No matter what you want to sell online, you can use WordPress. This flexible content management system (CMS) is an important reason for becoming a market leader. E-Commerce stores that sell physical products, subscription services, and downloads - all within reach. The WordPress plug-in ecosystem offers many options. Want to list your products on third-party retailers like Amazon? This is also a fair game. There is also an opportunity to further enhance functionality through custom code. However, a large number of WordPress e-commerce plug-ins will make you dizzy. Some serve very niche purposes, while others allow you to select features. We are here to help provide some clarity. Today, we will introduce you to the ten best e-commerce plug-ins in the market. In this process, we will provide some background information about which types of stores they are most suitable for.
Please note that some product types may require additional add ons.
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How can we not start with the most popular WordPress e-commerce plug-in? Millions of stores are supported by WooCommerce - the reason is easy to understand. Woo has its own ecosystem, and its extension library can add almost any type of functions you have dreamed of. Some are commercial and some are free to use.
The default installation of the free WooCommerce plug-in is everything you need to run a very basic store selling physical or digital goods. To perform more complex operations, you may need to combine extensions. This is both a blessing and a curse, because it may take a lot of research to find a solution that fully suits your needs. Nevertheless, the number of possibilities is staggering.
Best seller: Physical product, digital product, subscription, activity registration
As the name implies, the construction of Easy Digital Downloads considers digital products. Like WooCommerce, it has impressive extensions. They will help you connect to various payment gateways and mailing list services, and even enable you to sell licensed software. You can also sell physical products through the Simple Shipping extension.
EDD is both niche and expandable. This makes it an excellent choice for creative professionals who want to sell their works online.
Best seller: Digital products, subscriptions, licensed software
BigCommerce For WordPress is different from your typical e-commerce plug-in. It does not rely on your network server to provide power for everything, but is associated with BigCommerce SaaS products. This allows you to integrate your store into your WordPress website without taxing web hosting resources.
Another big difference is that you will find more out of the box functions. Since this is a commercial service, your software package contains many functions, but you can also use other extensions (called "applications").
Best seller: Physical products, digital products
Ecwid not only allows you to create stores using WordPress, but also promotes sales on social media. Your product can be integrated into Facebook and Instagram, giving you the opportunity to significantly expand your audience. It can also be sold on Amazon, eBay and Google Shopping.
It is also a SaaS product, which means that your network hosting requirements will not be too high. There is a free program with limited functions. But to take advantage of social media integration and a larger number of products, you need a pay plan.
Best seller: Physical products, digital products
E-commerce covers a wide range of use cases, and event registration is a popular niche market. This is the specialty of Event Espresso. This commercial plug-in can easily sell the access rights to on-site or online activities, and supports a variety of ticket types and pricing levels.
While it is ideal for meetings and other one-time events, you can also create recurring events. Calendar integration can be done through add ons.
Best seller: Event Registration
WordPress e-commerce plug-ins often require piecemeal methods. You start with a basic shopping cart, and then add the functions you need through the extension plug-in. WP EasyCart avoids this approach and focuses on multiple service levels. According to the level you choose (free, professional, advanced), you will get access to specific functions.
The free level provides basic knowledge, and at the same time increases the additional cost of using the built-in payment gateway in the form of "application fee". After the upgrade, you will be exempted from these fees. In addition, you can sell downloads, subscribe and provide role-based product pricing.
Best seller: Physical products, digital products, subscriptions
The e-commerce product catalog provides a unique premise for building an online catalog, and can add store functions later. When ready, install some commercial extensions to start selling.
For budget conscious customers, this may be a reliable solution. Catalogues can be built over time without investing in annual expansion licenses immediately. You can also choose to purchase extensions at a single point or in a bundle.
Best seller: Physical products
ImplemenCode provides a simple way to use WordPress to sell digital goods. By default, plug-ins are a way to control access to files and documents. But an add-on will integrate a lot of e-commerce fancy.
Features include software licensing, subscriptions, and role-based discounts. Product variants allow different versions to be sold, while expiration dates ensure that files cannot be downloaded after the scheduled time.
Best seller: Digital products, subscriptions, licensed software
WP eStore is a simple and flexible plug-in that has been on the market for many years. It is used in combination with PayPal, allowing one-time purchase and subscription purchase. The plug-in supports multiple product types and integrates with NextGEN Gallery to sell digital images. A range of free add ons are also available.
An interesting turning point is that WP eStore is a one-time purchase. This provides you with lifelong access and use on unlimited websites. No annual subscription - this is rare in today's world.
Best seller: Physical products, digital products, authorized software
With the WordPress shopping cart plug-in, you can build a full-featured e-commerce website with relatively little investment. Single and unlimited site licenses can be used annually or for life. And there are a large number of commercial extensions with lifetime licenses to choose from. Support multiple payment gateways and transportation providers.
Lower costs do not mean a lack of functionality. You can still sell digital products and subscriptions (provided you use a compatible gateway).
Best seller: Physical products, digital products, subscriptions
Sell anything with WordPress
One of the keys to building a great e-commerce website is to start from a solid foundation. WordPress and its plug-in ecosystem will take you in the right direction.
Although WooCommerce is the elephant in the room (er, ninja), it is not the only choice. Its huge market share often eclipses this category. However, as good as Woo, you can find everything you need through one of the other items in this list.
Regardless of your choice, it's nice to know that WordPress can support almost any type of store. If you can dream, then the right e-commerce plug-in can help you do this.