The shift in buying habits over the last few years has seen eCommerce become an increasingly popular and efficient way to make money.

This has meant an increased demand for website building services and tools that in turn means that there are now more options for retailers than ever before.

Along with software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce and Wix, WordPress eCommerce plugins are a great option for many and growing in popularity all the time.

WordPress is arguably the most popular website building platform, powering around 43% of all websites, and the benefits of using their eCommerce plugins are plentiful.

Along with an incredibly easy-to-use content management system (CMS), setup is relatively quick and stress-free – meaning you'll be online and selling in no time. 

WooCommerce is undoubtedly the most popular WordPress eCommerce plugin – but this doesn't mean it's the right choice for everyone. 

If you're looking for a good alternative to WooCommerce for your WordPress site, we've got you covered. With thousands of eCommerce plugin options available, we've narrowed it down to the top five to help get you started. 

1. Ecwid Ecommerce Shopping Cart

Ecwid Ecommerce Shopping Cart is a popular WooCommerce alternative with excellent ratings. It has an incredibly user-friendly interface and quick, simple setup process.

One of the many benefits of using Ecwid is that it's not limited to one CMS and can be used for sales across multiple channels alongside WordPress like Facebook and Tumblr. 

Pros

• Supports multi-channel sales 
• Free to use core plugin (with additional subscription options)
• Large range of built-in features
• Phone and chat support available (subscription permitting)
• Upgrades take place automatically 
• PCI-DSS certified for secure transactions

Cons

• Higher subscription charges than some other plugins
• Free plan doesn't provide SEO editing capabilities
• Doesn't support product page AMP versions 

2. WP EasyCart 

WP EasyCart is a great choice for small businesses. Built more like a SaaS than a plugin, Easycart has one of the simplest interfaces and is perfect for those looking to set up a smart sales site without the hassle. 

Pros

• Unlimited product support on free plan 
• Built with small businesses in mind 
• Good range of free customer support via forums and video tutorials (with additional paid customer support available)
• Easy, "non-developer" friendly configuration 
• Supports sales of a range of products including e-books and video content

Cons

• 2% transaction free on free version 
• No bulk editor available for inventory 

3. BigCommerce WordPress Plugin

If you've been deliberating between a CMS versus an independent eCommerce platform, then this plugin could be the solution.

BigCommerce have been running its own successful eCommerce platform for years and its WordPress plugin now means you can get the best of both worlds. The plugin syncs well with multiple sites and comes with an impressive amount of features. 

Pros

• Syncs with various sites to support multi-platform sales 
• Uses headless commerce to free up space and speed up processing 
• All PCI compliance is handled by BigCommerce for extra security 
• Developed by an already successful and widely trusted company
• 24/7 customer support available

Cons

• Doesn't automatically add various icons like shopping cart or account creation button 
• A handful of users have reported problems with website crashes after downloading the plugin

4. Shopify Buy Button 

The Shopify Buy Button is a simple concept that has become a popular choice.

Once downloaded, you get sent a code to add to your WordPress site wherever you want your "Buy Button" to appear. The software links your WordPress page with the Shopify platform – great for turning any existing site into a retail page.

Pros

• Extremely fast and straightforward installation 
• Connects to Shopify's shopping cart platform for extra security
• Supports unlimited products
• Integrate >100 compatible payment gateways 
• Tracks sales and growth trends 

Cons

• Page loading speed is on average slower with a buy button compared to an in-built checkout system 
• More difficult to A/B test than a landing page 

5. Jigoshop eCommerce

Launched in 2011, Jigoshop was the first eCommerce plugin released for WordPress, with two of its software engineers actually going on to help develop WooCommerce.

Its performance has certainly stood the test of time and it remains one of the top eCommerce plugins on the market today. Jigoshop comes with a good range of features and its basic functionality is strikingly similar to that of WooCommerce.

Pros

• Free plan available (with optional paid themes and extensions)
• Can be used to sell both digital and physical products
• Open-source software for maximum flexibility 
• Quick and easy setup
• Works well alongside other extensions on your WordPress site

Cons

• Offers fewer features and integrations overall than some other plugins
• Limited customer support available 

Things to remember when choosing your plugin 

Here at Stowsafe, we've worked alongside hundreds of businesses and know, better than most,  how individualised each business's needs can be.

When choosing your WordPress plugin, it's important to remember a few things to help ensure it's the right choice for you. 

1. Don't judge a plugin by its downloads

Just because a plugin is in high demand doesn't necessarily mean it'll be the right fit for your company. And while a lot of downloads can be a good sign, it's important to check the number of active installations to see just how many people are still happily using the plugin.

2. Impact on page speed 

Not all plugins are made equally and some can seriously affect the speed of your website. Before installing any plugin it's a good idea to check out some reviews and take note if users are commenting on page load time or similar. 

Remember, a slow website greatly affects a buyer's experience and can take its toll on your overall sales.

3. Integrations

WordPress eCommerce plugins are a great way to set up your business online and expand your customer base, but to keep things running smoothly – especially if you're using multiple channels – you need a fail-safe integration system.

At Stowsafe, our eCommerce fulfilment integrations are ready to go, seamlessly linking all of your online shopping carts to our warehouse management system (WMS). We synchronise order, stock and shipping data across single or multiple channels to keep your online business running smoothly. 

As well as integrating with all of the most popular platforms like Shopify and Magento, we also offer bespoke integrations for lesser-known plugins – so you don't have to compromise on choice. 

Are you looking for a fulfilment partner? Get in touch with Stowsafe Fulfilment today for a quick, competitive quote.