Running head: WEBSITE BUILDERS REVIEW 1
WEBSITE BUILDERS REVIEW 2
Website Builders Review
Name
Course
Tutor Name
Date
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is cloud-based and provides Level 1PCI and SSL certificate security. The whole suite offers SaaS solutions. Other technologies are site-wide HTTPS, JavaScript, Html, Html5, dedicated SSL and IP and SLA. The package also comes with the coding option. However, the drag and drop feature have not been incorporated. Some of the pros of the suite include comprehensive tools such as emails and newsletters, payment integration, unlimited product variation, auto responder, statistical reports, tax and shipping configuration and reviews among other settings. The suite comes with modules that allow for the use of credit cards and store customization. The suite also allows for integration with social media platforms and popular online stores like eBay. However, for more advanced functionality, the suite uses third party application that is sometimes costly. High volume low-priced requires the pro plan which is expensive, as such BigCommerce focuses on the store that sells few and high-priced goods, it is an expert in multi-channel marketing. BigCommerce offers scalability functions so that stores can be hosted in mobile phones. However, the platform does not have its iOS or Android application. There is three fixed monthly price options, standard ($29.95), plus ($79.95), pro ($199.95) and enterprise plan whose cost varies.
Magento.com
Magento suite uses the HTTPS protocol, CCS, Font Awesome, Flexslider, Google analytics, Nginx server and Drupal CMS. Magento offers the client the ability to develop their look based on the template, some of its pros include search engine optimization, one can own multiple stores, excellent customer service, analytics and reporting, order management and marketing services. The suite also allows the owner to host the website in any server preferred. However, some user has complained of the poor customer services. Magento focuses on all client with expertise in web design. Magento uses browser detection to fit the website into mobile phone view. Magento offers a free version that allows flexibility in web-hosting budget, However, for Magento Enterprise, the cost starts at $17,900 annually.
Shopify
Shopify use HTML, HTML5, CSS, JavaScript and SVG technologies. It also utilizes Facebook Retargeting, New Relic, and Google Analytics for analysis purposes. The suite also utilizes HTTP (SSL) certificate. Through the life “plan,” Shopify offers some of the lowest rates in the market, the free and responsive templates can be used by clients to develop their websites. It also offers easy to use Paypal integration and VAT rates are determined automatically. The number products that can be used to create a wide product range is limited. Creating textboxes are double though the process is highly complicated and involves much processes. By using third party payment options, one can avoid transaction charges. Shopify focus in all market channels, its expertise is website design and integration. Shopify has both Android and iOS application that allows the user to access the store; the web pages are also sensitive to the browser. Shopify offers four types of plans; Free Plan, Basic Plan ($29), Shopify ($79) and Advanced Shopify ($299).
Volusion
Volusion uses HTML, Iframe, HTML5, Font Awesome, SVG, JavaScript and CSS technologies. Other technologies used include HTTPS (SSL), Google Tagmanager, Optimizely, and CDN. Pros of using the vendor include the intuitive look, educative approach, guaranteed speed, and security. The cons of using Volusion includes high prices regarding monthly charges, transaction fees, add-on fees and advertisement fee. It is also known for hitting clients with unplanned charges, they charged clients with $25 for PCI compliance in 2013. They also charge merchants $100 annually for SSL in credit card transactions. Volusion is best for developer modes and online store with resources aiming for the robust catalog. Volusion does not have a mobile application to support the store, however, when accessing the store, screen detection is used to resize the platform, it uses a built-in mobile site, not a responsive website. Volusion has four monthly plans excluding the VAT; mini ($9), plus ($19), pro ($49) and premium ($89).
Squarespace
Squarespace used Pup, SVG, JavaScript, Html, Html5, iframe and CSS technologies. Other technologies used include Pingdom, Google Tagmamanger and SSL certificates. Squarespace comes with good SEO support, blogging, good template design and one-page website option at only $5. Some of the websites cons include low page speed, $8 for only two pages’ website does not seem fair, it only offers only sub-level navigation, and their website editor is less impressive compared to other vendors. Squarespace host all websites and the owner is relieved from technical details of hosting; it has expertise in website exporting functionalities from Squarespace to WordPress. Squarespace has responsive templates that allow the websites to be resized according to the device; this is good on mobile integration. Squarespace has two monthly plans; standards (starting $8) and unlimited (starting $16).
WooCommerce
Technologies used by WooCommerce include the Pingback, Feedburner, SVG, PHP, CSS, JavaScript, Html, Iframe, Html5. Other technologies used are Granify, Inspectlate, Kissmetrics, Google Tagmanager and Visual Website Optimizer. Pros of WooCommerce includes the availability of customizable themes, extensions, good customer support, back-end operations, payment processing and excellent customer support. Cos of the vendor include over reliance on extensions; the user must manually upload the images and plugin cart that is just a plugin. The website had strength in powering websites based on WordPress with over 300 extensions. The vendor uses responsive templates to allow for mobile phone integrations. There are three pricing options available; Single site ($129), 5 sites ($199) and 25 sites ($299).
Key factors rating: 1 being poor and 10 being excellent.
Key Factor
BigCommerce
Magento
Shopify
Squarespace
Volusion
WooCommerce
Functionality
6
7
8
8
7
9
Mobile Optimization
7
8
9
7
6
6
Support for different business models
7
8
9
9
8
7
Business process modeling tools
7
8
8
7
7
8
Visual site management tools and reporting
7
8
9
8
7
9
Performance and scalability
9
9
9
9
9
9
Connectivity to existing business systems
8
9
9
9
8
9
Compliance with standards
8
8
7
7
7
8
Global and multicultural capability
7
7
8
7
7
7
Local sales tax and shipping rules
8
7
8
7
6
6
Overall ease of use and comprehension
7
7
9
8
7
7
Overall Value (Cost, Features, Effort, etc.)
7
7
9
7
7
7
Recommendation
Shopify appears to be the best vendor; it offers low monthly prices beginning from $9, it has excellent functionality and properly optimized for mobile platforms. It also provides responsive templates from which the user can customize to fit the required store. The website is easy to manage with scalability functions. The web-pages are fast-loading and are compliant with standard certificates. The website has a global feel and comes with integrated tax, payments, and third party shipping options. The products are easy to use and a larger customer base that reflects their high value and useful features.
References
BigCommerce. (2016). BigCommerce: Ecommerce Platform & Shopping Cart Software. Bigcommerce. Retrieved 14 September 2016, from https://www.bigcommerce.com
Magento. (2016). eCommerce Software & eCommerce Platform Solutions | Maento. Magento. Retrieved 14 September 2016, from https://magento.com/
Shopify. (2016). Ecommerce Software, Online Store Builder, POS – Free 14-day Trial by Shopify.Shopify. Retrieved 14 September 2016, from https://www.shopify.com
Squarespace. (2016). Overview. Squarespace. Retrieved 14 September 2016, from https://www.squarespace.com/
Volusion. (2016). Ecommerce Software & Shopping Cart Solutions by Volusion. Volusion.com. Retrieved 14 September 2016, from https://www.volusion.com/
WooCommerce. (2016). WooCommerce – eCommerce for WordPress. WooCommerce. Retrieved 14 September 2016, from https://woocommerce.com/
