Starting and managing a successful online store is easier said than done. There are plenty of parameters to consider and considering the investment that goes into running an online store, the stakes are high. It does not help that you will inevitably have to face stiff competition if you become a part of this trillion-dollar industry. So, do not hesitate to take major steps if it will help your online store become more successful, even if that means carrying out a full-fledged Umbraco to WordPress CMS migration. That said, it is important to first know what the best eCommerce CMS is and how to select the right one for your online store. Let’s get started with that.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the best eCommerce CMS

When you are choosing a CMS for your online store, you need to consider the right combination of the following factors, before arriving at a decision:

• Budget
• Basic and Advanced Features
• Customizability of the CMS
• Scalability
• Plugins and Extensions
• Customer Support

When deciding on a CMS, ensure that you go through this list and that the platform you choose fares well in all of these areas.

Best eCommerce CMS For Your Online Store

If you want to take your online store to the next level, you need to have the right eCommerce CMS supporting your goals. With that in mind, here are the top eCommerce CMSes you want to consider implementing for your website:

#1 WooCommerce

If you already have a WordPress website that you would now like to convert into an online store, or even if you are starting from scratch, WooCommerce is a good option to consider. WooCommerce is a popular, open-source platform known for its elegant themes and extensions.

It is also known to be a great alternative for publishing different types of written and video content and for integrating your social media and SEO strategy into your online store. It is basically a free platform, but you can upgrade your website with paid plans and plugins. 

The only drawbacks that you will have to consider in the process is arranging for hosting services on your own and having limited technical support if you decide not to go with any of the paid plans.

#2 BigCommerce

BigCommerce is another major eCommerce platform that serves as the backend of many mid- and large-size online stores. Online retailers can easily create and manage their websites using BigCommerce, as it offers a powerful and flexible website editor. 

Online stores can take advantage of customizable templates, and editable HTML and CSS code. This platform is a good choice for smaller businesses that want to create a website quickly and even larger businesses that want to have a website with advanced features.

BigCommerce integrates a lot of eCommerce features, such as web hosting, third-party app integration, a user-friendly website builder, timely customer support, and enterprise client services. BigCommerce SEO features are also very useful in propelling online stores to get more visibility and sales.

#3 Shopify

When we talk about eCommerce CMSes, the mention of Shopify is necessary, considering it is tailored to build successful eCommerce websites. It is a highly powerful and well-equipped CMS platform and can save your business a lot of time and effort.

Shopify can host your website on their servers, thus saving you a lot of effort and time that you might otherwise spend on buying a domain name and web hosting. The best part is that even as a novice, you will be able to get your website up and running in no time with the wide selection of Shopify themes and templates.

The platform also allows you to edit the HTML and CSS code associated with a website so if you have a team of experienced developers, you can put your own spin on your Shopify store. This customization capability is particularly useful when implementing strategies to build social proof on your Shopify store, such as embedding customer testimonials, integrating user-generated content, or showcasing reviews and ratings prominently. These elements not only enhance your store’s credibility but also create a more trustworthy shopping experience, helping to convert visitors into loyal customers.

#4 Squarespace

For an online store that is still finding its place in the industry, Squarespace is the perfect CMS platform to consider. For starters, Squarespace is the easiest eCommerce platform for beginners who want to explore, create, and manage an online store on their own.

Squarespace offers plenty of attractive and functional website templates for your online store, and implementing them is made easier with the user-friendly drag-and-drop editor. Here’s a curation of some of the best Squarespace templates.
Squarespace also includes many crucial functions, such as hosting, mobile-centric designs, and even payment processing features.

Squarespace’s drawback, however, lies in the lack of customization in eCommerce design and functionality.

#5 Wix

Wix offers a powerful AI-powered website builder that doubles down as an eCommerce CMS, securing a strong spot on this list. You can build and manage your online store with Wix by subscribing to one of their “Business & eCommerce Plans”.

Wix, however, is your quintessential beginner-friendly eCommerce CMS platform. The platform lacks customizability and advanced features that can make or break your online store. While the platform offers a huge selection of templates and designs that online retailers can choose from, it is difficult for you to add or edit something to the template.

Wix also offers a lot of theme options for mobile commerce and a simple and effective inventory management system that works well for small online stores and dropshipping stores. However, leveraging cloud-based blogging platforms and similar tools can help you overcome these limitations by providing additional customization options. For instance, you can use Wix for blogging, taking advantage of these tools to enhance your site’s functionality and aesthetic appeal.

#6 Prestashop

Looking for a CMS that can balance functionality and efficiency? PrestaShop might fit the bill really well. PrestaShop is a highly user-friendly CMS that is lightweight and grants users significant control over website setup and management.

Unlike Wix, PrestaShop is also highly flexible, and a freemium-open source platform. This means that similar to WordPress and Shopify, the core platform is free but any other additional features are available for extra pricing. Another major drawback with PrestaShop is that the hosting will have to be taken care of by the user.

If you have a team of developers, you can edit all the code on a typical PrestaShop website and mold it as per your preferences. Alternatively, you can also use the drag-and-drop editor to create a website on your own, if you are not that tech-savvy.

#7 OpenCart

If you are just starting out in the eCommerce industry and are working on a fairly tight budget, you might want to consider OpenCart for your CMS. It is a freehand open-source platform that offers a lot of basic and advanced eCommerce features that you can leverage for your online store.

The only issue is that there is a little bit of a learning curve to the platform and requires you to have at least basic technological skills to be able to operate it without a hitch. You can also enjoy several additional features and business services for an additional cost.

A typical OpenCart website can contain more than 14,000 extensions and still work seamlessly. The platform will also allow you to monitor your store performance, overall revenues, as well as orders and customers. You can also access enterprise support services and store backups against extra payment.

Wrapping Up

For any online store, the eCommerce CMS behind it can either make or break its performance. If your online store has the potential to be a success in the eCommerce industry and just requires the technical and digital infrastructure to get there, choosing the right eCommerce CMS might help you get there.  If you need expert assistance to start your eCommerce business, contact Website Design Coventry. They specialize in creating robust and scalable online stores. They have delivered more than 100 websites and are award winning agency in coventry, UK. With a team of experienced professionals, they are able offer comprehensive eCommerce solutions to meet your unique business needs, ensuring seamless functionality, engaging design, and up to mark user experience.

Lucy Manole

Lucy is a creative content writer and strategist at Marketing Digest. She specializes in writing about digital marketing, technology, entrepreneurship, and education. When she is not writing or editing, she spends time reading books, cooking, and traveling.