Home-based food businesses are increasingly popular, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a rise in remote work and the need for new sources of income. With this trend, the cost of at-home food permits and the selection of an effective e-commerce platform are now more critical than ever before. In this article, we will delve into top e-commerce platforms that stand toe-to-toe with Shopify, highlighting their unique strengths and how they compare in providing valuable solutions for your business.
Airmart
Airmart is a cut from a unique cloth tailored specifically for food vendors — home chefs, and cottage bakers selling home-cooked food. Airmart extends the offer of free basic shops with options for local delivery, shipping, and food subscriptions. Business owners can customize their shop with a unique domain name, making setup quick, easy, and ready to start taking pre-orders in less than a day. Airmart accommodates various business models seamlessly, expanding its reach to businesses of all kinds and product types.
Pros:
– Enjoy a complimentary basic shop without any setup expenses.
– Swift and effortless shop setup, eliminating the need for coding expertise.
– Various options available, including local delivery, shipping, and food subscription choices.
– Integrated SEO utilities to enhance online visibility.
– Personalized URL for each shop.
– Complimentary migration support offered to current e-commerce sites.
Cons:
– Transaction fees are applicable.
– Advanced features are solely accessible through a paid subscription.
Shift4Shop
Integrated SEO tools make Shift4Shop a strong competitor for diverse e-commerce stores. It does not charge setup or transaction fees, offering a free plan, but a monthly SaaS fee may apply depending on your plan and monthly processing amount. Predictably, businesses processing a minimum of $500 monthly have their SaaS fee waived.
Pros:
– Migration assistance for existing e-commerce stores.
– 100+ free website themes.
– Scalability – whether you’re a small or large business, this platform grows with you.
Cons:
– Minimum $500 in monthly sales for the free plan.
– Maximum customization only available on select themes.
– Inconsistent reviews on the quality of customer support.
Wix
Emerging as a favorite for dropshipping businesses, Wix provides a seamless blend of functionality and versatility. With a paid plan, you can connect your domain and gain access to multiple channels, including Amazon, Instagram, Facebook, eBay, Wish, and more. However, advanced features require a midrange plan or higher.
Pros:
– Site chat available on all e-commerce plans.
– 24/7 customer care.
– PCI (payment card industry) certified.
Cons:
– Advanced shipping features require a midrange plan or higher.
– Can’t change to a different template without starting over.
– No free e-commerce plan.
Ecwid
Ecwid shines as the best Shopify alternative if you already have an established website. It integrates easily with existing sites and enables multi-channel selling and marketing.
Pros:
– Multilingual storefront capability.
– Multichannel selling and marketing offered on all plans (including free).
– Integrates with an existing website.
Cons:
– Abandoned cart emails and email marketing not available until midrange plan and above.
– Product filters and variations not available until midrange plan and above.
– Limited access to phone support.
CoreCommerce
Geared towards data-driven decision-making, CoreCommerce focuses on analytics, reporting, and operational insights through its robust dashboard. However, plan pricing and product limitations depend on your chosen payment processor.
Pros:
– Robust dashboard for detailed insights.
– Customer service receives positive reviews.
– 99.99% uptime.
Cons:
– Pricing and product limitations vary based on the payment processor.
– CorePayments transaction fees not disclosed online.
– Website can be glitchy.
These are just a few of the top e-commerce platforms you can leverage when setting up your business. Assuming you comply with the necessary permits and regulations related to food handling and sale, these platforms offer a cost-effective and efficient avenue to start your dream online food business. From our analysis, it’s clear that choosing the right platform for your food business depends on your specific needs, budget, and long-term business goals. These platforms all offer unique advantages to help you succeed from home!