{"id":7357,"date":"2022-01-27T17:26:07","date_gmt":"2022-01-27T17:26:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/01\/27\/practical-tips-for-choosing-best-ecommerce-platforms\/"},"modified":"2022-01-27T17:26:07","modified_gmt":"2022-01-27T17:26:07","slug":"practical-tips-for-choosing-best-ecommerce-platforms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/01\/27\/practical-tips-for-choosing-best-ecommerce-platforms\/","title":{"rendered":"Practical Tips for Choosing Best eCommerce Platforms"},"content":{"rendered":"

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You want to build an online store, but with so many eCommerce platforms on the market, you\u2019re unsure which one to choose for your business?<\/p>\n

Well, search no further.<\/p>\n

Even before the pandemic, eCommerce has established itself as the driving force of business nowadays. For that reason, when you shop for an online shopping platform, it\u2019s prudent to choose a solution that would serve your business as it expands.<\/p>\n

Does Expensive mean Quality for eCommerce platforms? Not necessarily, as it all comes down to your business requirements and some important factors that we\u2019ll discuss in this guide.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why we rounded up the most reliable eCommerce platforms that meet different business and user needs \u2013 big or small, beginner or pro.<\/p>\n

What You Need from the Best eCommerce Platforms<\/h2>\n

When hunting for the best eCommerce platform, you\u2019re putting your business needs and your target customers as a top priority. Accordingly, you need to keep a few key factors in mind.<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a01. Ease of Use<\/h3>\n

Your website mirrors how successful your business is and the first visual impression given to your customers. They\u2019ll leave if they don\u2019t like the way it looks or find it hard to browse. It\u2019s that simple.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s essential to choose a platform that you can easily use to design (e.g., intuitive drag-and-drop editor) and set up your shop. You should also pick a solution that provides you with a wide range of unique templates that can capture the feel of your brand and improve your UX design.<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a02. Features and Marketing Integrations<\/h3>\n

If you want to create a new revenue stream and expand your online business, it\u2019s challenging to achieve that through one software package.<\/p>\n

Social media has become the backbone of marketing in today\u2019s eCommerce world, so you want a platform that can seamlessly connect you with different marketplaces, social media channels, and apps.<\/p>\n

An eCommerce app\u2019s type and amount of features should correspond to your business needs. Therefore, it\u2019s best to pick a platform that provides a wide range of features (e.g., plugins, shipping, managing goods, analytics, business tools, email marketing options, POS system, etc.).<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a03. Device Compatibility<\/h3>\n

Mobile commerce has become a vital channel for eCommerce stores. Did you know that the global mobile shopping revenue exceeded $3 billion in 2021? Your customers have their smartphones in their hands most of the time, and they find it easier and more convenient to shop online through their phones than laptops or desktops.<\/p>\n

Ensure that the eCommerce platform you choose is compatible with different operating systems and responsive on all screens and devices.<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a04. Payment Methods and Security<\/h3>\n

Before you decide on an eCommerce solution, you need to make a quick Geo-location study to discover what online payment methods are available in the countries your customers are located.<\/p>\n

As for your customers, it\u2019s crucial to provide them with easy, diverse, and secure payment options to ensure their personal and financial data is protected.
Therefore, look for a platform that offers multiple payment methods that are safe and convenient to your target customers.<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a05. SEO-Friendly<\/h3>\n

SEO is an essential element to consider for your online business to reach a broad audience quickly and easily. You need to ensure that your chosen eCommerce platform is SEO-friendly and optimized for popular search engines like Google.<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a06. Support<\/h3>\n

One of the most vital points of having an online store is that it\u2019s 24\/7 open for customers. But this also means that people might look for support for your products\/services at any time of day.<\/p>\n

Your eCommerce platform should provide enough tools to handle different support options at various hours \u2013 live chat software<\/a>, chat-bots, contact forms, social media integrations, etc.<\/p>\n

In addition, if you aren\u2019t tech-savvy and need assistance building and managing your online store, you should go for a provider that comes with excellent customer support.<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a07. Pricing<\/h3>\n

eCommerce platforms have different pricing systems. Some of them are very expensive, while others are cheap. Some platforms offer a monthly or an annual billing system, while others only let you charge your clients per transaction. In any case, it\u2019s wise to go for an eCommerce software that fits your budget.<\/p>\n

Here are our top picks of the best eCommerce\u00a0platforms:<\/em><\/h2>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a01. Shopify<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Shopify is the most popular all-in-one SaaS eCommerce platform. It offers more than 80 professional and mobile-friendly themes \u2013 some even available for free. Templates are well-organized and easy to browse through. In addition, each theme is equipped with its own set of customizable tools<\/a> that you can tailor to your brand.<\/p>\n

You won\u2019t have trouble using Shopify\u2019s drag-and-drop editor if you\u2019re a beginner. You can effortlessly personalize and customize sections. There\u2019s also an on-boarding wizard to guide you through the store-building process like adding products, payment options, connecting domains, and more.<\/p>\n

Shopify is also a hosted platform on Google Cloud, which means that it\u2019s fast, and you won\u2019t have to deal with any server management or maintenance. Shopify\u2019s slick mobile app will additionally help you control your store on the go.<\/p>\n

Marketing-wise, you\u2019ll get SEO and marketing tools, a blogging platform, the ability to use your own domain name, and social media integration. You can even connect your Shopify<\/a> inventory with Amazon and eBay.<\/p>\n

Other notable eCommerce features include inventory management, synchronizing your online and physical stores via POS system, discounts and coupons, automated store emails, one-click checkouts, automatic tax calculation, and Google Analytics. You can also make your store available in multiple languages, and get access to at least 5,000 third-party apps.<\/p>\n

Fraud Analysis is another excellent feature you can use to identify any suspicious or fraudulent orders. Automatic shipping rate calculation is available for specific products, and you can easily create customer reports. Shopify has its own payment gateway and supports PayPal Checkout and 70 other payment options. Still, keep in mind some transaction fees may be applied depending on the chosen method.<\/p>\n

Shopify is reasonably priced and comes in three tiers, but keep in mind you might incur extra charges for add-ons and premium extras. In addition, you can choose to subscribe on a monthly or annual basis.<\/p>\n

While there\u2019s a 14-day free trial to evaluate the service, Shopify doesn\u2019t offer refunds once you sign up. Customer support is available 24\/7 through live chat, email, ticket, and phone callbacks. There\u2019s also a comprehensive Knowledge base, community forum, tutorials, and FAQ sections.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n