Creating a great ecommerce store has never been easier. There are plenty of platforms to choose from and you can be up and running in next to no time with little or no computing knowledge. While sorting out your content and finding just the right products are important, so is settling on an ecommerce system that works for you and delivers what your business really needs.
Here are some of the top options available today:
WordPress and Woocommerce
If you’ve already used WordPress then you might be attracted to their ecommerce platform Woocommerce. It’s one of the best choices for those new to the world of online stores and is relatively simple to set up and use. If you’re looking to build a store in conjunction with a blog then it delivers everything you need. With around 40 different themes, there’s plenty of opportunity to customise your site and get it just how you want. It’s also free to set up.
Shopify
Probably top of most people’s list when it comes to ecommerce at the moment is Shopify which has over half a million active online stores powered by the platform. This is a great option for those who want scalability built in. It’s the kind of platform that can cope with small startups right through to established large stores. Drag and drop features mean that you can easily design a store that looks right for your product and you have access to over 100 different mobile themes for shopping on the go.
Magento
Magento is another popular ecommerce platform and is just heading into its tenth year of operation, which is essentially a lifetime when it comes to digital store set up. From creating your store to developing a customised shopping cart and instant purchase options, you get everything you need including strong mobile ready designs to choose from. The platform operates with any hosting company so you’re not as limited as you may be with other choices. You also have the chance to host multiple sites in one location.
Squarespace
One of the oldest online shopping platforms and still a popular choice, Squarespace is perfect if you want a store that has a strong visual impact and is still easy to use. It is a little more limited than other platforms, especially with the payment gateways it provides, but still a good choice for first time shop developers and startups.