Picking the Right Platform for Your Ecommerce Side Hustle

When you decide to in dropshipping, one of the first big questions you’ll face is where to actually sell your products. There are a ton of e-commerce platforms out there, and choosing the right one for your new is a critical step. If you don't do a little homework first, you could end up on a platform that isn't a good fit for what you’re selling.

Different platforms are known for different types of products, and customers often have specific sites they trust for certain items. You need to figure out what sells best where. Beyond that, you have to dig into the practical details like shipping costs and delivery times. What will it cost to get an order to a customer’s door, and how long will it take? All these factors help you find the best home for your business so you can actually turn a profit.

Running a on the wrong platform can hold you back. While you can build an online store from scratch by writing tons of code, most people opt for an existing e-commerce platform where you can get set up with just a few clicks. These platforms come with all the features you need already built-in. Some are free, and others have a monthly fee. For a beginner, it often makes sense to start with a free option and then consider a paid one once you're making money. Key things to look for are price, ease of use, compatibility with dropshipping tools, and good customer support.

Let's take a look at some of the most common options.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a giant in the e-commerce world; in fact, it's the most used platform globally, powering over 28% of all online stores. A big reason for its popularity is that it's completely free. This makes it a fantastic choice for those looking for .

Because it’s a plugin for WordPress, it’s incredibly easy to install—usually just a single click. This makes it perfect for people who aren't super technical. The interface is simple enough for anyone to understand, and since it’s built on the most popular blogging platform, there’s a massive community of developers and designers supporting it. You can find endless tutorials and resources online to help you get started, and there are countless free add-ons to expand your store's functionality. Major brands like Singer and Weber Grills use it, which speaks to its power and flexibility.

Magento

Magento is another heavyweight, second only to WooCommerce in terms of usage. However, it's a much more complex and powerful tool. It’s not really built for beginners. To use Magento effectively, you either need to know some basic programming or be prepared to hire a developer to help you.

While it has a user-friendly design for creating a store, you’ll likely need help when it comes to updates and troubleshooting. Because of this steep learning curve, complete beginners might find other platforms more approachable. That said, there is a strong support community with official forums, YouTube channels, and blogs to help users navigate its complexities. It’s a free platform to use, but the real cost is the technical expertise required.

Shopify

Shopify is incredibly popular among dropshippers, and for good reason. It’s a powerful, all-in-one platform that hosts around 500,000 online stores. It's particularly well-suited for a since it acquired Oberlo, a plugin that makes importing products and fulfilling orders a breeze. This has made the a very common path for entrepreneurs.

One of its biggest selling points is that it’s designed for people who aren't tech-savvy. You can sign up and start adding products almost immediately. Shopify even provides pre-filled pages for things like your “About Us” and return policy to help you launch faster. Their 24/7 support via email, phone, and chat is top-notch. The main downside for a beginner is the cost. Plans range from $29 to $299 per month, so you have to be ready to invest from day one.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is another hosted platform that’s quite similar to Shopify. It’s used by over 50,000 small businesses and more than 2,000 larger enterprises. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and quick setup process, making it a great option for new startups.

One key advantage over Shopify is that BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees, and it gives you unlimited access to your account. This can make it a more affordable option as your business grows. You can start with a trial account and use their free themes to customize your store’s layout. The support is also excellent, with email, chat, and forum options available. Like Shopify, it’s a paid platform with plans starting around $29 and going up to $250.

OpenCart

OpenCart is a straightforward platform that’s very easy to set up, even if you’re not a tech guru. It offers a wide variety of free and paid plugins and themes to help you customize your store. The administrative dashboard is clean and gives you quick access to analytics, orders, and payment information.

Its point-and-click interface makes it a great choice for users who want to avoid code. For support, you have access to a ticket system, email, and a community forum. While the OpenCart software itself is free to use, you will have to pay for web hosting to get your store online. This makes it a good middle-ground option for those just getting into the business.

DOHA

DOHA operates a bit differently; it’s a comprehensive dropshipping platform that provides a massive directory of manufacturers and wholesalers. The big advantage here is that you can add products to your store from a catalog of over 2 million items without having to set up individual partnerships with dozens of suppliers.

You find the products you want to sell, add them to your site, and DOHA handles contacting the suppliers to ship the items to your customers. It takes a lot of the order management stress off your plate. However, this convenience comes at a price. Plans start at $29 a month and go up to $249, which might be a stretch when you’re just and watching your budget.