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Top 10 Best Ecommerce Site Builders - Get up and Running in a Few Clicks

Dave Platt
Best Online Store Builders

There’s no question that the future of commerce is shifting to online. With our phones readily available every minute of the day, the ease of browsing, shopping, comparing, shipping, and even returning, are making online shopping just about everyone’s first choice today.

So, the question for any forward-thinking business owner becomes, how do I get online? That’s the easy part. There are thousands of Ecommerce website builders that you can find with a simple Google search. The hard part comes with choosing the right one for your business. A website builder has to be easy to use, offer the right combination of features, and all fit within your budget. A little daunted? Don’t be; here are 10 of the best Ecommerce site builders on the market for businesses with their eye on expansion in 2024.

Breaking Down our Top10 Choices: Which is Best For Your Needs:

  • Shopify - Best for trustability
  • Wix - Best for free features
  • GoDaddy - Best for simple management
  • Square - Best for fast setup
  • Squarespace - Best for professionals
  • Web.com - Best for ease of use
  • BigCommerce - Best for reliability
  • 1&1 IONOS - Best for scaling up
  • WooCommerce by Bluehost - Best for affordability
  • WordPress.com - Plenty of features at a reasonable price
Show more

A Closer Look at the Top 10 Ecommerce Website Builders

    1
    Shopify
    Shopify Best Ecommerce Builders
    All the right features in one placeVisit Site
    • Best for - SMBs, startups seeking advanced features
    • Price - From $29
    • Free trial - Yes, 3 months for $1/month on select plans
    All the right features in one place
    Visit Site

    Shopify might well be the most popular Ecommerce platform around today. It's easy to work with, has more features built-in than you'll know what to do with, and even supports multichannel selling and social media integration. Shopify has great features like inventory management and abandoned cart recovery. You can also use more than 100 payment gateways for worry-free transactions.

    The one downside to this versatile Ecommerce site builder is the transaction fee that gets charged for each transaction. You can skip this payment by using Shopify Payments, but if you are dedicated to your processor, expect to get charged. Shopify provides 24/7 support, 12,000 third-party apps to install, and more than 50 beautifully designed themes with an easy editor to give your website a customized look and feel.

    Read Shopify Review

    Shopify Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Industry-reputation for excellent features suite
    Extremely simple to use
    100+ payment gateways

    CONS

    Have to reformat content when switching templates
    Applies a transaction fee unless using Shopify Payments
    shopify logo
    Shopify
    Visit Site
    2
    Wix
    Wix Best Ecommerce Builders
    Free website builder with so much moreVisit Site
    • Best for - Fast, easy, and beautiful website design
    • Price - From $23
    • Free trial - 14 days
    Free website builder with so much more

    It's hard to not get excited about building your business when working with an Ecommerce site builder pro like Wix. It’s got all the right features in all the right places to make your online store boom. Hundreds of templates to choose from, a customized domain name, and an easy drag-and-drop editor really help kick things off nicely. All site designs are mobile responsive, so they look great on any device. Wix even has artificial design intelligence to help you tweak your site.

    There’s no doubt about it. Wix is probably the best option for ease of use, and user-friendly design and editing options. You can literally do it without any design knowledge whatsoever. But then Wix does even more. This website builder offers advanced features like blogs, SEO tools, and dropshipping with Modalyst.

    Read Wix Review

    Wix Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Easy design and edit tools for anyone
    Tons of features included in the price
    Rich product galleries

    CONS

    Locked into a template after launch
    So many choices can be daunting
    3
    GoDaddy
    Godaddy
    Ecommerce made easyVisit Site
    • Best for - Easy, all-in-one online stores
    • Price - From $25
    • Free trial - Yes
    Ecommerce made easy

    GoDaddy Website and Marketing is an easy-to-use website builder that you can start free and level up to a fully functioning online store that integrates seamlessly with the world's top marketplaces, such as Amazon and eBay.

    You can choose a template specific to your industry, design a custom store with no tech knowledge necessary, and integrate all the tools you need for a successful Ecommerce operation, like easy product uploads and inventory syncing across platforms, social media marketing content, SEO optimizations and more.

    Read GoDaddy Review

    GoDaddy Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Easy-to-use for novices
    Mobile-friendly and attractive templates
    Integrates with top marketplaces

    CONS

    No custom code additions
    Can't export content
    godaddy logo
    GoDaddy
    4
    Square
    Square
    Excellent free options available Visit Site
    • Best for - Domestic US businesses
    • Price - From $12 or free plan
    • Free trial - Yes
    Excellent free options available

    Square’s ecommerce service offers US and Canadian business owners a simple way to get their business up and running online. It offers an attractive payment model with a unique commision structure and a host of tools that makes it a competitive option for those looking for a balance between ease and professionalism.

    Building an online store with Square is easier than with some of its competitors. The templates are limited but the site builder offers a set of dynamic themes to choose from and services customized to restaurant, service, retail, and non-profit organizations. Users have access to Square’s full stack of tools and services, which includes its POS devices and simplified scheduling and inventory tools. For businesses operating in the US and Canada, Square offers an attractive model with a unique pricing structure and easy to use site builder that’s versatile and professional.

    Read Square Review

    Square Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Exceptional options included in the free plan
    Easy-to-create ecommerce sites
    Competitive pricing

    CONS

    Limited templates
    Not available for overseas orders
    5
    Squarespace
    SquareSpace Best Ecommerce Builders
    Seriously professional Ecommerce design toolVisit Site
    • Best for - Professional site design, top quality & tools
    • Price - From $12
    • Free trial - Yes
    Seriously professional Ecommerce design tool

    Squarespace is a smaller name, which is funny because, in our book, it's probably the best option for really professional Ecommerce building. The quality of design templates and built-in features make Squarespace stand out from the competition. And you can customize designs to your liking. There are also plenty of important features from this online store builder like inventory management and unlimited products, and video uploads included in your plan. While some Ecommerce services are cheaper, Squarespace provides a sleek, professional online store. You know exactly what you paid for.

    Squarespace is also a leader in marketing and promotion. Online stores can grow their business with social media integration tools, built-in SEO tools, and email marketing campaigns that you can set and forget. Design banners and create promotions to highlight and sell specific items, and check analytics even while you’re on the go with the Squarespace mobile app.


    Read Squarespace Review

    Squarespace Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Strong marketing tools, email campaigns, SEO, and more
    Most professional designs on the market
    Inventory management and abandoned cart recovery included

    CONS

    Shallow sub-navigation
    squarespace logo
    Squarespace
    6
    BigCommerce
    BigCommerce Best Ecommerce Builders
    Best in class Ecommerce builder tools & featuresVisit Site
    • Best for - Businesses seeking scalability
    • Price - From $29.95
    • Free trial - 15 days
    Best in class Ecommerce builder tools & features

    BigCommerce is one of the biggest and most reputable Ecommerce builders on the market today. This is because of the wide range of features, sales tools, and integrations available through its service. The easy-to-use system lets you quickly and efficiently set up an online store, sell products, and accept payments. BigCommerce also goes the extra mile, though, with tools that actually help improve your business. Things like analytics, SEO tools, and next-level shipping allow online stores to move products faster.

    While not all templates are responsive, most will work well on mobile devices. And with features like abandoned cart recovery, SSL security certificate, and the ability to sell on multiple channels like Amazon, Instagram, Facebook, and more, it’s worth testing out a few templates to reap the benefits of working with BigCommerce.

    Read BigCommerce Review

    BigCommerce Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Scales easily with your business growth
    Multichannel selling made easy
    Huge assortment of tools and features

    CONS

    Not all designs are responsive
    Tough learning curve at the beginning
    bigcommerce logo
    BigCommerce
    7
    1&1 IONOS
    1&1
    Space for up to 1 million products Visit Site
    • Best for - Users that want a quick Ecommerce site
    • Price - From $25 / month (Online Store tier)
    • Free trial - No
    Space for up to 1 million products

    If you’re looking for an Ecommerce website builder that combines the ease of drag and drop with the power to scale up to 1 million products, then IONOS’s tool might be what you’re looking for.

    There’s also online payment gateway support, included hosting, an SSL certification, and the ability to configure multilingual stores. One of its 3 tiers might be perfect for your online business.

    Read 1&1 IONOS Review

    1&1 IONOS Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Multilingual support
    Up to 1 million items
    SSL for security

    CONS

    No wish lists on bottom tier
    B2B only on top tier
    11-ionos logo
    1&1 IONOS
    8
    WooCommerce by Bluehost
    WooCommerce + Bluehost Best Ecommerce Builders
    Reliable, affordable WordPress site builderVisit Site
    • Best for - WordPress businesses
    • Price - From $19.99
    • Free trial - 30 days, 90-day money-back guarantee
    Reliable, affordable WordPress site builder

    When you sign up for Bluehost powered by WooCommerce, you really get the strength of 3 huge brands supporting your online store. WooCommerce is an open-source online shop builder specifically designed for WordPress sites, and it’s known for being simple to use while packing a powerful punch at the same time. BlueHost is an all-inclusive hosting service that gives you an SSL certificate, free domain name, and 1-click WordPress installation with every plan.

    So, you know you’re getting a powerful and reliable service with this dynamic duo. In terms of website design itself, WooCommerce is a great choice. It takes minutes to choose and design your site from one of the templates. Then you can configure your online store with the many extensions provided. Add your products, create coupon codes, and set up tax and payment rules to fit your shopping cart. The combo team isn’t as good for scaling up or down with your business, but if you’re looking for easy migration, intuitive setup, and lots of features, it’s just a more efficient, self-explanatory, and easy-to-use system than you’ve probably dealt with in the past.

    Read WooCommerce by Bluehost Review

    WooCommerce by Bluehost Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Get all your hosting requirements included
    1-click WordPress setup
    Unlimited bandwidth and storage

    CONS

    Not as scalable as other options
    Very WordPress-focused
    woocommerce-by-bluehost logo
    WooCommerce by Bluehost
    9
    WordPress.com
    Wordpress.com
    Drag-and-drop with real-time editingVisit Site
    • Best for - Plenty of features at a reasonable price
    • Price - Starting at $4.00 per month
    • Free trial - Yes
    Drag-and-drop with real-time editing

    Wordpress is one of the biggest and best content managment systems that goess well beyond simply managing content.

    If you're buildding an eCommerce site, Wordpress makes it easy - whether you want to build a site from scratch or use one of the compaines many pre-existing templates. Sites are mobile-frienbdly, easy to update and you can choose from muptiple plans.

    Read WordPress.com Review

    WordPress.com Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Customizable domain names
    Plenty of plans to choose from
    Exceptional customer support

    CONS

    May experience bugs when migrating to other systems
    Some techincal knowledge is required
    wordpresscom logo
    WordPress.com

How to Choose the Right Ecommerce Store Builder

You have flexibility in how to fit your website into your budget once you have a plan that makes sense for your business. Most providers offer a range of choices, and you can adjust your plan as your needs change or your online efforts become more successful. 

Fees for Ecommerce platforms can start from less than $10 per month, and some services offer a free trial period, allowing you to test whether or not a website makes sense for you. Your website can be a true extension of your business, and you can find affordable solutions that cost less than an additional hire.

Without having a website, you risk missing opportunities for additional sales and growth. Those missed opportunities cost you much more than the time and money you might spend on maintaining your online business. You may have taken a big risk when you started your business, and if you believe in what your business has to offer, you should have no trouble taking a small risk by putting it online.

So how do you know which is the right Ecommerce site builder for you? Comparing features that are important to you will help reveal the best solution for your specific situation. Here are a few non-negotiable features that every business should look for while on their search:

Templates

First impressions are important. So you want your online store to make a good one. That’s only going to happen with a fresh, crisp, clean, and responsive website design. Look for a website builder with attractive and industry-relevant templates to use. And unless you want your site looking like every other online store, you need a unique look. That either means having a lot of templates to choose from or having an excellent editor tool that will allow you to customize the design to perfection.

Mobile-responsive 

More and more consumers are shifting toward mobile purchases and research. That means your online store needs to be mobile-responsive. A poor mobile experience will spell disaster for a website, so don’t make that mistake.

Payment gateways/solutions

Processing payments is another area your store needs to have down pat. Because if a customer runs into a hiccup while trying to checkout, most likely, they'll just leave your store altogether and shop somewhere else. Look for an online store builder that has multiple payment processing options, offers free or affordable transaction fees, and makes it easy for your customers to check out. 

Third-party integrations

No website builder has it all, but the smart ones allow you to integrate with external apps, so they don't have to. Accessing other applications within your website expands your functionality, providing more power and flexibility in every area of your business.

Multichannel selling

This is debatable, but we think it’s important. The ability to sell across channels automatically increases your sales potential exponentially without having to do any additional work. Some Ecommerce platforms are confident enough that their site will bring in enough revenue for you (think Amazon) without the complications of multichannel selling, but most sellers prefer to have the choice.

Additional features that will make for a more attractive package include things like inventory management, customer management system, and SEO capabilities.

In terms of functionality, decide what your business’ needs are, how much product-selling you intend to do (and can handle), and what your budget is to determine which Ecommerce platform is right for you. For example, Volusion is a good option if you’re looking for cheaper processing rates, but WooCommerce is hands down the best choice if you are working with WordPress. Square is great for really small businesses, while Shopify is just a great all-around product. Figure out your needs and choose accordingly.

Shopping cart features

There are hundreds of Ecommerce applications on the market today. All of these applications will have most of the same basic features, such as the ability to list an item with photo and description, the ability for a consumer to purchase the item and provide payment. Beyond the basics, applications vary widely in their ease-of-use and features offered. Make a list of the features you want before starting your search.

Building an online store is more than just providing a product or service to customers online. Ecommerce websites need top of the line security systems, as cybercrimes like identity theft and stolen personal data have become the most reported consumer crimes in the US in the last decade.

Using an Ecommerce builder with a good reputation is a great start. All Ecommerce vendors are required to keep to guidelines set out by the PCI Security Standards Council. Never use an Ecommerce builder who is not PCI compliant. 

Maintaining your own high-level security systems is integral to keeping your customers safe, and at the end of the day, any breach is going to result in an investigation into your practices.

Frequently Asked Questions
Which website builder is best for ecommerce?+-

Wix is a wildly popular website builder and one of the best options for ecommerce. It's easy to use, features myriad templates, and boasts a built-in ecommerce shop that allows anyone to build a professional looking website regardless of their technical skills.

How can I make my own online store for free?+-

Today there are many free website builders on the market that you can use to create an online store. To choose one, make sure that it has ecommerce capabilities, professional-looking templates, and a site builder that's easy to use and aligns well with your level of tech prowess.

Does Wix take a percentage of sales?+-

Wix takes transaction fees at roughly 2.9% plus $.30 per transaction.

Dave Platt
David Platt is an expert in background check and data management, with vast experience in military access credentials through SureID, a biometric security provider. His understanding of internet security has been enriched by a Bachelor of Science degree at Portland State University. Recognized for his deep expertise, David contributes insightful articles for top10.com.