Posted on July 2, 2021
Being a small business owner comes with so many choices, from products to marketing, and so many details in between. Before the other aspects of your business can run successfully, one of the most important choices you have is choosing the right e-commerce platform for your small business. Like they say “we can’t put the horse in front of the cart ”
This can be a cluster of confusion, trying to sift through the dozens of options. Which one is the best fit? Don’t panic, We did the hard work for you.
The guide to clarity, and untangling your options. Learn about the best e-commerce platform options available, and how to really find the perfect fit for your small business needs here.
Costs of an e-commerce platform can vary depending on the size of your business. With this ranging from hundreds, to possibly thousands of dollars every year. Finding one that meets your needs, and is the most cost effective, will save you Money and hassle. As a small business owner making educated choices is how you build a successful business. You wouldn’t buy shoes without trying them on, right? So find free open source platforms or services that offer a free trial. By doing this, you can see how their platforms actually run. Allowing you to check out features, how “user friendly” they are, and what extensions or add-ons may benefit your business needs. This gives you the chance to make room in your budget for subscription costs, as well any extensions or add- ons for a perfect fit for your business. Also, this great way to Protecting you from costs sneaking up.
Being a small business now doesn’t mean you’ll always be. Having an e-commerce platform that is able to grow with your business, and keep up with the changes to traffic demands, is a must. Offering a smooth transition every step of the way, allows you to grow and know your hosting needs will always be met. You should be able to focus on dreaming big, not worrying about the technicalities.
Having access to the necessary tools you need for your online shop to run successfully, is key.
The last thing you want a customer trying to make a purchase from your online business to be met with errors. Special tools, extensions, and plug-ins can help make sure your business runs smoothly. Does your small business need any of these?
Before you finalize with any e-commerce platform, make sure it has all the management tools and support needed for your online business.
From the moment your customer arrives on your landing page, to check out and payment processing, should all work seamlessly. Your online store is a reflection of the products and services you offer, this should include an enjoyable user experience. Offering a simple, and attractive interface let’s your business shine. With the right platform, clear navigation and instructions make coming to your website a convenience, not a hassle.
A huge majority of online purchasing is done from mobile phones. With online stores simply tucked in our pockets, it makes sense to have a platform that is optimized for smartphones, as well as computers, and tablets. There is no comparison in accessibility as a device that is never far from reach. You want your business to be what they reach for. Ensuring your e-commerce platform has this capability, brings your business to that many more customers.
Now that you have an outline of what your business needs, and what You Expect
This is our Experts pick of top 5 E-Commerce platforms, that get your business where it needs to be.
Shopify brings a lot to the table, by keeping your needs in mind. As one of the most used e-commerce platforms for small businesses, they have a variety of options available. Including user friendly features, advanced tools, plug-ins, and customer support. As a first time user, you can sign up for a free 14 -day trial. Another way they give you options, giving you a chance to see if Shopify is a good fit for your small business needs.
A name you may be familiar with, Etsy, the online marketplace brings us Etsy Pattern. A new e-commerce platform for small businesses. They help you create a unique website, with unlimited listings, and secure payment processing. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, they make it easy to build and set up your new website. From the shop manager, you have the ability to sync and manage Etsy Marketplace, and Etsy Pattern Inventory, While still keeping both separate. Etsy Pattern sets your small business up to expand and grow beyond Etsy Marketplace. Want to get a good feel for the e-commerce platform? They offer a free month trial. If you have a more personalized idea in mind, this may not be the best fit, as you get no additional extensions or plug-ins for customization with Etsy Pattern.
If customization and your personal touch are what you want for your small business, WooCommerce is a great option. Built on the WordPress content management system, Woocommerce is an open-source platform that’s both accessible and cost-effective. They offer many personalization options, allow you to add unlimited SKUs to your online store, and you only pay for Hosting and third-party payment gateways. Keep in mind first-time users may need a little time, and help, as the technical modifications are on the sophisticated side.
This platform is internationally renowned, reaching hundreds of thousands of customers all at once. Of course, you want your small business on this platform, but fair warning this kind of exposure doesn’t come for free. Amazon Seller Central has a variety of fees associated with utilizing it’s platform, and they can add up quickly. If you’re are looking to take the next step at growing your business, and stepping into a large marketplace like Amazon consider Outsourcing to Accounting Firms for all of your Bookkeeping Solutions. Let us help you grow, while you focus on your small business’ success.
While not exactly easy to use for absolute beginners, BigCommerce is a highly scalable yet budget-friendly e-commerce platform that has tons of built-in features that give you the freedom to sell across many different channels. We’ll be honest, the advanced features of BigCommerce have bit of a learning curve that some may find challenging. Though once your online store is set up, you will be able to jumpstart your growth. If you are willing to give it a try, BigCommerce offers a one-month free trial so you can get started without any commitment.
Finding the right e-commerce platform, keeping track of inventory and finances, while running your online store can be a bit of an undertaking. Outsourcing is a major part of building a business. By allowing specialized firms like, E-Commerce Accounting Firms, Bookkeeping E-Solutions, to take on certain tasks. Outsourcing your small businesses financial needs to experts gives you the time needed to upscale and grow your business, while they handle financial health and maintenance.
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