eCommerce Platforms

An eCommerce platform is a comprehensive piece of software that enables online businesses to run their operations. This category of services includes customer service infrastructure, accounting and inventory management systems, and builders of eCommerce websites. By choosing the right platform, you can effectively grow your business and optimize your operation by using technology to its fullest potential.

A fully functional online store where clients may buy your goods and services is what an eCommerce platform is there for.

Software-as-a-service (SaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS), and on-premises platforms are the three primary categories of e-commerce platforms. Both SaaS and PaaS systems use the internet to supply e-commerce solutions. SaaS platforms simply entail software, like Shopify. They are referred to as PaaS platforms whenever they have a hardware component as well.

Instead of being set up by another provider and accessed through the cloud, on-premise e-commerce systems are hosted locally by the retailer and maintained by their IT personnel. The greatest solutions for smaller businesses or businesses just getting started with e-commerce are SaaS and PaaS. Although they typically charge a monthly fee to use the site in addition to transaction costs on each purchase, they do provide professional setup and support.

An organisation can have more control over its online store and develop a unique storefront solution using on-premise systems.

Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, WooCommerce, Wix, Big Cartel, Squarespace, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and Volusion are some of the top e-commerce systems available right now. While Magento and BigCommerce are more suited for larger businesses with huge order volumes, platforms like Shopify, and WooCommerce – a free WordPress plugin — are preferable for small businesses that require something simple to get them up and running. While other systems have more complicated back ends, website builders or Wix provide drag-and-drop templates that are simple for shops without much coding skills.

The ability to search the shop is one of the features that e-commerce software needs to have so that customers can find products. Every e-commerce site ought to feature a shopping cart where customers, or other interested parties, can store and browse their desired products before continuing to the payment process. An e-commerce platform must have a payment gateway in order for users to purchase goods because that is what the site’s main function is. A basic e-commerce platform can be created by combining these three functions in whatever way you like: search, cart, and payment.

An e-commerce platform can have features like a database to keep transaction details, inventory management to track the available goods, as well as these three fundamental functions.

A platform might also have integrations for expanding into new channels and security measures. Before selecting an e-commerce platform, a firm should think about which characteristics would assist them to achieve its goals since the features vary from platform to platform.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are eCommerce Platforms?
  • What are the benefits of using eCommerce platforms for your business?
  • What are the typical features of eCommerce Platforms?
  • What are the considerations when buying eCommerce Platforms for your business?
  • What is the average cost of buying eCommerce platforms?
  • Who should use eCommerce platforms?
  • How does Cloudfinder help with eCommerce platforms?
  • What are eCommerce Platforms?

    • E-commerce is the practise of buying and selling things online. B2B, B2C, C2C (consumer to consumer), and C2B are among the several types of commerce (consumer to business). An e-commerce platform is a piece of software that allows both the buyer and the supplier to participate and carry out their respective functions. Basically, a consumer should be able to browse products on an e-commerce site, add them to their basket, and then check out.

  • What are the benefits of using eCommerce platforms for your business?

    • 1. You receive first-rate client service Additionally, your users are also entitled to the same level of customer service as you. If your clients believe they aren't getting fantastic service, it's probable that they won't come back. You want an eCommerce platform that will reflect positively on your business. The same is true for putting the software into use: why should you force your customers to use it if you don't think the platform is well maintained and you can't set it up with your own team? 2. The platform is straightforward to manage Would you like to modify your platform for an extended period of time? Nope. How can you stop wasting days or even hours on your software? Start by choosing a platform that is simple to manage. 3. It is easy to use for both you and your clients It will be simple for you and your customers to utilize a platform that has been established and designed well, making their experience as positive as possible. ( When you don't spend your days attempting to guide consumers through what should be a straightforward process, you'll also find it to be much more enjoyable. 4. There is significantly less downtime Your site's performance will significantly improve if you select a platform that is operating at a higher level. You won't be wasting your valuable time attempting to fix your platform, and your consumers won't be put off by an error notice that prevents them from finishing their transaction (and let's be honest—they'll probably take their business elsewhere). Instead, you can concentrate on the tasks you find most enjoyable, including enhancing the website user experience for clients. 5. Your platform's security will increase Everyone who conducts business online is painfully aware of how crucial security is. Your company could be destroyed by the news of a data breach sooner than you might think. It is crucial that you pick a platform that will protect your customers' personal information, enabling them to continue making secure purchases. Spending a little time now on your schoolwork will spare you a tonne of headaches later on.

  • What are the typical features of eCommerce Platforms?

    • There are a number of crucial characteristics to take into account while selecting an e-commerce platform, including the following:

    • Scalability is the capacity of a platform to grow and satisfy the demands of an expanding user base.
    • Usefulness: a user-friendly design and a simple checkout process with a variety of payment alternatives
    • Integration: A platform with good integration with other plug-ins and tools
    • Presentation: a polished look with appealing navigational options
    The most important component should be the customer experience. All of these features will be present on a solid e-commerce platform, which will make purchasing enjoyable. Additionally, it should be simple to set up and use.

  • What are the considerations when buying eCommerce Platforms for your business?

    1. Security
    If customers are unsure that their financial information is safe from hackers and data thieves, they won't purchase anything from your eCommerce site. Because of this, every platform you use needs to have vital security components like PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance, an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, fraud protection, and data backups. In order to find potential security concerns, the platform should also conduct security audits. So that the required adjustments can be made to safeguard clients against hazards.
    1. Responsive web design 
    Customers will only visit your website if they can find it in search results when looking for products similar to the ones you sell. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is necessary to increase your site's visibility and search engine ranking. For this reason, the platform you select should provide a variety of SEO-related capabilities, such as enabling users to add a blog to their website, use their own domain name, enable consumers to leave reviews, support for Google site maps, etc. The platform's inclusion of these functionalities will directly affect how well your site ranks in search engine results.
    1. Supports multiple selling channels 
    An eCommerce store can boost its earnings by providing goods and services through various sales channels. Therefore, you should pick a platform that enables you to offer goods or services via a variety of online marketplaces, like Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Amazon, and others. Some of the top multi-channel eCommerce platforms include PrestaShop, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Shopify, and WooCommerce. These technologies assist you in developing various selling alternatives in online marketplaces and generating increased revenue from them by enabling centralized control of your inventory data.
    1. Technical support 
    Unwanted occurrences like software outages, server outages, and server failures can prevent customers from accessing your website and making transactions at any moment. These not only result in income loss but also have an impact on your brand's reputation. You need swift technical support from your eCommerce platform to get out of such problems quickly and get your store operating normally once more. Because of this, you ought to select a platform that offers support just when you need it. Don't forget to ask these questions of the platform's customer support staff before choosing it.
    1. Scalability 
    You can expect your eCommerce business to expand over time. Therefore, you want to pick a platform that may grow together with your company. Additionally, the platform shouldn't demand outrageous prices for adding extra functionality and storage to accommodate your growing business needs.
    1. Pricing 
    One of the most crucial factors to take into account when selecting a platform for your store is the price. A number of variables, including design, configuration, self-hosting versus hosting, custom development, maintenance, etc., affect an eCommerce platform's cost. The costs of various eCommerce platforms vary. The initial monthly fee for the Shopify platform is $9, and the maximum monthly fee is $299.

  • What is the average cost of buying eCommerce platforms?

    • The costs of various eCommerce platforms vary. The initial monthly fee for the Shopify platform is $9, and the maximum monthly fee is $299. Volusion has a starting monthly fee of $15 and a maximum monthly fee of $299. BigCommerce has a $29.95 monthly minimum and a maximum of $249.95 monthly price. Starting at $19 per month and going up to $229 per month is the price range for 3dcart. Shopify is the best option for business owners that need a variety of features and add-ons in their app, whereas Volusion offers a more sales-focused experience. While 3dcart has a number of useful features and develops and manages eCommerce stores really effectively, BigCommerce is ideal for SEO purposes. It will be helpful to compare the costs of various platforms against their benefits and drawbacks on Cloudfindr.

  • Who should use eCommerce platforms?

    • An e-commerce platform is a piece of software that allows both the buyer and the supplier to participate and carry out their respective functions. Basically, a consumer should be able to browse products on an e-commerce site, add them to their basket, and then check out. People who want to Sell Out things as a means of business should use eCommerce Platforms to carry out their business in a cost-effective manner.

  • How does Cloudfinder help with eCommerce platforms?

    • Cloudfindr, the leading business software review site, provides online reviews and comparisons of the top eCommerce platforms on the market. "There are a lot of eCommerce platforms or software out there, so it can be tough to know which one is the right eCommerce platform for your business. Our detailed review will help businesses make an informed decision about which eCommerce platforms are best for their needs. The review includes detailed information about each eCommerce software, including features, pricing, and user reviews. Cloudfindr also provides a comparison chart to help businesses compare the top eCommerce business software side-by-side.