Best Ecommerce Platform for the Philippines

If you’ve been thinking about starting an online business and entering into the world of online selling, you will, at one point or another, come across the term e-commerce.

After all, the entire digital world today runs on one form of ecommerce platform or another.

But how do you decide which platform is best for you to run your online business?

In this article, we’ll explore the different aspects of ecommerce and help you come up with criterias of a platform that is the most compatible for your specific business needs.

What is an ecommerce platform?

The definition of an ecommerce platform is an online system that allows businesses to create and manage an online store. It enables customers to browse and purchase items from any devices and at the comfort of their homes or on the go, as long as they are connected online.

Ecommerce platforms are important for online businesses because they provide a user-friendly interface, secure payment processing, order management, and a wide range of features that make managing an online store much easier.

However, one common issue for aspiring entrepreneurs is deciding which ecommerce platform to use since there are so many different brands in the market.

So let’s briefly compare some of the more popular platforms.

 

Shopify

Pros:

 

• • Easy to set up.
  • Inexpensive rates for startups.
  • 14 days free trial.
  • They offer a range of payment methods, including PayPal and Stripe as well as bank deposits and cash on delivery.
  • 24/7 customer care with access to a customer adviser.

Cons:

 

• • Limited free store templates. (Mostly premium themes)
  • The advanced Shopify option costs USD$299/month.
  • If Shopify Payment is not used, an extra transaction fee will be charged for each purchase.
  • Shopify manages your ecommerce store and site’s data rather than you having that control.
  • Shopify is customizable but at a higher cost.

 

WooCommerce

Pros:

 

• • Free plugin for WordPress
  • It’s free and open source
  • Built-in payment methods for PayPal and Stripe, and many others
  • No transaction fees if you use WooCommerce Payment.
  • Compatible with many other WordPress plugins
  • You can create unlimited products and categories

Cons:

 

• • Not as user-friendly as Shopify
  • No WooCommerce-specific themes
  • You have to manage your own hosting and site maintenance
  • Require hosting and a domain name

 

Magento

Pros:

 

• • Open source software
  • Highly scalable
  • A large community of developers with a wide range of plugins and extensions
  • No charges for the software
  • Many free themes to choose from

Cons:

 

• • Magento can be difficult to set up and use.
  • You’ll need a specialised developer to make changes
  • Hiring a Magento developer can be expensive.
  • Require hosting and a domain name

 

PrestaShop

Pros:

 

• • Easy-to-use admin panel
  • Fast loading speed
  • Many themes available
  • A great option for beginners

Cons:

 

• • Advanced modules are expensive to include
  • You may need to hire a developer to make changes.
  • Default designs aren’t as beautiful as the other platforms
  • Not much option to insert attributes and other meta-information for products

 

OpenCart

Pros:

 

• • Simple learning curve for new users
  • Intuitive interface
  • Set up is fast and easy
  • Cost-effective solution

Cons:

 

• • Not easily customisable
  • You may need to hire a developer to make changes.
  • Basic performance and features are not comparable with the other platforms

 

BigCommerce

Pros:

 

• • No transaction fees
  • A wide range of features
  • Many themes and plugins are available.
  • Highly scalable

Cons:

 

• • Can be expensive.
  • There is an annual limit on total sales volume depending on the plan selected
  • You’ll require hosting and a domain name.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when choosing an ecommerce platform. For some, it may start out as a small business idea at home, but once your business starts to grow and you have to consider more specific needs, choosing the right platform will be crucial to not only providing better user experience, but also managing your orders and inventories efficiently at the backend.

This brings us to the next point.

 

 

Why choosing a free ecommerce platform might be your best decision

When it comes to starting an online business, there are already many different factors to consider. But if you’re based in the Philippines, there are specific reasons to choose a free ecommerce platform for your business.

Firstly, a free platform can help you save money on start-up costs. Every penny counts when you’re just getting started, especially since most of these platforms are charging in USD. A free platform would allow you to get your business up and running without having to pay additional cost from conversion fees.

Secondly, a free platform can be a great way to test the waters and see if online selling is right for you. If it turns out that it isn’t, you haven’t invested too much in a paid platform that you may not use.

Lastly, a free platform can still provide the core features and functionality you need to run a successful online business.

And with technology as advanced as it is right now, plenty of great free options and plugins are available. There is no reason why Filipinos can’t succeed with a little hard work and business ingenuity.

 

The best free ecommerce platforms for small businesses

But no doubt, finding the right ecommerce platform for your small business may seem daunting. More so if you’re not a techie, as there are many things to consider.

Hence for your convenience, we’ve compiled some of the key criterias below:

1. Ease of use – The platform should be easy to use, and doesn’t require much coding.

2. Features – The platform should offer all the core features needed to run the business, such as the ability to accept payments and track inventory.

3. Cost – The platform should be affordable, especially for small businesses on a tight budget.

4. Support – The platform should offer good customer support so business owners can get help when needed.

5. Scalability – The platform should be able to scale as the business grows so that it can still meet the needs of the webstore owner.

In summary, the platform should be easy to use coupled with a wide range of features while still being affordable. Whichever platform you choose, the most important thing is that it meets all your specific needs, enabling you to run your online business effectively and efficiently.

 

How to set up an online store on a free ecommerce platform

Thankfully, setting up an online store doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated today. With free online store builders like Shopboxo, your store can be set up rather quickly.

Here’s an example of how you can get started with the Shopboxo app

 

1. 1. First, download the Shopboxo app and create an account. Unlike other mobile apps, there’s no plan to choose from as it’s completely free.
   2. Next, add your products and set up your payment methods. Shopboxo makes accepting payments from major credit cards and payment merchants such as GCash easier.
   3. Once your products are set up, choose a theme for your store. You can browse through a range of themes to find one that best fits your brand identity.
   4. Finally, launch your store! Once you’ve made all the necessary changes and customizations, you’re ready to start selling online.

 

 

Tips for choosing the right free ecommerce platform for your business

At the end of the day, you’ll want to factor in the type of online business you’re running when deciding on the best platform for you.

While a cosmetic retailer might require features that are similar to an ukay-ukay business, since they’re both selling physical products, the site structure of both websites can be significantly different. From tags to brands, discount coupons and minimum spending promotions, there are many things to consider. Hence, you will want a platform that has the features you require to promote your business.

might require features that are similar to an ukay-ukay business, since they’re both selling physical products, the site structure of both websites can be significantly different. From tags to brands, discount coupons and minimum spending promotions, there are many things to consider. Hence, you will want a platform that has the features you require to promote your business.

But that doesn’t mean you need to overthink things.

Another way is to observe your competitors and identify the features that will be useful for your business. The best part is that since this is an online store, you can use international websites to brainstorm ideas.

So there you have it! Consider the tips we’ve provided and think about what will work best for your business niche. Good luck!

 

Common Questions on Ecommerce Platforms

Which is the Most Popular Ecommerce Platform?

Some of the most popular ecommerce platforms include Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. Each platform has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to choose one that will fit your specific needs and preferences.

What are the Types of Ecommerce Platforms?

There are free and paid ecommerce platforms available. Free platforms may have fewer features than paid platforms, but they can be a great option for small businesses on a tight budget. Paid platforms typically offer more features and customization options, but they can be more expensive.