8 Best Shopify Alternatives for a Dropshipping eCommerce Store
Even though Shopify is unquestionably one of the most popular eCommerce platforms available today for the creation and management of online businesses, there may be a cause or several reasons why you would want to investigate its competitors. Whatever your reason for looking at them, here are the top 10 Shopify alternatives for your ready reference, along with a summary of each of the options.
The Best Shopify Alternatives
- Grower \sBigCommerce
- Yo!Kart \sSquarespace \sVolusion
- WooCommerce
- Cartel 3dcart 3dcart Big Cartel
- Weebly
If you’re seeking the best eCommerce solution to build your online store, you’ve probably already explored the advantages of Shopify’s platform. After all, when it comes to eCommerce solutions, Shopify is one of the most well-known tools on the market. When it comes to your business plan, Shopify will be an integral component of it because it provides everything you need to get started, from web hosting to unlimited bandwidth.
Set up a dropshipping store on Shopify.
Due to the continuing expansion of the digital world, businesses of all shapes and sizes are seeking a more diverse selection of web design tools. After all, while Shopify offers numerous advantages, such as the ability to customize your domain name and choose connections from a comprehensive app store, it is not the right solution for every business.
Also, see Dropshipping Business: It’s No Longer a Mysterious Practice.
Some people will want to do more with their storefront and backend designs than what Shopify can provide. Some business owners may prefer their website design to be more adaptable or to have access to more specialized eCommerce capabilities.
Take a look at our Shopify reviews and pricing guide before you get started, though.
By the way, here is a video evaluation of Shopify, which was done by my colleague Joe.
Grower
Grower, widely acknowledged as the greatest hyperlocal grocery eCommerce platform, has been established and developed to meet the demands of every entrepreneur or business owner in the world. Its original purpose was to develop online grocery marketplaces or to assist retailers to take their supermarkets online as well. Its mission has now evolved. However, as a result of extensive technical updates and capabilities addition, Growcer has evolved into a one-stop solution for launching an eCommerce marketplace, regardless of the niche (pharmacy, liquor/wine, electronics, pet supplies, farmer supplies, etc.).
Grower provides pre-built grocery delivery apps that streamline the supply chain by supporting both shoppers and delivery drivers in their daily activities. Its commercial aspects, such as its white-label solution, free 1-year technical support, and free installation, as well as its technical aspects, such as its hyperlocal functionality, PWA, and integrated features for admin, seller, buyer, and delivery staff, make it an ideal solution for assisting you in turning your idea into a successful digital business.
Browser is equipped with more than 15 APIs, which provides the business owner with a competitive advantage over their competition. Under its configurable packaging, the solution can be used to create websites such as Instacart, Shipt, Walmart, Peapod, and other similar businesses.
You may also be interested in reading Best Private Label Dropshipping Suppliers and Products
BigCommerce
A market pioneer with a comprehensive collection of standard capabilities on the eCommerce platform, as well as some additional features on top of that. The Basic plan, which costs $29.95 per month, is extremely affordable, and it offers a robust feature set that makes it a viable alternative to the popular Shopify platform.
BigCommerce stands out as one of the most powerful tools for organizations looking to build a custom website in the SaaS industry, according to the company. The package comes pre-loaded with a large number of design models to assist you in getting started. With just a small monthly cost, you may have the ultimate Shopify competitor as well as a website builder for larger businesses.
The BigCommerce builder includes features such as limitless bandwidth support, search engine optimization, and a variety of checkout choices, among other things. It’s a pleasure to design an eCommerce store that is easy to navigate. On the negative side, there is no support for RSS feeds, which makes it difficult to manage your business when on the road, as there are currently no mobile apps available.
Yo! Kart
Yo! Kart, developed by FATbit Technologies, is one of the most popular self-hosted eCommerce platforms available. It is a stand-alone application that allows users to quickly and cost-effectively establish multi-vendor eCommerce marketplaces. One thousand and one firms, including a few billion-dollar corporations, have made use of the platform.
It includes high-end eCommerce features like custom order management, tax and shipping administration, abandoned cart recovery, multilingual and multi-currency capability, and more. Yo! Kart comes pre-integrated with third-party APIs like as ShipStation, TaxJar, PayPal, and others, allowing you to run your business more efficiently, quickly, and adaptable.
Also, see How to Locate High-Value Dropshipping Products and Suppliers for more information.
Additionally, the solution provides complete ownership, including a lifetime license, customizable payment periods, and free technical support for the first 12 months of the solution’s lifespan. Recently, Yo! Kart announced the release of its most recent version, Yo! Kart V9.3.0, which is designed to streamline order fulfillment processes and provide a more personalized shopping experience in multi-vendor marketplaces.
Squarespace
Although Squarespace is primarily used by traditional businesses, it also offers capabilities tailored to different types of professions, like artists, musicians, and authors. With a monthly fee starting as low as $26, Squarespace is one of the most affordable Shopify alternatives available.
Aside from being one of the most well-known website builders on the market today, Squarespace is also especially well-suited for small businesses because of its ease of use. If you’re looking for an eCommerce solution that will allow you to sell an unlimited number of things online, Squarespace may be the tool for you. Squarespace is easy to integrate with a variety of plugins and social media sites, and it offers access to a large range of essential features.
This is a service provided by the blog’s author, and it is ours.
Set up a dropshipping store on Shopify.
You can access a builder cover page, integrate with G-Suite, and install the image using Getty Images, among other things. There’s also a superior blogging option available on Squarespace than you’ll find on most of the best Shopify competitors. If your objective is to have a strong online presence that is filled with high-quality material, this could be the resource for you.
Also, see How to Start Dropshipping in Indonesia to Earn a Passive Income for more information.
Volusion
Volusion is one of the top Shopify competitors, offering plans and costs that are nearly the same as Shopify’s (ranging from $15 per month to $135 per month) as well as a plethora of features to match, such as hundreds of fresh, sensitive themes, and so on.
Because of a multitude of factors, Volusion is considered to be one of the market leaders among Shopify competitors. When it comes to these solutions, one of their most striking aspects is the number of payment gateways and checkout alternatives they provide. Payments can be accepted practically any way you choose with Volusion, including Stripe, Paypal, and a variety of other options.
Volusion is particularly advantageous for people who seek an all-in-one eCommerce platform, as a result of this.
Volusion is a service designed for business owners who want the best combination of boundless bandwidth, real-time assistance, and interesting payment gateways. It has a lot to offer today’s expanding enterprises, and it’s only getting better.
WooCommerce
For those of you who use (or can use) the WordPress content management system as the primary hosting platform for your business, the wooCommerce plugin can be a fantastic alternative to Shopify. Furthermore, this plugin not only has all of the basic eCommerce capabilities but is also completely free.
WooCommerce is one of the greatest solutions available on the market for WordPress users who want to start their online store from the ground up. WooCommerce, one of the most popular WordPress plugins, makes it simple to add eCommerce functionality to your website. It is one of the most popular WordPress plugins. Another distinguishing feature of WooCommerce is that it is open-source, which distinguishes it from other WordPress-based online shop builders, such as BigCommerce and Shopify.
Also, see Dropshipping Watches with the Best Products and Top Suppliers for more information.
It’s simple to modify any aspect of your online WordPress shop, from start to end, and since it’s so versatile, you can incorporate new features into your WooCommerce experience using CSS, HTML, and plugins. WooCommerce is free to use and can be downloaded here. You may also use WooCommerce to keep track of objects such as shopping carts that have been abandoned.
3dCart
If you are anything like me, you might not be familiar with Etsy. An apt description would be that it is an eccentric internet marketplace that sells all kinds of weird things, such as an octopus made of resin and soap bars created from body parts. However, although it is not a household name, it sells things that are necessary for everyday life. When compared to Amazon and eBay, Etsy is a completely different platform. A location where you may get incredible prices, universal 2-day shipping, or doorstep delivery is not available.
Also, read Alibaba’s Private Label Camping Dropshipping Program.
When you stop to think about it, it’s incredible that Etsy is still in business. It’s absurd to think that Etsy might be merged into today’s technologically driven eCommerce experience in the twenty-first century.
Perhaps this isn’t the case.
Big Cartel
When it comes to competing in the fast-developing eCommerce business, Etsy is a formidable opponent. It is an online marketplace that facilitates the sharing and selling of handcrafted goods throughout the world. At one point, Etsy appeared to be a little out of date. Customers had to wait for long periods to get their orders, and vendors did not always have enough inventory. Etsy is currently reaching a high point at the moment.
Set up a dropshipping store on Shopify.
As a small business owner or shopper, you may have observed an increase in support for small businesses, local purchasing, and handmade things. Several movements, such as the Makers Movement and Small Business Saturday, have gained widespread attention on social media and other online venues. Specifically, I am suggesting that Etsy is the most popular eCommerce site for small-scale purchasing. It was established some decades ago and has continued to grow its market share.
In 2019, it made a total of $200,000,000 in revenue, although it has been in operation since 2005. It has more than 40,000,000 purchasers worldwide. Many business owners, consumers, and even manufacturers continue to underestimate the importance of this factor. Etsy is a fantastic eCommerce platform, especially as it increasingly becomes the primary retail experience for consumers.
Weebly
It takes imagination to navigate around the Etsy internet marketplace. Even though you do not have to produce everything yourself, dropshipping through Etsy requires a highly creative and skilled entrepreneur to be successful. By achieving financial stability, you will be able to generate strong profit margins, build a loyal customer base, and establish a well-established presence in the marketplace.
You may also be interested in Volusion Drop shipping Platform Review – Why it is the Best?
Dropshipping has seen a steady increase in eCommerce sales over the past few years, and it is expected to continue. It’s essentially the digital version of traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. Dropshipping enterprises load their shelves with products from small-business stockists, and then delegate the production, packaging, and shipping of each order to the manufacturer on their behalf. Customers can place orders for products from you at a predetermined price through your platform. After that, they would take care of transporting it to their client.
Create an online storefront using WooCommerce, Shopify, or Squarespace, and you will be successful. A website (WooCommerce, Shopify, Squarespace, or another similar platform) will need to be set up, and you will need to curate a selection of products from the internet to resale them at a more profitable price. It all comes down to developing a brand identity and understanding your target market.
Dropshipping on Etsy:
Because Etsy is distinct from dropshipping, some individuals are put off by the idea of it. However, this should not be the case. Everything you need to know about tapping into the Etsy marketplace and growing your dropshipping business will be covered in this section.
It is possible to dropship with Etsy in two different methods. Dropshipping Etsy products from an Etsy seller to an online shopfront is the first of these methods. This is not permitted to be done outside of Etsy.
However, there is one caveat to reselling other Etsy sellers’ products. Handmade items are not eligible for resale. This model is ineligible for usage in your store. On the site, you can only offer vintage things (i.e., products that are at least 20 years old and were not manufactured by you) and craft supplies, not anything else. Although this is an odd position for Etsy, I will explain it more below.
In addition, see How to Start a DropShipping Business in the Philippines?
Many dropshippers find that the handmade goods on Etsy are the most enticing aspect of the things they sell. If this is the case, the second option may be the most appropriate for you. If you are prepared to be involved in the design and manufacture of the things you sell, you can open an Etsy shopfront in your home or business.
Dropshipping on Etsy has its advantages and disadvantages.
Dropshipping offers both advantages and disadvantages. I’ll go over each one in detail.
There are numerous advantages to using these:
1. Consumers who are conscious (and patient!) about their purchases
If you build an Etsy storefront, you will be able to sell your products directly to buyers. Since its start, the website has developed a distinct community that places a high emphasis on craftsmanship, human-centric buying, and individualism. Customers are more likely to be lured to a platform that shares these fundamental principles. Customers on Etsy are accustomed to lengthy production durations and are more willing to pay a higher price for their goods.
Etsy distinguishes itself from the rest of its competitors because its basic ideals, which are unifying and primarily selfless, are what distinguishes it from the rest of its competitors. Amazon, for example, was founded on the principles of simplicity and efficiency. Amazon is unlikely to allow Etsy’s high prices and lengthy manufacturing times to become a source of contention. Entrepreneurs will have greater freedom and flexibility in how they conduct their business as a result of this.
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of returning consumers and patients.
2. There are numerous options for individuals to express themselves creatively.
Entrepreneurs are never at a loss for new concepts. These businesses prosper when they have greater control over their products and don’t have to worry about logistical issues such as manufacturing, packing, and shipping. Etsy is an excellent platform for this. Dropshipping through Etsy necessitates entrepreneurs to take a more active role in the design and production of their products. By selling under the Etsy banner, you have the opportunity to innovate in a completely new way.
Also, see Dropshipping Maxi and Bodycon Dress Suppliers in the United States of America.
3. Your product line should be distinct from the competition.
Dropshipping is getting increasingly popular in the eCommerce industry. It is becoming increasingly difficult for business owners to stock things that are one-of-a-kind and tough to come by. Etsy enables you to stock things that are one-of-a-kind and that you would be unable to make or sell anyplace else.
Set up a dropshipping store on Shopify.
4. Etsy is all about finding a specialized market.
This is what I’m referring to. If you are seeking a certain niche in the eCommerce market, Etsy is the greatest place to start a dropshipping business. Etsy is home to a large number of dropshipping stores, weddings, apparel, and a variety of other things. Numerous Etsy shops are successful. Etsy is well-known for being a terrific location to find unique and specialized items. Every time someone needs anything or wants to make a purchase, customers and merchants alike flock to it. Etsy has put in the time and effort to establish a reputation for selling unusual and unique items, so you don’t have to.
5. extremely high Profit margins
Many detractors argue that Etsy’s high retail pricing serves as an excuse for the platform’s refusal to adopt a dropshipping business model. Many of the items sold on Etsy are indeed priced significantly more than their market value. Sellers, on the other hand, have the advantage of being part of a well-established community that has a track record of paying the prices listed.
What does this mean for dropshipping companies, and how should they respond? You have the potential to make large gains. In comparison to other businesses, there is greater flexibility in how you present your products on the market. Prices can be set high while still selling a large number of products while yet keeping a profit margin of at least 40 percent, according to the research.
Also, see How to Find and Contact Instagram Influencers for Dropshipping? for more information.
Conclusion
While others may see this as a disadvantage, I see it as an opportunity to perceive the glass as half-full rather than half empty. According to Etsy’s policies, you must reveal your location as well as the location where your manufacturing takes place. It is impossible to conceal the fact that you are not the one who manufactures your stuff.
It is because of this degree of transparency and honesty that Etsy has been able to maintain a quiet and constant level of success. Customers are neither tricked nor caught in an ongoing online game of selling and purchasing things from all over the world, nor are they influenced. When it comes to today’s global and sophisticated online economy, many people are unsure of where their products are manufactured. Something can be ordered online and delivered to your door in a box within days after placing the order.
Even though Etsy does not show buyers how your business is set up, they do collect this information from you to verify that your shop supports artisans and produces handcrafted items. The fact that your purchases have been approved by a well-established platform that follows certain ethical production criteria gives you peace of mind.