What are the two options available to start a new eCommerce business?

When you start a new eCommerce business you have two options to get started. On the one hand you could head towards a marketplace where the site owner prepared a lot of things for you. On the other hand, you could start your own website with the help of a platform provider like Shopify or BigCommerce.

What is the most successful platform provider for individual websites and how many active stores and sales does it have?

From the platform providers for individual websites, there is shopify as a leader. On Shopify there are 500,000 active stores with more than 40 billion U.S. Dollars worth of sales. Shopify is only the most successful of 26 top level platforms to choose from. These platforms offer shop owners a strong Branding and reputation.

Top Comparison Between ECommerce Sites And Platforms

eCommerce sites and platforms have exploded over the past decade, and it shows no signs of slowing down. As we step into 2024, the landscape of online shopping continues to evolve, making it more critical than ever for businesses to choose the right platform to support their growth. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which eCommerce sites and platforms best suit your needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you navigate through the top eCommerce sites and platforms in 2024, providing you with the insights needed to make an informed decision.

There are more than one hundred marketplaces available and the greatest and most visited by far is Amazon. Amazon will reach 67% of the U.S. eCommerce retail market in 2025 alone. And amazon is the place to go first when you’re looking to buy something. So, it is no surprise that of the top 100 marketplaces only 5 grossing between 50 and 100 billion U.S. Dollars or more.

eCommerce sites and platforms Comparison

Shopify

Shopify is renowned for its user-friendly interface and robust feature set among ecommerce sites and platforms. It offers a wide range of templates, an easy-to-use drag-and-drop store builder, and a vast app marketplace for added functionality. Shopify’s pricing starts at $29 per month for the Basic plan, scaling up to $299 per month for the Advanced plan. There are also transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments. Pros of Shopify include excellent customer support, scalable plans, and a comprehensive app store. However, it can become expensive with added apps and has transaction fees.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a powerful WordPress plugin that transforms your website into a full-fledged eCommerce store. It’s highly customizable and supports a vast range of plugins and themes. WooCommerce is free to use, but you’ll need to pay for hosting, domain registration, and any premium plugins or themes you choose to use. The pros of WooCommerce, among other ecommerce sites and platforms, are that it is free to start, highly customizable, and has large community support. However, it requires WordPress knowledge and can get costly with premium add-ons.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is designed to support businesses of all sizes with a strong focus on scalability in ecommerce sites and platforms. It offers a comprehensive set of features out of the box, including SEO tools, multi-channel selling, and no transaction fees. Plans start at $29.95 per month for the Standard plan, up to $299.95 per month for the Pro plan. There’s also an Enterprise plan with custom pricing. The pros of BigCommerce include no transaction fees, excellent SEO capabilities, and scalability. However, it has limited free themes, and the complexity can be overwhelming for beginners.

Magento

Magento, now known as Adobe Commerce, is a robust and flexible platform suitable for large businesses. It offers extensive customization capabilities and supports complex product catalogs and large-scale operations. Magento Open Source is free, but hosting and development costs can be high. Adobe Commerce starts at around $22,000 per year. The pros of Magento are that it is extremely flexible and customizable with powerful features. However, it has a high cost for Adobe Commerce and a steep learning curve in comparison to other ecommerce sites and platforms.

Wix eCommerce

Wix is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great choice for beginners. Its eCommerce plans come with a range of templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop builder. Wix eCommerce plans start at $23 per month, going up to $49 per month for the Business VIP plan. The pros of Wix eCommerce include its ease of use, affordability, and good customer support. However, it has limited scalability and fewer advanced features in comparison to other ecommerce sites and platforms.

Squarespace

Squarespace offers beautiful, design-focused templates and a simple user interface. It’s ideal for creative businesses that prioritize aesthetics. Squarespace eCommerce plans start at $27 per month, up to $49 per month for the Advanced Commerce plan. The pros of Squarespace are its stunning design options and ease of use. However, it has limited customization and fewer integrations compared to other ecommerce sites and platforms.

PrestaShop

Among many ecommerce sites and platforms, PrestaShop is an open-source platform in offering extensive customization. It’s suitable for businesses looking for a tailored eCommerce experience. While PrestaShop is free, you will need to pay for hosting, domain, and any additional modules or themes. The pros of PrestaShop are its high level of customization and large community. However, it requires technical knowledge and can become expensive.

OpenCart

OpenCart is another open-source platform that’s easy to use and lightweight. It offers a range of extensions and themes to enhance functionality. OpenCart itself is free, but costs will include hosting, domain, and any paid extensions. The pros of OpenCart are that it is user-friendly and cost-effective. However, it has limited built-in features and is dependent on extensions.

Volusion

Volusion offers a user-friendly interface and comprehensive eCommerce tools. It’s suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. Plans start at $29 per month for the Personal plan, up to $299 per month for the Business plan. The pros of Volusion are its ease of use and built-in marketing tools. However, it has limited customization and additional transaction fees.

eCommerce sites and platforms: Comparative Analysis

Best for Small Businesses: Shopify and Wix eCommerce are excellent choices for small businesses due to their ease of use and affordable pricing.
Best for Large Enterprises: Magento (Adobe Commerce) and BigCommerce stand out for their scalability and advanced features.
Best for Customization: WooCommerce and PrestaShop offer the highest levels of customization, making them ideal for businesses with specific needs.
Best Budget Options: WooCommerce and OpenCart are the most cost-effective options, especially for those willing to handle the technical aspects.

Future Trends in eCommerce Sites and Platforms

AI and Automation: AI-driven features like personalized recommendations and automated customer service will continue to grow, enhancing user experiences.
Enhanced Security: With increasing cyber threats, eCommerce platforms will focus more on security enhancements to protect customer data.
Mobile Optimization: As mobile shopping continues to rise, platforms will prioritize mobile-friendly designs and features.

Infographics

ECommerce Sites And Platforms

Infographics by GO-Globe Web Design UK

eCommerce sites and platforms Statistics

Online retail purchases are anticipated to reach 20.1% in 2024.
By 2027, it's expected that 23% of retail purchases will occur online.
Ecommerce sales are projected to grow by 8.8% in 2024.
The global ecommerce market is forecasted to total $6.3 trillion in 2024.
By 2027, the ecommerce market is expected to exceed $7.9 trillion.
Amazon holds the largest market share in ecommerce, accounting for 37.6% of sales.
Amazon, eBay, and AliExpress are the most visited ecommerce websites.
52% of online shoppers report making international purchases.
By 2026, nearly a quarter of all retail sales are likely to happen online.
WooCommerce Checkout’s market share increased from 21% in 2018 to 23% in 2024.
Shopify ranks second among the top one million sites, with a global market share of 11%, while
WooCommerce commands 23%.
Magento's market share has decreased from 13% in 2018 to 7% in 2024 due to its increased complexity and the availability of simpler platforms.

Conclusion

Choosing the right one among many eCommerce sites and platforms is crucial for the success of your online business. Each platform has its unique strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on your specific needs and goals. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, there’s a platform out there that can help you achieve your eCommerce ambitions.