9 Best eCommerce SaaS Companies to Boost Your Sales (2024)

Do e-commerce SaaS companies dramatically change online businesses? Yes, they do. E-commerce SaaS companies such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Big Cartel, etc provide the tools and features you can leverage to optimize your store potentially.

SaaS eCommerce platforms help find your target customers, enhance your business discoverability, manage the technical side of things, and boost revenue.

But which eCommerce SaaS platform should you choose? The market is saturated and it’s easy to feel confused when looking for the best option. Don’t fret since we’re here to help you.

We’ve listed 9 best eCommerce SaaS companies with their details. We will give you an overview of the platforms, their unique features, pricing points, and pros & cons.

Ready to explore and learn more about the best eCommerce SaaS companies?

Best eCommerce SaaS Companies: At A Glance

What is SaaS eCommerce and How Does it Work?

The SaaS (Software as a Service) model allows you to get internet-based access to software applications on a cloud platform. This means the software is available for you in exchange for a subscription-free (monthly or yearly fee).

After getting access to establish an online store on their platform, it’s your responsibility to set up and design your e-store. SaaS providers make sure that the platform operates smoothly.

However, you need to manage the building and designing part of your e-store.

Benefits of eCommerce SaaS Platforms

Now, let’s talk about why SaaS e-commerce is special and its benefits:

• Cost-effective: The first reason for people choosing SaaS is that it’s cost-effective. It doesn’t require expensive hardware or software purchases. This is especially beneficial for small businesses on tight budgets.
• User-friendly: SaaS solutions are user-friendly. Most features of SaaS are easy to use with minimal training.
• Automatic updates: SaaS offers automatic updates. Vendors automatically update SaaS solutions so you don’t have to take the pressure of manual software maintenance.
• Ease of access: SaaS is easy to access from anywhere. All you need is an internet connection. This is an appealing feature for people working remotely.

SaaS vs. Open-Source vs. On-Premise E-Commerce

There are three types of E-commerce platforms you should know about. Here’s a rapid comparison before we get into the details of E-commerce SaaS companies.

9 Best eCommerce SaaS Companies for Your Online Store

We won’t make you wait for longer. Let’s get to the main point of our discussion now.

1. Shopify: Best for All Types of Businesses

Shopify stands out as a leading SaaS e-commerce platform. It offers an easy interface and a comprehensive set of features to support any size business platform.

It simplifies the creation and expansion of your online presence with excellent tools and solutions. Shopify also offers secure and reliable transaction handling so your payment information is protected.

Shopify Plus at a glance:

Key features:

• Live chat option
• Automated workflows
• Integration with multiple payment gateways
• Advanced marketing and SEO tools
• Options for custom storefronts

Pricing:

Benefits

• It offers a wide range of professional templates
• In-depth analytics and reporting
• Custom automation with apps such as Scripts, Launchpad, Shopify Flow
• It uses the latest technology that supports AR, 3D, and product videos
• It’s easy to use and cost-effective.

Drawbacks

• 0.5-2% transaction fees on sales
• Design flexibility might be limited compared to other platforms.

2. BigCommerce: Best for Medium to Large Businesses 

BigCommerce shines as a top SaaS e-commerce company. It actively streamlines the sale of products and services online with its wide range of features. It allows your business to quickly set up and customize.

The platform is user-friendly and supports a variety of professional designs that will represent your brand’s identity.

Moreover, BigCommerce levels up your store visibility with strong SEO tools and runs smoothly with popular third-party apps and marketplaces.

BigCommerce at a Glance:

Key Features

• Multi-channel support
• Advanced SEO tools
• Scalable architecture
• Flexible shipping and tax options
• Comprehensive dashboard for activities
• In-depth reports and analytics.

Pricing

Benefits

• Ideal option for scalability and growth
• Multi-channel sales support manages online, in-store, and mobile sales from a single platform
• Mobile apps manage your store on the go
• Robust security features protect your data and transactions
• No coding is required for page builder tools.

Drawbacks

• Available free theme options are limited
• No transaction fee is needed but there’s an annual sales threshold.

3. WooCommerce: Best for All Types of Businesses

WooCommerce is another popular choice of SaaS e-commerce platform. It helps your business to easily create and manage online stores with its user-friendly interface and customizable templates.

This platform offers a smooth shopping experience through secure payment gateways and flexible shipping options. Worth noting that WooCommerce’s scalability suits businesses of all sizes and features.

WooCommerce at a Glance

Pricing

Benefits

• Open-source platform offers extensive customization
• A simplified coupon system helps promotions
• High level of customization with plugins
• Clean and modern interface for easy management
• Geo-location support for localized experiences
• Extensive plugin library

Drawbacks

• Additional costs for themes, plugins, and extensions
• There is a possibility of plugin conflicts.

3. Wix: Best for Small to medium-sized businesses

Wix stands out for its ease of use. It offers a drag-and-drop interface and a huge collection of templates that are both stylish and functional.

The platform is designed to be fully mobile-optimized, so, your online store will provide the best shopping experience on any device. You are not going to need any coding skills to create professional-looking websites while using Wix.

Wix at a Glance

Key Features

• Multiple payment gateway options such as credit card and PayPal payments
• Production-grade runtime
• Rapid visual front-end design
• Business and marketing tools
• Advanced eCommerce features such as shipping integrations and inventory management.

Pricing

Benefits

• Drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to create and customize websites
• It’s easy for beginner users
• It offers a user-friendly E-commerce interface
• Free hosting and mobile optimization are included
• Affordable price points
• Custom domain and logo.

Drawbacks

• Some performance limitations make it unsuitable for high-volume businesses
• Requires transaction fees on some plans.

5. Shift4Shop: Best for US-based businesses

Shift4Shop, formerly known as 3dcart, is a free e-commerce platform (free for US customers only) that suits all sizes of online businesses.

It stands out in the crowd for offering a wealth of customization options and features. You’ll get everything from SEO tracking to a variety of website templates. These features make it a versatile choice for businesses that want to expand their online presence.

Shift4Shop at a Glance

Pricing

Benefits

• It’s free for US customers
• There are no product, bandwidth, or storage limitations
• It offers a wide range of payment gateways
• Provides a feature-rich platform
• No transaction fees needed
• SEO and marketing tools

Drawbacks

• The free version is only for US-based businesses
• Some customers do not like the web design options.

6. Salesforce: Best for Medium to Large-Size Businesses

Salesforce Commerce Cloud, once known as Demandware is another leading SaaS e-commerce platform.

It empowers businesses to launch and manage their online stores efficiently. It also provides a suite of features that enhance customer shopping experiences and streamline business operations.

Salesforce at a Glance

Unique Features

• Unified Commerce solution manages digital and physical sales channels through one platform.
• Robust tools for product management and order fulfillment.
• Customizable online stores
• Advanced order management
• Enterprise-grade security

Pricing

Salesforce Commerce Cloud doesn’t offer public pricing. They provide custom quotes based on your business needs. Contact their sales team for details. Still, to give you an idea about the prices, here are the price packages for E-commerce businesses.

Benefits

• Smooth integration with other Salesforce products such as CRM
• AI-powered automation to improve efficiency
• Suitable for B2B, B2C, and B2B2C businesses
• Automatic updates without business disruption
• Less inventory risk because third-party sellers
• Trusted by brands like PetSmart, Cargill, Boggi Milano, and so on.

Drawbacks

• Implementation can be expensive, especially for small businesses
• The administration design is not so user-friendly.

7. Volusion: Best for Medium to large businesses, DropShippers

Volusion is another useful SaaS e-commerce platform that helps your business establish and expand its online presence.

Renowned for its user-friendly interface, Volusion offers an easy setup of online stores. It doesn’t require extensive technical know-how. It offers a blend of powerful tools and flexible templates.

Volusion at a Glance

Special Features

• Mobile-friendly themes
• Simple transactions with integrated payment gateways
• Advanced SEO and marketing tools

Pricing

Benefits

• It’s an all-in-one platform
• It’s easy to use and suitable for beginners
• Budget-friendly
• Tax display and processing
• It offers a wide range of themes to match any of your business aesthetic
• It has a wide range of integrations such as Amazon and eBay.

Drawbacks

• Merchants who use Volusion 1 must pay additional fees
• You can access blogging features only through a third-party API; Element.

8. Big Cartel: Best for Small to Medium Businesses, Artists

If you’ve been looking for a specialized SaaS e-commerce platform designed to support artists, creators, and small businesses, Big Cartel is one of the best eCommerce SaaS Companies. It helps you launch and manage your online stores.

Widely used for its simplicity and affordability, Big Cartel offers a wide range of features that meet the unique needs of creative entrepreneurs.

Big Cartel at a Glance

Pricing

Benefits

• Free plans by Big Cartel are ideal for startups
• Simple and user-friendly for artists and non-technical users
• It offers offline sales support
• Bulk content editing opportunity
• There are offers, discounts, and promos

Drawbacks

• Limited template and themes; only 18 available
• Limited payment processors; only compatible with 3 payment gateways.

9. Ecwid: Best for Small to Medium Businesses

Ecwid is another comprehensive and user-friendly platform. Ecwid makes it easy for your business to launch, manage, and scale its online stores.

Ecwid is popular for its ability to integrate seamlessly into existing websites, social media platforms, and even in-person sales through point-of-sale (POS) devices.

Ecwid at a Glance

Pricing

Benefits

• It offers automated tracking and processing, with support for digital and physical products
• The point-of-sales tools offer sales both online and offline
• Multi-channel selling allows sales through various channels from a single platform
• E-commerce hosting is available even in free plans.

Drawbacks

• Free plans have limited features
• It doesn’t offer 24/7 customer support.

Things to Consider When Choosing An E-Commerce Platform

By now, you know a lot about the popular SaaS e-commerce companies. Still, we’d like you to consider some key factors before you hit any call to action.

What Are Your Business Needs?

Make sure you know the answers to these questions below-

What are you going to sell? Services, digital downloads, or physical products? Know these answers because different platforms offer different options.

Next, ask yourself about the size of your business. Do you already have a large and established audience or customer base? Or, is your business going to be a startup? You need to pick a platform that’s scalable for your business size.

Look for E-Commerce Features

Check the features that are the most important for you. After that, look for additional features that can enhance your overall user experience. Here are some core E-commerce features that you should get from your platform:

• Search for product filtering and categorization filters. It will help your customers to find specific products according to their needs.
• Product variation is another feature your platform should offer you. If your business products are different in size and color, this feature will let you add and manage various products.
• Does the platform offer you inventory management? It’s an important feature for tracking product availability in real time. It helps you keep up with customer demand and product supply.
  

These are just examples. Make sure you are sure about the features your business needs and you get them from the chosen platform.

Think About The Design and Customizability

Don’t overlook the design and customizability of your e-commerce site. Statistics show that 60% of customers abandon their purchases due to poor website experience. And, it’s not just about losing sales. Nearly 48% of all businesses are embarrassed by their own websites.

Therefore, you must prioritize user experience (UX) on your website to offer a smooth and enjoyable shopping experience.

Check for Suitable Payment Options

How your chosen platform processes online transactions matters in the overall shopping experience. According to statistics, 9% of online shoppers do not proceed with their purchases if they don’t find their preferred payment options.

First, identify the default payment gateways of your chosen platform. Then, check if you can integrate paid popular processors. How does this help?

Imagine your customer doesn’t have a credit card in hand and your site doesn’t accept PayPal, it can lead them to abandon shopping carts then and there.

Check also: Top 10 Types of SaaS Payment Solutions: Pros and Cons

Look for SEO and Other Marketing Features

SEO and marketing features help you get a larger customer base, promote your brand, and eventually grow your business.

These are some marketing tools you should get with your e-commerce platform:

• SEO: SEO tools help you target both commercial keywords to focus on potential buyers. They also help in finding informational keywords that target users looking for information. The tools also help you create SEO-friendly URLs and add meta descriptions.
  

• E-mail marketing: Creating email marketing campaigns will improve communications between you and your customers. Your customers will know about ongoing promotions, special deals, and new product launches through this feature.
  

• Social media integration: This feature makes it easier to shop for your product on Instagram and other social media platforms.

Make Sure The Price You’re Paying Is Worth It

It’s always wise to consider long-term costs when you look for an e-commerce platform. Make sure you get a satisfactory number of features and benefits from the platform.

Moreover, know that there might be hidden or additional costs for themes, extensions, or marketplace integrations. Make sure you are aware of them before starting the journey.

FAQs

How many SaaS products does the average company use?

Studies show businesses leverage around 371 different SaaS applications on average. However, the number can vary according to company size. Smaller businesses use around 253 apps, and enterprises use around 473 apps!

What are the most essential SaaS eCommerce Platform Features?

Search, cart, and payment are the three essential SaaS eCommerce platform features. The Search feature allows the customers to find what they want. A user-friendly shopping cart helps them add and manage their chosen products. And, a smooth checkout with secure payment processing builds trust and allows them to complete their purchases.

Is Shopify better than WooCommerce?

If you prefer user-friendliness, Shopify is better than WooCommerce. It’s ideal for beginners with built-in features and a good app store. However, it’s less customizable and more expensive than WooCommerce.

Last Words

We are done with the long discussion regarding eCommerce SaaS companies. We hope that you’ve already picked the right platform based on your preferences. If you still haven’t figured it out, here’s a summary for you.

Shopify is the best option for all types of businesses. It’s beginner-friendly and offers an effortless e-store setup. If you’re a WordPress user, pick WooCommerce from the crowd as it’s specifically designed for WordPress users.

If you need a budget-friendly option, choose something from Wix, Volusion, or Big Cartel.

No matter which platform you choose finally, make sure it offers the key features for your business. Good luck with your journey!

Check also: Live Chat Customer Service in 2024 [10 Examples]

Afrin Mithee

Afrin Mithee is a freelance writer who helps SaaS companies build an audience and get more paying clients online. Her SEO practices and digital marketing strategies help to show up businesses and reach a larger range of customers.