Have you been thinking about starting an online store to sell your products but don't know where to begin? With so many ecommerce platforms out there it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out which one is the best fit for your business. But don't worry, we've done the research for you! In this article, we'll walk through the top 8 ecommerce marketplaces for 2024 based on fees, features, and ease of use. We'll break down the pros and cons of each platform from Shopify to Etsy to help you determine which one aligns with your business goals and product offerings. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your reach, we've got you covered with everything you need to know to choose the right ecommerce solution to sell your products online this year!

What to Look for in an Ecommerce Platform in 2024

Easy to Use Interface

In 2024, you'll want an ecommerce platform with an intuitive user experience. Shoppers will expect slick websites and mobile apps that make browsing and buying a breeze. Look for a service with drag-and-drop tools, pre-built templates, and options to customize the layout and branding to match your needs.

Omnichannel Selling Capabilities

To reach customers wherever they are, choose a platform that offers omnichannel selling across websites, mobile, social media, online marketplaces, and brick-and-mortar stores. With a unified platform, you'll have a single view of all your inventory and customer data across channels to provide a seamless experience.

Built-In Marketing Features

The best ecommerce platforms come with marketing tools like email campaigns, social media integrations, SEO optimization, and analytics built right in. Look for a service that makes it easy to attract customers, keep them engaged, and track how your marketing efforts translate into sales.

Payment Options and Security

Offering customers multiple secure payment options is key. Look for a platform that accepts all major credit cards as well as alternative payments like Apple Pay, PayPal, and "buy now, pay later" services. Robust security features like SSL encryption, fraud detection, and PCI compliance are must-haves to keep customer data and transactions safe.

Scalability

Choose an ecommerce platform that can scale with your business. As your product catalog, order volumes, and customer base grow, the platform should be able to handle increased traffic and transactions without slowing down. Scalable platforms offer affordable pricing tiers, integration options to connect new business systems, and the ability to optimize for peak sales periods. With the right platform behind you in 2024, the sky's the limit for your online business!

The Top 5 Ecommerce Platforms for Selling Online

Amazon

Amazon is the largest ecommerce platform, with over 300 million active customers. As an Amazon seller, you'll have access to their massive built-in customer base. You'll need to pay referral and closing fees, but Amazon handles payment processing, shipping, and customer service for you. To start selling on Amazon, you'll need to register as a seller and pay a monthly subscription fee.

eBay

eBay is one of the original ecommerce platforms, launching in 1995. Millions of buyers shop eBay every day looking for unique and hard-to-find items. As an eBay seller, you can auction or sell items at a fixed price. eBay charges listing fees and a final value fee. You'll handle your own payment processing, shipping, and customer service. eBay is a great option if you're selling collectibles, antiques, or other specialty goods.

Etsy

Etsy is the leading ecommerce platform for handmade goods, vintage items, and craft supplies. Over 60 million shoppers browse Etsy each month looking for unique products. As an Etsy seller, you pay a listing fee of $0.20 per item and a transaction fee of 5% of the item price. Etsy is ideal if you're selling handmade or customized products. You'll build your own shop on Etsy and handle payment processing, shipping, and customer service for your items.

Shopify

Shopify is a popular ecommerce platform for small businesses. With Shopify, you can create your own online store and sell products directly to customers. Shopify charges a monthly subscription fee and transaction fees. They handle the technical aspects like payment processing, shipping, and website hosting. You can customize your online store, add your products, set your own prices, and provide the best experience for your customers. Shopify is a great all-in-one solution if you want full control over your own ecommerce store.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is an ecommerce platform used by over 60,000 businesses. Like Shopify, BigCommerce allows you to create your own customized online store to sell products directly to customers. BigCommerce charges a monthly subscription fee and transaction fees. They provide everything from payment processing to shipping and website hosting. BigCommerce gives you a lot of flexibility and control for building a professional online store. It's a top choice for medium and large businesses selling a wide range of products.

Key Features of the Best Ecommerce Platforms

Choosing the right ecommerce platform for your business depends on your needs and priorities. The top platforms today, including comparing platforms like Amazon vs Etsy or Shopify vs Etsy, offer an array of useful features to help you build an online store, sell products, and scale your business.

Easy to Use

The best ecommerce platforms have a short learning curve and are intuitive to navigate. They offer simple store setup with pre-built templates to choose from so you can launch your store quickly. They also have drag-and-drop builders, so you don’t need any coding experience to customize your store design.

Mobile Friendly

In 2021, over half of all ecommerce sales were made on mobile devices. The leading ecommerce platforms offer responsive designs that automatically optimize your store for any screen size. Some also have dedicated mobile apps to manage your store on the go.

Lots of Integrations

The top ecommerce platforms integrate with hundreds of useful business tools and services. You’ll have access to payment gateways, shipping carriers, email marketing services, accounting software, and more. These integrations help streamline your operations and enhance the customer experience.

Secure and Compliant

Data security and PCI compliance should be top priorities for any ecommerce platform. The best options use advanced security measures like SSL encryption, fraud detection, and two-factor authentication to protect your store and customer data. They are also PCI DSS compliant so you can accept major credit cards without worry.

Affordable Pricing

While ecommerce platforms vary in price, many of the top options today offer very affordable rates. Most charge a monthly subscription fee based on your sales volume and range from free to a few hundred dollars per month. Some also offer enterprise pricing for large businesses. Look for a platform with a pricing model that fits your budget and needs.

Scalability

As your business grows, your ecommerce platform needs to grow with you. The leading platforms can scale to any size and offer features for small businesses as well as enterprise brands with huge sales volumes. They provide resources to help you expand into new channels, optimize your operations, and boost sales.

How to Choose the Right Ecommerce Platform for Your Business

So you’ve got your business up and running, you have great products ready to sell, now you just need an online storefront. Choosing an ecommerce platform is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as an online retailer. The platform you select will essentially become the digital “home” of your business.

Your product type

Think about what exactly you’re selling. Some platforms are better suited for physical products, others for digital goods or services. For example, if you sell handmade clothing or art, Etsy might be a great choice. If you have a subscription service, consider a platform like Memberful or Moonclerk. For most traditional retail businesses selling physical products, Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce (for WordPress sites) are excellent options.

Your technical skills

Some ecommerce platforms are very user-friendly and don’t require any coding knowledge, while others give you more flexibility to customize the site but require some web development skills. If you’re not technically inclined, platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, and Ecwid make it easy to set up an attractive online store with no coding required. For developers, Magento and WooCommerce offer open-source platforms to build a fully customized site.

Your budget

Ecommerce platforms range from completely free to several hundred dollars per month. Consider how much you can afford to invest in your online store. Some top platforms that offer budget-friendly plans for small businesses include Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace. Magento and WooCommerce are open-source so they’re free to use, but you’ll need a web host and developer to help set up and maintain the site.

Choosing the right ecommerce platform is key to starting a successful online business. Evaluate your options based on your product, skills, and budget to find the solution that will set your company up for growth. With so many great platforms out there, you can’t go wrong as long as you select one that meets your unique needs. Now get out there and start selling!

Ecommerce Platform FAQs: Answering Common Questions About Selling Online

Selling products on an ecommerce platform like Shopify or eBay is an easy way to reach customers online, but you probably have some questions before getting started. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about ecommerce platforms.

What are the fees for selling on ecommerce platforms?

Most major ecommerce platforms charge a monthly subscription fee for using their services, as well as a percentage of each sale you make on the platform. Fees vary but are usually affordable for small businesses. For example, Shopify’s basic plan is $29/month and they charge 2.9% + $0.30 for each transaction. eBay has a free starter plan but charges 10% of each sale amount. Compare the fees of different platforms to find one that fits your budget.

Do I need to handle the payment processing?

No, one of the benefits of selling on an ecommerce platform is that they handle the payment processing for you. They offer payment gateways to accept credit cards, PayPal, and other payment methods. You just need to set up your payment information with the ecommerce platform and they will deposit your sales revenue directly into your bank account.

How much technical knowledge do I need?

Selling on an ecommerce platform does not require advanced technical skills. The platforms are designed to be user-friendly for business owners without web development experience. You can easily set up an online store, add products, run promotions, and track sales through the platform’s dashboard using simple menus and templates. If you do want to customize your store further, many platforms offer apps and integrations with other services that are also easy to set up.

With the major ecommerce platforms constantly improving to help small businesses succeed online, now is a great time to start selling. An ecommerce platform can help you reach more potential customers, increase your sales, and grow your business—all without needing a degree in web design or development. Do some research to find a platform that meets your needs and budget, and you'll be up and running in no time.