The 5 best online sales platforms
E-commerce platforms are mainly divided into two categories: Saas (Software-as-a-Service) and Open-source. SaaS solutions, managed by third-party providers, which generally require a subscription, represent the simplest choice for companies without an internal unit dedicated to code development.
Open-source platforms, on the other hand, guarantee a greater level of customization, but can lead to greater costs in the long term, due to the need to rely on expert developers. Another element of distinction is the type of hosting used, the space in which the website is saved: while self-hosted platforms must be installed on a personal server, hosted ones offer a complete package, often including additional technical support services and transaction management.
Let us now look more deeply at the 5 best platforms for selling online, examining their distinctive features and advantages.
Shopify. The classic turnkey solution, ideal for companies and start-ups looking for a simple and intuitive tool. It offers a wide range of customizable themes, integration with multiple payment methods, and a robust inventory management infrastructure. Shopify is particularly suitable for those who want to set up an online store quickly with minimal initial technical input. It allows you to track stocks, organize products with tags and categories and set stock alerts: these features simplify warehouse management and allow you to optimize the entire sales process. It is no coincidence that, as Builtwith reports, over 4.8 million e-commerce sites have been created using Shopify.
Magento. Known for its power and scalability, it offers a high level of customization, which translates into greater flexibility in adapting to specific business needs. Its architecture allows you to build custom purchasing experiences: from the customization of the user interface, to the creation of sales funnels dedicated to specific customer segments. Initial setup and customization require in-depth knowledge of coding, with which you can have total control over your users' purchasing journeys. It also provides the possibility of implementing specific functions: from personalized product configurators and multi-step checkout paths to integration with CRM, ERP and tools for advanced data analysis.
PrestaShop. is an open-source solution among the best platforms for selling online as it offers a balance between accessibility and customization possibilities. This tool meets the needs of small and medium-sized businesses that wish to sell products and services online by having numerous features available: from inventory and cart monitoring, to privacy control and the preparation of analytical reports. Businesses can modify various aspects of their store, including page layouts and checkout paths, making each section of the site tailored to their specific business needs. Additionally, the developer community and module marketplace help keep the e-commerce platform up-to-date with the latest e-commerce trends, ensuring businesses remain competitive in their target market.
WooCommerce with WordPress. The open-source plugin that allows you to manage inventory, products and warehouse using the wide range of customizations offered by WordPress. Businesses can adapt the look and feel of their online store to reflect the branding and style of their business, ensuring visual and functional coherence with the entire website. It is suitable for both small shops that want to sell a limited number of products, as well as large businesses that have a large inventory available. Thanks to its library of extensions and plugins, users can add various features: from payment options, to advanced inventory management, to automatic tax calculations and integration with international shipping services.
BigCommerce stands out for its ability to offer a wide range of functionality without requiring the technical complexity typical of an open-source system. One of BigCommerce's key selling points is its all-in-one nature, which allows businesses to manage the entire purchasing process from one dashboard. BigCommerce's native features include everything you need to run an online store: from inventory and product catalog management, to setting up multiple payment and shipping options, to customizing the shopping experience. It also offers multi-channel sales support, allowing businesses to expand their online presence beyond their website – critical in the age of digital commerce, where consumers expect to be able to interact with brands across multiple digital channels.
Choosing the e-commerce platform to sell products or services is a crucial step for any company that aspires to expand its presence in the digital market. Mail Boxes Etc. offers a suite of digital solutions capable of automating order management, logistics and shipping processes, which allows businesses to improve the performance of their e-commerce by offering a better shopping experience to customers.
With MBE eShip, businesses can channel orders from different marketplaces into a single platform, from which it is possible to manage shipments and streamline the processes relating to order fulfillment and returns management. This is a solution that also allows you to simultaneously connect marketplaces and e-commerce, monitoring the performance of your online business in real time. Choose MBE digital solutions and give a boost to your business.
