If you’re about to start your e-commerce journey, you might be asking yourself, “What platform do I choose?” You’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re looking for the cheapest e-commerce platform, or trying to find the best online store platform for a small business, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the best e-commerce platforms for beginners, small businesses, and even clothing stores.
The digital landscape has given entrepreneurs endless opportunities, and e-commerce is at the forefront. But before you start daydreaming about six-figure sales and retiring on a beach, you need to figure out one key detail—choosing the right e-commerce platform. And trust me, this is no small feat.
With hundreds of options out there, the choice can feel overwhelming. Should you go with a big name like Shopify or experiment with new options like Shift4Shop? What’s the cheapest e-commerce platform? And, hold on—is Amazon an e-commerce platform you can use? Don’t worry; I’ve done the hard work of scouring the internet for you and created the ultimate e-commerce platforms list.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the top 10 e-commerce websites and platforms, with sections dedicated to different types of businesses and budgets. Whether you’re just starting or ready to scale to a global brand, you’ll find a solution that fits.
Let’s get started with our first question…
What Makes a Great E-commerce Platform?
When you’re looking for the best e-commerce platform for your business, you’re likely comparing features, prices, ease of use, and more. But what exactly makes a platform stand out in a crowded digital marketplace? Let’s break down the must-have elements:
Easy Store Setup
You’re here to sell, not become a professional web designer! The best e-commerce platforms for beginners should make it super simple to set up your store. Look for platforms that offer drag-and-drop builders, pre-designed templates, and straightforward navigation. You don’t want to spend weeks (or worse, months) trying to figure out how to upload product listings.
Mobile Optimization
In 2024, if your e-commerce platform isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re missing out on a huge chunk of potential sales. Google loves mobile-friendly websites, and so do customers who are more likely to shop on their phones. The best e-commerce platforms automatically adjust for mobile, allowing customers to browse and buy with ease.
Scalability
One day you’ll grow, and when you do, you need an e-commerce platform that grows with you. Platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce are fantastic for scaling, but even smaller options like Wix or Weebly can accommodate growth with add-ons and plugins. The best online store platforms for small business won’t penalize you for success—they’ll encourage it.
SEO-Friendly
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the backbone of online visibility. The best e-commerce platforms help you optimize your store for search engines, ensuring that your products rank higher in Google. Look for features like built-in blogging, meta tag editing, and fast-loading speeds.
Integrated Payment Systems
If you’ve got customers ready to buy, the last thing you want is to make the payment process difficult. Look for a platform that integrates smoothly with popular payment methods like PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay. Bonus points if they offer their own processing services, keeping everything in one place.
Shopify: The King of E-Commerce Platforms
Shopify is often hailed as the king of e-commerce, and for good reason. It’s one of the best online store platforms for small business, offering unmatched scalability, ease of use, and tons of customization options. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced entrepreneur, Shopify has something to offer.
Why Shopify Stands Out
Shopify’s key strength lies in its flexibility. From mom-and-pop shops to massive retailers, this platform has a plan for everyone. With a user-friendly interface and the largest selection of third-party apps, Shopify allows you to customize every aspect of your online store.
Shopify’s Pricing: Not the Cheapest, But Worth It
Shopify isn’t the cheapest e-commerce platform, but you definitely get what you pay for. Plans start at around $29 per month, with advanced options scaling up to $299 per month. However, the value lies in the quality of tools, the extensive app marketplace, and the platform’s ability to grow with your business.
Shopify for Beginners: Smooth Sailing
For beginners, Shopify offers guided tutorials and 24/7 support. You don’t have to worry about learning code or managing your own hosting. Everything is built-in and ready to go, making it one of the best e-commerce platforms for beginners.
SEO Capabilities
If SEO is high on your list, Shopify is a great choice. It’s built with SEO-friendly features, including customizable H1, title, and meta tags, plus it supports clean URLs. Shopify stores load quickly, which also helps with your Google rankings.
BigCommerce: Shopify’s Biggest Rival
Another heavyweight on the e-commerce platforms list is BigCommerce. Like Shopify, BigCommerce offers robust features that cater to all kinds of businesses, but it shines in its affordability when you need more advanced options.
BigCommerce: What Makes It Unique?
BigCommerce excels in providing built-in features, meaning you won’t need to rely heavily on third-party apps (unlike Shopify). If you’re looking to save on extra costs while still getting powerful tools, this could be the best e-commerce platform for your business.
Pricing: Bang for Your Buck
BigCommerce starts at $29.95 per month, similar to Shopify, but what sets it apart is the value it offers in higher-tier plans. Their Pro plan ($299.95 per month) offers advanced features like Google customer reviews and abandoned cart saver without additional app fees.
BigCommerce for Clothing Stores
Are you running a clothing business? BigCommerce is one of the best e-commerce platforms for clothing. It has built-in features for product variants, inventory management, and integrates with popular fashion marketplaces like Amazon (yes, Amazon is an e-commerce platform!).
Wix: The Best E-commerce Platform for Beginners
When it comes to the easiest, most beginner-friendly platform, Wix consistently earns rave reviews. It’s particularly suited for individuals who want a beautiful online store without the hassle of learning technical jargon.
Wix: Simplicity at Its Best
Wix’s drag-and-drop builder makes creating an online store a breeze. If you can use Microsoft Word, you can use Wix. It’s also highly customizable, offering templates specifically designed for online stores.
Pricing: Perfect for Budget-Conscious Entrepreneurs
Wix offers one of the cheapest e-commerce platform options, with plans starting at just $23 per month. It’s an excellent choice if you’re just starting out or if you’re a small business owner working with a tight budget.
Wix for Small Businesses
Wix is one of the best online store platforms for small businesses. Its intuitive design and affordable pricing make it easy to launch your store, with a built-in payment processor and SEO tools that help your products rank.
Square Online: A Hidden Gem for Small Business
While Square is best known for its payment processing systems, its e-commerce platform—Square Online—is a hidden gem for small businesses. The best part? If you’re already using Square’s payment system, the integration is seamless.
Square Online’s Strengths
Square Online is ideal for brick-and-mortar stores looking to expand into e-commerce. It allows you to sync your online and offline sales, manage inventory, and view analytics—all from one dashboard.
Square’s Pricing: Free and Paid Options
If you’re looking for the cheapest e-commerce platform, Square Online has a free plan! Yes, you heard that right. Of course, you’ll have to deal with a Square-branded domain, but it’s perfect for testing the waters without spending a dime.
Weebly: A Budget-Friendly Contender
Weebly is another fantastic platform for small businesses or individuals looking for a budget-friendly e-commerce solution. Known for its simplicity, Weebly offers just enough tools to get your online store up and running quickly.
Pricing and Features
Starting at just $12 per month, Weebly is among the cheapest e-commerce platforms on this list. You’ll get basic SEO tools, mobile-responsive themes, and the ability to sell digital products—all at a price that won’t break the bank.
WooCommerce: The WordPress Powerhouse
If you’re already familiar with WordPress, WooCommerce is the best e-commerce platform for you. Built as a plugin for WordPress, WooCommerce transforms any website into a powerful online store.
Why WooCommerce is a Top Choice
WooCommerce offers endless customization options, thanks to the thousands of WordPress plugins that integrate with it. It’s a highly scalable solution, making it a great choice for both small and large businesses.
SEO Benefits of WooCommerce
WordPress is a dream for SEO, and WooCommerce benefits from this directly. You’ll have full control over your meta tags, URLs, and product descriptions, making it easier to optimize your store for search engines.
Shift4Shop: The Underdog You Shouldn’t Overlook
Formerly known as 3dcart, Shift4Shop has quietly evolved into one of the best e-commerce platforms for small businesses. Offering many features for free that competitors charge for, Shift4Shop is a cost-effective solution for new businesses.
Free for U.S. Merchants
U.S.-based merchants using Shift4Shop for payment processing can get the platform entirely for free. You’ll have access to all the premium features, including SEO tools, unlimited product listings, and no monthly fee.
Magento: Best for Larger Enterprises
Magento is a powerful open-source e-commerce platform that’s ideal for larger enterprises or businesses looking for complete control over their online store. While it requires more technical knowledge, it offers unparalleled customization.
The Ultimate in Flexibility
With Magento, you can customize your store to your heart’s content. From bespoke design to complex product configurations, Magento is the best e-commerce platform for businesses with unique needs.
Amazon: Is It an E-Commerce Platform?
Yes, Amazon is an e-commerce platform—and the largest one at that! Many businesses, both big and small, use Amazon as their primary selling channel. If you want to tap into an enormous global audience, listing your products on Amazon is a great option.
Should You Rely Solely on Amazon?
While Amazon offers massive exposure, it’s risky to rely solely on it. You don’t own the customer data, and Amazon can change its policies at any time. However, it’s an excellent complement to a standalone e-commerce site.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to e-commerce platforms. Whether you’re looking for the cheapest e-commerce platform or the best e-commerce platform for clothing, your choice depends on your business’s unique needs.
From Shopify’s unbeatable scalability to Wix’s user-friendly interface, you’re bound to find the perfect match. As long as you consider the key factors—pricing, ease of use, SEO capabilities, and scalability—you’ll be on your way to e-commerce success.
