In a survey by MarketingSignals, 90% of eCommerce startups failed within the first 120 days. So, selecting the best eCommerce platform for startups is one of the most important matters for digital business success. The e-commerce era started a long time ago, the pandemic boosted it more, and after the pandemic, it’s still in the hype to start an online e-commerce startup. So, you need to know most of the platform details. After that, you can choose the best eCommerce platform for your startup.
It’s hard to cover all the details about the eCommerce platform in a single blog. So, here in this blog, we will focus on the basic things like which platform and why should you choose them. We will also give a basic comparison of top eCommerce platforms. Let’s get started.
What Should You Consider to Select eCommerce Platform?
There are hundreds of eCommerce platforms for startups. Everyone is claiming, they are the best for startups. So, how do you select the best eCommerce platform? Well, depending on your business nature, you need to select the unique features that you need to scale the business. Other than this, the following matters need to be considered for almost all e-commerce websites.
Scalability
Digital business means crossing the border. So, once you start gaining popularity, your customer base will grow dramatically. With the growing number of potential customers, you will need to update many things like hosting plans, bandwidth, order processing, and so on. Here the scalability matters a lot. Some platform gives free for a basic start but upgrade requires a huge cost. You need to check the scalability before you dive into the solutions.
Flexibility
Changing order processing, product style, and design are very common for any startup eCommerce. To comply with the themes of your business, it’s also important to have the freedom to update content. So, check the flexibility before you try the solutions.
Security
As we said, eCommerce is a matter of global business. So, global scammers will try to take control of your website. You can lose a hundred thousand within an hour for weak security. Carefully check the security options and update while you select the eCommerce platform.
Automation
Large-scale businesses require automation. Manually processing is one of the worst cases to grow a startup eCommerce. Most of the eCommerce platforms have automation. But the question is, how much automation do they have? Also, check the pricing compared to the return value.
Data Management
Data is the source of power. The better data you have and analysis you can do, the better insights you can find out. It’s crucial for growing the eCommerce business. During the selection of any eCommerce platform, check the data management, collection, and analysis options.
What Are the Types of eCommerce for Startups?
eCommerce startup can have multiple types. Here let’s discuss four main types of eCommerce platforms to choose from, each of which can benefit different kinds of businesses and have their unique functionalities.
SaaS
Software as a Service is known as SaaS eCommerce. In this category, the company will handle all the technical parts of the software. They will select tech stack, security, management, update, and so on. As an eCommerce startup entrepreneur, you will need to log in to the panel and utilize the platform. You will need not to worry about data and management. Normally, the SaaS pricing model is monthly/yearly basis. But few companies also offer a limited time and limited resource lifetime deal.
Headless
Headless means there’s no head or a different head. When any platform uses different elements from different places then it is called headless. For example, you post a new product, and customer 1 purchases from the mobile app, and customer 2 purchases the same product from the website. Technically, Headless commerce is an eCommerce model where the front-end presentation layer is separated from the back-end functionality.
Headless eCommerce is one of the fastest-rising trends in e-commerce platforms. It can be a good option for startup eCommerce pruners. Its biggest advocates cite several reasons for implementing a headless architecture, such as dramatic improvements in site performance and unparalleled agility to make changes on the fly.
Open Source
From the name, you can understand, the source is open. It means you can access the code for free and utilize it on your eCommerce business. WooCommerce is one of the most popular eCommerce open-source platforms. However, be aware that, it’s free but not free. Most of the time, the main platform is free but addons and extensions will ask you to pay.
Custom Developed
This is the platform for those who have funds to develop a new eCommerce. You have full freedom and independence to add features, functions, and whatever you need. You can go for any tech stack, design, and anything. All the established eCommerce has customer customer-developed platform.
Top 8 eCommerce Platform for Startups 2024
So, let’s dive into the details of top eCommerce platforms for startups. We will discuss the basic overview, features, and advantages of each platform. We will add only the major features to this list to keep the high readability of this blog.
(1) Woo aka WooCommerce
WooCommerce aka Woo is one of the leading open-source eCommerce platforms. WooCommerce is powered by Automattic. It is also a top eCommerce platform for WordPress users. WooCommerce is popular because of the plugins and themes. You can get lots of plugins for enabling advanced eCommerce features such as Multivendor marketplace, wholesale marketplace, etc.
WooCommerce is powering 5+ million eCommerce websites at this moment. You can get started for free with WooCommerce.
Notable Features of WooCommerce
- Flexibility and Customization
- Product Management
- Payment Options
- Shipping and Tax Options
- Analytics and Reporting
- Extensions and Add-ons
- Fixed Cost
(2) Shopify
Shopify is a versatile eCommerce platform that empowers businesses to establish and manage online stores. Shopify facilitates the creation of customizable storefronts. Merchants can effortlessly add and organize products, set up secure payment gateways, and manage inventory efficiently. With robust analytics tools, Shopify enables users to track sales, monitor customer behavior, and make data-driven decisions.
Additionally, Shopify provides a seamless checkout experience and supports various payment options. Shopify allows businesses to expand functionality and integrate with third-party tools, contributing to its reputation as a leading solution in the e-commerce landscape.
Notable Feature of Shopify
- User-Friendly Interface
- Customizable Storefronts
- Secure Payment Processing
- Inventory Management
- Analytics and Reporting
- App Ecosystem
(3) BigCommerce
BigCommerce is another robust e-commerce platform catering to businesses of all sizes. It empowers users to create and manage online stores effortlessly. The platform offers a range of customizable templates, ensuring visually appealing and brand-centric storefronts. It has built-in features for inventory management and order processing. It supports various payment gateways, providing customers with secure and flexible checkout options.
BigCommerce emphasizes mobile responsiveness, catering to the growing mobile commerce market. The platform includes SEO tools, aiding in online visibility and marketing efforts. They have a focus on performance, security, and a user-friendly interface. They stand as a competitive solution for those seeking a comprehensive e-commerce experience.
Notable Features of BigCommerce
- Headless Commerce Capabilities
- Multi-Channel Selling
- Open SaaS Architecture
- Built-In Payment Solutions
- Advanced SEO Capabilities
- Automated Abandoned Cart Recovery
(4) Magento
Magento is a powerful open-source e-commerce platform. It is renowned for its flexibility and scalability. It enables businesses to create fully customizable online stores with a rich set of features. Magento supports a wide range of product types with robust architecture. Users can enhance functionality and integrate additional features seamlessly.
The platform offers a comprehensive admin panel for easy store management, including inventory, customer, and order management. Magento prioritizes mobile responsiveness, ensuring a seamless shopping experience across devices. Its open-source nature allows for community-driven innovation, fostering a dynamic and supportive ecosystem for businesses of all sizes.
Notable Features of Magento
- Flexible Product Management
- Robust Architecture
- Extensive Third-Party Extensions
- Comprehensive Admin Panel
- Mobile Responsiveness
- Open-Source Community and Innovation
(5) Wix
Wix is a versatile website-building platform focusing on eCommerce. It enables users to create stunning and functional websites without the need for extensive coding skills. Wix offers a range of customizable templates catering to various industries and purposes. Users can seamlessly design their websites, incorporating multimedia elements, forms, and e-commerce functionality.
Wix provides a robust App, allowing users to enhance their sites with additional features and integrations. The platform supports both free and premium plans. You will have flexibility for users with different needs and budgets. With its cloud-based hosting, Wix ensures fast loading times and reliable performance for websites of all sizes.
Notable Features of Wix
- Drag-and-Drop Website Builder
- Customizable Templates
- App Market for Extensions
- Cloud-Based Hosting
- ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence)
- Wix Corvid
(6) Squarespace
Squarespace is an all-in-one website building and hosting platform. It simplifies the process of creating visually stunning and functional eCommerce websites. Squarespace offers a range of professionally crafted templates that cater to various industries and purposes. The platform’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface enables users, even those without coding expertise.
Squarespace provides integrated blogging, eCommerce, and analytics tools. It allows users to manage content, sell products, and track website performance seamlessly. Additionally, the platform includes built-in features for search engine optimization (SEO) and mobile responsiveness.
Notable Features of Squarespace
- Professionally Crafted Templates
- Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Interface
- Integrated Blogging and E-commerce
- Built-in SEO Features
- Mobile Responsiveness
- Analytics Tools
(7) BigCartel
Big Cartel is an eCommerce platform designed for independent artists, makers, and small businesses. It focuses on simplicity and ease of use, making it an accessible choice for those with minimal technical knowledge. Users can quickly create an online store to showcase and sell their products. Big Cartel offers customization options for the storefront.
The platform is particularly suitable for smaller catalogs and limited inventory. Big Cartel’s pricing plans cater to the needs of independent sellers. It offers a cost-effective solution for those starting with a smaller-scale business. It provides important eCommerce features, including product management, inventory tracking, and order processing, making it a practical choice for creative entrepreneurs and artists.
Notable Features of BigCartel
- Simplicity and User-Friendly Setup
- Customizable Storefront
- Suitable for Small Catalogs
- Cost-Effective Pricing Plans
- Basic E-commerce Features
- Focused on Creative Entrepreneurs
(8) 3dcart
3dcart is a comprehensive eCommerce platform that helps businesses create and manage online stores. 3dcart caters to businesses of various sizes, from small startups to established enterprises. The platform offers customizable templates. It also allows users to create visually appealing and branded storefronts without extensive coding knowledge.
3dcart supports businesses in promoting their products and attracting customers. It provides secure and flexible payment options, including various payment gateways. 3dcart also emphasizes search engine optimization (SEO), mobile responsiveness, and a user-friendly admin interface.
Notable Features of 3dcart
- Customizable Templates
- Built-in Marketing Tools
- Secure and Flexible Payment Options
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Features
- Reliable Hosting
- User-Friendly Admin Interface
The Big Five eCommerce Platform Comparison
Let’s explore a basic comparison between the best eCommerce platforms for startups. We will check the starting year, total users, price and free availability. Some of the data is not found on the web.
| Platform | Starting | Total Users | Price | Free |
| Woo | 2011 | 5+ Milion | 0 | Available |
| Shopify | 2006 | 1.7+ Million | $29 | — |
| Wix | 2006 | 2+ Million | $27 | — |
| BigCommerce | 2009 | — | $29.95 | — |
| Magento | 2008 | — | Custom | — |
Woo started later among the top five, but it has the highest user base at this moment. It is also a single platform that has a free version. You can get started for free with WooCommerce. Other big platforms also have a trial version. In 2006, both the Shopify and Wix started it’s journey.
Our Recommended eCommerce Platform
Now, in this section, let’s see our recommendation for the best eCommerce platform for startups. We also include why they are our choice.
- WooCommerce – You can get started free and customize as much as possible. Lots of themes and plugins are available. It has a big community. The charging policy is far better. They won’t take a portion of your earnings.
- Shopify – Popular and robust eCommerce platform for startups. The design, extensive apps, and secure platform make us a favorite of us.
- Wix – If you want basic and no-code solutions, then Wix would be your choice. We like Wix for single-person eCommerce entrepreneurs. It’s also applicable to very small-scale eCommerce startups.
Final Words for Startup eCommerce
That’s it about the best eCommerce platform for startups. Thank you for reading the whole blog. Even though we included all the top eCommerce platforms, still there are plenty of new platforms. If you like to experiment, you can also give them a try. But we highly recommend not to use any new eCommerce platform for production sites. Let us know, which eCommerce platform you are going to use in the comment section.
Don’t forget to check other eCommerce-related blogs at Sapwp. We also invite you to follow us on Facebook, and LinkedIn. And you can support us by sharing this informative blog on your favorite social media.
