Setting up an online store on your WordPress website can be a game-changer in expanding your reach and boosting your sales.
To help you make the right choice, I’ve prepared this review of the top 5 best ecommerce WordPress plugins available in the market.
Each of these plugins has its unique features, strengths, and limitations, and I’ll be sharing my insights and experiences with them.
Table of Contents
WooCommerce: The Ecommerce Giant
WooCommerce is arguably the most popular and feature-rich ecommerce plugin for WordPress.
It’s a free, open-source plugin that provides endless customization options, making it ideal for both small businesses and large enterprises.
Pros:
Versatile and Feature-Rich: WooCommerce offers an extensive range of features, including various payment gateways, shipping options, inventory management, and product variations.
Highly Customizable: With a wide range of themes and extensions, you can tailor your online store to match your brand perfectly.
Large Community: The vast user community means you can find extensive documentation, support, and plugins.
SEO-Friendly: WooCommerce is optimized for search engines, helping your products get discovered more easily.
Cons:
Learning Curve: The abundance of features might be overwhelming for beginners.
Costly Extensions: Some advanced functionalities may require premium extensions.
Price:
WooCommerce is free to install, but costs may vary depending on the extensions and themes you choose.
Sure Cart: Your Reliable Ecommerce Partner
Sure Cart is a user-friendly, premium ecommerce plugin that caters to beginners and experienced users alike.
It offers a range of essential features to get your online store up and running quickly.
Pros:
Beginner-Friendly: Sure Cart’s intuitive interface and setup wizard make it a great choice for those new to ecommerce.
Quick Setup: It’s designed to help you get your store online rapidly.
Built-in Payment Gateway: You can accept payments via PayPal, Stripe, and more.
Responsive Design: Sure Cart ensures your online store looks great on all devices.
Cons:
Limited Features: While it covers the basics, it may lack some advanced features found in other plugins.
Higher Cost: The premium nature of Sure Cart means you’ll need to invest in the plugin to get the most out of it.
Price:
Sure Cart is free to install, and premium starts from $99 per year.
Easy Digital Downloads: Your Digital Sales Solution
If you’re primarily selling digital products like ebooks, software, or music, Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is the ideal plugin for you.
It’s a straightforward, lightweight solution designed specifically for digital goods.
Pros:
Digital-Focused: EDD is built from the ground up for digital product sales.
Efficient and Lightweight: It doesn’t bloat your site with unnecessary features, which can lead to faster page load times.
Detailed Sales Reports: It offers extensive reporting capabilities to track your sales.
Discounts and Promotions: EDD allows you to create discounts and promotions easily.
Cons:
Limited Physical Products: If you plan to sell physical goods, EDD may not be the best choice.
Additional Add-Ons: Some advanced features may require add-ons that come at an extra cost.
Price:
EDD is free to install, but additional extensions may range from free to premium, depending on your needs.
BigCommerce WordPress Plugin: The Enterprise Ecommerce Choice
For businesses looking to scale up rapidly, the BigCommerce WordPress Plugin offers a powerful solution that integrates seamlessly with WordPress.
It’s a SaaS-based platform that combines the flexibility of WordPress with the robust ecommerce features of BigCommerce.
Pros:
Scalability: BigCommerce is designed for businesses of all sizes, making it a great choice for growing enterprises.
Performance-Oriented: It boasts impressive page load times and can handle high traffic.
Advanced Marketing Tools: You get access to a range of marketing and analytics tools.
Security: BigCommerce ensures your store is secure and PCI compliant.
Cons:
Pricing: It can be relatively costly for small businesses.
Learning Curve: The advanced features may require some time to master.
Price:
BigCommerce’s pricing starts at $29 per month.
WP Simple Pay: The Easy Payment Gateway
WP Simple Pay is a specialized plugin for businesses looking to streamline payment processing.
It’s designed to integrate seamlessly with Stripe, making it a perfect choice for accepting payments on your site.
Pros:
Simplicity: If you need a payment gateway with minimal setup, WP Simple Pay is a great choice.
Stripe Integration: It’s fully integrated with Stripe, one of the most popular payment processors.
Security: Your payment data is handled securely.
Customizable Forms: You can create payment forms to suit your needs.
Cons:
Limited Ecommerce Features: WP Simple Pay is not a full-fledged ecommerce solution; it’s primarily a payment gateway.
Not Ideal for Complex Ecommerce: It may not be suitable for stores with a wide range of products.
Price:
WP Simple Pay pricing starts at $99 per year.
Conclusion
In the world of ecommerce WordPress plugins, the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and goals.
If you’re looking for a well-rounded solution with endless customization options, WooCommerce is a top contender.
For beginners, Sure Cart provides a user-friendly experience, while Easy Digital Downloads specializes in digital goods.
BigCommerce is the enterprise choice, while WP Simple Pay simplifies payment processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ecommerce plugin is best for beginners?
Sure Cart is the most beginner-friendly option, with its intuitive interface and quick setup.
What is the best choice for digital product sales?
Easy Digital Downloads is tailored for digital goods and offers efficient features for this niche.
Which plugin is suitable for large enterprises?
BigCommerce WordPress Plugin is designed for scalability and advanced features, making it ideal for large enterprises.
Is there a free ecommerce plugin for WordPress?
Yes, WooCommerce, Sure Cart and Easy Digital Downloads offer free versions, though additional features and extensions may come at a cost.
Can I accept payments easily with a WordPress plugin?
WP Simple Pay is designed specifically for easy payment processing and integrates seamlessly with Stripe.