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Hostinger Premium Web Hosting review: Lots of bang for not much buck

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Hostinger Premium Web Hosting review: Lots of bang for not much buck

Hostinger is approaching its 20th anniversary. Headquartered in Lithuania and Cyprus, it offers fully featured hosting accounts at prices that, at first, look too good to be true. Naturally, we were keen to see whether it really was possible to deliver all it promised without trying to upsell at every turn.

The company has several offerings aside from those sold under the core Hostinger brand. It also owns the Zyro website builder, US-focused Hosting24, and 000WebHost – which, as well as offering regular charged-for hosting plans, will let you host a site for free, so long as you don’t need email or more than 300MB of web space, and can live within a 3GB bandwidth cap (spoiler: a lot of hobby websites probably could).

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Hostinger Premium Web Hosting review: What do you get for your money?

A lot. Prices start at £2.59 a month if you sign up for four years, but even if you’re only willing to commit to 12 months, you’ll pay only an additional 20p a month (pay month-on-month, though, and you’re looking at £11.99 a pop). For that, you get 100GB of SSD storage and unlimited traffic, with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. You can host up to 100 sites, each with SSL, and a total of 400,000 inodes (files, folders, and so on) between them. You can create up to 100 subdomains, and an unlimited number of databases and FTP accounts.

In our opinion, this represents excellent value for money, and the renewal prices are fair, too, ranging from £5.99 a month on the 48-month tier, to £7.99 a month on the 12-month plan.

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These prices all apply to Hostinger’s Premium Web Hosting product, which is the entry-level option. Above this, you’ll find Business Web Hosting, starting at £3.99 a month, and Cloud Startup, which starts at £8.99 a month. Hostinger claims that Business Web Hosting is the most popular option. It builds on the Professional tier’s features, with double the storage, two CPU cores (rather than one), 1.5GB of memory (rather than 1GB), and both staging and caching for WordPress, the latter of which “can reduce WordPress website response times by up to 3 times”.

Sign up for a year or longer and you also get a free domain worth £8.99. After the first year, you’ll need to pay the domain renewal fee if you want to keep it.

Although you can host up to 100 websites on a single account, the resources you’re buying are applied to your account as a whole, rather than replicated for each individual domain. So, one very popular site could impact everything else hosted on the same account. It’s worth bearing this in mind if you generously offer to host a friend’s site for free and it proves unexpectedly popular.

READ NEXT: Best web host

Hostinger Premium Web Hosting review: How easy is it to set up?

It couldn’t get any easier. On first logging in, you’re presented with the fewest possible options: refer a friend, claim your free domain, or set up your web hosting. You can access everything else from the top menu, but it’s refreshing to have such clear directions on your first encounter.

Setting up your hosting is similarly well thought out, with a wizard offering to walk you through the process. You can skip it if you already know what you’re doing, but it only takes a few seconds to click through and it eventually leads to a handy option for migrating an existing website if you already have hosting set up elsewhere.

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1684855947 899 Hostinger Premium Web Hosting review Lots of bang for not

We opted to move one of our existing websites to the service and were given the choice of uploading an archive of our files or having Hostinger transfer it for us. Since the site we were moving was hosted in WordPress, which would mean we also had to sort out a database migration, we took the latter option. We then needed to provide our existing WordPress account username, password and login URL, and were told that the move should complete in around two business days.

In actual fact, it was only around 20 minutes later that an email arrived in our inbox stating that it had finished, linking to a test server on which we could preview the result. We couldn’t fault it: our content had been copied across and the site fully set up. Our existing plugins had been copied across, but a few had been deselected and others, such as LightSpeed Cache and a dedicated Hostinger plugin, added; but all of these decisions seemed to make sense.

Not everything was quite so simple. One of the sites we migrated used our own WordPress template, which we’d coded to pull in data from supplementary databases aside from the one holding our WordPress assets. We ran into an error once its migration had completed, where our homepage cut off at the half-way point when it encountered code pointing at our old server. We’re happy to write this off, though: we’d told Hostinger to migrate a WordPress site, with no mention of supplementary databases. Its migration tool still did the bulk of the work for us, leaving us with just a quick and easy tidying up job to complete. The process was still far simpler than migrating everything by hand.

READ NEXT: Best website builder

Hostinger Premium Web Hosting review: Is it good for ecommerce?

Although you can host an online store on any web space using WordPress and WooCommerce, or a dedicated store platform such as Shopify, Hostinger suggests using its Cloud Startup plan rather than Premium Web Hosting. This is “optimised for ecommerce and business”, and includes daily backups, 3GB of memory, dedicated resources, and a dedicated IP address – all of which harden the web presence without pushing the price to unreasonable levels.

You may baulk at paying more to host a store, in which case stick with Premium. However, you might be grateful for the additional resources you get with Cloud if your product goes viral. Scrimping when it comes to ecommerce hosting can end up being a false economy if potential customers can’t reach your store.

READ NEXT: Best business broadband deals

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Hostinger Premium Web Hosting review: What other features does it have?

You can set up free email addresses for every domain, with up to five aliases, one forwarding rule, and 1GB of storage. If that’s a bit tight for you, there are paid options starting at 99p a month per inbox. For that, you get 10GB of storage, 10 forwarding rules and 50 aliases. Paying also means you benefit from spam and antivirus protection. Whether you pay or stick with the free tier, you can access your messages using IMAP, POP3 or webmail, and import your existing emails from another provider.

Once you’ve created your address, the dashboard pops up the configuration settings for general use, accompanied by a menu linking to specific instructions for Apple Mail, Outlook, Thunderbird and Gmail mobile. In total, you can set up 100 addresses; split, however, is most appropriate across your various hosted domains.

There’s an app installer, too, as with most hosts. The three headline options are WordPress, WooCommerce and Joomla, but click Other and you’ll find a long list of alternatives for accounting, CRM, running polls, setting up galleries and stores, and more. Strangely, there seems to be no order to the list, but type a few letters from the app you need and the menu will be trimmed to just those entries that match, making things easy to find.

READ NEXT: Best broadband 

Hostinger Premium Web Hosting review: Is there anything it could do better?

We’d really like the free email tier to be more generous. A 1GB cap is fine for a low-traffic inbox, but unless you keep on top of your spam and clear out large attachments regularly, you may find it filling up more quickly than you’d like. We’d gladly have the quota deducted from our hosting space, if that was the payoff.

Aside from that, though, there really isn’t much more Hostinger could do here – particularly not when you consider the price.

Hostinger Premium Web Hosting review: Should you sign up?

There’s only so much you can offer as a web host. A decent amount of web space, a powerful yet easily navigated back-end, plenty of bandwidth, SSL, and a flexible app installer is to be expected. Offer all that without charging the earth and you’re onto a winner.

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That’s exactly what we have here. Hostinger’s control panel is logical and easy to use. Its Premium Web Hosting product is generous, and the price – at least in the introductory period – is a bargain. Even when that period expires and the price ticks up to its usual rate, you’re getting far more for the money than you would with a lot of other hosts.

It’s a product we’d gladly spend our own money on – and, even if we weren’t, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, which significantly reduces the risk of giving it a go.

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13 Best Fun WordPress Plugins You’re Missing Out On

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13 Best Fun WordPress Plugins You're Missing Out On

Are you looking to find the best fun WordPress plugins for your website?

Since there are thousands of plugins available on the market, it can be difficult to pick the ones that will actually add a fun and interactive element to your site while boosting conversions.

To make this easier for you, we tested some of the most popular plugins on the internet and examined factors such as ease of use, features, customization, and pricing.

In this article, we will share our list of the best fun WordPress plugins that you may be missing out on.

Best Fun WordPress Plugins You're Missing Out On

If you are in a hurry, then you can take a look at our top picks to quickly choose the best fun WordPress plugin for you:

How Do We Test And Review Fun WordPress Plugins?

We installed and tested every plugin from this list on our websites to find their features, pros, and, cons, and provide you with the best recommendations.

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While we were doing that, we paid special attention to the following criteria to pick the best fun WordPress plugins:

  • Popular plugins: We tested the most popular and best WordPress plugins on the market to see if they can add a fun element to your site. We analyzed those plugins based on ease of use, features, pricing, and customization options.
  • Different use cases: There are various ways to make your site enjoyable for users. That is why we reviewed plugins for all kinds of use cases like spin the wheels, giveaways, quizzes, interactive elements, ranking systems, and more.
  • Plugins tested by us: We included plugins that we have used on our own websites to boost engagement and add fun elements.

Why Trust WPBeginner?

At WPBeginner, we are a dedicated team of people with over 16 years of experience in WordPress, design, and online marketing.

Our WordPress experts extensively review each plugin or tool that is featured here and thoroughly test them on real websites. To learn more, you can see our complete editorial process.

Having said that, here is our list of the best fun WordPress plugins that you are missing out on.

1. OptinMonster (Spin to Win Optins)

OptinMonster websiteOptinMonster website

OptinMonster is the best lead generation and conversion optimization tool on the market that lets you create amazing spin-to-win optins. They can add a gamification effect to your website and make it more interactive and fun for your visitors.

Once you have added the wheel, users can enter their email addresses and spin the wheel to win different prizes, such as discount codes and coupons. This can convert website visitors into subscribers and customers.

Spin the wheel popup previewSpin the wheel popup preview

The software has a drag-and-drop builder and premade templates that make it super easy to build spin-the-wheel campaigns. You can also add dynamic content, countdown timers, CTA, images, and email fields to capture leads.

For detailed instructions, see our tutorial on how to add spin to win optins in WordPress and WooCommerce.

Add blocks to your campaignAdd blocks to your campaign

Pros

  • You can also create optin forms, popups, floating bars, slide-ins, and banners with OptinMonster.
  • The tool can integrate with popular email marketing services and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software.
  • It comes with triggers and display rules like exit intent technology. Upon testing the plugin, we realized that this could help build FOMO (fear of missing out) by showing limited-time offers or exclusive content before a visitor leaves the page.
  • The software also offers A/B testing, analytics, and geolocation targeting.

Cons

Why we recommend OptinMonster: It is the best spin a wheel coupon plugin that makes it super easy to add gamification elements to your website. Plus, OptinMonster comes with premade templates and a drag-and-drop builder and also lets you create popups and banners, making it a super fun option.

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For more information, you can see our OptinMonster review.

2. RafflePress (Giveaways and Contests)

RafflePressRafflePress

RafflePress is the best WordPress giveaway plugin on the market. It allows you to host all kinds of contests and giveaways to add a fun element to your site while generating leads.

It comes with a drag-and-drop builder and premade templates. Plus, it allows you to add multiple methods for giveaway entry, including subscribing to your email list, following you on social media, and visiting specific pages.

Adding a prize to an online giveawayAdding a prize to an online giveaway

We have actually used the plugin on WPBeginner to run a viral giveaway and found it super easy to use.

For more information, you can see our tutorial on how to run a giveaway/contest in WordPress with RafflePress.

Pros

  • RafflePress offers complete fraud protection from spam entries.
  • It can integrate with email marketing services, form plugins, and CRMs. This can help you add different entry methods for the contest.
  • It comes with a built-in integration with SeedProd. This means that you can add your giveaways on attractive landing pages.
  • Some of its other features include success tracking, retargeting, social logins, email verification, and a prize gallery.

Cons

  • The plugin has a free plan, but you will need the pro version to unlock more templates and entry methods.

Why we recommend RafflePress: It is a super fun plugin that adds a gamification effect to your website and helps you build your email list or social media followers at the same time. You can bring back more customers and attract new ones by offering freebies or discounts to giveaway winners.

For more details, you may also like to see our RafflePress review.

3. Uncanny Automator (Fun Automated Workflows)

Uncanny Automator websiteUncanny Automator website

Uncanny Automator is the best automation plugin on the market that acts like Zapier for WordPress. You can use it to create fun, automated workflows for your website.

For example, you might use the plugin to connect your blog with Twitter. Now, every time you publish a new post, it will automatically be tweeted on your handle. This can help boost followers and attract new users.

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Similarly, you can send birthday emails with special offers, share user-generated content, or send cart abandonment reminders. To learn more, you can see our tutorial on how to create automated workflows in WordPress with Uncanny Automator.

Pros

  • It is a great Zapier alternative that can integrate with 150+ tools, including form builders, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, BuddyPress, and WooCommerce.
  • The plugin is easy to use and comes with unlimited recipes and triggers.
  • It also has advanced features like delays, scheduling, and user creation.
  • During our testing, we discovered that you can connect multiple WordPress sites with it.

Cons

  • The plugin has a free plan, but it comes with limited triggers and actions.

Why we recommend Uncanny Automator: It is a super fun plugin that you can experiment with to build different workflows and save time on your website. For instance, you could integrate it with a gamification plugin to reward users for specific actions.

For more details, you may also like to see our Uncanny Automator review.

4. TrustPulse (Build FOMO and Social Proof)

Is TrustPulse the best social proof plugin for WordPress?Is TrustPulse the best social proof plugin for WordPress?

TrustPulse is the best WordPress social proof plugin that lets you build FOMO on your website to boost conversions.

It lets you display a live sale notification in your eCommerce store to real-time visitors, which can motivate them to make a purchase as well.

Other than recent purchases, it can also display bubble notifications for form submissions or free trial sign-ups to encourage users to join your email list.

For more information, you can see our tutorial on how to use FOMO on your WordPress site to increase conversions.

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Pros

  • The plugin allows real-time event tracking on your website.
  • When reviewing the plugin, we noticed that it allows you to customize your notifications to match your brand identity. You can adjust colors, fonts, and animations, and even add custom messages.
  • TrustPulse also offers smart targeting, A/B testing, analytics, and exit intent notifications.

Cons

  • The plugin does not have a free plan.
  • Its analytics feature is basic compared to other tools.

Why we recommend TrustPulse: It is one of the best fun WordPress plugins that can boost sales for your small business by showing social proof to users. This can cause FOMO among visitors, which can lead to more conversions for your online store.

See our TrustPulse review for more information.

5. Chrismasify (Christmas Effects)

ChrismasifyChrismasify

Chrismasify is a free WordPress plugin that you can use during the Christmas season to add fun elements to your WordPress blog.

You can add jingle music, snowflakes, and a flying Santa on your website to create holiday spirit. This can motivate visitors to explore your site and even make a purchase if you have an online store.

For more ideas, you can see our tutorial on ways to spread the holiday spirit with your WordPress site.

Pros

  • The plugin is completely free and has a user-friendly interface.
  • It lets you control the speed of the snowflakes and adds Christmas decorations to images as well.
  • We liked that you can also change the heading’s font on your website to add holiday cheer.
  • The plugin lets you configure the activation and deactivation dates for the Christmas effects.

Cons

  • Chrismasify is just used for adding interactive elements. It cannot help you build an email list or boost conversions.
  • The plugin does not have great customer support.

Why we recommend Christmasify: If you are planning a holiday sale, then you can use Christmasify to add some fun elements to your online store. This can spread the holiday spirit on your site and encourage users to make a purchase.

6. Thrive Quiz Builder (Engaging Quizzes)

Thrive Quiz BuilderThrive Quiz Builder

Thrive Quiz Builder is the best WordPress quiz plugin on the market that lets you create all kinds of fun and interactive quizzes without using any code.

It comes with an intuitive drag-and-drop builder and premade templates that you can use to add right/wrong, number, percentage, or personality quizzes.

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For example, if you have a travel business, then you could add a quiz that suggests the next destination users should visit based on their hobbies. This can boost engagement and lead to more business for you.

The plugin also offers gamified elements like progress bars, customizable results pages, and social sharing options to further boost user engagement.

For more information, see our beginner’s guide on how to easily create a quiz in WordPress.

Pros

  • We particularly appreciated the branching questions feature. If you use this option, then the next question displayed to the users in a quiz will depend on their previous answer.
  • Thrive Quiz Builder comes with different question formats like multiple choice, true or false, open-ended, personality, and matching questions.
  • Based on quiz results, you can automatically tag users with specific categories or segments within your email marketing platform.
  • It is a part of Thrive Themes and can integrate with other plugins like Thrive Architect, Thrive Leads, and Thrive Optimize.

Cons

  • Thrive Quiz Builder has no free plan.
  • It has a lot of features, which can be confusing for beginners.

Why we recommend Thrive Quiz Builder: Quizzes are a great way to boost engagement and attract more visitors. You can use this plugin to build amazing quizzes that suit your niche.

For details, see our Thrive Quiz Builder review.

Football PoolFootball Pool

Football Pool is another fun WordPress plugin that adds a sports pool to your website. Here, users can predict the outcomes of matches and earn extra points.

You can select different leagues and tournaments that you want to add to your sports pool and add multiple prediction types like winner, score, or first goalscorer.

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Football Pool also allows you to add registration forms so that users can log in to participate in the pool. Additionally, it displays a leaderboard showing the top participants based on points and users can view their own points on their profiles.

Pros

  • The plugin is completely free.
  • It comes with automatic points calculation, bonus questions, social media sharing, and email notifications.
  • When we reviewed the tool, we found out that you can set deadlines for users to submit their predictions.

Cons

  • It offers limited customization options.
  • The plugin does not have great customer support.

Why we recommend Football Pool: If you have a WordPress blog related to sports, then this plugin can be a great way to add some fun elements to your site. It can encourage more users to log in regularly to submit their predictions and earn points, ultimately increasing traffic on your blog.

8. WPForms (Polls and Surveys)

WPForms SiteWPForms Site

WPForms is the best WordPress contact form plugin on the market that you can use to add fun polls and surveys to your website.

It comes with a drag-and-drop builder, 1700+ premade templates, and complete spam protection, enabling you to build any kind of secure form you like.

You can easily add an interactive poll that can boost engagement and also help you gather feedback from your audience on different topics.

For more information, see our tutorial on how to create an interactive poll in WordPress.

Pros

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  • If you have a fitness blog, then you can add a fitness tracker or BMI calculator to your site.
  • You can also connect your forms with any popular gateways like PayPal or Stripe.
  • Upon testing, we discovered that the plugin lets you add progress bars, star ratings, and file upload fields to your forms.

Cons

  • WPForms has a free plan, but some of the features are only available with the paid plugin.

Why we recommend WPForms: If you want to add polls and surveys to make your site more enjoyable for users, then WPForms is the best choice for you.

You can see our WPForms review for more information.

9. Smash Balloon (Embed Social Media Feeds)

SmashBalloonSmashBalloon

Smash Balloon offers a suite of different plugins that allow you to embed social media feeds into your website, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter.

These feeds can show a more fun side of your business to your website visitors, which can boost user engagement.

Adding a social wall feed is a good idea because it can motivate visitors to check your social media profiles, leading to more followers.

Smash Balloon comes with an intuitive feed editor, premade layouts, and multiple customization options for your feeds. If you have a YouTube channel, then you can even embed your YouTube live streams to increase site traffic.

Pros

  • All the Smash Balloon plugins are completely mobile responsive.
  • Smash Balloon lets you embed Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, or Instagram feeds without using any code.
  • The plugins enable you to filter your feeds to display specific content and control what appears on your website.

Cons

  • All the Smash Balloon plugins have free plans with limited features. To access advanced options, you will need the premium versions.

Why we recommend Smash Balloon: You can use any of the Smash Balloon plugins to showcase your social media feeds and display social proof on your website.

For more information, you can see our Smash Balloon review.

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Thrive Comments pluginThrive Comments plugin

Thrive Comments is the best WordPress comments plugin that can gamify your comments section to boost engagement.

It comes with a built-in voting and badge feature that allows you to award points and badges to users based on different criteria. For instance, you can give a silver badge to users if they have 5 comments on your site and a gold one if they have 10.

Additionally, you can use the plugin to add a like/dislike functionality. This will discourage users from leaving spam comments.

For details, see our beginner’s guide on how to add a simple user ranking system for WordPress comments.

Pros

  • It has a dedicated moderation area, provides analytics, and shows custom messages to users upon leaving their first comment. This can improve the user experience.
  • The plugin allows users to subscribe to comments in WordPress.
  • When we were testing it, we found out that Thrive Comments also enables users to leave comments using their Facebook or Google accounts.
  • The plugin lets you feature interesting comments at the top of the section.
  • It is a part of Thrive Themes and can integrate with other plugins from the suite.

Cons

  • Thrive Comments does not offer a free plan.
  • Its analytics and reporting feature is basic compared to some other tools.

Why we recommend Thrive Comments: If you want to use a fun WordPress plugin to add gamification to your comments section, then this is the perfect solution for you.

Thrive Comments allows you to award badges, add like/dislike icons, feature interesting comments at the top, and even allow users to subscribe to different comments.

11. myCred (Create a Points System)

myCredmyCred

myCred is a WordPress points management plugin that can add a fun loyalty program or gamified system to your website.

You can use different hooks provided by the plugin to award points to users. For example, you can award points upon user registration, leaving a comment, submitting a guest post, making a purchase, and more. Then, you can reward your active users with coupons and discounts.

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This can create brand loyalty among customers and increase conversions if you have a WooCommerce store.

To learn more, you can see our tutorial on how to add a points system in WordPress.

Pros

  • It lets you add multiple point types and award points automatically when the user performs the required action.
  • The plugin allows users to check their points balance and history.
  • You can award discount coupons, freebies, and exclusive offers to users upon achieving certain points. We particularly liked the badge feature that you can use to award badges and appreciate users when they reach different levels.
  • myCred lets you create a leaderboard to display the top point achievers.

Cons

  • Its free plan has limited features.
  • Using a lot of the addons offered by the plugin can sometimes hurt your site speed.
  • Setting up the plugin can be complex because it has a lot of features.

Why we recommend myCred: If you want to add a points system to your WordPress website, then this is the best fun plugin for you. It will help build loyalty and ultimately generate leads.

12. Chartify (WordPress Charts)

ChartifyChartify

Chartify is another fun WordPress plugin. It helps you build all kinds of charts for your website, including bar charts, pie charts, column charts, donut charts, histograms, and so much more.

The plugin is completely free and allows you to modify the visual effects for your charts like color, font, labels, and titles.

Plus, it shows a live preview so you can see all the changes you made in real time.

Pros

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  • It allows you to enter data directly within the plugin.
  • Chartify lets you import CSV files and connect with Google Sheets.
  • You can easily integrate any chart using the block in the Gutenberg block editor.

Cons

  • Adding a lot of charts can increase your page load time.
  • It does not come with any advanced features to build charts.

Why we recommend Chartify: If you want to add a fun element to your blog posts, then you can use Chartify. It will help you build all kinds of visually appealing charts that can make your articles a more interesting read for users.

13. Confetti (Confetti Effect)

ConfettiConfetti

Confetti is a super fun WordPress plugin that adds a confetti effect to your website using a block.

It has a free plan, is easy to use, and allows you to customize the color and size of the confetti as well.

Additionally, upon review, we discovered that it offers different kinds of confetti effects, including fireworks, school pride, falling, realistic cannon, and more.

Pros

  • The plugin can integrate with WooCommerce, WPForms, MemberPress, LearnDash, Formidable Forms, and more.
  • You can configure the plugin to show the confetti effect when you scroll to a specific point on a page.
  • It also provides a preview of all the effects before you add them to your site.

Cons

  • The plugin is basic and does not offer any advanced features.
  • You can only integrate the plugin with other tools once you upgrade to the pro version.

Why we recommend Confetti: If you are announcing a winner for a competition or just want to add a visually appealing effect to your blog, then Confetti can be a great choice.

Which Is the Best Fun WordPress Plugin?

In our expert opinion, OptinMonster is the best fun WordPress plugin because it lets you add a spin-the-wheel popup on your page. This makes your website more engaging and can also help you collect leads.

However, if you want to host a competition or giveaway, then RafflePress should be your go-to option. On the other hand, if you want to use FOMO to boost conversions, then you can choose TrustPulse instead.

Similarly, if you want to add personality quizzes or polls, then we recommend Thrive Quiz Builder and WPForms.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Fun WordPress Plugins

Here is a list of some questions that are frequently asked by our readers:

What is the most popular WordPress plugin?

WPForms is one of the most popular WordPress plugins, with over 6 million active installations.

It is the best form builder on the market that comes with a drag and drop builder, 1700+ premade templates, and complete spam protection. You can use it to create any kind of form you like, including contact forms, registration forms, login forms, online order forms, and more.

Will these fun WordPress plugins slow down my website?

Using a poorly-coded plugin can slow down your website. However, we have thoroughly tested all the plugins on our list to make sure that they are updated regularly and optimized for speed.

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Still, you must keep in mind that using a lot of plugins at the same time can slow down your website. We recommend choosing only 3 to 4 fun plugins to boost engagement.

Is it okay to use multiple plugins on my website?

You can add a few well-chosen plugins to make your site more enjoyable. However, you must keep in mind that too many plugins can clutter your site and overwhelm visitors.

That is why we recommend choosing plugins that complement each other and do not have overlapping functionalities.

For more details, you can see our tutorial on how many WordPress plugins you should install and how many are too many.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

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90+ Impressive eCommerce Statistics You Won’t Believe (2024)

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90+ Impressive eCommerce Statistics You Won't Believe (2024)

Are you ready to see some eCommerce statistics that will help you take your online business to the next level? 

It’s safe to say that in the last 20 years, eCommerce has grown beyond our wildest expectations. And it’s still evolving faster than ever. If you want to keep your customers happy and build a relationship with new prospects, you need to stay current on the latest stats and insights.

In this post, we will share some of the best and most relevant eCommerce statistics of 2024. Our goal is to help you stay informed and make meaningful, data-driven decisions the next time you work on your website or marketing strategy. 

eCommerce statistics

Ultimate List of eCommerce Statistics

Before we get started, here’s a list of all the topics we will be discussing today. Feel free to jump to the part that catches your attention or read the whole thing from top to bottom!

General eCommerce Statistics

First, let’s start with some statistics about the general state of eCommerce and online stores.

1. Globally, there are over 12 million eCommerce websites.

Over 12 million eCommerce websites might sound like a saturated market at first glance. But you will be happy to know the answer is a little more complex than that. 

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While competition is fierce for online stores, this statistic also shows that this is a growing market and there’s room for new business owners across all industries. The keys to success are to choose your target audience, cater to their goals, needs, and pain points, and create a website that separates you from everyone else. 

By catering to a specific audience and offering a unique, memorable customer experience, you can carve out your own spot in the eCommerce world. Remember, even giants like Amazon started small, so there’s room for you to succeed, too.

2. More than 80% of US shoppers say they occasionally buy from eCommerce stores.

More than 80% of US shoppers say they occasionally buy from eCommerce stores.More than 80% of US shoppers say they occasionally buy from eCommerce stores.

If your goal is to get more customers, then this statistic is very exciting. Business owners across all industries can be sure that their audience is out there and interested in their products and services. All they have to do is reach them. 

If you’re in this position, make sure you start an online store with a blog and write plenty of great content so people have a reason to stay once they discover your site. 

Think about it this way: four out of every five in a population of 331.1 million is about 265 million people! And that’s just in the United States.

3. It’s estimated that the eCommerce market will be worth $6.8 trillion by the end of this year, an almost 10% increase year over year.

The eCommerce market share is currently projected to hit a whopping $6.8 trillion by year’s end – that’s a 10% leap from last year! 

This huge growth is fantastic news for both established businesses and those just starting out. 

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For veterans, it means a bigger customer pool to tap into. With more consumers shopping online, there’s a chance to expand your reach and grow your brand in new and exciting ways. 

New businesses can also benefit from this boom. As more people shop online, they are more open to discovering new brands. This presents a golden opportunity to get your foot in the door and establish yourself in the market.

4. Amazon made close to $575 billion in net sales revenue in 2023, making it the biggest eCommerce seller in the world.

There’s no question that Amazon’s success shows the potential of online sales. We were shocked to find that 44% of shoppers check Amazon for products before they turn to Google. 

But here’s the thing – they aren’t the only ones profiting. The entire eCommerce market is thriving and ready for smart, dedicated people who want to build customer-centric products and services. This means there’s space for you to win, too.

5. When it comes to eCommerce platforms, WooCommerce leads the pack, with over 6.6 million active users.

When it comes to eCommerce platforms, WooCommerce leads the pack, with over 6.6 million active users. When it comes to eCommerce platforms, WooCommerce leads the pack, with over 6.6 million active users.

WooCommerce is the most popular eCommerce platform, with an eCommerce market share of 37.7% and 6.6 million users.

For context, Squarespace Online Stores takes second at 14.67%, and WooThemes takes third at 14.95%. The runner-ups are popular enough, but they don’t compare to WooCommerce. 

People prefer to use WooCommerce to start a store because it’s user-friendly, flexible, and comes with tons of great features and integrations. Plus, it’s customizable so you can use it to create an online store that matches your vision.

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More General eCommerce Statistics

  • Across all industries, the average conversion rate on an eCommerce website is 2.86%. 
  • The top four drivers of online purchases are free shipping (49.4%), discounts (37.9%), customer reviews (31.6%), and an easy return policy (30.4%)
  • The largest group of online shoppers are people between the ages of 25 and 34. 
  • Nearly 55% of people prefer shopping online over traditional brick-and-mortar stores. 
  • China contributes the most to the eCommerce market share, as it is responsible for 52.1% of all eCommerce sales. 
  • But India is the fastest growing market, with a projected growth of 14.11% between 2023 and 2027. 
  • There are 604 eCommerce platforms to choose from.

eCommerce Marketing Statistics

Marketing is key to an online store’s success. Let’s now take a look at some eCommerce marketing statistics.

6. eCommerce businesses with three or more marketing channels see 251% more engagement than those that stick to a single marketing channel. 

eCommerce businesses with three or more marketing channels see 251% more engagement than those that stick to a single marketing channel.  eCommerce businesses with three or more marketing channels see 251% more engagement than those that stick to a single marketing channel.

Standing out online requires reaching your target audience, and this stat makes it clear: using just one marketing channel limits your reach. And if you can’t connect with your audience, then it’s hard to grow your eCommerce business.   

The solution is actually quite simple – add more ways to get your message out, and you’ll unlock more opportunities to reach potential customers. 

We suggest investing heavily in email marketing, social media outreach, and search engine optimization (SEO) since these are three of the best ways to generate traffic and conversions.

7. Content marketing helps brands generate 3x more leads than their non-blogging counterparts.

Imagine getting 3x more leads just by writing informative blog posts! That’s the advantage that content marketing offers.

Businesses that blog regularly see a huge jump in leads. Here’s why it works: blogs attract potential customers looking for answers.

By consistently creating helpful content related to users’ goals and interests, you can build trust and become an expert in their eyes. This makes them more likely to choose you when they are ready to buy. It’s like giving away valuable advice to build relationships—and ultimately, sales.

Our advice is to spend plenty of time doing keyword research so that you know what matters to your target audience. It’s much easier to create eye-catching content if you know what matters to your audience. 

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8. 71% of shoppers expect businesses to use personalization in their marketing and 76% get frustrated when that doesn’t happen.

71% of shoppers expect businesses to use personalization in their marketing and 76% get frustrated when that doesn’t happen. 71% of shoppers expect businesses to use personalization in their marketing and 76% get frustrated when that doesn’t happen.

Forget one-size-fits-all marketing. Today’s shoppers crave personalization, and the numbers back this up. A vast majority of shoppers want businesses to use macro and micro-personalization in their marketing, and people get annoyed when that doesn’t happen. 

Including things like an email subscriber’s first name or referencing a product they purchased in the past shows that you are paying attention and want to build rapport to help them reach their goals.

If you don’t personalize at least a few parts of your marketing campaigns, then you may struggle to generate leads and connect with your prospects.

Similarly, if someone buys from your site and doesn’t see personalized messages or offers based on their interaction, they may choose another business that offers these experiences the next time they need to make a purchase. 

The best way to personalize your audience’s experience is to use tools like OptinMonster or FunnelKit. Both of these plugins allow you to show personalized content to each visitor.

For example, if someone is looking at a specific product page, you can use OptinMonster to create a popup that only shows up on that page with a unique offer. This is a great way to drive sales and grow your email list. 

9. SEO marketing matters, because search engines are the number one way people discover new products (30.6%).

SEO is more important now than ever before. Most people discover products through search engines, with TV and word-of-mouth coming in second and third place respectively.

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If your site does not appear on search engine results pages (SERPs), you are missing out on a massive chunk of potential customers. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to optimize your site for search engines

All in One SEO (AIOSEO) is the best WordPress plugin you can use for the job. Currently, over 3 million people use it to check their on-page SEO, optimize their websites, and so much more. It’s a great tool for beginners and experts alike because it manages to be both user-friendly and has plenty of advanced features.

If you want to know more, just check out our Ultimate WordPress SEO Guide for more information.

More eCommerce Marketing Statistics

  • Video is a powerful marketing tool, with 73% of people saying they’d be more likely to buy a product if they could watch a video about it first. 
  • 75% of shoppers say they need to see photos of a product before they buy it. 
  • eCommerce advertising influences over 56% of in-store purchases.
  • Ad spending for eCommerce is worth $38.4 billion, which is 3x what it was in 2019. 
  • 75% of shoppers say they’ve used a paid search ad on Google to find a new product. 
  • Nearly three-fourths (73%) of people shop across multiple marketing channels.

Mobile eCommerce Statistics

Mobile browsing is more popular than ever, and the same goes for mobile shopping. Here are some key eCommerce statistics for mobile shoppers.

10. 71% of U.S. shoppers say they’ve made a purchase from their mobile phone.

71% of U.S. shoppers say they’ve made a purchase from their mobile phone.71% of U.S. shoppers say they’ve made a purchase from their mobile phone.

This stat is a wake-up call for all eCommerce business owners: having a mobile-friendly website is no longer optional. It’s necessary.  

If your website isn’t easy to navigate and use on a smartphone, then you are missing out on a ton of traffic and potentially losing a huge chunk of sales.  

Mobile optimization includes things like a smooth user experience, clickable calls-to-action, fast loading times, and a layout that adapts to different screen sizes.  By prioritizing mobile users, you will be meeting your customers where they are and making the buying process as convenient as possible.

For more details, you can see our guide on how to create a mobile-friendly WordPress website.

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11. During Q3 of 2023, 74% of all eCommerce visits happened via mobile.

Based on this statistic, it’s clear how people prefer to browse websites and shop online. This means you need to go beyond a responsive design and instead focus on creating a mobile-first experience.

Imagine what would happen if 3 out of 4 people who visited your site had trouble browsing your product landing page, contacting your customer support, or reading your blog. Odds are, you’d see a significant dip in engagement. 

If you follow mobile-first practices, then you’ll be in a much better position to capture your audience’s attention and turn them into customers.

12. 40% of shoppers say they are likely to leave an online store if it isn’t optimized for their device.

40% of shoppers say they are likely to leave an online store if it isn’t optimized for their device.40% of shoppers say they are likely to leave an online store if it isn’t optimized for their device.

At a glance, it’s concerning to see that almost half of shoppers say they’ll leave a site if it’s not optimized for mobile. This could lead to a significant portion of potential customers bouncing off your website, simply because it isn’t user-friendly.

The good news is there’s a solution: SeedProd. It is one of the best page builders on the market and features a responsive option that allows you to fine-tune how your website displays on desktops, tablets, and mobiles. This ensures a smooth user experience for all visitors, regardless of their device.

Expert Tip: If you are looking for a different option for building a mobile-friendly website, Thrive Architect is another great choice!

More Mobile eCommerce Statistics

  • The average mobile order is between $90 and $110, which is less than the average desktop purchase. 
  • However, mobile eCommerce is growing faster at 29%, which is better than the 22% growth rate of desktop eCommerce. 
  • In the United States, there are 187 million active smartphone shoppers. 
  • Mobile apps convert 3x more customers than mobile websites.
  • 49% of smartphone shoppers use their devices to compare prices of different products when shopping online.
  • 38% of shoppers say they’ve never used a mobile device to shop, while 7% report never using desktop computers to make a purchase. 

eCommerce Payment Statistics

Next, let’s see some impressive eCommerce statistics for online payments.

When it comes to paying for online orders, credit cards are still the most popular payment method at 53%. When it comes to paying for online orders, credit cards are still the most popular payment method at 53%.

Credit cards might reign supreme for now, but the future of eCommerce payments is digital. While a solid 53% of customers still prefer credit cards, this statistic shouldn’t overshadow the rise of digital wallets and debit cards, which follow closely behind at 43% and 38%.

There’s no question that digital payment methods, like Apple Pay and PayPal, offer a faster, more convenient experience for shoppers, so integrating them into your website can dramatically boost conversions. 

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The bottom line is every step a customer has to take to complete a purchase adds friction to the process. Digital wallets eliminate the need to manually enter card details, which will streamline your checkout process and result in more happy customers.

14. In one survey, half of eCommerce business owners say they lose about 10% of their international revenue because their payment vendors do not have flexible payment options.

Not having the right payment gateway on your site will result in people leaving without taking action. You don’t want to put your visitors in this position because not only are you leaving money on the table, but there’s a good chance they will not come back even if you add their preferred payment method later. 

The solution is to offer a wide range of payment methods as soon as possible. When customers have options they trust and use regularly, they are more likely to complete their purchases. 

Here’s where a plugin like WP Simple Pay can be a game-changer. This Stripe payment plugin allows you to easily integrate over 10 different payment methods into your website. This ensures a smooth checkout experience for customers, regardless of how they want to pay. 

For more details, see our guide on how to offer multiple payment methods in WordPress forms.

15. Optimizing your checkout page can improve conversions by 35%.

Optimizing your checkout process will have a noticeable impact on sales. When customers can quickly place an order with little to no friction, they’ll take action. 

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You’ll be happy to know that getting your checkout page in good shape is easier than you might think. The key is to simplify as much as possible by offering a guest checkout option, limiting forms, and providing a progress bar so that customers can see how close they are to the end of the process. 

Be transparent, too. Don’t surprise customers with hidden fees. Clearly show taxes, shipping costs, and anything else upfront so they don’t get frustrated and leave. Building trust leads to happy customers, and happy customers mean more sales!

For more information, read our guide on how to customize your WooCommerce checkout page.

More eCommerce Payment Statistics

  • Over 65% of shoppers look up price comparisons in physical stores before they pay.
  • Venmo is growing at an impressive pace, with a 9% year-on-year increase, bringing its revenue to $6.7 million. 
  • However, their totals don’t come close to touching PayPal, which handles countless eCommerce transactions every day. They made $7.4 billion in revenue in 2023. 
  • Experts predict that the total number of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) customers will increase by 400% between 2021 and 2026. 

Social Media eCommerce Statistics

Social media is one of the best ways to reach new customers and promote your online store. Here are some important social media eCommerce statistics you need to know.

16. Businesses that use social media generate an average of 32% more revenue than ones without it.

Businesses that use social media generate an average of 32% more revenue than ones without it.Businesses that use social media generate an average of 32% more revenue than ones without it.

Social media platforms aren’t just for entertainment anymore – they are a direct line to your target audience. So, don’t underestimate the value of social media marketing. We are confident that all eCommerce business owners would love to see a 32% boost in revenue! 

Beyond direct sales, you also get plenty of opportunities to engage with your audience. Think about it: you can showcase your products, highlight special offers, and build brand awareness – all without spending a dime on traditional advertising.

You can use a plugin like Smash Balloon to share your social media on your website. This can have a dramatic impact on engagement and help you get more followers. Plus, adding a social feed to your site is fast and easy.

17. 74% of shoppers turn to social media when they are thinking about buying a product.

It turns out that social media is also one of the most widely used research tools for online shoppers. This statistic highlights that about 3/4s of people turn to their favorite social sites when they want to learn more about a product or discover something new. 

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For you, this means social sites are the perfect place to introduce yourself to prospects, show off your products, and get to know your existing customers. 

It’s a good idea to spend some time on social media every day so you can connect with your audience and build a community. Then, once your page gets to a certain point, the algorithm will begin recommending your channel or profile to people who don’t follow you. This is an easy way to build your social audience and customer base. 

18. 67% of affiliates and virtually all influencers use social media sites to boost their sales.

There’s no question that affiliates and influencers have a strong relationship with eCommerce business owners. 

This shouldn’t come as a surprise when you consider these groups often partner together on social media because it’s a win-win-win situation. The brand sells more products, the affiliate makes a commission on their sales, and the customers get great products. 

The increase in profits and ease of access is probably why 68% of marketers say they plan on investing in an affiliate program this year. 

We suggest using AffiliateWP to create and manage your affiliate program. This easy-to-use WordPress plugin allows you to set commissions, issue one-click payouts, and collaborate with your affiliates in new and exciting ways.

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Just see our tutorial on how to add an affiliate program in WooCommerce for more information.

19. 80% of marketers who sell products on social media say consumers have made a purchase through these platforms.

Some business leaders think that social media is just for window shopping. However, many people are turning to social media to make purchases, and that isn’t going to change anytime soon. 

This can seem intimidating if you are currently not using social sites like Facebook and Instagram to sell your products. But there’s still plenty of time for you to get involved. 

By integrating social commerce features, you can streamline the buying journey for customers. They can discover your products, learn about them, and complete their purchase – all within the familiar social media interface.

More Social Media eCommerce Statistics

  • There are over 4.74 billion active social media users
  • 34% of marketers say Facebook generates the most sales, which makes sense when you consider that over 53.5 million people have bought something from the site. 
  • 16% of social media managers use automation to communicate with prospects. 
  • When it comes to Gen-Z and millennial shoppers, 28% have bought something directly from social media in the last 3 months.
  • The top categories for social media shopping in order are apparel, beauty, and home products. 
  • 70% of people say they are far more likely to buy a product from a brand if they have a positive experience with them on social media. 
  • Almost one-third of shoppers say they turn to social media to learn about new brands or products. 

Email eCommerce Statistics

Email is an important tool for any online business. Here are some of the most important email eCommerce statistics.

20. A vast majority (86%) of eCommerce marketers use email to build rapport with their audience and improve brand awareness.

There’s a reason why email marketing remains a favorite among eCommerce marketers: it’s a direct line of communication to prospects and existing customers. When you can have a one-on-one conversation with people, there’s a better chance you can learn about their goals and pain points while overcoming their objections. 

With what you learn from these encounters, you can share relevant content, advertise exclusive promotions, showcase new products, and ask for feedback, among other things.

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If you are looking for a good email marketing service, then Constant Contact is our number one choice. It’s extremely easy to use and allows you to do everything you’d expect, like create templates, design a calendar, and more.

21. 52% of people say they’ve made a purchase as the result of a marketing email.

52% of people say they’ve made a purchase as the result of a marketing email. 52% of people say they’ve made a purchase as the result of a marketing email.

This statistic highlights the value of email marketing for eCommerce businesses. There’s no doubt that it’s a cost-effective, powerful way to reach your audience and directly influence their buying decisions.

If you want to create emails that capture the attention of your subscribers and boost sales, then make sure you focus on personalization. About 80% of people say they are more likely to engage with a business if it personalizes content and offers to match their needs. 

For instance, we suggest using information subscribers have sent you, as well as their purchase history, to curate an email campaign that aligns with their interests.

22. 14% of marketing emails never reach their destination.

It’s shocking to think that so many emails never reach their destination. For business owners who use email marketing to engage with their customers, these deliverability issues could result in missed opportunities to build rapport and lost sales. 

Luckily, tools like WP Mail SMTP can help with this problem. This powerful WordPress plugin tackles deliverability issues head-on and makes sure that your emails will end up in your users’ inboxes.

For more information, just see our tutorial on how to fix the WordPress not sending emails issue.

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More Email eCommerce Statistics

  • 72% of email marketers struggle with low open rates.
  • Personalized subject lines can get between 10-14% more people to read your email.  
  • Emails letting customers on a waitlist know a product is back in stock convert a staggering 8695% better than a traditional, generic email.
  • 78% of people say they don’t mind getting emails once a week from brands they love. 
  • 57% of marketers have between 1,000 and 10,000 email subscribers. 
  • Mobile-responsive emails are essential because 70% of people will delete an email if it looks bad on their phone.

eCommerce Shopping Cart Statistics

Next, let’s take a look at some eCommerce shopping cart statistics.

23. Across all industries, the average shopping cart abandonment rate is 70.19%.

23. Across all industries, the average shopping cart abandonment rate is 70.19%. 23. Across all industries, the average shopping cart abandonment rate is 70.19%.

Shopping cart abandonment occurs when someone adds an item to their cart but leaves your website before checking out. And it’s way more common than you might think. 

It doesn’t matter what industry you are in. You will see this happen more often than you’d like. Instead of letting it bother you, you can find ways to reduce abandonment, such as by creating a cart recovery email series. 

Sending 3 emails to people who joined your list after they abandoned your cart can help you recover around 60% of lost sales. Generally, it’s a good idea to send one email after they leave, another 24 hours later, and the last one about a week after they leave with items still in their cart. 

For more details, see our guide on how to set up abandoned cart emails.

24. The number one reason shoppers abandon their shopping carts is unexpected costs.

Most people have decided to abandon a shopping cart without taking action because of unexpected costs. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t. 

That’s because shoppers expect the price at the end to be close to what they were shown when they added the items to their cart. Imagine thinking a new shirt will cost $25, only to see $60 after shipping and taxes.

You can reduce this type of abandonment by embracing an “always-on” shopping cart that shows visitors their total regardless of where they are on your site. Then, you can offer free shipping on orders over a specific amount.

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25. 26% of people who leave items in their cart will go on to buy a similar item from a different store. 

You may be shocked to learn that people will buy the same type of product from a different eCommerce website after they first view it on another site. This means you need to do everything you can to capture visitors’ attention so you don’t lose sales and opportunities to engage with your customers. 

To win people over, there are two key areas you need to focus on: product information and enticing offers. 

You can overcome hesitation by creating informative product landing pages that showcase features, benefits, and high-quality images.

Additionally, strategic discounts are a game-changer.  Consider offering targeted promotions or deals specifically for recovering abandoned carts. This sweetens the deal and incentivizes customers to complete their purchase at your store instead of heading to a competitor.

Exit-intent popups can help you connect with 53% of visitors before they leave. Exit-intent popups can help you connect with 53% of visitors before they leave.

This is why you shouldn’t underestimate the power of a well-timed popup. This statistic reveals that exit-intent popups, which appear when a visitor shows signs of leaving your site, can help you reconnect with a whopping 53% of departing customers.

With a tool like OptinMonster, you can streamline this process and turn more visitors into subscribers, which can later be converted into customers. 

With its drag-and-drop builder, you can design beautiful, high-converting popups – even if you don’t know how to code. OptinMonster offers customizable campaigns, from exit-intent popups to lightbox forms, which lets you reach visitors at various touchpoints in their journey.

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Need more proof? We used OptinMonster and managed to grow our email list by 600%

More Shopping Cart Statistics

  • 92% of visitors don’t intend to buy something the first time they land on your site. 
  • 54% of shoppers say they are more likely to revisit a website and complete their order if they are offered a discount. 
  • Despite this, only 38% of marketers say they use email to reduce abandonment. 
  • Organic search traffic is less likely to abandon their cart (76%) than visitors who find your site through social media (91%).
  • A little less than half (46%) of shoppers have left items in their cart because a discount code they received didn’t work. 
  • Using predictive AI to personalize product and content recommendations can reduce abandonment by up to 18%. 
  • While it’s hard to pin down an exact number, experts estimate over $4 trillion worth of products are left in abandoned shopping carts each year. 

Customer Experience and eCommerce Statistics

Providing a good customer experience is important if you want your eCommerce business to succeed. Here are some statistics to keep in mind.

27. 76% of people say they are more likely to buy from an online store if they personalize their shopping experience.

This stat highlights a crucial factor for eCommerce business owners: creating unique shopping journeys that resonate with each customer. 

Think about it: People who see generic offers that don’t resonate with their needs will likely ignore them in favor of ultra-personalized, relevant promotions. Personalized content and product suggestions will make customers feel like you are there with them, understand their needs, and are committed to their success. 

Interestingly, 85% of leaders believe they are already doing a good job personalizing content and offers, but only 60% of shoppers agree. In other words, there’s a gap that you need to be mindful of when designing your personalization strategy.

28. 95% of shoppers look for reviews and other forms of social proof before making a purchase.

95% of shoppers look for reviews and other forms of social proof before making a purchase. 95% of shoppers look for reviews and other forms of social proof before making a purchase.

It’s impossible to deny the power of social proof in eCommerce. We bet that you look at reviews every time you buy something new online – after all, most people do.

When potential customers see positive reviews, testimonials, or user-generated content, it builds trust and validates your brand’s credibility.  Imagine walking into a store and seeing it packed with happy customers – that feeling of social validation translates to the online world as well.

It’s a good idea to display reviews and testimonials on key parts of your website. The social wall plugin Smash Balloon can help with this because it lets you embed a reviews feed and show website visitors what people are saying about you on social media and other websites.

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Plus consider using the social proof plugin TrustPulse to add engaging real-time live sales notifications to your site. 

For more information, see our guide to the best social proof plugins for WordPress.

29. If your customer service team is unresponsive and a user has a question, 79% will leave and may never return.

You probably know that customer support is essential to your business, but did you know that 4 out of 5 people who don’t get their questions answered will leave for good? This startling statistic highlights why it’s so important to have a well-rounded customer support plan in place. 

The consequences of having an unresponsive customer service team are quite severe. You’ll miss opportunities to connect with potential customers, people will think poorly of your brand, and existing customers may churn in favor of a company that offers 24/7 support.

Our advice is to use a mix of live support agents and chatbots to help your customers quickly and easily find what they are looking for.

Groove is a great help desk option that can make life easier for your support team. It allows you to quickly and easily respond to customers, track user history, create tasks, monitor feedback, and much more.

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More Customer Experience Statistics

  • 78% of people are more likely to place an order if there’s a fast and affordable shipping option. 
  • Around 35% of shoppers say they would shop online more if they could virtually try a product before they buy it. 
  • 48% of internet users say if a site has a bad web design, it instantly loses credibility. 
  • Less than 20% of people say customer service interactions with retailers exceeded their expectations. 
  • Solving a customer’s problem could result in them telling 4 to 6 other people about their experience. 
  • Globally, poor customer experiences cost businesses $75 million a year. 
  • 82% of people claim they are willing to spend more money on a product if they consistently receive excellent service.

The Future of eCommerce

We already know that online shopping has been growing over the years. So, let’s take a look at the future of eCommerce.

30. By the end of 2024, global eCommerce sales are projected to grow by 10% from the same time last year. Meanwhile, in-store sales are expected to see a 2% boost.  

The future is bright for eCommerce businesses! This statistic paints a clear picture: online shopping is on a steady upward trajectory, while traditional brick-and-mortar stores see a more modest increase.

Plus, we expect this trend to continue in the years to come. 

31. Experts predict the eCommerce market share to be worth over $8.1 trillion by 2026.

Experts predict the eCommerce market share to be worth over .1 trillion by 2026. Experts predict the eCommerce market share to be worth over .1 trillion by 2026.

This is a very exciting prediction for eCommerce business owners across all industries. This means there’s a booming marketplace on the horizon, which translates to a wider audience for your products and more sales. 

If you want to take advantage of this surge of new eCommerce traffic, make sure you are doing everything you can to align with your customers’ needs. This will give you the knowledge and experience you need to scale your business.

We recommend using a plugin like MonsterInsights to learn more about your eCommerce visitors. You can see at a glance who is visiting your site, how they found you, and more. Combine all of this data and you can learn so much about your target audience, like their needs, interests, and goals.

For more details, see our tutorial on how to set up eCommerce tracking in WordPress.

32. About 20% of all retail sales occur online. It’s estimated that this number will reach 25% by the end of 2025.

This statistic aligns with the others we have already listed – eCommerce is on the rise.

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Over the course of the next year, we will see retail sales jump to 25%. This is partially due to new businesses opening up, and existing brands building a website and taking their products online. 

More eCommerce Predictions

  • By the end of 2025, it’s estimated that PayPal, Venmo, and other digital wallets will make up over 52% of payments.
  • Most professional marketers agree that mobile eCommerce sales will reach $710 billion by 2025.
  • Mobile eCommerce sales are expected to bring in $729 billion in revenue by the start of 2026. 
  • By the same time, subscription eCommerce will be worth an estimated $904.2 billion.
  • In 2027, eCommerce revenue in the United States alone is estimated to hit $6.43 billion.

Sources:

OptinMonster, IsItWP, WPForms, AffiliateWP, TrustPulse, Shopify, Forbes, HubSpot, Constant Contact, Instapage, WebFX, Statista, eDesk, The Future of Commerce, Exploding Topics, Hostinger, Bluehost, Video Wise, Sprout Social, Backlinko, Dash, Artios, Tidio

There you have it! We hope this extensive list of eCommerce statistics helps you on your journey. If you are looking for more interesting statistics, check out some of our other posts below!

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.



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Best Website Builder for an Online Store? 9 Affordable Options in 2024

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Best Website Builder for an Online Store? 9 Affordable Options in 2024

Are you ready to launch your side hustle and open an online store for dropshipping, merch, or something else? E-commerce sites can be tricky to build if you don’t have the right tools, and they often require paid plans. Where can you turn if you need the best website builder for an online store? 

We have you covered with everything you might need or want to know about the 9 best and most affordable options to kickstart your sales. 

Ready to learn how you can grow your small businesses with online sales (and even in-person sales)? Let’s check out the best options available to you. 

TL;DR: What’s the Best Website Builder for an Online Store?

Whether you want your online store to be a side hustle or your main gig, you need the right tools. I recommend Shopify as a great all-in-one solution that gets you up and running quickly. They handle everything you could need in a website builder for a reasonable monthly fee. 

Remember that there are cheaper options than Shopify, but they might not be as comprehensive and robust. 

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On the other hand, if you already have a WordPress website, WooCommerce may be the way to go. It integrates with the rest of your website and makes it easy to transition from evergreen content to sales. Plus, it’s very cost-effective for these already-established websites. 

9 Best eCommerce Website Builders

Getting an eCommerce business up and running is no small feat. Even something as simple as inventory management and finding payment gateways can be complex and overwhelming. No matter where business owners decide to build, they should be fully prepared for the costs and features available. 

Here are the nine website builders you need to start selling online quickly and easily. 

Shopify: Best for Building a Storefront Fast

Best Website Builder for an Online Store 9 Affordable Options

No doubt about it: Shopify is the leading ecommerce platform and website builder that many people are using to great success. There are more than 48,000 online stores  that are using the framework provided here. See our full Shopify review here. 

With thousands of themes to choose from for your online store, you can create something that looks custom for your brand. Add a custom domain, and you seem to have a seamless, tech-heavy storefront with minimal effort. It’s intuitive and simple to use, even for beginners. 

It’s also a powerhouse for supporting your website with SEO tools, email marketing tools, payment gateways, and even a shipping function. Their paid plans offer everything you could possibly need in terms of website features. 

The best part is that Shopify is extremely easy to use. I have built a couple of websites using Shopify. If I can figure it out with minimal coding knowledge, I have no doubts that you can replicate my process. Get up and running as quickly as possible to start earning. 

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Pricing: $29 per month and up


Squarespace: Best for Ease of Use and Services

1714431363 689 Best Website Builder for an Online Store 9 Affordable Options1714431363 689 Best Website Builder for an Online Store 9 Affordable Options

Squarespace might be the second-best e-commerce website builder for someone with limited technical skills who wants to play around with setting up an online store. Like Shopify, it features intuitive design processes that make it easy to adapt to your custom branding. 

The drag-and-drop website editor will make designing your website a breeze, no matter what niche. 

You get some excellent features when you build an eCommerce website with Squarespace:

  • Built-in SEO tools
  • Blogging capabilities
  • Mobile-optimization
  • Payment gateways
  • Inventory management features.

It’s a little less customizable than Shopify, but that doesn’t mean you should count it out on this alone. This website builder is also a little less expensive and has great built-in e-commerce tools, so give it a shot before deciding where to build your online store. 

Pricing: $23 per month for business accounts and up

Compare whether Squarespace or WordPress is the right choice for you here. 


WooCommerce: Best for WordPress Websites 

1714431364 459 Best Website Builder for an Online Store 9 Affordable Options1714431364 459 Best Website Builder for an Online Store 9 Affordable Options

If you want to create online stores on an existing WordPress site, you don’t have to recreate the wheel. You can leverage powerful tools like WooCommerce that were created specifically for this purpose. When a website is already set up with lots of evergreen content, blogs, or informational pages, you might not want to switch to an entirely new platform. 

WooCommerce allows you to build a store immediately without sacrificing other plugins you might already use on WordPress like Yoast SEO or RankMath.

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It even has abandoned cart recovery. This free website builder is a must-have for enhancing a WordPress site with merchandising. 

I’ve built a couple of sites using WooCommerce in the past and found it very focused on intuitive use. Even my husband, who is fairly low-tech, found it easy to manage his store builder with this tool. 

Website features are easy to add to this type of page regardless of whether you choose to implement a free or paid template. It also supports lots of different payment gateways, so you can choose what will work best for your business, especially if you intend to sell internationally.

Pricing: Free online store builder but may require payment for extensions

See our full WooCommerce review here. 


BigCommerce: Best for Scaling Sales

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Maybe you’re looking for more robust e-commerce builders that can help you scale your sales.

If this describes you, then BigCommerce might be the best website builder for an online store. What sets it apart from the other options for an online business listed here? 

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First, it’s great for someone who wants to sell online without limit. You get unlimited storage space and user accounts on every plan. That means you can list unlimited products without having to worry about running out of room — and you can hire the right number of people to help manage the influx. 

Worried that you won’t be able to use all of the ecommerce features included here? BigCommerce will make it easy for you with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor that allows you to visualize your new page and customize an existing theme. 

Plus, you can implement an ecommerce store built by BigCommerce with an existing WordPress site. Be sure to see more details in our detailed BigCommerce review.

Pricing: $29 per month for up to $50,000 in sales annually


Wix: Best Free Online Store Builder

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Maybe you are looking for the best e-commerce website builder but don’t want to spend a fortune to determine whether this is the side hustle for you. The good news is that you can turn to Wix to build your online store and get off the ground quickly. Like many others, it features a drag-and-drop editor that makes design easy. 

Keep in mind that it won’t be as robust as Shopify or BigCommerce, but it’s a great stepping stone for new website owners. 

The one downside to using Wix as an eCommerce website builder is that it doesn’t integrate with many other tools. Email marketing tools and advanced analytics will be hard to come by. Still, it does have a few bells and whistles, like abandoned cart recovery and customer segmentation, you can leverage. 

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Pricing: Free ecommerce website builder up to 500MB of storage; $17 and up for additional


Shift4Shop: Best for Customization

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If none of the other website builders seem like a good fit, then Shift4Shop might give you the ecommerce websites you have been looking for. Their site builder makes it extremely easy for you to get up and running with built-in payment processing that makes it easier for you to cash out.

However, their ecommerce platforms have a wide variety of functions you can use to build your site:

  • Search engine optimization tools
  • Inventory management
  • Dropshipping capabilities
  • Subscriptions
  • Digital product sales.

Where it truly stands out from other online store builders is that it allows you to customize pricing for an individual client. Set up a price list for each one of your customer segmentations and you’ll have a B2B sales page that can rake in the big bucks. 

Pricing: $0 for Shift4 payment gateways with $500 minimum in sales per month; $29 per month for PayPal


GoDaddy: Best on a Budget

1714431364 487 Best Website Builder for an Online Store 9 Affordable Options1714431364 487 Best Website Builder for an Online Store 9 Affordable Options

WordPress is one of the best site builders around, but many people feel overwhelmed by the options for hosting, site building, plugins, and more. GoDaddy simplifies the process and lets you tackle building an ecommerce site with greater ease. 

They provide hosting, domain registration, and even a simple site builder. 

One thing to note is that it isn’t as easy to customize using their ecommerce site builder as with the Shopify or Squarespace options. It’s a solid store builder if you’re okay using a template that comes out of the box. If you’re hoping for a more custom website builder, then you would be better off choosing a different ecommerce store builder. 

They also have AI that can help you create your online store in mere minutes instead of spending hours or days on a project. 

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Pricing: $10.99 for basic ecommerce and up


Hostinger: Best WordPress Website Builder

1714431364 330 Best Website Builder for an Online Store 9 Affordable Options1714431364 330 Best Website Builder for an Online Store 9 Affordable Options

Looking for the best website builder for an online store and aren’t sure where to turn? Hostinger might be the solution you need for an ecommerce platform. They allow you to host your website, get a custom domain, and design your store to the exact specifications you had in mind. 

Like other top ecommerce website builders listed here, this one offers a variety of ready-to-use templates to build your store. However, it also allows for customization, ensuring your website stands out and doesn’t just blend in with the rest created by similar builders.

With their drag-and-drop editor, you have lots of options with no coding required. Other functions of this ecommerce website builder include: 

  • Adding variants for each product quickly and easily
  • Automated sales tax processing
  • Shipping methods for each region where you make sales
  • AI website builder.

Pricing: $2.99 per month


Square Online (Weebly): Best for Small Businesses

1714431364 204 Best Website Builder for an Online Store 9 Affordable Options1714431364 204 Best Website Builder for an Online Store 9 Affordable Options

Square Online (not the same as Squarespace—see our comparison of Square vs. Squarespace here), formerly known as Weebly, is another great e-commerce site builder option. Chances are that you’re already familiar with the services Square Online offers to customers in the form of card readers, payment options, and point-of-sale software. 

Now, it has many of the same capabilities as most e-commerce website builders, including payments with no additional transaction fees. However, you may face other transaction fees if you decide to use separate payment gateways instead of Square, so be sure to do your homework before deciding.

It’s a great option for anyone wanting to run a physical retail location and an online store because it syncs your inventory. This ensures that you never oversell and fail to truly deliver to your customers. 

Pricing: Free plan or $29 per month for a Plus plan

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Final Thoughts on the Best Website Builder for Your Online Store? 

Consider what you would like to do with a new website builder when building your online store. The next right move for your brand depends on the finished product, pricing, and ease of use that you anticipate in the creation process. I recommend Shopify as the all-in-one best e-commerce website builder, but the others have their place as well. 

Which of these options are the best ecommerce website builders for your unique business? Experiment and see which is easiest and most intuitive for you today! 



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