The solid growth of e-commerce in Brazil boosted companies and sales platforms in the market. Companies of all sizes choose to develop their virtual stores on existing platforms that provide the entire structure ready for starting your online performance. In this article, we are going to talk about the types of e-commerce platforms as well as their pros and cons, so that you can choose the one that best fits your business project.
Platform types
We currently have two types of e-commerce platforms: free and paid. Let’s get to know each of them below. It is worth remembering that each of them has its own characteristics. So, before choosing the platform, it is extremely important to evaluate your business, because, depending on the type, one of the two ends up being the most suitable.
Open source platform
The open source platform is the free system, as it has open codes. It is suitable for those who are starting in the field of e-commerce. However, by having its codes openly available, the system is more exposed to possible intrusions, compromising both its security and that of its customers.
In addition, this type of platform is not supported by the user. If a problem occurs, it is necessary for a specialized IT team to make the adjustments, as, normally, these are created by communities of programmers who are available to help other professionals.
In theory, there are no costs to acquire the open source platform. However, it is worth remembering that if you do not have experience in the field, you will have to pay for the expenses of the development team, which will customize the entire virtual store. In addition, there is the cost of hosting the website. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze very carefully if this platform is really worth it.
Licensed platform
Licensed platforms are paid and are usually charged monthly or annually for access to source codes. This model is the most used by large companies, which already have experience with the e-commerce industry.
In this type of platform, it is extremely important to have an IT team or a partner development company, which will be responsible for creating and maintaining the virtual store. In addition, licensed systems give access to updates to fix bugs, which does not occur in the open source model.
What e-commerce platforms are there?
Faced with so many options, we have listed below the most quality e-commerce platforms that will certainly serve any business model very well.
Magento (open source)
Despite not having support, it serves small companies perfectly well, not requiring the hiring of an agency, if there is a familiarity with the tool. And the interesting thing is that the free version offers all the basic eCommerce features, allowing you to create an online store from scratch.
As it is a “free” and open-source version, support is provided collaboratively in specialized internet forums. The negative point of this version is that it is not possible to count on the help of specialists, in case of any problems, such as bugs.
Adobe Commerce/Magento (Enterprise)
The enterprise version of the Magento platform – now known as Adobe Commerce – is an excellent e-commerce platform for medium and large companies. It perfectly suits any type of business B2C, B2B, B2B2C and marketplaces. Through its open codes, it is possible to apply any business rule of companies to e-commerce.
It is the most complete e-commerce platform on the world market, very flexible, scalable and secure with many native features. For its hiring, it is necessary to invest in a license in dollars with Adobe, and it is recommended to hire a specialized development company.
Nuvem Shop
Nuvem Shop is another licensed platform, widely used by small and medium-sized companies. With it, it is possible to create flash offers, banners, recommend products, in addition to having an intelligent search and more than 30 customizable layouts. Nuvem Shop is also dedicated to mobile devices and is integrated with other sales channels, such as Instagram Shopping and Facebook Store.
The cons of Nuvem Shop are the following: support network only by e-mail and only the advanced plans have assistance with the manager.
Shopify
Canadian e-commerce platform, Shopify has the advantage of being able to carry out a free trial for 14 days. The interesting thing about Shopify is that its interface is intuitive and the features are easy to use, such as layout tools, design and ready-made themes. In addition, there is the possibility of integrating with social networks and other platforms, even if you have no experience, and managing them both via desktop and mobile devices.
Wix
Wix is a licensed platform designed for every budget. That’s because it has two types of plans: the personal one, starting at R$6 reais per month (displays ads), and the business plan, being the cheapest, starting at R$29 reais per month.
The platform is suitable for all companies, even those that are starting in the business, as it has a complete e-commerce model, with several customizable templates, a “drag and drop” system and advanced payment, as well as a design virtual showcase modern.
Tray
Mentioned as one of the best e-commerce platforms, Tray has plans starting at R$59 per month in beginner mode. Tray is indicated for those who want to find all the tools in one place, as it has email marketing, shipping options, integration with marketplaces, compatibility with mobile devices, etc. Remember that Tray is fully scalable.
It is important to remember that this platform was created in Brazil, so it is totally suitable to the Brazilian market. On the contrary of the global platforms that had to create plugins to connect to payment gateways, customer support tools and other integrations, Tray is already adapted to connect with all of them.
VTEX
VTEX is a licensed platform (prices on request) that is very popular and has been present in more than 28 countries for over 20 years.
VTEX’s differentials are the following: unified communication; it is possible to record credit card data for future purchases; the entire purchase process is done on just one page; unique code for all customers; high speed; there are templates, but it is possible to create one from scratch, test and integrate with the marketplace.
Such as Tray, VTEX is a Brazilian platform totally adapted to integrate with all the tools the market offers. The biggest difference between them is that VTEX is for biggest and more professional companies that will have specific needs in terms of customization and performance. For that platform, it is recommended to have a IT specialist to help you develop the platform in the best way for your business.
Woocommerce
WooCommerce is a free, open-source plugin that offers all the functionality of an e-commerce platform. The plugin can be installed on any website developed in WordPress, with customizable and easy-to-use features.
The platform is easily managed through the WordPress admin panel, which is usually intuitive even for beginners. The basic features of an e-commerce are native to the plugin. It is also possible to use WooCommerce themes and extensions to customize the virtual store, including integration with payment, logistics, marketing and sales systems.
The cons are that some advanced features require extensions (free or paid) and the platform is limited to WordPress websites.
Now that you have a view of the main and most used e-commerce platforms in Brazil, it is time to start planning your business expansion. We have a fully prepared team to help you all along the way. Do you want to sell online in Brazil?
