Selecting the best ecommerce platform for beginners

Starting an online business can be exciting but overwhelming, especially when choosing the right tools. For beginners, selecting the best ecommerce platform for beginners is a step that can set the tone for their business journey. Let’s go through the key considerations and features to look for in the best ecommerce platform for beginners.

What are your needs and goals?

Figure out:

what you’re planning to sell,
who your target audience is,
what your budget looks like.

The best ecommerce platform for beginners should match your business model, whether you’re selling handmade crafts, digital products, or a wide range of merchandise. Also, consider the scale at which you want to start and the potential growth you envision for your business.

Comparing top ecommerce platforms

Since we’re working closely with small and medium e-commerce businesses, we know how important and tricky the decision of choosing the best ecommerce platform is. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Wix are often recommended as the best ecommerce platforms for beginners due to their user-friendliness and feature sets.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is an open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress. It’s known for its high degree of customizability and many available plugins, which allows for a highly tailored ecommerce experience.

Key features

WooCommerce facilitates the effective management of products and inventory.
A wide range of themes and templates are available, making creating visually appealing online stores easy.
It caters to a global audience by accommodating various languages and currencies.
The platform includes built-in SEO capabilities and ensures that online stores are optimized for mobile devices.
Supports numerous payment gateways, providing flexibility in transaction processing.
Offers API for custom integrations and detailed analytics on store performance.
Benefits from a large, active community, offering a wealth of resources and support.

Where’s the catch

It can be complex, especially when integrating numerous plugins or advanced features.
Support is primarily through documentation and community forums; lack of centralized direct support can be a challenge for complex issues.
While WooCommerce is free, additional costs can include web hosting, domain registration, and paid plugins or themes.

WooCommerce is ideal for small to medium-store owners who need a customizable and scalable solution.

Wix

On the other hand, Wix stands out for its ease of use, making it a great option for beginners or small businesses that prioritize design and simplicity. Its drag-and-drop interface allows for straightforward site creation without the need for extensive technical knowledge.

Key features

Enables easy customization and design of your online store with drag-and-drop.
Offers a range of templates to suit different styles and business types.
Ensures your website looks good on all devices.
Includes features for email marketing and social media integration.
Basic SEO tools to help improve your site’s visibility.
Access to various apps to extend your Wix site’s functionality.
Supports multiple payment methods for customer convenience.

Where’s the catch

While Wix is user-friendly, it may offer less customization capability compared to more advanced platforms.
It is more suitable for smaller online stores due to its simpler e-commerce features.

Wix is an excellent choice for individuals or small businesses looking to create a simple, visually appealing online store with minimal technical hassle.

Shopify

Shopify is a highly popular and widely used e-commerce platform known for its user-friendliness and full set of features. It’s particularly appealing to small and medium-sized businesses and beginners in e-commerce.

Key features

Offers a wide range of customizable themes, making it easy to create a professional and aesthetically pleasing online store.
Equipped with extensive product management features, including inventory tracking, multiple product variants, and bulk editing.
It integrates with a variety of payment methods, including its own Shopify Payments, major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, and more.
Includes built-in SEO tools and ensures that online stores are optimized for mobile devices.
Facilitates selling across various platforms, including social media and online marketplaces.
Strong security measures, including SSL certification and two-factor authentication.
A versatile point-of-sale system that integrates both online and in-person sales.

Where’s the catch

Additional costs may be incurred unless Shopify uses its payment processor.
Some users find Shopify’s SEO capabilities less advanced than those of specialized platforms.
While offering many templates, deep customization may require knowledge of Shopify’s coding language, Liquid.

Shopify is an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses and beginners due to its balance of ease of use and comprehensive features. It is less suited for businesses requiring highly specialized SEO or extensive customization.

Conclusion

Selecting the best ecommerce platform for beginners doesn’t have to be a scary task. By focusing on essential features you’d need and like to have, you can make an informed decision that sets your online business up for success.

Remember, the best ecommerce platform for you is one that aligns with your business goals and grows with you as your business evolves.

Good news – we can help you with this. If you need advice or someone to build you an online store, we’re here to support you.

Written by: Dora M.