Top 13 Best E-commerce Platforms (2022): Compared & Reviewed

Introduction

The business has been around for a very long time. However, it is important to point out that today, it has taken new shapes. Living in a world where we are powered by the internet, the digital space has changed the way we see business. Today, everything has shifted online, business being one of them. A lot of people find the convenience of this appealing. Traditionally, you had to go to a shop which was around you locally, pick out items you like, and pay for them. That is not the case today. Today, we have the opportunity to order things from the comfort of our houses.

Online business has made it possible for people to get products that are geographically placed across countries. This has also brought in a new habit of scrolling through these sites in your free time and adding items to your cart. These sites usually use marketing strategies such as offering discounts on various festivals. By all means, it is a non-negotiable fact that you are required to take your business online in the times that we live today. This digital space has also given opportunities to small and large businesses to take a chance at success.

In this article, we have explored 13 e-commerce platforms that are the best in what they do. We have talked about their features, pros, and cons. Aspects such as what are e-commerce platforms, the strategies they use, types, and things one should consider before starting an e-commerce business are also explored. 

All of these are looked at in detail to ensure that everything that is required to know is there. We hope that this provides you with some insight into the topic to be able to make the decisions for you. 

1. BigCommerce

Features:

BigCommerce has features and facilities that could help both small and large businesses. They are considered as a platform that is one of the most SaaS e-commerce platforms which has open APIs, an open partner ecosystem, and has zero transaction fees. They do offer higher learning as compared to sites such as Wix. That is, they are slightly harder to get a grasp of.

If you want to build your online store, the user interface of BigCommerce is simple and the newly launched BigCommerce gives the opportunity to get discounted rates and have managed fulfillment right on your keyboard. 

BigCommerce is a really good platform if you are someone who is looking at an e-commerce platform that provides responsive themes and has conversion rates in mind. In the digital age, SEO plays an important role and BigCommerce understands that. You get a branded store, domain name, and you can sell your products on sites such as Amazon or eBay.

2. Wix

Features:

Wix is a platform that is widely used because of the simplicity and affordability of the platform. The templates that Wix has to offer are very good in terms of variety and numbers. For gift cards and promotions, they give a good variety of options as well. 

You have an option to customize the mobile site to ensure that it is visually appealing to your audience. This can be very beneficial especially because a lot of people use these sites from their phones. However, it has been observed that SEO-wise Wix’s performance is not that best. 

Wix is a really good platform for small to medium businesses. You can start from this platform and understand the functions that are offered. Both free and paid options are available. However, you might need to upgrade your platform once you see scalability and growth in your business.

3. Shopify

Features:

When you are planning to use this immensely popular website, it is important to note that the design of this website is easy to operate and does not require technical knowledge to operate. Shopify can help you start your site immediately without much hassle. There is a wide range of templates to choose from as well.

The platform also provides CMS control which means that it manages the functionality of the layout. You also are provided with the option to customize your storefronts on Instagram and Facebook. There is also a store speed report that is offered by Shopify. 

Shopify is popular for its own reasons. It is a really popular platform and can be used by all businesses that are planning to shift to the digital space. Various features are provided by Shopify that can be extremely useful. It is definitely a really good option to consider. 

4. Square Online

Features:

Square Online is a very simple and flexible option that can be helpful for small businesses as well. This e-commerce website allows you to post directly on the Instagram feed and this is a really good feature to have especially in a time when digital space holds so much importance.

Square enables users to order food online, you also get tools for in-person retail, you can also accept donations for non-profit organizations to name a few etc. Square Online allows you to scale your plans based on your growth. This can be beneficial for both small or medium scale businesses.

Square Online is a good option for people who are looking for a platform that provides them with marketing facilities and can be useful for all types of businesses. It has an easy-to-use interface and it can be operated by beginners as well. It is one of the best e-commerce platforms available in the marketplace.

5. Ecwid

Features:

Ecwid as mentioned above is a platform that is easy and simple to use. It is not restricted and rather flexible in nature. When you are someone who is starting on platforms such as Joomla or WordPress business, it is easy to integrate your business with Ecwid. Being beginner-friendly, it should not be much of a problem.

Apart from these things, it offers a customizable platform and there is higher visibility. It allows users to create and manage their own advertisements. You can create the perfect Facebook ads here. Ecwid has a seamless payment procedure for its users. 

Ecwid is a really good option for someone who is looking for a more affordable platform that provides a good number of features at its price point. It can be pointed out that while there are certain cons, the platform is designed to increase your customer base.

6. Zyro

Features:

There are a variety of features that are offered by Zyro. You can sell your products on multiple channels with Zyro and you do not have to stick to one platform. Not all platforms provide this. Like we have mentioned for Shopify, Zyro also does not require much time for you to start your business.

When we talk about what it gives, it provides everything that you could need. There is inventory management, 50+ payment options for the consumers, tax and shipping is managed, and discount codes and gift cards are also provided by them. You can freely host your website as well.

Zyro is a really good option for people who are looking for a really affordable yet easy to use e-commerce platform. The Basic plan can help you understand how to use the platform and can help you make a decision. It is extremely beginner-friendly and useful for people who are starting young or with less money. 

7. WooCommerce

Features:

The features that WooCommerce offers are really good. WordPress offers the best SEO features and is a platform that works on the concept of SEO. WooCommerce is an extension of WordPress and has great SEO options along with customizations. You can also customize the WooCommerce platform according to your likings. 

This highly customizable platform has a community of developers that can make changes in this open-source platform. It is an easy-to-use platform. Most of the third-party payment options are supported, at least the ones that are popular. If you spend some amount of money on the plugin, you can get yourself a fully functioning e-commerce website.

WooCommerce is one of the best e-commerce platforms for those who have a WordPress site. It can be used with other plugins as well to help you make the best use of it. It is also advisable to use the paid option to make sure that you get to enjoy the advanced features.

8. Sellfy

Features:

Sellfy offers features that are comprehensive in nature. There is design customization available at an extreme level which enables the users to be able to add logos, change colors, or so on. You can also add to your custom domain. You are free to choose whichever language you want for your platform.

There is an option for a mobile-optimized interface and gives a seamless experience. It has also integrated with payment getaways that are popular such as PayPal. It also provides an analysis of how your business is performing in-depth which can give an insight into your business and help you work on aspects you are lacking. 

Sellfy is a really good option for someone looking for an e-commerce platform that can offer a variety of features such as good marketing facilities. You can rely on this and it is considered the best for bloggers, creators and will be beneficial for small businesses as well.

9. 3dcart

Features:

3dcart is an e-commerce platform with a simple user interface and is affordable. It has more than 100 payment gateways that it can integrate. The popular payment processing options that it integrates are PayPal, Stripe. There is a support forum along with extensive webinars and tutorials on how to make the best of this platform. This can especially help beginners. 

The plans that are offered by 3dcart are done on a month-to-month basis and thus prove to be beneficial in case you want to discontinue the platform as well. It does not bound you to use it. All of the various plans that it offers include features such as basic SEO tools.

3dcart as a platform has been around for quite some time and is a dependable platform. It offers a good number of features and the plans are worth it as well. The price is not too expensive and includes a variety of functions. It is definitely worth a try if you are looking for a good e-commerce platform.

10. ShopBase

Features:

As mentioned above, the features offered by ShopBase are e-commerce centric. You get unlimited bandwidth with web hosting. The templates are very well-designed and are available for free. The major beneficial tool here is that you can easily transfer or migrate to other platforms. This is not a feature that is found everywhere.

ShopBase provides premium product sourcing and ensures that everything is automatically optimized on your pages such as the product or checkout page. It is a site that is known for the customization features it offers. Abandoned cart recovery emails are also offered by ShopBase.

ShopBase is a really good e-commerce platform when used in a way that makes the best of the features available. The cheapest plan is quite affordable and offers a good number of features as well. 

Types of Ecommerce Platforms

B2B (Business-to-Business)

The B2B business type follows online transactions of its products to another intermediate buyer before the product reaches the consumer. 

B2C (Business-to-Consumer)

In a B2C business model, the business and the consumer are directly involved where the consumer can directly place an online transaction through the company's website.

Example: Amazon, Flipkart, eBay.

C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer)

The C2C plan of action causes customers to offer their services like private property, cruisers, and/or lease a room by distributing their data on the site, etc. to other buyers in need.

Example: OLX, Quikr.

C2B (Consumer-to-Business)

This is a business model in which consumers create value and businesses consume that value.

This is majorly covered by the diverse services consumers are willing to provide to businesses in need of personnel.

Example: Freelancer, Upwork.

B2G (Business-to-Government)

B2G model contains websites that are used by governments to trade and exchange information with various business organizations. These websites are accredited by the government and provide a medium for businesses to submit application forms to the government.

G2C (Government-to-Citizen)

Governments use G2C model websites to approach citizens. The main aim of G2C websites is to reduce the average time for fulfilling citizen’s requests for various government services. Such websites also provide services like registration for birth, marriage, or death certificates.

G2B (Government-to-Business) 

This refers to the relationships between organizations of public administration and enterprises (businesses). Example: government procurement, e-learning 

P2P (Peer-to-Peer)

A peer-to-peer service includes two individuals who interact directly with each other, without any intermediation by a third-party. Example: Napster

Benefits of eCommerce Platforms

To the Consumers:

A. Convenience:

e-Commerce websites provide consumers with a variety of products at services within just a click. This convenience is the leading factor for the e-commerce industry. Consumers can order products and avail of services at any place and any time.

2. Room for comparison:

e-Commerce websites allow consumers to look at competitors’ products/services before going forward with the purchase. This feature is certainly not possible in the traditional method of trade as location tends to be a hindrance.

3. Diversity:

Almost everything is available on the e-commerce sites and there is no limit to the diversity of catalogs that producers tend to offer. For a consumer, variety is a strong attraction as he/she has a range of alternatives to choose from.

4. Ease in payment:

e-Commerce websites come in handy when it comes to payment options. Most platforms have a standard, easy mode of online payment and/or cash on delivery which certainly becomes very reliable in an era of M-commerce.

5. Availability:

These online platforms are computer-oriented with human support and provide 24 X 7 assistance and availability to the consumers when in need. Unlike traditional methods, there are no time constraints on e-commerce as they’re internet operated.

6. Reviewing:

A majority of online platforms inculcate the practice of reviewing products by recent purchases which further acts as a deciding factor for new consumers. This not only helps new consumers but also decides the demand for the given product.

7. Time saving:

e-Commerce platforms save plenty of time for consumers as they don't need to go to any geographical locations to make the purchase and its payment happen.

B. To the Organization: 

1. Global markets:

e-Commerce websites help businesses grow by taking their respective businesses to an international level without major costs, unlike the traditional method. This reduces cost for the organization as the majority of costs that are likely to occur in terms of international order are related to its shipments.

2. Taps newer segments:

Online websites help sellers tap newer customers that are untouched as e-commerce websites usually cover a wider range of customers from all over the world.

3. Elimination of intermediaries:

e-Commerce websites ascertain a direct relationship between the seller and the buyer removing intermediaries which many times increase cost, causes delay, and affect the relationship of the buyer and seller.

4. Customer relationship management:

e-Commerce websites improve CRM by understanding consumers' needs and behavior better through data. 

5. Reduction in cost:

e-Commerce assists in leading a digitized economy by assisting in processing, distributing, retrieving, and managing the information. 

6. Improves brand image:

Organizations that have online sites have an improved brand image as their loyalists perceive them to be consumer-oriented trying to provide convenience.

Things to consider before starting an e-commerce business

1. Market Research

When considering entering the e-marketplace, it is critical to thoroughly research and understand the needs of the consumers in the markets so as to select the right kind of product/service to sell instead of blindly following a particular line of business because of its popularity. Furthermore, it is essential to also research and set a target audience- to who is the product being offered? Target audience is an essential element of marketing and other strategies. Lastly, it is also important to gauge the competition for the particular product/service being offered so as to offer something over and above the competition.

2. Logistical decisions

a) Order taking: Order taking and order tracking are important aspects of the eCommerce platform.

b) Inventory management: If the business deals in physical goods, efficient inventory management is a prerequisite for customer satisfaction and therefore profitability. There are several third-party companies that offer such services. In the case of digital goods, the functions of inventory management and stock tracking are eliminated.

c) Shipping: Tie-ups with various shipping service companies is important. Most online vendors make it a point to explicitly display the shipping costs in the final invoice for customers to know the real price of shipping. Many e-commerce companies integrate this with order tracking software to enable tracking the shipment.

d) Payment: The payment gateways to be offered and their feasibility are also necessary. This can determine user performance.

3. Price, profit, and budget

The monetary aspect is extremely important to consider since customers are more sensitive in the e-marketplace. Pricing policy developed with the help of planned and incurred expenditure, cost of maintaining a website, competitors position, etc. A budget is an important tool of planning and control which enables cost-cutting, better practices, and greater profit sustenance.

4. Licenses and insurance

Selling products or offering services online may require obtaining licenses from the government in areas of operations. These legal requirements need to be kept in mind while starting an e-commerce venture. It is always advisable to consult an attorney and insurance agent to understand any specific requirements.

5. Website development

The kind of website you offer makes a huge difference in customer appeal. There are several options available- WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, etc which aid website development at a nascent stage. Other alternatives include hiring professional web developers to build the entire website with all necessary features and given requirements. Another way to enter the e-marketplace is through setting up stores under platforms like Amazon, eBay, etc, however, these sites charge steep fees.

6. Compatibility

To ensure maximum reach of the website its compatibility with web explorers-Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc, must be checked. Also, the compatibility with devices/gadgets- Mac, iPad, smartphones need to be considered as well.

7. Maintenance and upgrades

In order to build a stellar reputation on the web and social media platforms, maintenance and upgrades of the website and app are essential. Regular technology updates, software updates, and product/service updates are true game-changers.

Conclusion

If you are someone who has an already established business, it is useful for you to consider shifting to e-commerce. Social media integration is also an important aspect to consider. An e-commerce site requires you to pay attention to SEO and frame effective digital marketing strategies as well. 

These are the best 13 e-commerce platforms that we have created for you. All of these can be distinguished and compared based on their features, pros, and cons. All of these can provide benefits to different types of businesses. Now e-commerce platform you choose will also depend on your scalability and products. It is inevitable now to not utilize the digital space to its full potential and make use of the features it has to offer.

It is important to keep certain things in mind whenever you are starting out your business on an e-commerce platform and we have enlisted all such points. Most of these eCommerce platforms are simple to use and can be used by people who are also just beginning. Today, these eCommerce platforms can also be utilized by students who are in school and are barely starting out.  Hopefully, this article provides you with all the information that might be required. Happy Business!