Best eCommerce Website Builders (Ranked For 2025)

Choosing the right eCommerce website builder can feel overwhelming—there are so many options, and picking the wrong one could mean wasted time, lost sales, and frustration.

Whether you’re launching your first online store or looking for a better platform to scale your business, you need a builder that’s easy to use, packed with features, and built for growth.

So, which one is the best for your needs?

In this guide, we’ll break down the best e-commerce website builders, their strengths, and weaknesses, and which one will help you sell more for your need.

How We Test These Platforms

What Makes the Best eCommerce Website Builder?

As we test and put this article together here are key things that are nice to see as we test.  These play a vital role in helping us which help you decide.

1. Ease of Use and Design Flexibility

A good platform empowers a tech-savvy business owner to create a stunning, responsive store without coding expertise. The platform should offer modern themes that can be customized to reflect the brand identity.

2. Ability to Sell Anything, Anywhere

Top platforms allow seamless sales of both physical and digital products while managing taxes and international shipping. This ensures scalability as the business grows.

3. Full-Service eCommerce Capabilities

Beyond just selling, the platform should manage inventory, process orders, and handle backend operations, eliminating the need for additional services or clunky spreadsheets.

4. Robust Integrations and Automation

Integration with essential business tools is vital. The best builders connect with accounting software, CRM tools, and marketing platforms through APIs, extensions, or platforms like Zapier.

5. Transparent and Affordable Pricing

Clear, predictable pricing with no hidden fees is essential. While done-for-you solutions can be costly, most SMBs need affordable, scalable platforms that align with their growth goals.

These criteria ensure that business owners get the functionality they need while staying within budget. When evaluating platforms, I personally test them by creating an online store to ensure they meet these standards.

How Can You Choose The Right eCommerce Platform To Build Your Store?

I think below are some good questions to ask yourself and really focus on in deciding. 

1. Ease of Use – Can You Set It Up Without Hassle?

If you’re new to building websites, you’ll want a user-friendly platform with a simple setup process. Look for:

• Drag-and-drop editors for easy design customization
• No coding is required to launch and manage your store
• Intuitive dashboard for managing products, orders, and customers

Best for beginners: Shopify, Wix , Squarespace
Best for flexibility with a learning curve: WooCommerce, BigCommerce

Note: Many of them are implementing AI so getting started is getting easier and easier.

2. Cost & Pricing – Does It Fit Your Budget?

E-commerce platforms come with different pricing models. Some charge monthly fees, while others take transaction fees. Compare:

• Subscription costs (monthly/annual pricing)
• Transaction fees (some platforms charge extra per sale)
• Additional costs (like apps, plugins, themes, and hosting)

Best for all-in-one pricing: Shopify, BigCommerce

3. Features & Scalability – Will It Grow with Your Business?

Your online store needs the right features to scale. Consider:

• Product limits – Some platforms cap the number of products you can sell
• Multi-channel selling – Can you sell on Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok?
• SEO & marketing tools – Built-in email marketing, SEO optimization, and discount codes
• Advanced e-commerce features – Abandoned cart recovery, customer segmentation, and automation

Best for scalability: Shopify, BigCommerce
Best for small stores with basic needs: Wix, Squarespace

4. Payment Options – Can Customers Pay Easily?

Make sure the platform supports multiple payment gateways so customers can pay with their preferred method. Consider:

• Credit/debit card processing
• PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay integrations
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options like Klarna or Afterpay

Best for built-in payments with no extra fees: Shopify (with Shopify Payments)
Best for third-party payment flexibility: WooCommerce, BigCommerce

5. Design & Customization – Can You Make It Look the Way You Want?

Your store should reflect your brand. Look at:

• Available themes – Are they modern, mobile-friendly, and customizable?
• Customization options – Do you need coding knowledge to make design changes?
• App/plugin marketplace – Can you add extra features easily?

Best for easy, beautiful store designs: Shopify, Squarespace, Wix
Best for total customization control: WooCommerce (WordPress-based)

6. Customer Support – Will You Get Help When You Need It?

Reliable customer support is crucial if something goes wrong. Consider:

• 24/7 live chat or phone support
• Community forums & knowledge bases
• Access to expert help if needed

Best for 24/7 support: Shopify, BigCommerce
Best for self-support & community help: WooCommerce

Final Thoughts: Which Platform Is Right for You?

• If you want an all-in-one, beginner-friendly platform: Shopify
• If you prefer a budget-friendly option and don’t mind learning WordPress: WooCommerce
• If design flexibility matters most: Squarespace or Wix
• If you need enterprise-level scalability: BigCommerce

By weighing these factors, you can confidently choose the best e-commerce website builder for your online store and start selling with ease.

Shopify #1 overall eCommerce Platform

It’s the legit eCommerce platform that for the most part is future-proof as you grow and you won’t need to migrate away from it to find something that can handle more.

I get I test and rank and put it at number 1 but so do many other forums and rankings sites.

When you look at their case studies all broken down of companies using Shopify they are impressive and so are there action plans.

Let’s break Shopify down a bit:

Why I Like Shopify

1. Super Easy to Use – No Tech Skills Needed

One of the biggest reasons Shopify is so popular is its user-friendly interface. You don’t need to know how to code or have any technical knowledge to set up a store.

Shopify guides you through the entire process, from picking a theme to adding products and setting up payments. The drag-and-drop editor makes customizing your store simple, and everything is designed to help you launch quickly.

2. All-in-One eCommerce Solution

Shopify isn’t just a website builder—it’s a full-fledged eCommerce platform that provides everything you need to run an online store.

Some standout features include:

• Built-in payment processing (Shopify Payments)
• Multi-channel selling (sell on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and more)
• Automatic tax calculations
• Abandoned cart recovery
• Advanced analytics & reporting

The thing I can’t say enough about Shopify is it’s future-proof for you and can scale out with you not needing to migrate away from it.

3. Scalable for Businesses of All Sizes

Whether you’re just starting or running a high-volume store, Shopify can handle it. Small businesses can start with the basic plan, while larger businesses can scale up to Shopify Plus, which offers enterprise-level features like automation tools and dedicated support. You won’t outgrow Shopify, which means you won’t have to switch platforms as your business grows.

4. Great for Marketing & SEO

Driving traffic to your store is just as important as setting it up. Shopify has built-in tools to help you market your products:

• SEO features to help you rank on Google
• Discount codes and promotions to increase conversions
• Email marketing integrations
• Easy-to-run ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google

If you want to grow your business without relying only on paid ads, Shopify’s built-in SEO and marketing tools make that easier.

5. 24/7 Support & Security

Shopify offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, phone, and email. If you ever run into an issue, help is available. Additionally, Shopify handles security for you—your store comes with SSL encryption and PCI compliance, so customer data stays safe.

6. Impressive Free Trial

I noticed Shopify offers legit free trial periods.  A lot of time I see 1 month to 3 months for a buck a month which gives you a ton of time to get started on a budget of about 3 bucks total.  This gives you a ton of time to build your online store for about nothing and I like that.  By the time you launch you have invested a small amount but probably have everything set up.

7.  AI Features (Shopify Magic & Sidekick)

Shopify has been integrating AI within its platform and making steps a ton easier.  You can now enter a prompt to build out your theme and it also helps build out your products too. I think once you try these features you will be impressed by how quickly you can build out your online store and structure.  If you want an example you can check out this step-by-step I did building a store and using AI.

Some Drawbacks to Consider

Shopify is great, but it’s not perfect. Here are a few downsides to be aware of:

1. Monthly Costs Add Up

While Shopify’s plans start at $29/month, it’s possible you will need extra apps for things like advanced reporting, subscriptions, or upselling features. These add-ons can increase your monthly expenses beyond the base price.  Of course, we can all agree this can be on any platform it’s just that Shopify offers so much and you can do a ton to do more which can expand your costs.

2. Transaction Fees (Unless You Use Shopify Payments)

If you use third-party payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify charges an extra transaction fee (ranging from 0.5% to 2%). This can eat into your profits if you process a lot of orders.

3. Limited Design Customization Without Code

While Shopify has beautiful themes, full customization requires knowledge of Liquid (Shopify’s coding language). If you want to make major design changes, you might need a developer’s help. They are getting better with this and the AI features with Shopify magic are now offered.

Who Is Shopify Best For?

Shopify is a great choice for:

• Beginners who want an easy-to-use platform – The setup process is simple, and no coding is required.
• Small businesses looking to scale – Shopify grows with your business, offering powerful tools for expansion.
• Dropshippers – Shopify integrates well with Oberlo, Spocket, and Printify for easy dropshipping.
• Retail stores going online – Shopify’s POS system lets you sell in person and online seamlessly.
• Brands selling on multiple channels – Sell on Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok directly from Shopify.

Is Shopify Worth the Price?

For most businesses, yes—Shopify offers great value for what you get. 

I hear sometimes it’s not the cheapest option but honestly if you can get it for $29 monthly with everything that is included I’m struggling to see this.

I feel many might be taking into concept needing apps that can cost money.

The thing is though tools are always needed.

Where you’re seeing it set itself apart is being dedicated to eCommerce and offering e-commerce at every plan, unlike other platforms like Wix or Squarespace.

Try Shopify Free  

2. Wix 

With over 77 million users in 190 countries and growing at a great rate.

Wix is a great eCommerce solution to check out. 

I was able to open a site in general in just a few minutes which really impressed me because I didn’t have a clue about Wix.

Another really nice thing I like about is Wix is near the beginning when you are signing up and have to choose what type of template you need.  

They pretty much spoon-feed you the categories.

For Example:

Let’s say you’re looking to build an online clothing shop.

They have ready-to-go options for your new eCommerce website.

Wix does an awesome job breaking it right down and helping you choose the templates for that industry within the first steps of signing up.

It’s nice to have that peace of mind that you’re already on the right track.

These are only a few of their great benefits for you:

• Set up a website fast (no joke, probably 5 minutes)
• Simple drag and drop to make your life easy when designing your site.
• Dedicated 24/7 to help you when needed
• Optimized for your mobile users
• Tons of templates to choose from that fit your needs and will catch your customer’s attention
• Easily add blog features to your eCommerce website

Wix Pricing Plans (Wix does run discounts)

• Light – $16 monthly
• Core – $27 monthly – eCommerce features start here
• Business – $32 monthly
• Business Elite – $159 monthly
• Enterprise – contact for pricing

My Main Wix Con

I just am not a fan of their customer service options.  I just feel it takes too long for a response.  

It’s not a make or breaker but I sure would like to see them implement a chat service.

Some Wix Testing I’ve Done

• I reached out to Wix for some help with a question I had.  It took over 1 day for the first response.  Was not a fan of that at all.  Their customer service has to step their game up.
• So I went ahead and tested the page speed of a website running on Wix with Pingdom Page Speed tool.  In general, websites can be totally different, but I wanted to see how one ranked.  The website I tested which I’ll leave out came in with these states.  The performance came in at 89 with a B ranking which is good, and a load time of 403 ms.  Also stating, faster than 98% of tested sites.  Good results.
• I went ahead and signed up to see how easy it was to add a website template.  This was a super easy process, Wix puts everything right out in front of you while you’re signing up.  So during the sign-up process, I was able to add my template right then and there.

Try Wix

3. Bigcommerce

This eCommerce website builder is perfect for any serious business owner, or if you’re just a beginner.

They offer tons of features that make it super user-friendly.

Such as built-in marketing features to help promote your site, SEO tools to help get your site noticed on search engines, and a secure shopping cart for your customers and payment gateway.

You really can’t go wrong with it because they also offer you a free trial.  So the worst thing is you try it out and decide it’s not for you.

Something worth reading:

Check out my full review of Bigcommerce.

Can These Benefits Help You?

• Great SEO Tools (Helps you get found on search engines easier)
  
• Great Conversion Tools (AKA – Makes People Buy Your Product)
• Marketing Tools To Make You A Marketing Genius
• Tons Of Product Configurations
• Analytic Tools To Help You Analyze Data
• Top-Notch Security
• Payment Gateway 

Bigcommerce Pricing Plans

• Standard Pricing – $29.95 Monthly
• Plus Pricing – $79.95 Monthly
• Pro Pricing – $299.95 Monthly

Transaction Fees & Credit Card Processing

• Standard – No transaction fees – Paypal-powered credit card processing is 2.9% + $0.30¢ per transaction
• Bigcommerce Plus – No transaction fees – 2.5% + $0.30¢ per transaction
• Pro – No transaction fees – 2.2% + $0.30¢ per transaction
• Enterprise – No transaction fees – 2.2% + $0.30¢ or lower per transaction

Bigcommerce Testing

• Getting started was simple.  I’m basing this off the first time I signed up too.  Took under 1 minute to get to my dashboard.
• Picking a theme for my website was easy too.  Took me a few minutes to sign the design page, but that’s just because I had to get familiar with the navigation.
• I went ahead and looked for a way to get in touch with someone on my dashboard.  And well, I wasn’t that happy that I had to email support for help.  I notice they offer it with sales, but not once you’re signed up.  I like to see instant help regardless.  In general, though, their service is good, I do have to say that.

Visit Bigcommerce

4. Squarespace

Squarespace is on my radar right now why I continue testing it.

It’s worth mentioning it though and getting the info on it NOW

Let’s dive into some key info on Squarespace:

• Developed by Anthony Casalena for personal use as a blog hosting service while attending the University of Maryland
• Initially, it was funded with $30,000 from Casalena’s father,
• As of 2016, it hosts more than one million websites. (Sounds like millions now but no exact number)
• 818 Employees
• Squarespace was making $1 million in revenue annually in 2007

Squarespace Pricing

• Personal pricing plans – $23 monthly or $16 monthly if paid annual
• Business pricing plans – $33 monthly or $23 monthly if paid annual
• eCommerce basic – $36 monthly or $27 monthly if paid annual
• eCommerce advanced – $65 monthly or $49 monthly if paid annual

Key Features Between These Two Plans (What Does Advanced Have That Basic Doesn’t?)

• Abandoned Cart Autorecovery – Let’s send automated emails to anybody who left their shopping cart before completing the purchase. Why care about this?  Helps you try to recover the sale.
• Real-Time Carrier Shipping – Squarespace calculates real-time shipping which could save you money.  As well, it helps with accurate package size calculations.
• Full Control Over Store Promotions.  Such as exclusive discounts and more.
• Sell Digital Gift Cards – Great little touch
• Utilize Order API – To keep it simple, this lets you build custom integrations with 3rd party systems for order fulfillment and production logistics.

Popular Questions Asked About Squarespace

• Is it easy to cancel? Squarespace makes it super easy by being able to do it right from your dashboard.  I like this so you don’t have to call and get pressured.
• Is it easy to change plans?  This can easily be done in your dashboard too.

Templates Offered By Squarespace

Squarespace has different sections broken down.  So, for instance, online stores (which this is our focus), blogger, wedding templates, and so on.

For templates title online store, they have a total of 12 while writing this.

Not too bad, personally I’d like to see a marketplace to buy more or more premium options.

But, there isn’t one.

There is a developer section though where you could hire someone to help you edit it.

I will say they are all clean and good-looking, but some might want more.

5.  Hostinger

Hostinger is a great features for an eCommerce option.

Let’s check out some key things about it.

1. Comprehensive Solutions: Hostinger provides an all-in-one solution for launching an online business. This includes web hosting, a free custom domain name for the first year, free email, and various eCommerce tools and built-in AI features designed for a quick launch and scalable growth.

2. User-Friendly Website Builder: With AI-driven tools and a drag-and-drop interface, the platform caters to both beginners and experienced web developers. Whether you wish to generate a unique eCommerce site automatically or tailor a design from over 150 available templates, the process is straightforward and user-friendly.

3. AI Integration for Business Enhancement: The platform’s integration of AI tools for website building, content generation (including AI writer, image generator, and blog generator), SEO optimization, and product descriptions streamlines the entire process of site creation and management.

4. Marketing and Payment Solutions: Hostinger ensures that your eCommerce site is market-ready with integrations for marketing and over 100 payment methods without transaction fees, making it easier to manage operations and grow your customer base globally.

5. Support and Reliability: Offering 24/7 customer support, a 99.9% uptime guarantee, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, Hostinger ensures that your eCommerce business is supported around the clock for any queries or issues that might arise.

Pros of Using Hostinger for eCommerce:

• AI-Powered Features: Streamline website creation and management, ideal for both beginners and seasoned pros.
• Comprehensive All-in-One Package: From hosting to domain registration, everything you need to start is included.
• 0% Transaction Fees: Keep 100% of the profits made from your store, which is not always the case with other eCommerce platforms.
• Global Payment Acceptance: Supports 100 payment methods, broadening your potential customer base.
• Customer Support and Reliability: 24/7 support and a robust uptime guarantee help ensure business continuity.

Cons of Using Hostinger for eCommerce:

• Product Limitation: Limited to uploading up to 500 products, which might be restrictive for larger retailers looking to scale further.
• Learning Curve: While AI tools and drag-and-drop are designed to simplify the process, there could still be a learning curve for individuals completely new to eCommerce or those transitioning from other platforms.
• Payment Gateway Fees: While Hostinger doesn’t charge transaction fees, be mindful of potential fees from third-party payment gateways.
• Template Limitation: Although there are over 150 templates, the selection might feel limiting for users with very specific aesthetic or functional needs compared to platforms specializing exclusively in eCommerce.

Hostinger Pricing 

• Premium – $12.19 (deals to make this $1.99 monthly)
• Business – $13.99
• Cloud Startup – $7.59
• WordPress Hosting Premium – $12.19
• WordPress Hosting Business – $13.99
• WordPress Hosting Cloud Start-Up – $24.99
• Cloud Start Up – $24.99
• Cloud Profession – $39.99
• Cloud Enterprise – $64.99 

In conclusion, Hostinger’s eCommerce platform offers a powerful and integrated solution designed to cater to diverse online business needs.

Its strengths lie in its user-friendly interface, comprehensive AI tools for site building and optimization, and strong customer support.

While it bears some limitations, such as product upload limits and potential learning curves, the pros overwhelmingly make it a solid choice for businesses aiming to establish or expand their online presence.

Try Hostinger Free

6. Volusion 

Of the sites on this list, Volusion is the one that equips e-business owners with the tools best suited to visually attractive product presentations.

While the designs are not overly Flash-heavy, every aspect of your store will look and feel very smooth and clean.

While Volusion can be tweaked to help you sell any kind of product, the way it is designed is geared more towards selling physical goods.

Customers will be able to easily navigate your store and browse through your products with ease.

Make sure to check out the article Creating An eCommerce Store With Volusion for more information.

Benefits:

• Simple SEO Features To Help You Rank Better
• One Page Check Out Feature To Make It Easy For Your Customers
• Auto-Generated Site Map
• Email Marketing Tools
• Simple Payment Processing To Make It Easy For Your Customers
• Daily Website Backups To Give You Peace Of Mind

Volusion Pricing:

• Personal – $29 Monthly
• Professional – $79 monthly
• Start-Up – $179 Monthly
• Business – $299 Monthly

Testing With Volusion

• I reached out to them to ask a question, and first I got the spot to enter an email address.  Which, I don’t want to.  Thankfully though after just a couple minutes I got a live chat person.  I was happy with that time frame overall.
• I went ahead and signed up for a free trial.  And well, I feel they make it very user-friendly to sign up and as well add a template.  more is right on the home screen to get started from a visual standpoint.

How Much Can an eCommerce Website Cost?

When setting up an eCommerce website many of just think about the price of the plan which is cost but there are other factors that go into it.

1. Platform/Software Fees:
   Monthly subscription plans range from $20 to $300+, depending on features and business size.
2. Transaction Fees:
   Payment processors like Stripe or PayPal charge around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. For example, selling a $100 product incurs a ~$3.20 fee.
3. Payment Gateway Fees:
   Some platforms charge additional fees for using third-party payment gateways (e.g., 1-2% per transaction).
4. Additional Costs:
   Domains ($10–$20/year), premium themes ($50–$200), and add-ons like SEO or email marketing tools can add up.

Understanding these fees helps businesses budget effectively and maximize profits.

Best eCommerce Website Builders Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion On The 7 Best eCommerce Website Builders

Choosing the best eCommerce online solution doesn’t have to be difficult.

I’ve shown you the top 5 online store builders.

It’s now just time for you to choose and test.

Remember, it doesn’t cost anything to try them so have fun.

Each one has great benefits that can help you get online.

Just to recap in case you forgot:

The 6 Best eCommerce Website Builders Are

• Shopify

• Wix

• Bigcommerce

• Squarespace

• Hostinger

• Volusion

Have fun testing them and get your hands dirty.

Let me ask you something too:

Have you had the chance to try any of these yet?

Or do you have a question in regards to using them?

Drop me a line below if you need help, or have a question.

If you want 1 on 1 help though head over to my contact page and we can talk via email