7 Best eCommerce Platforms for Startups [Host Included]
WooCommerce is a popular eCommerce solution, which is known for its ability to convert WordPress sites into durable online stores.
It is basically a WordPress plugin that can be used to design an eCommerce website or online shopping hub from scratch.
Key features of WooCommerce include pre-installed payment gateways, WordPress integrations, auto-taxes, cart behavior, free shipping, inventory/store manager, default currency setting, cart calculator, reports, flexible shipping, tax calculator, SEO, 24/7 customer support, unlimited extensions, and more.
WooCommerce is available for free, albeit with restricted access and limited features. To unlock the full features, subscribers are required to upgrade to a paid plan and pay add-ons on certain extensions.
WooCommerce offers a mobile app that lets you access helpful insights and manage your business on the go. You get to see real-time statistics, orders status and also add new products.
The tool has multiple extensions and integrations that can also help you grow and promote your business.
You can integrate third-party tools such as Mailchimp or Mailpoet that can help you grow your traffic and increase purchase rates.
It also supports Google Ads and Listings but also offers its own advertisement and branding solutions through product recommendations and product add-ons such as gift wrapping, special messages, and other similar options.
WooCommerce is very versatile and offers support not only for online shops but also for hospitality services. It offers the tool necessary to create appointments and make reservations.
The platform also gives full support for shipping. It can connect you with popular shipping companies and provide tracking information for every order.
Other key features of WooCommerce include:
- Open source, fully customizable
- Over 400 official extensions
- Resourceful guides and tutorials
- Support for multiple languages and currencies
There is also a 30-day refund policy for subscriptions canceled within a period of one month (after payment).
WooCommerce
Integrate this plugin to your WordPress website and start managing any type of business from start to finish.
Up next we have a resourceful platform that provides multiple website hosting options, an intuitive and modern website builder, and support for payments, taxes, and promotion.
Squarespace offers time-efficient solutions that let users create professional-looking websites in a very short time.
It has one of the most intuitive builders out there, with tons of inspiring templates that don’t need much adjustment. However, if you already built your website, you can easily migrate it in just a few quick steps.
It offers pre-built layouts for various types of websites including eCommerce. It has various useful extensions that let you closely manage your business.
For instance, the inventory and product extensions let you manage your inventory SKUs, stock level and add or remove products from your website.
Squarespace also gives insightful analytics so you can see in real-time how your business is progressing.
Users get sales by product analytics, purchase funnel, abandoned cart statistics, total spend information about customers, average order value, and more.
Squarespace does not only provide the tools necessary to host and create your eCommerce website, but it also offers support for marketing and promotion
It offers exclusive access to third-party tools so you can determine your customer base and target your advertisements or promotional campaigns toward them.
Regardless of what you plan on selling, know that this platform can take care of the whole process, from start to finish.
Squarespace can also help with shipping, returns, and package tracking, so you and your customers are fully informed about the orders.
Other key features of Squarespace include:
- Automatic image scaling
- Free custom domain
- Multimedia blocks for audio and video content
- SEO features
- Productivity features for you or a whole team
- Custom payment settings
Squarespace is a subscription-based service with multiple plans available. Each plan has the option to charge monthly or annually.
Squarespace
Build and manage your business with modern and intuitive tools that help you grow and assess your business at any level.
Wix eCommerce is another great option for those that want to use an intuitive and visual website builder.
The platform offers over 500 free store templates. You can use them as they are or as a basis to create your own, specifically branded online shop.
On the topic of branding, it is also important to note that Wix offers handy tools such as a Logo Maker, a Business Name Generator, and of course, your custom domain name.
The platform supports the listing of up to 50, 000 products, which is plenty, especially if you are just starting out.
It offers several features that help you manage your products, including inventory management tools, supplier support, and more.
The tool also lets you define your own shipping rules and automates taxes for every purchase.
When it comes to payments, you can use the integrated Wix Payments solution, but you can also pick a third-party method from payment providers such as PayPal.
You can track and view reports on each payment. It offers easy solutions for refunds and gives insightful information about all transactions.
When it comes to shipping, Wix allows you to track the whole process, starting from the purchase. They offer support for shipping, and suppliers, and also let you and your customer track the location of the order once it has been shipped.
Similar to Squarespace, this tool also offers some marketing tools that can help you grow and boost sales. It offers easy solutions that let you create promotional content in just a few minutes.
Along with that, it works with proven SEO patterns and automatically applies them to your website.
Other key features of Wix eCommerce include:
- Multilingual and multi-currency support
- Support for multi-channel sales
- Store subscriptions
- Templates for multiple types of stores (fashion, interior design, makeup, etc)
Wix is also subscription-based with three plans available. If you are not satisfied with the service, you can get a refund in the first 14 days of your subscription.
Wix eCommerce
Create and host beautiful and fully functional online stores with this intuitive web app.
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