When it comes to choosing an online sales platform, there are a few key factors to consider. The best selling platform for your business will depend on your product type, target audience, business goals and more. With so many ecommerce options available, it can be tricky to determine which one is right for you.
What are the top online sales platforms?
Some of the most popular online sales platforms include:
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
- BigCommerce
- Squarespace
- Etsy
- eBay
- Amazon
Let’s take a closer look at the key features and benefits of each platform.
Shopify
Shopify is an all-in-one ecommerce solution that allows you to easily create and customize an online store. Some key features include:
- Hundreds of professional themes and template options
- Integrations with shipping carriers, payment gateways and marketing tools
- Powerful backend dashboard and reporting
- 24/7 support
Shopify is a great solution for merchants selling their own products, particularly fashion, cosmetics, jewelry and other retail verticals. The platform is very intuitive and easy to use, even for those without extensive technical skills.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is an open-source ecommerce plugin built for WordPress. As a WordPress extension, it allows you to turn your existing WordPress site into a full-featured online store.
Benefits of WooCommerce include:
- Completely free and open source
- Very flexible and customizable
- Access to WordPress plugins and themes
- Great for sellers who already have a WordPress site
WooCommerce is a great free option but requires more technical skill and effort to customize. It also relies on third party extensions for important ecommerce features.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a hosted SaaS ecommerce platform with robust features for larger online stores. Key advantages include:
- Enterprise-level security, speed and uptime
- Built-in tools for SEO, marketing and reporting
- Scales to support large product catalogs and sales volumes
- Integrates with major sales channels
BigCommerce works well for established brands selling in multiple locations online. The higher-tier plans can be more expensive but include support and access to more advanced functionalities.
Squarespace
Squarespace started as a website builder but now also offers ecommerce capabilities. Some top features:
- Award-winning modern templates
- Simple drag-and-drop interface
- Built-in SEO and social media tools
- 24/7 customer support
Squarespace is ideal for small businesses focused on beautiful design and aesthetics. The ecommerce features are more limited compared to standalone platforms, but overall very simple to use.
Etsy
Etsy is a marketplace platform focused on handmade, vintage and craft products. Key benefits of selling on Etsy include:
- Large existing audience of buyers looking for unique items
- Low fees compared to other marketplaces
- Mature platform with over 60 million active buyers
- Simplified selling process
Etsy is ideal for crafters, artists and creatives selling their handmade wares or vintage goods. The platform focuses specifically on this product niche.
eBay
eBay is one of the largest and longest-running online marketplace platforms. Some key perks:
- Huge existing buyer base and high traffic
- Advanced seller tools for promotions, reporting and inventory
- Allow sellers to also operate their own eBay store
- List products for free in most categories
eBay can be a great sales channel for all types of products, from handmade to wholesale excess inventory. Works well for sellers that already have an established brand and following.
Amazon
Amazon is the giant in ecommerce dominating online retail. Benefits of selling on Amazon include:
- Over 300 million active customers worldwide
- Fulfillment by Amazon option for inventory management
- High conversion rates thanks to Amazon’s reputation
- Opportunity to sell globally
Amazon is ideal for sellers looking to scale, though fees can be higher and Amazon controls the customer relationship. Overall an excellent sales channel for most product types.
How to choose the right ecommerce platform
When selecting an online sales platform, start by considering these key factors:
Product type
Certain platforms cater to specific product categories. For example, handmade artisans would thrive on Etsy vs. a mass retailer selling on Amazon.
Business model
Will you be dropshipping products or holding inventory? Selling wholesale or retail? These factors impact which platforms make sense.
Technical abilities
Options like Shopify are very user-friendly while open source platforms like WooCommerce require more coding and technical skills.
Budget
Fee structures vary widely. Shopify and BigCommerce work on a monthly subscription model while eBay has per-sale fees. Factor in your revenue expectations.
Feature needs
Consider must-have features like payment processing, shipping options, marketing tools, etc. Some platforms offer much more built-in functionality.
Audience
Do you need help reaching potential new customers? Or can you drive your own traffic? Some sites like Etsy have a huge built-in audience.
Scalability
Make sure to choose a platform that can grow with your business. You don’t want to switch later as sales volume increases.
Top factors to consider
When evaluating platforms, keep these top factors in mind:
| Factor | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Fees | Monthly subscription cost, transaction fees, payment processing rates |
| Ease of use | Is the platform intuitive or does it require coding expertise? |
| Audience reach | Does the platform have an established buyer base for your products? |
| Scalability | Can the platform easily grow with your business? |
| Features | Does the platform offer required ecommerce functionality? |
| Support | What technical help, documentation and support is available? |
Key questions to ask
Here are some important questions to ask when vetting ecommerce platforms:
- What are the total fees and commissions?
- Is the platform easy to use and customize?
- Does it have built-in marketing tools and payment processing?
- Can it showcase my products attractively?
- How many sales can I expect based on the site’s traffic?
- Is customer support responsive and helpful?
- Will I retain ownership of my customer data?
- Does it meet all my feature needs or require add-ons?
- Can my storefront and inventory scale up smoothly?
- Are there any gotchas or hidden costs to be aware of?
Conclusion
Choosing the right ecommerce platform is crucial for online business success. Make sure to thoroughly evaluate multiple options based on your product, budget, skills and business goals. Focus on ease of use, fees, builtin features and audience reach. The top platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy and Amazon each cater to different kinds of sellers. Take the time to make an informed decision – your ideal platform is out there! With the help of the robust ecommerce solutions available today, it’s never been easier to set up shop online and expand your customer base worldwide.