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What Are Ecommerce Platforms

What Are Ecommerce Platforms

Ecommerce platforms have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more businesses shift their operations online. These platforms provide businesses with the tools and resources they need to sell products and services on the internet. But what exactly are ecommerce platforms, and how do they work?

At its core, an ecommerce platform is a software application that enables businesses to set up and manage an online store. These platforms typically include features such as product catalogs, shopping carts, payment gateway integration, and inventory management tools. Some also offer additional features such as shipping and tax calculators, email marketing tools, and customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities.

There are a variety of different ecommerce platforms available on the market today, each with its own set of features and capabilities. Some of the most popular ecommerce platforms are:

Shopware
Shopware was founded in 2000. Currently, 37,963 sites worldwide are active on this platform. Shopware employs 400 people and relies on a global network of 1,200 sales, technology and solution partners, including RedWood Digital.

Shopify
Shopify was founded in 2006. Currently, 4,488,420 sites worldwide are active on this platform. They have more than 10,000 employees. Since 2006, Shopify has expanded to offer its platform to sellers in over 175 different countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and China. No matter where you are located in the world, you’ll be able to build a professional ecommerce store using Shopify. Shopify offers sellers the ability to create websites in over 20 different languages. RedWood Digital is Shopify partner.

Magento
Magento was founded in 2008. Currently, 170,897 sites worldwide are active on this platform. They have more than 10.000 employees and more than 1.000 partners, including RedWood Digital.

Big Commerce
BigCommerce was founded in 2009. Currently, 51,416 sites worldwide are active on this platform. They have over 1000 employees in Austin, San Francisco, Sydney, London and Kyiv. They cooperate with over 2800 agencies and technology partners, including RedWood Digital.

WooCommerce
The company started in 2008 as WooThemes and in 2017 decided to focus exclusively on eCommerce. Today, WooCommerce empowers small and medium businesses to build exactly the store they want and sell online.

Currently, 3,927,543 sites worldwide are active on this platform. They have more than 150 employees and more than 500 partners, including RedWood Digital.

JTL
JTL was founded in 2007. Currently, 14,577 sites worldwide are active on this platform. They have more than 200 employees. They cooperate with around 500 partners. Every 10th shipment in the German B2C business is sent using JTL software. They cooperate with about 500 partners, including RedWood Digital.

Spryker
Spryker was founded in 2014. Currently, 51 sites worldwide are active on this platform. They have more than 650 employees. They cooperate with around 100 solution and technology partners, including RedWood Digital.

Commercetools
Commercetools was founded in 2006. Currently, 177 sites worldwide are active on this platform. They have over 600 employees in 12 international offices. They cooperate with over 150 partners, including RedWood Digital.

OpenCart
OpenCart was founded in 2005. Currently, 423,503 sites worldwide are active on this platform. They cooperate with more than 100 partners worldwide, including RedWood Digital.

PrestaShop
PrestaShop was founded in 2007. Currently, 299,187 sites worldwide are active on this platform. They have more than 200 employees. They cooperate with around 230 agencies and technology partners, including RedWood Digital.

One of the main benefits of using an ecommerce platform is the ability to easily manage and track sales, inventory, and customer data. These platforms typically include built-in tools for tracking customer information and order history, as well as tools for managing product inventory and shipping. Some also offer analytics and reporting tools that can help businesses track sales and customer behavior.

Another benefit of ecommerce platforms is the ability to easily set up and customize an online store. Many platforms offer a wide variety of customizable templates and design options, making it easy for businesses to create a professional-looking online store that reflects their brand and aesthetic.

Many ecommerce platforms also offer built-in SEO tools and features that can help businesses improve their search engine rankings and visibility. These tools typically include things like meta tags, keyword optimization, and the ability to create custom URLs and page titles. Additionally, many platforms offer integration with other digital marketing tools such as email marketing and social media platforms.

Ecommerce platforms also offer businesses the ability to reach a wider audience by making their products and services available for purchase online. This can be especially beneficial for businesses that sell unique or niche products, as it allows them to reach customers outside of their local area. Additionally, many platforms offer a range of payment options and support for multiple languages, which can make it easier for businesses to sell products to customers around the world.

Overall, ecommerce platforms are a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes and industries. These platforms offer a wide range of features and tools that can help businesses create and manage an online store, track sales and customer data, and improve their online visibility and reach. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your business, an ecommerce platform can help you achieve your goals and take your business to the next level.

However, as with any software or platform, there are some downsides to ecommerce platforms. One of the main downsides is that some platforms can be complex and difficult to navigate, especially for businesses that are new to ecommerce.

For this reason, it is important that every merchant who enters the field of online sales chooses the right partner, the implementer of the online store, who will complete the project within the agreed time frame and provide him with the much-needed information that is important for starting an online business, in order to be on an equal footing with traders who are already present on the market.