1. OneTrip

OneTrip is an e-commerce and marketing platform for grocery stores. It is an all-in-one solution that facilitates the growth of merchants' sales. Additionally, the platform provides support for securing financing for these merchants. It offers digital solutions tailored to the specific needs of this sector. It is the ideal solution launching a grocery online store.

Strengths of OneTrip:

• Rich in native features for grocery stores e-commerce and retail businesses (inventory management, SEO, advanced analytics, product digitization, connection to delivery partners).

• Suitable for both small grocery stores and large businesses.

• SEO-friendly: OneTrip online stores are optimized for search engines. This facilitates the discovery of grocery products.

• Possible support for securing financing.

• Opportunity to access advanced marketing solutions and social media management.

Disadvantages of OneTrip:

• Limited platform customization without coding knowledge.

What is the price of the OneTrip subscription?

The price varies depending on the clients' needs.

Which grocery stores can use OneTrip?

OneTrip is an e-commerce platform suitable for grocery stores and retail businesses that want to digitize but lack internal technical resources. These businesses are looking for an all-in-one solution that meets their needs (inventory management, marketing, e-commerce) and do not want to work with multiple different providers. This software, which allows for the creation of transactional websites for grocery stores, is also suitable for self-employed individuals who want a ready-to-use solution to generate sales quickly. For more details, click here to book a demo.

2. Mercatus

Mercatus is an e-commerce platform specialized for grocery stores and food businesses. It provides digital solutions tailored to the specific needs of this sector.

Strengths of Mercatus:

• Specialized in solutions for online grocery stores.

• Advanced features for managing catalogs and orders via an omnichannel approach.

• Focused on personalizing the user experience.

• Integration with ERPs and loyalty systems.

Disadvantages of Mercatus:

• High cost: Mercatus solutions primarily target well-established grocery stores.

• The integration of the platform into your workflows is complex, as it targets large companies.

• Absence of digitization solutions and a long and complex integration process.

What is the price of a Mercatus subscription?

The pricing of Mercatus is available on request and depends on the specific needs of the business.

3. Shopify

Shopify is a Canadian e-commerce platform that allows users to easily create and manage online stores. It offers a variety of customizable themes and a wide range of third-party applications. Shopify can be used for grocery stores, but many applications will need to be installed, which can hinder the user experience. Furthermore, managing inventory with the physical store is not optimal on Shopify, which is a major issue for grocery stores. Please refer to our comparison between Shopify and OneTrip for more information.

Strengths of Shopify:

• Intuitive and easy-to-use interface for beginners.

• Over 6,000 applications available to customize your store.

• Efficient payment management and integration with Shopify Payments.

• Multiple sales channels and ease of selling internationally.

Disadvantages of Shopify:

• Many applications need to be installed to have features suitable for grocery stores.

• For more advanced customization, coding skills are required.

• Difficulty integrating with grocery store point of sale systems.

• High commissions for the grocery sector.

What is the price of a Shopify subscription?

Plans start at $39/month.

4. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a website creation and e-commerce platform launched in 2009. It offers advanced product management, built-in marketing tools, and scalability suited for large online stores. The platform is very comprehensive and can be used for creating grocery store websites. It is particularly suitable for large supermarkets with multiple branches.

Strengths of BigCommerce:

• Rich in native e-commerce features (inventory management, SEO, advanced analytics).

• Suitable for large grocery stores.

• Easy integration with platforms like Amazon and eBay.

• No commissions based on the selected plan.

Disadvantages of BigCommerce:

• High cost for creating the online store.

• Limited platform customization without coding knowledge.

• Lack of certain native marketing tools necessary for grocery stores.

What is the price of a BigCommerce subscription?

Plans for small businesses start at around $29.95/month.

5. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is an open-source plugin launched in 2011. It allows transforming a WordPress site into a complete online store. Used by about 30% of online stores worldwide, it is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms. However, its relevance for online grocery stores depends on the specific needs of your business.

Strengths of WooCommerce:

• Ease of integration with WordPress: If you are already using WordPress for your website, WooCommerce allows you to transform it into a transactional site for your grocery store with relatively simple installation.

• Flexibility and customization: With a wide variety of plugins and themes, WooCommerce is highly customizable to meet the specific needs of grocery stores, whether for inventory management or marketing tools.

• Scalability: The platform can handle a large number of products and orders, making it interesting for a grocery store with an evolving catalog.

• SEO-friendly: WooCommerce easily integrates with SEO plugins like Yoast, which can help improve the visibility of grocery products on search engines.

Disadvantages of WooCommerce:

• Dependence on WordPress: WooCommerce is strictly limited to sites created with WordPress. If your grocery store does not yet use WordPress, this option may not be suitable.

• Complexity for beginners: Creating a grocery store website with WooCommerce can be intimidating for merchants without technical skills, as it requires active management and some expertise.

• Cost of extensions: While WooCommerce is free, many necessary features for a grocery store (such as inventory management tools or delivery systems) require paid plugins, which can quickly increase the total cost.

• Maintenance and security: You are responsible for security, updates, and technical maintenance, which can be time-consuming for an e-commerce grocery platform.

• Performance: WooCommerce may be less performant than platforms specifically designed for grocery e-commerce, such as OneTrip, especially for businesses that have a large inventory.

• Limited support: The assistance offered by WooCommerce is often insufficient, especially if you do not have an advanced plan or a technical team.

How much does WooCommerce cost?

WooCommerce is free, but the necessary extensions to meet the needs of a grocery store (for example, for managing inventories or payments) quickly increase the total cost. Therefore, other e-commerce solutions for grocery stores like OneTrip may prove to be more advantageous for creating a grocery store website.

Who should create a website with WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is suitable for grocery stores that already use WordPress and are looking for a flexible platform to customize their store. However, it is recommended for businesses with the necessary resources to manage maintenance, updates, and costs associated with installing plugins. This platform may suit small grocery stores or entrepreneurs with technical skills.

6. MedusaJS

MedusaJS is an open-source e-commerce platform built with Node.js, offering maximum flexibility for developers. Launched in 2021, it is a modern and efficient solution, but its use for grocery stores heavily depends on available technical resources.

Advantages of MedusaJS:

• Open-source: Free and highly customizable, MedusaJS allows to create an e-commerce tailored to the specific needs of a grocery store, whether involving complex inventory management or specific integrations.

• High performance: Thanks to its modern and lightweight architecture, MedusaJS can manage large amounts of data and orders, which may be suitable for large grocery stores with a substantial inventory.

• Active community: The developer community provides access to resources, extensions, and solutions that can enrich the necessary functionalities for an online grocery store.

Disadvantages of MedusaJS:

• Technical skills required: To create a grocery store website with MedusaJS, a strong technical team is essential. This platform is not suitable for merchants without web development expertise.

• Limited support: Unlike other e-commerce platforms for grocery stores, MedusaJS does not have dedicated customer support. You will need to turn to the community to resolve technical issues, which may be a disadvantage in emergencies.

• Variable documentation: While resources are available, the quality of the documentation may be inconsistent, complicating learning and using the platform, especially for grocery projects requiring rapid implementation.

How much does e-commerce with MedusaJS cost?

MedusaJS is free as an open-source platform, but costs can quickly increase depending on the level of customization, necessary development, and traffic on your website. Compared to turnkey solutions, MedusaJS can be expensive if you need to hire developers to manage your grocery e-commerce platform.

Who is MedusaJS aimed at?

MedusaJS is suitable for developers and companies with an experienced technical team that wish to create a custom grocery store website. It is ideal for grocery stores or supermarkets with very specific needs and the ability to manage complex technical aspects.

7. Ecwid

Ecwid is a platform that allows adding an online store to an existing website. Its seamless integration with CMS and social networks makes Ecwid a practical solution for transforming any website into an e-commerce store. However, its potential for grocery stores depends on the size and needs of the business.

Strengths of Ecwid:

• Cost-effective and easy to integrate: Ecwid is ideal for small grocery stores that want to quickly add an e-commerce store to their existing website without high costs.

• Multichannel compatibility: The platform allows for easy selling on channels like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, which is advantageous for attracting a varied clientele.

• Marketing automation: The built-in tools simplify sending automated marketing campaigns, which can be useful for retaining customers of your online grocery store.

• Simplified multichannel management: With integration to LightSpeed, Ecwid facilitates managing sales across multiple channels from a single interface.

• $0 transaction fees: No commission is charged on sales, which is a benefit for grocery stores with limited margins.

Disadvantages of Ecwid:

• Limited number of products: Ecwid's basic plans impose a limit on the number of products that can be added, which may pose a problem for most grocery stores.

• Complex POS integrations: Integrating with physical point of sale (POS) systems that are not Lightspeed can be tedious, complicating stock synchronization between the physical store and the online store.

• Low customization: Customization options for the store are limited, which can restrict grocery stores looking to create a distinctive grocery website.

• Absence of advanced features: Inventory management and logistics, essential for an online grocery store, lack robustness on this platform.

What is the price of Ecwid?

Ecwid offers a free plan, but premium packages start at $25/month. However, the advanced features necessary for effectively managing an online grocery store often require more expensive plans.

For which users is Ecwid the best e-commerce platform for grocery stores?

Ecwid is an excellent option for small grocery stores or entrepreneurs already using LightSpeed and looking to quickly start selling online.

8. Squarespace

Squarespace is a website creation platform known for its elegant designs, ideal for creatives and small businesses. If you want to create a simple and visually appealing grocery store website, Squarespace can be an option, but it has limitations for grocery stores with more complex needs.

Advantages of Squarespace:

• Design: Squarespace offers elegant and professional templates that can be perfect for a grocery store looking to showcase its products visually. Well-crafted designs can enhance the shopping experience for your online grocery customers.

• Intuitive interface: With its drag-and-drop editor, Squarespace is easy to use even for those without technical skills, which can be a plus for grocery stores wanting to quickly create their site.

• Responsive customer support: The support available 24/7 is an advantage for any online grocery store in case of technical issues, providing peace of mind.

Disadvantages of Squarespace:

• Limited e-commerce features for groceries: Squarespace is suitable for simple online stores but lacks many advanced features necessary for the complex management of an online grocery store (e.g., complex delivery options or synchronization with the physical store).

• Restricted customization: Customization options are limited compared to platforms like WordPress or Shopify. For a grocery store with specific needs (e.g., complex product presentation), Squarespace might be too restrictive.

• Limited third-party integrations: The platform offers fewer integrations with third-party applications, which can limit automation, marketing, or inventory management capabilities for an online grocery store.

How much does a Squarespace website cost?

Plans start at $16/month for personal websites, but to create a grocery store website with online store capabilities, you will need to opt for a plan starting at $26/month for a basic site. Costs can increase if you want more advanced features.

9. Growcer

Growcer is an e-commerce platform specialized in creating online marketplaces for food products and other niches. It allows for building an all-in-one grocery store website with a strong focus on mobile solutions and multichannel management.

Strengths of Growcer:

• Turnkey solution: Allows for easily creating a grocery store website with ready-to-use mobile applications.

• Advanced customization: Offers great flexibility and features tailored to the specific needs of grocery stores.

• Multiple marketplace models: Supports multi-vendor models for a wider offer.

Disadvantages of Growcer:

• Requires technical skills for advanced customization.

• The platform is suitable for companies that want to create marketplaces and not individual grocery stores.

• Limited customer support depending on the chosen plan.

• Growcer is part of FatBit Technologies, which means that the attention given to each client may be shared with other priorities of the company. This can influence the personalization of service or response time based on resources and demands from their global clientele.

Growcer Pricing:

Pricing is customized based on the specific needs of each business.

10. Rosieapp

Rosie is an e-commerce platform specialized in creating websites for independent grocery stores, offering a turnkey solution for online commerce.

Strengths of Rosie:

• Turnkey solution: Allows for creating a fully customized grocery store website, with integrated mobile applications, facilitating the transition to online commerce.

• Accessibility: Rosie stands out for its commitment to accessibility, achieving a perfect score of 100/100 for its accessibility mode, ensuring an optimal user experience for all.

• Payment integration: The platform allows for accepting online payments through the SNAP/EBT program, thus expanding the potential customer base.

Disadvantages of Rosie:

• Dependence on the platform: As a proprietary solution, users may be limited by the features and updates dictated by Rosie.

• Cost: Rosie's rates are customized based on the specific needs of each business, which can represent a significant investment for small grocery stores.

Rosie's Subscription Pricing:

Pricing is customized based on the specific needs of each business.

Tips for choosing the best e-commerce software for grocery stores

• Analyze your specific needs: Make a list of your grocery store priorities (design, budget, number of products to sell, transaction fees, etc.). Choose a platform that meets the specific needs of food businesses and the management of fresh products, stocks, and deliveries.

• Test trial versions: Take advantage of the trial periods offered by platforms to test the features suitable for a grocery store (such as real-time inventory management, payment options, etc.) before committing.

• Consult reviews from other grocers: Gather feedback from other grocery store owners to understand the advantages and limitations of each platform based on your particular needs.

Making the right choice of grocery ecommerce software will save you time and money!

Each grocery software presented in this article has its own advantages and limitations. Whether you are a small local grocery store or an expanding supermarket, there is a solution tailored to your specific needs. Take the time to compare the different options, test them, and get started on creating an effective website that will attract your customers! OneTrip, for example, is an excellent option for grocery stores and retail businesses. Don’t hesitate to schedule a free demo of our platform and discover how it can support the growth of your online grocery store.