Introduction

Shopify, a leading ecommerce platform, powers over a million businesses worldwide. It's user-friendly, scalable, and offers a plethora of features to help entrepreneurs build and manage their online stores. However, it is essential to consider and compare other ecommerce platforms to find the best fit for your unique business needs.

Comparing ecommerce platforms allows you to weigh the pros and cons of each, ensuring that you choose the one that aligns with your goals and budget. With numerous Shopify competitors in the market, selecting the right platform can be a daunting task.

In this article, we'll introduce you to a carefully curated list of Shopify alternatives, providing you with a comprehensive guide to make an informed decision when choosing an ecommerce platform for your business.

Top Shopify Alternatives in 2021

Wix

Wix is a popular website builder with ecommerce capabilities. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, making it easy for anyone to create a professional-looking online store. Wix's extensive app marketplace allows for seamless integration with various third-party tools and services.

Overview and features:

• Drag-and-drop website builder
• Extensive app marketplace
• Customizable templates
• Secure payment options
• SEO tools and marketing features

Pricing:

• Free plan with basic features
• Premium plans starting at $23/month

Pros and cons:

• + Easy-to-use interface
• + Affordable pricing
• + Customizable templates
• - Limited ecommerce features compared to other platforms
• - Transaction fees on some plans

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a powerful ecommerce platform designed for businesses of all sizes. It comes with a wide range of built-in features, making it an excellent option for those looking for a comprehensive solution.

Overview and features:

• Wide range of built-in features
• Various payment gateways
• Scalable platform
• Extensive app store
• SEO and marketing tools

Pricing:

• Standard plan starts at $29.95/month
• Advanced plans available for larger businesses

Pros and cons:

• + Comprehensive feature set
• + No transaction fees
• + Scalable platform
• - Higher pricing compared to some alternatives
• - Steeper learning curve

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a popular, open-source ecommerce platform built specifically for WordPress. It offers a high level of customization and flexibility, making it an excellent choice for those who want full control over their online store.

Overview and features:

• WordPress integration
• Highly customizable
• Wide range of plugins and extensions
• Large user community
• SEO-friendly

Pricing:

• Free to use, but additional costs for hosting, themes, and plugins

Pros and cons:

• + Highly customizable
• + Large user community
• + Affordable, especially for smaller businesses
• - Requires more technical knowledge
• - Additional costs for hosting, themes, and plugins

Magento

Magento is a robust, open-source ecommerce platform, popular among large businesses and enterprises. It offers a high level of customization and scalability, making it suitable for businesses with ambitious growth plans.

Overview and features:

• Highly customizable and scalable
• Large user community
• Wide range of extensions and integrations
• Powerful SEO and marketing tools

Pricing:

• Free Community Edition
• Enterprise Edition with custom pricing

Pros and cons:

• + Highly scalable platform
• + Powerful feature set
• + Large user community
• - Requires significant technical expertise
• - High development and maintenance costs

Volusion

Volusion is an ecommerce platform focused on providing a comprehensive solution for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers a range of built-in features and integrations, making it easy to set up and manage an online store.

Overview and features:

• Wide range of built-in features
• Easy-to-use site builder
• Various payment gateways
• SEO and marketing tools

Pricing:

• Plans starting at $29/month
• Advanced plans available for larger businesses

Pros and cons:

• + Comprehensive feature set
• + User-friendly interface
• + Affordable pricing
• - Limited design flexibility
• - Transaction fees on some plans

Factors to Consider When Choosing an E-commerce Platform

When evaluating Shopify competitors and alternatives, consider the following factors to make the best decision for your online store:

Ease of use: The platform should be user-friendly and easy to navigate, even for those with limited technical expertise. You'll want to spend your time focusing on growing your business, not struggling with a confusing interface.

Pricing and fees: Compare the costs associated with each platform, including monthly fees, transaction fees, and any additional expenses for themes or plugins. Ensure that the platform fits within your budget while still providing the features you need.

Customization options: Look for a platform that allows you to tailor your store's appearance and functionality to fit your brand and business requirements. Customization options can include themes, templates, and app integrations.

Integration capabilities: Your ecommerce platform should integrate seamlessly with third-party tools and services you rely on, such as email marketing, inventory management, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. This will enable you to streamline your processes and improve overall efficiency.

Scalability: As your business grows, your ecommerce platform should be able to accommodate your expanding needs. Choose a platform that can handle increased traffic, larger product catalogs, and additional features as your business evolves.

Worth checking:

Speedy