Register Now for Your Merchant Account

This is the time to sign up for an account as a merchant before we begin looking at ecommerce platforms. It’s not difficult, but it can take several weeks to obtain a merchant account.

Check with your bank to find out if they offer merchant accounts. While many large credit unions offer merchant accounts, some may not. Authorize.net also has a list of merchant account providers.

Different types of Ecommerce Platforms

For new businesses that want to sell their products online, there are many options. These are the options available to you:

• Self-hosted platforms – Installed on your server
• Hosted platforms – You “rent” a store from another server   
• WordPress – Convert a WordPress blog to a store using one or more plugins
• Marketplaces – A “store within a shop” or niche website that allows sellers to create their shops within a marketplace.

Marketplaces offer new retailers an alternative. Many marketplace sites are popular, including Amazon, BigCartel, and Cafepress. They don’t require merchant accounts, unlike other options. This is because you don’t take payments directly. To cover hosting costs, marketplace websites typically take a percentage from each sale. Sites like Etsy are often restricted to certain types of products, such as handmade or vintage items. This may hinder your ability to use them.

This guide will only cover self-hosted, hosted, and WordPress platforms. However, you can explore other marketplace options at your leisure as an alternative option or a secondary source of revenue. Once their websites are live, many retailers use Amazon and eBay to open a second storefront.

Let’s take a look at a few to help you choose the right one for you.

To skip to a specific section, click the name of each type/platform.

Self-hosted eCommerce 

•  Magento
•  OpenCart
•  Zen Cart

Hosted eCommerce

•  BigCommerce
•  Shopify
•  Volusion
•  3dcart

WordPress ecommerce plug-ins

•  WooCommerce
•  Shop

Self-Hosted Ecommerce Stores

You can purchase or rent a server to host your self-hosted ecommerce store. These software packages are usually provided in the form of software that you must install, update, and maintain.

Larger companies that want complete control over their ecommerce website’s functionality will prefer self-hosted shops. Open-source software means that it is easily modified to meet the needs of each user. You’re responsible for solving any problems with self-hosted sites.

These are some of our most popular self-hosted options.

Magento

Magento is one of the most popular and well-known content management systems in the world. It is used by hundreds of companies, big and small. Because of its popularity, there are many extensions available that will allow you to expand your store’s capabilities.

Magento’s Community Edition is free. It doesn’t cost anything as long as it can be installed. It supports many payment gateways, including free extensions. The software is easy to integrate with custom designs or downloaded skins.

Magento’s biggest drawback is its steep learning curve, even for people who have previously used other ecommerce platforms. For those who are looking for simple functionality, the CMS offers so many options it can become overwhelming. You may often need to consult the Internet to get help as a Magento user. This is especially true if you don’t have any support with the Community Edition.

Magento is a very user-friendly CMS. The Community Edition is completely free and store owners can “grow into” it.

Magento is best for small business owners who can take the time to learn complex CMS and know that they will ultimately appreciate the variety of options offered by the platform. You might consider looking elsewhere if you are in a hurry and are willing to spend a little more for a simpler platform.

OpenCart

OpenCart is a free and feature-rich shopping cart. It is very easy to use and has an intuitive administration screen that allows users to quickly get up and running.

OpenCart’s user-friendly interface is the biggest advantage over other CMS. OpenCart was created to be simple and intuitive to use, making it a great choice for new business owners or ecommerce startups who don’t have time to learn complex systems like Magento. It can be integrated with hundreds of payment gateways and supports most ecommerce needs. You can also choose from many themes.

However, being so user-friendly comes with a price. OpenCart may not be as advanced as self-hosted CMSs, and it lacks many more advanced features. OpenCart also lacks a seamless integration between themes, CMS, and other features. This means that you might have to manually edit files to make simple changes to your site. OpenCart support can be slow according to some users. This means that you may have to solve your problems.

OpenCart is an excellent choice if you are looking to quickly get up and running on your server and find a theme that you like with minimal modifications. To ensure that you have all the features that you require, you may want to test the demo first before you commit.

Zen Cart

Zen Cart, an ecommerce platform hosted by Zen Cart, has been available on the market since 2003. It’s open-source and free like the other options on our list. It is a very old program with a lot of documentation and hundreds of themes and extensions.

Zen Cart is a Magento-like platform with a lot of features. It is maintained by a group of people, not one business entity. This allows it to be constantly updated to meet new needs and provide more options for users. You can also find hundreds of plugins to enhance its functionality or support new payment gateways, or any other need.

There are some issues with Zen Cart that you will encounter every time you read a Zen Cart review. The CMS’s design and functionality are both outdated. This is the biggest complaint. It is unable to perform the tasks required for SEO, and the admin interface looks like it was created in 2003 (and hasn’t been updated since).

A common complaint is Zen Cart’s ability to overwrite custom development. This means that you will need to back up before upgrading to the latest version. Some functionality is outdated. You’ll need to select “0” or 1 instead of “yes” and “no”. This can be a problem for anyone not technically skilled.

Zen Cart is another great choice for those who want a high degree of customization and functionality without having to pay anything for their shopping cart software. The CMS is not perfect and can take some time to get used to. It is reliable and could be the best choice for small stores that want a simple layout or are willing to invest more in custom development.

Hosted Ecommerce Stores

Hosted ecommerce sites are websites that you don’t set up or host. These websites use proprietary content management systems, which are hosted by the companies from which you purchased your plan. Self-hosted sites will require you to buy a server and download the CMS. Hosted stores only require that you sign up and name your store. You then pay a monthly fee which includes the CMS, hosting, and maintenance.

Hosted stores are a good option for someone who is just starting to sell online. Although hosted platforms have a limited number of features, it can be difficult to install custom themes and plugins. However, they are extremely easy to set up and use.

These are the top hosted ecommerce platforms.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a popular hosted ecommerce solution. They claim to have more than 50,000 stores as of 2014. BigCommerce is an “all-in-one” CMS that provides a shopping cart with all the functionality you would expect. It also offers SEO, abandoned cart marketing, mobile shoppers, coupons, and other features.

This cm is very popular because it offers everything. BigCommerce’s administration system is simple to use and combines flexibility and options with a modern, clean interface. The company offers excellent customer service and supports many payment gateways right out of the box. This is a great solution for both new businesses and those who have experience in ecommerce and want to quickly set up something.

BigCommerce has its downsides. BigCommerce has its downsides. BigCommerce charges $24.95 per month for a hosted platform. However, this price does not limit your storage space and products. You’ll need to pay close to $150 per month to store more than 1000 products. Although this includes unlimited bandwidth and no transaction fees, it can still be expensive for new businesses. You can also customize the appearance of your website using the built-in theme editor. However, this can be very difficult to use and can frustrate new sellers.

It’s difficult to argue with a hosted platform that is flexible enough to provide its marketplace for themes and apps as well as payment gateways. This feature is not available on many other hosted platforms. The site also recommends theme designers (“premium partners”) that can create and install custom skins for your store. This is a rare feature for a hosted platform.

BigCommerce is an excellent choice for those just beginning to sell online. If you have many products, you may see your monthly costs rise quickly. You should also be ready to invest in a custom theme or a developer if you need to make major visual adjustments.

Shopify

Shopify, which powers over 100,00 online stores, is another popular option for hosting ecommerce. It promises to provide all the features you need without the clutter. This allows you to quickly get up and running with minimal effort or cost.

Shopify’s credit card system is what makes it unique. Shopify’s built-in credit card system accepts credit cards straight out of the box. This means you don’t need to register for a payment gateway. There are over 100 professional themes, and the administration system makes it easy to understand.

Shopify is cheaper than BigCommerce at $29 per month for unlimited products – at most, on the surface. Shopify charges transaction fees per purchase, which is not the case with other hosted competitors. If you have many sales, this can quickly add up. You will also need to pay $79 per month for the built-in functionality of most CMS, such as gift cards and reporting. Anyone who needs to monitor their data but doesn’t have access to Google Analytics every few minutes can find this a major problem.

Shopify’s CMS uses non-standard terms to describe almost everything. This could be a problem. For example, categories are called “collections” and there is a tag system that can confuse both those new to ecommerce and those who have been using it for a while. Products are called “products”. The theme customization system can be confusing and templates can take time to modify, just like BigCommerce.

Another popular option for people who want a hosted shopping cart is Shopify. It’s also one of our most user-friendly CMS options. Be aware that fees can quickly add up.

Volusion

Volusion was founded in 1999 and has been a pioneer in hosted ecommerce solutions. This cm boasts a 99% uptime guarantee and excellent customer support. It combines reliability and functionality with stunning, modern, mobile-optimized themes.

Volusion has received many positive reviews. This cm allows anyone to have full control of their website without having to learn how to code. The CMS integrates with themes and offers many SEO options. This allows for endless customization. You can choose from many themes and it is relatively inexpensive to have one made.

Volusion’s monthly pricing compares well to other competitors. Volusion’s “Mini” package, which costs only $15 per month and includes unlimited storage and no transaction fees, is the best choice for small stores with less than 100 products. Your bandwidth is limited and your store will not support product ratings or reviews. This can be added for $20 and the “Plus” plan provides the same functionality as big commerce’s 1,000 product pages, but at a much lower price.

Volusion has one major drawback. Every page of your website must include a backlink linking to the homepage. This is likely a link-building attempt. You can pay $20 more per month to have it removed. While this may not be an issue for some, it will affect anyone who wants to establish a brand or make their website professional. Many complain about hidden fees that are found during website building, as well as security requirements. The platform’s customer service is not as great as it claims.

Volusion is beautiful and cost-effective, but it does have its drawbacks. Volusion is a good choice if you are a small business owner. Be aware that hidden fees can quickly add up, and that backlinks could become annoying after a while.

3dcart

3dcart is our final hosted solution. This platform is unique because it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 support. You can instantly shop any store from your mobile device using “mCommerce” templates.

3dcart’s pricing may be a bit higher than other providers, but it offers unique functionality. The “Mini” plan comes with ads for $19.99 per month. The “Starter”, however, has email marketing and support for daily deals. This is something that you won’t find anywhere else for $50 or less per month. You may also get additional reports and functionality with some packages. You can save a lot of money by paying your plan annually instead of monthly.

3dcart’s biggest problem is its outdated themes. This can be seen on the site, which is just as outdated as some of its competitors. If you need something more stylish, you will have to purchase a custom theme. 3dcart plans are limited in bandwidth and products, making it easy to pay more for hosting each month. Third, 3dcart’s options, just like other hosted solutions, are very limited. Even if you choose the highest tier, it is easy to “grow away” from your store.

3dcart is a reliable and solid choice for new website owners. They also offer great support and a money-back guarantee. If you are looking for a sleek, polished website design, 3dcart is not the right choice.

WordPress Ecommerce Plugins 

WordPress was originally used for blogging, but some developers have found ways to make it an ecommerce platform. This is done by installing plugins that allow you to add a shopping cart, checkout, and product page support.

WordPress stores are simple to set up thanks to WordPress’s easy installation process. However, ecommerce has drastically reduced the number of themes that WordPress offers. It can be hard to find a theme that works with a shopping cart or checkout page. Your site will look more like a store than a blog. It’s still an affordable option for those who are just starting to get into ecommerce.

These plugins can be used for converting a WordPress installation to an ecommerce site.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce can be installed on any WordPress installation. It provides all of the functionality you would expect from a self-hosted or hosted store. This includes reporting, tax support, and payment gateway support. You don’t have to pay anything for the plugin.

WooCommerce has extensions, which are similar to plugins for a plugin. These extensions give you more options. Some extensions can be paid for, while some are free. The plugin currently supports 24 payment gateways in the US via extensions. However, it comes bundled with PayPal straight out of the box. Surprisingly it costs only $79 to add the most popular gateways like Authorize.net and WorldPay.

39 themes support WooCommerce. If you don’t find the right theme, you may have to search elsewhere or hire custom development. This could increase the price of your WordPress store due to the possibility of you needing a different theme or a payment gateway. These are one-time investments and you will not have to pay monthly fees for the plugin or any extensions.

If you are familiar with WordPress, WooCommerce can be a great option. The system is easy to use, with simple menus and options that are easy to comprehend for even beginners. You may not want to pay for additional functionality each month, even though there are no monthly charges. WooCommerce is an excellent choice for those who are satisfied with basic, pre-built solutions. However, it may not be the best option for someone new to WordPress or for those who desire full control.

Shopp

The shopp offers a simple-to-use storefront as well as unlimited flexibility for developers. Shopp, a WordPress plugin, is free and supports shopping cart functionality. This includes tax codes, coupon codes, and other payment gateways. The plugin also features some SEO functions such as semantic markup (a huge plus) and canonical URLs.

Shopp does have an extension store, but it is more affordable than WooCommerce. The Authorize.net gateway extension costs $45, while WooCommerce charges $79. It supports several payment gateways but not nearly as many as WooCommerce.

Shopp has two major drawbacks. Shopp is not a great choice if you need a modern, attractive theme to support it. The plugin does not have many options and some themes are outdated or clunky. You will have to pay for support if there is an issue. Support for merchants is $75 per year and developer support is nearly $300

Shopp is a great choice if you are familiar with WordPress. Shopp may not look, feel and behave the way that you want. This is because Shopp doesn’t require you to be an expert developer. Although Shopp’s extensions are cost-effective and it is free, you might decide that a different CMS is better.

Which Ecommerce Platform Is Right for You?

This question is not easy to answer. The number of products that you intend to sell, how much customization you desire, and what functions and features your store needs will all impact the requirements of your ecommerce platform.

Hosted platforms are best for those who will be selling only a few products and don’t want to invest a lot of money or time in setting up their store. WordPress is easy to install but hosting costs will be incurred. Your theme options may also be limited. If you have many products and need to control how your site looks and functions, we recommend one of our self-hosted options.

Keep in mind, however, that there are many other options for self-hosted, hosted, and WordPress ecommerce as well as multiple marketplace sites. These are only a few. We didn’t include some options that may require more time or have higher fees. You can do your research to find the right fit for your business.

Can You Change Platforms Later?

You may find yourself in a difficult situation if you begin on a hosted platform and decide that you prefer the flexibility of a self-hosting store or switch to WordPress from another platform. It can be very difficult, time-consuming, and costly to change platforms. This could lead to downtime and a complete redesign of your storefront.

Different database and code structures are used by different ecommerce platforms. BigCommerce might not work on Magento. A WordPress store that uses the WooCommerce plugin may use a different database to Highwire. You may also find that some payment options or gateways are not universally supported.

You can modify your ecommerce platform if you feel that it is necessary. Be prepared to manage your existing store while you build the new one. It won’t be an easy task. Consider your options carefully before you make a decision. You might be better off making a decision based on where you are at the moment.

Let’s now look at the basics of setting up an online store. The next chapter will cover important tasks you should complete immediately, walk through the components of a product page and discuss other assets every great store should possess.