The Best Ecommerce Platform in 2024

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide to choosing the right e-commerce platform for your online store. It reviews pros and cons of various platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, Big Cartel, BigCommerce, Magento, and Amazon. The presenter shares special discounts and emphasizes the importance of 24/7 support, customization, and ease of setup. Shopify is highlighted for professional sellers, while WooCommerce is praised for its affordability and customization. Amazon FBA is also discussed as a lucrative passive income opportunity, with a free course offered for viewers interested in selling on Amazon.

Takeaways

• 🛒 The video aims to guide viewers on choosing the right e-commerce platform for their online store by discussing the pros and cons of various options.
• 💰 E-commerce is a growing industry with significant potential for growth, as it only accounts for 15% of all retail sales, and is expected to increase with 65% of Americans shopping online by the end of the year.
• 🏪 Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform, especially among professional sellers, offering 24/7 support, a wide range of themes, and ease of setup, but it can be expensive and has limited customization options.
• 🔗 Shopify provides numerous apps, plugins, and integrations, reducing the need for custom development, but the quality of support has reportedly declined.
• 🌐 WooCommerce is the most popular e-commerce platform overall and is free, requiring only hosting costs, and is known for its extensive plugin library and customization options, though it may lack user-friendliness for advanced customization.
• 🎨 Squarespace is known for its beautiful website designs and 24/7 support but is not primarily an e-commerce platform, which can limit functionality and flexibility for online stores.
• 🚫 Wix and GoDaddy are not recommended for e-commerce due to their origins as website builders with added e-commerce functionality, which may not meet the needs of serious online sellers.
• 🆓 Big Cartel is a free platform suitable for small stores or artists but lacks features, integrations, and does not offer 24/7 support, making it less ideal for businesses looking to scale.
• 📈 BigCommerce and Magento/Adobe Commerce are platforms that have shifted focus or rebranded, with the latter being highly customizable but complex, not recommended for those without development resources.
• 💡 Amazon offers a vast marketplace with minimal setup required and benefits from Amazon's marketing efforts, but comes with high competition and the risk of being removed from the platform.
• 🛍 Walmart.com is another growing platform with potential for physical retail placement but remains smaller in scale compared to Amazon, with a focus on a percentage-based sales fee rather than a subscription model.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to discuss the pros and cons of various eCommerce platforms and to help viewers decide which platform to use for creating their online store.

What was the total amount spent on online retail in the last year according to the video?

Over six trillion dollars was spent on online retail in the last year.

What percentage of retail sales does e-commerce currently make up, and what is the projected growth?

E-commerce currently makes up about 15% of all retail sales, and it is expected that by the end of the year, 65 percent of all Americans will purchase something online.

Why is Shopify the most popular eCommerce platform for professional sellers?

Shopify is popular among professional sellers because it is built from the ground up to support e-commerce, offers 24/7 support, and provides a wide selection of free and paid themes for a beautiful site design.

What is the starting price for Shopify's most basic plan?

The starting price for Shopify's most basic plan is $29 per month.

What is the main disadvantage of Squarespace when it comes to e-commerce?

The main disadvantage of Squarespace for e-commerce is that it was not originally built with e-commerce in mind, and it lacks the extensive plugin and app options that other platforms offer.

What is the main advantage of WooCommerce over other platforms mentioned in the video?

The main advantage of WooCommerce is that it is a free e-commerce platform with a large library of plugins and add-ons, and it is the most popular eCommerce platform globally.

What is the estimated market share of Amazon in e-commerce sales?

Amazon is estimated to have around 50% of all e-commerce sales.

What is the benefit of selling on Walmart.com according to the video?

Selling on Walmart.com can lead to the possibility of getting products into Walmart's physical retail stores, which can significantly expand a seller's market reach.

What is the recommended hosting service for WooCommerce, and what are the benefits of using it?

The recommended hosting service for WooCommerce is Hostinger. It offers affordable hosting starting at two to three dollars a month, and using the provided link and coupon code can result in additional discounts.

What is the main recommendation for a beginner looking to start an e-commerce business on a budget?

For beginners on a budget, the recommendation is to start with WooCommerce due to its affordability, ease of setup, and extensive customization options.

What is the advantage of creating your own website using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce over selling on marketplaces like Amazon?

Creating your own website gives you ownership and control over your business, and it is not as susceptible to being kicked off the platform as with marketplaces.

What is the free course offered at the end of the video for those interested in Amazon FBA?

The video offers a free five-hour Amazon FBA course to educate viewers on how to make money selling products on Amazon.