A guide on finding the best e-commerce platform.
- Online website builders are all-in-one “off the shelf” platforms. Using pre-built templates, you can customize your brand and domain, set up your store, accept payments, automate marketing, provide shipping options, manage your store accounting, and more. If you don’t want to code a site from scratch or hire a developer to do it, online website builders can be your best bet. Popular ones include:
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Open-source platforms are an attractive option if you require a more tailored storefront with unrestricted customization and robust support. They can also offer advanced solutions that help you solve more complex management challenges like multi-site inventory management and cross-border accounting. But because open-source platforms are built to fit, they usually require a developer to design, code, and maintain. Open-source platforms also come with greater responsibilities—you'll need to take care of hosting, security, and software updates. Examples of open-source platforms include Opencart and WooCommerce.
2. Research platforms that specialize in the type of products or services you provide.
Some e-commerce platforms and marketplaces specialize in helping businesses sell specific types of products, from handmade items to software to electronics.
3. Decide on the payment options you want to offer your customers.
4. Check for extensions that can help you streamline back-office business operations.
5. Consider future-growth needs.
6. Look into customer service policies.
7. Check for special offers available for businesses with a PayPal account.
- Browse this page for online website builders if you want to use an existing website template. Or, check out platforms to build a fully customized website from scratch.
- Take a look here for specialty online platforms and marketplaces.
- Need a website designer or developer? Take a look here.
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