5 reasons to use Shopstar to build your online store in South Africa

Choosing the right platform to build your online store is crucial for success. With its burgeoning digital market, South Africa presents many opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to establish an online presence.

If you’re a new business owner on the hunt for the best eCommerce platform to use to build your online store, we recommend you consider a great local option, Shopstar.

Based in Cape Town, Shopstar is an easy-to-use eCommerce platform that allows local businesses to create and manage their online store.

Their mission is to help South African entrepreneurs realise their goal of building a successful online business. 

Read more: 11 online business ideas for budding entrepreneurs

Here are five reasons why you should consider using them to build your online store in South Africa:

1. User-Friendly Interface

Shopstar prides itself on offering a user-friendly interface that makes creating and managing an online store hassle-free.

With its drag-and-drop design tools, even those without extensive technical knowledge can easily navigate and customise their store. This is particularly beneficial for small business owners and startups looking to establish their online presence without the complexity of a steep learning curve.

2. Local Payment Options

Shopstar understands the importance of catering to the unique needs of the South African market. The platform seamlessly integrates with various local payment gateways, allowing your customers to make transactions using their preferred methods. Whether for credit card payments, EFTs, or popular digital wallets, Shopstar ensures that your online store can accommodate diverse payment preferences.

And, of course, they also have SnapScan as a payment gateway. Integrating SnapScan onto your Shopstar website is simple.

The integration offers customers a streamlined and secure checkout experience, along with the added benefit of being able to choose between three payment methods. Customers can scan to pay, pay with their bank cards or pay by bank (instant EFT).

Read more: 6 ways SnapScan can help your business collect payments

3. Mobile-Friendly Design

In an era where mobile devices dominate internet usage, having a mobile-friendly online store is imperative. Shopstar recognises this trend and ensures that all the stores built on its platform are optimised for mobile viewing. 

4. Affordability

Budget considerations are often crucial for entrepreneurs, especially those starting small or on a tight financial leash.

Shopstar addresses this concern by offering an affordable solution without compromising essential features. Unlike other platforms that may come with hidden fees, additional costs, or required plug-ins, Shopstar provides transparent pricing structures.

Shopstar’s pricing plans are based on the number of products you have listed on your online store. This means that those starting out with a few products can enjoy the same experience as more established stores with larger product ranges while saving on monthly fees.

With ShopStar, you’ll pay month to month, making it easy for you to cancel at any time. Each plan also comes with a 14-day free trial, allowing you to determine if it’s the right fit. 

5. Local Support

Building an online store can be daunting, especially for those new to eCommerce. Shopstar provides local support. 

Knowing that help is readily available and comes from a local perspective can make the process of building and managing your online store much smoother.

Dream it. Build it. Sell it.

Ultimately, Shopstar stands out as a reliable and effective platform for building online stores in South Africa. 

From its user-friendly interface to local payment options, Shopstar offers a holistic solution for entrepreneurs seeking to thrive in the South African e-commerce landscape. 

Consider the platform as your partner in establishing a successful online store that caters to the unique needs of the local market.

Ready to build your online store? Sign up for Shopstar here, and integrate SnapScan as your payment gateway to let customers pay you in a snap. Watch the video below to learn how:

Don’t have a SnapScan merchant account? Sign up for SnapScan here.