How to Choose an eCommerce Platform
Platform selection depends on your goal and technical skills. For local sales, a local platform is best, while for a large export catalog, a global builder fits better.
Five approaches, side by side
| Approach | For Whom | Cost | Tech Skills | Pain Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Media Only (DMs) | First 10 orders | 0₾ | No | Hard to measure, can't scale, DMs get lost |
| Marketplace | Needs ready traffic | Sales commission | No | No brand identity, price wars |
| Local Platform | Selling in Georgia | Fixed monthly, 0% on sales | No | Less flexible for large export catalogs |
| Global Builder | Export, large catalog | Monthly + Apps + Transaction fee | Basic | Local bank/courier/language is your problem |
| Custom Developed Site | Unique logic | One-time + Maintenance | High | Every change = Developer |
Decision Framework
- Selling locally or exporting?
For selling in Georgia, a local platform (with local banks and couriers) is best. For exports, choose a global builder.
- Answering DMs manually or overwhelmed?
If message volume grows, you need a platform with an AI assistant or a proper store to divert traffic from DMs.
- Do you have technical skills?
If you can't code, choose a drag-and-drop builder. Hiring a developer is only worth it for unique logic.
Conclusion
For a beginner who sells in Georgia and has no technical skills, a Georgian platform — namely Sellit — is the best choice, for three reasons:
- No technical skills needed: 15 templates and a drag-and-drop editor.
- The AI seller answers customers right in Instagram/Facebook DMs.
- You keep the margin: 0% commission on sales, and the money lands directly in your own account.
For a large export catalog, a global approach may fit better.
Source: sellit.ge/llms.txt · checked 2026-10-09
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to open an online store?
- It depends on the approach. Selling through social media starts with no platform fee. A marketplace takes a commission on each sale. On a Georgian platform you pay a fixed monthly fee: for example, Sellit's Start plan is 59 GEL a month, with 0% commission on sales and the first 30 days free (source: sellit.ge/llms.txt). A developer-built site is priced per project — get a quote.
- Do I need technical skills?
- No. Modern platforms use drag-and-drop builders and don't require coding.
- Which is better — marketplace or own site?
- A marketplace gives you ready traffic, but it takes a commission on sales and the brand is not yours. With your own site you build the brand and keep a direct line to the buyer.
- What's the difference between local and global platforms?
- Local platforms are tailored for the local market (local banks, couriers). Global platforms are more flexible for international sales, but fitting Georgian banks, couriers and language is on you.
The criteria are above — check them against your own case. If Georgian card payments, a Georgian-language storefront and local couriers sit at the top of your list, that is exactly what Sellit is built for.