The Best Ecommerce Platform To Sell Online (Hands Down)

Summary

In this video, the presenter addresses common questions about e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Bigcommerce, WooCommerce, Squarespace, and Wix. Key factors to consider when choosing a platform include budget, ease of use, flexibility, customer support, and third-party developer support. The video explores the strengths and weaknesses of various platforms, recommending WooCommerce for budget-conscious users, Shopify for its popularity and features, and Bigcommerce for comprehensive tools without hidden fees. The importance of having a personal e-commerce site versus selling on marketplaces like Amazon is also highlighted, emphasizing control and customer data access.

Takeaways

• 😀 Selecting an e-commerce platform depends on five factors: budget, ease of use, flexibility, customer support, and third-party developer support.
• 😀 An e-commerce platform allows you to sell physical and digital products online, enabling transactions through secure software.
• 😀 E-commerce businesses typically make money by sourcing products wholesale and selling them at a retail markup, with average gross margins around 50%.
• 😀 WooCommerce is an excellent low-budget option, but it requires tech-savviness and problem-solving skills for effective use.
• 😀 Shift4Shop is a free alternative for U.S. users but may lack user-friendliness compared to paid platforms like Shopify.
• 😀 BigCommerce is well-supported and includes all necessary features for a full store at a monthly fee, making it suitable for serious businesses.
• 😀 Shopify is highly recommended for its popularity and extensive support but can become costly with add-ons.
• 😀 For small businesses generating significant revenue, BigCommerce and Shopify provide excellent support and features.
• 😀 BigCommerce and Shopify are ideal for international sellers due to their multi-currency support and extensive payment gateways.
• 😀 Beginners may find Shopify the easiest to use, while platforms like Squarespace and Wix are less suitable for serious e-commerce.

Q & A

What are the main factors to consider when choosing an e-commerce platform?

The main factors include your budget, ease of use, flexibility, customer support, and the availability of third-party developer support.

What is an e-commerce platform?

An e-commerce platform is software that enables you to sell physical and digital products online, allowing shoppers to browse, add items to their cart, and check out securely.

How do e-commerce stores typically earn money?

E-commerce stores earn money by purchasing products at wholesale prices and selling them at retail prices, usually achieving gross margins of around 50%.

What are some common e-commerce business models?

Common business models include selling handmade goods, drop shipping, wholesale products, and private label products.

Which e-commerce platform is recommended for low-budget users?

WooCommerce is recommended for low-budget users, as it can be set up for less than three dollars a month, but it requires some technical skills.

What are the drawbacks of using Shopify?

While Shopify is highly recommended, costs can escalate with the addition of plugins, as many users tend to rely on several add-ons which carry recurring fees.

Which e-commerce platform is best for international sellers?

BigCommerce is often preferred for international sellers due to its support for multiple currencies and payment gateways.

What platform is considered the best for beginners?

Shopify is deemed the best platform for beginners because of its user-friendly design and comprehensive features.

How can you find out which e-commerce platform a website is using?

You can use BuiltWith.com by entering the website's URL to see the e-commerce platform and a list of plugins it uses.

Why might someone prefer their own e-commerce platform over selling on Amazon?

Having your own e-commerce platform allows for greater control over customer data, less competition, and more flexibility in marketing strategies compared to selling on Amazon.