Websites using MakeShop

Okay, let s break down MakeShop, a popular Japanese e-commerce platform.

MakeShop Overview

MakeShop is a hosted e-commerce platform specifically designed for the Japanese market. It allows individuals and businesses to create and manage online stores. It s known for its robust feature set, including extensive customization options and integration with Japanese payment gateways and logistics providers. It s aimed at both small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as well as larger enterprises.

Key Features of MakeShop:

• Japanese Focus: Tailored for the Japanese market, with Japanese language support, currency, and specific payment/shipping integrations.
• Customizable Design: Offers a variety of templates and a high degree of customization to create unique and branded storefronts.
• Marketing and Sales Tools: Includes features like SEO optimization, coupon creation, email marketing tools, and social media integration.
• Inventory Management: Robust features for tracking inventory, managing product variations, and setting stock levels.
• Payment Gateway Integrations: Supports popular Japanese payment methods like credit cards, convenience store payments (konbini), and bank transfers.
• Shipping Integration: Integrations with Japanese shipping providers for easy shipping label generation and order tracking.
• Security: Provides a secure platform for handling customer data and transactions.
• Mobile-Friendly: Stores are responsive and designed to work well on mobile devices.
• Detailed Analytics: Offers comprehensive reporting and data analysis tools to track store performance.
• Multilingual Capabilities: Supports multiple languages to cater to international clients

Revenue:

Unfortunately, MakeShop doesn t publicly disclose its exact revenue figures. However, it s considered a major player in the Japanese e-commerce market, suggesting significant annual revenue. The company was acquired by GMO Internet Group in 2016 and that provides some insight into their size within the larger group.

Alternatives to MakeShop:

If you re looking for alternatives to MakeShop, consider these platforms, keeping in mind some may not have the same level of focus on the Japanese market:

• Shopify: A global e-commerce platform with strong features and a wide range of apps. Offers good Japanese support, though the core platform is in English.
• BASE: Another popular Japanese e-commerce platform with a simpler setup process, often used by smaller businesses and individuals. Known for its ease of use and lower cost to start.
• Stores.jp (formerly STORES.jp): Another significant e-commerce platform in Japan known for simplicity, and user-friendliness. Aimed at small and medium-sized businesses.
• Yahoo! Shopping Japan: If you want integration with Yahoo s ecosystem in Japan, this is an option. It’s a large marketplace.
• Rakuten Ichiba: Similar to Yahoo!, but part of the Rakuten group. Again, a significant marketplace rather than a direct store platform.
• Amazon Japan: If you want to get access to a wide range of customers, Amazon Japan is a large marketplace to consider.
• Wix: A website builder with e-commerce functionality that allows for a high level of visual customization.
• Magento (Adobe Commerce): A powerful, highly customizable enterprise-level platform.

Choosing an Alternative

The best alternative depends on your specific needs:

• International reach: Shopify is likely better for international expansion.
• Ease of use and lower cost: BASE or Stores.jp may be better options.
• Integration with existing platforms: If you want to integrate with Yahoo or Rakuten, consider those marketplaces.
• Complexity and control: Magento might be appropriate for very large businesses that require customization.

Pricing:

MakeShop offers a variety of pricing plans, typically based on the number of products you can list and the transaction volume. They generally have a monthly fee that can range from a basic plan to enterprise-level solutions. Detailed pricing information (in Japanese) is usually available on their official website.

General Idea of Pricing Structures:

• Monthly Fees: Expect a monthly subscription fee. This varies depending on the number of listings you need and the features you want.
• Transaction Fees: Some plans may include transaction fees, depending on your plan level.
• Optional Add-ons: Additional costs might apply for add-on features, themes or apps.

Customer Care Details:

• Support Channels: MakeShop typically provides customer support via email, phone, and potentially live chat during business hours.
• Language Support: Primarily in Japanese, but larger plans might have access to some English support.
• Knowledge Base/Help Documentation: Provides online help documentation, FAQs, and tutorials (usually in Japanese).
• Dedicated Account Managers: Larger enterprise clients often have access to dedicated account managers.

Important Notes for Non-Japanese Users:

• Language Barrier: MakeShop s website and most support channels are in Japanese. You ll likely need Japanese language skills or a translator to navigate the platform effectively.
• Japanese Payment Systems: To fully utilize MakeShop, you ll likely need a Japanese bank account and be familiar with Japanese payment processing systems.
• Japanese Business Practices: Being familiar with general Japanese business practices would be advantageous.

In Conclusion

MakeShop is a powerful, feature-rich e-commerce platform designed specifically for the Japanese market. While its Japanese focus may make it challenging for non-Japanese users, it s a strong contender if you want to target consumers in Japan with a robust platform tailored to the market s needs. When deciding if it is the right platform for you, consider the alternatives and evaluate how they align with your specific business needs and goals.