Top 5 programs for managing an online store

The solution is simple and pragmatic: install the right software that will eliminate routine tasks and free up resources for growth. Below is a practical TOP 5 list of programs from KISS Software and Yevhen Kasyanenko. We will tell you what each of them does and what to look for.

How to choose software for managing an online store

Choosing software for an online store is a strategic decision that determines the convenience of work, the speed of order processing, and the effectiveness of sales. For your business to develop smoothly, it is important to consider several key factors:

1. Process automation. The program should cover routine tasks such as receiving and processing orders, reconciling balances, calculating delivery costs, and handling returns. The more manual tasks it takes on, the more suitable it is for your online store. Automation reduces the number of errors, speeds up work processes, and frees up time that can be spent on developing and scaling your business.
2. Integrations. Check for ready-made “bridges” to CRM, ERP, marketplaces, and payment providers. We’re not talking about one-off connectors, but stable integrations with Rozetka, Wildberries, Ozon, Prom.ua, and payment gateways such as LiqPay, Fondy, Stripe, and PayPal. The easier the synchronization, the less manual work and fewer errors in accounting.
3. Flexibility and scalability. The platform should grow along with the volume of orders and the product range. Look for APIs, modular architecture, or headless options—this is a guarantee that you won’t run into technical limitations when you experience your first serious growth.
4. Ease of use. The admin panel is the team’s workspace. A simple, logical admin panel reduces training time, operations, and errors. If everyday tasks require a dozen clicks or references to technical documentation, then the platform will cost you time.
5. SEO and marketing tools. Technical SEO options are not a bonus, but a necessity. The platform should generate URLs, automatically generate sitemaps and robots, allow editing of Title, Description, and ALT tags, and support micro-markup for snippets. Fast indexing and understandable URLs directly affect organic traffic and conversion.
6. Security and backup. The platform should provide encryption, access control, and regular backups, because losing data on a peak day means not only a technical problem but also a blow to your reputation.

“When choosing software, mentally play out a couple of working scenarios: peak sales during the holiday season, mass returns, growth of the product range, and integration with a new accounting system. A platform that can handle these scenarios without any problems is likely to be the right choice,” emphasizes Yevhen Kasyanenko.

Top 5 programs for managing an online store

Now for the most important part: we present the top 5 programs for online stores, which, in our experience, are the most useful for management.

1. KeyCRM – CRM that organizes sales

KeyCRM takes care of the routine work with orders and customers: it collects orders from the website, marketplaces, and messengers, structures buyers, and suggests the next step in the transaction. It is not just an address book, but a real work feed where you can see who ordered what and at what stage each customer is. It is suitable when the flow of orders already interferes with manual processing and you need to build a sales funnel.

Key advantages:

• a single order feed from all channels;
• segmentation and simple automation of mailings;
• integration with payment systems and delivery services;
• reports on the performance of managers.

However, it is important to note that when implementing KeyCRM, you will need to initially configure the business logic (time spent on implementation); with a large amount of customization, there may be additional costs for integrators.

2. Shopify – a platform for quick launch and growth

Shopify allows you to launch a store without in-depth technical training and still sustain growth. It is a platform with templates, built-in payments, and a large number of ready-made integrations – a good choice for those who want to work quickly and scale up without lengthy refinements.

Key advantages:

• Quick store creation and intuitive admin panel
• Ready-made connectors to payment services and social networks
• Built-in SEO tools and marketing applications
• Pricing plans and plugin ecosystem for different sales volumes

However, it is worth keeping in mind that subscription and plugin fees increase with volume, and there are some limitations in terms of deep customization without applications and development.

3. Google Analytics + Looker Studio – a powerful tandem for analytics

These tools together provide a picture of how users behave on the site, where the traffic comes from, and which campaigns are working. If you want to not just look at the numbers, but understand where conversions are being lost and how to increase the average check, analytics is a must.

Key features:

• tracking user paths and traffic channels;
• custom reports and dashboards for business metrics;
• integration with advertising and CRM for end-to-end analytics;
• audience forecasting and segmentation.

But even when choosing Google Analytics with Looker Studio, there are some caveats. In order to get the most out of these programs for your online store, you need to configure events and have a qualified analyst, because data requires time and competent interpretation.

4. Hotjar – a tool for analyzing user experience

Hotjar shows what visitors are actually doing: where they click, where they pause, and where they leave. Session recordings and heat maps quickly identify UX bottlenecks – it’s a practical tool for increasing conversion without a global redesign.

What Hotjar offers:

• heat maps and session recordings for real behavior analysis;
• form analysis and identification of drop-off points during checkout;
• hypotheses for A/B testing to increase conversion.

It is important to keep in mind that a large volume of recordings will take time to analyze. In addition, this program does not replace full-fledged A/B testing, but provides hypotheses for verification.

5. Canva – visuals without a designer for all occasions

The Canva graphic editor simplifies the creation of advertising creatives, banners, product cards, and mailings. Quick image edits and templates save the marketing team time and allow you to keep the store’s style consistent.

Why Canva is useful:

• ready-made templates for social media, email, and promotional banners;
• easy editing of product photos and export to the desired formats;
• team collaboration on layouts;
• free functionality and paid plans for advanced features if needed.

It is worth considering that overly template-based visuals can negate the uniqueness of a brand. If you have serious requirements for your corporate identity, you will still need the work of a professional designer.

“The choice of a specific tool depends on the task: if you need to streamline sales, start with CRM; for quick launch and scaling, look for a ready-made platform with a builder; if you want to understand buyer behavior, use analytics and heat maps; and for visuals, use a tool that doesn’t slow down marketing,” says our expert.

Additional programs that will help an online store

The basic stack covers setup, management, sales, and delivery, but additional tools are needed for growth: SEO monitoring, competitive analysis, convenient team collaboration, and secure data storage. Below are proven services, as well as their practical uses and brief comments on implementation.

Google Search Console – indexing and organic traffic analysis

Search Console is a window into how Google sees your store: which pages are indexed, what queries people use to find you, and where errors occur. The tool doesn’t do the magic for you, but it gives clear signals—where things are broken, what needs to be sent to the sitemap, and why, for example, the mobile version is losing traffic.

Key advantages:

• monitoring of indexing and scanning errors;
• reports on search queries and clicks;
• sitemap submission and mobile usability testing;
• diagnosis of page speed and structure issues.

However, it is worth bearing in mind that data sometimes arrives with a delay, and without the correct sitemap and robots settings, the conclusions will be incomplete. So, in any case, you will need a knowledgeable SEO specialist.

Serpstat – semantics collection and competitor analysis

Serpstat speeds up keyword work and gives you an idea of where your competitors are getting their traffic. It is a practical tool for planning advertising campaigns and finding niche queries with commercial potential.

Key advantages:

• fast semantics collection and query grouping;
• page audit and SEO error detection;
• analysis of competitors’ positions and visibility;
• backlink and search trend monitoring.

The pitfalls of this tool are that it generates a lot of metrics, and it is important to focus on those that actually bring in sales, rather than numbers for the sake of numbers. Careful attention is required.

Ahrefs – link intelligence and content strategy for organic traffic

Ahrefs provides an in-depth picture of the link ecosystem and helps you find ideas for content that can really boost organic traffic. If you want to develop your store’s blog and build authority in search, then Ahrefs will be a useful research tool.

Its advantages:

• detailed analysis of external and internal links;
• research of keywords and their potential;
• monitoring of brand mentions and competitor activity;
• search for topics for a content plan based on real queries.

Such a powerful tool requires a systematic approach, and you won’t achieve results with a one-time check—keep that in mind.

Trello—task and team management

Trello turns chaotic workflows into a visible task queue: who is responsible for what, what statuses, and what the priorities are. For small teams, it’s a quick way to introduce discipline without complicated implementations.

Important advantages:

• visual boards and task cards;
• checklists and status control (pending, in progress, done, etc.);
• assignment of responsibilities and deadlines;
• easy integration with calendars and files.

However, as your team grows and processes become more complex, Trello may prove to be too simple—it is worth thinking in advance about a possible migration to a more rigorous task system.

Google Drive – cloud data storage and collaboration

Drive is not only storage from Google, but also a workspace for store content: price lists, images, regulations, and templates. Quick access and collaborative editing save time and simplify coordination between departments.

Basic advantages:

• secure file storage with versioning;
• collaboration on documents and spreadsheets;
• access from any device and integration with other services;
• convenient transfer of materials between marketing, logistics, and support.

Despite its convenience, without a clear access policy and naming rules, Drive quickly turns into a dumping ground. So set up permissions and folder structure from the very beginning.

“These additional programs for online stores do not replace the main platform, but they provide critical capabilities: seeing where traffic is lost, understanding competitors, setting up processes, and protecting data. My practical advice is to choose 2-3 additional services for the current task (SEO, analytics, or internal organization) and integrate them sequentially so that the effects are measurable. If necessary, we at KISS will help with the selection of a bundle and its competent implementation,” notes Yevhen Kasyanenko.

Why it is important to work with professionals

Automation and the right set of programs can make your online store fast and predictable, but only if everything is set up correctly. This means well-thought-out integrations, streamlined order processing scenarios, testing on real cases, and monitoring of operations—then you get fewer errors, faster order fulfillment, and a real opportunity to scale without new operational crises.

Below are not general considerations, but specifics: what real effects does automation have, why do integrations most often fail, and what practical steps should a professional team take to make the entire set of tools work as a single, reliable mechanism.

Automation increases efficiency, but requires experience

Implementing automation through the right software for an online store gives the owner undeniable advantages:

• reduced order processing time and errors;
• accurate inventory tracking and automatic return scenarios;
• unified analytics for decision making.

But without competent logic and testing, these opportunities remain on paper—payments may not match orders, statuses will become out of sync, and customers will receive conflicting notifications. So it is important to understand all of this well and have implementation experience.

Software integration is not just a matter of “plug and play”; professional service is important

Most often, careful configuration of the following links is required:

• CRM and ERP for customer management and inventory accounting;
• payment gateways (LiqPay, Fondy, Stripe, PayPal) for correct calculations;
• marketplaces (Rozetka, Wildberries, Ozon, Prom.ua) for catalog and order synchronization;
• delivery services (Nova Poshta, DHL, FedEx) for tracking and shipment statuses.

Without this, you risk getting out-of-sync statuses, duplicate or lost orders, and, as a result, loss of customers and revenue. That is why integrations require professional development and end-to-end testing.

What a professional team does and why it is important

The KISS Software team offers solutions for the following requests:

• selection and configuration of software for business processes – so that the system solves your problems, not the other way around;
• integration development and scenario testing – so that data flows correctly between all systems;
• SEO and analytics with practical tasks – not just reports, but traffic and conversion growth;
• development of e-commerce websites and turnkey automation – so that scaling takes place without failures;
• team training and regulations – so that the implementation continues to work months later.

We always focus on practical results: not pretty dashboards, but stable processes that work on peak days.

Conclusion

Automating an online store is not a luxury, but a working necessity: properly designed tools eliminate routine tasks, reduce errors, and make growth predictable. With good software, you not only save time, but also gain control over orders, an accurate picture of stock levels, and clear metrics for decision-making.

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll gain with the right approach:

• Faster order processing and fewer errors
• End-to-end traffic and conversion analytics
• Marketing and SEO optimization based on real data
• Improved customer experience and increased loyalty

We have shown you the top 5 practical tools that cover these tasks. If you want to get a working implementation plan instead of guessing, the KISS Software team led by Yevhen Kasyanenko will help you select a stack, configure integrations, and debug processes. Leave a request for a consultation—together we will turn chaos into stable growth.