Best Ecommerce Platforms to Build Websites For All Businesses!
Ecommerce
Updated on November 06, 2024
Types of Ecommerce Platforms
There are multiple types of Ecommerce online stores. However, in essence, they can primarily be categorized in two ways:
1. By the Type of Transaction
a. Business-to-Business (B2B)
These types of online Ecommerce platforms enable businesses to buy/sell products to other businesses. B2B businesses handle a lot larger order volumes. Also, the logistics and transactions are more complex in comparison.
b. Business to Consumer (B2C)
It is the most common type of Ecommerce platform. In this, the businesses sell products and services directly to consumers. B2C platforms are designed to be user-friendly. They offer a wide array of features that elevate the shopping experience. There are Ecommerce sites like Temu, Wish, Amazon, Shein, etc., that fall into this category.
c. Consumer to Consumer (C2C)
These Ecommerce websites allow consumers to sell products and services to consumers. C2C platforms are known for selling consumer items. For example, goods, collectibles, and handmade items. Some common websites are eBay, Etsy, and Craigslist.
d. Customer to Business (C2B)
It is a less used type of Ecommerce platform. C2B lets consumers sell products and services directly to businesses. A common example of this is the freelance marketplace. This is where businesses hire freelance workers for a variety of tasks.
e. Business to Administration (B2A)
These platforms sell products/services to government agencies or public sector organizations. The platform requires vendors to meet the required qualifications and standards.
f. Consumer to Administration (C2A)
C2A platforms allow consumers to interact with government agencies and public sector organizations. For instance, a C2A platform allows citizens to pay taxes, get benefits, or register to vote online.
2. By Deployment
a. SaaS (Software as a Service)
Ecommerce platform providers host saas platforms. This is so businesses don’t have to install or maintain any software. These Ecommerce websites are easy to use and affordable. This is the reason SMEs prefer to use them. Some top Ecommerce sites in this category are Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix, etc.
b. Open-source
Open-source platforms are freely available for businesses to download and install. These platforms offer a high degree of customization. Therefore, they can be difficult to set up and maintain. Some common examples are WooCommerce and Magento.
c. Headless Commerce
Headless commerce platforms separate the front end from the back end. Customers see different parts, and inventory, payments, etc., lie in different places. These platforms allow for a custom-designed shopping experience. They can also integrate with existing systems.
How to Choose the Best Ecommerce Platforms?
Choosing the right Ecommerce platform depends on several factors. These factors depend on your business requirements. So, here’s a roadmap to get you started:
Step 1: Define your needs:
- What are the types of products you are selling?
- What is the budget for your Ecommerce website?
- What features (abandoned cart recovery, product reviews, CMS, etc.) are important to you?
- What is the level of technical expertise?
Step 2: Consider key factors:
- How easy is it to set up and manage the platform?
- Is the platform scalable to handle growing business requirements?
- Does the platform offer robust security features?
- Does the Ecommerce online store integrate with payment processing?
- Can you optimize your store for search engines?
- Does the platform deliver a mobile-friendly shopping experience?
Step 3: Read Expert Reviews & User Testimonials
Read reviews of different Ecommerce platforms. Also, compare their features with the competitors. There are several resources available online, including MobileAppDaily.com.
Step 4: Free Trials & Free Features:
Most Ecommerce platforms deliver free trials. Several best free Ecommerce platforms charge nothing for some of their features. Test them out, and decide before committing.
Step 5: Get Professional Help:
If you are confused, consult a professional. A consultant can help you find the right platform that fits your requirements.
Here are some additional tips:
- Don’t be afraid to start small.
- Focus on features that are important for your business.
- Factor in the ongoing maintenance.
How Do We Test Ecommerce Website Builders?
Testing to figure out a good Ecommerce platform requires a systematic approach. However, it helps assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Ecommerce platform list. So, here’s a breakdown of key areas:
1. Functionality:
- Product Management: We tested the platform’s capability to add, edit, and manage product listings. It included image uploads, descriptions, variants, and inventory management.
- Order Processing: Simulating the checkout process helped us understand smooth functionality. There were several functionalities we tested. These are shopping cart functionality, discount codes, tax calculations, and shipping options.
- Payment Processing: We ensured these platforms were compatible with popular payment gateways.
2. Usability:
- Interface: It is essential to evaluate the user-friendliness of the builder’s interface. We checked the interface for multiple tasks. For instance, adding products, managing content, and configuring should be easy.
- Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Some Ecommerce website building platforms offer drag-and-drop tools. We tested it to understand the platform’s ease of use and flexibility.
- Mobile Responsiveness: We ensured that the online store renders flawlessly across devices. For instance, desktop, mobile, and tablet.
3. Design and Customization:
- Themes and Templates: We explored themes and templates on these top e-commerce sites. You can check if they align with your brand aesthetic. Also, test how these Ecommerce platforms customize these templates as per specific needs.
- Content Management System (CMS): To test blog posts, articles, or other content, test the CMS. We made sure that these platforms at large support this.
4. Performance (for users):
- Page Loading Speed: Test the website builder’s performance by creating a sample store. This can help you determine the page loading speed. It is crucial from the user experience and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) perspective.
- Scalability: Factor in the potential growth of the website. Ensure your solution is scalable in terms of traffic and product volume.
5. Security:
- Data Security: We researched every platform’s security measures. This helped us understand the data security for customer’s personal information. A great way to do it is by checking the platform for SSL and PCI compliance.
- Backup and Recovery: Tested the platform for backup and recovery options. These come in handy during technical issues.
6. Additional Considerations:
- SEO Tools: The builder should have built-in SEO tools. This can help optimize online stores for search engines.
- Customer Support: We evaluated the quality and availability of the chosen platform. This helped us understand the support channels in case you encounter issues. Common channels to check are phone numbers, email, and live chat.
- Pricing: We compared the pricing plans offered by different builders. This ensured we have top Ecommerce platforms for every segment.
7. Testing Tools and Techniques:
- Manual Testing: We navigated the e-commerce builder interface. It included an interface, add products options, and test functionalities.
- Sample Store Creation: Set up a sample store to understand the builder’s capabilities.
- User Testing Tools: These tools help us get feedback from potential customers on the store's usability. This is for you. You can use user testing tools to get feedback from potential customers.
By following these steps, we can use a combination of testing methods. This can help effectively evaluate different Ecommerce website builders. Also, it can help anyone choose the one that suits their preferences.
Conclusion
Creating your website earlier was a complex affair. It required technical expertise and a team. If not then a dependable outsourcing partner. With advancements in technology, we have the best Ecommerce platforms today.
Platforms that can help us create something from scratch by ourselves. These platforms have multiple tools and customizable templates. This helps enable a brand image or voice. Overall, our intention with the list was to help you find some dependable options. We hope you quickly set up your website and get your business started.
Additionally, do you have one of the best Ecommerce platforms or any other solution that can help people? Something that lies in the digital domain and has potential. If yes then list your product. Our team of MAD experts will review your product. After that, your product will be listed on a relevant page at a relevant ranking. This can help you provide exposure, more credibility, and possible downloads/users/leads.
