The online space is becoming crowded with eCommerce platforms. Previously, a small handful of companies powered the sites and online stores of most of the web. More recently, more and more companies are pushing their own platform as the next complete solution. This increased competition can be great for consumers. They are given a rich choice of software, and can trial, re-platform, and build an entirely new store with relative ease. Innovations soon become minimum standards, and business clamor to get the cutting edge above their competitors. However, there are some issues with the increased competition. Customers become confused between what they need to choose, and providers expand beyond their means. This can lead to costs spiraling and customer service suffering.

There are some providers who still have an overwhelming number of customers and websites. Companies such as BigCommerce, Magento, and Shopify try and dominate the space. They offer a one-size-fits-all template, with varying levels of customization. Quite often these sites will not offer the complete package however, and customers will end up having to install multiple add-ons and plugins to power their sites. This is hardly ideal, particularly for smaller, inexperienced companies just starting out, or larger businesses with their own unique approach. In this article we’ll explore Shopify and the services they provide. We’ll look at some of their customers’ concerns, and how our own Shopping Cart Elite stands out amongst the best Shopify alternatives.

What is Shopify?

Ontario-based Shopify have grown from humble beginnings selling snowboards online, to a global internet power. They provide an eCommerce platform that users can pick up and use right out of the box. Shopify gives users, no matter the size of their business, the ability to sell their products online. The platform offers store and content management tools, as well as a full marketing suite with multiple features. Their aim is to provide a hassle-free experience whereby users can set up their store, customize it, and start selling.

Shopify estimate that there are well over 377,000 storefronts online that use their platform. This outshines both BigCommerce and Magento in terms of numbers. One of the big attractions for online vendors is that over 70 payment methods are supported by the platform. This means that whatever your product or service is, you can sell it in a versatile marketplace. However, the sheer size of the platform, as well as a few other factors, mean that some customers experience issues. Although this is not uncommon for eCommerce platforms of this size, it does mean that users search for Shopify alternatives.

Shopify Issues

After reading reviews and customer feedback, we noticed that there were some common themes when it came to the issues Shopify has. Below, we’ve detailed each one:

• Setup: At Shopping Cart Elite we know how important it is to get the initial site or store setup is. A smooth launch is crucial to early success. Unfortunately, some reviewers have noted how difficult difficult Spotify’s setup can be. This is especially true for users with little technical knowledge. Some coding and developing knowledge is essential, and without it you could overwhelmed and receive little support.
• Add-ons: This is a failing of so many eCommerce platforms. Although many sell themselves as a ‘complete eCommerce solution’ this is rarely the case. Oftentimes, you’ll have to install add-ons to achieve the full functionality you desire and need. The Shopify platform also requires many add-ons in order to fully function. This means added cost and hassle, and can slow site performance.
• Customization: As we’ve mentioned already, standing out amongst competitors is the only way your business has a fighting chance of survival. Customization is a key part of this; you need to be able to showcase your uniqueness. As one reviewer notes, it’s impossible to customize your Shopify website’s structure template, without touching the code. This may be fine if you know what you’re doing, but if not you’ll likely have to hire someone to do it for you.
• Customer Service: No amount of features, incentives, or services can make up for poor customer service. It is part of the reason Shopping Cart Elite focuses on delivering world-class support. Whilst doing our research, we noticed more than a few negative Shopify reviews that point to bad customer support and service.

So, if you’re put off by the above issues, what are your Shopify alternatives? We’ve outlined some of the main ones below.

Shopify Alternatives: BigCommerce and OpenCart

We’ve written before about some of the alternatives to Shopify. Both BigCommerce and OpenCart have a user base that is similar to that of Shopify. We’ll quickly look at each one in turn:

• BigCommerce: A company that has established itself as a popular choice of eCommerce platforms, BigCommerce also has a huge customer base. However, they unsettled a large portion of their customers in 2016 with an unexpected price increase for their services. Since then, there have been complaints about their levels of customer service. Their platform is good however, and they offer many powerful tools.
• OpenCart: Much like rivals Magento, OpenCart of a PHP-based platform that is open source. Their big selling point is that their base software is free. However, there’s little chance you’ll be able to set up a functional eCommerce site with this version. Instead, you’ll be forced to use many different add-ons. We’ve mentioned this a few times before, but it can be a frustrating (and expensive) process to get these set up. Their forums are a good source of support, but much of the maintenance and setup will need to be user-led.

Both of these companies offer good Shopify alternatives, however they do also suffer from many of the issues that have been raised above.

Shopify Alternatives: Shopping Cart Elite

The team at Shopping Cart Elite has been working hard to deliver a platform that puts our customers first. We know that not everyone has the same technical knowledge, and we believe that shouldn’t hold you back from creating your online storefront. Our team will help you get your site up and running, removing all the headaches and missteps, within 30 days. You’ll get a dedicated account manage who can not only help with any issues you have along the way, but will also help with the planning and optimizing of your site.

We handpick the people who work for us, meaning that you’ll be given expert advice every step of the way. We can help you design the perfect online store for your business, with everything you need right out of the box. Our sites are SEO-ready, mobile-friendly, and fully optimized. You can start trading with the confidence that you have the latest and best technology powering your site. The stores that we deliver are fast, beautiful, and functional. You can finally be at the top.

Shopping Cart Key Features vs Shopify

We’re convinced that we’re not only the best provider amongst the Shopify alternatives, but that we offer the best eCommerce solution available. Our customers have had some great things to say about Shopping Cart Elite, and we’ve outlined some of the factors that set us apart from competitors such as Shopify:

Add-ons: We’ve already mentioned our simple and thorough setup process, but this is a really important point. There are a lot of different elements that make a great eCommerce business. The store alone is important, but it needs to be backed up by solid SEO, analytics, CRM and marketing. With Shopping Cart Elite, all of this comes right out of the box. You won’t need to install and configure dozens of different add-ons; we’ll provide you with the whole package. There are even in-depth tutorials explaining how everything works.

Customer Service: Our world-class support team is ready to help you with any queries or problems you encounter. Delivering good customer service is really important to us; we know how frustrating it is to receive anything less than that. We have dedicated staff for each area of the business, and they are all regularly trained and tested to make sure they’re the best they can be.

Customization: We love to celebrate uniqueness. It’s what sets you apart from the competition, after all. We design our templates with brands and industries in mind, meaning you can have your defining style ready to go from the off. Our templates are also regularly updated with the latest features and trends, without you having to lift a finger. This allows you to keep on the pulse of all that’s innovative, without missing a beat.

The Best eCommerce Solution

Hopefully, we’ve demonstrated why we think we’re the best in the business. Our unique approach of offering a complete eCommerce package, backed by the latest technologies and a wonderful support network, sets us apart from our competitors. We’re convinced we can provide your business with all the tools it needs to excel, no matter your industry. Although there are several good alternatives to Shopify, Shopping Cart Elite is quite possibly the best. Try us and see for yourself.