TOP 4 SHOPIFY ALTERNATIVES (Better eCommerce Platforms)

Santrel Media

23 Aug 202109:39

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the popularity of Shopify for e-commerce but highlights potential drawbacks such as flexibility, pricing, and SEO limitations that might deter some users. It introduces four alternatives to Shopify that cater to different needs: BigCommerce, which closely mirrors Shopify's offerings but with a different approach and is favored by major brands; WooCommerce, a free WordPress plugin offering vast customization and flexibility; Squarespace, a user-friendly platform ideal for influencers or those with small stores; and Square Online, which is cost-effective and suitable for physical retailers looking for a hybrid online-offline solution. The video aims to help viewers choose the right e-commerce platform based on their specific requirements.

Takeaways

💡 E-commerce success can be achieved through various platforms beyond Shopify, which may have limitations for some users.
🛍️ BigCommerce is a direct alternative to Shopify, offering similar features and trusted by major brands like Ben & Jerry's and Gillette.
🔍 BigCommerce excels in scalability and SEO tools, making it a strong choice for those looking to rank higher on Google.
📈 Woocommerce, a free plugin on WordPress, provides extensive customization and flexibility, suitable for users seeking more control over their online store.
🌐 WordPress, hosting a significant portion of the internet, offers a vast array of plugins and themes, enhancing the versatility of an online store built with Woocommerce.
🎨 Squarespace is an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly option, ideal for influencers or those with a small product line looking for simplicity.
📝 Squarespace also supports additional website features like hosting podcasts and blogs, making it a multifunctional platform.
🛒 Square Online is a cost-effective choice, especially for those with a physical retail presence looking to expand online, offering a unified system for payments and inventory.
💰 Square Online has a free plan with higher transaction fees, making it accessible for new businesses, with the option to upgrade for lower fees as the business grows.
🔗 Each platform mentioned has unique advantages over Shopify, catering to different needs such as cost, flexibility, ease of use, and scalability.
✅ The video provides tutorials for each recommended platform, assisting viewers in getting started with their e-commerce journey.

Q & A

What is the most popular platform for selling things online?
-The most popular platform for selling things online is Shopify, which is used for various e-commerce activities such as drop shipping, selling own products, and retail.
What are some of the potential drawbacks of using Shopify?
-Potential drawbacks of using Shopify can include issues with flexibility, cost, lack of SEO or blogging capabilities, and limitations on the number of plugins or blog posts.
What is the recommended alternative to Shopify for someone who wants to sell online without using Shopify?
-The recommended alternative to Shopify for general e-commerce needs is BigCommerce, which offers similar features and is trusted by many major brands.
How does BigCommerce differ from Shopify in terms of scalability?
-BigCommerce is very scalable, suitable for both small businesses starting with a single product and large brands, making it a versatile alternative to Shopify.
What are the SEO tools like in BigCommerce?
-BigCommerce has strong SEO tools that help improve Google rankings, making it easier for potential customers to find and purchase products from your store.
Why would someone choose WooCommerce over Shopify?
-Someone might choose WooCommerce over Shopify if they find Shopify limiting or too expensive. WooCommerce, being a free plugin on WordPress, offers more versatility and customization options.
What is the significance of WordPress in the context of WooCommerce?
-WordPress powers more than a third of the internet, offering a vast array of plugins and themes. WooCommerce leverages this platform to provide a flexible and customizable e-commerce solution.
What are the benefits of using Squarespace for an online store?
-Squarespace is an excellent choice for influencers or those looking to create a small, simple online store. It is very user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and offers a wide range of templates for easy website setup.
How does Square Online differ from other e-commerce platforms mentioned?
-Square Online is unique in that it offers a free plan with low overhead, making it an ideal choice for those on a tight budget or physical retailers looking for a hybrid online and in-person sales solution.
What are the limitations of Squarespace when it comes to larger e-commerce operations?
-Squarespace may be limiting for larger e-commerce operations due to less powerful tools for inventory tracking and management compared to platforms like BigCommerce, which are designed to handle larger product libraries and volumes.
What is the main advantage of using Square for physical retailers who also want to sell online?
-The main advantage of using Square for physical retailers is the ability to have a unified system for payments and inventory tracking, simplifying the management of both online and in-person sales.

Outlines

00:00

🛒 Exploring Alternatives to Shopify

The speaker discusses the popularity of Shopify for online sales but points out potential drawbacks that might deter some users. They introduce the topic of the video, which is to explore the top alternatives to Shopify based on various criteria such as flexibility, pricing, SEO capabilities, and template options. The speaker emphasizes that different users might face different challenges with Shopify and that the alternatives presented will address these issues.

05:01

📈 BigCommerce as a Scalable Shopify Alternative

The first alternative to Shopify presented is BigCommerce, which is recommended for its ability to offer similar functionalities to Shopify but with slight differences. BigCommerce is highlighted as a trusted platform by major brands like Ben and Jerry's and Gillette, and it is praised for its scalability, suitable for both small startups and large enterprises. A key feature mentioned is its strong search engine optimization tools, which can help new stores rank on Google. The speaker also provides a link for more information and a tutorial on how to get started with BigCommerce.

🛍️ WooCommerce for Customizable E-Commerce Solutions

The second alternative discussed is WooCommerce, a free plugin for WordPress, which is known for powering over a third of the internet. WooCommerce is favored for its versatility, allowing for extensive customization and control over the online store. The speaker mentions the benefits of using WordPress for building a website, including the ability to choose a domain host and the freedom to customize the website extensively. A tutorial for setting up a WooCommerce store is also offered.

🎨 Squarespace for Simple and Aesthetic Online Stores

The third option, Squarespace, is ideal for those looking for simplicity and aesthetics in their online store. It is particularly recommended for influencers or those with a small product line. Squarespace is noted for its ease of use, drag-and-drop functionality, and professional templates. It is also suitable for those who want to incorporate other elements like podcasts or blogs into their website. The speaker mentions that while Squarespace is great for small stores, it might be limiting for larger ones with extensive inventory, suggesting BigCommerce for such cases.

💳 Square Online for Budget-Friendly and Physical Retailers

The final alternative, Square Online, is chosen for its low overhead costs and suitability for physical retailers looking to expand online. Square is known for its contactless payment solutions and offers a free plan with the option to upgrade as the business grows. The speaker suggests Square Online as an excellent choice for those just starting or with a tight budget, and for physical retailers seeking a unified platform for payments and inventory tracking.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡E-commerce

E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods or services using the internet, and it's the central theme of the video. The script discusses various platforms that enable individuals and businesses to conduct online sales, which is a significant aspect of modern commerce.

💡Shopify

Shopify is an e-commerce platform that allows users to set up online stores to sell goods and services. It is mentioned as a popular choice but also as a potential barrier for some due to its limitations, costs, or other factors, prompting the search for alternatives.

💡BigCommerce

BigCommerce is an alternative e-commerce platform that offers similar functionalities to Shopify but with slight differences. It is highlighted as a scalable and SEO-friendly option trusted by major brands, making it a recommended alternative for those looking to sell online.

💡WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free plugin for the WordPress content management system that enables online stores to be built. It provides a high degree of customization and flexibility, making it a cost-effective and versatile choice for those who find Shopify limiting or expensive.

💡Squarespace

Squarespace is a website building platform known for its ease of use and aesthetic appeal. It is suggested as an excellent choice for influencers or those looking to create a simple online store with minimal complexity, offering an all-in-one solution for various web presence needs.

💡SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

SEO refers to the process of improving a website's visibility on search engines like Google. In the context of the video, BigCommerce's SEO tools are praised for helping users rank higher and increase the chances of customers finding their online stores.

💡Drop Shipping

Drop shipping is a retail fulfillment method where the seller does not store goods but instead forwards the customer's order to a third-party supplier who ships the goods directly to the customer. It is mentioned as one of the business models that the discussed platforms can support.

💡WordPress

WordPress is a widely-used content management system that powers more than a third of the internet. The video mentions it as the foundation for WooCommerce, emphasizing its vast user base and the extensive customization options it provides for building online stores.

💡Blogging

Blogging refers to the act of regularly posting written content online. In the script, the lack of blogging capabilities or limitations on blog posts is given as a reason why some users might seek alternatives to Shopify, highlighting the importance of content creation for online businesses.

💡

💡Templates

Templates in the context of the video refer to pre-designed layouts and structures for websites. They are important for quickly setting up an online store's appearance without needing extensive design skills. Squarespace, for example, offers numerous templates for easy website creation.

💡Square Online

Square Online is a service by Square that allows businesses to create online stores and manage payments. It is presented as a cost-effective solution with the lowest overhead, suitable for small businesses or physical retailers looking to expand their sales online.

💡Influencers

Influencers are individuals with the ability to influence potential buyers of a product or service through their social or digital presence. The video suggests that platforms like Squarespace are particularly useful for influencers looking to set up a merchandise store alongside their content.

Highlights

Many people have made significant profits through e-commerce, and Shopify is a popular platform for various online sales methods.

There are potential drawbacks to using Shopify, which might be different for different users, such as flexibility, pricing, SEO capabilities, or template options.

BigCommerce is recommended as a general alternative to Shopify, offering similar features with a slightly different approach.

BigCommerce is trusted by major brands like Ben & Jerry's and Harvard Business Publishing, and is scalable for businesses of all sizes.

BigCommerce stands out for its strong search engine optimization (SEO) tools, helping businesses rank higher on Google.

WooCommerce is a free plugin on WordPress, offering great versatility and no limitations on blog posts or plugins.

WordPress, which WooCommerce runs on, powers over a third of the internet, providing extensive customization options.

Squarespace is an excellent choice for those looking for simplicity, especially for influencers or small stores.

Squarespace is known for its aesthetic appeal, ease of use, and built-in features like SSL and domain setup.

For those on a tight budget or physical retailers looking for a hybrid solution, Square Online is a cost-effective alternative.

Square Online offers a free plan with low overhead, making it accessible for new businesses without a monthly fee.

BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Squarespace, and Square Online all provide unique offerings not found on Shopify.

Each platform caters to different needs, whether it's scalability, customization, simplicity, or budget constraints.

The video provides a full tutorial for each platform, helping users overcome difficulties they faced with Shopify.

The presenter, Michael Brian from Central Media, encourages viewers to engage by liking, subscribing, and commenting on their preferred alternative.

The video aims to help users find the right e-commerce platform based on their specific requirements and challenges.

Transcripts

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