The Top 4 Ecommerce Alternatives to Shopify.
Shopify is arguably the most popular eCommerce platform in the world. With over 500,000 customers, it’s also among the most expensive. While there are many benefits to using Shopify, it’s not for everyone. If you’re looking to start your own online storefront but don’t want to spend USD 29/month on Shopify, here are five excellent alternatives to get you started.
What are the alternatives?
There are a lot of reasons to use Shopify as your eCommerce platform, which is why it’s widely considered to be the best option for online stores. The bottom line? Shopify is great for some businesses, but not for everyone.
If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to Shopify, here are four excellent options that won’t break the bank:
1) WooCommerce:
2) BigCommerce
3) Volusion
4) OpenCart
1. OpenCart
OpenCart is one of the most popular open-source eCommerce solutions in the world. It has been downloaded over 100 million times and boasts over 3,000 modules that can be used to create your store. OpenCart also allows you to get started quickly with its built-in theme editor, which makes it easy for beginners to start their store.
However, OpenCart is not without its flaws. Because it’s free, there is no support for the software and some modules require donations or subscriptions to make them work properly. The lack of support also means that you won’t be able to update your existing store due to a new version coming out.
Another issue with OpenCart is that it does not come with any prebuilt themes, meaning you will have to design them yourself from scratch if you want a unique look for your store. This can also mean more time spent on creating an appealing storefront before launch day arrives at a premium price tag.
The best way to summarize OpenCart is this: If you’re just starting out using Shopify or other platforms and don’t need top-notch customer support and flexibility at a premium price tag, then OpenCart might be right for you!
2. WooCommerce
If you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative to Shopify, WooCommerce is the best option. It’s one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in the world and was developed by WordPress. WooCommerce has been built for developers, so it’s not ideal for beginners.
WooCommerce is easy to use and performs just as well as Shopify does; in fact, it even comes with its own mobile app.
If you’re trading on your own website or want to manage your inventory and shipping from your site, this is an excellent choice for you.
3. Big Commerce
One of the first alternatives to Shopify, Big Commerce is a cost-effective eCommerce platform. Similarly to Shopify, Big Commerce provides an easy way for you to set up and manage your online store. It also offers a range of add-ons that can be purchased at any time so you can customize your website accordingly.
If you’re looking for a more customizable alternative to Shopify, Big Commerce is definitely worth checking out. With its wide range of add-ons, intuitive interface, and affordable fee structure, it’s one of the best options if you’re on a budget.
4. Volusion
Volusion is a good alternative to Shopify with many of the same features, at a lower price tag. It’s been around for ten years and is one of the most popular online eCommerce solutions.
Volusion has a lot of integrations with third-party apps that allow you to set up your store in minutes. Plus, they offer 24/7 support, unlimited storage, and an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to get started.
If you’re looking for an eCommerce platform that offers a lot of flexibility and integration options but doesn’t break the bank, Volusion could be a good option for you!
What should you choose?
Making a decision on an eCommerce platform should never be made on cost alone. Consider the following before landing on a platform to move forward with:
- Does this platform do everything I need it to do?
- Does this platform provide adequate support?
- Can I move my store if I’m not happy with the platform?
- Is the interface easy enough for me to understand?
- If I get stuck, are there others who can help?
- Are all the shipping and payment options I want available? (this is especially important in Australia when it comes to Afterpay and Zip)
Dante St James is the founder of Clickstarter, a Meta Blueprint Certified Lead Trainer, a Community Trainer with Meta Australia, a digital advisor with Business Station, an accredited Digital Solutions advisor and presenter, an Entrepreneur Facilitator, and the editor at The Small Marketer. You can watch free 1-hour webinars and grow your digital skills at Dante’s YouTube Channel.
