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What’s the Best platform for your online store WordPress, Square space, or Shopify?
When it comes to building an online store, there are plenty of options. Three leading platforms dominating the e-commerce space are WordPress, Squarespace and Shopify. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Cost and maintenance often seem to be significant deciding factors, though others prefer having complete ownership/control of their website. No matter your priorities and needs, there’s a platform out there for you and we are happy to assist you in making an informed decision.
WordPress
WordPress is the most popular platform for bloggers and small businesses. It’s one of the best website builders, with unlimited possibilities and customizations. Free and easy to use, it’s one of the best website builders, with endless options and customizations. WordPress was initially designed for bloggers but is now a leading option for online sales. The function of wanting to add e-commerce is as simple as clicking a button.
Base cost:
- Registering a domain and hosting from a third-party provider, such as GreenGeeks or SiteGround hosting, from $5 – $35/mo
- WordPress platform and WooCommerce plugin are fully open source, meaning they are entirely FREE for download and use. I’m telling the truth; they’re absolutely free!
Square space
Square space has made a massive leap with its latest offerings. They are well known for their clean, out-of-the-box, clean templates with a modern feel and look. Originally they were a website builder for portfolio creators but have now branched out and strained to send their e-commerce more recently. It offers unique features like built-in analytics and e-commerce capabilities that make it easy to build an online store without hassle. Squarespace has over 50 templates to choose from when building your site; however, customizing it to fit your brand’s style can be limiting.
Base cost:
- Their most popular plan business is $23/mo, allowing you to sell fully integrated e-commerce with a 3% translation fee.
- Their basic commerce plan is $27/mo, fully integrated e-commerce with a 0% translation fee, check out on your domain, and powerful merchandising.
Shopify
Shopify was initially designed to help merchants build and launch their online stores. It’s built on a store perspective, an overall e-commerce system, and an online editor to help develop your site straightforwardly. It offers hundreds of themes to help customize the look of your store, and it also integrates with all major payment processors so that customers can quickly check out.
Base cost:
- Their most popular plan, Basic, is $51/mo, giving you everything you need to start creating your store, from shipping products to processing payments. Also, up to 45% shipping discount.
- Upgrading to Shopify or Advance plan starting at $132/mo up to $517/mo will lower credit card rates and advance reporting.
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Here’s the run-down
WordPress
Pro – free, best customization, shop + services
Con – harder to manage and requires maintenance
Shopify
Pro – e-commerce specific, built-in marketing and analytics options
Con – hidden fees, not ideal for service-based businesses, more expensive than other options
Squarespace
Pro – easily set up
Con – Not easy to customize
Still not sure which platform is best for your business? Book a meeting with us and we would be happy to help you.
