With so many elements to consider, setting up a website can be a daunting process. When starting an eCommerce business, many merchants look to the simplest options in the form of eCommerce website builders, which automate some of the work for you. In this article, we'll explore the most popular online store builders, discuss their features, and explain when using a standard website platform might be the best fit.
What is an eCommerce Website Builder?
An eCommerce website builder is a tool that allows merchants to create an eCommerce store without needing extensive coding knowledge. These ‘DIY’ platforms usually offer a range of pre-designed templates, drag-and-drop editors, and various plugins to make it easier to build and maintain an online store. While they offer a quick and cost-effective solution for many, it's important to consider the advantages and disadvantages before getting set up.
Popular eCommerce Web Builders in the UK
Shopify - Shopify is an eCommerce Saas provider that’s designed to be very user-friendly with a focus on allowing merchants to get set up quickly and easily maintain their store. (Read more: What is Shopify?)
Wix eCommerce - Wix offers a simple drag-and-drop web builder, its most popular feature is its wide range of aesthetic templates, many of which are free to use.
BigCommerce - Like Shopify, BigCommerce is another Saas provider and is ideal for small businesses with less complex requirements who are looking for a managed solution.
Squarespace - Offers a stripped-back eCommerce solution with customisable templates and features to help merchants get set up quickly, such as AI product descriptions and integrated marketing features.
Pros and Cons of DIY eCommerce Web Builders
While we won’t weigh in on which is the best online store website builder, we’ve summarised the overall pros and cons of using one vs going with something custom / a traditional approach.
Magento Page Builder: A Robust Alternative
While DIY eCommerce website builders are a popular choice for small businesses, they may not always provide the flexibility and scalability required to future-proof growing businesses. This is where Magento, particularly its Page Builder functionality, stands out.
What is Magento Page Builder?
While DIY eCommerce website builders are a popular choice for small businesses, they may not always provide the flexibility and scalability required to future-proof growing businesses. This is where Magento, particularly its Page Builder functionality, stands out.
What is Magento Page Builder?
Magento Page Builder is a drag-and-drop content management tool designed to create dynamic and customisable pages within a Magento website. It’s the closest to what could be called a “Magento website builder” and offers advanced features that can rival many DIY online store builders but with the added advantage of customisation & scalability. Once the extension is installed, it sits within the Magento admin, allowing merchants to easily create and manage pages from the back end.
For more information on Magento, learn more from our article “What is Magento eCommerce?”.
Benefits of Using Magento Page Builder
If DIY online store website builders are easy and cost-effective, why should you consider Magento with Page Builder?
Flexibility: Unlike many DIY platforms, Magento allows for extensive customisation, ensuring your online store can adapt as your business grows.
- Scalability: Magento is designed to handle large product catalogues, inventory, customer details and media files, making it ideal for mid-to-large businesses.\
- Out-of-the-box Features: If you don’t require too much customisation from the start, Magento has plenty of features that are readily available such as analytics and reporting, AI-based product search and marketing tools.
- Advanced SEO: Built-in SEO tools help enhance your online visibility more effectively than many basic eCommerce website builders.
- Professional Support: Magento is backed by a large network of developers meaning you’ll have access to extensive support across the Magento community.
- Third-Party Integrations: There is an extensive catalogue (thousands!) of third-party extensions and modules available to you so even bespoke functionality can usually be solved with an extension rather than built from scratch.
- Hyvä Themes: With Magento, you have access to Hyvä, a powerful frontend theme designed for optimum performance and efficiency. Learn more about Hyvä Themes Development.
How Develo Can Support You
eCommerce web builders are ideal for those who require little to no customisation and are looking to get set up quickly with low upfront costs. If you feel your business requires something more robust like Magento, why not get in touch with our expert team to discuss your requirements?
We understand the intricacies of building a successful online store and our team are experts in creating feature-rich eCommerce solutions with a focus on flexibility, seamless UI and optimum performance. By partnering with Develo, you can focus on growing your business while we handle the technical complexities of creating a bespoke Magento store.
Looking to launch your online store or upgrade your current platform?
Phoebe Dodd
Designer & Content Creator
Phoebe is a Designer and Content Creator who has worked in design since 2019 and has been with Develo since 2020. Phoebe’s favourite aspect of Content Creation is creating engaging graphics and videos that blend storytelling and marketing. Her biggest achievement from working at Develo is enforcing humanised content in a B2B business that engages with our target audience. Outside of work, she can be found competing in cross country and athletics, or walking her Romanian rescue dog, Lyla.
Develo is a leading Magento agency and eCommerce web development company based in Birmingham, in the UK, serving clients globally since 2010. Our Blog covers topics around the array of services our certified Magento Developers offer, including Hyvä themes development, Adobe Commerce, Magento Punchout catalogues, ERP integrations and much more. To speak to a friendly member of the team about your next project, contact us here.
