Best Ecommerce Platforms and Marketing Automation Tools: What to Use and Why
Picking the right ecommerce platform and matching it with the right marketing automation tools makes a bigger difference than most sellers realize. It’s not just about saving time or automating a few emails. The right combo can help you sell more, establish stronger relationships with your customers, and grow without adding more to your to-do list.
The problem? There are way too many options out there. So here’s a clear way to think it through.
What Makes an Ecommerce Platform “Best” for Your Business?
“Best” depends on your store’s size, your goals, and how hands-on you want to be. Some sellers want to get set up fast with built-in templates and an all-in-one dashboard. Others need more flexibility, like support for multiple languages, access to international payments, or the ability to customize the checkout experience.
If any of those sound like you, start by checking whether the platform handles payments smoothly, lets you control how your store looks, and includes basic marketing tools without needing extra logins or costs.
Bonus if it plays nicely with other apps or helps you manage shipping from one place.
Best Ecommerce Platforms for 2025: What Really Matters
Most of today’s platforms are packed with similar core features: guided setup steps, integration with major payment processors, SEO-friendly tools, and plugins or apps for expansion. But they’re not all equally helpful, especially once your sales start picking up.
Here’s what’s worth focusing on:
- Can you scale easily if things take off?
- Will your store load fast and look good on mobile?
- Do you have options for selling globally, without needing to add 10 tools to make it work?
Beyond bells and whistles, it’s about what actually helps you sell faster, with fewer roadblocks.
What to Look For in a Marketing Automation Tool
Automation should save you time and lift your sales, not just help you check boxes.
Solid tools help with:
- Recovering lost sales (think: abandoned cart emails or texts)
- Sending updates automatically after someone places an order
- Segmenting your customers so you’re sending the right message to the right group
- Creating loyalty or referral programs without manual tracking
You don’t need to set it all up at once. Start small, like sending a follow-up offer after a customer’s first order, and grow from there.
How to Automate Without Losing the Personal Touch
Automation doesn’t mean “set it and forget it.” The best tools help you stay personal at scale.
You might want to:
- Create landing pages or email flows that look and feel like your brand
- Set up special discounts that reward bigger orders
- Use behavior triggers to send reminders or upsell offers at just the right time
- Track performance through analytics or heatmaps so you can tweak as you go
These features give you the power to connect with shoppers even when you’re offline.
Building a Store That Runs Smoothly Even With a Small Team
You don’t need a big team to run a high-performing store. With the right setup, even solo sellers can run smart campaigns, follow up with leads, and keep customers coming back without juggling 20 different tools.
The key? Look for features like drag-and-drop page builders, a clean dashboard for campaign tracking, and automation that handles the busywork.
FAQs on E-Commerce Platforms
What’s the best ecommerce platform for beginners in 2025?
Go for something that offers a guided setup, easy-to-edit templates, and marketing automation tools for ecommerce included. You want to get up and running quickly without hiring outside help.
Can I run both email and SMS campaigns from one tool?
Yes. Plenty of marketing platforms let you manage both formats from one place, so you can coordinate your messaging and track results together.
How do I automatically recover abandoned carts?
Set up timed follow-ups by email, SMS, or other methods to remind shoppers about what they left behind. Sweeten the deal with limited promotions or free shipping to help seal the sale.
Which platforms are best for global selling?
Look for options with built-in language support, multi-currency features, and integrations with international shipping carriers. These features make cross-border selling much easier.
Can I segment my audience by behavior?
Yes. Good marketing tools let you group your audience based on actions like viewing a product, completing a purchase, or even how often they open your messages.
Are there free marketing automation tools for ecommerce startups?
Yes. Some tools offer free tiers that cover the basics: limited email sends, templates, or small contact lists. They’re a great way to test before investing in paid features.
What’s a good setup for upselling and cross-selling?
Look for tools that respond to behavior. When someone views a product or completes a purchase, you can suggest a related or premium option.
Can I automate post-purchase follow-ups?
Absolutely. You can send thank-you notes, request reviews, offer reorder discounts, or recommend complementary products, all on autopilot.
What’s a good beginner-friendly platform with SEO features?
Pick one that allows you to edit page titles, meta descriptions, and image tags. These tools give your store a better chance of showing up in search results.
Can I use AI-powered email automation with my store?
Yes, as long as your store allows integrations. You can connect smart tools that learn from user behavior and adjust messaging to boost engagement.
Can I A/B test my emails without advanced tools?
Yes. Some platforms make it easy to test subject lines, message content, or timing. These small changes can lead to much better results over time.
How do I connect my store to analytics tools?
Choose a platform that supports plug-and-play integrations with popular analytics services. This will let you track visits, ad clicks, and customer movement through your site.
Wrap-up
You don’t need a complex stack of tools or a big budget to build something successful. The best ecommerce platform should fit your store’s goals with marketing automation tools for ecommerce that make your work easier, not harder. Start simple, learn what works, and grow from there.
AUTHOR BIO
Erika Miranda is a content writer and coordinator at SEO Sherpa – Global Best Large SEO Agency Winner, focusing on SEO, Digital PR, and Search Everywhere Optimization. She has 13 years of experience creating long-form content on various topics, including health, career and home improvement. She also conducts topic ideation and manages content tasks for a team of dedicated content specialists. In her spare time, she dabbles in jewelry-making, particularly wire wrapping.
