The 5 Best eCommerce Platforms of 2023: Which is Right for Your Business?

Welcome to the wide world of online shopping. If you're an online business owner it's more important than ever to stay on top of the ever-evolving eCommerce industry, which continues to grow exponentially. One major factor driving the success of online businesses is their choice of a reliable eCommerce platform, often referred to as a Content Management System (CMS). In this blog, we will be discussing 5 of the top eCommerce CMSs available in 2023 - those that truly stand out and can elevate your online business to new heights.

The Top 5 E-Commerce Platforms of 2023

WooCommerce

If your business is already built on WordPress, then WooCommerce is a seamless and cost-effective choice for you. This open-source plugin offers a plethora of features that cover basic eCommerce needs, such as product pages, shipping options, and payment gateways. It boasts easy integration with both WordPress themes and plugins, rendering it ideal for those looking to expand their existing websites into eCommerce ventures. Additionally, WooCommerce's extensive documentation and large user base mean that assistance is never hard to find. However, be prepared to rely on third-party extensions and potentially invest in premium features to achieve a more comprehensive eCommerce experience.

What we like

Highly Customizable: WooCommerce is built on top of WordPress, an open source CMS. This means it offers thousands of free and premium themes and plugins, allowing WooCommerce to have a high-level of customization.

Free to Use: Unlike many other eCommerce platforms, the WooCommerce base plugin is available at no cost and is free to use. However, you may often need to pay for certain premium features or extensions. 

What we don't like

Plugins Required: Being an extension of the WordPress CMS, many basic site features rely on third-party plugins or themes. First time users may quickly realize WordPress and WooCommerce do not have an inherent drag-and-drop, front-end page builder that is inherently included in other platforms. 

Wix

Wix has begun to emerge as a top choice for both experienced marketers and ambitious newcomers alike. With its powerful, user-friendly features and robust e-commerce capabilities, Wix is quietly transforming the way Marketers and Business Owners manage and present their content and products. . The platform makes it simple for businesses to set up an online store, complete with secure checkout options and all the essential e-commerce features.

What we like

User-Friendly Editor: One of Wix's most appealing aspects is its user-friendly editor. This drag-and-drop website builder allows users with little to no technical or coding knowledge to create stunning, professional-looking websites in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional CMS platforms.

Outstanding Customer Support: Technical issues and inquiries are an unavoidable part of managing a CMS platform. Wix understands this and provides exceptional customer support, ensuring that users have the help they need when they need it most. The platform offers 24/7 support through its help center, email, phone, chat, and social media platforms. This assistance ensures that businesses can avoid downtime and maintain their online presence, which is particularly crucial in the competitive e-commerce world.

What we don't like

Limited Functionality: The Wix App Market features a wide range of apps and integrations to enhance the functionality of your website - many available at little to no extra cost. However, you are limited to what the App Market has to offer. Extending the functionality of your site further can only be done using Wix Velo, which requires coding knowledge.

Shopify

Shopify has long been a favorite choice for small businesses and established brands alike. Known for its user-friendly interface, excellent customer support, and abundant app store, Shopify provides a complete platform for eCommerce entrepreneurs regardless of their technical know-how. Shopify is also constantly improving its built-in SEO capabilities and now offers an AI-powered recommendation engine to enhance product discoverability for potential customers.

What we like

All-in-One Solution: Shopify is an all-in-one eCommerce platform that is built specifically for online stores. That means nearly all eCommerce features come standard with your Shopify website. Your domain and hosting is all managed through the Shopify platform as well!

What we don't like

High-Cost: Shopify operates on a subscription-based pricing model, which can cater to a variety of budgets. However, Shopify is certainly not the cheapest eCommerce platform available. Some advanced features may require third-party apps with additional fees, which can add up quickly via monthly subscription pricing models. While there is a basic plan available, some of the more advanced features are only available on the higher-priced plans. 

Adobe Commerce (formally Magento)

If you're seeking a high level of customization and flexibility, Adobe Commerce, formally Magento, might just be the perfect choice for you. Magento was an open-source CMS that has been embraced by businesses of various sizes, from startups to multinational corporations, due to its scalability, extensive feature set, and large community of developers. In particular, Magento boasted a wide range of optimization tools and third-party extensions, making it easier for retailers to cater to diverse consumer demands. While Magento required some coding knowledge, its powerful features and unrivaled customization abilities make it a strong contender in the eCommerce CMS landscape.

In 2018, Adobe acquired the Magento Commerce platform. Adobe then launched it's cloud-based Adobe Commerce platform in 2019. Since the acquisition, Magento Enterprise is now officially referred to as Adobe Commerce, however store owners and developers can still use Magento Open Source to self-host and customize their ecommerce solutions.

What we like

Advanced Marketing: On top of it's basic eCommerce platform, Adobe Commerce provides a range of features for multichannel selling, including support for social media sales, as well as Amazon and eBay integrations. Adobe Commerce also provides comprehensive analytics and reporting, automated tasks, and marketing automation capabilities thanks to being part of the Adobe Experience Cloud.

What we don't like

Coding Required: Adobe Commerce can be complex and require a higher level of technical expertise to set up and maintain compared to other CMS platforms. This can result in a longer learning curve and higher development costs

High-Cost: Adobe Commerce (Magento) has a high base licensing fee, so is often reserved for enterprise level businesses.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a SaaS eCommerce platform that excels in providing scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes. As a versatile CMS, BigCommerce offers an impressive array of built-in features such as multi-currency support, responsive design, and multiple shipping options. Furthermore, it integrates seamlessly with popular third-party tools and apps, enabling businesses to optimize their eCommerce processes. Notably, BigCommerce offers a wide range of pricing plans, including an enterprise plan that provides round-the-clock support and advanced security features, making it particularly well-suited to large organizations.

What we like

All-in-One Solution: Like Shopify, BigCommerce is an all-in-one eCommerce platform that is built specifically for online stores. Like Shopify and Wix, BigCommerce is also a hosted eCommerce solution, meaning you don't have to purchase website hosting separately. 

What we don't like

Lack of Customizability: While BigCommerce has many features available, users are limited to only working within the confines of what the platform offers. It can be difficult to add unique features that may be important for a particular business. In addition, BigCommerce does not offer any open-source development options, so businesses may need to hire third-party developers in order to create customizations.

Conclusion:

The year 2023 presents a wealth of options for eCommerce platforms, each with distinct advantages and capabilities. While Shopify and Wix cater to small businesses and entrepreneurs, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce offer powerful features designed for ambitious and established businesses looking to scale. Ultimately, the choice of the ideal CMS for your eCommerce venture depends upon the unique requirements and objectives of your business. By exploring the options discussed in this blog, you are now better equipped to make an informed decision that will set your business up for long-lasting success in the dynamic world of online shopping.