Undoubtedly, marketplaces are not the sole source of traffic for e-commerce offers. However, constantly facing bans for aggressive creatives on social media can become tiresome, and setting up a shop on Amazon can be more challenging than winning the green card lottery. What to do in such a situation? Pay attention to less mainstream platforms and assess their potential.
Big Commerce
Big Commerce is an e-commerce website builder. You won't need to install any software or delve into anything complex. Just sign up and get started!
The first notable advantage of the platform is its pricing flexibility. You are presented with four pricing plans to choose from:
- Standard - $29.95 per month
- Plus - $79.95
- Pro - $295.45
- Enterprise - discussed by phone
On the platform, there are free themes for store design, a trial period, and pleasant benefits even with a standard subscription. Products and their storage are unlimited, access to support, and no transaction fees — this sounds like a reason to give it a try. And if you want even more, then you'll have to open your wallet a bit wider. However, Big Commerce is not the platform that tries to profit off users for nothing. Evaluate its other advantages for yourself:
- Diverse themes (both free and with variable prices) - 91in total
- Integration with Google Merchant Center, meaning direct promotion on Google Shopping
- The ability to synchronize with Amazon, eBay, Facebook*, Pinterest. It's more convenient and leads to more sales
- Various payment methods accepted (PayPal, Apple Pay, and others) in different currencies
- The website is optimized for mobile devices, so you don't have to worry about glitches in the design on mobile
- Includes SEO tools (product title, description, keywords, product images), which means a targeted audience.
Weebly
Weebly is a small website builder with a flexible pricing policy. Pro costs $12 per month. However, it cannot be used in the CIS countries at the moment. If you choose it, use a VPN.
According to reviews, Weebly is user-friendly for beginners. However, in terms of design and popularity, it lags behind its 'competitors' - this is something to consider.
Its advantages:
- You can create and launch a website in just an hour.
- There is an option to run a blog.
- Any template can be edited through the source code.
- Customers are supported through convenient communication channels: chat, help center, email.
Wirecutter
Wirecutter is a review magazine. How does it relate to arbitrage? The reviews are accompanied by links to products. Wirecutter has a strong reputation for two reasons: its affiliation with The New York Times and its strict adherence to journalistic standards. The website also publishes interviews with experts on relevant topics.
The approach without native advertising and 'obvious' biased reviews has paid off. Users enjoy reading the magazine and trust its positive evaluations.
Most often, the focus is on gadgets and electronics. However, for example, during the pandemic, there was an increased demand for regular household goods. Over time, new categories emerge: 'style,' 'trends,' 'home and garden.
The monetization model involves affiliate commissions and 'earnings per click.'
WooCommerce
WooCommerce, like Big Commerce, is a platform for creating online stores. There is a difference: WooCommerce requires hosting and a domain name. It's still a plugin, not a website builder. However, the similarities are more in a positive sense:
- There are no restrictions on the theme. You can sell anything you like: accessories, clothing, household appliances, or services.
- There's a free version. Not a demo – a version that you can start working with. Design it, trade your product. It's useful if you're short on budget or confidence to spend it.
- There is optimization. Your design is once again saved from unauthorized changes on mobile devices!
- Geolocation helps set prices. Products will be displayed to users taking into account current taxes.
- There are no restrictions on uploading products.
What are the drawbacks of the platform compared to Big Commerce?
- There's no tech support. If you have questions and issues, you'll have to resolve them on your own. This is a significant downside, especially for beginners.
- Premium themes are expensive, which, according to reviews, makes it challenging for beginners to make sales. Even with a budget, there isn't always a desire to splurge.
Squarespace
This website creation platform is reminiscent of Wix in terms of design diversity and emphasis on creativity. The minimum price is $18 per month. Some of its advantages include integration with social media, 24/7 customer support, and a free domain.
The most noticeable drawback is the lack of a trial period. Here, you will need to choose one of the pricing plans right away.
Sellfy
An optimal choice for beginners, despite the absence of a free plan. You can sell not only conventional products (home decor, household items) but also digital creations. For example, online courses that can be linked to various verticals.
Positive:
- You can launch the store in a matter of minutes.
- The products don't necessarily have to be physical. As we mentioned earlier, online courses are an option, but what about subscriptions? With this capability, you can let your imagination run wild.
- You can withdraw money immediately after a sale.
- There's a mobile app, language recognition that adapts it to the desired currency.
- There are no restrictions on the number of products.
- File security is ensured, and custom domains are supported.
What about the drawbacks? There are no creative designs, and without Pro, the capabilities are significantly limited. So if you have a substantial budget, it makes more sense to invest it in more advanced platforms.