Choose Best Ecommerce Website Builder For Small Business

Small businesses have a great opportunity to succeed in today’s digital world. In the past, you needed a lot of money or a real store to sell things to people. But now, with easy-to-use website builders, anyone can create a website and sell products or services online. With so many choices, though, it can be hard to know which one to pick.

This simple guide is here to help. We’ll look at the best website builders for small businesses in 2024.

The best website builder depends on what you need and where you live. In the UK, Shopify and Wix are good options. In India, Zoho Commerce and BigCommerce work well for local businesses.

If you’re looking for free options, WooCommerce and SquareSpace have useful tools. No matter what you choose, make sure it’s easy to use and has features that help your business grow.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to pick the right platform for your online business.

Key Considerations Before Choosing an Ecommerce Website Builder

Before we look at the top choices, it’s important to know the key things to think about when picking the best ecommerce website builder for your small business.

Ease of Use

Are you a tech expert or just starting out? It’s important to pick a platform that’s easy to use and has simple features, especially if you’re new to building websites.

Customization

How much control do you want over your store’s design and features? Some website builders let you customize a lot, while others focus on ready-made templates that help you set up your store quickly.

Scalability

Is your business planning to grow a lot? Make sure the platform you pick can meet your future needs, like managing more products or working with advanced marketing tools.

Pricing

Website builders have different pricing plans. Think about your budget and what features each platform offers for the price.

Payment Processing

Smooth payment processing is key for any online store. Make sure the website builder works with your preferred payment methods and provides safe ways for customers to pay.

Inventory Management

If your business offers many different products, strong inventory management tools are a must. Pick a platform that helps you track your stock, manage different product options, and handle orders easily.

Now, let’s take a look at the eight best ecommerce website builders for small businesses.

8 Best Ecommerce Website Builder For Small Business

The best ecommerce website builder for small businesses depends on what you need and how much you want to spend. Shopify is popular because it’s easy to use and has strong features. Wix ecommerce is affordable and flexible.

Squarespace is known for its beautiful design templates, and WooCommerce is great if you’re already using WordPress. When choosing the best platform, think about how well it works on mobile, how good it is for SEO, and how it handles inventory management.

Here are eight top ecommerce website builders for small businesses:

1. Shopify
2. Wix
3. BigCommerce
4. Squarespace
5. GoDaddy
6. Weebly
7. Volusion
8. Zyro

1. Shopify: The All-Around E-commerce Powerhouse

Shopify is considered the top choice among ecommerce website builders. It’s known for being easy to use, having a huge app store, and offering strong built-in features. Many entrepreneurs prefer to create their online stores with Shopify because it makes selling products simple and efficient.

Strengths: Shopify is easy to use, has a lot of apps to add features, and offers safe payment options. It also manages inventory well, has themes that work well on mobile devices, and helps with search engine optimization (SEO).

Weaknesses: Shopify doesn’t have a free plan, and its prices can be higher than some other options. Also, if you’re good with design, you might find its customization options a bit limited.

Pricing: It starts at $29 per month for basic features, and you can pay more for extra features.

Ideal for: Businesses that sell many different physical products, those planning to grow, and anyone looking for a complete ecommerce solution.

2. Wix: Drag-and-Drop Design Freedom for Creative Businesses

Wix is known for its easy drag-and-drop feature, which allows you to design your online store exactly how you want it. It’s great for making your store look just right and matching your brand.

Strengths: Wix lets you customize your store’s design a lot, is easy to use, has many apps available, includes built-in marketing tools, and offers a free plan for basic needs.

Weaknesses: Its apps are not as powerful as Shopify’s, it has weaker SEO features, and the free plan might not offer everything you need.

Pricing: There is a free plan with limited features, and paid plans start at $13 per month for basic ecommerce features.

Ideal for: Businesses that want a stylish online store, creative people with a clear brand vision, and those who like using a drag-and-drop interface.

3. BigCommerce: Scalable Powerhouse for Enterprise-Level Businesses

BigCommerce is great for businesses that plan to grow a lot. It has strong features and is built to handle big changes, making it perfect for small businesses that want to become large online stores.

Strengths: BigCommerce can easily grow with your business, has advanced features for big operations, includes built-in SEO tools, offers great product filtering and navigation, and provides strong analytics.

Weaknesses: It can be harder to learn than some other options, and its pricing might be high for smaller businesses.

Pricing: It starts at $29.95 per month for basic features, with higher plans offering more options.

Ideal for: Businesses with a large inventory and plans to grow, and those needing advanced ecommerce features.

4. Squarespace: Elegance and Ease for Service-Based Businesses and Creatives

Squarespace is famous for its gorgeous templates and easy-to-use features. It’s a great choice for businesses that provide services and for creatives who want a stylish online presence.

Strengths: Squarespace has beautiful design templates, is easy to use, integrates well with blogging, offers built-in appointment scheduling (perfect for service-based businesses), and has strong marketing tools.

Weaknesses: It has fewer customization options compared to Wix, doesn’t have as many ecommerce features as Shopify or BigCommerce, and might not be the best for businesses with a lot of physical products.

Pricing: It starts at $16 per month for basic features, and higher plans offer more ecommerce options.

Ideal for: Service-based businesses (like consultants or photographers), creatives showing their work (like artists or designers), and anyone who wants a beautiful and user-friendly online store.

5. GoDaddy: A Budget-Friendly Option for Local Businesses

GoDaddy is a good choice for local businesses that are new to ecommerce and want an affordable solution. It might not have all the advanced features of other platforms, but it offers a simple and cost-effective way to get started online.

Strengths: GoDaddy is very affordable, easy to use, integrates well with other GoDaddy services (like domain registration and email), and includes built-in marketing tools.

Weaknesses: It has limited design options and fewer features compared to other builders, and might not be the best for businesses with a lot of different products.

Pricing: It starts at $10.99 per month for basic ecommerce features.

Ideal for: Local businesses that need a simple and cheap online store, those with a small product range, and businesses already using other GoDaddy services.

6. Weebly: Simplicity Reigns Supreme for Beginners

Weebly is a simple website builder that includes an ecommerce plan. It’s very user-friendly with a drag-and-drop interface, making it a good choice for beginners.

Strengths: Weebly is easy to use, has a drag-and-drop feature, is affordable, and works with popular payment gateways.

Weaknesses: It has limited design options, fewer features than other builders, and might not be the best for businesses looking to grow a lot.

Pricing: It starts at $12 per month for basic ecommerce features.

Ideal for: Beginners with no previous website building experience, businesses with a small range of products, and those who want a simple and affordable online store.

7. Volusion: Feature-Rich for Growing Businesses

Volusion is designed for growing businesses with its strong features, like built-in customer relationship management (CRM) tools and integrations with social media marketing.

Strengths: Volusion offers many features for growing businesses, including built-in CRM tools, social media marketing integrations, and strong inventory management.

Weaknesses: It can be harder to learn than some other options, and its pricing might be higher for smaller businesses.

Pricing: It starts at $35 per month for basic features, with more expensive plans offering extra functionality and bandwidth.

Ideal for: Businesses with a growing product range, those needing CRM and marketing tools, and businesses that can handle a more complex platform.

8. Zyro: The AI-Powered Up-and-Comer

Zyro is a newer ecommerce website builder that uses AI tools to make creating a website easier.

Strengths: Zyro has AI-powered website creation tools, is easy to use, has affordable pricing, and offers themes that work well on mobile devices.

Weaknesses: It has fewer app integrations compared to more established competitors and is a newer platform with less developed features.

Pricing: It starts at $8.90 per month for basic features, with more expensive plans offering more functionality and storage.

Ideal for: Tech-savvy entrepreneurs who like using AI tools, businesses with a small product range, and those looking for an affordable and easy-to-use platform.

FAQs

I’m completely new to website building. Which platform is easiest to use?

If you’re just starting out, Wix, Weebly, and Zyro are great choices. They are easy to use and let you drag and drop elements to build your online store, so you don’t need to know any coding.

I have a limited budget. Are there any affordable website builders for ecommerce?

Yes, there are budget-friendly options. GoDaddy, Weebly, and Zyro offer inexpensive plans with basic features for your online store. Remember, more features are usually available in the higher-priced plans.

I want my online store to have a unique and stylish design. Which builder offers the most customization?

If you want your store to look special, Wix and Squarespace are good choices. They provide lots of design options and templates to help you create a store that shows off your brand’s style.

My business is growing rapidly. Do I need a platform that can scale with me?

For businesses that are expanding quickly, BigCommerce and Volusion are great options. These platforms can handle lots of products and high traffic, and they have features to help support your growth.

How can I make sure my online store gets noticed by potential customers?

To help your store get noticed, make sure it has good Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools, which help it show up in search results. Also, use social media to promote your products and attract new customers.

Final Verdict

Choosing the best ecommerce website builder for small businesses depends on what you need and prefer. If you’re selling services, Squarespace is a great choice. However, Shopify is our top pick for ecommerce website builders. It stands out because it has excellent features for making sales.