The Best e-Commerce Platform for Starting an Online Shop in 2019

There are more e-commerce platforms than ever to choose from. How do you know which one is the best one to choose? It all depends on which features and tools you need. Your technology budget is another determining factor for choosing the right platform.

Your goal is to find the right e-commerce platform that helps you host, launch, and manage your very own e-commerce business. Here are nine of the best e-commerce platforms to use in 2019.

1. Magento

Magento is an e-commerce platform that’s best suited for corporations and enterprises. It’s also ideal for those who are familiar with developing and programming. But it has plug-and-play features like Shopify. Magento offers a wide variety of features for enterprise e-commerce stores, such as discounts, product listings, and recurring payments. It also comes with extensions that provide accelerated mobile pages that customers can view on any mobile device.

While you can use the basic version for free, the enterprise version costs $20,000 annually. This is not the best option for small businesses and startups that are on a tight budget. It’s also not good for small or mid-sized businesses with limited product catalogs. If you’re building a large online store, then Magento is the perfect platform.

2. Shopify

Shopify has two options for e-commerce store owners. There’s the regular plan which ranges from $29 to $299. This is the perfect option for businesses that have a small product catalog or an order volume. But keep in mind that it doesn’t have many customization options.

There’s also Shopify Plus, which is ideal for companies who have outgrown their Shopify store and need to expand. It comes with even more advanced features and customization options than the original Shopify. It also allows you to create a faster checkout process, accelerated mobile pages, and a responsive mobile store. Pricing is expensive and depends on features such as customization, design, order volume, and technology.

3. BigCommerce

BigCommerce also comes with a wide variety of customization options and features. It attracts corporations, enterprises, and startups. Features include advanced security, built-in integrations, order fulfillment partnerships, and payment solutions. It’s as expensive as Magento and Shopify Plus and is difficult for beginners to learn. But it offers a complete store without backend problems.

4. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a plugin that’s only available for WordPress websites. It allows people to turn their blogs and websites into a full-fledged e-commerce store. It’s become one of the second most popular platforms in the world. WooCommerce also comes with features such as secure payment options and a shopping cart.

This is the perfect solution for those who are experienced with WordPress development. It’s also the only free option on this list, but it costs extra to integrate your shopping cart. If your business is growing quickly, then you’ll need to choose another e-commerce platform. WooCommerce is only good for slowly adding customers and products to your online store.

5. Squarespace

Squarespace comes offers drag-and-drop templates that make it easy to build your website within minutes. They also provide the features and tools you need to create your own online store. Squarespace is popular with bloggers and creatives who have a limited product catalog. But they also include key features such as multiple variants, SKUs, and unlimited product listings.

Other features include marketing techniques for abandoned cart recovery, recurring payments, and subscriptions. At just $18 per month, anyone can create their own online store quickly and affordably.

6. Wix

Wix is one of the easiest e-commerce platforms to use. It’s the ideal option for beginners. It also features drag-and-drop templates that make it easy to create your own website. It’s the right option if you’re just getting started in the world of e-commerce. Wix is another affordable option, with plans that start at $20 per month.

7. Big Cartel

Big Cartel is a hip e-commerce platform that’s used by artists and creatives. You can choose to code your own site or use one of Big Cartel’s free themes. Other features include add-on discounts and promos, custom domain, inventory tracking, and real-time stats. Pricing is based on how many products you plan to include in your online store.

It’s free for those with fewer than 5 products. Or, you can pay $29.99 per month for up to 300 products. Even though it has limited features and scalability options, Big Cartel is perfect for those with a limited product catalog.

8. Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Salesforce was originally known as Demandware. But this company transformed itself to offer a cloud-based e-commerce platform. This Commerce Cloud platform integrates easily with other CRM and marketing solutions, providing an all-in-one solution for enterprises. Other features include Artificial Intelligence tools, globalization, and personalization options. It can also handle a high demand for traffic, but it can be expensive and complex for small business owners to use.

9. Volusion

Volusion is an e-commerce platform that was developed for beginners. It has the most pricing options that you’ll ever see in your life. It’s a cost-effective solution for newer merchants and will increase in price as your business grows. Features include discount code creation, in-site blogging, and a large number of free themes to choose from.

But its app options and integrations make it more of a standalone tool rather than a complete e-commerce platform. Plans start at $14 per month for the basic plan of up to $135 per month for the premium plan.

As you can see, there’s no such thing as the perfect e-commerce platform. It depends on your e-commerce business and its needs, product catalog, sales goals, and potential growth. This list should guide you to make the right decision.