Six best enterprise ecommerce platforms [2023]

In 2023, the digital commerce landscape has evolved remarkably, driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer behaviors. Enterprise ecommerce platforms stand at the forefront of this transformation, offering robust functionalities tailored for large-scale businesses. These platforms provide the necessary infrastructure to manage high volumes, complex operations, and global transactions. As organizations vie for a dominant online presence, choosing the right platform becomes paramount. Dive into an analysis of the six best enterprise ecommerce platforms of 2023 that are shaping the future of online retail.

• Shopify Plus is the top enterprise platform; it is scalable, feature-rich, and user-friendly. Offers customization, SEO, and B2B features. Levies transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments.

• Wix is a renowned website builder, now prominent in enterprise ecommerce, with drag-and-drop features and extensive customization. Serves B2B and B2C models.

• Etsy is a global creative goods marketplace. Evolved for high-volume sellers. Mainly B2C; offers Etsy Wholesale for B2B.

• Squarespace combines website-building and ecommerce. Aesthetic, functional, and easygoing.

• BigCommerce is flexible, feature-rich, and scalable. Serves B2B and B2C. Highlights: SEO, multiple payment gateways.

• WooCommerce is open-source, WordPress-integrated. Highly customizable. Primarily B2C; B2B adaptable via plugins.

• Gelato's Integration and its print on demand capabilities make it a leader. By integrating it with the best enterprise ecommerce platform of your choice, you can tap into five billion potential customers across a 32-country network.

Navigating the vast digital marketplace of the 21st century, businesses have realized that not all ecommerce platforms are created equal. Much like the foundation of a building, the ecommerce platform chosen will determine the stability, scalability, and success of an online business. The right platform can enhance user experience, streamline operations, and boost profitability, while a mismatch can lead to lost sales, operational hiccups, and disgruntled customers. As the stakes are high and the ecommerce landscape continually evolves, understanding the significance of this choice is crucial.

Let's analyze various ecommerce platforms so you can find the best one for your enterprise. 

1. Shopify Plus

Overview

Shopify Plus, by 2023, has not only solidified its standing as a top enterprise ecommerce platform but also continuously evolved to meet the changing demands of large-scale businesses. Designed for businesses of all sizes, it supports everything from small startups to large enterprises. Its potent blend of scalability, robust features, and unparalleled support makes it a prime choice for enterprises navigating the ecommerce industry.

Features

• Scalability: Shopify Plus excels in scalability. Its cloud-based infrastructure, like SAP Commerce Cloud or Salesforce Commerce Cloud, can handle over 10,000 transactions per minute, making it perfect for brands that experience surges in traffic, especially during flash sales or holiday seasons.

• Ease of use: Despite being an enterprise-level ecommerce platform, Shopify Plus provides an intuitive interface, ensuring that daily operations and more complex customizations can be easily managed.

• Customization options: Unlike any open-source ecommerce platform, Shopify Plus offers enhanced customization through its Script Editor for specialized checkout processes and promotions.

• B2B vs. B2C suitability: While traditionally focused on B2C, Shopify Plus now caters to B2B with features like wholesale channels, custom pricing, and exclusive storefronts tailored for B2B customers.

• Analytics: Shopify Plus offers advanced analytics dashboards, giving insights into sales, customer behavior, and inventory levels.

• SEO: Built-in SEO tools ensure your store is search engine friendly. From meta tags to sitemap generation, Shopify Plus has you covered.

• Payment processing: Shopify Payments, the platform’s integrated payment solution, supports major credit cards and local payment methods.

• Marketing features: A vast app ecosystem with several apps to extend store functionality, from inventory management to marketing.

• Integrations/apps: Shopify Plus's App Store is vast, housing thousands of third-party apps that cater to every conceivable need.

• Ecommerce features: Shopify Plus boasts features tailored for enterprise ecommerce system needs: international storefronts with multi-currency support, automated workflows through Shopify Flow, and advanced discounting and segmentation capabilities, to name a few.

• Customer support: Shopify Plus merchants benefit from dedicated account managers and priority 24/7 support. Access to the Plus Community, including webinars, forums, and events, ensures they stay updated and supported.

• Security features: Shopify Plus is PCI DSS Level 1 compliant, ensuring the highest transaction and data security level.

Pros

• User-friendly interface: Suitable for you without technical expertise.

• Integrated payment solutions: Simplifies the transaction process for both sellers and buyers.

• Strong SEO tools: Essential for driving organic traffic to your store.

Cons

• Transaction fees: Every transaction has a fee unless you use Shopify Payments.

• Additional costs: Some advanced features or apps might come at an added cost.

Pricing

The pricing for enterprises starts at $2,000 a month. 

2. Wix

Overview

Wix is a cloud-based web development platform that allows users to create and maintain responsive websites through a drag-and-drop interface. Once celebrated primarily for its website-building capabilities, Wix has emerged as a powerhouse in the enterprise ecommerce software domain. If you compare Wix with other platforms like Shopify, it has some pros and cons.

Features

• Scalability: Wix provides scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes. With its cloud-based infrastructure, businesses can handle a surge in traffic and sales without worrying about performance drops.

• Ease of use: One of Wix's most touted features is its drag-and-drop interface, making it incredibly intuitive for users.

• Customization options: With Corvid by Wix, businesses can customize their storefronts extensively.

• B2B vs. B2C suitability: Wix accommodates both B2B and B2C models. While it’s traditionally been more B2C-focused, recent integrations and apps have made it a viable platform for B2B operations, including features like wholesale pricing and invoice management.

• Analytics: Wix provides in-depth analytics for tracking website and sales performance.

• SEO: The platform offers SEO tools to optimize your store. From meta tags to custom URLs and even an SEO Wiz to guide users through best practices, Wix ensures your ecommerce site is ready to rank.

• Payment processing: Wix offers integrated payment gateways such as Wix Payments, as well as support for external providers like PayPal, Stripe, and more.

• Marketing features: From email marketing campaigns and chatbots to loyalty programs, Wix provides various marketing tools that help businesses engage their audience and drive sales.

• Integrations/apps: The Wix App Market boasts various third-party apps and integrations, from inventory management tools to marketing automation platforms, ensuring businesses can extend functionality as required.

• Ecommerce features: Wix offers a comprehensive set of ecommerce functionalities: product galleries, wishlist features, multiple shipping rules, tax management, and more.

• Customer support: Wix provides 24/7 customer support, including an extensive knowledge base, live chat, and phone support for higher-tier plan subscribers.

• Security features: Security is a top priority for Wix. The platform offers SSL certification, ensuring all transactions are encrypted.

Pros

• Intuitive design tools: Easily design a site that reflects your brand.

• Regular updates: Wix often releases new features and tools.

• Affordable: Various pricing tiers cater to different needs, making it accessible for many.

Cons

• Less flexibility: While user-friendly, it might not offer as much deep customization as open-source platforms.

• Migration limitations: Moving your site away from Wix in the future can be challenging.

• Can get pricey: Some essential ecommerce tools require premium plans.

Pricing

Wix offers custom pricing based on the enterprises' demands.

3. Etsy

Overview

Etsy is best recognized as a global marketplace for unique and creative goods; its reputation has also grown in the enterprise ecommerce business space. By 2023, Etsy has evolved to suit larger enterprises seeking a global audience. Its user-centric approach and tools that facilitate sales and growth make it a viable enterprise ecommerce solution for those offering unique products.

Features

• Scalability: Etsy has enhanced its platform to cater to larger enterprises and artists with a vast inventory. Their infrastructure supports high-volume sellers, ensuring they can scale their operations without hitches.

• Ease of use: Etsy remains true to its roots, offering a user-friendly interface suitable for both novices and experienced sellers.

• Customization options: While Etsy does offer a standardized storefront for consistency, sellers can customize their store banners, logos, and product listings to reflect their unique brand and style.

• B2B vs. B2C suitability: Etsy is fundamentally B2C-oriented, focusing on direct consumer purchases. However, some businesses use Etsy Wholesale, a feature allowing artisans to sell in bulk to other businesses.

• Analytics: Etsy's Shop Stats provides sellers with insights into their shop's performance, visitor behavior, and traffic sources. This helps sellers refine their strategies and understand their audience better.

• SEO: Etsy has built-in SEO, but it's specific to its platform. Sellers must optimize product titles, descriptions, and tags to rank higher in Etsy searches and attract more traffic.

• Payment processing: Etsy Payments is a primary mode, allowing sellers to accept various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, Paypal, and Etsy Gift Cards.

• Marketing features: Etsy Ads allow sellers to promote their products within the platform. Additionally, tools for running sales and setting coupon codes are available.

• Integrations/apps: While Etsy doesn't have an "app store" like Shopify, third-party tools and integrations are available that cater specifically to Etsy sellers.

• Ecommerce features: Etsy's core strength lies in its global marketplace model. Features such as international shipping, currency conversion, and multi-language support make it easy for sellers to reach a worldwide audience.

• Customer support: Etsy offers a comprehensive Help Center, community forums, and email support. Their support system is designed to assist sellers with any challenges they face while operating on the platform.

• Security features: Etsy ensures transaction security with SSL certificates. Their robust data protection policies and practices are also evident in their commitment to protecting buyer and seller information.

Pros

• Niche audience: Tailored for handmade and vintage items, reaching a dedicated and engaged audience.

• Integrated payment system: Streamlines transactions for both buyers and sellers.

• Global Reach: Easily get discovered and sell to customers around the world.

Cons

• Limited customization: Shops might look similar due to limited personalization capabilities.

• Fees: Listing, transaction, and payment processing fees can add up.

• Competition: A high number of sellers can make standing out a challenge.

Pricing

• Listing fee: $0.20 per item.

• Transaction fee: 6.5% of the selling price.

• Payment processing fee: 3% + $0.25 per sale (for Etsy Payments). Fees can vary based on the seller's location.

4. Squarespace

Overview

Squarespace, known for its website-building prowess, has made significant strides in the ecommerce domain so far. It's a comprehensive ecommerce platform suitable for enterprises aiming for a blend of aesthetics and functionality. Like Wix, its ability to combine simplicity with powerful ecommerce features makes it an appealing choice for modern businesses.

Features

• Scalability: Squarespace offers various plans that cater to businesses of all sizes. The platform can handle large product inventories and high enterprise traffic volumes and has integrations that make scalability a non-issue for growing businesses.

• Ease of use: One of Squarespace's hallmarks is its intuitive drag-and-drop interface. It simplifies setting up and managing an online store, making it accessible even for those with little technical know-how.

• Customization options: While Squarespace provides a variety of sleek, modern templates, enterprises also have the flexibility to customize the design extensively using CSS and JavaScript, allowing for a unique brand experience.

• B2B vs. B2C suitability: Primarily, Squarespace caters to the B2C market with its storefronts designed for direct-to-consumer sales. However, B2B transactions can also be facilitated with the right integrations and customizations.

• Analytics: Squarespace Analytics offers comprehensive insights, from website traffic and sources to sales data and conversion metrics.

• SEO: Squarespace sites are designed to be SEO-friendly. The platform offers built-in tools like clean URLs, automatic redirects, and meta-tag editing, ensuring sites rank well on search engines.

• Payment processing: Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay are among the primary payment methods supported by Squarespace, ensuring a smooth checkout experience for customers globally.

• Marketing features: Squarespace offers built-in email campaigns, promotional banners, and pop-ups. Integration with various social media platforms further amplifies marketing reach.

• Integrations/apps: Squarespace Extensions expand the platform's capabilities, covering areas like shipping, inventory management, and accounting.

• Ecommerce features: Features include unlimited product listings, gift cards, discount codes, and point of sale integration. The platform also supports multi-currency transactions, making international sales seamless.

• Customer support: Squarespace offers 24/7 customer support via email and live chat. Their extensive knowledge base, forums, and webinars ensure users can access resources and solutions.

• Security features: All Squarespace websites have SSL certificates, ensuring encrypted and secure connections.

Pros

• Stunning design: Renowned for its beautifully designed templates.

• Mobile optimization: Templates are responsive and mobile-ready.

• No transaction fees: On its Business and Commerce plans.

Cons

• Limited advanced features: Might not suit businesses with complex ecommerce needs.

• Pricey domain renewal: After the first year, domain renewal rates can be higher than some competitors.

• Limited integrations: Though it offers essential integrations, the ecosystem isn't as vast as platforms like WordPress.

Pricing

• Business: $49/month (billed annually)

5. BigCommerce

Overview

In 2023, BigCommerce stands tall as a preferred choice for enterprises seeking a blend of flexibility, robust features, and scalability in their ecommerce platform. Its continuous innovation and commitment to facilitating both B2B and B2C transactions make it a great option for businesses aiming for growth in the digital commerce landscape. It differentiates itself from other platforms like Shopify by offering more built-in features that cater to advanced ecommerce needs.

Features

• Scalability: BigCommerce is renowned for its scalable solutions for large enterprise ecommerce solutions.

• Ease of use: BigCommerce makes building and managing online stores straightforward with a user-friendly interface.

• Customization options: BigCommerce's Stencil framework allows brands to create custom, responsive, optimized themes.

• B2B vs. B2C suitability: BigCommerce efficiently serves both B2B and B2C markets. With features like customer relationship management, bulk pricing models, and quote management, B2B transactions are streamlined.

• Analytics: The platform's built-in analytics tools offer actionable insights, covering metrics from sales and order data to customer data behavior and marketing analytics.

• SEO: BigCommerce shines in the SEO department. SEO-friendly URL structures, automatic XML sitemap generation, and optimized website speeds are just a few of the features that ensure online stores rank effectively on search engines.

• Payment processing: BigCommerce supports many payment gateways, from Stripe and PayPal to digital wallets like Apple Pay.

• Marketing features: Integrated tools for creating promotions, discounts, and email marketing campaigns are complemented by native integrations with platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, and Google Shopping, enhancing the marketing suite's potency.

• Integrations/apps: The BigCommerce App Marketplace is extensive. From ERP integrations to advanced review systems, businesses can substantially augment their store's capabilities through various third-party applications.

• Ecommerce features: The platform excels with multi-channel selling, abandoned cart recovery, and a global CDN for faster site speeds. With support for multi-currency, international selling is a breeze.

• Customer support: Enterprise clients of BigCommerce get priority support with 24/7 access. Additionally, a wealth of resources, including documentation, webinars, and community forums, ensure users are never left without guidance.

• Security features: BigCommerce ensures top-tier security with its ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification.

Pros

• Advanced built-in features: Offers many sophisticated out-of-the-box features that other platforms might require extensions.

• No transaction fees: Regardless of the payment gateway you use.

• Multiple sales channels: Integrate with Amazon, Gelato, eBay, and Facebook platforms.

Cons

• Pricing model: The pricing tiers are based on annual sales, so as you sell more, you may be pushed into a higher pricing tier.

• Learning curve: With its many features, newcomers might have a slight learning curve.

• Template limitations: While there are many free themes, the most attractive and modern ones tend to be paid.

Pricing

BigCommerce offers custom pricing for high-volume businesses.

6. WooCommerce

Overview

By 2023, WooCommerce will continue to be a flexible, powerful solution for enterprises willing to invest in customization and robust hosting. Its open-source nature, combined with the vast ecosystem, ensures it can meet and often exceed the requirements of large-scale businesses looking beyond Shopify. 

Features

• Scalability: WooCommerce, being self-hosted, relies heavily on the hosting infrastructure. With a robust server and caching mechanisms, it can handle large traffic volumes and extensive product catalogs.

• Ease of use: Since WooCommerce integrates with WordPress, those familiar with the platform will find its interface intuitive.

• Customization options: Being open-source, WooCommerce offers almost limitless customization. With access to the code, businesses can modify every aspect of their store.

• B2B vs. B2C suitability: Primarily designed for B2C, WooCommerce can be tailored for B2B operations using plugins, offering features like bulk pricing, role-based pricing, and invoicing.

• Analytics: Out of the box, WooCommerce provides essential sales analytics. Integration with plugins can offer more comprehensive reporting.

• SEO: Built on WordPress, WooCommerce benefits from the platform’s SEO strengths. Online stores can achieve optimal search engine visibility with plugins like Yoast SEO.

• Payment processing: WooCommerce supports major payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square.

• Marketing features: From integrated email marketing to advanced discounting, WooCommerce has it covered.

• Integrations/apps: The WooCommerce extensions store is expansive. Whether it's CRM integration, advanced shipping calculators, or affiliate management, there's likely a plugin available.

• Ecommerce features: WooCommerce provides all essential ecommerce features: product variations, inventory management, customizable checkout processes, and more.

• Customer support: Being free, WooCommerce doesn’t offer dedicated support. However, the extensive community, forums, and documentation mean help is usually at hand. Premium plugins and themes often come with their dedicated support.

• Security features: Security in WooCommerce is two-pronged: WordPress and WooCommerce itself. Regular updates, along with security plugins and SSL implementation, are crucial.

Pros

• Integration with WordPress: This integration offers a seamless experience for those already familiar with WordPress.

• Vast plugin ecosystem: The possibilities are vast, from SEO enhancements to marketing tools.

• Global community: Benefits from continuous community contributions, from plugins to theme designs and solutions to common problems.

Cons

• Hosting dependent: Poor hosting can significantly affect store speed and user experience.

• Potential security concerns: Being open-source and widely used can make it a target for hackers.

Pricing

• Core plugin: Free

• Hosting: $120 per year (average)

• Themes: $0 – 100 per year

Gelato, a leader in the global print on demand space, has crafted seamless integrations with some of the top ecommerce platforms, amplifying the potential of online sellers worldwide.

One of Gelato's standout attributes is its agility to plug into popular ecommerce platforms, simplifying enterprises' selling process. This integration ensures enterprises can seamlessly tap into a vast network spread across 32 countries, effectively putting their products within arm's reach of up to five billion potential consumers practically overnight.

Such a comprehensive reach combined with the convenience of local production significantly streamlines supply chains, reduces shipping times, and fosters a more sustainable approach to global commerce. In essence, Gelato bridges the gap between global aspirations and local realities. Gelato's global alliance of print partners facilitates localized production of various products, including t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and wall art.

Gelato helps enterprises offer custom, print on demand products to a global audience with ease and efficiency. Sign up for Gelato today.