E-commerce platforms are the systems that allow you to create and manage online stores. There are two main types of e-commerce platforms. You can create:
1. Proprietary SaaS Ecommerce Platforms: SaaS platforms function similarly to websites, with everything controlled from a single panel. You can manage your product, content, and technical maintenance from one place. Also, it can handle your website hosting. You can manage your SEO optimization requirements on this platform.
- Pros: They take care of all your technical tasks, so you can focus on selling your products.
- Cons: Since they're like closed boxes, you might have less freedom to customize your store exactly how you want. And sometimes, they could better get your store to appear on Google.
2. Open-source e-commerce platforms (like WordPress): It give the online store more control and flexibility over the webiste. However, you must acquire more technical knowledge to manage this type of store.
- Pros: You have more control over how your store looks and works. You can add all sorts of fancy features if you want.
- Cons: Setting things up can be complicated, and you need some tech skills. Plus, you'll need to handle things like hosting yourself.
The advantage of using a proprietary e-commerce platform is that you don't have to worry about the technical details, so you can focus on marketing and selling your products.
However, there are some downsides, too. For example, you need more control over your website's SEO and features. Some closed platforms might not allow you to add specific desired features. The SEO capabilities of closed platforms can vary. Some offer good options for improving search performance, while others may need to be more effective.