If you are wondering about How To Make A Car Dealership Website and you don’t know how to, there are various website builders that will do the job for you. Shopify is an eCommerce website builder that is utilized frequently by various people but it is not the perfect choice. There are alternatives to Shopify that you can look for especially if you deal in the automotive industry. The best alternative to Shopify for the automotive sector is Spyne.
What is the Alternative to Shopify For Car Dealers?
Shopify is simply a platform that helps people manage their business by providing them with various tools. It can help businesses build their online store and sell their products to people via Shopify or other social media platforms. Shopify can also help businesses with marketing using its tools and integrations. It also provides a built-in point-of-sale system for selling in-person.
It has Shop Pay which allows you to perform a one-click checkout. However, it is not ideal for car dealerships as it doesn’t cater to them specifically nor does it have any automotive industry focused features. Spyne is the perfect alternative to Shopify for car dealers and the automotive industry.
What are the Alternatives to Shopify?
Shopify is a popular choice for e-commerce, but it might not fit everyone’s needs perfectly. Whether it’s due to pricing concerns or a desire for more customizability and features, exploring alternatives might be the solution. Here are ten options to consider:
1) Spyne
Spyne stands out for its Automotive Website Builder Platform. Unlike Shopify, which serves a broad range of businesses, Spyne is tailored to cater to car dealerships. It offers specialized features like inventory management, vehicle comparison tools, and industry-specific SEO optimization. Spyne’s templates and tools are designed to meet the unique needs of automotive businesses, making it a top choice if you’re in this sector.
Pros:
– Automotive industry-specific features.
– Advanced tools for inventory and vehicle comparison.
– Tailored SEO for automotive terms.
– Easy to use with specialized templates.
Cons:
– Limited to the automotive industry.
2) Shift4 Shop
Shift4 Shop is ideal for businesses that want a budget-friendly e-commerce solution. It offers a no-monthly-fee option if you use its payment processor, with plans starting at $39 per month if you choose your own payment processor. The platform gives you customizable templates, SEO-friendly features, and 24/7 support. If you’re a small business looking to start selling online without significant upfront costs, then this is a good option.
Pros:
– No subscription fee with Shift4 Shop’s payment processor.
– Free domain name included.
– 24/7 support.
Cons:
– Customization requires HTML/CSS knowledge.
– Some tech support complaints.
3) BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a well-designed platform for businesses looking to scale. It offers unlimited products, bandwidth, and staff accounts, plus multi-channel selling options on platforms like Amazon and eBay. BigCommerce plans start at $29 per month. It’s a cost-effective option for established businesses wanting to expand their online presence. BigCommerce also has a built-in blog to help with SEO; however, features like abandoned cart recovery require higher plans.
Pros:
– Multi-channel selling capabilities.
– Unlimited products and bandwidth.
– Built-in blogging for SEO.
Cons:
– Abandoned cart recovery requires higher-tier plans.
– Many themes are similar.
4) Squarespace
Squarespace excels in design and offers beautiful, award-winning templates along with a user-friendly interface. It is best suited for designers and creatives who want to build a visually impressive online store. Plans start at $16 per month. However, e-commerce features are only available on higher plans, which start at $23 per month. Squarespace also includes a free custom domain and SSL security with annual plans.
Pros:
– Beginner-friendly with stunning templates.
– Free domain and SSL with annual plans.
– No transaction fees on some plans.
Cons:
– E-commerce features require higher-tier plans.
– Video storage is limited to 30 minutes.
5) Wix
Wix provides a flexible platform with its drag-and-drop editor and a whole suite of templates and features. Wix is well-suited for DIY sellers that are looking to create a functional online store. However, its free plan doesn’t support online payments, and storage can be limited on some plans. Higher plans provide features like unlimited storage and advanced reporting among others.
Pros:
– User-friendly drag-and-drop editor.
– Over 800 free templates.
– $600 in ad vouchers with a $500 purchase.
Cons:
– Free plan limits online payments.
– Storage constraints on most plans.
6) Ecwid
Ecwid is a flexible platform that integrates smoothly into existing websites and allows you to add eCommerce functionality without extensive coding. It’s free for up to ten products but provides paid plans that offer more features like inventory management and live chat support. Ecwid’s simplicity and integration capabilities make it best suited for businesses that already have a website.
Pros:
– Integrates with existing websites.
– Unlimited bandwidth on all plans.
– Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor.
Cons:
– No support on the free plan.
– Paid plans are required for custom orders.
7) WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a plugin for WordPress users who want to add e-commerce capabilities to their site. It’s open-source and free to use. However, you’ll need to manage your own hosting and SSL certificate. WooCommerce supports various payment gateways and offers flexibility for customization. But because it requires WordPress to be functional it is less user-friendly than other hosted platforms.
Pros:
– Free to use with WordPress.
– Wide range of payment gateways.
– Instant deposits are available with WooCommerce Payments.
Cons:
– Requires WordPress.
– Less user-friendly than hosted solutions.
8) Sellfy
Sellfy is for businesses that are selling print-on-demand products or digital goods. The basic plans start from $19 per month and they include email marketing and custom domains but they also include Sellfy branding on products. Higher plans remove Sellfy branding and also provide features such as car abandonment recovery and priority support. Sellfy is good for businesses that are focused on POD or digital products.
Pros:
– Built-in print-on-demand features.
– 24/7 support.
– Discounts for long-term plans.
Cons:
– Sellfy branding on lower-tier plans.
– Annual sales limits for paid plans.
9) PinnacleCart
PinnacleCart is a platform that gives priority to SEO features and customizability. It offers a choice between hosted or self-managed options and also supports unlimited products and categories. Although PinnacleCart offers plenty of SEO tools, it loses out on providing variety in theme selection. It also has bandwidth caps on lower plans which is a drawback for users.
Pro:
– SEO-friendly features.
– Unlimited products and categories.
– Flexible hosting options.
Cons:
– Bandwidth caps on lower plans.
– Limited theme selection.
10) Magento
Magento is an open-source platform that provides an extensive network of developers and considerable customization. It is primarily suited for businesses that have developer resources and need a platform that is highly customizable. Magento does offer cloud-hosted solutions however the platform as a whole requires significant upkeep and maintenance.
Pros:
– Highly customizable open-source platform.
– Large developer community.
– Enterprise-level features available.
Cons:
– Requires technical expertise.
– High setup and maintenance costs.
Comparative Analysis of Alternatives to Shopify
Let’s do a comparative analysis of the significant alternatives to Shopify, including their features and pricing. This analysis would also provide a use case for each of the options to ease the decision-making process. The analysis table is listed below:
| Alternatives | Best For | Drag and Drop | SSL Certificate | Pricing |
| Spyne | Automotive Dealerships | Yes | Yes | Contact Us |
| Shift4 Shop | Sellers on a budget | Yes | Yes | Free |
| BigCommerce | Established businesses | Yes | Yes | $39 per month |
| Squarespace | Visual designers and creatives | Yes | Yes | $16 per month |
| Wix | DIY sellers | Yes | Yes | $17 per month |
| Ecwid | Adding features to existing websites | Yes | Yes | Free |
| WooCommerce | Users who want to add eCommerce to WordPress | No, need a separate plugin | No | Free |
| Sellfy | Sellers with Print-on-Demand or physical products | Yes | Yes | $19 per month |
| PinnacleCart | Sellers who want advanced SEO options | Yes | No | $79.95 per month |
| Magento | Sellers with developer resources | No. Available through extensions | No | Free |
Why Auto Parts Businesses May Seek an Alternative to Shopify?
Auto Parts Businesses may seek a Shopify alternative due to its high total cost of ownership. Shopify provides extensive features but it is not exactly sensible on a long term basis due to the total cost that it incurs. Not only do you have to consider Shopify’s transaction fees into your budget but you also have to factor in the additional costs that come with third-party integrations.
Also, if you want to implement advanced functionality on your website, you will require proficiency in Liquid, Shopify’s proprietary language.
As an auto parts seller, you should look for better alternatives for you such as Spyne. Spyne not only helps you with your cost of ownership but also provides you with extensive features and third-party integrations without paying extra. Spyne does all that without requiring any expertise in any proprietary language.
How to Choose the Best Alternative to Shopify?
Every platform has its own strengths and weaknesses and picking the best Shopify alternative depends entirely on the needs of your business.
If you’re looking for a do-it-all solution similar to Shopify with the same scalability, then BigCommerce is a good option.
If you prefer the full ownership that open-source platforms provide and the level of
customization and negligible costs that come with them, then you might find WooCommerce or PrestaShop attractive. However, if you’re a small business looking for super-friendly platforms that have modern design templates and abilities, then you can check out Wix or Squarespace.
However, if you’re in the automotive dealership industry, your needs are much more specialized. This is where Spyne shines, offering features tailored explicitly for car dealerships. Its industry-focused tools, like inventory management and Automotive SEO, make Spyne the best option for car sellers looking for a platform that understands their business.
Some factors to consider when choosing an alternative to Shopify are:
1) Cost and Charges
Pricing is one of the most important things to keep in mind when looking for an alternative platform. Some platforms offer free plans that have a limited feature-set and while this might be great for trialing the platform you would eventually have to move on to a paid plan. Keep an eye out for any hidden fees such as transaction costs and whether payment processing is included or not.
2) Web Hosting
Deciding whether you want to choose between hosting and self-hosted platforms depends on your preference and how much control you desire over your website. Platforms like Shopify include hosting in their subscription plans while WooCommerce and others don’t.
3) Design Flexibility
The platform should offer ample customization and themes as they directly influence your store’s look and feel. Platforms like Wix offer a variety of themes, while others like WooCommerce give you more control over the design if you’re familiar with coding.
4) User-Friendliness
The best platform should be simple to set up and operate, especially for e-commerce newcomers. Look for free trials, demos, and migration tools that help you quickly transfer your store if you’re switching platforms.
5) Security Measures
Security measures are vital for protecting the data of your customers. Your next platform should have SSL encryption, PCI compliance as well as regular platform updates to keep your store’s transactions safe.
6) Payment Options
Make sure that your next platform supports different payment options, including credit cards. Features like subscription-based payments are helpful for businesses that have ongoing services.
7) SEO Capabilities
SEO is essential for you to improve your website’s visibility on search engines. You should have custom URLs, meta tags, and social sharing buttons to increase the visibility of your website. Also, check out advanced SEO tools that will help you to rank higher on search engines.
8) Customer Support
Good customer support is central to resolving any technical snags that you might run into. So, look for 24/7 support, live chat or even community forums. The platform’s user reviews would also give you an idea of its customer service experience.
Features to Consider in Your Next Alternative to Shopify
If you’re migrating from Shopify or looking for alternatives to Shopify, there are some things you should consider for your next eCommerce platform to make sure that you don’t run into issues in the future. These considerations are:
1) Check for Several Payment Options
As a growing business, you will cater to all types of customers. As you encounter different customers, each of them might have a different way to pay. When you’re considering your next platform make sure that they have numerous payment processing providers to choose from.
2) Look for Customization Options
Your next platform should align with the needs of your business. Customization options are essential to make the platform fit your model and customers. If you have resources for coding then you should look for versatility but if you don’t then choose a platform that is user-friendly and has tools such as drag-and-drop builders. These features help you in making adjustments and adding media without coding.
3) Have an Expandable Catalog
When choosing your next platform, make sure that you factor in your business’s future growth. If you currently have a small catalog, you should keep its scalability in mind and how the platform might or might not accommodate it in the future. So, choose something that supports more extensive catalogs to avoid this issue.
Choose Spyne as Your Alternative to Shopify
Spyne is a game-changer for the automotive dealership industry, especially when it comes to building websites. Unlike eCommerce platforms like Shopify, Spyne’s website builder is hyper-focused on delivering tailored solutions for car dealerships. This specialization makes Spyne a perfect fit for the automotive sector as it provides dealership-specific features like Automotive Website Templates that Shopify doesn’t offer.
1) Industry Focus
Shopify offers a versatile platform that caters to various industries but Spyne on the other prioritizes the automotive industry. Spyne offers many features that Shopify lacks such as specialized designs and features tailored for car sales, inventory management and dealership operations.
2) Advanced Automotive Features
Spyne offers tools that include vehicle inventory displays, comparison features as well as automated updates. These features comprise critical functionalities for dealerships. Shopify on the other hand does offer broad eCommerce tools but its features suite lacks the detail and specificity that Spyne provides.
3) SEO Optimization
Spyne helps dealerships rank higher for relevant keywords due to its SEO being designed for the automotive industry. Shopify’s SEO is not as effective due to its generic nature, which makes it harder for dealerships to compete in their niche markets.
4) Customization
Shopify is known for its expansive app marketplace and the level of customization it provides. Spyne reduced the need for additional apps or heavy customization by offering ready-made templates that are specific to the automotive industry thus easing the process for automotive businesses.
Spyne stands out because it’s not just a website builder—it’s an automotive dealership solution. For a platform that truly understands your industry’s needs, Spyne is the clear winner over Shopify.
Conclusion
Shopify isn’t the perfect solution for you, especially if you’re in the automotive industry, as it doesn’t cater to car dealerships and other automotive sectors. However, there are various alternatives to Shopify that you can explore based on your preferences, like Spyne, that will cater to your exact needs and provide you with the results you desire.
