COMPARE AND CONTRAST ECOMMERCE PLATFORMS
Deciding which eCommerce platform is right for you can be a pretty strenuous decision. Cost, efficacy, amount of resources, access, all of these topics are integral to deciding what fits you and your business’ needs. While we may play favorites on a few platforms, we can certainly recognize the good (and bad) about our platforms and their competitors. Let’s take a dive into who’s out there, what they offer, and which one might be the best for you.
Shopify
About
Shopify was created by Tobias Lütke, a German international student residing in Canada who wanted to sell snowboarding gear online. Without access to an eCommerce platform, he simply built one for himself, discovering later that others could use it, too. Today, it’s one of the fastest-growing platforms available – and one of the simplest to use. Shopify comes with basic templates that offer first-time and advanced users with easy opportunities to build and publish products quickly.
Price
Currently, the annual prices break down pretty well on a month to month basis, starting with: $26/month for a Basic plan which includes the unlimited sale of products with a 2% processing fee. There also is a plan which costs $266 This is their most advanced plan, which includes advanced reports, and auto-calculated shipping rates.
Pros vs. Cons
Pros
Wicked fast loading speeds
Easy-to-use set up process
A fleet of certified partners that are ready to assist
1-Click selling is HERE!
Allows for multiple channel and social selling
Again, excellent themes with eclectic designs
Cons
Studies reveal that SEO services rate quite poorly
Checkout process lacks customization capabilities
The extra add-ons and applications are needed, can add up, and are, unfortunately, costly.
Looking for advanced features? You’ll want to hire a developer for that one.
BigCommerce
About
BigCommerce was founded in 2009 by Australians, Eddie Machaalani and Mitchell Harper following a chance meeting in an online chatroom in 2003. Now, with 4 offices across the globe, BigCommerce works hard in big ways to provide comprehensive, easy-to-use support systems for both corporate and local business needs.
Price
When it comes to pricing, starting costs aren’t too bad, with the lowest plan starting at $29.95 a month. Though you do not receive a custom SSL or an abandoned cart saver. Businesses who have an annual net worth of 50k or less would do well in using their services.
Pros vs. Cons
Pros
BigCommerce is and can be quite flexible and stable
Leads the sales game with multi-channel selling
SEO Performance is consistent and strong
Excellently designed themes
Fully comprehensive “Abandoned Cart” feature
Cons
Unfortunately, several studies consistently concluded that processing speeds are not consistent across the board
Have a store with a high volume of inventory? Get ready to pay way extra.
1-Click selling or up-selling inventory is not possible.
Magento
About
Our personal favorites - you can read why here - Originally developed by “ Varien, Inc, a US private company headquartered in Culver City, California, with assistance from volunteers ” in 2008 as a PHP-based open-source e-commerce platform, Magento was ahead of the e-commerce game. After a brief stint of growth as an eBay company, Magento eventually landed with Adobe, “ integrating it into Adobe Experience Cloud, its Enterprise CMS platform” for a whopping $1.68b. Now, we see major corporations and Fortune 500 brands such as Coca Cola, Nestlé, Canon, and Rosetta Stone using Magento’s programs. QSL for Burger King, completely transformed how they handled over 1,200+ franchises in a matter of six months with Magento’s team managing the entire process to perfection.
Price
At its lowest accessibility, Magento is free to use, but there are price tiers available for those looking to upgrade to a more enterprise systems level. They are indeed expensive - we’re talking tens of thousands of dollars - and we would know, we’re using it ourselves - BUT, the system is cloud-based, faster, and comes with built-in integral services like email campaigning and automatic cross and upsell. Perhaps, look to using this platform after some solid footing has been established by your business.
Pros vs. Cons
Pros
GSATi uses this platform with several of our clients and we love our experience with it thus far. Be sure to read about it on our blog.
This platform is rich in additional features that amplify your selling capabilities
1-Click selling? Yes indeed!
The Magento community is complex and thriving with insights and information.
Scalable and highly customizable.
Cons
This platform, though vast, is a pricey one, especially with themes.
The more complex, the more easily this platform can be slowed down.
Make sure you have ample space and memory on whichever device you use to operate your storefront - Magento requires a lot of both in order to perform well.
Squarespace
About
Known primarily for their web hosting capabilities and impeccable template designs, Squarespace is also home for e-commerce needs, from the solopreneur to even small businesses.
Price
Pricing for Squarespace is rather low - another reason why we love this platform. In order to reap the benefits of their eCommerce services, you will have to purchase a Business plan, which totals out to $18/month if you pay for it upfront annually, but there is a 3% transaction fee you’d have to deal with on each transaction. This fee goes away if you choose to invest in one of the higher plans, which cost $26/month or a max of $40/month, also annual plan costs. It’s important to note that the $40/month plan allows for abandoned cart auto-recovery, sell subscription and gift cards, and give flexible discounts.
Pros vs. Cons
Pros
GSATi loves this platform and uses it with several of our clients, aka, we’re biased.
Set up is incredibly easy to use, even for first-timers.
Template designs are elegant, crisp, unique, and simply stunning.
SEO tools are prime, especially for individuals with limited experience.
ShipStation and ShipBob, two popular processing programs, both integrate well with Squarespace.
Cons
No dropshipping, our favorite new idea in inventory management. Check out our blog about it.
Zero marketing automation integration, but we are hopeful that this will come eventually.
No. Amazon. Integration. What’s up with that!?
Unlike WordPress, Squarespace doesn’t offer an app store of any kind to seek out more features and functionalities to up your web game.
Weebly eCommerce by Square
About
Weebly is the sub-company of well-known POS developer and commerce giant, Square. Much like Squarespace, Weebly offers web-hosting capabilities, as well as e-commerce capabilities including online store operations.
Price
Weebly offers three price plans. Though they each support eCommerce, the Business and Performance are the best plans when it comes to eCommerce businesses. Unfortunately, the starter plan is severely lacking in fundamental features like custom shopping cart, coupons, and even inventory management. There’s also no possibility of selling digital goods, and all physical goods are restricted to 25 products maximum, plus a 3% transaction fee. Avoid the fuss and stick with the top 2 plans.
Pros vs. Cons
Pros
For what you get with the platform, the value is excellent.
Weebly offers possibly the lowest price on the market for eCommerce marketing automation services.
Included email tools are powerful and easy to use.
For once - a mobile app that helps you sell and manage your inventory on the go!
Cons
Unfortunately, there are additional transaction fees that pull on your business’ wallet more often than what’s expected and experienced on other platforms.
Weebly does not integrate well with SEO practices. Proceed with caution.
If you’re looking to sell your product on Amazon, steer clear of this service.
If you have a complex store and inventory, feel free to pass it on by. Weebly’s setup is pretty basic, so essentially for beginning businesses with a low inventory.
WooCommerce
About
If your long-term goal involves using WordPress to host your website, WooCommerce is the right product for you. Released in 2011, WooCommerce is an open-source e-commerce app plug-in that’s free for users to add to WordPress websites.
Price
Just like Wordpress, WooCommerce is free. But, also like WordPress, free and open-source means extensions, which can sometimes be costly. WordPress themes are expensive, too, unless you find a good free theme that fits.
Pros vs. Cons
Pros
Since WooCommerce is associated with WP, you’re guaranteed the best platform for SEO.
1-Click selling is available but comes in the form of, of course, an application.
WC is highly customizable.
Since WordPress relies so heavily on the power of the option, the case is the same for WooCommerce, especially for marketing and related integrations.
Cons
Hosting has been and can be quite pricey.
Troubleshooting can be difficult.
Customer support? As if. This is nonexistent for WooCommerce
Even the simplest of tasks or desired processes require an extension, which should be understood when dealing with WooCommerce and WordPress.
Conclusion
We can’t guarantee that any of these platforms will be the perfect fit for you and your business. While we have experience with Magento and Squarespace especially, we can’t speak for your needs both short term and long term when it comes to eCommerce. If you need some time to test the waters, we recommend starting with platforms that have free plans, then move up when the budget allows for a bit more extensive support. Investing in a solid, reliable program will pay off over time. Users typically only stick around for what is fast and what works when it comes to shopping - don’t lose what’s easy to obtain. Feel free to give us a call if you need a head start with us.
