Getting Started With E-Commerce Platforms (That Aren’t Shopify)

If you’ve spent any amount of time online researching how you can start selling items, you might have found yourself overwhelmed by just how many e-commerce platforms there are out there. You’ve also likely heard of Shopify, the go-to name in e-commerce thanks to its design tools, integrations, and brand recognition, but it isn’t the only player in the game. In fact, depending on your goals, business model, or budget, other platforms might be a better fit!

We’ve broken down three great alternatives to Shopify that could suit your e-commerce platform needs. Whether you’re a small business owner, solopreneur, or someone just delving into dropshipping, these platforms each offer a range of options, benefits, and trade-offs.

Squarespace

Best for: Creatives, small shops, and beginners looking for an all-in-one solution

Squarespace is best known for its beautiful templates and, overall, its ease of use. It’s a great option for anyone wanting to get their online store set up quickly without getting too bogged down in the tech or design aspects of building a website. The platform itself offers built-in tools for managing products, shipping, fulfillment, and checkout. It even includes AI-powered tools that can help write product descriptions!

Of course, this polish does come at a premium. Squarespace has no free tier, and even its most affordable plan starts at $25/month, or $16/month if billed on an annual basis. There are fewer customization options at lower levels, and more advanced e-commerce features, like selling directly on social media, are locked behind even higher-tiered plans.

BigCommerce

Best for: Businesses focused on growth, especially dropshipping models

BigCommerce is aimed at sellers who are looking to scale their business, and it shows! With its native integrations for popular dropshipping tools and a versatile backend that supports unlimited products, it’s a great match for high-volume or complex stores. It also includes all sorts of educational resources for those new to dropshipping, plus 24/7 customer support via phone, chat, or email.

That said, BigCommerce is another platform with no free plan, and it can get pricy pretty quickly. Starting out at $39/month, or $29/month with annual billing, it might not be an option for those without a ton to spend in the beginning. There’s also the fact that each plan comes with a sales cap – hit it, and you’re automatically bumped up to a higher-tier plan. Hosting is also not included unless you use BigCommerce’s Essentials version.

OpenCart

Best for: Developers or experienced users looking for full control on a budget

OpenCart is one of the few (we looked) e-commerce platforms that are truly free, open-source, and, possibly best of all, doesn’t restrict the number of products you can list. It’s a strong contender if you want to build a highly customized shop without wasting your money on hefty monthly fees. As a bonus, there are no added transaction fees either, plus free templates are available to help you get started.

On the other hand, many important features (we’re talking tax calculators, shipping tools, or abandoned cart recovery) require third-party plugins that you have to find and include yourself. Hosting is only included with OpenCart Cloud, and technical support can be pretty costly, with even a basic password reset running you up to $50. This platform is best suited for sellers who already know their way around website management or are willing to hire help managing the site.

Final Thoughts

When it comes right down to it, choosing the right e-commerce platform for your business depends heavily on what kind of business model you are using, your technical skills, and future growth plans. While Shopify dominates the conversation for several good reasons, platforms like Squarespace, BigCommerce, and OpenCart each bring their pros (and cons) to the table. The best first step? Define what you really need from your store before you look for a platform to build it on and go from there!

Image: Photo by Roberto Cortese on Unsplash