Best ecommerce platform for small business
Choosing the best eCommerce platform for a small business can make or break the online side of your business. With the rise in online shopping, the right platform can help small business owners streamline operations, connect with customers, and grow sales.
But with so many options out there—each boasting unique features, pricing plans, and tools—figuring out which platform best fits your needs can feel overwhelming.
To make the choice easier, we’ll break down the seven best eCommerce platforms tailored specifically for small businesses. We’ll look at ease of use, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and key features that can boost your online store’s performance and profitability.
Table of Contents
- Shopify
- Wix eCommerce
- BigCommerce
- WooCommerce
- Squarespace
- Ecwid
- Square Online
1. Shopify
Shopify consistently ranks as one of the top choices for small businesses entering the world of eCommerce. Known for its simple setup and powerful integrations, Shopify offers everything a business owner needs to build, customize, and manage an online store without needing to know a single line of code.
Key Features
Easy-to-Use Interface: Shopify’s drag-and-drop editor and clean, intuitive dashboard simplify the setup process.
App Store Integration: With over 6,000 apps, Shopify offers plugins to enhance every part of the shopping experience, from marketing to customer service.
Payment Gateway Support: Shopify supports 100+ payment options, including its own Shopify Payments, which removes extra transaction fees.
Pricing
Starting at $29/month for the Basic plan, Shopify isn’t the cheapest, but it provides excellent value for small businesses looking for scalability and a robust feature set. Additionally, Shopify has a 3-day free trial, letting you test the waters before committing.
Why Shopify?
If you want a solid, hassle-free platform that grows with you as your business scales, Shopify is an excellent choice. It’s ideal for beginners and has features that make it equally powerful for businesses with bigger aspirations.
2. Wix eCommerce
Wix is best known for its user-friendly website builder, and its eCommerce platform follows suit. With a strong emphasis on design flexibility, Wix eCommerce is perfect for small business owners who want complete control over the look and feel of their online store.
Key Features
Drag-and-Drop Customization: Wix lets you drag and drop elements anywhere, offering unmatched design freedom.
Mobile Optimization: All Wix stores are automatically mobile-friendly, which is crucial since over 50% of eCommerce traffic now comes from mobile devices.
Automated Marketing Tools: From email marketing to abandoned cart recovery, Wix has built-in tools to help you re-engage customers.
Pricing
Wix offers several pricing tiers, starting with the Business Basic plan at $16/month. While this plan has a lot to offer, it’s slightly less focused on advanced eCommerce features compared to Shopify or BigCommerce.
Why Wix?
If you’re looking for creative control and unique, eye-catching designs for your brand, Wix is a perfect match. It’s especially appealing for artists, designers, and brands that want to stand out with custom visuals.
3. BigCommerce
BigCommerce caters to small businesses with plans to scale up in the near future. This platform offers a variety of powerful tools that handle high volumes of products and sales, making it a strong choice if you’re aiming for rapid growth.
Key Features
Built-In SEO and Marketing Tools: BigCommerce is particularly strong in SEO capabilities, making it easier to rank higher in search engines.
Flexible API: BigCommerce’s open API enables seamless integrations with various applications and services, ensuring flexibility as you grow.
No Transaction Fees: Unlike many other platforms, BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees, which can be a big plus for higher-volume businesses.
Pricing
Starting at $29/month, BigCommerce’s Standard Plan provides many features, but the cost increases significantly as you scale.
That said, it remains a worthwhile investment for businesses with serious growth plans.
Why BigCommerce?
If you’re thinking long-term and expect to expand your business, BigCommerce’s advanced tools and robust backend make it a suitable choice.
4. WooCommerce
WooCommerce, a free WordPress plugin, is widely used by small business owners who already have a WordPress website and want to add eCommerce functionality without switching platforms.
Key Features
WordPress Integration: WooCommerce integrates seamlessly with WordPress, giving you complete control over your site’s design and functionality.
Highly Customizable: WooCommerce’s open-source nature allows you to tailor almost every aspect of your store.
Wide Range of Extensions: With plugins for everything from payment gateways to inventory management, WooCommerce is highly adaptable.
Pricing
While WooCommerce itself is free, costs can add up with premium plugins and themes. It’s ideal if you’re familiar with WordPress and are looking for a cost-effective, flexible option.
Why WooCommerce?
For businesses with an existing WordPress presence, WooCommerce is a natural and affordable choice that blends well with the WordPress ecosystem.
5. Squarespace
Squarespace’s eCommerce platform is geared towards businesses that value simplicity and aesthetics. Known for its beautiful templates, Squarespace is an excellent choice for creatives or lifestyle brands that want a visually appealing online store.
Key Features
Award-Winning Design: Squarespace’s professionally designed templates offer a polished, modern look.
Built-In Marketing Tools: Email marketing, social media integration, and blogging tools are seamlessly integrated.
Integrated eCommerce Features: Squarespace includes features for inventory management, product listings, and discounts right out of the box.
Pricing
Squarespace starts at $23/month for the Business plan, making it a budget-friendly option for small businesses. However, for full eCommerce functionality, you’ll need to opt for the $27/month Basic Commerce plan.
Why Squarespace?
Squarespace is ideal if you’re looking for a no-fuss setup that looks great without extensive customization. It’s particularly appealing to small businesses focused on brand image.
6. Ecwid
Ecwid is unique in that it lets you add eCommerce functionality to an existing website, making it perfect for businesses that already have an established online presence but want to add a store without changing platforms.
Key Features
Flexible Integration: Ecwid can embed seamlessly on multiple platforms, including WordPress, Wix, and even social media.
Multi-Channel Selling: You can sell on Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon directly from your Ecwid dashboard.
Free Plan Available: Ecwid’s free plan includes basic eCommerce features, ideal for testing before committing to a paid option.
Pricing
Ecwid’s pricing starts at $21/month for the Venture plan, and it even offers a limited free version. This makes it one of the most affordable options for small businesses that just need basic eCommerce functionality.
Why Ecwid?
Ecwid is a go-to choice for businesses that need to add eCommerce without building a brand-new website. Its low cost and flexible integration are perfect for small businesses on a tight budget.
7. Square Online
Square Online is tailored for small business owners who primarily sell in-person but want an easy way to expand online. Built by Square, the payment processor, it seamlessly integrates with Square’s POS system, making it easy to manage sales across both online and offline channels.
Key Features
Seamless POS Integration: Syncs effortlessly with Square’s POS system, making it easy to manage inventory and sales across platforms.
Free Online Store Option: Square Online offers a basic free plan, which includes essential features like order management and mobile optimization.
Automatic Inventory Management: Track stock in real time as you sell both in-store and online, saving time and reducing errors.
Pricing
Square Online has a free plan with limited features, and the paid plans start at $29/month for the Plus plan.
Why Square Online?
If you’re a brick-and-mortar store looking to establish an online presence, Square Online is one of the best choices, offering affordability and ease of use for first-time online sellers.