Not all eCommerce shopping carts are created equal. Many look similar on the surface, but deep down have way more to compare than just price and features. Most merchants will only ever use a fraction of the features offered, so don’t let things like unlimited bandwidth and unlimited product listings be your main criteria. And unless you need complete customization and you have IT staff to help, full-fledged open source solutions are probably not the choice either. In our experience, small and mid-size companies have the best experience with mid-priced eCommerce platforms with a solid feature set and expandable design.
This chart compares four leading eCommerce shopping cart providers: Magento, Shopify, Volusion and Bigcommerce.
eCommerce Software Comparison Chart
Key Shopping Cart Considerations
1. Design – eCommerce platforms can be very simplistic with limited or standard customization (closed source) or very complex with unlimited customization (open source). It is important to determine whether or not the platform you choose can support the needs you have for:
- Flexibility and customization for layout and style choices appropriate for your products (or allow for 3rd party designer)
- Catalog support for item descriptions, categorizing and detailed search
- User controls for features, page changes, additions, and updates
- Architecture supporting
- data volume and page loading (storage & cache)
- traffic (bandwidth and content delivery network (CDN) for increased speed during peak use and improved global access)
- SEO – meta data tags applied for ‘getting found online’ and product search
2. Features – Features should not only attract and keep buyers on your site but enable customers to experience your brand in a personal way and make purchases conveniently with perks and customer service that keep them coming back.
- Catalogs should provide detail level attributes, product specification, user reviews, availability and price
- Ability to include high quality photos and video
- Easy purchasing & checkout with widely accepted payment options
- Accept and redeem coupons, discounts and loyalty points
- Reporting and analysis on buyer, item and sales activities
- Communication tools supporting eMail, online chat, blogs or social media
3. Platform Pricing – Basement bargain pricing sounds good, but in the long run, you could end up spending more on upgrades and adding features and enhancements. Choose an eCommerce platform that fits your budget, supports your current business needs and scales to support future growth.
- Avoid eCommerce platforms who apply penalties for upgraded plans
- Choose a plan that flexes with catalog listings
- Consider your customer and any fees they would incur (hidden fees can damage your reputation)
- Compare the cost between platforms with built-in features and enhancements versus a la carte pricing for add-on apps and extensions
4. Support – Know who will be on your side when technical issues and questions arise with your eCommerce solution. A mission-critical eCommerce storefront must have support at hand.
- Choose an eCommerce platform that supports your size and type of business
- Evaluate your training needs- initial setup, ongoing technical help
- Is 24×7 access via phone, eMail, online included or pay per use
- Is support local or off-shore
- Make sure your eCommerce storefront is backed up
- Is additional training and assistance available (in person or online)
5. Integration and Expansion – eCommerce platforms with API allow companies to seamlessly integrate external business applications increasing efficiencies and reducing manual tasks and adding enhancements supporting future growth.
- Open application interface (API) standards enable plug-in operability with add-on apps, CRM, accounting, ERP, multichannel management platforms and other business application software
- Flexible options in adding or removing enhancement solutions eliminates risk associated with huge investments in hard-coded, installed software
- Increase agility and scalability for business strategies, new ventures and future growth
eCommerce Shopping Cart Review
All four eCommerce platforms have a lot going for them. Choosing the best one definitely comes down to personal preference and business requirements. Sign up for free trials and take a test drive. Here’s a list of highlights we like with each:
Magento Highlights:
- Magento has been a leader in eCommerce storefront development since 2008 powering over 200,000+ online storefronts including Nike, Ghiardelli, and Olympus.
- Magento Go is designed for non-tech savvy, small businesses just getting started in eCommerce. Go offers customization and design options and the ability to add extensions for enhanced functionality as you grow.
- The Enterprise Edition, powers up for fast growing, large businesses who are a bit more tech savvy and need advanced design tools. Enterprise offers advanced reporting features, handles discounting and vouchers and will integrate seamlessly with back-end systems like inventory and accounting for high performance operation.
- Community Edition is perfect for tech savvy users wanting unlimited customization and unlimited functionality as well as integration with backend workflows. Technical support is not provided with this solution.
- Multiple languages supported
- No transaction Fees
Shopify Highlights:
- Another leader in eCommerce storefront development since 2006 powering over 100,000+ online storefronts including GE, Tesla Motors, CrossFit, and GitHub.
- Shopify has a solid reputation for being a great option for non-tech savvy users wanting to open online stores quickly.
- Users really like the modern and attractive themes- using bold graphic design with fonts, photos and artwork.
- Although perfect for beginners, Shopify scales for larger businesses with plug-in tools for accounting, customer service, marketing, shipping, social media and fulfillment.
- True 24×7 anytime support via phone, chat, or eMail.
Volusion Highlights:
- Operating since 1999 with 50,000+ online storefronts including intel, 3M, and National Geographic
- Advanced plans integrate with eBay and Amazon for easy selling.
- Also supports sales of digital goods like downloads and eBooks.
- The batch edit function makes it easy to upload inventory from a spreadsheet and make changes to bulk products.
- Volusion includes useful back office monitoring tools like inventory alerts and advanced reporting of sales data including customizable reports that show specific statistics regarding certain aspects of the site.
- Integrates with QuickBooks and Google Analytics, making accounting and traffic analysis easy.
Bigcommerce Highlights:
- Founded in 2009 with over 50,000+ online storefronts known for turning small sellers of hip and unique brands into multi-million dollar enterprises
- Includes a broad feature-set built-in with tools like automatic eMail newsletters, coupon and promotional campaigns, shipping and tax configurations, secure payment gateways, store stats and reporting, social commerce and product reviews.
- Popular step-by-step tutorial helping beginners setup and go live.
- Users can take advantage of content-member only logins for segmented customers and shopper perks like loyalty memberships and local pickup or in-store pickup options.
After expanding our business we’ve switched to Virtosoftware http://virtocommerce.com/ and it was a breeze to integrate and use. I suggest you check it out.
Nice write up on various eCommerce platforms. As you share your expert insights on shopping cart platforms, I recommend you share your expert thoughts on Yo!Kart multi vendor eCommerce solution. This eCommerce platform is specially developed for startups who are looking for a budget friendly yet reliable eCommerce solution to start with. You may check Yo!Kart demos and more information here: http://www.yo-kart.com/
Well, there are wide range of eCommerce CMS but it’s true that Magento is still considered as a powerful and most secured ecommerce Platform software. Shopify is also growing rapidly but it is more suitable for small and average sized businesses. This case study is very helpful and drives webmasters and developers to use Magento for ideal ecommerce website. I would recommend to checkout this eCommerce Platform software listed our here on SoftwareSuggest
I wish to add laravel ecommerce, its really flexible and usability optimized platform for online stores. http://www.laravelecommerce.com
Very informative and helpful post. Thanks! Shopify Training – Avoid These 4 Things Or You Will Fail
great post. thanks. here is one of the complete ecommerce marketplace platform, MarketEngine for WordPress to be considered, explore on http://www.enginethemes.com
This information is very useful and thanks for sharing
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