Shopify is easily one of the most popular e-commerce options for people launching their online store. The problem is that this isn’t a perfect solution, especially if you’ve reached a point in your online store where you need to grow further.
There are plenty of features that Shopify may be missing, which isn’t an issue for those starting out but can be a major problem as you grow, such as being unable to update stock and a lacklustre blogging platform. It’s also extremely difficult to scale your options in new categories.
If you have found that Shopify no longer meets your needs, you need an option that is easy to migrate to and will scale to meet whatever your needs are at any specific moment. These are 5 of the best Shopify alternatives for you to consider.
1. BigCommerce
With BigCommerce, you get the flexibility that you get with a simple drag-and-drop editor and streamlined multi-channel selling.
While there are only a few free theme offerings, these are versatile themes that can be used across various industries and are actually pretty high quality and sleek considering they are free.
The streamlined multi-channel capabilities allow you to manage all of your stores on various sites like Facebook, Pinterest, eBay, and Amazon.
There are different plans for you to choose from, depending on your need and budget. The plans can start as low as $29.50 per month and go up to $249.95 per month.
There are limited annual sales volume, which means you will need to upgrade plans if you earn more than $50,000. If you forget to, BigCommerce will automatically upgrade you.
There are some pros and cons for you to consider with BigCommerce.
Pros
- Offers users a one-size-fits-all solution for your e-commerce needs
- Multi-channel selling
- Many integrations
- No extra transaction fees
Cons
- Can be expensive if you have a high volume store
- Limited customization options
- No one-click post-purchase upsells options
2. WooCommerce
One of the first things you’ll notice about this option is that it is free, however, you will have to factor in that this isn’t its own platform so you need to also find a place to host it.
With all of the fees associated with hosting your own website, it could cost you up to an additional $200 not counting any monthly fees for hosting if you don’t pay annually. There are premium options you can invest in, which gives you more functionality. The free option may be sufficient enough for you, especially to start off with.
This is a WordPress plugin, which if you already have WordPress you can add onto your existing page. It can be easier to install and use if you use WordPress. An appealing consideration with WooCommerce is that you own your platform, which gives you more control over the website. Any add-ons you choose to invest in for your store is only a one-time payment, which is unlike the regular payments Shopify requires.
Here are the pros and cons.
Pros
- User-friendly (easy to set up and use.)
- Option for one-click post-purchase upsells
- No transaction fees
- Seamlessly integrates into WordPress
- Free plan offerings
Cons
- Can be slow
- No real or official customer support
- Requires you to host it yourself
- Does require some more advance tech skills
Must Read: WooCommerce vs Shopify in 2021: Who Comes Out On Top?
3. 3D Cart
One thing that makes 3D Cart stand out is the fact that it’s a cloud-hosted platform that offers plenty of great features with prices that are flexible enough to meet your budget. What makes this option truly incredible is that it allows for unlimited product storage, giving you the scalability that you are looking for.
You can expect to pay between $19 and $229 per month for 3D Cart. With the monthly fees, you can access basic SEO tools, excellent security, subscriptions, abandoned cart emails, and other amazing features that make running your store easier.
With so many great features, this could be the perfect option for you to look at for your e-commerce needs. However, you should consider the pros and cons before taking the leap to this platform.
Pros
- Payment support for over 70 payment gateways
- Great store speeds/fast load times
- Unlimited listings
- Web design service in-house
Cons
- Slower service
- Lacklustre mobile UX
- Outdated themes
- Often issues when upgrading
4. Magento
Magento is a great option to consider because this is a free downloadable open-source platform that has a lot of amazing features.
This is an ideal option for those e-commerce businesses that fit into the mid-sized to large range, particularly if you have your own programmers that work with your business.
If you have experience with coding or have someone who is experienced in it, you can access a lot of different advanced customizations for your store.
It’s important to know that this is only an option that should be considered by those people who have more advanced coding or tech skills. Beginners may struggle with this platform because it isn’t a plug-and-play option.
Where this platform shines, in addition to its features, is that you can get a flexible and scalable platform that can be customized and optimized to your business’ specific needs.
These are some pros and cons for you to think about.
Pros
- Thousands of options for responsive designs and extensions
- Plenty of payment gateway options
- Awesome SEO tools
- Great tools for inventory management
- No monthly fees
Cons
- Not ideal for beginners/people without coding or tech skills
- Does require you to host it
- Requires user to have coding skills
5. Wix
Wix is an option that you may have heard about, but not really sure what it offers you. Wix excels at simplifying creating an online store. You get everything that you need to set it up thanks to the easy-to-use interface.
Best of all, there are affordable plans that can help you get the Shopify alternative you need, in a price that works best for you.
With Wix, you have access to over 100 stellar templates, plenty of apps, theme options that are highly customizable, and anything else that users of all skill levels could possibly need.
When setting up your site, you could use their ADI assistant or the Wix Editor. With ADI, the website will suggest a configuration for your store based on how you answer their questionnaire.
The Wix Editor gives you complete control over the site and its customization. However, it’s still incredibly easy to use since it primarily uses a drag-and-drop approach to design. The pricing plans here can range from $5 per month to $24.50 per month.
These are the pros and cons of choosing Wix.
Pros
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Tutorials for beginners and self-learners
- Plenty of great features
- Over 100 templates to get a completely unique design
- Can use several different payment gateways
- Free plans available, with Wix branding on sites
Cons
- Bandwidth
- Traffic limits
- Limited apps when compared to Shopify
- Lack of SEO
Shopify is the popular e-commerce solution for a reason, but this isn’t the best option for everyone especially a growing business. Any of these options can be the perfect Shopify alternative for you to consider when Shopify just doesn’t work for your needs.