Learn How To Choose The Best Ecommerce Website Platform For SEO
Are you looking to build an Ecommerce website? If you want to retain some control, you might not want a fully custom-coded site and that’s an understandable choice.
You need to find the best Ecommerce platform or builder that aligns with your business’s goals and needs, fits your budget, and works with your existing business processes and software.
Finding the best Ecommerce platform can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available. However, it doesn’t have to be as difficult. In this review, I have shortlisted the best Ecommerce platforms, including tips on what to look for in a good Ecommerce platform.
Over the years, I’ve worked on almost every Ecommerce platform available. I can say with complete confidence that this comprehensive list of Ecommerce platforms will help guide you as you choose a builder that will allow your business to grow. These are my personal thoughts and not to be misconstrued as endorsements.
How to Choose the Best Ecommerce Website Platform
Criteria for Choosing The Best Ecommerce Website Platform
Determine the Ecommerce Website’s Purpose and Goals
The first step in choosing an Ecommerce website platform is to determine the purpose and goals of your website. Do you need a simple online store or a more complex website with multiple pages and features? Understanding the purpose and goals of your website will help you choose a platform that is suitable for your needs.
Consider Scalability of the Ecommerce Website Platform
It is important to choose an Ecommerce website platform that is scalable and can grow with your business. This means choosing a platform that can handle increased traffic and additional features as your business expands.
Consider How SEO-friendly The Ecommerce Website Platform Is
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is essential for driving traffic to your Ecommerce website. Therefore, it is important to choose an Ecommerce website platform that is SEO-friendly and allows for easy optimization of website content, meta tags, and other SEO elements.
Make Sure The Ecommerce Website Platform Has Developer Access
If you want to customize your Ecommerce website or add advanced features, you need an Ecommerce website platform that offers developer access. This means choosing a platform that allows for customization of the code or integration with third-party tools and services.
Consider the Design & Functionality of the Ecommerce Website Platform
The design and functionality of your Ecommerce website are critical to its success. Therefore, it is important to choose an Ecommerce website platform that offers a wide range of design options and functionality, such as responsive design, social media integration, and payment processing capabilities.
Consider the Cost of the Ecommerce Website Platform
Ecommerce website platform costs can vary significantly, so it is important to consider the cost of the platform and any additional costs such as hosting, maintenance, and updates. Choose a platform that fits your budget and offers good value for money.
Consider Ecommerce Website Maintenance Requirements
Ecommerce websites require regular maintenance to ensure they are secure, up-to-date, and functioning correctly. Choose an Ecommerce platform that has good support, regular updates, and security features to minimize the need for ongoing maintenance.
Choosing the best Ecommerce website platform requires careful consideration of your website’s purpose, scalability, SEO-friendliness, developer access, design, functionality, cost, and maintenance requirements. By taking these factors into account, you can choose a platform that meets your needs, achieves your goals, and delivers a high-quality user experience.
5 Ecommerce Website Platforms For Small Businesses
Is your website focused on service, but you do plan on selling digital or physical products down the road?
You’re going to want to use Wordpress or Squarespace. Click here to learn more about those platforms for businesses like yours.
Woocommerce for Small Ecommerce Businesses
Woocommerce is a popular Ecommerce plugin for WordPress that allows businesses to create an online store. It offers a wide range of customization options, including themes and plugins, that can be used to create a unique and user-friendly online store.
Woocommerce is built on Wordpress. You can always add Woocommerce to your Wordpress site as your business grows & evolves.
Woocommerce Pros
- Free to use plugin
- Easy to install and set up
- Fully customizable with a range of themes and plugins available
- Seamlessly integrates with WordPress websites
- Good SEO capabilities
Woocommerce Cons
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
- Requires a good hosting service to handle increased traffic
- May require additional plugins for some features
- Limited customer support
Woocommerce Pricing
Woocommerce is a free plugin, but there may be additional costs associated with using it, such as hosting, theme or plugin purchases, and payment gateway fees.
Small Ecommerce Businesses That Benefit From Woocommerce
Woocommerce is a great choice for small Ecommerce businesses that already have a WordPress website and want to integrate an online store seamlessly.
5 Frequently Asked Questions About Woocommerce
Is Woocommerce free?
Yes, Woocommerce is a free plugin.
What payment gateways does Woocommerce support?
Woocommerce supports a wide range of payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, and Square.
Is Woocommerce easy to use?
Woocommerce can be overwhelming for beginners, but it is relatively easy to use once you get the hang of it.
Is Woocommerce good for SEO?
Yes, Woocommerce is SEO-friendly and has good SEO capabilities.
Is Woocommerce scalable?
Yes, Woocommerce is scalable and can handle increased traffic and additional features as your business expands.
Who should not use Woocommerce?
Businesses that do not have a WordPress website or do not want to use WordPress as their content management system may not find Woocommerce suitable for their needs. Additionally, businesses that require a simpler platform with less technical knowledge required may find other platforms more suitable.
Why Migrate to Woocommerce with Stefanie Morris Co.?
If you’re looking for a more customizable Ecommerce solution, Stefanie Morris Co. can help migrate your online store to Woocommerce. Contact us today for a free quote on Ecommerce website migration.
Shopify for Small Businesses
Shopify is an inappropriate platform for businesses who do not sell products.
Shopify is a fully-fledged Ecommerce platform with over 1 million users worldwide. It is the leading Ecommerce platform globally and the number one tool for small businesses. Shopify offers a user-friendly interface, mobile-friendly designs, and a range of customization options that make it easy to build an online store.
Shopify Pros
- Easy to use
- Mobile-friendly designs
- Full access to the developer’s code
- 24/7 customer support
Shopify Cons
- Large transaction fees for third-party payments
- Limited customization options for non-Ecommerce content
- Shopify’s URL structure is not ideal for SEO
- The collection system can be complicated
Shopify Pricing
Shopify has four payment plans, ranging from $29 to $299 per month when paid annually. The cheapest Lite package does not include a website builder, so it’s not ideal for building a full website.
Small Businesses That Benefit From Shopify
Shopify is an excellent tool for small businesses that sell digital or physical services. Brands that require login to make a purchase would benefit from using Shopify. Small businesses can include booksellers, SaaS, dropshippers, and more.
5 Frequently Asked Questions About Shopify as an Ecommerce Platform
Is Shopify free?
Shopify offers a 14-day trial for those who want to test out the website builder.
Which languages does Shopify offer?
Shopify offers over 50 languages.
Does Shopify offer good value for money?
Shopify’s pricing plans are competitive with other Ecommerce platforms.
Is Shopify good for SEO?
Shopify offers good SEO capabilities, but its URL structure is not ideal for SEO.
Is Shopify good for Ecommerce?
Shopify is the leading Ecommerce platform globally and the number one tool for small businesses.
Who Should Not Use Shopify for Ecommerce?
Shopify can be a great tool, but for businesses who seek to grow, you’ll quickly outgrow the functionality of Shopify. It lacks the necessary components to strengthen SEO. Businesses that require advanced customization or unique features may find Shopify limiting.
Squarespace for Small Businesses
Squarespace is a popular website builder that offers a range of Ecommerce features for small businesses. The platform has built-in Ecommerce capabilities, making it easy for businesses to sell products and services online. Squarespace offers a user-friendly interface, beautiful templates, and a range of customization options that make it a great option for businesses that want to create an online store quickly and easily.
Squarespace Pros
- Easy to use
- Beautiful templates with mobile-friendly designs
- Built-in Ecommerce capabilities
- Good for small businesses with a small to medium-sized product catalog
- Good customer support
Squarespace Cons
- Limited customization options for more complex websites
- Limited scalability options
- Limited third-party integrations
- Transaction fees for some payment methods
Squarespace Pricing
Squarespace offers a range of pricing plans starting at $18/month for the Business plan, which includes basic Ecommerce functionality. The Advanced Commerce plan, which includes more advanced Ecommerce features, starts at $40/month.
Small Businesses That Benefit From Squarespace
Squarespace is a great option for small businesses that want to create an online store quickly and easily. It’s particularly suited for businesses with a small to medium-sized product catalog. Squarespace is ideal for businesses that want to sell physical products, digital products, or services.
5 Frequently Asked Questions About Squarespace as an Ecommerce Platform
Does Squarespace charge transaction fees?
Yes, Squarespace charges transaction fees for some payment methods.
Does Squarespace offer good SEO?
Yes, Squarespace offers decent SEO capabilities but it’s hard to work with.
Does Squarespace offer good value for money?
Squarespace’s pricing plans are competitive with other Ecommerce platforms.
Is Squarespace good for scaling?
Squarespace has some limitations when it comes to scaling for larger businesses.
What kind of customer support does Squarespace offer?
Squarespace offers good customer support through email and live chat.
Who Should Not Use Squarespace for Ecommerce?
Squarespace is not the best option for larger businesses or businesses that need more complex Ecommerce features. If your business has a large product catalog or requires complex integrations, Squarespace may not be the best fit. However, for small to medium-sized businesses that want to create an online store quickly and easily, Squarespace is a great option.
BigCommerce for Small Businesses
BigCommerce is an all-in-one Ecommerce platform that provides businesses with everything they need to sell online. It offers a range of features and tools to help businesses of all sizes sell products and services online. BigCommerce is user-friendly, offers customizable templates, and has an extensive list of integrations, making it a great option for businesses that want to create an online store quickly and easily.
BigCommerce Pros
- Easy to use
- Customizable templates with mobile-friendly designs
- Robust Ecommerce capabilities
- Good for businesses of all sizes
- Extensive third-party integrations
- 24/7 customer support
BigCommerce Cons
- Higher monthly costs compared to some other platforms
- Limitations on customization for certain aspects of the website design
BigCommerce Pricing
BigCommerce offers various pricing plans starting at $29.95/month for the Standard plan, which includes essential Ecommerce features. The Pro plan, which includes more advanced features, starts at $299.95/month.
Small Businesses That Benefit From BigCommerce
BigCommerce is ideal for small to large businesses that want to create an online store. It’s particularly suited for businesses that want to sell physical products, digital products, or services.
5 Frequently Asked Questions About BigCommerce as an Ecommerce Platform
Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees?
No, BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees.
Does BigCommerce offer good SEO?
Yes, BigCommerce offers good SEO capabilities.
Does BigCommerce offer good value for money?
BigCommerce’s pricing plans are competitive with other Ecommerce platforms and offer good value for money.
Is BigCommerce good for scaling?
BigCommerce is excellent for scaling and is suitable for businesses of all sizes.
What kind of customer support does BigCommerce offer?
BigCommerce offers extensive customer support through email, live chat, and phone.
Who Should Not Use BigCommerce for Ecommerce?
BigCommerce may not be the best fit for businesses with complex website design and customization needs. However, for small to large businesses that want to create an online store quickly and easily, BigCommerce is a fantastic option that can grow and scale with the business.
Square Online for Small Businesses
Square Online is an Ecommerce platform that offers a range of features to help small businesses sell products and services online. I don’t like it…at all.
Square Online Cons
- Limited customization options for more complex websites
- Limited third-party integrations
- Transaction fees for some payment methods
Square Online Pricing
Square Online offers a range of pricing plans starting at $0/month for the free plan, which includes basic Ecommerce functionality. The Professional plan, which includes more advanced Ecommerce features, starts at $72/month.
Small Businesses That Benefit From Square Online
Square Online is a great option for small to medium-sized businesses that want to create an online store quickly and easily. It’s particularly suited for businesses that want to sell physical products, digital products, or services.
5 Frequently Asked Questions About Square Online as an Ecommerce Platform
Does Square Online charge transaction fees?
Yes, Square Online charges transaction fees for some payment methods.
Does Square Online offer good SEO?
Yes, Square Online offers good SEO capabilities.
Does Square Online offer good value for money?
Square Online’s pricing plans are competitive with other Ecommerce platforms and offer good value for money.
Is Square Online good for scaling?
Square Online has some limitations when it comes to scaling for larger businesses.
What kind of customer support does Square Online offer?
Square Online offers good customer support through email and live chat.
Who Should Not Use Square Online for Ecommerce?
Square Online may not be the best fit for businesses that require extensive third-party integrations or complex website design and customization. However, for small to medium-sized businesses that want to create an online store quickly and easily, Square Online is a great option.
Migrating from Square Online to Woocommerce
At Stefanie Morris Co., we regularly migrate clients from Square Online to Woocommerce. If you’re looking to migrate your Square Online store to Woocommerce, contact us today for a free quote.
Ecommerce Platform – Recap
Choosing the right Ecommerce platform is crucial for the success of your online business. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide on the best one. While Woocommerce is considered the leading Ecommerce website platform for SEO, by considering the purpose and goals of your website, scalability, SEO-friendliness, developer access, design, functionality, cost, and maintenance requirements, you can make an informed decision that will meet your business’s needs and budget.
If you already have an Ecommerce website and are curious about its SEO-friendliness, we encourage you to get a free site audit from our experts at Stefanie Morris Co. Contact us today to learn more.
