Choosing the right shopping cart software for your business can take a lot of the stress out of the sales process, resulting in more sales and a higher AOV. In this guide, I’m sharing the best Thrivecart alternatives for online businesses.

While Thrivecart does offer excellent value for money with its lifetime plan, it falls short in a few areas, including a lack of live support and the high initial cost.

The good news is that there are lots of great alternatives to choose from. I’ve put together a list of the best ones to help you find the right solution for your business, depending on what you’re selling.

The Best Thrivecart Alternatives to Sell Your Products

All of these Thrivecart alternatives have different features, so it’s important to know what you want to sell and how you plan to market it before making a decision.

Whether you’re a small business owner or managing a large online store, understanding the key features of each will enable you to choose the platform that’s right for your business.

Shopify (Best Thrivecart Alternative for Physical Products)

As the leading shopping cart provider, Shopify is a great option for anyone wanting to sell a large inventory of both physical and digital products.

Shopify’s main features include:

• Payment processing
• Sell digital products, physical products, and services
• Payment links
• Detailed reporting
• Affiliate management
• Website
• Custom domain
• Advanced analytics and order tracking

It also offers point-of-sale options for anyone who wants to sell their products or services in person in a brick-and-mortar store or market. The flexibility Shopify offers means that it will be the only platform you ever need as your business grows—it’s used by some of the world’s largest brands, as well as medium-sized businesses and solopreneurs.

The best thing about Shopify is how easy it is to use. This powerful ecommerce platform makes it super easy to create a professional-looking online store in a matter of hours.

Sendowl (Great for Simple Digital Product Delivery)

Sendowl is undoubtedly one of the most underrated Thrivecart alternatives around for digital product sales. It’s super easy to use, and it’s incredibly affordable, too, with plans starting from just $18/month.

Its features include:

• Easy digital product delivery
• Flexible payment options
• Sell anywhere with payment links
• One-click upsells
• Storefront builder
• Multiple payment gateways
• Send software license keys

It’s a great option for anyone selling digital products such as e-books and digital files. You can even use it to take recurring payments for things like memberships and coaching (although you will still need to use another platform like Zoom to actually deliver this type of service).

Systeme (Best Free Thrivecart Alternative)

Another all-in-one e-commerce toolkit to add to the list! Systeme makes marketing and selling your products, courses, or services easy by combining all the tools you need into one affordable package.

It includes:

• Sales funnels
• Email marketing
• Website Builder
• Affiliate program management
• Business automation
• Evergreen webinars
• Online courses
• Blogging
• Selling products (either dropshipping or your own products)

It offers excellent value for money too, with a completely free plan, as well as a range of affordable monthly or yearly paid plans.

Systeme is a great option for anyone who wants to create an online course or membership. It has all the tools you need to run a successful business in one place at a very affordable price point. You can read more about this amazing platform in our in-depth Systeme.io review.

Kajabi (Best for Coaches)

Kajabi is a great all-rounder, but it’s particularly good for anyone selling courses or memberships thanks to its built-in Podcast hosting and community features.

It includes everything you need to run your business in one place, with features such as:

• Websites
• Email marketing
• Online course builder
• Coaching
• Podcasts
• Sales funnel builder
• Analytics
• Mobile App
• Flexible payments
• Automatic tax calculations

It’s not the cheapest option on this list, but you get what you pay for. And you won’t need to integrate any other tools or pay for hosting, because it really is a one-stop-shop for anyone selling a digital product or service online.

The downside is that if you want to sell physical products, you will still need to use a 3rd party integration like Shopify.

Sellfy (Best Thrivecart Alternative for print-on-demand)

If you’re looking to start a Print on Demand business, Sellfy is a great option. As well as print-on-demand products you can also add your own digital and physical products too. This makes it a great option for influencers who want to sell their own products or merch with no upfront investment for inventory.

It includes:

• A beautiful, customizable storefront
• Built-in print-on-demand platform
• Sell digital products
• Embed a ‘buy now’ button on your website
• Amazing support
• Email marketing
• Video streaming
• Subscriptions
• Connect your own domain
• Multiple languages
• Upselling
• Cart abandonment emails
• Affiliate marketing tools

It’s surprisingly affordable too, with plans starting from just $29/month for unlimited products.

WooCommerce (Best for WordPress Users)

If you’re already using WordPress for your website or blog, WooCommerce could be a good option for you.

WooCommerce is an open-source e-commerce plugin, so it’s completely free to use. Once installed, you will have everything you need to create a professional-looking e-commerce store right on your existing website.

You can use it to sell absolutely anything from digital downloads to physical products and even to take payments for bookings and other services online.

There are thousands of extensions available too (free and paid) so the possibilities when it comes to creating online stores are endless.

This makes WooCommerce one of the most flexible and affordable options when it comes to selling online.

Podia

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution that combines your website or blog with the ability to sell products and services, you can’t really go wrong with Podia.

With Podia, you can sell:

• Digital downloads
• Coaching
• Online courses
• Private Communities

The best thing about Podia is that you can manage your entire online business from one place. This saves you from having to pay for hosting and you won’t need to integrate additional tools like email marketing software.

Podia’s pricing is incredibly competitive with a completely free plan (they will take a 10% cut of your sales) and even the highest tier plan with all the bells and whistles will only set you back $59/month.

Samcart

Samcart is one of the most popular Thrivecart alternatives around, and one of its closest competitors. While it has a lot of similar features to Thrivecart, Samcart offers far superior customer support and a few additional features that Thrivecart doesn’t offer.

This includes multiple order bumps and different ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ options which allow buyers to split up larger payments.

Samcart’s key features include:

• Express checkout
• Sales Pages
• 1-Click Upsells
• Order bumps and add-ons
• Cart abandonment
• Flexible payment options
• Affiliate center
• Subscriptions

And lots more. It is more expensive than Thrivecart, but if you don’t mind the price tag it’s definitely worth considering.

You can get a free 7-day Trial of Samcart Right Here

Clickfunnels

A classic when it comes to sales funnels, Clickfunnels is a good option for anyone wanting a simple approach to creating ‘set it and forget it’ sales funnels. It’s a lot more than just a sales funnel builder though!

Its key features include:

• Pre-built funnel templates
• Drag and drop editor
• A/B testing
• Landing pages
• CRM
• Sales page builder
• Email marketing
• Webinar hosting
• Membership sites
• Shopping cart tools
• Reporting and analytics

It integrates well with multiple payment gateways and enables you to easily add up-sells and order bumps to increase your average order value.

You can use Clickfunnels to sell anything from digital downloads to courses and memberships and even physical products.

So if you’re looking for a tool that can handle every part of the sales and marketing process, Clickfunnels is certainly worth considering.

Gumroad

Gumroad is a popular option for many creators and influencers because it allows you to sell products with no monthly fee.

Sure, you do have to pay a 10% commission on each sale you make. However, that’s only once you’ve actually sold something, so you will never be out of pocket.

With Gumroad you can:

• Sell digital products and services
• Sell monthly subscriptions
• Accept payments in any currency

Gumroad can even generate license keys, so if you’re selling software you can make sure your products are protected.

Perhaps the best thing about Gumroad is how easy it is to use. It’s perfect for independent creators looking to sell things like ebooks, or handmade products.

The downside is that it doesn’t have many advanced features, so it’s not a good option if you don’t already have an audience to sell to.

Read the full Gumroad review to find out more about this platform.

Which of These Thrivecart Alternatives is Best Overall?

As you can see, there are plenty of great Thrivecart alternatives to choose from, each with its own unique set of features. Because they are all so different, I have selected a few ‘winners’ for different use cases.

My overall favorite is Systeme.io. It’s a great all-rounder and includes everything you need to create an online store and market your products. Its pre-designed funnel templates make generating more sales easy, and best of all, it has a completely free plan, making it accessible to new entrepreneurs as well as established businesses.

If you have (or are planning to have) a large product inventory, then Shopify is a solid option that will be able to handle everything thrown at it as your business grows.

If you are a coach, influencer, or thought leader, then Kajabi will give you everything you need to run a successful business. The fact that it includes podcast hosting is the cherry on the cake.

And finally, if you are selling digital products such as WordPress themes or software, Sendowl is definitely worth checking out. It’s very affordable, starting from just $18/month, and can generate license keys for every sale to help you protect your hard work.

Looking for a solution that gives you more flexibility and control than Shopify?

WooCommerce might be just what you need!

In fact, as of June 2024, over 14% of the top one million ecommerce sites use WooCommerce.

But where do you start?

In this step-by-step guide for 2024, we’ll show you exactly how to set up your WooCommerce store from start to finish.

How do you start a WooCommerce store? (A 12-step walkthrough)

These are the 12 steps on how to start a WooCommerce store in 2024:

1. Come up with your product idea
2. Define your ideal target audience
3. Choose a fulfillment method
4. Find a supplier
5. Install WordPress and WooCommerce
6. Pick a WooCommerce theme according to your niche
7. Add products to your store
8. Create your standard online store pages
9. Install the right WooCommerce plugins
10. Design and brand your WooCommerce store
11. Set up your store’s settings and payment gateways
12. Choose a marketing method that fits you and start advertising

Let’s take a look at them in some more detail!

1. Come up with your product idea

The first step in starting your WooCommerce store is to clearly define what product(s) you want to sell.

Why?

Your product choice will shape the entire process of building your store. It influences your choice of supplier, the name of your store, and the theme you select.

To get started, look for the following characteristics of a winning product:

If you don’t know where to start, check out these articles to get your creative juices flowing:

Ask yourself these questions to spark product ideas:

• What do you enjoy?
• What are your hobbies?
• What do you wish existed?
• What problems do you want to solve?
• What do you know a lot about?

If you’re still struggling to find product ideas, consider using a product research tool. These tools compile popular products, making it easier to find a winning item.

If you’re not sure which tool to pick, try our product research tool quiz to find one that best suits your needs.

Not a fan of quizzes? Some excellent tools to explore include Sell The Trend, Niche Scraper, and Thieve.co.

Now, you may also want to think about whether you want to start a general, niche, or one-product store:

It’s okay if you’re not entirely sure about the store type right now.

You can start by selecting the products you want to sell, and then choose the most suitable store type based on those decisions.

2. Define your ideal target audience

The next step is to define your target audience—the group of people you want to sell your products to.

They often share similar interests, hobbies, ages, or genders.

Now, why is identifying your target audience important? Philip Kotler, an American marketing expert, puts it this way:

There is only one winning strategy. It is to carefully define the target market and direct a superior offering to that target market.

Philip Kotler

The most common methods to define your target audience are:

• Develop a buyer persona. A buyer persona is a fictional character that represents your ideal customer. Creating a buyer persona helps you understand who your target audience is and what their needs are.
• Analyze your product’s benefits. Look at its key benefits and consider who would find them most valuable.
• Test different audiences. Sometimes, the best way to find your ideal audience is through testing. Run ads targeting different groups and analyze which performs best.

For a detailed step-by-step guide on defining your ideal target audience, check out this article!

3. Choose a fulfillment method

Before starting your WooCommerce store, you need to decide how to fulfill orders.

Here’s an overview of three recommended fulfillment methods, along with their pros and cons:

Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.

Dropshipping / Print on demand

Dropshipping is the most popular and straightforward method of running a WooCommerce store.

When a customer orders a product, you contact your supplier, who then ships the product directly to the customer.

In short, it’s perfect for entrepreneurs looking to start with a low upfront investment!

A similar fulfillment method is print on demand (POD).

While it’s similar to dropshipping, POD focuses on selling custom-printed products like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases.

This method is perfect for those who want to sell self-designed products without any initial investment or risk.

If you can’t choose between dropshipping and print on demand, take a look at this infographic:

Third-party fulfillment

With third-party fulfillment, you ship your products to a third-party logistics company (3PL) that stores, packs, and ships them for you.

The main advantage of third-party fulfillment is that it gives you more control over your inventory and shipping.

Plus, if you choose a fulfillment warehouse in your customer’s country, shipping times should be way quicker.

However, this method requires a higher upfront investment as you need to purchase inventory in bulk, which comes with more risk if your products don’t sell.

In-house fulfillment

In-house fulfillment involves managing the entire process yourself. This gives you complete control over inventory, packaging, and shipping.

You can even use custom packaging to improve your brand!

However, it can be time-consuming and may distract you from other important tasks like marketing, customer service, and accounting. Plus, it requires an investment in storage space, equipment, and materials.

So, you can choose this fulfillment method if you want full control over your operations and are prepared to dedicate the necessary time and resources.

4. Find a supplier

So, you’ve found the product you want to sell.

Great! But that’s just half the battle.

You’ll also need a reliable supplier who can provide high-quality products at the perfect price range.

Some suppliers specialize in dropshipping, others in in-house fulfillment, and some focus exclusively on print on demand.

Here’s how to identify a good supplier:

Got it? Now, let’s look at some of the best suppliers for different fulfillment methods!

Best suppliers for dropshipping, in-house, or third-party fulfillment stores

We’ve created a table to help you find a supplier for your store.

Click on the supplier’s name to visit their website, or the ‘Read Review’ link to see a detailed review, including pros and cons.

These platforms easily integrate with your WooCommerce dropshipping store. They allow you to browse and import products with a click of a button.

For example, here is the one for Spocket:

If you’re interested in suppliers in a specific region, you can find them in these lists:

Alternatively, you can find a local supplier through a quick Google search.

In our experience, they often provide the fastest delivery times, which is essential for dropshipping stores.

Plus, working with local suppliers can help you avoid the ‘software fees’ that platforms like Spocket or Syncee charge on their higher plans.

However, keep in mind that most local suppliers do not offer direct integration with WordPress websites. This means you will likely need to manually add products and process orders.

Tip: Always order samples before committing to a supplier to ensure product quality.

Best suppliers for print on demand stores

If you want to start a print on demand store, you’ll need a specific type of supplier. These suppliers specialize in customizing products based on your designs.

Here are our top two picks:

For more print on demand suppliers, check out our article here with the 15 best print on demand companies!

5. Install WordPress and WooCommerce

If you’re new to WordPress, let’s clear up some common confusion before diving into the installation of WordPress and the WooCommerce plugin.

People often mix up WordPress.com with WordPress.org, but they’re quite different.

WordPress.com is a fully hosted platform similar to Shopify. It handles all the hosting and maintenance for you but has restrictions on customization and monetization.

On the other hand, WordPress.org is what many consider the ‘real WordPress.’

It’s an open-source platform that you can download for free and install on your own hosting account.

Plus, it opens up a world of plugins that WordPress is famous for!

In this guide, we’ll focus on WordPress.org because it’s free and feature-rich, which is exactly what we need to set up an ecommerce store!

Now, let’s talk about WooCommerce.

This powerful plugin transforms your WordPress site into a fully functioning ecommerce store at no cost.

It is essential for creating your online store as it provides the framework for cart functionality, product listing, checkout processes, and payment options.

With this background in mind, let’s move on to installing WordPress and WooCommerce.

Option 1: Direct installation through your hosting provider

The easiest way to install WordPress and WooCommerce is directly through your hosting provider.

For example, if you’re using SiteGround, you can simply choose ‘WooCommerce’ during the setup process.

This will automatically install both WordPress and WooCommerce for you. This one-click installation saves you a ton of time!

And if you encounter any issues, most hosting services have support teams ready to assist. So, if you’re stuck, don’t hesitate to reach out to them!

Option 2: DIY install

If you prefer a more hands-on approach or if your host doesn’t offer direct installation, you can set up WooCommerce manually.

Here’s how:

First, make sure you have a WordPress site ready.

Then install WooCommerce by following these steps:

1. Go to ‘Plugins’ in the WordPress left-side menu.
2. Search for ‘WooCommerce’.
3. Click ‘Install Now,’ then ‘Activate.’

After activation, WooCommerce’s setup wizard will guide you through the initial setup.

The five steps include:

• Store Details. Enter your store’s address.
• Industry. Select the industry that best fits your store.
• Product Types. Choose ‘Physical products’ or other options if you offer customizable products.
• Business Details. Share how many products you plan to list and if you’re selling on other platforms. If you’re just starting, select ‘I don’t have any products yet.’
• Theme. Start with the free Storefront theme or stick with your current theme by selecting ‘Continue with my active theme.’

We’ll dive deeper into choosing themes in the next step.

6. Pick a WooCommerce theme according to your niche

Now that you’ve set up WordPress with the WooCommerce plugin, it’s time to choose a theme that matches your niche.

Think of your theme as your website’s outfit—it sets the first impression and vibe of your store.

The best part? You can always change your store’s appearance by switching to a different theme!

You have two main options for adding a theme:

• Choose a free (or premium) theme from WooCommerce.
• Upload a third-party or custom theme.

WooCommerce offers three themes:

• Storefront. A versatile option that works well for most stores.
• Deli. Earthy tones, perfect for natural or handcrafted products.
• Boutique. Designed for small shops and boutique stores.

Storefront is a reliable choice for most stores, although it’s fairly basic and offers limited customization options.

For more flexibility, you can choose a free third-party WooCommerce theme like OceanWP or WoodMart.

To install a third-party theme, follow these steps:

1. Download the theme’s .zip file.
2. On your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Themes and click ‘Add New.’
3. Click ‘Upload’ to add the .zip file.
4. Click ‘Activate.’

Tip: Need a quick recommendation? Have a look at 10 best WooCommerce themes for ecommerce and dropshipping stores!

7. Add products to your store

After choosing a supplier, it’s time to add products to your WooCommerce store!

We recommend entering the important details about your products now. This way, you can start to see how your store is shaping up before diving into further customization.

If you’re using a dropshipping platform like CJdropshipping or Syncee, you can simply integrate their plugin with your WooCommerce store, and then add products from their catalog with a single click.

Dealing with a local supplier? You’ll probably be adding products yourself.

If you’re familiar with WordPress, you can upload your product details in bulk using a CSV file directly into the platform.

For those adding products one by one, check out this detailed WooCommerce guide on adding and managing products.

8. Create your standard online store pages

Next, let’s add content to your ecommerce store by creating the standard pages that any online store needs.

These include your FAQs, return policy, and shipping policy pages.

Although these pages might seem a bit boring to create, they are crucial for every online store!

They build trust and ensure your customers have all the information they need, which can help reduce inquiries and improve overall satisfaction.

9. Install the right WooCommerce plugins

Your WooCommerce store becomes even more powerful with the right plugins. By adding plugins, you can introduce features like pop-ups, size guides, and memberships.

The best part? Most of the 55,000+ WordPress plugins are free or follow a freemium model!

To start, check out these essential WooCommerce plugins for your dropshipping website:

To install plugins, navigate to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.

Keep in mind that while plugins enhance functionality, adding too many can slow down your website.

Also, always install plugins from reputable companies to avoid the risk of hacking or being locked out of your own online store.

Tip: If you have a dropshipping store, take a look at these 14 best WooCommerce plugins for dropshipping stores!

10. Design and brand your WooCommerce store

To customize your WooCommerce store, you need to:

• Design your logo
• Add content
• Style your store

Let’s start with your brand logo!

Your store’s logo is just as important as its name—it leaves a lasting impression on your visitors.

For tips on designing a standout logo, check out this guide: How to Get a Logo for Your Dropshipping Store? (5 Options)

Next, let’s style your store to reflect your brand!

From the WooCommerce dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Customize. The ‘Customizer’ provides a live preview of your store as you make changes.

Here’s what you can personalize:

• Site Identity. Set your site title, tagline, and logo.
• Header. Customize the layout, colors, and content of your header.
• Footer. Adjust the footer layout, text, and widgets.
• Typography. Choose fonts and styles for your text.
• Buttons. Style your buttons to match your brand.
• Product Catalog. Configure the layout and appearance of your product listings.
• Product Page. Design the individual product pages.
• Checkout. Customize the checkout page to ensure a smooth purchasing process.

For a more detailed guide on managing the layout, store notice, and more, read this detailed article here.

11. Set up shipping, payment gateways, and tax settings

Fantastic progress! You’re almost ready to open your WooCommerce store to your first customers.

The final step is setting up shipping, payment gateways, and tax settings. It might seem tricky, but we’ll simplify it for you.

Let’s start by setting up your shipping zones.

These zones are the regions where you’ll deliver your products. For instance, you could have a ‘Domestic’ zone for all US states or a ‘West Zone’ for just the western states.

Then, add shipping methods to each zone. WooCommerce offers three main shipping methods:

1. Flat rate
2. Free shipping
3. Local delivery

You can mix and match methods for different zones based on what you need.

Finally, apply rates to these shipping methods. For example, if your supplier charges $10 for shipping anywhere in the US, you could set a flat rate of $10 for all US zones.

To find these settings, go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping in your dashboard.

For more help, check out this free guide:

Now, let’s set up your taxes!

Setting up taxes with WooCommerce is simple, especially if you’re selling in the US, Australia, Canada, the UK, or Europe.

Just use the WooCommerce Tax plugin to automatically calculate sales tax at checkout based on the customer’s location.

If you’re selling in another country, look for tax plugins specific to your country in the WordPress Plugins store.

Lastly, let’s talk about payment gateways. Here are some top options for WooCommerce:

12. Choose a marketing method that fits you and start advertising

Once you’ve set up your WooCommerce storefront, it’s time to start marketing!

Remember, marketing is an ongoing effort. It’s not a one-time task; you need to be consistent and persistent.

That being said, there are many different ways to market your store, and the best methods depend on your goals.

If you’ve identified your niche, product, and target audience, this article will help you find your best marketing method!

For a quick overview of which marketing methods might work for you, check out this infographic:

Once you’ve decided on your plan, you’re ready to launch your WooCommerce dropshipping store!

Why you should start a WooCommerce store in 2024

First off, starting an online store is a smart move, as online shopping is one of the fastest-growing segments in the retail industry.

Check out the growth of retail ecommerce sales worldwide:

You’ll see that sales are skyrocketing.

But why choose WooCommerce specifically?

Simply put, WordPress with the WooCommerce plugin is one of the best overall ecommerce platforms out there. It’s no surprise that it’s the second most popular shopping cart in the world!

With over 5.8 million stores and a presence in more than 175 countries, WooCommerce offers valuable features like:

• Built-in payment processing.
• Customizable checkout options.
• Local customization.
• Ability to list unlimited products and product images.
• A large community of merchants, developers, and other users.

If you’re not sure if WordPress (with WooCommerce plugin) is the best platform for you, take our quiz here for a personalized recommendation based on your specific needs.

FAQs about starting a WooCommerce store

Here are some frequently asked questions about starting a WooCommerce store. We hope these will address any remaining questions you might have:

Is WooCommerce good for small businesses?

Yes, WooCommerce is an excellent choice for small businesses due to its flexibility, extensive customization options, and cost-effectiveness. It allows businesses to scale as they grow without significant upfront investment.

Does WooCommerce cost money?

While WooCommerce itself is free, there are associated costs such as hosting, premium themes, and various extensions. These additional expenses can vary depending on the specific needs and scale of the business.

What is the difference between WooCommerce and Shopify?

WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that offers extensive customization and control but requires a separate hosting setup. In contrast, Shopify is an all-in-one hosted platform known for its ease of use and built-in ecommerce features, suitable for those preferring simplicity and convenience.

Do you need hosting for WooCommerce?

Yes, WooCommerce requires a WordPress site, which necessitates a hosting service. The choice of hosting can affect site performance, security, and scalability, making it an important consideration for any WooCommerce store.

Is WooCommerce good for beginners?

No, you need some technical expertise to run a WooCommerce store. While adding plugins might be easy, handling security, backups, and troubleshooting requires experience. However, there are tutorials available to help beginners in navigating these technical aspects.

Summary

Before we go to the conclusion, we’ve created a quick summary of this article for you, so you can easily remember it:

• Taking the time to find the right product and a reliable supplier is essential; don’t rush this step.
• Choose a theme from the WooCommerce theme store for better customization options instead of using the default Storefront theme.
• Enhance your store’s functionality by exploring and adding plugins from the WordPress Plugins store.
• Limit the number of plugins you install. Just like too many apps can slow down your phone, an excess of plugins can affect your site’s speed, compatibility, and security.
• Marketing is an ongoing process for your online store. Keep promoting and connecting with your target audience.
• When you find a successful product, consider scaling up to maximize profits by importing in bulk or using fulfillment centers like Amazon.

Final thoughts

That’s it! Now you have the key information to start your WooCommerce store in 2024.

Starting a store isn’t easy, but by following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to success.

If you’re on a limited budget, consider dropshipping and check out this article where we show you how to create a dropshipping WooCommerce store for free!

We hope you found this guide helpful and wish you the best of luck with your WooCommerce journey.

If you have any questions, please feel free to drop a comment below.

Want to learn more about WooCommerce?

Ready to move your online store to the next level? Check out the articles below:

While popular selling platforms like Shopify help business owners get up and running quickly, they can also come with limitations because of their proprietary nature. For those looking for more customization and control over their online store, open source ecommerce platforms are the way to go.

But it takes a lot of time to develop or migrate an online shop. So it’s important that you choose the right platform for your business. Here are five popular open-source ecommerce selections that are ideal for entrepreneurs and businesses looking for more freedom and flexibility.

5 Best Open Source Ecommerce Options for Entrepreneurs

As an ecommerce shop owner, I know the frustration of not being able to integrate my CRM or email marketing software into a proprietary platform. These restrictions, on top of often higher overall costs, make closed-source ecommerce less appealing.

When you embrace open-source ecommerce, you’ll have a lot more control over your store. And the ambitious can even build stand-out features that help differentiate your store from the competition.

These five options each offer a robust set of features, a large community of contributors, and extensive documentation that can help in setting up and customizing your store. And I’ve noted where a program stands out from the pack in case you need a specific feature for your business.

1. WooCommerce: User-Friendly Option for WordPress Users

Built as a plugin for WordPress, WooCommerce benefits from the same open-source principles that define WordPress itself. This means that users have complete access to the source code. The program has the second largest market share

among ecommerce platforms, second to Shopify.

WooCommerce gives users control over:

• Product Management: Users can easily add, manage, and categorize products, including setting prices, descriptions, and images.
• Customizable Themes: WooCommerce supports various customizable themes, allowing for a tailored look and feel to match the brand’s aesthetics.
• Payment Gateways: The platform supports various payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and many others, facilitating smooth transactions.
• Extensions and Plugins: A wide range of extensions and plugins are available to enhance functionality. This includes cart abandonment tools, SEO optimization, and more.
• Analytics and Reporting: Built-in analytics tools provide insights into sales, customer behaviors, and product performance.

With a large community of developers, users can access support and resources for any issues or customization needs they may have. Woocommerce also offers a free resource library to help those new to open soure ecommerce get started.

If you’re considering this platform, check out our comprehensive Woocommerce review for more details.

2. Prestashop: Thousands of Customizable Modules

PrestaShop is a powerful open-source ecommerce platform used by over 290,000 websites. Its standout feature is its customizable modules, which are available in the PrestaShop marketplace for free or at a reasonable price. This helps newer open source shop users bootstrap their way to a well-developed online storefront.

Customizations not only include design and performance enhancements but also integrations with various third-party services.

A few helpful features include:

• Out-of-Stock Message Customization: Personalize notifications to keep customers informed.
• Multi-Currency and Multi-Language Support: Easily reach global markets.
• GDPR Compliance Tools: Simplify regulatory compliance.
• Discount Codes and Limited-Time Offers: Enhance promotions to drive sales.
• Facebook and Instagram Integrations: Increase visibility and engagement on social media.

PrestaShop is ideal for startups and small businesses needing a scalable, feature-rich ecommerce solution. Boutique apparel shops can customize their brand features, niche food retailers can use discount codes for seasonal sales, and accessory businesses benefit from multi-currency support. It’s a great catch-all program for a variety of small to medium businesses.

3. Adobe Commerce (Formerly Magneto): Best for Large Inventories

Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento), part of the Adobe Creative Cloud, is a headless ecommerce platform powering over 250,000 large online stores, including HP. It manages big inventories and high traffic well, so if you have a lot of products in your catalog, it may be a good choice for your team.

With many plugin options, you can build landing pages, manage inventory, and grow your store. Adobe Commerce also offers:

• Scalability: Handles many products and transactions.
• 24/7 Support: Help is always available.
• Extensions: Over 400 plugins for ads, email marketing, CRM, SEO/SEM.
• Integrations: Connects with other systems and POS for in-store sales.
• SEO Tools: Improves search engine rankings for various ecommerce niches.
• Analytics Dashboard: Built-in tools for data insights.
• Customization: Drag-and-drop builder, nine free themes, personalization editor.

Adobe Commerce is great for big businesses wanting a flexible, developer-friendly platform that can handle large inventories and perform well. It’s also great for B2B companies offering specific features like the ability to manage company accounts, create special catalogs, and allow purchase orders and quotes.

4. OpenCart: Great for Multi-Store Management

OpenCart is a popular open-source ecommerce platform for multi-store management, allowing you to control several stores from one interface. It combines the functionality of Adobe Commerce with the ease of use of WooCommerce, making it perfect for small and medium-sized direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands.

• Affiliate Marketing Module: Create custom programs without third-party add-ons.
• Rewards Program Tool: Boost customer loyalty and encourage repeat purchases.
• Templates and Extensions: Choose from over 1,000 templates and 13,000+ add-ons.
• Admin Dashboard: Quick overview of key features for seamless management.
• Mobile Management: Use the mobile app to manage your store on the go.

Used by over 400,000 website owners worldwide, including Red Cross UK, OpenCart offers powerful marketing tools and a user-friendly setup. OpenCart does lack low-stock alerts and specialized multi-source inventory support. Still, it’s an excellent option for DTC brands looking for a versatile and scalable ecommerce platform.

5. Shopware: Best for Advanced Automation Features

Shopware’s advanced automation features make for efficient workflows for ecommerce teams. This German open source ecommerce platform, founded in 2000, combines Symfony on the backend and Vue.js on the front end. It has a large developer community and 100,000+ customers worldwide, including brands like Aston Martin and M&Ms.

• Integrated CMS Capabilities: Similar to Drupal, it offers robust content management.
• Customization: Drag-and-drop interface makes store customization easy.
• SEO and Marketing Tools: Built-in tools to enhance search engine visibility and marketing efforts.
• Extensions: Access over 4,000 extensions for added functionality.
• Hosting Options: Choose between self-hosted or cloud-hosted variations.

While the free version of Shopware offers limited functionality, the platform includes extensive features suitable for both market and enterprise brands. Note that customer support requires an additional subscription.

Understanding the Costs associated with Open Source

While open source ecommerce platforms like WooCommerce are free to download and use, there are still costs associated with building and maintaining an online store. These costs include web hosting, domain registration, payment gateway fees, and potentially hiring a developer for any customization needs.

Thankfully, these expenses are typically much lower than the monthly subscription fees of proprietary ecommerce solutions. Plus, open source platforms often have active support communities that can help onboard new users.

Benefits of Open Source Ecommerce Platforms

Here are a few reasons you may want to choose an open-source platform for your online shop:

Cost-Effective for Entrepreneurs on a Budget

While initial costs like web hosting, domain registration, and plugins may come into play, they’re often cheaper than the subscription fees of proprietary platforms. And if you put in the sweat equity and are comfortable with technology, you can set up shop without the expense of a developer.

More Customizable for Code-Savvy Business Owners

For those who have coding skills or can hire a development team, an open-source ecommerce platform can offer unparalleled levels of customization. You have control over:

• Design: Open-source platforms offer more flexibility in terms of design, allowing you to create a unique brand experience for your customers.
• Features and Functionality: Since the source code is available, developers can create custom features and functionalities to meet specific business needs.
• Integrations with Third-Party Tools: With open access to the platform’s code, it’s easier to integrate third-party tools like CRMs or email marketing software into your online store.

This can be an advantage over proprietary platforms that may not have open APIs or adequate integration options.

Community Support and Constant Development

Open source platforms thrive on their vibrant communities consisting of developers, designers, and users who continually contribute to their improvement. This collective effort ensures that these platforms are inherently more secure, regularly updated, and packed with the latest features.

When a Closed Source Option is Best

These open-source Shopify alternatives aren’t always the right choice for everyone. Here are a few instances where opting for a closed-source solution may be advantageous:

Ease of Use for Non-Technical Business Owners

Don’t know how to code or have the budget for a developer? A proprietary solution may be the best option, as it typically comes with user-friendly interfaces and templates that can be easily customized without coding knowledge.

Quick Launch Time

If you’re looking to get your online store up and running quickly, a closed-source platform may be the way to go. Since they come with pre-built templates and features, they require minimal setup time compared to open-source platforms, where customization can take longer.

Well-Rounded Security and Stability

While open-source platforms have a strong community and regular updates, if security is your top concern, a closed-source solution may be worth the investment. These platforms often have dedicated teams working on security and ensuring stability for their users.

Best Closed-Source Ecommerce Solutions

When considering a closed-source ecommerce solution, the following platforms are some of the best options available:

• Shopify: Known for its simplicity and robust feature set, Shopify is a preferred choice for many due to its ease of use, customization options, and extensive app store. It’s suitable for businesses of all sizes and offers a variety of plans to meet different needs. Check out these Shopify success stories to see how the platform may benefit you.
• Squarespace: Primarily famous for its stunning design templates and user-friendly interface, Squarespace is ideal for those who prioritize aesthetics and simplicity. It includes built-in ecommerce tools and integrations, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking to create a visually appealing online store quickly.

These are the two main players in the industry, with well-vetted reviews and longstanding consistency in the ecommerce market.

Final Thoughts: Open Source Ecommerce Platforms

Open-source ecommerce platforms are great options for lean-budgeted, tech-savvy entrepreneurs looking for full creative control. While you can expect to pay for hosting at a minimum and may need to hire a developer for advanced customization, the overall costs are still significantly lower than using a closed-source platform.

Ultimately, the best ecommerce platform for your business will depend on your specific needs and priorities. Consider your budget, technical capabilities, desired features, and long-term goals when deciding between open source.

And finally, make sure to do your research and choose a reputable platform with strong community support for the best possible experience. The 5 above options perform great, but there are always new contenders on the market.

Source link