The increasing popularity of home-cooked food services presents a promising proposition for food enthusiasts to venture into a thriving business. However, one of the challenges many home food business encounters predominantly revolves around finding a suitable e-commerce platform to sell their culinary expertise online. There has been a high demand for platforms that are simple, affordable, and reliable. This article delves into two e-commerce platforms that stand toe-to-toe with Shopify in relation to selling home-cooked food- Airmart and Wix.
AirMart
AirMart is specifically designed for food vendors including home chefs and cottage bakers. It is a platform built specifically for selling home-cooked food, which sets it apart from many other similar platforms.
Pros
1. Enjoy a complimentary basic shop without any setup expenses.
2. Swift and effortless shop setup, without the requirement of any coding expertise.
3. Offers options for local delivery, shipping, and subscription to food choices.
4. Accept pre-orders, accommodating various business models seamlessly.
5. Offers complimentary migration support for existing e-commerce platforms.
6. Integrated SEO utilities to enhance online visibility are included.
7. Suitable for all types of businesses and product types.
8. Provides sellers with a personalized URL for their shop.
Cons
1. Transaction fees are applicable.
2. Advanced features come with a paid subscription.
Wix
Wix is often compared to Shopify in terms of its vast functionality. It is recognized for its dropshipping website builder which sources products from the Modalyst marketplace, an aspect that home chefs might find attractive for procuring ingredients or related cooking items.
Pros
1. Wix supports multiple sales channels, including Amazon, Instagram, Facebook, eBay.
2. All e-commerce plans come with automated marketing tools including emails and chat messages for site visitors.
3. Connection of your domain is possible with a paid plan, and one-year free domain voucher is available with most annual plans.
4. Offers over 500 free e-commerce website templates, which are fully customizable and mobile-friendly.
Cons
1. Advanced shipping features are available only with a mid-range plan or higher.
2. Cannot switch to a different template without starting over.
3. There is no free e-commerce plan.
Conclusion
In conclusion, remember that the decision over which platform to use will depend largely on your specific needs resonating with either Airmart’s focus on the food industry or Wix’s broader e-commerce facilities. Regardless of the platform you choose, both platforms can be seen as credible alternatives to Shopify and will provide a robust foundation for you to start your home food business.