Setting up an e-commerce business can be hugely exciting, but there’s also a lot to think about. Choosing the right software is one of the most important early decisions, as this can shape everything from how you build your store and take payments to how you market your products.
Below is an overview of the main categories of ecommerce software that can help you, and how they work.
Store platforms
An e-commerce store platform is a software solution that can help your business create, manage and operate your online store. It can help you to streamline operations, improve the customer experience and grow your business over time.
These types of platforms typically handle everything from product listings and inventory, to the overall website design, checkout process, and order management. Many platforms offer customisable templates and tools to help you create an online storefront that aligns with your brand but also adapts across different devices.
Common examples of this software include Shopify, Squarespace and Woocommerce.
Payment platforms
To be able to handle card and digital payments on your website, you will need to think about payment processing platforms. Examples include Stripe and Square, but if you’re already hosting your website through an e-commerce store platform, many offer payment services as part of the package. It’s therefore best to check what’s included before signing up for a separate provider.
When comparing packages, it’s important to consider what fraud checks are in place, such as 3D Secure authentication, and whether the software allows you to accept multi-currency payments (if that’s something you need). Also find out how refunds and chargebacks (if a customer disputes a transaction) work.
In addition, you’ll want to check the fees carefully, as these can include:
A transaction fee, charged as a percentage of the sale
A fixed fee per transaction
Monthly account fee
Currency conversion fee
Chargeback fee.
Email marketing software
This type of software enables your business to send targeted emails to existing and potential customers. It can be used to build and store email lists and automate campaigns, such as welcome emails or abandoned basket reminders.
A key benefit of using this type of software is personalisation. Rather than sending the same email to everyone, you can tailor content based on customer behaviour, such as browsing history or order history. This can help to improve conversion rates.
You’ll also be able to track performance, including open rates, click-through rates and sales generated from emails campaigns, helping you to better understand what is actually driving sales.
You can often integrate this type of software with existing e-commerce store platforms. Popular examples include Mailchimp, Omnisend and Klaviyo.
Analytics platforms
Analytics platforms collect, organise and interpret data to show you how your customers are interacting with your website, helping you to understand what drives or prevents sales.
It will often track:
Traffic sources, such as search, social media or email
User behaviour, including how long people view a page and where they drop off
Conversion performance, which can include which products perform best
Customer journeys, showing how users move through your site before making a purchase
Marketing effectiveness
Examples include Google Analytics and Shopify Analytics. Each platform can offer different tools so it’s important to compare them carefully.
Shipping platforms
To ensure your shipping process is as streamlined as possible, you’ll need to invest in a shipping platform. Common examples of this type of software include ShipStation, Easyship and Shippo. Some e-commerce store platforms also offer built-in shipping tools, but these are often more basic.
These systems manage how products are packed, shipped and delivered to customers and connect your online store to couriers and logistics services.
Shipping platforms typically handle:
Courier integration
Label generation
Order tracking
Shipping costs comparison
Returns management.
These platforms can also help businesses compare delivery rates and services, ensuring they remain competitive while protecting margins.
Bottom line
With a range of different e-commerce software types to choose from, you’ll need to consider which tools work well together, how easy they are to use, and how well they will help your business increase sales without making things more complicated.
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Rachel Wait is a freelance journalist and has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade, covering everything from insurance to mortgages. She has written for a range of personal finance websites and national newspapers, including The Observer, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and the Evening Standard. Rachel is a keen baker in her spare time.
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