Top 5 Best Ecommerce Platforms in Australia: Which one is best for you?
As the sun rises on Australia’s bustling cities, countless businesses are opening their doors to welcome their daily influx of customers. But in today’s digital age, these aren’t just physical doors. They’re virtual ones, leading to online stores that are bustling with activity around the clock. To open these virtual doors, each online business will need an ecommerce platform.
Outline
Key Takeaways
Top 5 ecommerce platforms in Australia for streamlined online sales: Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix, Squarespace & WooCommerce.
Prioritise payment processing and security. Customise and integrate to create a unique store.
Consider pricing comparison when choosing the right platform that aligns with your business model needs.
Top 5 Ecommerce Platforms in Australia
Here are the top five standout ecommerce platforms for Australian sellers:
Each platform has found its unique position in the market by catering to diverse business types, offering distinctive features, user-friendly interfaces, and varied pricing plans.
Shopify: The Market Leader
When you think of an online store builder, odds are Shopify springs to mind. As one of the best ecommerce platforms, Shopify is the go-to choice for many businesses, both big and small. The secret to its success lies in its extensive range of tools, features, and integrations. However, it’s not all smooth sailing with Shopify. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
Extensive range of tools, features, and integrations
User-friendly interface
Excellent customer support
Secure and reliable platform
Cons:
Higher fees for non-Shopify payments, which can add up if you’re processing a large volume of transactions
Limited customisation options for themes
Additional costs for certain features and apps
Shopify presents three primary pricing options: Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify. Each comes with a unique set of features, with the cost increasing as the plans become more advanced. Prices for Shopify’s plans span from A$56 to A$575+ per month. Bear in mind, that the Basic plan includes a transaction fee of 1.75% plus $30, which should be considered in your budget planning.
Please note: Pricing is subject to change so always check the provider’s website!
BigCommerce: Scalable Solution
For businesses with complex inventories that need a robust ecommerce site, BigCommerce is a popular choice. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of ecommerce platforms, offering a host of advanced features used to help businesses scale up their operations. Yet, the platform has its limitations. It offers limited free themes, can be a bit tricky to navigate, and imposes limits on annual online sales for each tiered plan.
On the pricing front, BigCommerce offers plans ranging from USD 29.95 to USD 299.95 per month. But keep in mind, that each plan comes with a sales cap. If your online store is a hit and you surpass these limits, you’ll need to upgrade to a higher plan.
Wix: User-Friendly Website Builder
If you’re looking for a user-friendly website builder that won’t require a PhD in computer science to use, Wix could be your perfect match. Known for its great visual editor and comprehensive ecommerce features at an affordable cost, Wix is a popular choice for small businesses and solopreneurs. However, it’s not without its flaws. Customer service is not optimal, and you won’t be able to export your website if you decide to switch to other platforms in the future.
Wix provides several key features to support the growth of an online business, similar to Squarespace, with a few differences. As for the pricing, Wix plans start at A$15 per month, going up to $179 per month. It’s like a buffet of features at a la carte prices, so you can pick and choose what suits your business best.
Squarespace: Design-Focused Platform
For those who believe in the power of design, Squarespace might be the best ecommerce platform for you. Here are some key features of Squarespace:
Simple, stylish designs
A popular choice among creatives and small business owners
Limited third-party integrations
Extra fee for the cheapest online store plan
Squarespace offers a range of pricing plans, from $16 to $52 per month. The platform also charges a 3% transaction fee on its cheapest online store plan, so make sure to factor that into your budget. On the bright side, Squarespace’ free plan offers a 14-day free trial, so you can test drive the platform before committing to a paid plan.
WooCommerce: WordPress Integration
If your business is already using WordPress for its existing website already, WooCommerce could be the perfect ecommerce platform for you. WooCommerce is a free, open-source plugin that transforms a content-driven WordPress website into an ecommerce store. However, while the plugin itself is free, the total cost per month can range from $20 for a basic online store to $1500+ for a high-turnover store.
WooCommerce provides a variety of features and tools for e-commerce, including:
Integrations with other apps and plugins
Marketing tools
SEO tools
Inventory management solutions
Tap to Pay feature for contactless transactions
However, integrating apps and plugins can be challenging and costs can accumulate rapidly. If you’re not tech-savvy, you might need to hire an expert to set up your WooCommerce store.
Payment Processing and Security
Running an online store necessitates that your payment system processing and security are as prioritised as the products being sold. It’s like the lock on your front door – you wouldn’t leave it open for anyone to walk in, right? The same goes for your online store. You need to ensure that your customers’ payment information is secure and that your business complies with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
For instance, BigCommerce provides sophisticated security tools and transparently discloses its audit logging, data security practices, and conformity with global standards. But security is not just about protecting your business; it’s also about ensuring a smooth shopping experience for your customers. A reliable web hosting and provider can guarantee your website’s accessibility, provide fast loading speeds, and safeguard against potential cyber threats.
Customisation and Integrations
Just as businesses differ, so should e-commerce platforms too. Customisation and integrations are the tools that allow you to mold your e-commerce platform to fit your business like a glove.
For example, Shopify offers an extensive range of customisation options, such as:
The ability to select and customise themes
Edit page templates
Modify theme settings
Add, remove, edit, and rearrange content
These features allow you to create your own online store for selling online, unique and personalised, that aligns with your own domain name and brand and meets your specific needs.
However, customisation not only enhances the aesthetics of your online store but also integrates it with necessary tools for efficient business operations.
Be mindful that not all ecommerce platforms offer the same level of customisation and integrations. For instance, Squarespace, while known for its simple, stylish designs, has limited integration capabilities and a lack of a sophisticated order management system for scaling an operation.
Mobile Responsiveness and SEO
In the current mobile-centric era, the importance of a mobile-responsive online store matches that of a busy storefront. More and more people are shopping online on their mobile devices, and if your online store isn’t mobile-friendly, you could be missing out on a significant chunk of potential customers. It’s like having a shop in a bustling city but keeping the door locked during rush hour.
But being mobile-friendly isn’t enough. Your online store also needs to be easily discoverable by search engines. That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) comes in. SEO helps your online store rank higher in search engine results, making it easier for potential customers to find you. It’s like putting up a bright, flashy sign on a busy street – it attracts attention and draws people in.
Various ecommerce platforms provide diverse SEO tools. For instance, Squarespace provides options for customising page titles, image ALT tags, URL slugs, and meta descriptions. Meanwhile, the Weebly mobile app offers a drag-and-drop builder, order fulfilment, inventory management, analytics, and an integrated Square POS. It’s like having a mobile command centre for your online store.
Customer Support and Resources
Different ecommerce platforms offer different levels of customer support. Shopify, for example, provides comprehensive customer support around the clock via live chat, email, and telephone, as well as a comprehensive Help Center featuring documentation, tutorials, and guides. BigCommerce, on the other hand, offers a Knowledge Base, a Community forum, and 24/7 Technical Support.
Customer support is not just about answering questions and solving problems. It’s also about providing resources that can help you grow and manage your business more effectively. For instance, Wix provides customer support through their Contact Page, where you can submit a request based on your specific issue. Squarespace, on the other hand, offers 24/7 online support with real human agents to answer questions and provide assistance.
Pricing Comparison
Selecting an ecommerce platform involves considering more than just features and functionality. It also entails finding a platform that aligns with your budget. After all, you wouldn’t buy a Ferrari on a Toyota budget, right? The same logic applies when choosing an ecommerce platform. You need to find an e-commerce platform that offers the features you need at a price you can afford.
Different ecommerce platforms offer different pricing structures. Some, like Shopify and BigCommerce, offer tiered pricing plans, with each plan offering a different set of features. Others, like Wix, offer a range of plans at different price points.
However, it’s not just the price of the plan that matters. You also need to take into account any additional fees such as transaction fees. For example, Shopify charges a transaction fee of 1.75% plus $30 on its Basic plan. Squarespace, on the other hand, charges a 3% transaction fee on its cheapest online store plan.
Choosing the Right Ecommerce Platform for Your Business
Selecting the appropriate ecommerce platform for your business can be likened to finding the perfect pair of shoes. It’s about finding a best ecommerce platform that aligns with your business model, complements your growth plans, and satisfies your specific feature needs. The best ecommerce platform for you might not be the best one for someone else.
For instance, if you’re a small business looking for a user-friendly website builder with a great visual editor, Wix could be a great fit for you. But if you’re a large business with complex inventories and you’re looking to scale up your operations, BigCommerce might be a better choice.
Ultimately, the right ecommerce platform for your business is the one that helps you achieve your business goals. Whether that’s growing your online sales, expanding your reach, or simply making it easier to manage your online store, the right ecommerce platform is out there. It’s just a matter of finding it.
Summary
In the vast, digital outback of ecommerce, five platforms stand out from the rest: Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, and WooCommerce. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, catering to different types of businesses with their unique blend of features, ease of use, and pricing plans.
When it comes to features, Shopify and BigCommerce are the market leaders, offering a comprehensive set of tools and integrations for businesses of all sizes. Wix and Squarespace, on the other hand, are known for their user-friendly website builders and stylish designs. WooCommerce, with its WordPress integration, provides a cost-effective solution for businesses that already use WordPress for their websites.
But remember, choosing an ecommerce platform isn’t just about features and pricing. It’s also about finding a platform that fits your business model, suits your growth plans, and meets your specific feature requirements. So, take the time to consider your options, do your research, and choose the best platform here that’s the perfect fit for your business.
