As the saying goes, “you won’t be able to compete online until you have an eCommerce platform.” An eCommerce platform, whether B2B or B2C, is at the heart of any online retail operation. Furthermore, the right eCommerce platform may be able to help you streamline how your business interacts with clients, customers, and employees.

Choosing an eCommerce platform is always a huge issue, regardless of your specialization or how much you are willing to invest in eCommerce website development. There are hundreds of eCommerce systems on the market, each with its own set of advantages. You are not, however, compelled to use everything that every other company uses. Every company has its unique set of goals, products, business plans, and financial constraints. You must decide which software is most suited to your specific needs and limits.

“A software solution that helps internet companies to manage their website, marketing, sales, and operations is known as an eCommerce platform.” On the other hand, selecting the best eCommerce software is more complex than it appears. Through this blog, we hope to equip you with all the necessary information required f before you choose an eCommerce platform for your online store. Let’s get started!

There are three types of eCommerce software:

SaaS-Based: Software as a Service (SaaS) is a monthly or annual licensing and delivery mechanism for software. SaaS software is sometimes known as web-based or hosted software because it is not purchased or installed on individual computers, but rather is hosted in the cloud by a third party.

Some of the SaaS Platforms you can choose are BigCommerce, Shopify, Volusion, Big Cartel, and Squarespace.

Open Source: On the other side of the split, there are open source eCommerce platforms. Open-source software users can access, alter, and share the source code for their own reasons. In this way, open-source software is created in a public and collaborative environment.

Some of the prominent open-source eCommerce are WordPress WooCommerce plugin, Magento Community edition, PrestaShop, Open-Cart.

Custom eCommerce Development: Custom eCommerce development requires designing a one-of-a-kind eCommerce solution for each business after extensive research into their needs and business requirements.

It is self-created and customized to meet a specific purpose and give users a tailored experience as desired.

Pros and cons of some of the e-commerce platforms given, so you can select which one to use.

SaaS-Based

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that helps small businesses create online stores. The ability to build the storefront, set products, manage payments, generate traffic, and optimize conversion are just a few of the capabilities.

Pros
Completely responsive to mobile devices: Approximately half of all internet users make purchases on their smartphones. If your online store does not perform well on smartphones, you will lose half of your prospective clients.

BigCommerce was the first e-commerce platform to integrate Google’s Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) technology (AMP). The integration of BigCommerce with AMP simplifies category and product pages, increasing page loading time and, as a result, boosting user experience and SEO.

Multiplatform: BigCommerce enables you to link your online store to third-party markets like Amazon and eBay. As a result, you’ll be able to draw in more clients to your business. You may also link your business to Facebook. As a result, you may use Facebook to boost your sales and marketing efforts.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization): SEO (Search Engine Optimization) drives targeted traffic to your website, which may subsequently be converted into paying clients. SEO is still a critical component of every online business. BigCommerce has a number of SEO tools that can assist your online store in ranking higher in search results.

Strong Customer Service Support: When your e-commerce site is live, you should be certain that it will continue to function effectively even if something goes wrong. Bigcommerce provides support for your store 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you don’t have to be concerned about any issues that may develop and threaten to disrupt the operation of your website, resulting in losses.

Cons
Inventory control is a difficult task: You must first enter each product editing screen to access your current inventories for the products you have on hand. You may then configure alerts based on your current stock level and a low stock level number. Other systems allow you to manage your entire inventory from a single spot. If you have a significant number of products to manage, this can be a huge time sink.

There aren’t a lot of Bigcommerce extensions to choose from: Despite the fact that Bigcommerce has grown significantly over time, it still feels like it is in its early stages. You have access to an app store for custom solutions, but there are far fewer add-ons here than on other platforms that offer similar services.

Shopify

Shopify is an eCommerce platform that lets users create online and offline companies. WordPress is used by bloggers, business owners using Shopify, and many others who wish to build their own eCommerce websites. It allows users to sell online (via their own website) as well as offline (in person) (with Shopify POS). From beginners to seasoned eCommerce, this eCommerce website builder has something for everyone.

Pros
Simple to Use: Shopify can assist you in managing your store’s technology needs. It also has a straightforward and easy-to-understand UI that makes it simple to operate. It also effectively manages transaction processing time.

Site Performance worth appreciating: It may be inconvenient if you have to wait a long time to buy something, whether in person or online. It could be standing in long queues in person or a website that takes a long time to load on the internet. If your website takes too long to load, visitors will abandon it, costing you potential purchases. When compared to other websites, Shopify websites load faster.

Detailed Shopify Admin: You’ll find a variety of reports and capabilities in the backend of your Shopify site that will help you understand how your online business is working.

Free Feature: You’ll almost certainly need to pay for a theme if you’re starting from scratch (the look and feel of your website). Shopify, on the other hand, instantly install a free theme on your store that you may customize in any manner you want.

There are plenty of payment processors to choose from: When designing a website for your company, one of the most important considerations is how to make payments simple and quick for customers. Shopify accepts a variety of payment methods, including Amazon, Apple Pay, and PayPal.

Cons
It is more difficult to customize a theme: Yes, there is a selection, although the pre-installed themes may require some tweaking from time to time. This type of update is only possible with the help of a professional developer or by learning how to code in that language. You have the choice of sticking with the original themes or hiring someone to perform the coding for you.

Can be costly: Shopify has a lot of free features, but you’ll have to pay if you want a fully-featured website. The entry-level plan costs $29, with a $299 upgrade available. When you factor in the membership costs required to access some apps, this number might rise significantly.

There is no email hosting available: Web hosting is included in all Shopify subscriptions; however, the safe offer for email hosting is not. This means you won’t be able to use an email address that includes your business name, such as info@myshopname.com.

Volusion

Volusion is a website builder for e-commerce that also provides web design, marketing, and other business services. Monthly plans contain tools and services whose prices vary depending on your need.

Pros
Responsive Themes: Our fully customizable themes adapt to every device, whether your clients are touching their phones or clicking on a laptop.

Rich Content Editor: Volusion’s user-friendly interface and Easy Editor tool allow you to make changes to your store on the fly, with no need for backend code.

Domain Name Personalized: With the help of Volusion, you can personalize and optimize your store for sales by using a custom domain that helps customers – and search engines – swiftly access your site.

Search Functionality: Using Volusion’s broad search options, you can assist buyers in finding things quickly and easily.

Cons
The cost of premium templates: If you wish to buy a premium template instead of a free one, it can cost up to $900.

Forced SSL: One important downside is that if you want to accept credit card payments, you must pay for SSL. This means that, whether you want it or not, you’ll have to go through the SSL application process with your organization and pay an additional price of $100 to have it installed.

Costly Fee Structure: The functionality and usefulness of Volusion are outstanding, but they come at a cost. The cost structure is complicated, and the billing procedure is cumbersome due to the numerous steps involved. There are a bunch of hidden fees that aren’t obvious unless you find them, as well as charges for excessive bandwidth usage. Volusion is a premium option as a result of this, but it is well worth the money if you need this level of capacity.

Big Cartel

Big Cartel is a cloud-based eCommerce platform, so you can set up and manage your business from any computer or mobile device that has an internet connection. You can utilize its API to develop a genuine one-of-a-kind design, or you can choose one of its free themes to get your online store up and running.

Pros
Custom Domain: Big Cartel is a fantastic alternative to other similar platforms, but it does not give sellers their own domain name. Small businesses profit from the Big Cartel’s aid while also increasing brand awareness.
No Transaction Fee: Big Cartel does not charge transaction fees on sales made through the platform because it aims to create a platform for small businesses.

No Listing Fee: In addition, Big Cartel does not charge a fee for listing products.

Cons
Less Theme Choice: There aren’t many theme options in Big Cartel. There are just 19 themes to choose from, and none of them are suitable for large businesses. In addition, the ideas aren’t very adaptable.

Not effective eCommerce driven features: The sales and marketing powers of Big Cartel are relatively limited, and it can only help small firms.

Squarespace

Squarespace eCommerce is a platform that allows you to create online stores. Its simple, clean layouts draw attention to your products and are easy to customize – any layout may be changed to reflect your brand.

Pros
Designs appealing can be created: Squarespace is ideal for creating outstanding websites because it was created with creative small business owners in mind. You may make a beautiful homepage by choosing eye-catching themes. Additionally, no prior knowledge of HTML or CSS is required to get started.

High uptime: When compared to other website builders, Squarespace is regarded for having higher dependability and usability. You’ll be able to keep your website online for a longer amount of time.

Free SSL: When it comes to business security, Squarespace has you covered. When you purchase a domain name, you will receive free WHOIS privacy and SSL certificate. Interacting with your target audience makes it much easier to set their worries at ease.

Strong Customer Support System: Squarespace does not offer phone assistance, but it does offer a 24/7 email support system, live chat, and an extensive help library to get you up and running.

Cons
Costly: Squarespace plans may appear to be unreasonably expensive when compared to some of the market’s competitors. Squarespace’s competitors have free options, but it does not provide a comparable low-cost personal option.

Lacks abundant payment options: Squarespace doesn’t provide a lot of payment options when it comes to enticing visitors to use your shopping cart. If you’re a blogger attempting to make money or the owner of an eCommerce site, Stripe is your only alternative.

Templates are restrictive: Although Squarespace’s incredible Squarespace layouts can make your website look stunning, dealing with content blocks can be restrictive. You won’t have complete control over how your work is disseminated. This is intended to protect beginners from making mistakes, but it may result in less creativity and a longer learning curve for some people.

Difficulty in navigation: For beginners, website design should be as simple as feasible. Although Squarespace makes every attempt to keep you from feeling overwhelmed, as a Squarespace user, you’re likely to be perplexed by the process from the start.

Open-Source

WordPress WooCommerce Plugin

WooCommerce is an eCommerce plugin for WordPress. It makes the process of setting up and running an online store much easier by providing a lot of flexibility as well as a lot of important features like inventory and tax management, secure payments, and shipping connections.

Pros
Flexible to use: One of the reasons WooCommerce is so popular is that it allows entrepreneurs to offer a diverse range of products regardless of their industry. It also has a high level of flexibility, allowing organizations of all sizes to prosper. You won’t have to be concerned about the plugin’s capabilities outgrowing your organization.

Security is driven: Since it is an online platform, security gateways will be necessary to prevent the theft of your clients’ credentials. WooCommerce accepts a variety of secure payment options, including PayPal and Stripe. Hackers target the Platform on a daily basis because of its notoriety. The makers keep it up to date on a regular basis to avoid cyber threats. The plugin, on the other hand, does not provide backups to aid in data recovery in the event of a successful assault. You might include a backup that keeps information in encrypted form to preserve your clients’ privacy. WooCommerce also lets you install a security plugin that scans your site for malware on a regular basis, providing an additional layer of protection from hackers.

Interactive Community: WooCommerce websites are used by tens of thousands of people. The massive user base is divided into several forums, where users contribute articles and instructions on how to use settings that have worked for them. Due to its vast user base, WooCommerce is unlikely to be phased out very soon. As a result, the plugin will be helpful for as long as people use it.

Endless Customization Options Available: WooCommerce enables you to build a store that is tailored to the things you sell. The WordPress Plugin Directory has an almost unlimited number of free plugins. The paid versions are available from both WooCommerce.com and Codecanyon. The variety of subjects is really astounding. Even if you can’t find a theme that you like, you can change every aspect of it, from the header to the smallest detail, if you can’t find one that does. One significant advantage is that you don’t need to be highly tech-savvy to make modifications to the site because the WooCommerce wizard allows you to do so without knowing CSS or HTML. You might also employ a firm like ours to handle all of the extra services.

Cons
Costly: While it is free to download and install WooCommerce, some extensions may require payment in order for your site to function properly. Its most important problem is that it promotes the notion that business owners must pay additional costs. You’ll have to pay if you want a secure payment channel other than PayPal, for example. The majority of the extensions will require annual memberships, which means you’ll be charged annually.
Specifically for WordPress: WooCommerce cannot be used on non-WordPress-hosted sites because it is still a plugin. Existing businesses who wish to adopt WooCommerce will have a difficult time doing so because it would necessitate changes to their website.

Magento Community Edition

Magento Community Edition is free open-source software that may be used to build an online store by anyone. Small to medium-sized B2C retailers wishing to expand their business are frequently advised to use this version.

Pros
Flexibility: Magento’s versatility makes it simple to analyze and monitor website performance while also obtaining real-time data. Third-party integration is also supported by Magento for a range of applications, including product imports and many others.

Features rich: Magento offers a comprehensive set of features that enable us to manage many stores while supporting multiple locations, languages, pricing, and currencies. When compared to Shopify, Woocommerce, Volusion, or any other e-commerce platform, Magento stands out because of its broad feature set.

High Scalability: Magento can handle over 500,000 items and thousands of transactions in an hour. Magento may be totally customized, which is a huge benefit. Some e-commerce platforms may be unable to handle this increase, causing the company’s progress to be hampered, whereas Magento can easily handle everything from a few to thousands of products.

Cons
Costly: Magento is available in a variety of editions, including a free community edition and an enterprise edition that costs more than $15,000 USD. Furthermore, the Magento Premium Enterprise edition, designed for large organizations, costs more than $50,000 each year. If you can’t install the extension yourself, you’ll have to pay a third-party cost. This would be an extremely expensive endeavor. As a result, the most significant disadvantage of what is otherwise one of the most popular e-commerce enterprises is the price.

Bad Product Support: Magento product support is highly expensive because developers and consultants charge significantly more for Magento than for WordPress. Furthermore, Magento forum help is not what you might expect. Due to a lack of structured monitoring, the Magento official aid forum has been flooded with spam.

Hosting Issue: Magento should be hosted on its own server. Any other type of hosting platform should not be used. It should also be set up on a server that you or your developer is acquainted with. As a result, it is not possible to host Magento. Bulkiness plays a significant role in this. Furthermore, optimization demands a high level of thought and expertise. As a result, it is one of Magento’s most critical drawbacks, as it may cause your websites to collapse.

PrestaShop

PrestaShop is a powerful open-source e-commerce platform that can host both cloud and on-premises stores. PrestaShop’s business model is around providing commercial partners with services such as add-on features and themes to its user base.

Pros
Easy installation: Prestashop is simple to set up, however, users must download the essential files from the official website. After you’ve downloaded the file, you’ll only need a few clicks to set up a responsive and functional web store.

User friendly: The PrestaShop custom design is straightforward and quick to utilize. A PrestaShop e-store requires no technical experience to operate. It includes a clean back-end interface and a simple design.

Budget oriented: PrestaShop is cost-effective and free, making it suitable for merchants looking to make a modest investment. It does not require a license to open an online store.

Secure Payment: The key selling feature of Prestashop is its stable and convenient payment solutions. They accept Google Checkout and PayPal payments which are secure payment methods and there is no need to worry about fraud.

Cons
Limited Scalability: One of PrestaShop’s major drawbacks is its restricted scalability. Small and medium-sized enterprises will benefit from this eCommerce platform. PrestaShop, on the other hand, is not the ideal solution for platform expansion.

No official team to hear grievances: There are no PrestaShop specialists or support employees on the team. This is the most serious drawback of this eCommerce platform.

Custom eCommerce Development

You’ll need to incorporate a variety of appealing features in your eCommerce website or mobile application to make the shopping process simple for your customers, which is not possible if you start your eCommerce journey using SaaS or Open Source Platforms as they do not facilitate users with customized options. However, both platforms (SaaS and Open Source) are beneficial for a simple business idea and the latter (custom eCommerce Development) is ideal if you want to provide a customized experience to your customers.

In addition, custom eCommerce development solutions provide you with the languages you want, such as NodeJs, PHP, and React Native, as well as a custom-designed experience for your website that ultimately smoothens the entire eCommerce experience. If you do not provide the choice to code, an extensive search is made to identify which language is most suited for your eCommerce website; however, if you choose a readymade eCommerce solution, these things are not possible.

Let’s look at an example to see how this works: Suppose you wish to sell T-shirts on your website. All you have to do now is avail T-shirts from various places and put them up for sale on your website for customers to purchase. Since your business idea isn’t complex, SaaS and Open Source platforms are ideal.

On the other hand, you want to sell personalized T-shirts with the images of your customers printed on them. You’ll need an area (or built-in functionality) on your eCommerce website where users can upload their images while also getting assured that their personal information is safeguarded, therefore a custom eCommerce platform is the best option.

Another important issue boosting demand for custom eCommerce development is the fact that no readymade platform offers mobile application development services.

Pros
Customized web application depending on the needs of your business: A reputable eCommerce Platform Web Development Company can create a superb web app that is tailored to your business’s requirements. This will fulfill your organization’s needs and assist it in achieving its objectives. When compared to third-party web apps, a Web app streamlines the app so that users aren’t confused by various functionalities. You can also pick the most significant ones to make it easier for your customers to browse the site, increasing productivity.

High Scalability: You won’t have to upgrade to a more expensive program or deal with additional licensing costs if you use custom apps to build your business. You may add anything you need now or later to custom eCommerce solutions without disturbing the app.

Browsers compatible: With the help of custom eCommerce Platform web app development, the design of your website will be uniform across all browsers. The web app’s compatibility ensures that it runs smoothly and without issues across a wide range of platforms.

High Security: Custom website and app developers are well-versed in safeguarding sensitive data and storing it on remote servers. This implies that your team may still access the data in the cloud if your laptop or PC is lost or stolen. To get access to your data, all you need is a device, internet connection, and your login credentials.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve seen a list of all the eCommerce software possibilities, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks, it’s up to you to choose which one you want to use. Users’ needs and benefits may vary depending on a variety of personal characteristics.

However, we hope that you have found the article to be a useful resource and that you have gotten the most out of it. Consider delegating the responsibility and burden to Skyracle Technologies if you want a long-term solution for your Custom e-commerce website. We understand your demands and long-term goals. All of our projects are handled by our professionals with the utmost sincerity and proper method, all while keeping track of the deadline.

Skyracle Technologies deals with all three things; SaaS-Based, Open-Source, and Custom eCommerce Solution.

So, next time, you wish to get your eCommerce website or mobile application customized according to your idea and innovative vision, feel free to get in touch with us anytime.