The ecommerce industry is growing fast. Experts from WPForms forecast a $4.5 trillion increase in ecommerce sales by 2021. So if you’ve been dreaming of building your social media ecommerce platform, now is the best time to create one. Here are some of the top ecommerce website builders to help make you a great online retailer.
How to choose the best ecommerce platform?
In the ecommerce business, you should select a social media ecommerce platform that not only caters to your needs but also provides a great experience for your customers.
Here are some of the essential features you need to keep an eye on when partnering with an ecommerce site builder. While there are more factors to consider, these three ecommerce platform details shouldn’t be overlooked.
Site design
Your ecommerce site should be easy to set up. Some ecommerce platforms don’t require know-how in complex computer programming languages; a simple drag-and-drop or copy-and-paste feature will work to your advantage.
SSL encryption
A Secure Socket Layer (SSL) will not only protect you as a business owner but will protect your customers as well. Since you’re dealing with extremely sensitive user data, you should establish encrypted links in between online transactions.
Storage
As an online store startup, going for a low-bandwidth social media ecommerce platform may suffice to have cheaper monthly upkeep. However, this can be a huge problem when your ecommerce business expands. Some site builders limit your inventory space, which can affect the site’s load time as well.
The role of graphic design in determining the success of ecommerce
Even with a great ecommerce platform, this is a highly-saturated market. With superior graphic design, your platform will stand out. What your website lacks in human resources, it makes up for with high-quality, appealing photos and videos.
While physical storefronts rely on a salesperson’s expertise to pitch their products, you have your images, videos and product descriptions to “pitch” for you. A superior and high-resolution photo is more likely to secure you a sale than if you use a low quality image.
Ecommerce statistics 2021
The following statistics might give you some ideas as you pick the best-suited platform for your business:
The rapid rise in the number of digital buyers
According to Oberlo, the estimated number of global digital buyers will reach 2.41 billion in 2021. As we all know, our total global population is over 7.87 billion people. So, the total number of digital buyers is about 27.2% of the world’s overall population.
eCommerce sales
To cope with the ongoing situation the world faces, more people are shopping online. This year, ecommerce sales are expected to reach over 19.5% of global retail sales. It’s a sign that ecommerce is slowly dominating the retail industry. Ecommerce is becoming an integral part of the digital user experience around the world. Experts believe that this growth will continue for years to come.
Great for small business
Did you know more than one-third of small businesses currently do not have a website? This statistic also applies to your competitors. If you want to stand out from the rest, you need to start creating your website. As mentioned above, ecommerce is slowly climbing to the top of the retail industry, don’t let your business get left behind.
Free delivery option
Free delivery is the main reason why people shop online. A free delivery option is an excellent trigger for impulse buyers, especially if it’s a limited option. According to Oberlo’s survey, at least 53% of consumers picked free to deliver as the main reason they shop online. Closely followed by free coupons and discounts.
Omnichannel stores
At least 52% of online stores have multi-channel options. That means businesses sell and communicate with their customers in different ways. For example, through Facebook, Instagram and email. So in choosing a social media ecommerce platform to host your business, be sure to check their integration features. It’s also best if you check if the website is optimised for other devices.
Top eCommerce platforms
On top of a convenient content management system, multi-plugin functionality, third-party compatibility, or SEO suitability, check out some good ecommerce platforms and their features.
Shopify
A household name in ecommerce, Shopify is a straightforward platform that is perfect for startups. Because of its ease-of-use site building capability, this is an ideal solution for would-be online entrepreneurs. Overall, it’s a robust, fully-hosted eCommerce platform that is mobile-friendly with excellent loading speed.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a free plugin for WordPress websites. It’s an open-source plugin that is fitting for anyone who is just starting their luck in online selling. The themes and other product management features are highly-customisable and manageable as well. The other main features include product reviews, ratings, product sorting and filtering, built-in blogging and more.
Squarespace
As a newbie in online selling, you want to have a web design that stands out. Of course, you can hire the experienced web designers out there. But if you want to save money on tasks you can do yourself, Squarespace boasts the most creative and contemporary templates for modern-day online websites. Squarespace websites are also effortless to manage and monitor with zero coding needed.
Weebly
If you’re looking for a drag-and-drop site builder, then Weebly could be for you. It’s a robust and reliable social media ecommerce platform that will bring your online store to the top of its game. Among its features are online catalogs, gift cards, discounts, automated merchandising, streamlined shipping and more.
Yo!Kart
Yo!Kart is suitable for online multi-vendor marketplaces just like Amazon or Etsy. It is a licensed-based solution, so there are no monthly or yearly recurring charges. Plus, the platform is integrated with third-party APIs such as Quickbooks, Google Analytics, Shipstation, Taxjar, Paypal Payout, etc. It is also a scalable platform, even with the Yo!Kart basic plan, you or your vendors can upload 1 million+ products.