How to Choose the Right E-commerce Platform for Your Digital Storefront

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A digital storefront is an online representation of a business where it can display and sell its products or services to customers. It’s like a virtual shop, allowing people to browse, purchase, and interact with a brand through a website or app. A digital storefront can be a social media store too!

Here are some facts you should know about digital storefronts

There are over 27 million digital storefronts in the world today and Shopify powers most of them. With, 13.6 million eCommerce stores, The United States takes the top spot with the most digital storefronts.

Types of Digital Storefront Software

Hosted digital storefronts

Hosted storefronts, also referred to as Software as a Service (SaaS) or cloud-based platforms, are fully managed by third-party providers. These providers handle everything from the storefront setup to the backend infrastructure and ongoing maintenance and charge a subscription fee.

Self-hosted digital storefronts

Self-hosted storefronts, also called on-premises storefronts, require the business to host and manage the eCommerce platform on their own servers or cloud infrastructure. This means the business is responsible for everything from setup to ongoing maintenance, including updates and security.

Open Source digital storefronts

An “open-source eCommerce” platform gives users full access to its source code, allowing them to modify and configure the software to meet their specific needs. This provides complete control over the design and functionality of the online store. While manual adjustments are required for customizations, users can fully leverage the platform’s capabilities.

Best Digital Storefront Platform Software

1. WIX

Wix is one of the most popular website builders available today, with over 3.6 million websites using the technology to open their storefronts. known for its significant improvements over the years, WIX offers a user-friendly platform that enables individuals and businesses to create professional-looking websites for eCommerce without needing extensive technical knowledge. While it’s not the cheapest option out there, it’s one of the most premium website builders.

Pros

Wix features a simple yet effective drag-and-drop editor, making it easy for beginners to design and manage their websites with zero coding skills.
With over 900 professionally designed templates, users can find options suited to their specific needs, including personal sites and online e-commerce store.
Wix offers robust e-commerce functionalities, allowing users to easily set up and manage online stores, making it a viable alternative to platforms for online stores like Shopify.
Wix provides built-in tools for invoicing, video editing, email marketing, and analytics, which are beneficial for managing a website.htt
Wix includes features that generate SEO checklists and other tools to help improve website visibility.

Cons

Pricing: While Wix offers a free plan, it’s limited and does not allow for a custom domain. Paid plans start at $16 per month, which is higher compared to some competitors.
Limited Free Plan: The free version lacks many essential features, making it less practical for serious users who need a functional website.

2. Shopify

Shopify is a website builder tailored specifically for businesses wanting to sell products online. Unlike general-purpose site builders, Shopify focuses entirely on eCommerce, offering tools to help businesses of all sizes set up, run, and scale their online stores.

Shopify powers over 5.3 million online stores globally, generating around $235 billion in annual sales last year. It provides everything you need to start and grow an eCommerce business, from customizable templates to a range of features that support selling products and managing operations.

Pros

eCommerce Focus: Shopify is designed specifically for eCommerce, making it ideal for businesses looking to sell products online.
Ease of Use: Suitable for beginners and pros alike, with a simple interface and easy setup.
Scalability: Supports businesses of all sizes, with features that grow alongside your business.
24/7 Support: Offers round-the-clock customer service through live chat, email, and forums.
Customization: Access to hundreds of free and paid templates, and many add-ons from the Shopify App Store.
Multiple Payment Options: Shopify supports multiple currencies and payment options, including its own Shopify Payments to avoid additional fees.
Free Trial: Shopify’s free trial is a great way to test the tool before investing upfront.

Cons

Transaction Fees: There’s a 2% processing fee for external payment gateways unless you use Shopify Payments.
SEO Limitations: While Shopify offers built-in SEO tools, platforms like Wix and Squarespace have better SEO capabilities.
Additional Costs for Features: Some features, like multi-language support, require paid apps.

3. SellersCommerce

SellersCommerce is a B2B and B2C eCommerce platform designed to streamline online sales for businesses across various industries, but especially in promotional products, medical gear, and uniforms. The platform offers robust features that empower brands to create personalized and scalable online stores.

With a focus on user experience, SellersCommerce enables businesses to manage their product catalogs efficiently, integrate seamlessly with existing systems, and optimize their sales processes. By providing tools for order management, inventory tracking, and customer engagement, SellersCommerce helps businesses enhance their online presence and drive revenue growth.

Pros

User-Friendly Interface: SellersCommerce features an intuitive design that simplifies navigation and management, making it accessible for users with varying technical skills.
Support for both B2B and B2C: SellersCommerce offer storefront solutions for both business-to-consumer and business-to-business commerce.
Customization Options: The platform provides extensive customization capabilities, allowing businesses to create a unique online storefront that aligns with their branding and operational needs.
Specialization in industries: SellersCommerce’s forte in medical equipment, uniforms, and promotional products is a bonus for people looking to enter this niche.
Integration Capabilities: It seamlessly integrates with popular ERP systems and third-party applications, enhancing operational efficiency and streamlining workflows.
Scalability: SellersCommerce is designed to scale with your business, accommodating growth in product offerings and customer volume without compromising performance.
Dedicated Support: Users benefit from robust customer support and comprehensive resources, ensuring they can effectively address any issues and maximize their use of the platform.

Cons

Lack of Themes and Marketplace: When compared to Shopify and WooCommerce, SellersCommerce doesn’t have a vast library of themes and no marketplace. It has limited options and has a CMS that let’s users to custom build sites use a flexible drag and drop editor. Additionally, SellersCommerce team can help you develop the theme of your choice.

4. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a popular WordPress plugin designed for building and managing eCommerce stores. It offers flexibility and functionality, allowing users to create an online shop seamlessly if they have an existing WordPress site.

With a wide array of plugins and a supportive online community, WooCommerce provides essential features for managing products, inventory, and sales. However, it requires a certain level of technical knowledge, making it more suitable for users comfortable with WordPress.

Pros

Integration with WordPress: Easily integrates with existing WordPress sites, allowing for a seamless setup.
Customizable: Offers a high degree of customization through various plugins and themes, catering to diverse business needs.
Strong Online Community: A large community with plenty of forums, blogs, and YouTube tutorials available for support.
Product Organization: Allows the creation of categories and subcategories for easy product navigation and improved SEO.

Cons

Complex Setup: The initial setup can be complicated, especially for users unfamiliar with WordPress, requiring additional steps like hosting and domain configuration.
Limited Default Features: The order management system is basic, necessitating additional plugins for enhanced functionality.
Potential for Plugin Conflicts: Frequent updates can lead to compatibility issues among plugins, which may disrupt store functionality.
Costly Add-ons: While the plugin itself is free, additional costs can accumulate through paid themes and plugins, making it more expensive than anticipated.

5. Ecwid by Lightspeed

Ecwid is a flexible e-commerce platform created by Lightspeed, designed primarily for small businesses. It enables users to add a shopping cart to existing websites or build a standalone online store quickly and easily. The technology has helped over 898K websites to date. With features catering to startups and small businesses, Ecwid provides tools for integrating e-commerce functionalities into various platforms, including WordPress and social media sites.

Pros

Easy Integrations: Ecwid can be integrated into multiple platforms, allowing businesses with existing websites to add e-commerce functionality effortlessly.
Free Plan: The free plan allows users to list up to 10 products, making it an ideal starting point for small businesses testing the waters without upfront costs.
Mobile-Friendly Design: The platform offers a responsive design and a mobile app for managing stores on the go, enhancing the shopping experience across devices.
Security Features: Ecwid provides secure transactions with HTTPS support, PCI compliance, and regular updates to protect customer data.

Cons

Limited Features on Free Plan: The free version lacks advanced SEO capabilities and limits product listings, which may hinder growth for larger businesses.
Transaction Fees: Ecwid charges transaction fees on lower-tier plans, which can accumulate for high-volume sellers unless they upgrade.
Limited Customization: Compared to other platforms, Ecwid offers basic design customization, requiring coding knowledge or additional applications for more complex changes.
No Built-in Blogging Feature: Unlike some competitors, Ecwid does not include a built-in blogging feature, necessitating integration with another platform for content marketing.

6. Squarespace

Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder Known for its visually appealing templates and user-friendly interface. The technology has helped over 2.2 million websites globally have a storefront and continue to expand. Like most other platforms on this list, Squarespace allows users to build websites without needing extensive coding skills. It offers a range of tools for blogging, eCommerce, and marketing, making it suitable for creatives, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

Pros

Beautiful Templates: Squarespace offers a wide variety of modern, well-designed templates that are perfect for creatives or businesses wanting a polished look.
User-Friendly Interface: The drag-and-drop editor is intuitive, making it easy for beginners to build a website without any coding knowledge.
Built-In Features: With integrated SEO tools, eCommerce options, and marketing tools like email campaigns, Squarespace provides an all-in-one solution.
Great Customer Support: 24/7 support via chat and email ensures help is available when needed.

Cons

Limited Customization: While the templates are beautiful, there are only 180 templates available. Which are lesser as compared to competitors.
Learning Curve for Advanced Features: Some users might find advanced features like styling adjustments tricky to master.
Pricey Compared to Competitors: Squarespace’s pricing can be considered higher, especially for users looking for a more budget-friendly solution.

7. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is one of the oldest and powerful eCommerce technology to help businesses scale online. Known for its flexible and feature-rich solution, BigCommerce supports both B2C and B2B businesses and powers over 42k online storefronts globally.

It offers advanced SEO features, multi-channel selling, and powerful integrations with popular payment gateways, marketing tools, and third-party applications. Ideal for businesses of all sizes, it provides customizable templates and scalable infrastructure that allows merchants to grow without compromising on performance.

Pros

Scalability: BigCommerce grows with your business, supporting large product catalogs and high traffic without performance issues.
Multi-Channel Selling: Seamless integration with platforms like Amazon, eBay, Facebook, and Instagram for multi-channel sales.
Customizable: Offers a wide range of templates and allows for in-depth customization, giving merchants control over their storefront’s design.
Built-in SEO Features: Advanced SEO tools to help boost search engine rankings and attract organic traffic.
No Transaction Fees: Unlike some competitors, BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees, keeping more profits in your pocket.

Cons

Complexity for Beginners: The platform may feel overwhelming for small businesses or those with limited technical skills due to its advanced features.
Limited Free Themes: While customization is strong, the number of free templates is limited, and premium themes come at an additional cost.
Sales Limits on Plans: BigCommerce imposes sales caps based on your subscription plan, potentially forcing you to upgrade sooner than expected.
Customizing Checkout Process: To modify the checkout experience fully, custom coding may be required, which could be a hurdle for some businesses.

Finally

Now, let’s focus on how you can choose the right platform for your needs from our selection!

First, start by evaluating your specific business needs. Consider factors like the types of products you sell, your target audience, and the features that will best support your operations. Look for software that offers user-friendly interfaces, allowing for easy navigation and management of your online store.

Second, look for customization options, they enable you to tailor your storefront to reflect your brand identity. Additionally, examine the software’s integration capabilities with third-party tools, such as payment gateways and inventory management systems, to ensure a seamless experience.

Third, Security features are vital to protect your customers’ data and build trust.

And finally, consider scalability to accommodate your business growth in the future.