Are you looking for an eCommerce platform to create an online shop for your small business? Choosing the right eCommerce software can be a fairly confusing task. Especially if you aren’t from a technical or eCommerce background. In this article, we explore the best eCommerce platforms in India suitable for online sellers.
With hundreds of choices out there, people aiming to build eCommerce stores often find it difficult to pick and choose a platform that can best serve their requirements.
What is an E-commerce Platform?
In simple words, an e-commerce platform is a software solution or online platform that enables businesses to create and manage their online stores. It provides the necessary tools and functionalities to showcase and sell products or services over the Internet. E-commerce platforms are designed to simplify the process of setting up and running an online business, offering features such as website creation, product catalog management, secure payment gateways, and order management systems.
Types of E-commerce Platforms
When it comes to e-commerce platforms, there are several types available for sellers. Each one is catering to different business needs and requirements. Here are some common types of e-commerce platforms:
a) Hosted Platforms
These platforms provide a complete solution for sellers. Here you can host your online store. It is hosted on the platform’s servers. They handle all the technical aspects including website management, hosting, security, and software updates.
Examples of hosted e-commerce platforms: Shopify, BigCommerce, and Wix.
b) Self-Hosted Platforms
Self-hosted platforms require you to host and manage your online store on your own servers or a third-party hosting provider. However, users will have more control over the customization and functionality of your store. You will be responsible for technical maintenance and security.
Examples of self-hosted e-commerce platforms: WooCommerce (WordPress), Magento, and OpenCart.
c) Open-Source Platforms
Open-source platforms provide the complete source code of the platform. It allows developers and users to modify and customize it according to their specific needs. These platforms offer a high level of flexibility and customization options. However, you will need technical expertise to set up and maintain.
Examples of open-source e-commerce platforms: Magento, PrestaShop, and OpenCart.
d) SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) Platforms
SaaS platforms offer cloud-based e-commerce solutions for sellers. You will pay a monthly or annual subscription fee to access and use the platform. They will provide you with hosting, security, and updates, making them user-friendly and accessible for businesses of all sizes.
Examples of SaaS e-commerce platforms: Shopify, BigCommerce, and Squarespace.
e) Marketplace Platforms
Nowadays, Marketplace platforms allow businesses to sell their products or services on established online marketplaces. Sellers create listings within the marketplace platform.
Examples of marketplace e-commerce platforms: Amazon, and Flipkart.
f) Social Media Platforms
Some social media platforms offer e-commerce features that allow sellers to sell products directly on their social media profiles. These e-commerce platforms provide a seamless shopping experience for customers without leaving the social media platform.
Examples of social media platforms offering e-commerce options: Facebook Shops and Instagram Shopping.
g) Enterprise-Level Platforms
Enterprise-level platforms are designed for large-scale businesses. They offer advanced features, scalability, and customization options to handle high volumes of traffic, extensive product catalogs, and complex integrations.
Examples of enterprise-level e-commerce platforms: Magento Commerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and Oracle Commerce.
It is without saying, each type of e-commerce platform has its own advantages and considerations. It is essential to evaluate your business needs, budget, technical expertise, and growth plans to determine which type of platform aligns best with your requirements.
After using and reviewing lots of online store builders in the past few years, we put a list of the top eCommerce solution providers in India for sellers that are the best fit for any needs.
List of 10 Best eCommerce Platforms for Sellers in India
1. Shopify
Shopify is one of the first names that comes to mind when one thinks of an online commerce platform. With 90,000 sites using Shopify, it is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in India.
Shopify is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive range of features. Shopify offers a seamless experience to build, launch, and scale your online store for new and existing online sellers. Furthermore, with customizable themes, secure payment gateways, and robust inventory management, Shopify is the most popular e-commerce solution in India.
Features:
- User-friendly interface for easy store setup and management.
- Customizable themes to create a visually appealing store.
- Secure payment gateways for smooth transactions.
- Robust inventory management to track and manage products.
- Seamless integration with popular marketing tools.
2. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a free eCommerce plugin built for WordPress. The plugin is open-sourced and the basic functionalities of starting an online store are offered free of cost. However, if you need more advanced features, there are plenty of add-ons that you need to buy.
WooCommerce is the ideal choice for people who have some experience in WordPress functionalities. As a plugin for WordPress, WooCommerce seamlessly integrates with your existing WordPress website and creates a fully functional e-commerce website.
Features:
- WordPress requires very little time to get familiar
- Runs on WordPress – so does not have powerful servers requirements
- A good number of lower-priced add-ons and themes are available
- Huge WordPress support community for help.
3. Wix
Wix is an easy drag and drops website builder for people who do not enjoy coding. You can access a large number of plugins and extensions.
Wix allows you to design and customize your online store effortlessly through its intuitive drag-and-drop editor. In addition, users can choose from a wide range of professional templates, add product galleries, manage inventory, and process payments securely.
Features:
- Versatile website builder with e-commerce capabilities.
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for easy store design.
- Customizable templates for a personalized online store.
- Inventory management and secure payment options.
- SEO-friendly features for better search engine visibility.
4. BigCommerce
Bigcommerce is another popular platform, with 17% of the top 100,000 sites using hosted eCommerce solutions and 70,000 plus sites overall, being built on Bigcommerce.
It boasts an intuitive interface, responsive themes, and integrated marketing tools. As a matter of fact, BigCommerce equips you with the necessary resources to build a visually stunning online store, drive traffic, and convert visitors into customers.
Features:
- User-friendly platform for businesses of all sizes.
- Responsive themes for visually stunning online stores.
- Integrated marketing tools to drive traffic and conversions.
- Reliable hosting and excellent customer support.
- Seamless scalability as your business grows.
5. Magento
For large-scale businesses looking for reliable e-commerce solutions, Magento stands out as a solid platform. This is because this highly popular e-commerce solution provides cutting-edge features. It includes multi-store administration, strong SEO capabilities, and scalability. It also provides excellent customer support.
Magento is the preferred alternative for companies with high-volume sales and sophisticated requirements. However, you need to acquire technical skills for setting up and maintaining the e-commerce site due to its numerous customization options and enterprise-level functionality.
Features:
- Enterprise-level features for large-scale businesses.
- Multi-store management capabilities for expanding operations.
- Powerful SEO capabilities to increase online visibility.
- Scalability to handle high-volume sales and complex requirements.
- Extensive customization options for a tailored online store.
6. PrestaShop
PrestaShop is one of the open-source e-commerce platforms available in the market. It has a wide range of basic and advanced features. As an open-source solution, PrestaShop offers a lot of flexibility and customization options. It allows you to tailor your online store to your specific needs. Moreover, PrestaShop has large active community support.
Features:
- An open-source platform for flexibility and customization.
- Comprehensive product management and inventory features.
- Powerful SEO tools for improved online visibility.
- Active community support and a wide selection of plugins.
- Multilingual and multi-currency support.
7. OpenCart
OpenCart is another open-source CMS for eCommerce. It is a lightweight and customizable e-commerce platform and is simple and easy to use. OpenCart offers a range of features to support online sellers including managing products and inventory to integrating popular payment gateways.
It has one of the easiest-to-use backends. However, there are some complaints about their customer support.
Features:
- OpenCart is a lightweight and customizable e-commerce platform.
- User-friendly interface for easy setup and management.
- Extensive theme and extension marketplace for customization.
- Support for multiple payment gateways.
- Scalable platform for businesses of all sizes.
8. Meesho
Meesho is a popular social e-commerce platform in India for Indian sellers. It allows individuals to start their own online businesses by selling products through social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook. Furthermore, Meesho provides a wide range of products, logistics support, and hassle-free payment options.
Meesho offers a user-friendly catalog management system. It allows sellers to add and update product listings. It includes product descriptions, images, and pricing.
Features:
- Social Commerce
- Catalog Management
- Variety of Products
- Logistics Support
- Payment Options
- Allows Sellers to set their own Profit Margin
- Marketing Tools
9. Squarespace
Squarespace is ideal for businesses that are focused on aesthetics and visual appeal. It is known for stunning templates and drag-and-drop functionality. This highly recommended e-commerce platform allows you to create visually captivating online stores.
Read: Best Payment Gateways in India
In addition, Squarespace allows you to create customizable product pages and an easy-to-use backend to showcase your products. Not to mention, online sellers in India get seamless integration with popular payment gateways.
- Stunning templates for visually appealing online stores.
- Drag-and-drop functionality for easy customization.
- Integrated payment gateways for secure transactions.
- Responsive design for the optimal mobile experience.
- Blogging and content management features.
10. Zoho Commerce
Zoho Commerce is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that streamlines the entire selling process. It is an excellent choice for small and medium-sized businesses for small and medium-sized online businesses in India.
You can carry out a wide range of activities on the Zoho Commerce e-commerce platform. It includes inventory management, order fulfillment, marketing campaigns, and customer engagement. Furthermore, Zoho Commerce offers a wider range of tools to automate and simplify your operations. Their user-friendly interface and affordable pricing plans offer a good option for Indian online sellers.
Features:
- Streamlined tools for efficient e-commerce operations.
- Affordable pricing plans for small and medium-sized businesses.
- Inventory management and order fulfillment capabilities.
- Marketing tools for customer engagement and retention.
- User-friendly interface for ease of use.
Things to Check Before Choosing an E-commerce Platform
Selecting the right e-commerce platform is a critical decision for the success of an online business. With a plethora of options available, it’s important to consider several factors before making a choice. Here are some key considerations to help you choose the right e-commerce platform for your business:
a) Business Needs
Start by assessing your business needs and goals. Consider the size of your business, the products or services you offer, and your target audience. Determine whether you require a simple, user-friendly platform or a more robust solution with advanced features and scalability.
b) Budget
Determine your budget for the e-commerce platform, including setup costs, transaction fees, and ongoing maintenance expenses. Some platforms offer tiered pricing plans, so evaluate the features included in each plan and choose one that aligns with your budget and expected return on investment.
c) Ease of Use
Consider the platform’s user interface and ease of use. A user-friendly platform with intuitive navigation and a straightforward setup process will save you time and effort. Look for drag-and-drop editors, customizable templates, and a seamless onboarding experience.
d) Customization Options
Assess the level of customization the platform provides. Your online store should align with your brand identity and offer a unique user experience. Look for platforms that offer flexibility in terms of design, layout, and integration with third-party tools or services.
e) Scalability
Consider your long-term business goals and evaluate whether the platform can accommodate your growth. Look for scalability in terms of bandwidth, product catalogs, traffic handling capacity, and support for additional features or integrations as your business expands.
f) Mobile Responsiveness
With the increasing number of mobile shoppers, it’s crucial to choose a platform that offers responsive designs optimized for mobile devices. Mobile-friendly websites enhance user experience and contribute to higher conversion rates.
g) Payment Options
Evaluate the platform’s payment gateway integrations. Ensure that it supports popular payment methods used by your target audience, such as credit cards, digital wallets, or net banking. Seamless and secure payment processing is essential for a smooth customer experience.
h) SEO Capabilities
A platform with built-in SEO features or easy integration with SEO plugins can help improve your online visibility. Look for features like customizable URLs, meta tags, sitemaps, and optimized page speed to enhance your store’s search engine rankings.
i) Customer Support
Consider the level of customer support provided by the platform. Responsive and helpful support can be crucial, especially when you encounter technical issues or need assistance with setting up or managing your online store. Look for platforms that offer various support channels, extensive documentation, and an active community.
j) Integration Opportunities
Assess the platform’s compatibility with third-party integrations and extensions. This includes marketing tools, analytics, inventory management systems, shipping providers, and more. Seamless integrations can enhance your store’s functionality and provide additional features to support your business operations.
The eCommerce market in India is growing at a rapid pace. And with the new technology innovation, new opportunities are opening up for small business entrepreneurs. Nowadays, having a small online shop for your own products is possible with really a small capital investment.
FAQs
Which e-commerce platform is the best for small businesses in India?
Shopify and Zoho Commerce are excellent choices for small businesses in India. Shopify offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features to help small businesses establish and grow their online presence.
Zoho Commerce, on the other hand, provides affordable pricing plans and a suite of tools to streamline e-commerce operations for small and medium-sized businesses.
Are these e-commerce platforms suitable for startups?
Yes, these e-commerce platforms are well-suited for startups. Platforms like Shopify, and WooCommerce offer user-friendly interfaces, customizable templates, and a variety of feature sets that cater to the needs of startups. In addition, they provide the necessary tools to launch and manage an online store efficiently.
Can I integrate multiple payment gateways with these platforms?
Yes, most of the featured e-commerce platforms in India offer integrations with multiple payment gateways. Platforms like Shopify, and WooCommerce provide a wide range of payment options, allowing you to offer convenience to your customers. It includes credit cards, digital wallets, and net banking.
Are these e-commerce platforms SEO-friendly?
Yes, these e-commerce platforms prioritize SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to help your online store rank higher in search engine results. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento offer built-in SEO features, including customizable meta tags, URLs, and sitemaps.
Furthermore, most leading e-commerce platforms in India provide tools for optimizing page speed, and mobile responsiveness and integrating with popular SEO plugins or tools.
Do these platforms offer customer support?
Yes, all the e-commerce platforms mentioned here provide good customer support to users. They offer various support channels such as email, live chat, and phone support. Additionally, platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce have extensive documentation, community forums, and tutorials that provide answers to common queries and offer guidance on using the platforms effectively. Some platforms may also offer premium support options for additional assistance.
