Best CMS for eCommerce

Key Features of Shopify:

• Simple to alter the storefront.
• Cart for mobile commerce that is built in.
• Created sitemap.xml.
• Inventory management.
• Take control of your shop even when you’re not there.

Pros:

• Several online retailers find Shopify to be the most user-friendly platform available.
• Offers a variety of tasteful, expert, and mobile-friendly templates to choose from.
• Apps for sales, bookkeeping, stock control, shipment, and more is readily available to users.
• Shopify has round-the-clock customer service.

Cons:

• Shopify lacks the versatility of other self-hosted systems, so your store will be limited to the features it provides.
• There are a lot of paid Shopify themes available.
• Extensive modifications to the theme may necessitate the assistance of a professional.
• The beneficial Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) functionality is locked behind a paywall.

Pricing of Shopify:

• The monthly fee for Basic Shopify is $29.
• Shopify is $79/month.
• The monthly fee for Advanced Shopify is $299.
• Shopify Plus is $2,000/month.

3.3 WooCommerce

According to Statista, WooCommerce held a 38.74%  worldwide market share as of July 2022, making it the most powerful eCommerce platform in the world. 

In reality, WooCommerce is a plugin that converts a WordPress site into a shopping cart. It’s an appealing option for those looking to open an online store because of the abundance of available free plugins and skins. More so, these may be incorporated simply and quickly, with just a single click, to activate various functions.

One of this eCommerce platform’s strongest points is its ease of use. It’s a breeze to set up and start using. In addition, the many resources available to you as a WordPress user community are invaluable. Since WordPress is freely accessible, its source code may be altered to suit the needs of the business.

Key Features of Woocommerce: 

• Accepts Payments from 140+ Regional Payment Processors.
• Provides a number of free SEO add-ons.
• With over a thousand different options, WooCommerce has something for everyone.
• Useful for a variety of retail settings

Pros:

• Add many useful features to WooCommerce at no cost.
• WooCommerce is an open-source plugin for WordPress.
• WooCommerce is a straightforward alternative to more complex content management systems.
• Theme modification is a breeze.
• WooCommerce stores load quickly and have all the necessary functionality at the ready.
• Products without limits.
• Provide a lot of add-ons to work with.
• SEO-friendly.
• Complete editorial freedom.
• well-known to those who use WordPress.

Cons:

• You will need to make sure your store’s administrator is familiar with WordPress and WooCommerce inside and out.
• Some add-ons require a fee to be paid before they may be installed.
• Hosting and domain registration costs are the exclusive responsibility of the user.
• The WooCommerce plugin frequently falls behind the latest version of WordPress.
• WordPress themes are required for use on the platform.

Pricing of WooCommerce:

WooCommerce is free, and there is no cost to download or set up.

3.4 BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) eCommerce platform that facilitates website creation, administration, and upkeep for online retailers. Famous companies like Toyota, Burrow, and Skullcandy all use it as their eCommerce cms. Here’s a graph showing the different sites having BigCommerce Market Share from 2010 to 2022.

Among numerous eCommerce software suppliers, BigCommerce has  drawn big names in the business because of the robustness and adaptability of their website editor. You may use their editable templates, and you can also modify the HTML and CSS code.

Given this, BigCommerce is a solid option for online businesses of all sizes, from startups in need of a rapid website to established brands with the means to employ developers to create custom e-commerce solutions.

BigCommerce’s content management system (CMS) is also compatible with a wide range of useful e-commerce add-ons. Features like comprehensive search engine optimization, sales metrics, and a range of social media-centric advertising tools are all included.

Key Features of BigCommerce:

• Web hosting is a breeze with BigCommerce.
• The use of external programs and add-ons is possible.
• Simple and straightforward website creation tool.
• Provides solid backing for blog creation.
• A selection of 12 starter layouts.
• Many other online payment options are available, including PayPal.
• Corporate customers get access to their development services.

Pros:

• Great usability and simplicity.
• Rapidly loaded online storefront.
• Several different templates to choose from.
• Effective for search engine optimization and natural rankings.
• Friendlier service to the customers.
• Compatible out-of-the-box with a wide variety of add-ons and software.
• Pre-assembled weblog format.
• Simple editable fields.
• Staff accounts are unlimited.

Cons:

• BigCommerce’s prices are higher than those of competing platforms.
• Online sales are capped annually, and if you want more you’ll have to pay for a more expensive subscription.
• The integrated blog does not support RSS feeds.

Pricing of BigCommerce:

• Standard: The norm is $29.95 each month.
• Plus: $79.95 per month
• Pro: It’s only $299.95 a month
• Enterprise: individual quotes.

3.5 OpenCart

OpenCart is an open-source shopping cart that anybody may use for free. In 2022, Opencart  held 2.96% of the platform wise eCommerce market shares. 

The platform has many useful features and is simple to implement and use. It features a booming bazaar with over 13000 extensions, and it has a wide selection of e-commerce designs. Additionally, the platform supports the seven most popular payment methods and 36 other gateways. OpenCart is an excellent option for ecommerce businesses with few resources who want to enter the e-commerce market.

Key Features of OpenCart:

• A centralized administrative interface displaying summaries of orders, sales, and customers.
• Device-agnostic and swift to respond.
• Keep track of everything for all of your shops with just one login.
• Incorporate a wide range of customization options and product characteristics.
• Easily make an infinite number of product types and listings.
• Promotional coupons and discounts.

Pros:

• No cost for the core features.
• OpenCart’s extension system provides easy access to cutting-edge e-commerce tools.
• Very adaptable if you know PHP.

Cons:

• Some of the themes lack the cutting-edge appeal of newer SaaS content management system (CMS) e-commerce sites.
• You’ll have to shell out money for services like hosting and security certifications.

Pricing of OpenCart:

• Free of cost

3.6 PrestaShop

According to W3Techs, PrestaShop is used by 1.1% of all the websites whose content management system. 

PrestaShop is a content management system (CMS) that is both lightweight and simple while providing users with extensive freedom in setting up and managing their online stores.

In keeping with the ‘freemium’ open-source business model, the bare-bones software is available at no cost, while additional functionality is offered for a fee. If you want your own website, you’ll have to pay for it.

A web developer can modify any part of the PrestaShop code on your behalf. This can inspire creative approaches to e-commerce website development.

After the framework is in place, you may add functionality-enhancing modules to your online shop. Using extensions, you may enhance your SEO efforts or increase your Facebook and Instagram sales, for example.

Key Features of PrestaShop:

• Simple format editor for making new layouts.
• Connects smoothly to several social networks.
• A lead-generating advertising add-on is available.
• You may integrate eCommerce payment gateways in a number of ways.
• In addition to the paid version, the free one is safe.

Pros:

• Simple in both setup and use.
• The open-source shopping cart PrestaShop costs nothing to use.
• The layout of PrestaShop makes it simple even for non-technical people to utilize.
• Modifications are simple to make.
• Allow only safe and secure payment methods, such as PayPal and Google Pay.

Cons:

• Due to its restricted scalability, PrestaShop is best suited for small to medium-sized shops.
• Rather than having an internal support staff, PrestaShop relies on third-party vendors for assistance.
• PrestaShop’s layout is not optimal for a dynamic retail establishment.
• The cost of extras might add up.

Pricing of PrestaShop:

• While PrestaShop itself has no cost, hosting and additional modules will incur fees.

Other CMS Having Capabilities of eCommerce:

3.7 Drupal

There are many websites that utilize Drupal since it is free and open-source. In spite of this, it is possible to add eCommerce functionality via plugins, despite the fact that it is not an eCommerce-focused platform on its own. Plugins can be used to accomplish fundamental facets of an ecommerce platform, such as order administration, a shopping cart, and the ability to accept payments. However, the platform is not necessarily user-friendly for those who lack programming experience. 

Here’s data of different sites using Drupal on the interrent. The comparison is shown between 10k sites, 100k sites and 1M sites.

Key Features of Drupal:

• Integrated process workflow.
• Adaptable and modular.
• Language support is extensive.

Pros:

• You are not tied down to any one SaaS ecommerce CMS when you utilize Drupal to build your ecommerce marketplace.
• Drupal allows you to effortlessly develop content and publish it whenever you wish thanks to its back-end and front-end separation.

Cons:

• Complicated Use and Reliance on Online Forums for Help.
• Not as extensive a collection of add-ons and extensions as WordPress.

Pricing of Drupal:

• Pricing is free, and there is no cost to download or set up.

3.8 Squarespace

Squarespace is another best ecommerce cms solution because it provides everything a store needs in a single, user-friendly package.  The Squarespace Commerce feature makes it possible to create online shops on the content-focused Squarespace platform. It’s a one-stop shop for web hosting, domain name registration, weblogs, and e-commerce.

Squarespace’s eCommerce website construction capabilities, which include a drag-and-drop editor and pre-made designs from professional web designers, are ideal for beginners. It works with every major social media site, allowing you to maximize your social media marketing efforts and, ultimately, your social media sales.

Squarespace’s market share is 3% among all websites on the internet, according to BuiltWith.com. From 2021 to 2022 they’ve grown their market share by 17%. Their biggest competitor Wix currently captures 3.6% of the market.

Key Features of Squarespace:

• Use Squarespace analytics to monitor your site’s success.
• Tools integrated for instantaneous tax computations.
• Facilitates the marketing of subscriptions
• Control your stock completely using an API, alerts, and a dedicated control panel.

Pros:

• A wonderful mix of no limits on purchases and no hidden costs.
• A plethora of excellent selections for templates.
• It’s quite simple to use.

Cons:

• There is no telephone assistance, however a live chat feature is available around the clock.

Pricing of Squarespace:

• The monthly fee of the Basic Commerce plan is $26.
• The monthly fee of the Advanced Commerce plan is $40.

3.9 Wix

According to W3Techs, Wix is used by 3.6% of all the websites whose content management system. Wix may be used as both a generic website builder and a content management system for online stores. In order to use their ecommerce cms platforms , you will need to subscribe to one of its “Business & E-commerce Plans.”

Wix’s ecommerce CMS sacrifices some degree of customization for the sake of simplicity and convenience. Wix’s out-of-the-box e-commerce solutions may not have as much design flexibility as those offered by competing SaaS ecommerce platforms, but they look excellent.

There are more than 500 different designs to pick from, so you won’t feel hemmed in.

When compared to other website builders, Wix lacks some of the more complex tools necessary for running an effective online business. Wix’s eCommerce content management system solutions may not provide all of the features you want, such as the ability to tailor your site to individual visitors, implement various types of discounts, or analyze user behavior.

Key Features of Wix:

• Wix offers a wide variety of high-quality e-commerce free and paid themes.
• Quickly installed, user-friendly software.
• Superior choices for mobile shopping.
• The blogging platform is included inside the CMS.
• Easily manages stock with no effort.

Pros:

• Wix ecommerce offers great value.
• No commissions.
• Templates are abundant.

Cons: 

• Several features require premium subscriptions.
• Site customization is limited.

Pricing of Wix:

• The monthly fee of the Business Basic plan is $17.
• Business Unlimited plan is $25/month.
• The monthly fee of the Business VIP plan is $35.

3.10 Joomla

In the same way that WordPress and Drupal both support eCommerce through plugins, Joomla does as well. By installing one of the many free extensions for Joomla, any website may be turned into an online store. According to W3Techs, Joomla’s market share among content management systems is 2.7%. 

The store’s look, feel, and features may all be altered to meet individual needs. It’s a handy tool for making malleable online storefronts since it assists with everything from setting up an online store  to displaying products for sale.

Key Features of Joomla:

• Multiple options for design.
• Wide variety of add ons.
• Provides access to fundamental tools for improving search engine rankings.

Pros:

• It is open-source.
• Users may add anything since the source code is editable. 
• Joomla has been proven as one of the best eCommerce CMS because of its active community. Joomla’s forum offers professional store owners’ tips, methods, and guidance.

Cons:

• Joomla’s subscription fees are quite more for an open-source eCommerce CMSs. 
• Design and upkeep cost about $2000 each month, in addition to domain and hosting fees. Joomla users must pay development fees since they cannot get guidance from large communities like WordPress.

Pricing of Joomla:

• It’s free to use and set up, with no cost involved.

4. Conclusion

Every day, the landscape of online business seems to transform into something new. That’s why it’s so challenging to settle on a solid content management system for online stores; there are so many factors to take into account, from marketing and design to technological capacities and even the company’s long-term goals.

Whether you prefer to emphasize e-commerce or advertising, keep in mind that consumers have grown to expect strong user experience, inventive product presentations, and compelling brand objectives from companies of all sizes. Adding a compelling story to your sales pitch might boost your success rate.