Are you selling online? Which website provider do you use? 🛒 🌐

[ElisabethB]

Hey, everyone! 👋
For those of you selling online, which website provider do you use, and what do you like about it? Reply and let us know in the comments below! 😊

[Sierra]

I've sold on eBay off and on since 1998 but very seriously since December 2020. I've sold on Etsy since August 2006. I had my own web site but, even though it got a fair amount of traffic, I wasn't selling much so I redirected my domain name to my Etsy shop in 2009 or so. I prefer selling on marketplaces because there's a lot of built-in traffic! I sold on Amazon Handmade for awhile but it wasn't a good fit for my products ... and it was a PITA to use. 

[ThamaniGems]

I use Square Online. It is nice. Hopefully, now that things are a bit better and I can get back outside I will see better results for my Jewelry business.

[BLUEPROVIDERZ]

Hello Elizabeth,

My name is Gabriel and I'm very familiar with the E-commerce industry. I'm currently a solutions partner with Square and A marketing partner with Google. The best site to sell your product is going to be your very OWN site. The better question to ask is which platform. You wanna ask yourself which platform offers more for your money including marketing. In all my years of experience I have watched Square grow since their first year and I truly have to say here at Square is your best option. Purchase a domain here and use the many resources Square has to offer, then reach out with Google analytics and Google store which is an additional sales channel for your site that will allow you to be selling on two sites. Anything you post on Square will automatically be posted on Google and can be found in googles search engine. Square makes it all available to you and Square is my suggestion for everyone. Great pricing with so many trials to try it all. 

[Studio1883]

We have a Brick and Mortar using square and an online store using WooCommerce. We have some more complicated features that we needed to have on our site and Square couldnt handle them, so WooCommerce was the way to go. It seems Square Online has progressed a lot the last few years, but we are very invested in WooCommerce now, so moving doesnt seem feasible. The big problem I have is that the inventory syncing seems to be a buggy and will just stop syncing randomly. 

[cookiestogo]

WIX is a free website building company. Its a great place to start.

[coachsabina]

Hi,

you know what? I thought it was just me, but the syncing on Square is a little buggy. It will say that something is out of stock for no reason. From time to time customers will contact me and say that an item is out of stock, im thinking “impossible” because I don’t it set to keep stock. I’m going to complain about it in the morning. They are very good at accommodating requests if enough sellers bring the glitch to their attention.

[Donna04]

I use Square Online. Initially I was interested in how it syncs with my Square inventory, so I though it sounded like it might save some steps in the end. I really like the Weebly integration and the look & feel of it. The multiple drop down menus really clinched it for me - I had wished and asked for this feature on my other site for years. I only have the "personal site" which is $72/yr, but this are plenty of features and bandwidth for my little one-horse independent jewelry shop.

My other site, which I've had longer, is through SupaDupa.me. Their standard fees are pretty high (I think) but I got in on an "earlybird" deal when they were still a brand new site. Because of this I pay only the fees for payment processing integration, so for me (and anybody else who got in on this deal) it is virtually free.

In the past I have tried selling on ArtFire (I started there), Etsy (I ditched them in 4 months), StoreEnvy (I found their 10% selling fee ridiculous, and a place called Scott's Marketplace, that was supposed to somehow bridge a gap between local business and online traffic. I don't really think that part of it worked at all, but was a nice idea. I actively avoid Amazon Handmade, Etsy, Ebay.

[deviantmedia]

As a web developer, I only use Square to invoice my clients. I have clients that use WordPress/WooCommerce and OpenCart to sale their products.

Deviant Media LLC - Owner

www.deviant.media

[xman1976]

I've recently made the switch from Shopify to WordPress/WooCommerce.  While I was a big fan of Shopify, I've become a huge fan of the ability to spin up virtually any type of site (marketplace, subscription, directory, blog) very quickly.  I also have a lot more flexibility with the design of the website using plugins like Elementor.  WordPress/WooCommerce does require more maintance and I've recently gotten a maintenance plan with WP Buffs so I'm not constantly trying to troubleshoot little issues that arise with conflicting plugin updates.  One thing I do like is with my current hosting company, I can get unlimited websites which is awesome to be able test out many ideas quickly and cheaply.   

[hlsautter]

I moved my websites to Cloudways a few years ago.  I wanted a host that had kept the software up to date, had the features I needed, and was easy to setup.  I use wordpress so a provider that supports that environment is essential. 

Security is very important, which means regular updates and server security are requirements

SSL Certificates are provided without charge and they support 2 factor login. 

Performance is important, Cloudways has a free Wordpress cache plugin.

Overall I have been very satisfied with this hosting provider. I have the flexibility I need and the security and performant I require for an eCommerse site handling my Fine Art Images.

Hank Sautter

Sautter.Photography  

[xman1976]

I recently moved my sites from WP Engine to Cloudways and cut my bill by more than half.  My account manager at WP Engine was terrible as well.  

[Cpassetto]

I am using weebly and am disappointed because it’s iPhone app is not updated and always says I have to edit stuff online with a computer. I wish it had more options of prebuilt pages to add.

[PM1973]

I use Zen Cart. Easy integration for Squareup.com I do all changes on the website as well.

https://www.shadowsinthedark.com/

[MamaJo7]

•  square, GoDaddy, wix, and a new one I found today. I'm a sole proprietorship LLC daycare and a non profit

[acctdept3sservi]

Glad that you asked! I started with Square Inc. then I upgraded to Weebly which I do enjoy the Ecommerce tools. It's been a few years and still launching. And ready and looking forward daily to service my consumers. I service my consumers by phone support and ecommerce online purchasing only.  So, my main services are phone support and ecommerce.

[Morningstar20]

I use WordPress & woocommerce which had been a little complicated when your teaching yourself. I'm interested in exploring my options esty sounds interesting 🤔 

[ir09frz]

I been using SquareUp.com/Weebly website.  I have Linktr.ee as well, but no other website. I like Shopify, but it cost too much.

[Uptownscarves17]

Hi ElisabethB,

So glad you started this group.  I sell my infinity scarves through Squareup.  I have a website and my payment system combined.  I really like all the features even for a no-pay service.  Looking forward to hearing from other members of your group.  How much are we allowed to share?  Can I share my website location:?  Or is this just to ask questions?

Thank you for your time answering,

aka Rene on this site

[ElisabethB]

Hi, @Uptownscarves17! Welcome to the the group! Yes, please do share your website link and feel free to ask questions in the group! We want to avoid sharing any personal contact information here, but business info is fine!

[Uptownscarves17]

Silly question maybe, but how to I begin a thread myself?

[ElisabethB]

Not silly at all, @Uptownscarves17! From the main group page, click the "Start a Topic" button to open the post editor. Let me know if you have any other questions! 😊