eCommerce platforms have become increasingly popular, allowing business owners to build successful online stores easily. However, if you want to start an online business or improve your existing one, you’ll need a reliable one.

Numerous platforms are available in the market, each with unique features and capabilities. In this article, we will explore the top platforms to help boost your sales in 2023. So whether you’re a small business owner or an enterprise-level retailer, there’s a platform for you.

What is it?

It is a software application that enables business owners to create an online store, manage their products and services, and process online transactions. An eCommerce website builder platform is specifically designed to streamline setting up an online store, making it easier for businesses to sell their products and services to customers worldwide.

Typically, these platforms include various features such as a shopping cart, payment gateway integration, order management, and inventory management.

They can also offer marketing tools, such as email marketing and search engine optimization (SEO), to help businesses promote their products and attract customers. With it, business owners can easily manage their online store, fulfill orders, and track customer data, all in one place.

Pros and Cons of Using an eCommerce Platform

When using a platform for your online store, there are advantages and disadvantages.

Here are some of the pros and cons of using it:

Pros:

Easy to set up and use — It comes with easy-to-use interfaces and templates that make it simple for business owners to build online stores.
Built-in features — Many platforms come with built-in features such as shopping carts, payment gateways, and inventory management systems, which make it easy for business owners to manage their online stores.
Customizable — eCommerce website design platforms allow you to customize your online store to fit your needs, including the design, layout, and functionality.
SEO-friendly — A lot of platforms come with built-in SEO tools that can help you optimize your online store for search engines, which can drive more traffic to your site.

Cons:

Cost — Some platforms can be expensive, especially if you need to upgrade to access advanced features.
Limited customization — While they are customizable, there may be limitations on what you can change or modify, which can be frustrating for some business owners.
Transaction fees — Some charge transaction fees for every sale made through the platform, which can cut your profits.
Limited control — Using it means relying on a third-party provider to manage your online store, which can limit your control over it.

10 Best eCommerce Platforms in 2023

1. Wix

Wix is an all-in-one eCommerce solution allowing small businesses to build and manage online stores easily. With it, you can create a stunning online store that reflects your brand and offers a seamless shopping experience to your customers.

Features include:

Customizable templates and themes
Secure payment processing
Inventory management
Abandoned cart recovery
SEO optimization
Mobile optimization

Pros:

It is easy to use, even for beginners
The platform offers a wide range of customization options
You can create a fully functional online store for free

Cons:

Some of the more advanced features require a paid subscription
The free eCommerce platform can be limiting for larger businesses.

2. SquareSpace

SquareSpace is a website builder that offers a range of features for eCommerce businesses. The platform provides a user-friendly interface and a range of templates and themes that can be customized to fit your brand.

Features include:

Integrated payment processing
Shipping and tax calculators
Inventory management
Abandoned cart recovery
SEO optimization

Pros:

It offers beautiful templates and themes that are perfect for eCommerce businesses
The platform offers a range of features that are easy to use
It has an excellent customer support

Cons:

The platform can be more expensive than some other eCommerce solutions
Some of the more advanced features require a higher-tier subscription

3. GoDaddy

GoDaddy is a popular eCommerce website builder renowned for its functionality. The platform offers a range of features that make creating and managing an online store easy.

Features include:

Customizable templates and themes
Integrated payment processing
Shipping and tax calculators
Inventory management
Abandoned cart recovery
SEO optimization

Pros:

It offers a range of features that are easy to use
The platform is affordable and offers good value for money
It has a good customer support

Cons:

The platform can be limiting for larger eCommerce businesses
Some of the more advanced features require a higher-tier subscription

4. Shopify

Shopify is a leading cloud-based eCommerce platform allowing users to create and manage online stores with a user-friendly interface and a wide range of customizable templates and features. It is ideal for businesses of all sizes looking to build and grow their online presence.

Features include:

Customizable templates and themes
Integrated payment processing
Shipping and tax calculators
Inventory management
Abandoned cart recovery
The platform provides various features and tools that can help you improve your SEO optimization

Pros:

It offers a wide range of features that are easy to use
The platform has a large community of users, which means there are plenty of resources available
It offers excellent customer support

Cons:

It can be more expensive than some other eCommerce solutions
The platform can be limiting for larger eCommerce businesses

5. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free, open-source plugin that can turn WordPress sites into eCommerce websites. This highly customizable platform provides various extensions for payment and shipping methods. Additionally, it allows various design options and offers powerful SEO tools.

Features include:

Free and open-source
Customization possibilities are limitless
Supports multiple payment and shipping methods
Provides powerful SEO tools
Integration with popular WordPress plugins

Pros:

Offers a wide range of customization options
Provides flexibility with design
Supports various payment and shipping methods
Integration with popular WordPress plugins
Strong SEO functionality

Cons:

Requires some technical know-how to set up
The hosting may require more resources than other enterprise eCommerce platforms
Certain extensions can be expensive

6. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a highly scalable and fully-hosted platform that offers a wide range of features. It allows businesses to sell across various channels, including social media platforms, and provides a range of payment and shipping options. Additionally, it offers powerful SEO tools and allows for customization of the checkout process.

Features include:

Scalable and fully-hosted platform
Multichannel selling options
Provides multiple payment and shipping options
Offers customization of the checkout process
Includes strong SEO tools

Pros:

Offers scalability for growing businesses
Provides a range of payment and shipping options
Multichannel selling options
Offers customization of the checkout process
Strong SEO functionality

Cons:

It can be more expensive than other platforms
Certain features are only available on higher-tier plans
The platform can be challenging to navigate for beginners

7. Square Online

Square Online is a user-friendly eCommerce website builder allowing businesses to create a professional store. This platform offers various customization options, including templates and design options, and integrates with various payment and shipping providers. Additionally, it provides easy-to-use analytics tools and allows for the creation of gift cards and discounts.

Features include:

User-friendly platform
Customizable with various design options
Integrates with various payment and shipping providers
Provides easy-to-use analytics tools
Allows for the creation of gift cards and discounts

Pros:

User-friendly and easy to navigate
Offers a range of customization options for eCommerce website design
Integrates with various payment and shipping providers
Provides easy-to-use analytics tools
Allows for the creation of gift cards and discounts

Cons:

It may not be suitable for businesses with more complex needs
Limited integration with third-party platforms
Customization options may be limited compared to other platforms

8. Shift4Shop

Shift4Shop provides various payment and shipping options and allows for the creation of product bundles and subscriptions. Additionally, it offers SEO tools and integrates with various third-party platforms.

Features include:

All-in-one platform for eCommerce website development
Provides various features, including website design and inventory management
Offers various payment and shipping options
Allows for the creation of product bundles and subscriptions
Provides SEO tools and integrates with various third-party platforms

Pros:

All-in-one platform for managing multiple eCommerce aspects
Provides a range of payment and shipping options
Allows for the creation of product bundles and subscriptions
Offers strong SEO functionality
Integrates with various third-party platforms

Cons:

Can be expensive compared to other platforms
Customization options may be limited
Can require more technical know-how to set up and manage

9. Big Cartel

Big Cartel is an ideal b2b eCommerce platform for small businesses, artists, and creators who want to create a unique and personalized online store. It focuses on selling physical products such as handmade goods, clothing, and artwork.

Features include:

Customizable storefronts
Inventory tracking
Payment processing with PayPal or Stripe
Basic order management
Ability to sell digital products
Discounts and promotional tools
SEO optimization
Analytics and reporting

Pros:

Affordable pricing plans, with a free plan for up to five products
Easy-to-use interface, making it ideal for beginners
Ability to create a personalized and unique store
Good customer support
Mobile-responsive design
Easy integration with social media platforms

Cons:

Limited features compared to other platforms, such as limited order management
Not ideal for large stores with a lot of products

10. Zyro

Zyro is a relatively new eCommerce platform that offers a user-friendly interface and competitive pricing. It’s designed to help small businesses create an online store quickly and easily.

Features include:

Drag-and-drop website builder
Customizable templates
Integrations with popular payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe.

Pros:

Offers affordable pricing plans
User-friendly drag-and-drop website builder
Customizable templates to make your store look unique
Integrates with popular payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe
Provides access to advanced analytics and SEO tools

Cons:

A Limited selection of third-party integrations compared to other platforms
Limited customization options compared to other platforms
Not as well-established as some other platforms, which may be a concern for some businesses

How to Choose the Best eCommerce Platforms

Choosing the right platform is crucial for the success of your online store. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting the best one for your business:

1. Your budget

Different platforms offer different pricing plans, so consider the costs associated with each platform and choose one that fits within your budget.

2. Ease of use

Look for one that is user-friendly and easy to navigate. It should also offer a range of templates and customization options to help you create a unique and professional-looking website.

3. Features

When choosing a platform, it’s important to consider what’s most relevant to your business. Some key features include inventory management, payment gateways, shipping options, marketing tools, and eCommerce SEO.

4. Scalability

Your business will likely grow over time, so choose the one that can scale with your business. In addition, It should offer the ability to add new products, expand your online store, and handle increased traffic.

5. Security

These platforms deal with sensitive customer information, so security is paramount. Look for a platform that offers secure payment gateways, SSL certificates, and other security features to protect your customers’ information.

Clicta Digital — A Trusted eCommerce Marketing Agency

At Clicta Digital, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve in the ever-changing world of eCommerce. Our team stays up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies related to eCommerce platforms to ensure our clients are always one step ahead of the competition.

We are dedicated to delivering high-quality and effective eCommerce marketing solutions to clients of all sizes and industries.

If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your goals.