{"id":11702,"date":"2017-02-26T19:18:45","date_gmt":"2017-02-26T19:18:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/promotelabs.com\/blog\/?p=11702"},"modified":"2017-04-11T00:09:35","modified_gmt":"2017-04-11T04:09:35","slug":"ecommerce-platform-reviews-comparisons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/promotelabs.com\/blog\/ecommerce-platform-reviews-comparisons\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecommerce Platform Reviews & Comparisons"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the major hurdles to getting a storefront running is the task of getting your hands on a trusted, secure ecommerce platform so it’s important to read good solid ecommerce platform reviews… you have come to the right place!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In years past, shop owners needed to spend tens of thousands of dollars to hire developers to build this infrastructure. Today, you can lease an ecommerce platform for as little as $30 per month \u2013 and these are stable, secure platforms that look great and keep your customers\u2019 information safe.<\/p>\n

Two of the big players in this field include Shopify and BigCommerce. We\u2019ve tested them and reviewed every feature thoroughly for our own use. Now we\u2019re sharing what we\u2019ve learned with you so you can save some time and money.<\/p>\n

Take a look\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

[su_divider style=”double” divider_color=”#0a730d” link_color=”#287117″ size=”2″]<\/p>\n

Shopify Review<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Shopify<\/a> is a Canadian company that develops ecommerce and point-of-sale solutions for online merchants. They were founded in 2004, and today they report supporting over 300,000 merchants with a total gross merchandise volume exceeding $10 billion.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look to see if Shopify<\/a> is a good fit for your business\u2026<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Performance<\/h1>\n

A beautiful storefront does you no good if the platform doesn\u2019t leave the user with a good experience. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve tested Shopify<\/a>\u2019s speed and performance.<\/p>\n

TESTING NOTES:<\/strong> We used using Google Page Speed. The test store has 20 products and uses Shopify<\/a>\u2019s default free \u201cclassic\u201d theme. Products were bulk added from AliExpress to the store using this Shopify dropship app\u00a0 <\/a>).<\/p>\n

Always make sure to do your own tests with each theme you intend to use (including both free and paid themes). Be sure to also do these tests on various devices, as the speed and user experience are vary with each of these different themes.<\/p>\n

Here are our ratings:<\/h5>\n

Mobile Speed<\/strong>:\u00a0 68 \/ 100<\/p>\n

Mobile user experience<\/strong>: 97 \/ 100<\/p>\n

Desktop speed<\/strong>: 84 \/ 100<\/p>\n

Works great on mobile<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

SEO Friendly URL<\/strong>:\u00a0 Yes<\/p>\n

Performance Summary<\/h5>\n

Our testing shows the site not only looked great, but it also loaded fast enough on both desktop and mobile platforms. What\u2019s more, buyers can shop and purchase the goods directly from their mobile devices.<\/p>\n

Considering that more and more people are using their phones instead of their computers for shopping, checking out mobile performance is one of the top priorities on our review checklist. Shopify<\/a> passed the test with ease using the default free theme with no other additional editing and plugins added.<\/p>\n

Features<\/h1>\n

Does Shopify<\/a> have what you need to create the sort of store you\u2019re envisioning? Check out these essential features\u2026<\/p>\n

Essential\/ Included out of the box (with the basic $29\/ m plan )<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hosting<\/strong>: You get unlimited products, unlimited storage, and unlimited bandwidth on all plans.<\/p>\n

SEO tools (customizable meta data and URLs, bulk editing keywords, site map\u2026)<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

Product search<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

Ability to auto-send abandoned cart emails<\/strong>: \u00a0No, it\u2019s not part of the standard plan. However, you can get this feature on premium paid plans.<\/p>\n

Blog<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

Works great on mobile<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

Coupon and discount compatibility<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

Integrated ratings and reviews<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

Multiple product photos with zooming capability<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

Real-time shipping quotes<\/strong>: No, it\u2019s not part of the standard plan. However, you can get this feature on premium paid plans.<\/p>\n

Use own domain<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

Free templates<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

SSL<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

PCI compliance<\/strong>: Yes, Shopify<\/a> has Level 1 compliance with the 12-point Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS ).<\/p>\n

Reporting<\/strong>: Yes, basic reporting is included.\u00a0 Comprehensive reporting is available with some premium paid plans.<\/p>\n

\"Shopify<\/a><\/p>\n

Templates<\/strong>: Yes.<\/p>\n

One thing we like about Shopify<\/a> is that they have very nice, modern templates.<\/p>\n

Out of the box there are 24 free responsive templates that worked well on both desktop and mobile.\"Shopify<\/a><\/p>\n

Shopify<\/a> also has a nice assortment of stunning premium themes. They have over 140 paid themes at the time of this writing, which range from a reasonable $120-$180 per theme.<\/p>\n

\"Shopify<\/a><\/p>\n

Summary of Features<\/h5>\n

Shopify<\/a> gives you beautiful, free themes right out of the box, or you can purchase one from their collection of modern, polished themes.<\/p>\n

To accept payments, it\u2019s critical that your site is safe and secure. Shopify<\/a> makes this easy by taking the burden off your shoulder by providing PCI-compliant payment processing, even with the most basic plan. You don\u2019t have to worry about SSL, PCI compliance or security, as these services and features are provided to you at no additional cost.<\/p>\n

Take note that other companies, including BigCommerce, charge extra for these services, and\/or you can only get them with the premium, high-priced plans. The trade-off is that some of the other essential features are not included in Shopify<\/a>\u2019s basic plans. This leaves you with two choices: pay $29 a month plus opt for a paid add-on to get the features you need, or pick the $79 a month plan to get the essential functions covered.\u00a0 More on this in the price section below<\/p>\n

Extended features<\/h1>\n

Need more power, function and flexibility? Here\u2019s what Shopify<\/a> offers you\u2026<\/p>\n

Ability to handle subscriptions\/recurring product orders<\/strong>: Yes, this feature is available via a paid add on.<\/p>\n

Drop-shipping integration<\/strong>: Yes, with a paid add on.<\/p>\n

Ability to sell customizable products (like custom print)<\/strong>: Yes, it\u2019s available with an add on.<\/p>\n

Fulfillment by Amazon integration<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, but it\u2019s only available in some countries.<\/p>\n

Reward points program compatibility<\/strong>: Yes, this is available with a paid add on.<\/p>\n

Google trusted store<\/strong>: Yes, this is available with a paid add on, but only in select countries<\/p>\n

Affiliate system?<\/strong> Yes, this is available with a paid add on.<\/p>\n

Can sell digital product (in downloadable form )<\/strong>:\u00a0 Yes, this is available with a paid add on.<\/p>\n

Can sell physical products<\/strong>:\u00a0 Yes, this is the default setting.<\/p>\n

Can sell offline<\/strong>: Yes, you can sell offline. However, you\u2019ll need to invest $129 in the Shopify<\/a> card reader in order to process these Point Of Sale purchases.<\/p>\n

\"shopify<\/a><\/p>\n

App store<\/strong>: Shopify<\/a> has an amazing collection of over 1000 apps that are both free and paid. Because Shopify<\/a>\u2019s out-of-the-box features are a little on the slim side for the basic plan, chances are you will need an app to create the functionality you want.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Update<\/h5>\n

Shopify<\/a> introduced a brand new service called KitCRM. They call it \u201ca virtual employee\u201d that you can hire for $10 per month (or $25 per month for the pro plan).<\/p>\n

KitCRM a robot that can communicate with you through your phone via text messages. It can do the following tasks for you without you lifting a finger:[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#197d23″]<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Create Facebook and Instagram ads.<\/li>\n
  • Post Facebook updates to drive customer engagement.<\/li>\n
  • Send personalized ‘thank you’ emails to generate repeat purchases.<\/li>\n
  • Promote new or back-in-stock products to customers.<\/li>\n
  • Generate quick reports to provide insights on sales performance.[\/su_list]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Pro KitCRM<\/strong> can do even more by integrating with other Shopify<\/a> premium apps.<\/p>\n

    We tested the Pro Kit for two months and it did manage to get 100 new fans to our new FB page.<\/p>\n

    However it didn\u2019t produce any new sales, even though we spent three times more on Facebook advertising than we normally would. In the end we had to \u201cfire\u201d Kit. Maybe we can rehire Kit again in the future when it is smarter. J\u00a0\u00a0 But the idea, the concept and the way it works is very cool and\u00a0 promising. This could be an essential tool and a secret weapon for the new store owners who need help with promoting their stores (once Kit is more fully developed and capable).<\/p>\n

    You can learn more about Kit here<\/span><\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

    <\/a><\/p>\n

    App Summary<\/strong>: The bottom line is that Shopify<\/a>\u2019s huge collection of apps means you can configure the form and function of your store pretty much any way you want it. So while the basic plan is a little slim with regards to features, the upside is that you don\u2019t have to pay for features that you\u2019re not using. Instead, you only need to pay for add ons for the features you really want \u2013 and better yet, many of the apps are free.<\/p>\n

    Scalability<\/h1>\n

    If you\u2019re looking for a platform to grow with your business, then Shopify<\/a> is a good option. Take a look\u2026<\/p>\n

    Ability to sell across multiple channels<\/strong>:\u00a0 Yes<\/p>\n

    Number of Payment Gateways\/Options<\/strong>: 70+<\/p>\n

    Amazon, Ebay, Etsy Integration<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

    Facebook, Pinterest Sync<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

    Google Product Data Feed<\/strong>:\u00a0 Yes<\/p>\n

    Open API<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

    Design Customization<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

    Scalability Summary<\/h5>\n

    Shopify<\/a> is very flexible, plus it includes a huge app collection and large developer base (which is way more than any other companies currently are offering ). Together, these features make it easy for you to scale and grow your store. In short, the flexible Shopify<\/a> platform grows with your business.<\/p>\n

    Ease of use<\/h1>\n

    Will you be able to use Shopify<\/a>\u00a0out of the box, or will you need a developer to create your store for you? Here\u2019s our experience\u2026<\/p>\n

    Learning curve<\/strong>: Yes, there is a learning curve since any ecommerce solution is going to be a robust platform, but Shopify<\/a> is considered as one of the easier platforms to learn and use.<\/p>\n

    We found their how-to guide to be very detailed and thorough. We were able to set up the store ourselves without talking with live support.<\/p>\n

    Can someone without programming knowledge use it<\/strong>: Yes.<\/p>\n

    Support<\/h5>\n

    24\/7 support via\u2026<\/p>\n

    Phone support<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

    Chat support<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0 Yes<\/p>\n

    Email support<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n

    <\/a><\/p>\n

    Live support is excellent. The agents we talked with are knowledgeable, professional and helpful.<\/p>\n

    Price<\/strong><\/h1>\n
    Subscription Fee<\/h5>\n

    So, how much is Shopify<\/a>, and what do you get for your basic subscription monthly price?
    \n    <\/a><\/p>\n

    As you can see, you can get started with Shopify<\/a> for as little as $29 per month, with the option to easily upgrade at any time.<\/p>\n

    Shopify<\/a> Plus is an enterprise level solution, with plans starting at $2000 a month and going up.\u00a0 You\u2019ll need to contact Shopify<\/a> with the details of your store in order to get a real time quote for their professional staff.<\/p>\n

    Shopify<\/a> has several pricing models, but you\u2019ll note that some essential functions are only available with the $79 a month and above plans. We tried the basic plan and found it is pretty limited, as it didn\u2019t allow multiple shipping rates besides free shipping. What\u2019s more, manually sending email one-by-one to abandoned checkout users is not a smart way to do it.<\/p>\n

    Other big advantages of the $79 per month plan are the discounted credit card rates (2.6% + 30\u00a2), which can really add up over time when you\u2019re doing high-volume sales. With this premium plan, you also get features and options such as distributing gift cards, \u00a0receiving professional reports, \u00a0and getting access to five staff accounts.<\/p>\n

    Transaction Fee<\/h5>\n

    In addition to the monthly subscription fees notes above, there is a transaction fee. This fee varies depending on which payment gateway you use for your store.<\/a><\/p>\n

    Shopify Payments<\/h5>\n

    If your store uses Shopify<\/a> Payments, then there is no transaction fee. But keep in mind you still need to pay the credit card processing fee.<\/p>\n

    Shopify<\/a> uses this formula to calculate transaction fees for a 30-day period: (for Shopify payments):<\/p>\n

    [(cost of products – discounts) + tax + shipping charges] x rate<\/p>\n

    The rate for transaction charges varies depending on your\u00a0pricing plan<\/a>. Get more details\u00a0here<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    <\/a><\/p>\n

    Third-Party Payment Gateways<\/h5>\n

    If you do not use Shopify<\/a> Payments, and instead you opt for\u00a0one of the other payment gateways that Shopify<\/a> supports, your transaction fees will be set to 2% (for the Basic plan),\u00a01% (for the Shopify<\/a> plan), or 0.5% (for those using the Advanced Shopify<\/a> plan).<\/p>\n

    This means you’ll be charged transaction fees on every order processed in your store, PLUS you\u2019ll need to pay the credit card rate and other fees charged by your payment gateway provider. Be sure to factor in all of these fees when you\u2019re setting your prices and making other business decisions.<\/a><\/p>\n

    Other fees<\/h5>\n

    In addition to the fees listed above, you may have these fees as well:<\/p>\n

    + App fee if you use paid apps.<\/p>\n

    + Applicable tax.<\/p>\n

    Conclusion<\/h1>\n

    For those looking for a hosted shopping cart or similar ecommerce solution, Shopify<\/a> is at the top the list for its beautiful design, speed, performance, user-friendliness,\u00a0 scalability and security. It\u2019s also at the forefront of marketing automation with the AI KitCRM system.<\/p>\n

    With Shopify<\/a>, you don\u2019t have to worry about hosting, server management, security updates, PCI compliance, SSL certificates or similar issues.\u00a0 You can set up a gorgeous store and start driving traffic and testing the market in a matter of days instead of months.<\/p>\n

    Shopify<\/a> is quite flexible, as you can use it to sell online and offline. In addition, you can use it to sell both physical products and downloadable digital products. It can handle one-off payments, as well as recurring subscription payments. The downside is that it can be costly, largely due to the number of paid add-ons needed depending on your business model.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re running a drop-shipping business using AliExpress, Amazon, or eBay, then one of the best drop shipping apps that we used ourselves is this one, which integrated seamlessly with Shopify<\/a>. With this app, the automation process is incredible, it is a huge time saver when you\u2019re creating your store.\u00a0 That could be an important factor to choose Shopify<\/a> over other solutions if you are looking into automating your drop shipping business. Check it out here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Click Below\u00a0to Discover the BEST Way to Get Started With Your Shopify Store…
    \n