Undoubtedly, ecommerce is thriving in Singapore, which opens numerous opportunities for online business. However, opting for a right online platform for your business to sell products in Singapore would be a daunting task. Bear that in mind, in this article, we would discuss the top best ecommerce platforms in Singapore 2023 and guide you to select the right one to grow your business.
Definition of ecommerce platforms
In general, an ecommerce platform is defined as a software program that enables businesses and consumers to conduct trade. In specific, some tasks such as web hosting, inventory control, payment processing, marketing, order fulfillment, etc, can all be handled by e-commerce platforms.
A true ecommerce platform is much more than what the majority of people believe it to be – they believe that it is simply a tool that allows them to display their products and take payments online. You can manage everything from inventory to marketing on this platform. Therefore, considering choosing the best ecommerce platform to grow your business in Singapore should play an important role in your strategic plan.
Top best platforms in Singapore 2023
The top 5 platforms for ecommerce businesses in Singapore are shown below.
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- – Open-source ecommerce
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- – SaaS
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- – Website builders with ecommerce-building elements
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- – Marketplaces (Commission-based)
- – Free marketplaces
- 1. Open-source ecommerce
Open-source ecommerce is ecommerce softwares that enables users complete access to its original source code, enabling them to alter and configure the ecommerce platform to match their demands, and giving them control over the display and functionality of online business.
Woocommerce and Prestashop are two popular examples of open-source ecommerce platforms in Singapore.
Woocommerce is a free e-commerce solution made specifically for use with WordPress websites. 29% of all online stores operate with its help, making it a preferred choice with ecommerce business.
A standing feature of this platform is offering your consumers a wide range of payment choices. It accepts a variety of handy payment methods, including bank transfers, major credit cards, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and Apple Pay. Furthermore, ecommerce businesses may take advantage of convenient and effective management thanks to Woocommerce’s automatic tax computations, live shipping rates, and mobile app for iOS/Android.
Although web development knowledge is not necessary for the integration of WooCommerce with the WordPress content management system, you should be proficient in the PHP programming language for adaptations.
Prestashop is an open-source e-commerce business offering more than 600 features, ranging from shipping and internet marketing to store administration. PrestaShop is simple to use and available for free download, but installation requires a maintenance cost and hosting. To completely personalize it, you will also require coding experience; otherwise, you can employ a Singaporean web developer
2. SaaS ecommerce
SaaS (software as a service) is a type of cloud-based software delivery that enables online access to subscription-licensed applications. It implies that you don’t need to install any software on your own website. To utilize their platform to sell your products, you must pay a monthly charge. This amount of charge covers use of the service, hosting, technical support, etc.
Shopify and BigCommerce are two examples of SaaS ecommerce platforms in Singapore.
Shopify is a SaaS ecommerce platform that provides a great, user-friendly platform for online businesses, especially suitable for starters who has little to no knowledge of how ecommerce field operates. It’s the biggest platform to build an ecommerce website in the world, which had more than 13,320 live Shopify stores in Singapore as at March 2022.
If you use Shopify, you will greatly profit from strong features that help with finding customers, sales growth, and work management. Additionally, you will be utilizing a platform that is all-inclusive and provides all the e-commerce and point-of-sale functionality. It’s a Saas, so you need to pay a fee monthly to use it.
Learn more about detail review of Shopify in Singapore here.
BigCommerce is a commerce solution provider, which enables entrepreneurs to set up an online store, customize it as desired, and then sell an infinite amount of digital, tangible, or even service-based goods. You can create and maintain your store from anywhere if you have access to a web browser and the Internet. Similar to Shopify, you need to pay monthly to use it.
3. Website builders with ecommerce-building elements
A platform called a website builder enables you to easily and rapidly design your own website with little to no coding required. As a result of how simple it is to create a website on your own, many of these are sometimes referred to as “drag and drop” builders.
Popular website builders like Wix and Squarespace have recently included ecommerce features. These website builders can now be used to sell goods online.
The restricted customization of website builders is their main drawback. You might not be able to monetize your website or add custom features without using add-ons from third parties. Additionally, compared to the first two platforms, these website builders are renowned for being less SEO friendly.
Wix is a web builder platform, where you can totally design your own website from scratch. And if your business expands, you can upgrade your e-commerce platform with new features.
With Squarespace, you can create your own website easily. With user-friendly tools, this platform helps you to build your ecommerce website with only 4 steps. All you have to do is create a website that reflects your individual taste and vision for the site utilizing industry-leading themes, color schemes, and designer fonts.
4. Online marketplaces (Commission-based)
You can sell your products on this ecommerce platform, but you need to pay a commission fee for each sale. On this ecommerce platform, you can establish a “store front” instead of building a full website. The plus of these platforms is that they are easy for new users to utilize because there are no monthly fees and there is no cost to sign up.
However, it would be a challenge to promote your brand as products of your competitors are typically displayed as similar products on your product sites.
Shopee, Lazada, Qoo10, and Amazon are popular ecommerce platforms in Singapore for you to sell your products.
Learn more about top online selling platforms in Singapore 2023 here.
5. Free marketplaces
If you want to start selling your products online, these platforms should be on your top list. However, there are also drawbacks to consider. Free marketplaces are highly competitive, since everyone can start selling products for free. Moreover, it is also challenging to reach your target customers, and manage logistics. Carousell and Facebook are two popular free marketplace platforms in Singapore.
How to choose the right ecommerce platform in Singapore for your own online business
Deciding what is the best ecommerce platform for your company can be challenging. You need to consider the things you want to offer, your target market, how much marketing control you want, and whether or not you intend to scale up quickly.
If you are a small business and want to sell your products for free, free marketplaces would be the right option for you.
If you want to build a brand and scale up your business, you should take SaaS platforms into consideration. Even though you need to pay a monthly charge, you can be supported with security (customer data), maintenance site, SEO, sales growth, and work management. In all industries, SaaS can serve B2C, B2B, and hybrid organizations, even those with specialized business requirements requiring some customisation.
If you are considering hiring an ecommerce agency to help you build an online store, Scuti is here to help.
Established in 2015, Scuti with 7+ years has developed into a dynamic, flexible, and quick-moving business that specializes in ecommerce website development services & solutions. We’ve worked with clients in many different industry sectors, and nations such as Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, etc. We assist our clients in reducing operational complexity and putting innovative ecommerce solutions for businesses of all sizes, from startups, SMEs to large enterprises. Our main areas of specialty include Shopify, Adobe Commerce (also known as Magento), and ecommerce tools.
Learn more about how to start a Shopify store in Singapore here.
If you have technical knowledge and want to build a website on your own with high customization, open-source platforms are the right one for you.
Conclusion
Obviously, opting the right platform to start selling your products is a big decision. As you can see, each platform has its own benefits and drawbacks. Talk to us now, so that we can advise you on the best choice for your business.