9 Best eCommerce Platforms for Your Startup (Top Picks)
Quick Summary
When starting an eCommerce business, there are three major types of platforms you can consider: open source, SaaS, and headless. Each type comes with its own traits and limitations.
Top open source eCommerce platforms include WooCommerce, Spree Commerce, and Joomla. Shopify, BigCommerce, and Squarespace top the list in the SaaS category. The leading headless eCommerce options are Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Adobe Commerce, and Snipcart.
During the selection process, you must focus on the platform’s ease of use, third-party integration, inventory management, SEO-friendliness, and insights.
The global startup ecosystem is thriving significantly and will continue to do so in the future as well. With 6 out of 10 working-age internet users ordering something online every week, more and more eCommerce startups are coming up each year.
The eCommerce industry holds a considerable share in the startup ecosystem. But it’s shocking to know many eCommerce startups do not survive enough to see success. According to Failory, the eCommerce success rate is less than 20%. Some of the top reasons behind their failure are insufficient marketing and poor user experience.
But we don’t aim to make you scared of entering the startup world; we just want to ensure you have access to the right strategies and tools. With a solid eCommerce marketing strategy and a user-centric platform, your business can be in that 20% success rate.
Whether you have technical knowledge or work with an eCommerce development company, you need to make some decisions regarding your platform, and we are here to help with that. We will walk you through eCommerce platform types, some popular platforms to use, and factors you must consider when selecting a platform.
Types of eCommerce Platforms
When finding a suitable platform for eCommerce development, you will encounter multiple types of platforms. However, the majority of eCommerce businesses prefer these 3 types: open source, SaaS, and headless.
Each platform type is suitable for different kinds of businesses and offers unique features. So, let’s explore each option in detail:
1. Open Source
As the name suggests, open source eCommerce platforms are free to access, and you can modify every aspect of the source code.
Open source platforms are typically more popular among businesses that want full control over their website. However, modifying the source code will require some coding knowledge, or you can hire eCommerce developers to build and maintain the site.
When you choose open source, security also becomes a concern. Since the source code is open for everyone to customize and download, your site’s data might get compromised. So, you need to consider eCommerce security essentials in that case.
2. SaaS
Opposite to open source, SaaS (Software as a Service) removes the complexity of developing an eCommerce store from scratch. With SaaS eCommerce platforms, you can create an online store, get hosting and updates, customize features as per your preference, and ensure security measures. All you need to do is pay a monthly subscription fee to the platform.
As the code, security, and hosting are managed by the SaaS platform, it becomes an easy to use option. On the downside, these types of platforms can lock your business into certain features. You don’t get as great flexibility as open source platforms offer.
3. Headless
Headless eCommerce is completely different from the traditional development approach. It allows the decoupling of front-end and back-end technologies, so you can ensure great flexibility to create a smooth customer experience.
Headless eCommerce platforms offer a futuristic approach to eCommerce businesses where they can customize the front end as they want without affecting the functionality of the back end. While it seems a promising platform, some potential drawbacks of headless eCommerce are complexity in implementation and increased development costs.
Top eCommerce Platforms for Startups
Now, you might have a better understanding of each eCommerce platform type and its benefits. So, let’s move forward with the best options in each category:
1. Open Source
If you want to launch your online store without breaking the bank, then open source eCommerce is the perfect choice. Let’s explore some top options:
WooCommerce is a powerful plugin that transforms WordPress websites into fully functional eCommerce stores. Its key advantages are:
Seamless integration with WordPress
Free core plugin with extensive customization options
Vast library of free and paid themes
Robust inventory management tools
Built-in security features
While some open-source platforms require technical expertise, WooCommerce is known for its user-friendly interface and gentle learning curve. It’s also optimized for speed, ensuring smooth performance for your online store.
Joomla combines the power of a content management system with robust eCommerce capabilities. Its key highlights include:
High scalability for growing businesses
Strong community support and regular updates
eCommerce extensions like VirtueMart, HikaShop, and J2Store
Integrated media manager for efficient file organization
Multi-language and multi-currency support
Access to over 6,000 extensions for added functionality
Joomla’s flexibility and extensive customization options make it a solid choice for businesses of all sizes.
2. SaaS
While open source platforms offer you cost-effectiveness, SaaS platforms simplify the setup of your business. Here are some leading SaaS eCommerce options:
Shopify stands out as a leading SaaS platform, renowned for its powerful eCommerce capabilities. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools to create and manage an online store seamlessly across various sales channels. Key features include:
Hundreds of professional templates
Drag-and-drop store builder
Payment processing and shipping integrations
Abandoned cart recovery
Marketing tools like email and SMS
Inventory management
Detailed analytics and reporting
Moreover, Shopify ensures continuous support with its 24/7 customer service and a vibrant app marketplace boasting over 6,000 apps to enhance your store’s functionality.
BigCommerce delivers an enterprise-level solution with strong B2B features, ideal for established mid-market to large businesses. Its main advantages include:
Scalability to handle extensive catalogs and sales volumes
Built-in B2B functionalities such as customer groups and price lists
Integration with major online marketplaces
Abandoned cart recovery and email marketing tools
A variety of apps for accounting, shipping, POS, and more
BigCommerce also offers excellent support and design services, adding value beyond its robust SaaS platform.
Squarespace is a well-loved website builder that includes an integrated eCommerce platform, making it a go-to choice for entrepreneurs. Notable features are:
An intuitive drag-and-drop website builder for effortless customization
Beautifully designed templates optimized for mobile responsiveness
Built-in marketing tools and SEO features to boost traffic and sales
Reliable hosting and customer support
With Squarespace, managing your inventory, adding product descriptions, uploading high-quality images, and setting up customer accounts is straightforward and efficient.
3. Headless
If you emphasize innovation and control of the store more than anything, then headless if the best option for you. The following are some popular headless eCommerce platforms:
Developed by Salesforce, Commerce Cloud is a premier headless eCommerce platform. It harnesses the power of AI and offers customizable APIs, enabling seamless customization of both the front end and back end. Key features include:
A robust inventory management system.
Enhanced security features with a web application firewall, security monitoring, and a headless content delivery network.
The PWA kit facilitates the creation of mobile-first stores, making it user-friendly for digital commerce developers.
AI-powered tools that monitor customer behaviors to gather critical insights, boosting both conversion rates and engagement.
High scalability and compatibility with advanced integrations, including various marketplaces and AR/VR technologies.
Commerce Cloud is designed to meet specific business requirements with its web-based user interfaces and exceptional flexibility, streamlining management even for those lacking technical skills.
Previously known as Magento, Adobe Commerce is an open-source, headless eCommerce platform tailored for both B2B and B2C sectors, featuring cloud-based solutions. It supports brands across different sizes and sectors, offering:
Marketing capabilities such as email campaigns, targeted promotions, and reminders for abandoned carts.
The ability to manage multiple storefronts and customize advanced product options.
Centralized data handling, advanced search functionality, and enhanced merchandising capabilities.
Custom integrations with CRM, ERP, CMS, and other marketing and management systems.
Forecasting tools that provide insights into market trends, business performance, and sales metrics.
Moreover, Adobe Commerce benefits from a vast community of developers who have created over 5,000 extensions available in its marketplace.
Snipcart offers a developer-centric, headless e-commerce solution that integrates a customizable shopping cart into any website using minimal coding. Its main features include:
Compatibility with most payment gateways and shipping carriers.
Quick cart deployment is achievable with simple HTML and JavaScript.
Tools to manage promotions, discount codes, and subscriptions.
Calculations for real-time shipping rates and taxes.
Additionally, Snipcart includes functionalities to manage abandoned carts, providing businesses with strategies to reduce potential sales losses.
What to Consider When Choosing an eCommerce Platform for a Startup?
As you can see, there are plenty of eCommerce platforms available on the market. But to choose the best one among these, you need to consider the following factors:
Ease of Use
Your primary goal is to create an eCommerce store without unnecessary complications. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a user-friendly platform, especially for beginners. The platform should have an intuitive interface and not require extensive technical knowledge.
Look for platforms that offer demos or trial versions. This allows you to get a feel for the platform and understand its features before committing. If the features are straightforward to grasp, it’s a good sign that the platform is suitable for you.
Third-Party Tools Integration
In the modern web development world, the ability to integrate third-party tools is a significant advantage. For eCommerce, seamless integration with third-party tools is essential for enhancing the functionality of your store.
Some platforms allow you to add advanced features without needing additional technical expertise. This capability can greatly enhance your store’s performance and customer experience.
Inventory Management
If your startup deals with physical products, managing inventory can be a major challenge. A robust inventory management system is crucial for balancing supply and demand. When evaluating eCommerce platforms, pay close attention to their inventory management features.
Make sure the platform offers comprehensive tools for tracking stock levels, managing orders, and forecasting demand. If the details are unclear, don’t hesitate to contact customer support for more information.
SEO-Friendly
Having a great product and an attractive store won’t matter if customers can’t find you online. eCommerce SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is critical for driving traffic to your store.
An SEO-friendly platform will provide tools for optimizing keywords, adding backlinks, and optimizing images for search engines. These features are essential for improving your store’s visibility on search engines, which in turn can increase traffic and sales.
Insights
Understanding your store’s traffic and customer behavior is vital for making informed business decisions. The best eCommerce platforms offer detailed insights and analytics.
These insights include information about traffic sources, demographic data, average time spent on the site, and click-through rates. Such data can help you identify areas for improvement and tailor your marketing strategies more effectively.
FAQs on eCommerce Platforms for Startups
Q1. Can I migrate my store from one platform to another if I need to?
Yes, most eCommerce platforms offer migration tools or services to help you move your store. Ensure your new platform supports your current data and functionalities for a smooth transition.
Q2. How can I leverage social media integrations to boost sales on my eCommerce store?
Integrate social media buttons for sharing products, use social login options to streamline checkout, and run targeted ads on platforms where your audience is active to drive traffic and conversions.
Q3. How important is scalability in choosing an eCommerce platform for a startup?
Scalability is crucial as your startup grows. Choose a platform that can handle increased traffic, products, and transactions without compromising speed or user experience, ensuring long-term growth without frequent platform changes.
Conclusion
The scalability and success of your startup will heavily depend on the eCommerce platform you choose, so make your choice wisely. We explored a range of options, from open source to headless.
All the platforms listed here are leading service providers in their respective categories, so you can rely on them. However, do some research first before finalizing any platform. If you want to build a fully customized eCommerce store or scale your existing store, contact us now!
John Niles, a dedicated Technical Consultant at BrainSpate since 2023, specializes in eCommerce. With a global perspective, he crafts insightful content on cutting-edge web development technologies, enriching the digital commerce landscape.
