It might not be easy to decide which website builder to use. There are many factors to consider, including the features you’ll receive, the layout and themes available, and how responsive your finished site is.
There are, however, a couple of things to consider even after you’ve made your decision. There’s still much to think about when it comes to this challenging option. However, hiring a website development firm or professional designers may help alleviate the bulk of your concerns.
If you must pick between the two most popular website builders, which one would you choose?
If you want to design, maintain, and promote a full-featured website, two platforms that are worth considering are Webflow and WordPress. Each system has its own set of features necessary to launch an eCommerce site.
At the same time, the services employ various approaches to website building. This is due to their nature, function, intended audience, and flexible platform.
Webflow is a cloud-based SaaS platform that has gained a reputation as a popular service. The range and sophistication of tools for visual page builders and choices on offer, combined with the system’s CMS-like features, have made it a canvas for professional web designers concerned about semantic and graphical fidelity.
WordPress is a software that runs on the open-source PHP Content Management System. It has a long and established reputation for quality and demand for its tools and features to create completely customized websites.
WordPress is renowned for its various integration choices and website design customization possibilities.
Both systems are worthy competitors, which make it possible to create a feature-rich online store. Likewise, it takes time to learn and master each of them because Webflow and WordPress come with complex editors and great tools and elements that must be thoroughly explored.
So, which platform wins in the battle against its rivals? Which of them is worth your attention and time or money? What are the differences between them that might influence your decision?
We’ve thoroughly compared WordPress vs. Webflow to highlight some advantages and drawbacks for users.
What Is An eCommerce Platform?
eCommerce platforms, also known as online marketplaces or shipping management solutions, are computer software that allows businesses to sell items and services online. Shopping carts, product catalogs, payment processing, order tracking, and other features required to operate an internet store are typical elements of eCommerce platforms.
Business owners must discover a platform with an extensive product selection. This will allow you to list all your items in one location, making it easier for customers to locate what they’re searching for.
How Do eCommerce Platforms Work?
The most popular eCommerce platforms are quite similar. After creating an account, the company adds items to its product catalog. The eCommerce platform handles payment and shipping logistics when a consumer purchases anything. To handle any customer concerns promptly, your chosen website must provide excellent customer service!
A website with these characteristics allows business owners to expand their online presence. This is because the search engines consider websites that are not easily connected with an eCommerce platform as spam and only index them manually in some cases. As a result, business owners will require a website that seamlessly integrates with their eCommerce system.
The website and shopping cart must be able to communicate in real-time. This is why having good product catalogs on your website is critical!
What Are the Different Types of eCommerce Platforms?
So, what are the main types of eCommerce platforms? There are three types: hosted, self-hosted, and hybrid.
Hosted
A third-party eCommerce platform is one in which a company does not maintain control. This implies the firm isn’t required to worry about setting up or maintaining its own website. All of that will be handled by third-party hosting services.
Self-hosted
A company will build its own eCommerce platform if they do it independently. It allows the firm to manage its own website and store, but it also implies they must worry about maintenance and system upgrades.
Hybrid
A hybrid eCommerce platform is one that combines both hosted technology and self-hosted technology. This type of platform balances the advantages of a hosting provider platform with those of complete control over their website. There are various types of eCommerce platforms based on the features they provide. The following are some examples:
SaaS (software-as-a-service)
This is a cloud-based eCommerce platform that provides companies with a variety of functions. These platforms are typically simple to use and set up, making them ideal for small businesses or first-time entrepreneurs.
PaaS (platform-as-a-service)
This is a cloud-based eCommerce platform that works similarly to SaaS. However, they can provide more sophisticated features thanks to the larger databases and faster servers that PaaS platforms typically have.
On-premises platforms
These eCommerce systems are those that businesses install on their own hardware. This sort of platform is ideal for big corporations since they have complete control over their system’s security, performance, and stability.
What Should You Look for in an Ecommerce Website builder?
Let’s look at some of the factors to consider when selecting the best website builder for your online store. When it comes to choosing an eCommerce platform, business owners want a website that is simple to use and has a good layout so that customers may easily find what they’re looking for.
It’s also critical to ensure your website appears professional, as this will inspire consumer confidence! Look for a visual editor with a comprehensive product catalog. This will allow you to organize all of your items in one location, making it easier for consumers to locate what they’re looking for.
It’s also critical that the eCommerce platform you choose has a decent customer service system so you can fix any difficulties with consumers as soon as possible! Here are some additional important factors to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform:
Does it fit your needs?
What are the specifics of your eCommerce plan requirements? Is it important to determine whether the eCommerce platform can connect with your website or other sales channels, for example? Does it support any specific type, such as print sellers?
Does the eCommerce platform integrate with your website?
Premium plugins and applications for web developers are available on some of the most popular platforms, allowing them to link their websites and shopping carts together easily. This makes it simple for visitors to purchase items right from your website.
SEO structure
After that, make sure to examine the platform’s SEO architecture. Optimizing your website for search engines influences its position on Google and similar sites. Shopify, for example, includes built-in SEO features that are easier to modify than those included with competitors that need additional plugins or code modifications to prepare your site for search engines.
Product variants
If you want to sell products with different color options or sizes, ensure the eCommerce platform you choose supports this. Because not all platforms do this, it’s crucial to double-check before signing up.
WordPress
WordPress is undoubtedly one of the most popular website builders and content management systems on the market, with a 30 percent market share. WordPress is used by over 30% of all internet websites, including well-known organizations such as The Guardian, Forbes, and TechCrunch.
WordPress is a powerful eCommerce platform that may be used to set up an online store for your creative work. It comes with free themes that are compatible with WooCommerce and Shopify, as well as templates that are designed to help you sell your creations in the most appealing way possible.
It takes approximately an hour to get WordPress, a web host, and a theme up and running. You may immediately start uploading your items online. There are several free eCommerce templates, plugins, and paid choices available. It offers a variety of artist themes with many design possibilities, page layouts, widgets, and eCommerce extensions.
The WordPress platform opens doors of infinite possibilities for customization; it’s not simply about creating websites and e-commerce stores. Users with no technical expertise can add features such as forums or community hubs using WordPress. Finally, you may use a WordPress website as an online store by installing WooCommerce, the world’s most popular eCommerce plugin.
WordPress is not only the most popular content management system but also one of the finest platforms for business owners to sell their products. In fact, it’s one of the most popular eCommerce platforms for creative individuals since it has a fantastic content management system. You can quickly and simply add and embed your own photos, text, films, and other objects.
It also has SEO benefits. WordPress websites are easily locatable in search engine results pages (SERPs). Permalinks, metadata, and titles enhance your website’s rank, increasing sales.
WordPress is the way to go if you have a creative who wants to turn his or her hobby into a profession. However, one thing you should bear is that you’ll need some basic technical know-how and understanding to construct and manage a WordPress site.
Pros
- User-friendly site
- Well optimized for SEO
- Open-source and responsive
- Plenty of plugins for a range of different addons
Cons
- Updating plugins can be annoying.
- Easier for hackers to gain access
Webflow
Webflow makes it easy to develop your website, sell items, and expand your business by giving you full control over everything. Every page may be completely customized, from the product page to the checkout page.
Your checkout page, unlike with other website builders, may be completely integrated into the rest of your website, so everything flows nicely and you give your consumers the best possible experience.
You may also tailor the transactional emails that are delivered to your clients after their purchases to assure that everything is up to brand, and you can even add custom movements and interactions to make your website stand out above the competition.
Customers can pay for their products with all popular payment methods, including Stripe, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal, and you can choose where you ship to, and how you ship your products by defining shipping rules and regions.
The order management dashboard is simple to comprehend and use, and you may quickly print shipping labels using Zapier integration as soon as you’re ready to send your orders out.
The Benefits of using Webflow – Great WordPress Alternative
- Without any coding, you may build totally unique websites with Webflow.
- With the drag-and-drop page builder, you may design and personalize your pages in the way you desire all on one screen.
- You may quickly produce animation and interactions without the need to code.
- Websites are SEO friendly.
- You can make changes to your page right on the page, so you can preview exactly how it will appear before you publish.
- Invite experts and collaborators to contribute and rate your web pages.
- For your visitors, we provide a powerful host with minimal downtime.
- SSL certificate included
The Downsides to using WebflowÂ
There’s a learning curve in Webflow, especially if you haven’t done any web development before. Webflow is also considerably more expensive than open source software like WordPress and WooCommerce. They do, however, have a growing collection of video guides.
The eCommerce bundle is still in beta at the time of writing, so not all features are accessible, some of which are crucial, such as POS integrations, discounts and coupons, and selling subscriptions and digital items. All of these features are on the way apparently; keep an eye out for them.
Conclusion: Webflow vs WordPress?
So, there you have it! These are, in our opinion, the finest eCommerce platforms for artists. E-commerce platforms provide a wealth of features and are all simple to utilize. They also feature excellent SEO possibilities. Many of them are also well integrated with other platforms and marketplaces.
We recommend WordPress or Shopify as the best alternatives since they provide a wider range of possibilities and payment processing choices.
Overall, we like WordPress eCommerce platforms the most because they provide more customizability in terms of design, abundant SEO functions, and a variety of payment options.
WordPress has many themes and options that you may personalize to match your artistic style and corporate identity. It also has one of the most active communities, so you’ll never be bored! Shopify, on the other hand, despite being more expensive, works well with a variety of other platforms and marketplaces.
Even though everything stated above is true, all of these systems provide a wide range of features, are simple to use, and have no restrictions on what you can sell. So, what do you have to lose?
All you have to do now is pick the right platform for you and begin selling your items immediately! Contact us now so we can help!