Starting an online store from scratch is daunting, but panic is unnecessary. An eCommerce content management system (CMS) is there to help your online venture be smooth sailing. You only need to choose the model that best suits your business needs.
With so many options in the digital landscape, it’s crucial to dig into the matter before making a decision. Factors like cost, customisation features, SEO capabilities, security, and customer support play a vital role in arriving at a decision.
In this article, we’ll expand on the notion of a CMS and its types and critical characteristics to pay attention to when choosing a platform. Also, we’ll look at some famous examples of CMS eCommerce platforms existing on the market.
A content management system, or CMS for short, is a solid foundation of an online store. It’s a software platform that helps display products, add and edit descriptions, update prices, process orders, and accept payments.
In simple words, you may think of CMS as a LEGO kit, where each piece represents a particular content element or feature. You can assemble the elements to build web pages, just like you snap together LEGO bricks to make a tiny house.
It’s an out-of-the-box solution for individuals with no coding expertise, thanks to user-friendly interfaces, pre-designed templates, and built-in features. These properties streamline the process of setting up and running an online store.
However, if you’re seeking custom features, smoother mobile UX/UI, or advanced store optimisation, you should rely on a team of experts.
CMS in eCommerce offers comprehensive solutions to manage an online store. It’s like a dedicated assistant that takes up the burden of dealing with technical matters so you can concentrate on selling goods.
CMS for eCommerce falls into two major categories according to the features, functionalities, and pricing.
It’s a free platform, eliminating the need to pay for installation. An open-source CMS gives complete control over website functionality, meaning users must manage hosting, maintain the server, and install updates on demand.
It’s highly customisable and offers a wide range of tools to build an online store that fits specific business needs. Some of the best open-source CMS systems for eCommerce include WooCommerce and Magento. To further enhance your eCommerce platform, consider exploring magento integration services, which can streamline various business processes and improve overall efficiency.
If you plan to implement more complex and customised features, you’re bound to ask for support from a team of professional developers. Only experts will help you achieve the desired results. For example, Onilab company readily offers high-quality Magento development service to turn your business goals into a reality.
These platforms are designed for users with no technical background. You pay a subscription fee; the provider handles maintenance and security issues in return.
SaaS (software-as-a-service) model is cloud-based, so no installation is required. The software and relevant information are stored in data centers controlled by third-party providers. Shopify and BigCommerce are well-known examples of SaaS CMS.
When it comes to choosing a CMS for eCommerce, you'll encounter two main categories: open-source and SaaS. Open-source CMS like WooCommerce and Magento offer flexibility and customisation but require technical expertise for setup and maintenance. On the other hand, SaaS platforms such as Shopify and BigCommerce are user-friendly with subscription-based models. If you're looking to enhance your eCommerce platform with expert developers, consider the opportunity to find ecommerce developers.
There are plenty of factors to keep in mind when choosing the best CMS system for eCommerce. Below, you will find some essential ones.
Cost is an excellent point to consider. Before deciding on the type of CMS platform, it’s crucial to take into account the upfront and ongoing expenses, such as monthly and transaction fees, additional features, plugins, and modifications.
For instance, an open-source platform has a free setup, which plays in favor of it. However, after taking a closer look, it becomes evident that the open-source solution will require additional expenses on hosting, registering a domain name, and recruiting a team of professionals to add customised features to a website.
Choosing a highly customisable platform that seamlessly integrates APIs and plugins is crucial. CMS platforms for eCommerce businesses need to have the right tools to integrate with third-party software. This includes email marketing tools, payment getaways, and CRM systems.
Opting for a CMS eCommerce platform with solid SEO capabilities can boost a website’s visibility, generate more traffic, and ultimately increase revenue.
When reviewing eCommerce platforms for SEO (search engine optimisation), there are a few factors to take into account:
Adjusting this data will lead to higher click-through rates (CTR). CTR is an essential digital metric that helps improve conversion rates.
Since online stores contain lots of financial and personal information, a CMS for eCommerce must have a robust security mechanism. The platform should regularly provide backups, firewalls, and other safety measures to prevent malware and hacker attacks.
With mobile comprising nearly half of web traffic worldwide, an eCommerce CMS must adopt a mobile-friendly approach.
Look for a CMS platform that offers smooth content editing and page management and automatically delivers an excellent user experience through a responsive design.
It’s better not to diminish the importance of quality customer service. Unpleasant situations, like server downtimes or server crashes, may occur at any moment and prevent customers from reaching a website and making a purchase. Going with a platform that provides technical support 24/7 is a good choice.
As your business expands, it’s wise to pick a CMS that can effortlessly deal with changes and adapt to growing needs. Also, ensure the platform doesn’t charge high fees for offering add-on features and data processing once your business requirements increase.
If a platform is user-friendly and easy to set up, it will save you time and resources. There’s no need to be tech-savvy to implement the necessary updates and changes. Yet, if you prioritise ease of use, be ready to deal with limited customisation functions, heavy dependence on pre-built templates, and problems with scalability.
Core functionalities relate to essential features and capabilities of an eCommerce CMS. They are fundamental for an online store to work efficiently. Find the best platform for your needs. If you expect your business to grow rapidly and don’t want to pay for extra functionality, make sure to choose an alternative that supports additional features and extensions.
When launching an eCommerce business, having multiple user enablement roles seems unnecessary. However, this feature proves helpful as your company grows and new members join your team.
Pick a CMS that allows you to authorise individuals to fulfill different tasks on a website. This way, various users can control and access the platform based on the attached responsibilities.
Shopify is an all-in-one CMS eCommerce solution offering multiple unique features, like customisable templates, mobile-friendly design, and secure payment getaway. It’s easy to use and set up. Shopify is the best option for startups and small to medium-scale businesses.
Magento is among the best open-source CMS for eCommerce. It provides vast customisation options, robust security features, and scalability. Magento is a good choice for mid and large-scale businesses building a long-lasting professional site.
This popular eCommerce platform caters to businesses of all sizes. It makes the sales workflow hassle-free due to a reliable combination of features, applications, and integrations. It’s the perfect choice for offline businesses aiming to migrate online or for businesses planning to scale.
Screenshot taken on the official WordPress website
It’s a famous open-source eCommerce plugin built with WordPress. WooCommerce is one of the most straightforward solutions for developing and managing eCommerce websites on WordPress. It offers essential online commerce tools and numerous free and paid extensions. The platform is more tailored for small-scale businesses, so for larger projects, you may want to consider WooCommerce alternatives.
OpenCart is a free, open-source eCommerce solution catering to small businesses. With a great deal of extensions and themes, it enables users to create an online store without coding knowledge. The setup process is easy and stress-free. The platform offers an abundance of customised modules and built-in features, including unlimited products, multi-store admin, marketing analytics tools, and more.
Choosing among the various options of eCommerce CMSs available on the market can be pretty tough. It’s better to back up the decision-making process by thorough research.
Opting for the best CMS platform for eCommerce should align with your specific business needs. Such critical factors as pricing, security options, integrations, scalability, mobile compatibility, and other CMS characteristics shouldn’t slip your mind either. A good thing would be to check out the real-life experiences of other businesses.
Whether it’s Magento, Shopify, BigCommerce, or something else, remember that each solution has its strengths and can be a stepping stone in building a successful online store.
If you fail to make a good choice, you will have to switch to a different platform afterward, which can be an aggravating, time-consuming, and costly experience.
Take your time to evaluate and select the best eCommerce CMS for you that guarantees your customers a smooth and secure shopping experience. Make the right call and embark on a prosperous online venture!
Alex Husar is a chief technology officer at Onilab, a web development agency. With almost 10 years of experience and excellent professional skills, Alex hit a home run in the sphere of Magento migration and development. He also coordinates a team of experts dealing with headless commerce and Salesforce projects, applying both his technical expertise and management skills.
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