If you aren't a fan of a brick and mortar shop, an eCommerce website might be a better choice for you if you want to sell online. Not so fast though. Before you can get started making money online you need to find the right b2b eCommerce platform. These platforms provide you with a place to advertise and sell your products. However, the best eCommerce websites will also be able to keep track of your growth and manage customer concerns all in one place.
Notoriously, you’re going to want to shoot for a popular platform that has a proven record of success. As a beginner, the easier the platform is to use the better. Although, usability isn't the only feature to be on the lookout for when making a decision. Chances are you’re starting out with limited funds.
Therefore, you’re not going to want to choose a platform that comes with a significant monthly fee. There are numerous platforms out there that will give you the features you’re looking for at an affordable eCommerce website cost.
With so many options, it can be a challenge to pick one that works best. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best eCommerce websites here in this article. Keep reading to learn more about key features and pricing for some of the best b2b eCommerce platform out there.
What to Look for In an eCommerce website
Before you can make the “right decision” you’ll need to know what to look for in a platform. Not every business will be the same. So keep in mind the features that will be beneficial to your business alone. Your market is also extremely competitive, so your customers come in with high expectations.
Building your website around the things only you want is no longer enough. Being able to meet your customers' needs is pivotal.
In order to remain competitive, you need a platform that allows you to use popular eCommerce tools, provide an excellent eCommerce customer service, and fulfill orders efficiently. If you stumble upon a platform that can’t do those things, cross it off immediately. By taking the steps below you’ll be able to move through the process of elimination more efficiently.
Step 1: Determine Your Needs
You cannot begin to look for the best eCommerce websites without knowing what you need from one. As a business, you need to determine what your needs are from the get-go. Not only will this make the selection process faster, but it will also make it easier.
To help determine what you need, start with a business outline. Look at where you are now and determine where you want to end up. Then begin to brainstorm the features and experiences you are delivering in the present. Now you can ask yourself if the platform you’re looking at will allow you to maintain or improve these experiences.
Next, look at your future. Envision where you want to be in the next couple years. Do you plan on meeting a sales quota? Will you add on more products or services? The platform you choose will need to provide you with a solution to these issues. More than this, you’ll want to invest in a platform that will grow with your business.
Finally, determine your customer's experience and expectations. How will your customers find you? What platforms do they currently use? What are their fulfillment expectations? When you answer these questions you’ll find additional features you need in a website. Also, make sure that the platform you choose works well with any programs you already use.
Search engine tools, data collection, and payment processing software, like ACH payment, are all important features that you should keep in mind. If the platform you’re looking at does not integrate with current tools, do they at least offer an alternative?
Organize these needs in a way that’s easy to compare and contrast. When researching don’t let up on this list either. Stick to it. If a platform doesn’t have what you’re looking for it won’t be the right fit for your business. This is not the time to compromise.
Step 2: Budget
Next, figure out how much you can and are willing to spend on a platform. Leave nothing out of consideration. When running an eCommerce business there are lots of hidden costs that get lost in the stack. Your budget will encompass more than just the monthly platform use fee. Consider potential maintenance, e commerce license, and installation costs.
This doesn't mean that you should completely ignore the costs of your potential eCommerce platform. Again, go back to your business needs. There are so many platforms out there and costs are comparable.
The price will also vary depending on the size of your business and sale volume. Some platforms will charge an annual subscription fee while others charge monthly fees.
These are only some of the fees that contribute to your budget. It’s always best to make an outline of fees as well so that you can stay on track with money management.
Step 3: Research eCommerce Platforms
Finally, the long awaited step 3. Now that you have your needs, goals, and budget in place you can begin looking for the right platform. Each platform will offer something different. Therefore, it’s good to know what some key features are and why they might be beneficial to you.
Common eCommerce Platform Features
One of your first decisions will be choosing a website that gives you full control over maintenance and management (self-hosted); or you can opt for an eCommerce hosting platform, which leaves all the technical stuff up to the eCommerce provider.
Benefits of choosing a self-hosted platform include eCommerce personalization, freedom to do what you want, and code-edits. Hosted platforms are better for those who aren't so tech-savvy. All updates and maintenance are taken care of for you.
However, in this case, you do have less control. Keep in mind that a hosted platform might work well for your specific industry, while a self-hosted platform might not (and vice-versa).
6 Best eCommerce Websites
Now, what you’ve all been waiting for: our picks for the best eCommerce websites. We’ve made it easy for you and listed the top websites according to niche market industry. Therefore, you can get to what you need right from the start.
eCommerce Websites for Electronics
If you’re in the electronics industry you’ll likely need platforms that can handle the complexity of your product or services. If you are selling ready-to-go gadgets or have a small inventory, we recommend Wix, Shopify, or BigCommerce. They are all tried and tested platforms that work best for the simple tech business.
On the other hand, if you sell complex gadgets with lots of parts and accessories, software enhancement, and services, 3dCart is a great option for you. This site is built to handle the not so simple products that might require a little more backend care and knowledge.
eCommerce Websites for Restaurants, Food, and Beverages
Are you a wholesale food distributor? If so, BlueCart has the solution you’ve been looking for. BlueCart is built for all types of food distributors. From wholesale meat and seafood, to bakery and produce wholesale, there are no limits with them. BlueCart is an all-in-one platform that streamlines the sales and operations process making it easier than ever to manage your business.
BlueCart also offers fully optimized iOS and Android applications that have offline capabilities. We’re used by thousands across the globe. So if you want a team that cares and understands time is money. Then BlueCart is right for you! Book a demo to see what we have to offer.
eCommerce Websites for Handmade Crafts
Finally, if you’re a do it yourself kinda person, then Etsy and Big Cartel are two wonderful options. These are both relatively simple platforms that tend to avoid advanced features. If you’re simply looking to sell and cash in, they’ll work just fine.
However, if you need a little more bang for your buck then we suggest the fan favorite: Shopify.
Let the Shopping Commence!
We understand the importance of finding the right eCommerce website. The success of your business will depend on it. If you’re willing to put in the effort to research and outline your needs, you can alleviate a lot of undue stress. The good news is that once you pick the right platform you’ll be able to grow your business and increase sales with a bit of TLC.
It’ll be worth your while to research eCommerce skills you need in 2021 and learn what a marketplace business model looks like. They are two beneficial topics that will add to your knowledge of the eCommerce industry.
Frequently Asked Questions About eCommerce Websites
What Is an eCommerce Website?
An eCommerce website is a site that allows people to sell goods and services online rather than at a physical brick-and-mortar storefront. eCommerce websites allow owners to process payments, ship, and accept orders all in one convenient place. Don't forget that you should create a privacy policy for your eCommerce website.
What Are the Best eCommerce Websites?
While this is just our opinion through research, we feel that the following are the best eCommerce websites for various reasons:
- Esty
- Shopify
- BlueCart
- Wix
- BigCommerce
What Are the Three Types of eCommerce?
There are three main types of eCommerce. They include business to business (B2B) like Shopify, Business to Consumer (B2C) like Amazon, and Consumer to Consumer (C2C) like Etsy.