The way we shop has changed forever. In 2025, online retail is a huge part of everyday life. Having a strong online store is a must for any business wanting to win. Customers expect quick service, easy shopping, and a slick website. New tech and fresh ideas keep shaking up the game.
Picking the right online selling platform can feel tough. There are so many choices out there. Choose poorly, and your business might struggle. You could miss chances to grow your sales. This guide is here to help you sort through the best options. We will make your choice much clearer.
We will look at each top platform closely. We'll check things like how easy they are to use and how much they cost. We'll also see if they can grow with your business. Get ready for real tips and clear ideas. You'll soon know which platform is your best fit.
Table of Contents
Shopify is the world's leading ecommerce platform. With affordable plans, beautiful designs, and powerful selling features, Shopify is the easiest, most reliable way to start an online store.
Use Shopify Magic to streamline your store design process and create landing pages and product listings, then tap Sidekick as your always-on business consultant.
Customize your store with more than 8,000 plug-ins and extensions and process payments without needing other services. Shopify also takes care of website hosting and security for you.
Shopify is a platform that supports a variety of business journeys, with a single admin to manage your entire business, optimize your store, sell on social media, or explore popular retail models like dropshipping.
With Shopify, you can start a business from home and grow until you're an international brand with physical storefronts (you wouldn't be the first Shopify merchant to do so).
Shopify offers a user-friendly store builder with more than 100 no-code themes. You get unlimited product listings and a built-in AI assistant to help with store designs and product descriptions. The platform supports selling through your website, social media, marketplaces, wholesale, and in-person with Shopify POS. All plans include a native payment provider, but you can also use third-party options. Shopify's checkout is highly customizable and includes features like abandoned cart recovery and express checkout.
Shopify offers a wide range of plans to support businesses of all sizes:
Try Shopify with a free trial, no credit card required. Enjoy three days free to explore the platform, then build your business for $1 per month for the first three months.
BigCommerce is a robust platform built for businesses ready to expand. It offers many tools right out of the box, making it perfect for companies with big growth plans. Often, it attracts businesses who know exactly what features they need.
BigCommerce targets mid-sized companies and large businesses. This includes those selling to other businesses (B2B merchants). They get a lot of power built into one system. It's ideal for those seeking an all-in-one, enterprise-level solution.
BigCommerce provides powerful tools for product management, with advanced options for sizes, colors, and custom options. It also has strong built-in SEO and marketing features. A key benefit is that it charges no extra transaction fees. The platform makes it easy to sell across different channels and offers open access for developers, allowing for extensive customization and integrations with other business software. BigCommerce also supports "headless commerce" for flexible, custom setups.
BigCommerce has different plans that are priced based on your business's annual revenue.
BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial.
WooCommerce is a powerful add-on for WordPress websites. If you already use WordPress, or want total control, this is a top pick. It gives you unmatched freedom for your online store, allowing you to decide how everything works.
This platform is great for people comfortable with WordPress. It’s also open-source, which means it’s free to use. This gives you many ways to change and shape your store. It's an excellent choice for those who want a highly customized, scalable online store and are willing to handle the technical aspects themselves.
WooCommerce offers unmatched flexibility. You can use countless themes and extensions to change almost anything, from product pages to the checkout process. The core plugin gives you unlimited product listings, inventory management, and configurable shipping. You also get access to the vast WordPress ecosystem, with plugins for everything from customer reviews to shipping calculators.
The WooCommerce plugin itself costs nothing. However, you will pay for other things. This includes web hosting ($48–$540+/year), your website name ($7–$79+/year), and often premium themes ($49–$99+/year). You might also need paid extensions for special features. Transaction fees depend on your chosen payment gateway, with WooCommerce Payments charging 2.9% + $0.30 per US transaction.
You need to know how to use and maintain a WordPress site. This involves updates and keeping your site secure. This kind of control takes a bit more effort.
Wix has come a long way with its online store tools. It's a platform focused on being easy to use. Small to medium businesses love its simple approach. It helps them get online without any fuss.
This platform is perfect for small shops, artists, or freelancers. If you want a great-looking site that's easy to handle, Wix is a solid choice. It puts visual design at the forefront and offers an excellent all-in-one solution for those who prioritize ease of use and design.
Wix provides a simple, drag-and-drop builder with many professional-looking designs. It includes built-in marketing tools for email newsletters and discounts. You can use Wix Payments to accept money directly or choose from other options. The platform allows you to manage inventory, track orders, and even offer online bookings. Its app market lets you add more features to your site, making it a great option for small businesses that need a user-friendly platform.
Wix offers different plans for selling online, with the Core plan being the cheapest to get started with ecommerce.
Wix also has an Enterprise plan with custom pricing. All plans include a free custom domain for one year and a free SSL certificate. Transaction fees are 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction with Wix Payments. You can try out the platform with their free trial.
Squarespace is the go-to platform for businesses focused on looks. It helps you create a stunning online presence. This platform is all about beautiful design. It's perfect if you want your store to look high-end.
This choice works best for artists, designers, and photographers. Any brand with a clear visual style will love Squarespace. Their templates win awards for their style. It is ideal for those who value aesthetics and want an all-in-one platform for selling products and showcasing their creative work.
Squarespace makes it easy for creative people to build a shop with no tech expertise required. It offers all the essential shop features, including product pages and a simple checkout. You get built-in marketing tools and easy social media integration. The platform's strong focus on visuals makes it perfect for showcasing products with high-quality photos. It also includes excellent blogging and portfolio tools, making it a comprehensive solution for visual brands.
Squarespace offers different pricing plans. Their commerce plans include selling tools, and there are no transaction fees on these plans.
The Basic plan for personal sites costs $16/month but has a 3% transaction fee for commerce. All plans are cheaper when paid annually and include a free custom domain for the first year. You can start with a 14-day free trial.
Assessing Your Business Needs
Before picking a platform, look at your own business. How much money can you spend on setup and monthly fees? Think about any extra costs, like transaction fees. Who on your team can handle the tech side?
Consider how big you want your business to get. Does the platform need to grow with you? What types of products will you sell? Make a list of all your must-have features. This makes comparing platforms much easier.
Evaluating Platform Features and Integrations
Think about what's more important: an easy-to-use system or one you can change a lot. Check if the platform has tools for marketing, SEO, and tracking your sales. Will it work with your current software? An ecommerce consultant once said, "Prioritize features that directly help your sales goals." Choose wisely.
Understanding Support and Community
Good help matters when you hit a snag. Do they offer support 24/7? Can you get help through chat, email, or phone? Look for good guides and how-to videos. A strong community or group of developers can also be a big help. They can offer advice or custom solutions when you need them.
Conclusion
Picking your platform means thinking about your budget and tech skills. Your future growth, specific needs, and design tastes are also key. Don't rush this choice. Take your time to look closely at each option. Try out their free trials if you can. Find the platform that truly fits your business now and for years to come.
Q1. What are e-commerce platforms?
Ans. E-commerce platforms are software that helps businesses build and manage an online store. They provide all the essential tools for selling products and services, such as website templates, inventory management, secure payment processing, and marketing features.
Q2. Which platform is best for ecommerce?
Ans. Choosing the best e-commerce platform depends on your needs. Shopify is the top all-in-one solution for any business, while BigCommerce is best for fast-growing stores needing advanced features. For those wanting full control and using WordPress, WooCommerce is ideal. Creatives and small businesses focused on design and simplicity should consider Wix or Squarespace.
Q3. What is the most used ecommerce platform in the US?
Ans. Shopify is the most widely used ecommerce platform in the United States, holding the largest market share. It's popular with a wide range of businesses, from small startups to major brands.
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