Presence online is the key to success for small businesses today. Choosing the right ecommerce platform is one of the most important decisions a small business owner will ever make. The best ecommerce platforms for small businesses provide tools and features needed to create a seamless online store, drive sales, and enhance customer experience.
This tutorial will walk you through the most used ecommerce sites to date, comparing their features, ease of use, price, and scalability so that you can make the best-informed decision for your business.
1. Shopify: Best for Ease of Use and Scalability
Shopify is widely considered the best ecommerce platform for small business. It is an easy-to-use platform with many customizable templates, built-in payment processing, and features that make it simple to start and run an online store. As one of the best ecommerce platforms for small business, Shopify also offers scalability, where you can move up a plan as your business grows to have more features and support.
One of the highlights of Shopify is how easy it is to use. You do not have to be a tech genius in order to sell online. With its drag-and-drop store creator and 24/7 customer support team, Shopify is a perfect choice for beginning entrepreneurs.
Key Features:
- Wide variety of customizable templates
- Integrated payment processing (Shopify Payments)
- Mobile-optimized
- 24/7 customer support
- Scalable plans for growing businesses
Best for: Entrepreneurs looking for a reliable, easy-to-use ecommerce solution that can grow with their business.
2. WooCommerce: Best for WordPress Users
WooCommerce is great for small enterprises that already have WordPress. Being a WordPress plugin, it transforms your website into a fully functional online store, offering flexibility and a whole bunch of options to customize as you see fit. Being one of the leading ecommerce sites for small enterprises, WooCommerce is open source, so you fully own your store’s look and feel.
While less newbie-friendly than Shopify, WooCommerce is ideal for individuals who want to integrate ecommerce into a live WordPress website and have some technical knowledge. With thousands of plugins to choose from, you can customize your web store to suit your business needs.
Key Features:
- Seamless integration with WordPress
- Highly customizable with plugins
- Supports physical and digital products
- Flexible shipping and payment options
- Low cost (Free plugin with paid extensions)
Best for: Small businesses using WordPress that want flexibility and customization in their ecommerce store.
3. BigCommerce: Best for Growth and Advanced Features
BigCommerce offers a robust ecommerce platform for small companies with big ambitions. As one of the highest-rated ecommerce platforms for small companies, it’s known for its advanced features and offers everything you need to create and expand your online business. It also includes built-in SEO tools, product management, and marketing tools, and it’s fantastic for companies that need to scale quickly.
BigCommerce also works well with a variety of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net, making it easy to take payments from customers worldwide. It’s a great choice for businesses that see growth coming and need an ecommerce site with powerful tools.
Key Features:
- Built-in SEO tools and features
- Unlimited product variations and options
- Multi-channel selling (sell on Facebook, Amazon, etc.)
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- 24/7 support
Best for: Growing small businesses that need advanced features and scalability without the complexity of more enterprise-level platforms.
4. Wix eCommerce: Best for Simplicity and Affordability
If you need an ecommerce site that’s simple, affordable, and easy to set up, then Wix eCommerce is for you. One of theBest ecommerce platforms for small businesses, Wix allows you to build a professional-looking online store with its drag-and-drop website builder, which is perfect for those with no coding experience. Wix has several plans, so growing with your business is not an issue.
While it doesn’t have all the advanced features of Shopify or BigCommerce, Wix offers plenty of apps and integrations that can add functionality to your store. It also features a free plan, making it great for businesses with limited funds.
Key Features:
- Easy drag-and-drop builder
- Affordable pricing plans
- Mobile-optimized websites
- Built-in payment gateways
- Various integrations and apps
Best for: Small businesses looking for an affordable and user-friendly solution to start their ecommerce journey.
5. Squarespace: Best for Design and Aesthetics
For small businesses interested in building gorgeous-looking online stores, Squarespace is ideal. One of the Best ecommerce platforms for small businesses whose priority is design, Squarespace is renowned for its beautiful design templates, in which you can create a sleek, modern online shop that matches your company and merchandise. While it’s less feature-rich than Shopify or BigCommerce when it comes to ecommerce-specific features, it’s a great choice for business owners who value aesthetics and ease of use.
Squarespace provides everything you need to build an ecommerce site, including inventory management, secure checkout, and integrated payment processing. It also gives you a set of analytics so you can track performance and boost sales.
Key Features:
- Stunning, customizable templates
- Integrated payment processors
- Built-in SEO features
- Mobile-optimized websites
- Easy-to-use interface
Best for: Small businesses that prioritize design and want a simple, aesthetically pleasing online store.
6. Weebly: Best for Beginners with Limited Budgets
Weebly is the perfect solution for small business owners who want to start an online store in a rush and at a low cost. As one of the leading low-cost ecommerce platforms for small businesses, Weebly has a drag-and-drop editor that is easy to use and does not require technical skills. The platform also features a variety of ecommerce tools, including product management, inventory tracking, and customer administration tools.
While it does not offer as many of the bells and whistles of other platforms, Weebly is still a solid choice for new companies that need a cheap solution. It even offers a free plan, making it an ideal choice for cost-conscious entrepreneurs.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder
- Affordable pricing options
- Built-in ecommerce tools
- Mobile-optimized websites
- Free plan available
Best for: New businesses with limited budgets looking for a simple, no-frills ecommerce solution.
Choose the Best Ecommerce Platform for Your Small Business
Choosing Best ecommerce platforms for small businesses is based on your individual needs, technical expertise, and price. If you want a platform that has advanced features, ease of use, or great looks, there are solutions for every business.
- Shopify is perfect for businesses that want a simple, scalable solution.
- WooCommerce is ideal for WordPress users who need flexibility.
- BigCommerce is excellent for growing businesses with big plans.
- Wix eCommerce is affordable and easy for beginners.
- Squarespace is great for businesses that prioritize design.
- Weebly offers a simple, low-cost solution for new businesses.
Select the Best ecommerce platforms for small businesses that meets your personal goals and needs, and start creating your online store today! Whether you desire ease of use, customization, scalability, or affordability, choosing the correct platform is necessary to grow your online presence and maximize sales effectively.