Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or a budding entrepreneur, using the best e-commerce platform is critical for success.
That’s why we’ve selected and reviewed the best e-commerce solutions to build a high-converting website and increase your online sales.
This review provides everything you need to make an informed decision, including unique features, pros and cons, and pricing.
Discover the platform that perfectly aligns with your business goals, simplifies online sales management, and propels your online empire to new heights!
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Why Do You Need an E-Commerce Platform? Can’t You Just Sell on Your Existing Website?
Why do you need an e-commerce platform and can’t you just use your existing business’ website to sell your product or service?
While you can definitely use your existing website to facilitate online sales, there are some distinct advantages to using an e-commerce platform instead.
This comes down to the fact that business websites that were not purpose-built for e-commerce generally utilize platforms like WordPress or SquareSpace, which are content management system or CMS-based.
E-Commerce Platforms vs. Content Management Systems (CMS): What’s the Difference?
CMS-based platforms are primarily designed for the management and display of content—images, video, and text.
They can accommodate some basic online shopping functions but that is not what they’re designed for. As your online sales related needs expand, you will need to hire a web developer for the more advanced e-commerce features you’ll need.
E-commerce platforms, on the other hand, are purpose-built for websites that aim to facilitate online sales.
They’re designed to handle complex and interrelated online shopping functions, including payments, inventory management, shipping, and order tracking.
Many of the essential functions you need as an online merchant are built into the platforms, providing you and your customers with a seamless experience.
Top 10 E-Commerce Platforms to Level Up Your Online Sales
Below is our curated list of the leading e-store platforms for businesses of all sizes, offering a range of features, pricing points, and industry-specific solutions:
1.Shopify
Shopify is currently one of the top e-commerce platforms available and empowers businesses of all sizes to create and manage online stores with ease.
It offers a comprehensive, user-friendly solution that handles everything from website design to payment processing, inventory management, and marketing tools.
Shopify’s massive app store is brimming with third-party integrations. Need a loyalty program? A better shipping solution? A marketing automation tool? Chances are, there’s an app for that!
Its scalability, robust feature set, extensive app ecosystem and its integrations with multiple sales channels and powerful analytics have cemented its position.
Key Features
Easy integration with social media channels, email marketing tools, CRM systems, and you can reach customers across multiple touchpoints.
Built-in analytics provide deep insights into your store’s performance, customer behavior, and key metrics like total sales, customer acquisition, and conversion rate, helping you make data-driven decisions.
Mobile responsive themes for a consistent and user-friendly shopping experience across devices, which can significantly improve conversion rates.
Comprehensive payment options from global leaders like PayPal and Stripe to region-specific gateways, reducing cart abandonment and enhancing customer experience.
SEO friendly with wide range of tools to improve search engine rankings.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Easy to use with a user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop tools for simple set up and customization.
Suitable for a wide range of business types, from physical retail to digital products, and services.
Reliable 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat.
Comprehensive payment integrations, with a wide range of big and small payment providers.
SEO and marketing features with built-in SEO optimization and marketing tools to drive traffic and sales.
Cons:
Pricing can be expensive with monthly subscription and transaction fees, which can add up, especially for smaller businesses.
Limited customization, while Shopify offers design flexibility, extensive customization may require coding knowledge or additional paid apps.
No email hosting so users must set up email separately.
Shopify Pricing
Free Trial: 14 days
Basic – for solopreneurs: $25 per month
Shopify – for small teams: $65 per month
Advanced – for growing teams: $399 per month
Plus – for more complex businesses: $2300 per month
Get a 25% discount on the fees above if you pay annually
WooCommerce is a dynamic e-commerce solution built on WordPress that allows merchants to develop and customize their online stores.
It is highly flexible, with over 800 extensions and 80+ themes to add advanced functionality and design customizations.
This adaptability, combined with its integration with WordPress, has made WooCommerce one of the most popular e-commerce platforms globally, with 3.6 million online stores and 31% of the top 1 million e-commerce sites.
Its extensive community of developers and users ensures ongoing support and regular updates, making it a reliable choice for businesses of all sizes.
Overall, WooCommerce is a powerful and flexible platform for online stores. However, carefully consider the need for technical expertise and potential ongoing costs to determine if it aligns with your business model.
Key Features
Product management to sell physical, digital, and even subscription-based products with easy inventory management and customer reviews.
Supports multiple payment options, including major credit cards, guest checkout, and integrations with payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal.
Flexible shipping options based on location, weight, or cart value.
Marketing and promotion features, including built-in coupons and discounts and the SEO benefits of using WordPress to drive traffic.
Open Source e-commerce platform, so you can access and modify the code for ultimate control and flexibility.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
WooCommerce itself is free to download and use, which makes it a great option for startups or businesses on a budget.
Highly customizable as it’s built on WordPress and offers many themes and plugins to personalize your store’s look and functionality.
Scalable so you can grow with your business, with various features and functionality through plugins to improve functionality as your store grows.
Large and active community with extensive online resources, tutorials, and forums for troubleshooting and support.
Cons:
Hidden costs can arise from things like web hosting, domain name, and potentially premium plugins.
Security concerns if maintenance and security updates to stay protected from vulnerabilities are not done.
Some technical knowledge of WordPress required to set up and manage the store.
WooCommerce Pricing
Free: Core WooCommerce plugin is completely free, with free themes and plugins
Web Hosting: Prices vary depending on provider and features but expect to pay around $120 per year
Domain Name: Approximately $15 on average but can be more depending on the registrar and domain name
Premium Themes: Typically cost $20 to $100 annually
Premium Plugins: Range from one-time fees to annual subscriptions
Payment Gateway Transaction Fees: Approximately 2.9% + $0.30 per sale on average
Premium Security Plugins: Range from approximately $60 to $239 per year
Big Commerce is a user-friendly, subscription-based platform that allows businesses to set up and manage online stores.
It caters to businesses of all sizes and offers features like product management, marketing tools, and built-in SEO.
BigCommerce is a good fit for entrepreneurs and businesses who want a powerful, customizable platform without the hassle of managing their own web server.
It’s also suitable for growing businesses needing a scalable solution to increase sales volume.
Key Features
Secure and reliable with enterprise-grade security features and minimal downtime.
Extensive integrations with third-party apps and extensions, extending its functionality.
Built-in marketing tools like coupons, email marketing, and SEO features.
Add-on B2B features such as customer groups, price lists, and quote management (may cost extra).
Multi-channel selling across multiple channels like marketplaces and social media.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Easy to use with a clean, user-friendly interface, making it manageable for those without coding experience.
No transaction fees in addition to your monthly plan.
Built-in scalability with the platform automatically scaling functionality to accommodate business growth.
Strong customer support, including phone, chat, and a knowledge base.
Cons:
Limited customization within themes and any extensive customization might require coding knowledge.
Pricing plans are higher than many more basic website builders, especially for larger stores.
Additional costs for add-on B2B features, like customer groups and quote management.
Big Commerce Pricing
Free Trial: 15 days
Standard Plan: From $39 per month, billed annually. Suitable for startups and small businesses.
Plus Plan: $79 per month, billed annually. Ideal for growing businesses needing more advanced features.
Pro Plan: $399 per month, billed annually. Caters to large businesses with high sales volume.
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing based on your business needs. Caters to large enterprises requiring extensive features and customization.
Wix is a comprehensive online store platform that forms part of the broader Wix website builder ecosystem.
It offers users an all-in-one solution for creating and managing online stores without needing extensive technical knowledge.
The platform provides a host of customizable templates, a drag-and-drop editor, and built-in features for product management, payments, shipping, and marketing.
One of Wix e-commerce’s key strengths is its user-friendly interface, making it accessible for beginners while still offering advanced features for more experienced users.
It supports various product types, including physical goods, digital downloads, and services.
The platform also integrates with multiple payment gateways, provides tools for inventory management, and offers features like abandoned cart recovery and multilingual capabilities.
While it may not be as extendable as some open-source solutions, Wix’s seamless integration with other Wix features and continual updates make it a popular choice for small—to medium-sized businesses looking for a straightforward, hosted e-commerce solution.
Key Features
Customizable storefront with over 500 professional templates and a mobile-optimized storefront.
Product management for up to 50,000 physical, digital, and subscription products.
Various shipping options, including real-time shipping calculations, and integration with fulfillment services like Amazon and ShipBob.
Marketing tools include email marketing campaigns, Facebook ads, discount coupons, and social proof notifications.
Robust customer support system and the option to hire eCommerce experts.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Easy to use drag-and-drop interface to design and manage your online store without any coding knowledge.
Multichannel sales on various platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and eBay.
Supports over 50 secure payment gateways, including Wix Payments, PayPal, and Stripe.
Built-in SEO tools help improve your store’s visibility on search engines.
App integrations for over 300 apps to enhance your store’s functionality.
Cons:
Limited scalability and may not be suitable for very large stores with extensive inventory management needs.
Template lock-in means you cannot change the template once your store is live without rebuilding the site.
Storage limits on all plans, which might be restrictive for stores with large amounts of media.
Wix Pricing
Free Trial: 15 days
Business Basic: $27 per month. Basic features, secure online payments, and unlimited products.
Business Unlimited: $36 per month. All Business Basic features plus advanced shipping, subscriptions, and multiple currencies.
Business VIP: $59 per month. All Business Unlimited features plus priority support and VIP customer care.
Enterprise: $500 per month. Custom solutions for large-scale businesses, including dedicated support and advanced security.
Adobe Commerce, formerly known as Magento, is a powerful and flexible e-commerce platform designed to cater to businesses of all sizes.
It offers extensive customization options, making it ideal for creating tailored online stores that meet specific business needs. With support for both B2B and B2C models,
Adobe Commerce enables businesses to manage multiple brands and channels seamlessly.
The platform uses artificial intelligence to deliver personalized shopping experiences and product recommendations, enhancing customer engagement.
As a cloud-based solution, Adobe Commerce ensures high performance, security, and scalability.
Additionally, its integration with other Adobe products provides a comprehensive digital experience, making it a robust choice for businesses looking to scale and innovate in the e-commerce space.
Key Features
Mobile optimization for responsive design and mobile-friendly checkout.
Advanced marketing tools, including promotion features, customer segmentation, and personalization.
AI-powered capabilities from Adobe Sensei for personalized recommendations and intelligent merchandising.
Cloud deployment for improved performance and security.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Highly flexible and customizable to meet specific business needs.
Strong built-in B2B functionality for B2B e-commerce stores.
Multi-store capability to manage multiple stores from a single backend.
Seamless integrations with Adobe products and third-party systems.
Advanced features for marketing, personalization, and AI-powered tools.
Robust security features and regular updates.
Cons:
Significantly more expensive than many other e-commerce platforms.
Complexity of the platform can be challenging to set up and manage without technical expertise.
Steeper learning curve compared to more user-friendly platforms.
Overkill for small businesses with features and capabilities that may be excessive for smaller operations.
Dependence on developers as it often requires professional developers for customization and maintenance.
Adobe Commerce Pricing
Adobe Commerce Pro: Custom pricing
Managed Services: Custom pricing
Pricing is based on annual Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and Average Order Value (AOV)
Squarespace is a popular all-in-one website builder and online store hosting platform known for its sleek, modern design templates and user-friendly interface.
It caters to different kinds of users, from individuals to small businesses, offering tools to create websites, online stores, portfolios, and blogs without requiring coding knowledge.
The platform provides a drag-and-drop editor, allowing users to customize pre-designed templates easily.
Squarespace includes essential features like domain registration, hosting, SSL certificates, and mobile-optimized designs.
For e-commerce, it offers basic online store functionality, including product management, payment processing, and shipping tools.
Squarespace also integrates with various third-party apps for additional features, such as email marketing and social media.
While it may not be as flexible as some open-source alternatives, Squarespace’s strength lies in its ease of use, professional designs, and all-inclusive approach, making it an attractive option for those seeking a straightforward way to establish an online presence.
Key Features
Wide range of award-winning templates that are beautifully designed and customizable.
E-commerce capabilities include product management, inventory tracking, and secure checkout.
Built-in SEO features to help improve your website’s visibility on search engines.
Email marketing capabilities to help you reach and engage with your audience.
Mobile-responsive templates to ensure your site looks great on any device.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
User-friendly interface and drag-and-drop builder make it easy to create and customize websites without any coding knowledge.
Comprehensive analytics to track website performance and visitor behavior.
Built-in SEO features to help improve your site’s visibility on search engines.
Round-the-clock customer support via live chat and email.
Cons:
Limited customization as templates can be somewhat restrictive.
No free plan and only a 14-day free trial.
Pricing can be high compared to some other website builders, especially if you need advanced features.
No telephonic support but customer support is available 24/7 via other channels.
Squarespace Pricing
Personal Plan: $16 or $25 per month, billed annually.
Business Plan: $23 per month, billed annually.
Basic Commerce Plan: $40 per month, billed annually.
Advanced Commerce Plan: $52 per month, billed annually.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud, or SFCC, is an all-in-one solution for businesses seeking to dominate the e-commerce world.
This cloud-based platform provides business owners with the tools they need to not only build a beautiful online store, but also manage every aspect of the customer journey.
This platform offers a seamless shopping experience: customers can browse on their phone, initiate a purchase on a laptop, and pick up their order at a physical store. SFCC makes this a reality.
Beyond its omnichannel capabilities, SFCC boasts features powered by artificial intelligence. Salesforce personalizes each customer’s shopping experience, recommending products and tailoring store layouts based on preferences.
This, combined with functionalities for streamlined operations like inventory management and order fulfillment, empowers businesses to grow efficiently.
As a bonus, SFCC integrates seamlessly with other Salesforce products, giving you a complete picture of your customers across all touchpoints.
Key Features
AI-powered personalization using Salesforce’s Einstein AI to deliver personalized shopping experiences and product recommendations.
Mobile-first approach ensures a responsive and mobile-friendly shopping experience.
Order management for simplified order processing and fulfillment.
Easy scalability to accommodate growing business needs and seasonal spikes in traffic.
Detailed analytics to provide insights into customer behavior, sales performance, and more.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Integrates B2B, B2C, and B2B2C/D2C commerce on a single platform, providing a seamless experience.
Easily scales to accommodate growing business needs and seasonal spikes in traffic.
Comprehensive analytics and detailed insights into customer behavior, sales performance, and more.
Seamless integration with other Salesforce products, such as Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, and Marketing Cloud, for a unified customer experience.
Responsive and mobile-friendly shopping due to the platform’s mobile-first approach.
Cons:
Complexity of the platform means it may require a steep learning curve, especially for beginners.
Can be expensive, particularly for small businesses or startups.
Customization can be challenging and require additional development resources.
Lengthy set up time as fully integrating Salesforce Commerce Cloud can take considerable time and effort.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud Pricing
B2C Commerce: Custom pricing
B2B Commerce: Custom pricing
D2C Commerce: Custom pricing
Connected Commerce (for combined B2B and D2C): Custom pricing
OpenCart is a free and open-source e-commerce platform, making it a popular choice for entrepreneurs and small businesses to set up their online stores.
It boasts a user-friendly interface and doesn’t require any licensing fees, allowing users to download and update the software at no cost.
Despite being free, OpenCart offers robust features for managing your online store.
This includes adding and managing products, handling customers and orders, and even incorporating basic SEO tools to improve your store’s visibility in search engines. OpenCart’s real strength lies in its customizability.
Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or a complete beginner, OpenCart offers a scalable and cost-effective solution to build your online store.
Key Features
Unlimited products and categories for an unlimited number of physical and virtual products and categories.
Multi-store management to manage multiple stores from a single admin interface, each with its own theme, products, and settings.
User management with advanced user privileges and separate access for different user groups and roles.
Multi-currency and multi-language support, making it ideal for global businesses.
SEO optimization with built-in SEO tools to help improve your store’s visibility on search engines.
Wide range of payment gateways and shipping methods are available.
Built-in affiliate system where affiliates can promote products and earn commissions.
Discounts, coupons, and specials to attract customers and boost sales.
Backup and restore features to set up your own backups and restore data in case of emergencies.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Highly customizable due to being open-source, which allows for extensive customization to meet specific business needs.
Free plan for the basic platform, which can be a significant cost-saving advantage.
Wide range of integrations, including payment gateways and shipping methods.
Multi-store management to run multiple stores from a single admin interface.
Built-in SEO tools to help improve your store’s visibility on search engines. Large and supportive community offers active support
Wide range of extensions and plugins are available.
Cons:
Customization can be challenging to implement and advanced customizations require technical expertise.
Limited built-in marketing features and additional plugins or extensions may be needed for comprehensive marketing capabilities.
Performance issues, with some users reporting slower page loading times, which can affect user experience.
OpenCart Pricing
Free Forever Plan
Free Trial: 7 days for all paid plans
OpenCart Cloud Bronze: $59 per month. Suitable for small businesses, it includes basic support and essential features.
OpenCart Cloud Silver: $99 per month. It is best for small to medium-sized businesses and includes enhanced support and additional features.
OpenCart Cloud Gold: $199 per month. Ideal for larger enterprises, includes premium support, multiple stores, and advanced features.
Additional Fees: You can expect to pay various extra fees that may include certain hosting, themes, extensions or outsourced agency fees.
IONOS is a web hosting and cloud services provider headquartered in Germany. It offers a host of digital services, including domain registration, website builders, e-commerce solutions, and various hosting options for businesses and individuals.
Founded in 1988, IONOS has grown to become one of Europe’s largest hosting companies, with a significant presence in North America as well.
It provides user-friendly tools and services for customers with varying levels of technical expertise, from beginners to advanced developers.
The company emphasizes data security and customer support, operating numerous data centers across Europe and North America to ensure high performance and reliability for their clients’ websites and applications.
Key Features
Affordable hosting plans are budget-friendly, making it accessible for small and medium-sized businesses.
Unlimited storage and traffic allow your website to grow without worrying about hitting limits.
Automatic daily backups help protect your data and make it easy to restore your site if needed.
Mobile optimization ensures a seamless experience for visitors on smartphones and tablets.
Built-in SEO tools to help improve your website’s search engine ranking, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
Customizable templates to help you quickly create a professional-looking website.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Reliable performance with good site speed and high uptime
Free domain and SSL certificate on all plans, which enhances your website’s security and credibility.
24/7 customer support via phone, email, and chat, ensuring help is always available.
Many plans offer unlimited storage, allowing your website to grow without worrying about space limitations.
Cons:
Frequent upselling for additional services, which can be annoying for some users.
Dated control panel can feel outdated and unintuitive, which might be challenging for some users.
Only one free email account is included per plan, which might not be sufficient for larger teams.
Web.com offers an e-commerce solution as part of its suite of website building and online business solutions.
Its e-commerce offering is designed to be user-friendly, allowing small to medium-sized businesses to set up online stores without extensive technical knowledge.
Web.com provides essential online store features, including product catalog management, shopping cart functionality, and secure payment processing.
The e-commerce solution also includes basic marketing tools, mobile-responsive designs, and integration with popular shipping carriers.
However, compared to some dedicated e-commerce platforms, it may have limitations in terms of advanced features and scalability for larger businesses.
Key Features
Websites are optimized for mobile devices, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for customers on smartphones and tablets.
Built-in SEO tools help improve your website’s visibility on search engines, making it easier for potential customers to find your store.
Supports multiple payment gateways, including credit cards and PayPal, ensuring secure transactions for your customers.
Product management allows you to easily add, edit, and manage your product listings, including options for product variations and inventory tracking.
Includes various marketing tools such as email marketing, social media integration, and promotional discounts to help you attract and retain customers.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
User-friendly interface with an easy drag-and-drop website builder, making it accessible for users with little to no technical skills.
Advanced e-commerce features like marketplace selling, appointment scheduling, and shipping management, which are beneficial for running an online store.
Secure website hosting, ensuring your site is protected.
Free domain, which is a nice bonus for new businesses.
Round-the-clock customer support is available to help with any issues or questions.
Cons:
Limited functionality compared to other platforms, which might not meet the needs of more complex businesses.
Higher renewal costs, which might be a surprise for some users.
Lacks VPS and cloud hosting, which might be a limitation for businesses needing more robust hosting solutions.
Web.com Pricing
Website: $1.95 for the first month (renews at $19.99/month)
Website + Marketing: $3.95 for the first month (renews at $24.99/month)
eCommerce: $9.95 for the first month (renews at $34.99/month)
From Wix’s user-friendly simplicity to Salesforce Commerce Cloud’s enterprise-level power, there’s a solution for every need and budget.
As you embark on your e-commerce journey, remember that your chosen platform is just one piece of the puzzle. Your success will also depend on factors like your product offering, marketing strategy, customer service, and overall user experience.
Choose a platform that not only meets your current needs but also provides room for growth and innovation. With the right foundation in place, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the exciting and challenging world of online retail, turning your entrepreneurial vision into a thriving digital reality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes a b2b ecommerce platform from b2c-focused ones?
B2B ecommerce online shopping solutions differ from B2C-focused ones primarily in their ability to handle complex business relationships and transactions.
They typically offer features such as tiered pricing structures, volume discounts, and customer-specific pricing, as well as robust bulk ordering capabilities and reordering of previous purchases.
B2B platforms also tend to have more sophisticated account management features, allowing for multiple user accounts per company and customized approval workflows.
How can a e-commerce platform help with marketing automation?
An ecommerce platform can significantly enhance marketing automation efforts by integrating various tools and features that streamline and personalize customer interactions.
These platforms often include built-in email marketing capabilities, allowing businesses to automatically send targeted messages based on customer behavior, such as abandoned cart reminders or personalized product recommendations. They can segment customers based on purchasing history, browsing behavior, or demographics, enabling more precise targeting.
What is an open source e-commerce platform?
An open source e-commerce platform is a type of software for creating and managing online stores that has its source code freely available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute.
These solutions are typically developed and maintained by a community of volunteers and allow users to customize and extend the software's functionality to fit their specific needs.
Some popular examples include WooCommerce, OpenCart, and Joomla. Open source e-commerce platforms often offer greater flexibility and control compared to proprietary solutions, but may require more technical expertise to set up and maintain.
