There are lots of ways to create a digital presence for your business. Beginner-friendly ecommerce platforms help anybody, even those without a lick of programming or web design knowledge, to quickly and easily build an online store. All you have to do is figure out which service is best for your business. But don't worry, we're here to help.
The first reaction to having so many choices is to select the most well-known option. If everybody else is using it, it must be good, right?
In the world of ecommerce platforms, Shopify is probably the most popular, thanks to its user-friendly dashboard, numerous features, and suitability for a variety of different stores and projects. Here at EXPERTE.com, we have no problem designating it as one of the best all-around packages on the market, but, that doesn't mean that it's perfect or right for everyone. We were disappointed by its slow support and limited customization options.
Below, we'd like to introduce you to our Top 7 alternatives to Shopify.
Wix Stores - Our Winner
If you're a regular reader of our reviews, you know that Wix has done quite well in our rankings. Its site builder impressed us with its numerous features and user-friendliness, and its ecommerce platform is our top alternative to Shopify.
Wix Stores, built around the same software as Wix, is a highly-functional ecommerce platform that allows pretty much anyone to design a digital storefront with true drag and drop flexibility. No coding knowledge is required and users can look forward to sensible product management, as well as a variety of options, including support for dropshipping, multichannel sales, and multiple language localizations.
Wix Stores combines Wix's excellent site builder with powerful sales tools.
Of course, there were a few things we didn't like about Wix Stores. All subscriptions have strict storage limits (unlike the other providers from our sample), and selling in multiple currencies is only possible with a third-party add-on.
Still, at the end of the day, Wix offers the best package in our view and was our top ecommerce platform pick.
Powerful builder offering considerable design freedom
Extremely user-friendly and geared towards beginners
Supports dropshipping, multi-channel sales, and POS
BigCommerce - For Big Ecommerce Projects
BigCommerce does pretty much everything right. It provides seemingly endless product management options and allows users to create as many product variations as they'd like. In particular, the platform scores owing to its powerful marketing capabilities, like its excellent discount and sales options.
You want to dropship, sell your goods on multiple channels, or in different currencies? All possible and easy with BigCommerce.
Intuitive usage concept and clear dashboard
Excellent product management with unlimited variants
Tons of marketing features, including detailed discount settings
1&1 IONOS's eCommerce Website Builder - Reliable Across the Board
The Internet is international and so are our top picks for ecommerce platforms. Having already started in Israel, and then jumped over to Texas, we make our way to Germany. 1&1 IONOS's eCommerce Website Builder uses its own site builder, combined with a wide range of ecommerce features, resulting in a well-rounded and highly versatile tool. Thanks to its drag and drop functionality, the platform also affords a good amount of design freedom.
With 1&1 IONOS you'll get a first-class ecommerce platform with which you can customize your store, as well as extensive options for managing and selling your products. In the event that you encounter a problem, top-notch support is never far away.
1&1 IONOS's eCommerce Website Builder allows store owners to sell different variations of their products.
1&1 IONOS's eCommerce Website Builder didn't place higher in our rankings owing to a few small issues. For example, you can only use email marketing if you integrate external software, while its discount options weren't up to our standards.
We also were disappointed that it isn't possible to try the software out, unlike most of 1&1 IONOS's competitors.
Powerful editor
Fast support and personal advisers
Multilingual websites
Additional Alternatives
If the three above weren't appealing, you might be interested in some of the other ecommerce platforms we reviewed. You can check them out here:
Conclusion
You no longer need to be a programmer or web designer to create an online store: With the right ecommerce platform, anyone can bring their business into the 21st century. Of course, you'll still have to choose the platform that meets your needs and requirements.
There are plenty of good reasons why Shopify is one of the most popular store builders, however, it isn't perfect. If customizing your digital business is important to you, better options definitely exist. Since nearly every solution from our sample offers a free trial version, why not try some of them out? To help you decide which to start with, we suggest taking a look at our comprehensive evaluation.
