Perhaps you have witnessed or been informed about the entrepreneurs appearing on Shark Tank. Some of them confidently approach the panel, highlighting the substantial sums of money, ranging from hundreds of thousands to even millions of dollars, that they have already invested in their startup. Surprisingly, despite their significant investment, these enterprising individuals find themselves in a position where they require additional funding from the wealthy investors to sustain and pursue their aspirations.
Knowing that you lack the necessary funds or collateral, it might cause you to feel a sinking sensation in your stomach, as you realize that gathering such a large sum of money or securing a loan from an investor or bank would be unattainable for you.
At present, you require the most affordable means to initiate an eCommerce website. You possess either a limited amount of money or no money at all to commence selling, hence our intention is to present you with several techniques that will enable you to retain cash in your possession for investing in other aspects of your business. Continue reading to begin preserving!
1. Square Online
Square Online is often overlooked as an online sales solution by many companies due to the common misconception that Square is primarily used for offline selling. However, the truth is that having a Square store enables convenient selling both online and offline.
If you are a beginner with a limited number of products, you have the option to create an online store without any cost. This allows you to easily initiate your business on the internet. However, the complimentary service includes a square subdomain and advertisements, which may not be perfect.
With the free plan, you have the ability to sell a limitless amount of products, and you have the freedom to sell different types of digital, physical products, services, and goods. Additionally, you will receive support for curbside pickup, delivery, and shipping to customers. Moreover, Square offers its own integration with Instagram.
Square offers different plans, including a free package, which allows you to utilize coupon codes and gift carts for sales. Additionally, you have the ability to send customers order updates through text and offer them the option to personalize their orders. If you are willing to spend more money, Square also provides other plans.
- The professional plan: $12 per month with no ads and a professional domain
- The Performance plan: $26 per month with extra features like abandoned cart recovery
- The Premium plan: $72 per month with higher discounts on shipping
It is important to be aware of transaction fees associated with Square. Regardless of the plan, you will be charged 2.9% plus 30 cents. Additionally, there are a few other costs to consider. For example, Square domain names are priced at $12 per year, although an in-demand name may cost slightly more. Furthermore, you should also keep in mind the processing fees from the payment systems you utilize.
If you want to use Square’s marketing suite, it will cost an additional $15 per month. However, you do have the option to try it out for free during a trial period.
If you have both an offline store and an online store, you can utilize the point of sale app at no cost, but you will incur a processing fee of 2.6% and an additional 10 cents for each payment made in person. For your store, you can purchase the magstripe reader starting at $10, and the highest-priced item is the single Square register priced at $799.
There are also specific options provided by Square for certain companies such as Square for Restaurants, Square Appointments, and Square for Retail. Although free plans are available for these options, there is also the choice to upgrade to premium products for additional features.
2. Shopify
The easiest and quickest method out of the three for building a cheap store is to opt for Shopify.
Initially, you can enjoy a 14 day free trial in order to evaluate things, and the Shopify Lite Plan is available at a low price of $9 per month. This price is quite impressive because in addition to that, you also get a domain name and hosting, and the freedom to choose a theme without any cost.
Despite lacking an online store, this plan offers unlimited products and includes a Shopify Buy button for initiating sales. Moreover, as you progress to higher tiers, the price increases remain quite reasonable.
- Shopify Lite – $9 per month
- Basic Shopify Plan – $29 per month
- Shopify Plan – $79 per month
- Advanced Shopify Plan – $299 per month
3. Squarespace
Squarespace is widely recognized as a platform to create an online store, widely promoted on social media and in advertising. If you’re not yet prepared to try more advanced options such as BigCommerce, Squarespace provides ample features to support accepting online credit card payments.
Squarespace primarily focuses on creating typical websites, although they also offer eCommerce plans starting at $26 per month. These plans provide ample support for various aspects such as SEO, customization, and integration with external platforms like Amazon and eBay for linking your company’s site.
Squarespace offers exceptional templates that allow small businesses to create a striking website and leave a lasting impression.
The prices for Squarespace begin at approximately $12 per month for the personal plan or $18 per month for the Business plan. However, neither of these options includes an eCommerce site or checkout feature. In order to have access to an eCommerce solution, you must spend a minimum of $26 per month. Moreover, there is also an Advanced version available for $40.
If you sign up for a yearly plan, you can save a considerable amount of extra money, typically about 45%. It’s also worth considering finding alternative options for your small business email accounts to minimize costs. Additionally, partnering with Google Workspace through Squarespace can assist in maintaining low email expenses.
4. Wix eCommerce
Choose Wix for your site and embark on a journey of creativity. This inexpensive eCommerce website builder boasts a contemporary and sophisticated design, making it ideal for all types of online stores. With unrivaled accessibility, Wix enables you to effortlessly create outstanding eCommerce pages that cater to your customers’ needs.
In addition, Wix offers a layout that is versatile, responsive, and pixel-perfect, making it suitable for all browsers and devices. Additionally, Wix provides a wide selection of over 500 high-quality themes, ensuring you will find the desired style. It is possible to find the ideal theme without the need for extensive editing.
Additionally, Wix offers various other features including the parallax effect, app market, scroll effects, and SEO tools. You can also create blogs for content marketing, publicize new product releases, and share valuable information. Selecting your main color palette and themes is incredibly easy with advanced options. Moreover, make sure to explore Wix’s artificial design intelligence.
5. Hostinger eCommerce Website Builder
The cool thing about Hostinger is that you are only required to pay the monthly fee without having to pay additional transaction fees.
You have the option to sell products on Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon, and you can also track the products and provide various payment options. Additionally, if you want to generate excitement by offering discounts and gift cards, Hostinger allows for that as well. To complete the transaction with assurance, Hostinger offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to all its users.
6. BigCommerce
If you have an interest in eCommerce, BigCommerce is a site builder specifically designed for this purpose. The name itself indicates that it is specialized software for creating the best online stores. Additionally, it is an affordable eCommerce website builder that is suitable for any niche.
If you are aware that BigCommerce is already used to power numerous websites globally, you can also create your own perfect website. Select from a wide variety of professionally designed templates to establish the basic structure of your website design. Simply drag and drop your files onto the templates and pages. All you need are basic mouse skills.
With the utilization of BigCommerce, one can effortlessly establish a professional eCommerce website in the shortest possible timeframe. This platform offers innovative eCommerce functionalities including various payment options, personalized shipping choices, order fulfillment, detailed business analytics, and the flexibility to sell across various channels. Additionally, it enables the expansion of one’s primary online store to social media platforms and other online marketplaces.
7. Weebly by Square
Weebly prioritizes being a cost-effective eCommerce website builder above everything else. It is an incredible service that you can make use of to implement your plans and ideas for your online business.
With all the material you need to bring yourself and your project to the internet, there is no need to look elsewhere as Weebly has it all. You can quickly find the right look for your space with the included layouts and adjust it further according to your needs. Begin with a stunning look and enhance your potential to succeed online.
Weebly requests a comprehensive platform that encompasses all aspects of your business to alleviate any difficulties. This platform enables you to handle various tasks such as order placement and tracking, inventory management, and even tax management, all within one account. Additionally, if you are away from your desktop, you can conveniently manage your online store through Weebly’s mobile app form.
8. Weblium Website Builder
With Weblium, you can quickly start an online store as it is an inexpensive eCommerce website builder that provides everything you need. If you are interested in selling products online, Weblium allows you to easily accomplish this using its drag and drop technology and artificial intelligence. Not only is Weblium affordable, but it also ensures a swift realization of your website.
Step by step, by using Weblium, you will receive all the essential features such as a domain name, web hosting, and site security. Moreover, your online store will be prepared for mobile devices and will be enhanced for search engines. With a wide range of templates, incredible styling choices, and integrations, you will make a strong entry into the online realm. Seize control and create an impact.
9. Mozello
With the help of Mozello, you can showcase your trendy ideas. This affordable website builder for eCommerce is both potent and responsive, and can be used immediately upon being published.
Mozello is a user-friendly platform that requires no coding skills, making it easy to work with. It offers a wide range of uniquely captivating and attractive themes to choose from. You can customize this template to elevate your website’s brand value.
Mozello offers various eCommerce tools such as a product catalog, shopping cart, and customizable delivery options, among others. Additionally, their powerful SEO and marketing features, along with their future-proof web design, will ensure your relevance online.
Mozello offers convenience as its primary feature, with the support team providing assistance in any language you are familiar with. Whether you are a novice in eCommerce or not, creating, managing, and maintaining your online shop with Mozello will feel effortless. In essence, you are bringing something into existence.
