Online shop platform: Shopify / BigCommerce / EKM / Bluepark

[LDN]

I currently run an online store on a self hosted Wordpress site using wpEcommerce or 'GetShopped' as it's called now.

I need to upgrade the site - for it to sync and talk to a fulfilment centre that I'll be using. My options are; have someone code something that will allow the connection to happen on my current site... or go with one of the known platforms; that already work with the fulfilment centre system.

My gut says to go with a hosted solution such as one those mentioned in the title - because, I plan on being away and there will be peace of mind that the site is hosted, backed up and generally maintained by the platform provider. If I self host, I will still be responsible for any server issues, problems that arise...

And so, I seem to have got my shortlist down to:

Shopify: http://www.shopify.com/pricing
Seems intuitive and offers a lot. However, if you don't use their payment solution, then there's a transaction fee on top of the monthly charge! Don't like the idea of that. U.S based.

BigCommerce: https://www.bigcommerce.com/pricing/
Again, transaction charge on their bottom package (may be all I need). U.S based. Not sure I want to pay for the middle package just to avoid transaction fees.

EKM: https://www.ekmpowershop.com/overview_pricing.asp
U.K based I think. Seems good and I like the fact that there is just one package; and you get everything in that package. As well, no transaction fees that I can find.

Bluepark: http://www.bluepark.co.uk/ecommerce-software.html
U.K based again. Nothing wrong that I can find; seems well regarded.

Any experiences of any of the above? Has anyone used and found issue with any of these platforms?

[akirk]

preference for shopify or big commerce...
have installed a number of big commerce systems in the last few years for clients...

don't worry about the transaction fee - think of it as a part of the cost - once you get turnover to a certain level you shift up to the next category and have no transaction fee...

[MrSparks]

I used EKM for the first year of my business with 2 websites with them.

I liked;

1 package, 1 price.
Easy to use from an add/edit products/orders etc point of view
Reliable
All the hosting, updates etc were managed by others which means no stressing over breaking the site etc.
UK based

I didn't like:

1 package 1 price means 1 set of features, if EKM don't make that feature then you usually can't have it. You can do certain bits yourself or via a developer but it's very restrictive. At the time EKM was missing a lot of features I really wanted so I had to leave, they seem to have added a lot more features now though.

EKM was perfect for getting me started quickly on a completely no idea what I'm doing basis. I moved onto Wordpress briefly, then Opencart for 2 years which went very well. Now I've moved to Magento CE and doubt I'll ever move again. I'm finding Magento amazing, but it's hard to get your head around if you're not technically minded.

Everyone will say different things, use this, use that etc... but ultimately only you know what's right for your business. If EKM offers all the features you need and links with your fulfilment then it's a no brainer, same for if Bluepark or Shopify answers that question. Magento is amazing but some stores simply won't need it's features. If you know you need features that those sites won't offer, then choose the system that does, or choose to outgrow the first platform when the time is right. Just bear in mind moving ecommerce sites is a right royal pain (I've still got 1 site to move, my busiest site and I'm dreading it)

[LDN]

Thanks guys! Yes moving is a pain but Ive defiently decided on a hosted solution. I use wordpress and have heavily customised the site / store - but I want to travel a lot and don't want to be responsible for the site in that regard.

I've taken on board what you've said about EKM and will check if they have all the features I need both now and in the future. Thanks again.

[trowelhead]

LDN said:

Thanks guys! Yes moving is a pain but Ive defiently decided on a hosted solution. I use wordpress and have heavily customised the site / store - but I want to travel a lot and don't want to be responsible for the site in that regard.

I've taken on board what you've said about EKM and will check if they have all the features I need both now and in the future. Thanks again.

Absolutely - you don't want to be travelling and having to drop everything if your store goes down.

I have used shopify since 2010 - they have continually improved it over this time, it is well supported and has never ever gone down in my experience, can handle huge amounts of traffic and is easy and pleasurable to use. I'd highly recommend. Plus it can integrate with most other apps so you can add some great functionality.

As above, you'll soon move onto the top tier where there is no transaction cost taken. Picking a platform based on transaction fees imo is a false economy.

[LDN]

^ fair point. I think that if shopify is genuinely superior then I would go down that route.

[ctrph]

I opted for bluepark after trying the others. Very feature rich and I found it easier to customise than bigcommerce.

The main things for me were that they are UK based, have excellent customer support and the forum is very useful.

[LDN]

Thanks for all of the advice; went for the middle BigCommerce package in the end. Blue park were good but there's an air of familiarity to BC having come from Wordpress. As well; the control over the URL structure means I can actually copy exact URL strings from my existing site. Pretty impressed so far..