Hey there in this CommerceHQ review I just want to share with you the pros and cons of the new (not so new for me) revolutionary eCommerce platform Commerce HQ.
If you can’t be bothered to read this post then check out the video at the bottom of this article where I review CommerceHQ.
So firstly, if you don’t know anything about CHQ then let me give you a little backstory on its creation.
A little backstory on the creation of CommerceHQ
CHQ was created by Jon Mac, he’s a high-level multimillion dollar eCommerce marketer.
Jon started with Teespring and went from $50k in debt to over $1m in profit in 2 years.
He then moved to Shopify where he generated $7m in 2 years with multiple stores.
Not bad right?
Not only that, but Jon Mac has also written 2 fantastic books on e-commerce that you can check out here.
He shares some high-level knowledge in those books.
His newest book is Freedom Formula and I recommend checking out that one if you do get any of his books.
So after using Shopify for a few years he thought it was limited in features and needed something better so in September in 2015 he started CommerceHQ with his Partner Vlad.
Then in November 2016, he launched it in private beta where I got on board, then around September 2017, it was released to the public.
CHQ is built by eCommerce marketers for higher conversions.
That’s why it’s so good.
The founders literally built the platform they wanted with all the features they needed so they could crush it with their eCom stores.
Now we have access to that platform.
So let’s get into what I think from my own experience are the pros and cons of using CommerceHQ.
Quick Summary Of The Pros and Cons of CommerceHQ.
THE PROS
- A large collection of apps that are built in at no extra cost
- Visual store builder (drag and drop store builder)
- Print on demand integration with Custom Cat
- High converting themes included for free
- Free SSL certificate
- Free hosting
- No processing fees
- Very easy to build your store
- Quick set-up (watch my 6 minutes set up video), meaning quicker to start up and start making money
- Great easy to use intuitive interface
- Great Abandoned shopping cart feature
- Accordion style checkout which helps conversions
- Integrates with Dropified
- Email Marketing Sync. It integrates your store with Klaviyo, InfusionSoft, MailChimp or ActiveCampaign.
- Also integrates with Zapier for 100’s of extra apps
- Multiple credit card processing options. Including: Stripe, Braintree, BlueSnap, Authorize.Net, NMI, and Ayden.
THE CONS
- CHQ Customer support is only a ticket system. It has no phone support.
- No Mobile App for Commerce HQ yet.
- Entry level price is higher than Shopify at $97 a month.
- Visual builder is a little hard to use.
That’s it for the pros and cons.
Recommended Article: Discover How You Can Spy On Your Competitors Best Performing Ads And Products Using Pexda.
CommerceHQ Key Features.
Commerce HQ has some seriously cool features that attracted me to use the platform.
When I first used it, it had half of what it does now and they are continuously working on adding new features to make this e-commerce platform better and better.
Here are the key features.
BUILT-IN APP STORE
Currently 17 apps and counting. These range from things like currency converter, checkout timers, promo bars, recent purchase notifications and many more.
I did a whole post on the CommerceHQ apps here.
The 17 apps that are built-in should not be confused with features.
There’s so much more you can do without adding the apps. So overall there are many things you can do with this easy to use platform.
That brings me on to the next thing I like.
EASY TO USE
I think it’s super important that any platform should be beginner-friendly as most people are setting up their store for the first time.
This platform is so user-friendly that I think anyone can use it (including non-techys).
I’ve created a full tutorial showing how to set up a store from start to finish. You can watch that for free on YouTube here.
I will say this though so I’m completely transparent,
The visual store builder is a little tricky to use and I advise you to stick with the prebuilt themes by CHQ rather than try to build a new theme from scratch with their drag and drop builder.
I’m sure in the future it will get easier to use but the premade themes offered by CHQ are so amazing and all you need.
NO HIDDEN COSTS
I like the fact that with CommerceHQ you know the cost and it will never be more.
With Shopify, for example, you have to pay for things like apps, card processing fees, pro themes and with CHQ you don’t pay anything above the $99 a month.
The flat rate makes it nice and easy.
BUILT FOR HIGHER CONVERSIONS
I was so impressed with how geared towards conversion CHQ was. It makes total sense as the owners Jon and Vlad are high-level eCom marketers.
They know what improves conversions and they’ve built that right into the platform.
As soon as I started using the platform I loved all the apps and features which massively helped with my conversion rate.
If you’re new to eCom, you need all the help you get, the way CHQ is built it gives you the advantage of having a conversion-optimized store.
I personally love this platform that’s why I did this CommerceHQ review and I’m sure you will too if you try it out.
Get 2 Free Stores With Your Plan
If you want to get 2 FREE stores with commerce HQ then find out how to do that by reading my article called CommerceHQ discount code.
If you have any questions then please comment below and let me know. I’ll my best to get back and help you. Thanks 🙂
Also here’ the video review of Commerce HQ.
22 comments
are there youtube tutorials to learn the steps.
Hi yes check out my youtube channel for Commerce HQ tutorial videos. Thanks 🙂
Thank for your awesome post. Love to read more from this Blog. Also do you allow guest posting?
Thanks! And yes could do, depends on the content. Let me know 🙂
CommerceHQ only accepts credit cards as payment. Shopify accepted my debit card with no problems.
And it is a JCB Debit card, not a Visa debit card. CommerceHQ support told me I was SOL… Not good customer
service, but it is what it is. I guess I am stuck with Shopify.
Hey Michael, I personally use a debit card to pay so I know you can pay with them, not what SOL means but I would check again as I’ve used my peronal debit card then I switched to my business debit card and both work fine with no issues. Thanks good luck 🙂
Does this have an application like it for aliexpress providers?
Hi Carlos, I’m not quite sure what you’re asking?
Hi I see a lot of promo going on for Commerce HQ, but I don’t see a website from anyone who uses this platform and from those who proclaim to make vast amount of income from it..
Wow Thanks, Awesome Session. I’m extremely impressed with CommerceHQ, I signed up a few days ago and the purchaser the 6 Store package.
I would love to receive your training videos and support getting my store up and running. I’m willing to put in the work.
Don Smalls
Hey Don, glad you love CHQ! You can sign up for the free training here. https://itsalanyoung.com/training-optin/ hope that helps and good luck 🙂
Hi Im a newbie just trying to get my head around this. I listen to the 4 hour work week and Tim Ferris said he was tired of services and preferred to ship a product. This seems like that link for me just a bit skeptical. Theres so many quick rich scams out there I’m sure you understand. If I can set up a store in 6 mins why isn’t everyone do it and if their beginning to do so will this market become saturated real quick. Appreciate your any response.
Hey Fernando! Tim Ferris’s book the four hour work week is a great book isn’t it. And I know what you mean there are a look of people pushing get rich quick type of products but let me be super clear, setting up an eCommerce store and selling products is not a get rich type of business. In fact it takes hard work and a lot of trial and error. In my video, I show myself setting up a store in 6 mins but it’s still just the basic Commerce HQ store set up. It still takes time fully developing a store and researching products, marketing those products with ads and then fulfilling those products etc. The thing is most people give up all too easily and that’s why it’ll never be truly saturated, so use that to your advantage. Whatever you do I wish you good luck 🙂
Hiya,
I’ve been pondering whether to buy it or not… my questions are 1) is it worth the money ? (i.e. did you make it back?)
2) how successful has it been for you (revenue and time it took to get there)
3) I’m not sure how the product listing works, i understand there is a database with already profitable products on, but would this mean that everyone with the software buys the same thing?
4) How much time do you need to dedicate per week for it to succeed (I’m a student 😉 )
Thanks!
Hey Alice sorry for the late reply on this, firstly dropshipping or any other business is only as successful as you’re willing to make it. It’s inevitable that they’ll be roadblocks and struggles but that’s business, Dropshipping is a real business that will have it’s ups and downs.
It only became successful for me once I put in real hard work and persevered through some struggles. I’m by no means a super successful drop shipper though, I’m actually much more successful in affiliate marketing but I know dropshipping is very lucrative as I personally know some very successful drop shippers. It just needs to be treated like a real business.
Regarding product listing, you will need to do your own research and find products to test, check out my post on Pexgle and also Pexda as they are both amazing product research tools. You don’t need them though you can do product research manually, check out my Youtube channel for a video I did on product research for Shopify or CommerceHQ. CHQ also has the accelerator app but I think most of those products will be saturated. Also any product you research yourself can be most likely sourced on AliExpress so check that out.
Lastly, regarding the time needed to be spent on running a dropshipping business on CommerceHQ or Shopify, I would say at least 20+ hours a week if not more. There’s still a lot involved, once you have an established store you could outsource the bulk of the work but you would need to be making money first to cover those costs. I hope helps and I wish lots of success 🙂
Hi Alan!
Can you give me an idea of TAT for businss owners during and after training?
After training do you have to purchase separate pograms TO continue getting support? Is someone available 24/7
Hidden fees?
I plan to start at least one store over the weekend maybe 2 want 7. I understamd the shopify & Amazon business model but haven’t spent too much time researchimg ecommerce.
Tired if researching and ready to role.
With my a 2 -1 research to execute falling behind i just need some questions answered quick. I want to see at least $10 000 in sales in 30 days but wont with road blocks. Id like info regarding what they offer for logos & branding. I know what i want looking for a designer and domain.
Thank you in advance
I have been burned so many times since trying to start this eCommerce business. I am doing my due diligence so it never happens again. I must be on someones list of “easy to scam”.. I have spent so much time getting my store set up with Shopify. Is CHQ connected to Aliexpress / Oberlo? Any way I can take the products I already have on my store and import them into another store created on CHQ? You mentioned $99/ mo. That is after paying $997?
the optin form on https://itsalanyoung.com/training-optin/ is not working alan. tried to optin but cant. please check. thanks david
Hey Dave I’ve closed it now and didn’t realise I still had an optin. Thanks for letting me know.
Coming up to 7 days and still no response from their email support regarding the Accelerator app. I also left a message on their Facebook page. Any advise? This is getting very frustrating and I can considering cancelling and going back to Shopify.
Hey Karon, that’s odd they are normally super helpful. Maybe the message went to their spam folder? Did you message support@commercehq.com ? Just give them a message again as they would never wait for 7 days to repy unless they’ve missed it.Thanks
CHQ ; any reference to suppliers of products and negotiating?