Gumroad offers an easy-to-use interface for creators selling content such as books, music, or art. It supports digital downloads, subscriptions, and even physical goods, with simple setup and payment processing.
Podia: Perfect for online course creators and membership-based businesses, Podia allows you to create and sell courses, digital products, and memberships without transaction fees. It also supports upsells, drip content, and messaging for personalized customer interactions.

Retail & Brick-and-Mortar Integration

If you operate both a physical store and an online business, it’s important to choose an ecommerce platform that seamlessly integrates with your in-store systems. This ensures smooth inventory management, unified sales tracking, and cohesive customer experiences.

Square Online: If you’re already using Square’s point-of-sale (POS) system, Square Online provides seamless integration between your physical store and online shop. You can sync inventory, manage orders, and accept payments both online and offline.
Shopify: Shopify offers POS solutions that easily integrate with its online platform, making it ideal for businesses that want to unify their in-store and online sales. With Shopify POS, businesses can manage inventory, customer data, and orders from a single dashboard.

Subscription-Based Businesses

Subscription models are growing in popularity, allowing businesses to offer recurring products or services. These platforms offer built-in subscription management tools and billing solutions to automate the process.

WooCommerce Subscriptions: An add-on for WooCommerce, this extension lets you create and manage products with recurring payments—whether it’s for physical products, services, or digital subscriptions.
Recurly: Specializing in recurring billing for subscription businesses, Recurly is a robust solution for managing subscription cycles, invoicing, and dunning (recovery of failed payments).

Multichannel Sellers

For businesses looking to sell across multiple channels such as Amazon, eBay, and social media platforms, certain ecommerce solutions make it easy to manage all sales channels from a single interface.

BigCommerce: BigCommerce offers built-in integrations with platforms like Amazon, eBay, Facebook, and Instagram. This allows businesses to sell their products across various channels while managing inventory, orders, and customer data from one central dashboard.
Shift4Shop: Formerly known as 3dcart, Shift4Shop also supports multi-channel selling by integrating with popular marketplaces and social media platforms, offering a single hub to manage all sales operations.

Pricing Plans and Hidden Costs

When evaluating ecommerce platforms, the pricing structure is often one of the first things business owners consider. While most platforms offer tiered pricing, there are often additional costs that aren’t immediately visible. These can include transaction fees, plugin costs, and payment processing fees. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the various pricing models and hidden costs you should be aware of before making a decision.

Price Comparison of Popular Platforms

Each ecommerce platform has a unique pricing model. Some charge flat fees based on the plan you choose, while others take a percentage of each sale in transaction fees. Here’s an overview of the basic pricing structures of the most popular platforms.

Shopify: Pricing starts at $39/month for the Basic plan and goes up to $399/month for the Advanced plan. In addition, Shopify charges transaction fees (2.9% + 30¢ per transaction) unless you use Shopify Payments.
BigCommerce: BigCommerce’s pricing starts at $29.95/month for the Standard plan and goes up to $299.95/month for the Pro plan. Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees.
WooCommerce: WooCommerce itself is free, but you will need to factor in the cost of web hosting (ranging from $10 to $50+ per month), plus any premium plugins and payment processing fees (typically 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction).
Wix: Starts at $29/month for the Business Basic plan, which includes full ecommerce capabilities. However, additional apps and premium features may incur extra costs.

Long-Term Costs

While the monthly fee is often the most visible cost, several other expenses can accumulate over time. These long-term costs can include premium themes, plugins, and additional features that may be required as your business grows.

Shopify: Additional costs may arise from paid apps, such as for advanced SEO tools, marketing integrations, or product review systems. Apps can range from $5 to $100+ per month depending on their complexity.
WooCommerce: While the base platform is free, WooCommerce requires various paid extensions for advanced functionalities, such as subscriptions, advanced shipping options, and security features. These add-ons can significantly increase your overall cost.
BigCommerce: BigCommerce includes many built-in features (like abandoned cart recovery) that Shopify charges for as app integrations, making it potentially more cost-effective in the long term.

Additional Hidden Fees

When choosing an ecommerce platform, it’s important to look out for hidden costs that might not be obvious upfront. These can significantly impact your bottom line over time.

Transaction Fees: Shopify charges transaction fees if you’re not using Shopify Payments, while platforms like BigCommerce don’t have transaction fees, which can make a big difference for high-volume stores.
Payment Gateway Fees: Most platforms charge a fee for using third-party payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe. These fees typically range from 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction, but they can vary depending on your location and the gateway provider.
Theme and App Costs: While many platforms offer free themes and basic functionality, premium themes and apps can add to your monthly expenses. Premium themes on Shopify, for instance, can cost anywhere from $140 to $180.

Free Trials & Demos

Most ecommerce platforms offer free trials or demos, allowing you to test their features before committing to a subscription. This is a great way to explore the hidden costs and see whether a platform fits your budget.

Shopify: Offers a 14-day free trial with full access to the platform’s features.
BigCommerce: Provides a 15-day free trial so you can test all the premium features.
Wix: Includes a free plan for non-ecommerce websites, but you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to access ecommerce functionalities.

Future Trends in Ecommerce Platforms

The ecommerce landscape is rapidly evolving, and staying ahead of emerging trends can give your business a competitive edge. From headless commerce to AI-driven personalization, the future of ecommerce is focused on delivering highly customized, efficient, and scalable solutions. In this section, we’ll explore some of the key trends that are shaping the future of ecommerce platforms.

Headless Commerce

Headless commerce is gaining traction among businesses that require more control over the customer experience and front-end design. By decoupling the front-end (what the customer sees) from the back-end (the ecommerce engine), businesses can create unique, personalized experiences without sacrificing the performance of their ecommerce platform.

SureCart: As a headless commerce solution, SureCart provides full flexibility over how your store is presented to customers, while still managing the backend operations efficiently.
Shopify Plus: Shopify’s enterprise-level solution allows businesses to leverage headless commerce for advanced customizations, giving developers control over the storefront while using Shopify’s backend tools for inventory and sales management.

AI & Personalization

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing how businesses interact with customers, providing more personalized shopping experiences, and optimizing inventory management. Platforms that integrate AI can suggest products, streamline operations, and improve conversion rates through data-driven insights.

Salesforce Commerce Cloud: Uses AI-powered features like Einstein AI to deliver personalized product recommendations, automate marketing campaigns, and manage inventory more efficiently, helping businesses increase customer engagement and sales.
Adobe Commerce (Magento): Through integration with Adobe Sensei, this platform offers AI-driven product recommendations, predictive analytics, and personalized user experiences that can help businesses drive higher conversion rates.

B2B Ecommerce Growth

While B2C ecommerce has been the main focus for many years, B2B ecommerce is rapidly expanding as more businesses move their operations online. Platforms with advanced B2B functionalities allow companies to handle large volumes of products, manage complex pricing, and integrate with ERP systems.

Adobe Commerce (Magento): A leader in the B2B space, Magento offers tools for managing bulk orders, personalized pricing, account management, and robust integrations with enterprise systems.
BigCommerce: BigCommerce is also stepping up its B2B game by offering enterprise-level tools, including advanced product catalog management, customer segmentation, and wholesale capabilities.

Omnichannel Selling

The ability to sell across multiple channels—such as online stores, social media, marketplaces, and physical locations—is becoming a must-have feature for ecommerce businesses. Omnichannel selling allows businesses to provide seamless customer experiences, regardless of where the transaction occurs.

Shopify: With Shopify’s multi-channel integration, businesses can sell products across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon, all while managing inventory and sales from one dashboard.
BigCommerce: BigCommerce offers built-in omnichannel selling capabilities, allowing businesses to reach customers on platforms like eBay, Amazon, and Google Shopping while maintaining unified inventory management.

Subscription-Based Commerce

Subscription-based ecommerce is becoming increasingly popular, especially in industries such as beauty, fitness, and digital content. Platforms that offer built-in subscription management and recurring payment features can help businesses capitalize on this trend.

WooCommerce Subscriptions: Allows businesses to manage products with recurring payments, offering flexibility in subscription length and billing cycles, making it an ideal solution for subscription-based businesses.
ReCharge (Shopify): A popular app for Shopify users, ReCharge offers powerful subscription management features, allowing businesses to easily set up recurring billing for their products and services.

How to Choose the Right Ecommerce Platform for Your Business

Choosing the right ecommerce platform depends on a variety of factors, including the size of your business, the products you sell, and your long-term growth plans. In this section, we’ll walk you through some actionable steps that can help you make the best choice for your unique needs.

Assess Your Business Size and Needs

The first step is to evaluate where your business is now and where you want it to be in the future. A small business with a limited budget may prioritize ease of use and low upfront costs, while a growing business may need a platform that offers scalability and advanced customization.

Small Businesses: Platforms like Wix and Squarespace are great for smaller businesses or individuals who need an affordable, easy-to-use solution with a quick setup.
Growing Businesses: If your business is scaling quickly, consider platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce, which offer more robust features and scalability without sacrificing ease of use.
Large Enterprises: For large, complex businesses, Adobe Commerce (Magento) or Salesforce Commerce Cloud are ideal choices due to their enterprise-level customization and B2B features.

Consider Your Budget

Your budget plays a major role in determining which platform is the best fit. Beyond the upfront costs, you’ll also need to consider ongoing expenses such as transaction fees, paid apps, and hosting.

Free or Low-Cost Options: If budget is a primary concern, WooCommerce (with hosting) or PrestaShop are good options, as they offer free platforms with paid plugins and hosting.
Mid-Range Budgets: Shopify and BigCommerce have pricing tiers starting around $29/month, offering scalability without breaking the bank.
High-End Solutions: Enterprise solutions like Adobe Commerce (Magento) and Salesforce Commerce Cloud offer more advanced features but come with higher costs. They are ideal for businesses that require highly customized solutions and have the resources to support them.

Test the Platform with Free Trials

Most ecommerce platforms offer free trials, which can be a valuable way to test out key features and determine whether the platform fits your business needs. Take advantage of these trials to explore the platform’s usability, features, and performance before committing.

Shopify: Offers a 14-day free trial to explore its core features, allowing you to set up a store and experience the platform without paying upfront.
BigCommerce: Provides a 15-day free trial, giving you access to all its features, so you can test scalability, SEO tools, and more.

Evaluate Long-Term Growth Potential

Your chosen platform should not only support your business now but also provide room for future growth. If you plan to expand your product line or target international markets, make sure the platform can scale with your business.

Shopify Plus: Provides scalability and enterprise-level features, making it ideal for fast-growing businesses that expect to handle large transaction volumes.
BigCommerce: BigCommerce is built for growing businesses, with features like multi-channel selling, customizable product catalogs, and no transaction fees, making it a cost-effective solution as you scale.

Use Platform Demos to Compare Features

Before committing to a platform, use demo versions and free trials to explore the specific features that each platform offers. This will give you a hands-on look at how easy the platform is to use, the quality of the themes, and the performance of the checkout process.

Wix: Offers an intuitive drag-and-drop demo interface, making it easy for non-technical users to build a sample store quickly.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud: Provides demo versions with advanced customization options to help businesses understand how the platform supports omnichannel sales and complex workflows.

By taking the time to evaluate your business size, budget, and growth potential, you can make a more informed decision when selecting an ecommerce platform. Don’t forget to test each platform thoroughly through free trials and demos to ensure it’s the right fit for your business needs.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ecommerce platform is a crucial step for any business looking to sell online. The decision you make today will impact your store’s performance, scalability, and overall success in the future. Whether you’re a small business owner just getting started or a large enterprise needing advanced features, there’s a platform that will suit your unique needs.

As you’ve seen, platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce offer robust, scalable solutions for growing businesses, while WooCommerce and PrestaShop provide customizable and cost-effective options for businesses that require more flexibility. For businesses prioritizing digital products or subscriptions, platforms like Gumroad and Podia are tailored specifically to those needs. If you’re looking for seamless integration between physical and online sales, Square Online and Shopify POS are excellent choices.

In today’s fast-evolving ecommerce landscape, staying ahead of the latest trends like headless commerce and AI-driven personalization can provide a competitive advantage. With platforms like Salesforce Commerce Cloud and Magento leading the charge in omnichannel and AI capabilities, businesses can offer more customized, streamlined experiences for their customers.

Ultimately, the best platform for your business will depend on your specific goals, industry, and long-term vision. For businesses looking for a reliable, all-in-one solution, consider using an ecommerce website builder that allows you to create, customize, and manage your store with ease, without worrying about the technical complexities.

Take your time to explore the platforms, use the free trials and demos, and make a decision that aligns with your business’s future growth. With the right ecommerce platform, you can focus on what truly matters—growing your business and delivering great experiences to your customers.