Searching for software programs to run an online business or e-commerce store is something to take very seriously.
Get it right, and you’ll automate many repetitive, tedious, and time-consuming admin tasks, freeing up time and brainpower to focus on the important and fun stuff, like attracting new customers or designing better products.
Download the wrong piece of software, and you’ll waste precious hours trying to get through to online support services. And this is not a pleasant or productive experience.
In other words, good business software and operational efficiency go hand-in-hand.
But here’s the big problem many business owners face.
With so many options available (and so little time to research them thoroughly), finding the best pieces of website/e-commerce software is (a lot) easier than it sounds.
The experts at small business financing firm OnDeck understand this. And that’s why they decided to put in all the hard work for you.
OnDeck’s researcher compiled a shortlist of the most popular website and e-commerce software programs. Then they ran data from the review site TrustRadius through the AI-powered sentiment analysis tool TensiStrength to see which programs cause users the most and least stress.
The Best (and worst) Software for Running an eCommerce Business
So which e-commerce software should you avoid – or at least think very carefully about before subscribing?
Squarespace
According to the study by OnDeck, the US-based website building/hosting company Squarespace has created the most stressful piece of website/e-commerce software.
Over 20% (21.2%, in fact) of Squarespace reviews on TrustRadius were deemed negative by the sentiment tracking software. That means more than 1 in 5 Squarespace users are unhappy or dissatisfied with the product. Not good.
Many users (especially tech newbies) think Squarespace is too complex. At the same time, experienced online business owners complain that the platform is poorly organized and includes many features and options that add no real value.
“Squarespace is decent enough for a very, very simple website for someone that wants to DIY it,” reads one TrustRadius review. “[However,] it leaves a LOT to be desired with SEO, customization, and customer service.”
Wix
However, the Wix website builder performed a little better in the study. Less than 16% of its TrustRadius reviews had bad things to say about the platform.
Jotform
Jotform, a free online form builder for attracting leads and building subscriber lists, came next; it scored 14.7% on OnDeck’s TrustRadius negative review metric.
Not bad.
WordPress
But it’s nowhere near as impressive as the website and blog-building platform WordPress; under 8% (7.8%) of its 3000+ TrustRadius reviews expressed any stressful or negative sentiments.
“Great platform, no reason to use anything else,” writes sales/marketing advisor David Fox in his WordPress TrustRadius review. “I would recommend using WordPress for your website. We have used it for e-commerce without any issues. With WordPress, anyone can edit and maintain the site…that is one of the big pluses of using the platform.”
Open-source e-commerce plugins WooCommerce and Shopify also feature in the study.
