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The best eCommerce platforms help businesses create a user-friendly bespoke website effortlessly. In 2023, there are many options to launch eCommerce websites and apps. But choosing the best eCommerce platform can be a bit overwhelming.
You need a platform that offers customers an intuitive interface and drives conversion. Additionally, the eCommerce platform should help you scale the growing business seamlessly. This article compares the top 5 eCommerce platforms to launch your eCommerce business.
The table below offers some quick-check insights:
| Features | Shopify | Magento | WooCommerce | PrestaShop | nopCommerce |
| Ease of Use | Simple-to-use | Requires Time | Simple to-use | Simple to-use | Simple to-use |
| Checkout | Faster | Faster | Faster | Faster | Faster |
| Cost | Paid plans only | Free and Paid plans | Open-Source | Open-Source | Free to use |
| SEO Capabilities | High | High | Sufficient SEO Capabilities | High | High |
| Security | Well-Secured | Well-Secured | Sufficient security based features | Well-Secured | Well-Secured |
| Support | 24/7 | Available | Limited | 24/7 | Available |
What is an eCommerce Platform?
An eCommerce platform is a SAAS-based system. It provides software as a service to people launching their online selling businesses. The eCommerce platform offers a range of features, including hosting, secured payment processing, analytics, promotional activities, and more. Popular eCommerce platforms include Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce (powered by WordPress), PrestaShop, and more.
But what makes them the best eCommerce platforms? Tons of business-oriented features are available in the best eCommerce platforms. Let’s investigate.
How to Choose the Best eCommerce Platform?
First, there isn’t really a definitive answer to this question. Each business has unique requirements. So, what to do? Compare the features your online company requires with those of prominent eCommerce platforms. For example, you can launch your online business to support your brick-and-mortar store. In such a case, inventory management and P.O.S. capabilities are pivotal for the successful running of the company.
Similarly, some businesses run an online store for dropshipping. In such a scenario, looking for an eCommerce platform that offers real-time shipping rates, easy multi-supplier orders, and more is vital.
The bottom line is determining whether the chosen eCommerce platform fulfills your specific needs.
Must-Have Features of an eCommerce Platform
Whatever you choose, the website builder platform must have several critical features in driving any online retail business to success. Have a look at these obligatory features:
Simple to Use for Non-Technical Administrators
The user interface of the platform should be straightforward and facilitate users to sell online. The platform must require minimum effort and time to learn how to use it, so you can edit, update, and run various promotional activities with ease.
Faster Checkouts with Secured Payment Processing
Most cart abandonment occurs due to a lengthy checkout process and the lack of more popular payment options. The platform must offer quick and straightforward checkouts and accept all primary forms of payment. Additionally, the eCommerce space must allow the integration of multiple Payment Gateways. It significantly reduces the abandoned cart recovery rate.
Search Engine Optimisation for Google, Bing, & Others
eCommerce and online visibility are two sides of the same coin. You must have one with the other for a successful business. The platform must provide SEO-centric features like meta tags, title tags, responsive design, and optimal speed for building acceptable, easy-to-find online stores.
Smooth Inventory Management
You want to avoid taking orders for finished stocks. And even if you don’t, it must be an informed decision rather than a mistake. Any eCommerce platform must offer a specific scope of inventory management for easy tracking.
Well-Secured with Standard Security Features
SSL certificates, 2FA, password protection, and PCI compliance are some of the essential security-based features of any eCommerce website. Visitors will expect it and will be turned away if your site doesn’t feel secure.
Mobile-Ready UI with Good Speed
More than 72% of global retail sales take place via mobile devices. So, the platform must offer responsive themes and templates. Additionally, good speed performance drives engagement, user experience, and sales.
Readily Available Support
24/7 support helps you handle urgencies like downtime, payment glitches, and poor speed performance with convenience. A good platform offers consistent support to help businesses make the most of their online store.
Based on the above factors, we have listed the top-rated eCommerce platforms in 2023.
Here are the 5 Best eCommerce Platforms to Launch a Website in 2023
#1. Shopify – Provides Support for a Wide Range of Businesses
Shopify is undoubtedly among the most widely used eCommerce platforms worldwide. It has been created using the popular Rails framework and Shopify powers over 4.4 million websites globally. Shopify provides businesses with a range of plans, and one can start using Shopify for just £19 per month. The different Shopify plans offer access to various features. Shopify is also ideal for launching a dropshipping business. The platform has more than 70 professional & customizable themes for building a beautiful eCommerce site. Via Shopify development services, companies can have bespoke websites to reflect brand values.
Shopify Features:
- Free SSL Certificates
- Useful Dropshipping Integrations
- Best SEO Practices
- Mobile-friendly Website
- Automated Store Emails
- Simple Inventory Management
- Hosting with Unlimited Bandwidth
Brands Using Shopify Platform for their eCommerce Website:
- Sephora
- Victoria Beckham Beauty
- Red Bull
#2. nopCommerce – Empowers B2B and B2C Businesses Alike
nopCommerce is an open-source eCommerce software with enterprise-level functionality. The platform is built over the latest ASP.NET technologies that ensure a perfectly scalable architecture and high security (i.e. PCI DSS and GDPR compliance). With 1,500 integrations, a bright community of over 250,000 members worldwide and the source code available, businesses get unlimited customization options. At the moment, nopCommerce has over 65,000 B2B and B2C online stores, as well as marketplaces. The biggest advantage is that nopCommerce is completely free to use, without any limitations to its multi-store, multi-warehouse, and multi-vendor features.
nopCommerce Features:
- Out-of-the-box B2B functionality, one-page and anonymous checkout
- Compatibility with POS, ERP, CRM, WMS, PIM systems
- Instant order formation and inventory tracking
- Support for international payment & shipping methods
- Advanced eCommerce SEO and marketing features
- Responsive web design and customizable mobile app available
Brands Using nopCommerce Platform for their eCommerce Website:
- Fuji
- Wurth
- Volvo
#3. Adobe Commerce – also known as Magento
Magento has been developed using several PHP frameworks, including Laminas and Symfony. Globally there are more than 267,000 Magento-based eCommerce websites. The Magento platform came with both free (open-source) and paid plans. It is a highly scalable platform allowing users to sell a few to several thousand products and services. It also offers advanced eCommerce features like custom reporting and order and catalogue management. This platform provides a significant level of customisation for your eCommerce site. A Magento development agency can create a well-customised eCommerce website that drives user engagement and website traffic.
Magento Features:
- Streamlined Catalogue Management
- Advanced Order Management
- SEO
- Advertising & Marketing
- Simple & Quick Checkout
- Multiple Payment Modes
- Custom Analytics & Reporting
Brands Using Magento Platform for their eCommerce Store:
- Helly Hansen
- Liverpool FC
- Landrover
#4. WooCommerce – Powered by WordPress
If you already have a website built on WordPress, Woocommerce is your go-to option for eCommerce development. A free WooCommerce plugin transforms your existing website into a complete eCommerce website. Worldwide more than 7 million eCommerce websites are running with WooCommerce. It has an elegant and user-friendly interface that anyone can master to create & run for their eCommerce website. WooCommerce is ideal for startups as it requires little investment and offers all eCommerce functionalities.
WooCommerce Features:
- Seamless WordPress Integration
- Open Source Platform
- Highly Flexible
- SEO Friendly
- Standard Payment Processing
- Large Library of Extensions
- Multiple Theme Options
Brands Using WooCommerce Platform for their eCommerce Website:
- Daelmans Stroopwafels
- Garantia
- Porter and York
#5. PrestaShop – Useful S.E.O. and Marketing Tools
PrestaShop is another eCommerce platform developed using the PHP programming language. Like Magento, PrestaShop is also created using the Symfony PHP framework. It is used by more than 300,000 eCommerce stores across the globe. It is a leading choice for developing functional eCommerce stores that rank well on search engines. The platform provides several out-of-the-box features and is highly flexible. PrestaShop is ideal for launching any business online as it allows significant scalability.
PrestaShop Features:
- Robust Catalogue Management
- Easy Site Management
- High Flexibility
- Standard S.E.O Practices
- Various Marketing Tools
- Simple Check Out
- Secured Payment
Brands Using PrestaShop Platform for their eCommerce Website:
- Huygens
- Bleu de Chauffe
- Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse
Wrapping Up
Deciding on the best eCommerce platforms for your online brand can be tough. Think about your core business needs first and ensure the one you select meets those requirements. Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce have established eCommerce platforms and have stood the test of time. As well as choosing the right platform, having the right level of personalisation is also crucial. Without personalisation, a site fails to impress online shoppers. An eCommerce Development Agency U.K can tailor any eCommerce platform to ensure a highly functioning website that sells, upsells, and encourages repeat visits.
Interesting Related Article: “The Outsourcing Advantage: How It Can Improve Customer Experience in Ecommerce“