The choice of a sales platform is an important decision when you open your online store. This is a tough decision, given the many options available in terms of cost, functionality, and ease-of-use.
DropShipping: How do I sell my products?
There are two options: either an eCommerce platform or a marketplace.
You have two options: either you can start your own shop or you can rely on companies to provide you with a shop that is already built and customizable. This will allow you to place your products.
What is DropShipping’s free CMS (Content Management System), to help me sell my products?
Let’s dispel this myth immediately: There is no low-cost eCommerce, or even free.
Dropshipping is a cost-effective way to reduce costs. However, you should estimate the costs of marketing, SEO, marketing, managing promotions, office costs, collaborations, IT, marketing, catalog updates, management promotions, SEO, marketing, management, sales, marketing, catalog updating, marketing, management of orders, supplier orders, management, shipments, post sales and customer care. It is a bad idea to spend little on site design and construction. This could prove to be counterproductive long-term. The site must be scalable, meaning it can grow easily and handle hundreds of orders daily.
Last but not the least, your website must be secure for payment (SSL). This can be integrated with company management software and mail marketing software. It can also be customized with advanced marketing automation and analytics software.
All of this comes at a cost. However, today’s information is the foundation for effectively addressing the wide competition you will encounter in any industry.
The CMS is just one part of your project.
You don’t have to spend more than 10%/15% on the CMS or eCommerce platform you choose.
Open source CMS are available for free on the internet in almost every case. However, personalization of these CMS will require technical skills and a variable financial disbursement depending on the functionality to be used and whether they are included in the CMS. or are provided by third-party companies.
You can either create the same CMS graphics or have them purchased from third parties.
One thing you should know is that platforms can be broken down into three major macro-categories. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s look at the different types of CMS platforms that can be grouped together.
Open source eCommerce platforms
These CMS platforms are distinguished by the fact that the source codes are made freely available by the community of developers. Anyone can modify the code to suit their own needs.
The eCommerce platform is free to download and install at your hosting / virtual private server. It can also be customized. To increase the functionality of your website, you can use templates, components and plug-ins (usually paid).
Advantages
These types of eCommerce solutions offer the following main benefits:
- The platform’s core, as well as many modules, templates, and plugins are free.
- Personalization is possible with the “open source code” which allows for a lot of flexibility
- Large support groups, often made up of volunteers and offering free solutions to problems that arise in no time offer free help.
- The freedom to migrate is almost assured with these solutions. You are not bound by any agency. Just contact any developer who knows the development language used on the platform.
Disadvantages
These are the main drawbacks to this solution:
- Both developers and users can learn quickly because large agencies often use open source CMS occasionally.
- Platform is constantly updated to fix the many bugs and malfunctions. This update forces the developer to continuously monitor and update the platform
They are highly recommended in these cases
This solution is best for medium-complexity companies, that is, small or medium businesses that don’t intend to make large investments right away.
Drupal
Drupal isn’t a CMS designed for eCommerce. However, the eCommerce plugin allows Drupal to rise to the top.
Drupal’s strength is its flexibility. It is designed in a way that it can adapt to many situations with ease.
Advantages
- Maximum customization
- There is a lot of documentation, and it’s one of the largest open-source online communities.
Disadvantages
- The philosophy of publishing and managing generalist content is not as simple as eCommerce. It can sometimes be difficult to find the product catalog.
Magento
Magento is the most popular solution and is ideal for businesses that require an online store. It can be divided into two types: Enterprise and Community.
Magento Community Edition is available for free. However, the Enterprise license may cost as much as $ 12.990 per year. You get many more features and 24 hour support in return.
The Magento Community Edition, a minor version of the platform, is more feature-rich. This allows you to modify the content, design, and features of your online store. Magento Connect allows you to modify the source code or install extensions (paid or not). You will also find an intuitive administration panel that allows you to manage many essential elements such as shipping and payment methods, coupons and discounts.
Magento Community Edition doesn’t provide technical support. It is nevertheless very useful for small businesses who want to manage their online shop without spending too much. Magento Community Edition is used by a number of reputable companies such as Samsung, Nespresso, The North Face, and Stussy.
It is a great solution for large businesses because of its low cost and high customization.
Advantages
- Installation is extremely simple
Disadvantages
- Maintenance and development are on average quite costly
- In the case of “improvised development”, performances can be quite unpredictable
- The back office is confusing, except for certain sections.
OpenCart
OpenCart, one of the newest products on the market is easy to use, doesn’t require any computer skills and is an eCommerce solution that is optimized for search engines. There are thousands of high-quality eCommerce themes. OpenCart makes it easy to set up an online store with many features in just a few simple steps. Simply install the software, select the theme and add products.
It has a visually appealing administration interface, which allows you to take full control of your online shop.
OpenCart offers support and software updates throughout your life. OpenCart integrates order management with support for more than 8 shipping methods as well as 20 payment gateways. You can also add extensions to your store from the extension directory.
Advantages
- Installation is extremely simple
Disadvantages
- Very limited extendable
- From small to medium-sized realities,
Prestashop
Prestashop, an open-source eCommerce platform, is simple to use and includes multiple functions. It also has a rich store with additional modules that allow you to integrate applications for any need.
There are no licensing fees for the core. However, there are additional modules that enhance or introduce advanced features and you will need to pay a fee, even if it is a one-off.
A system that was developed ad hoc to support eCommerce provides all the features required for customers (eg product comparisons, in-depth analyses, similar products and check out without registration), Operators manage it (managing invoices and returns, shipping costs with different criteria, bank transfer, credit card payments, cash on delivery etc.). ).
Advantages
- Simple installation
- Core that is very light and performs well
- Many default features are implemented
Disadvantages
- Customization is very limited and costly
OsCommerce
OsCommerce was founded in 2000 in Germany and is one of the most popular open-source platforms for creating an eCommerce website. Its community now has over 270,000 members.
It’s characterized by its 7,000+ add-ons, which make it flexible and powerful.
While its main benefit is its versatility, we should not forget that it also has some security issues and can sometimes be difficult to distinguish data structure from contents.
Advantages
- Core that is very light and performs well
- Excellent level of customization
- Wide support network
Disadvantages
- Security problems:
- Graphics are difficult to modernize and tend to be out of date.
Virtuemart
Virtuemart is a well-known eCommerce management software. This is due to its simplicity and ability to manage attributes and specifications.
The site is easy to use and has a flexible and generous administration. Its community is large and active, and always available.
Advantages
- Its native integration with Joomla makes it ideal for the realization many different solutions
- Core that is very light and performs well
- Free access to thousands of extensions
- Low customization costs
Disadvantages
- Updates can be difficult because many features will need to be integrated individually.
- Many updates
Woocommerce
Woocommerce is a platform for small and medium-sized businesses that sell online. It is currently Builtwith and the most popular eCommerce platform with more than 1,000,000 active installations and an average of more 20%.
Advantages
- It is highly customizable and can be customized to any extent, with the exception of the developer’s imagination or skill.
- Themes are extremely flexible in graphical terms: There are many themes that can be used for any kind of eCommerce.
- The “raw backoffice” is simple to use and clear with little training
Disadvantages
- It is hard to manage and requires a lot of work.
- Maintenance and management must be done by competent staff (often).
We’ve now seen a few options for free open-source CMS. However, it is important to ensure that your store has the support and participation of a large and diverse community.
A “lost” CMS could not only make it difficult to implement security updates, but also complicate the process of implementing them.
This is precisely why minors were deliberately removed from the list. They are not considered up to standard.
What options are there for you if you don’t have the technical knowledge required to manage your store?
Saas eCommerce platforms (Software-as-a-Service)
Hosted platforms are the equivalent to a shop within a commercial rental company. In practice, the physical infrastructure that hosts the site is owned by third parties (i.e. the service provider). It is physically located on the provider’s servers (which “host” the site).
These platforms are sometimes referred to as Software as a Service (SaaS), as they are services that are outsourced rather than bought as a tangible asset.
Advantages
Saas eCommerce platforms offer the advantage of being able to make its own financial investment. Instead of making a large investment immediately to purchase an eCommerce site, you pay a monthly fee. You can also see if it is growing and increase the amount if necessary.
Another benefit is the ability to select from almost complete solutions for very low prices without having to resort to costly interventions by experts and developers.
Disadvantages
If it is affordable and already in place, it is likely to be logical and expected. However, customization options are very limited when compared with other solutions.
They are highly recommended in these cases
Hosted platforms are great for startups or online businesses with limited budgets. They allow beginners and those with limited capital to observe how things develop without the need to commit to large investments that could prove risky.
Some of them also offer to be partners in large commercial businesses, offering customized solutions.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a sophisticated CMS platform that can increase your ecommerce sales, optimize your business’ performance and open new channels. It is the ideal solution for promising brands looking to grow quickly.
BigCommerce eCommerce businesses see an average revenue growth rate of 28% per year. This is almost twice the amount as traditional eCommerce.
It is rich in functionality and solutions, and it provides excellent support for small and medium-sized business owners who want to grow and expand their business.
BigCommerce allows you to integrate sales on websites like Amazon and Ebay. The platform also offers secure hosting channels, unlimited storage space, maximum bandwidth, and other useful features. All this without any transition fees.
BigCommerce allows you to customize your online store in many ways. It offers the ability to integrate hundreds or hundreds of Apps, which can simplify your day, increase sales, and personalize your ecommerce. Many of these apps are easy to install from the control panel. It’s quick, easy, and efficient.
Advantages
- It’s easy, quick, and immediate. You don’t have to worry about hosting. Everything is included.
- Simple SEO optimization
- Connect easily with third-party software such as ERP, CRM, newsletter, ERP and PLM. Warehouse management, marketing automation and payment systems are all possible.
- Continual innovation and improvement of our platform
- Rapid learning of platform management
Disadvantages
- For large companies who need Tailor-made eCommerce, this is not an option.
Storeden
Storeden is a platform for small and medium-sized businesses that wish to sell online. It is simple to use, easy to modify, and easily integrates with third-party software.
Storeden predicts that we will also be able to work with strong personalization. You have complete control over HTML, CSS, and JS to create a unique product. While you can use the pre-existing themes, it is easy to create your own. This allows for customization beyond the modifications of the logo, main colors, and typography.
Storeden is more than a platform to manage an online store. It is also an integrated system that allows you to manage sales through multiple channels and create a website that acts as the bridge between your company’s online presence.
Advantages
- It’s simple, quick, and immediate. You don’t have to worry about hosting everything.
- Simple SEO optimization
- Connect easily with third-party software such as ERP, CRM, ERP, Newsletter, ERP, PLM and CRM. Warehouse management and marketing automation are all possible.
- Continual innovation and improvement of our platform
- Rapid learning of platform management
Disadvantages
- For large companies who need Tailor-made eCommerce, this is not an option.
Shopify
Shopify is an excellent software for creating eCommerce. It is simple, intuitive, efficient, and fast. It is a powerful CMS that can be used to build eCommerce websites.
Shopify’s interface is very intuitive and easy to use. You can quickly create an online store and upload new products or update stock stocks in a matter of seconds. The best part is that Shopify also has a smartphone app which allows you to manage your ecommerce from anywhere you are and check your earnings and statistics.
Shopify is the most popular eCommerce platform in the world, with 10% of all the top 10 000 eCommerce sites worldwide. This is not a coincidence.
Shopify is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to make the first big leap in eCommerce. It allows you to gradually move through the process, while remaining cost-effective and offers top performance.
Advantages
- Hosting is not something that is unknown. Shopify’s servers are efficient and reliable.
- The backoffice is very easy to use and allows for significant time savings in product promotion, product loading, order management, and order management.
- This is both the best and cheapest option for maintenance and development costs.
- Once eCommerce is completed, it’s always efficient and drastically reduces developer intervention
Disadvantages
- It is not possible to translate Backoffice into other languages, but it is not a major problem.
- No matter which monthly subscription plan you choose (24, 64, or 240 Euros), there is a small charge (2.0 / 1.0 / 0.5%) for each sale.
- Shopify doesn’t have many developers who are willing to build eCommerce and customize it.
- For large companies who need Tailor-made eCommerce, this is not an option.
Volusion
Volusion, an American software company founded in 1999, has recently been praised for its eCommerce software. It is the best platform for creating an eCommerce site and the most secure.
Volusion is a great alternative to Shopify. It offers plans and prices that are comparable to Shopify, ranging from $ 15 to $ 135 per month with no commissions on sales and many features including hundreds of responsive themes and modern designs.
Advantages
- It is easy to use, fast and intuitive. All of our services are based on secure and efficient proprietary servers.
- Fully integrated with all social networks and marketplaces
- The best security system available
- Chat, email and phone support available 24 hours a day
- Many templates available for free
- No sales commissions
Disadvantages
- For large companies who need Tailor-made eCommerce, this is not an option.
Custom eCommerce platforms
These are ecommerce platforms that have been developed internally by web agencies who deal with ecommerce websites. These platforms are distinguished by the fact that the source code for the respective site is proprietary to the web agency. It is therefore not available for download or modification.
Advantages
The highest level of customization is possible with a CMS created internally by the agency. The agency’s staff offers the best level of support for this platform because each agency is familiar with its product from A-Z.
Disadvantages
You are automatically linking to the developer of a custom platform if you rely on it. You may have to make a change to your agency. While you can transfer the website, it will not include the necessary know-how. The new agency will likely not take the time to learn how to use the platform from another developer.
They are highly recommended in these cases
These are particularly recommended for complex and large ecommerce sites that often correspond to high-budget projects. The personalization requirements are more important than the amount of investment.
Conclusions
You will see that there is no one-size fits all solution. It all depends on your business size and how much money you have available to support your e-commerce venture. You should also consider the personnel who will be managing the CMS. If you plan to use one CMS more than another, you need to evaluate them and make a decision based on their experience.
