Choosing the right platform for your online store is crucial for business success, and many digital leaders often find themselves caught between dedicated eCommerce platforms and versatile website builders with added store features. To help you navigate this decision, let's explore Volusion and Wix eCommerce, comparing them in-depth to deliver the clarity you need to choose the best solution for your business.
Understanding Volusion and Wix eCommerce
Before diving into specifics, it’s essential to understand what each platform offers fundamentally.
Volusion is a dedicated eCommerce platform known for its robust tools designed exclusively for online stores. Launched in 1999, Volusion has been a pioneer in online selling, consistently focusing on features that help entrepreneurs build, manage, and grow their online storefronts. It’s a specialized solution, making it ideal for those who prioritize eCommerce functionalities.
Wix, on the other hand, is a versatile website builder that initially focused on enabling anyone to create stunning websites with ease. Over time, Wix has expanded its repertoire to include eCommerce capabilities, making it a hybrid option that serves both general website needs and online selling functionalities. With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a rich app marketplace, Wix eCommerce caters to small- and medium-sized enterprises looking for a flexible solution.
Core Features Comparison
Ease of Use
A smooth, user-friendly interface can significantly impact your workflow and efficiency.
Volusion is quite user-friendly but comes with a slightly steeper learning curve due to its specialized eCommerce tools. While the admin dashboard is intuitive, the myriad of advanced options may require some getting used to if you’re new to dedicated eCommerce platforms. Nonetheless, once you’re familiar, Volusion's meticulous design offers streamlined operations to masterfully handle complex eCommerce workflows.
Wix, celebrated for its simplicity, provides an exceptionally easy-to-use interface with a visual drag-and-drop editor. Building an eCommerce site on Wix feels intuitive, mimicking the ease of setting up a traditional website. This simplicity extends to its eCommerce functionalities, making it especially suitable for those who may not have extensive technical skills but still want efficient systems for managing their store.
Design Flexibility
Your online store's design often serves as the first impression to potential customers, and it's vital that your chosen platform offers the versatility you need.
Volusion provides a selection of customizable templates, all focused on various eCommerce niches. While the templates are professionally designed and aimed at optimizing user experience, customization options may feel a bit limited compared to more open-ended website builders. However, for those prioritizing solid eCommerce functionalities over extreme design flexibility, Volusion’s offerings are robust.
Wix excels in design flexibility, offering hundreds of templates across a wide range of industries. For eCommerce specifically, Wix provides numerous beautiful templates with extensive customization options. Using Wix’s intuitive editor, you can easily adjust every visual aspect of your store to align with your brand identity, making it a strong pick for businesses where design aesthetics are a top priority.
eCommerce Capabilities
The core strength of any eCommerce platform lies in its capability to handle the intricacies of online selling.
Volusion shines with its comprehensive eCommerce functionalities. Key features include advanced product management, robust inventory control, in-depth reporting and analytics, and a variety of payment gateways. Volusion also offers tools for SEO management, marketing, and customer reviews, ensuring you have everything you need to scale your online business. Where Volusion particularly excels is in its backend, providing profound capabilities for those who prioritize a more managed and feature-rich selling environment.
Wix eCommerce includes essential selling tools like product galleries, price management, and shopping cart functionality. Although it may not offer the depth of specialized tools found in Volusion, Wix compensates with its user-friendly interface and integration with Wix’s suite of apps and extensions. Wix supports payment gateways, basic inventory management, and some marketing tools, making it a good fit for small- to medium-sized shops that need a balanced, easier-to-manage system.
Pricing
Understanding the cost implications of each platform is crucial in making a budget-friendly decision.
Volusion offers several pricing tiers, with fees depending on the level of service and features required. While it might seem more expensive initially, the specialized tools and eCommerce features provide significant value for serious online sellers. Keep in mind, however, that these costs can add up, especially with additional service fees for things like premium templates and certain integrations.
Wix has more flexible pricing plans, starting from basic packages suitable for simple websites to more comprehensive eCommerce-focused plans. For businesses that might appreciate the ability to scale their website's features over time, Wix’s tiered pricing can be quite appealing. It's perhaps a more cost-effective solution compared to Volusion, especially for businesses that also value the website-building capabilities outside of eCommerce.
Customer Support
Reliable customer support can be a lifesaver when encountering technical issues or seeking to optimize your online store’s performance.
Volusion offers 24/7 customer support, with various assistance channels including phone, live chat, and email. There is also an extensive knowledge base and a community forum where users can find answers and connect with other Volusion customers. Volusion’s specialized support staff are well-versed in eCommerce-specific issues, which can prove invaluable for complex online store operations.
Wix also provides robust support through various means, including extensive online documentation, forums, and customer support tickets. Premium plans offer direct phone support. While support for eCommerce-specific issues is available, it might not match the specialized and niche expertise found with Volusion’s team. However, for more general website and technical issues, Wix’s support is commendable.
Final Thoughts
Making a choice between Volusion and Wix eCommerce comes down to your business’s specific needs and long-term goals.
Choose Volusion if you require a specialized, robust solution designed exclusively for eCommerce. It’s ideal for businesses that need advanced features and are willing to navigate a slightly higher complexity for the sake of comprehensive selling tools.
Choose Wix eCommerce if you value design flexibility, an easy-to-use interface, and are looking for a versatile solution that covers both general website building and eCommerce needs. It’s particularly suited for small to medium businesses that prefer simplicity and need to integrate various aspects of their online presence under one roof.
Remember, the best tool is the one that aligns more closely with your business strategy and operational requirements. Assess your priorities carefully, and you'll make the right decision that fuels your business growth. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you choose and implement the right platform for your eCommerce journey.
