Blog / Ecommerce platform guide / 11 Best Ecommerce Platform Showdown
Blog / Ecommerce platform guide / 11 Best Ecommerce Platform Showdown
Choosing the best ecommerce platform will make or break your online store. Whether you’re launching your first product or scaling an established brand, the right platform should offer a free plan, key features and tools, and the flexibility to sell unlimited products without hitting roadblocks.
This guide cuts through the noise. We break down 11 top ecommerce platform giants in 2025—highlighting the pros, cons, pricing, and who it’s best for. You’ll get clear insight to help you choose the platform that fits your goals, budget, and tech level.
Every ecommerce platform is different, and in 2025, you can’t afford to pick the wrong one. A bad platform pick will lead to wasting time on setup and daily upkeep, lost sales, and constant roadblocks. Whether you’re running a lean solo operation or scaling a full-scale online business, the right ecommerce platform must give you more than just a checkout button.
Here’s what separates the best ecommerce platforms from the rest:
Extensive ecommerce features—from inventory management to abandoned cart recovery
Transparent pricing—no hidden transaction fees that drain your profit
Built-in marketing tools—SEO, email marketing tools, and social integrations
Scalability—your platform supports your online business even when you grow
Solid customer support—because bugs and billing issues always pop up at the worst time
Customizability—drag-and-drop builder, a custom domain, and customizable themes that match your brand
Multi-channel selling—ability to connect to marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, or TikTok Shop
Mobile-first design—more than half of your traffic will come from phones
It’s the wrong fit if your platform can’t support your growth, reduce your workload, or make your ecommerce store look like a million bucks. Let’s find one that can.
Source: Shopify
As of January 2025, Shopify dominates the US ecommerce platform market, powering around 30% of all websites that use ecommerce technologies. That’s nearly 1 in 3 online stores running on Shopify.
It’s an all-in-one ecommerce website builder that lets you launch fast: choose a theme, customize your store, and start selling. Your theme controls everything from the look and layout to performance and speed, so choose wisely. The themes impact UX, SEO, and conversions.
Want to keep costs low? Shopify offers a few high-quality free themes to get you started with zero design headaches.
Shopify supports unlimited products, built-in payment processing, and over 12K third-party apps. It’s ideal for anyone who wants serious scalability and custom features without getting bogged down in code.
And if you’re using Printful, the Shopify integration is seamless, letting you sync products, automate fulfillment, and manage everything in one place.
Shopify themes. Source: Shopify
For more information or tips for your Shopify store, visit the Printful blog Shopify section. Here’s what we’ve covered:
And more
Pros
User-friendly interface—intuitive drag-and-drop tools, easy setup, and clean navigation
Multiple payment solutions—works with PayPal, Stripe, Square, and Shopify Payments
Free and premium themes—customize your ecommerce store to fit your brand
Massive app ecosystem—connect to 12K+ tools for SEO, upselling, marketing, and more
Seamless Printful integration—ideal for print-on-demand businesses
Mobile-optimized—79% of traffic comes from mobile, and Shopify nails the mobile UX
Cons
Limited design flexibility—full customization often requires coding or paid apps
Transaction fees—unless you use Shopify Payments, extra fees apply
Support wait times—customer service is sometimes inconsistent, especially during peak hours
Can get pricey—monthly fees add up fast, especially when scaling with apps
Price
Shopify has a tiered structure, with the Basic plan costing $29/month, providing all the essential features needed to start a small ecommerce store.
Shopify subscription plans. Source: Shopify
If you’re using Shopify Payments, there are no transaction fees. If you choose third-party payment providers, there’ll be an additional fee per payment based on your subscription.
Plus, depending on your plan, there are small credit card fees for major credit cards, such as Visa and Mastercard.
Shopify is ideal for entrepreneurs and growing brands that want an all-in-one ecommerce solution with intuitive design tools, strong third-party app support, and flexible payment integrations.
Additional reads on Shopify:
Source: Wix
Wix is a beginner-friendly, cloud-based ecommerce platform built for non-coders. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface lets you create a custom store fast with no need for a tech background.
Wix handles web hosting and domain registration. It also includes key features like payment processing, order tracking, and managing sales across additional sales channels, including social media.
With 900+ free, professionally designed templates, launch a stylish store without spending a dime on design. Just sign up, pick a layout, and start customizing.
Using Printful? The Wix integration makes it easy to sync your products, automate fulfillment, and run a print-on-demand store directly from your Wix dashboard.
Pros
User-friendly interface—Wix is known for its intuitive drag-and-drop editor, making it easy for small and medium-sized businesses to create and manage their online stores without technical knowledge
Customizable templates—a wide range of customizable templates that can be easily modified to match your brand’s identity
Integrated marketing tools—Wix provides built-in marketing tools such as email marketing, social media integration, and SEO features to help you reach a wider audience and increase sales
Printful integration—Wix integrates with Printful, letting print-on-demand dropshipping businesses create and sell custom products without managing printing and shipping processes
Multichannel selling—sell on multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Google Shopping, and eBay, from a single dashboard
Mobile optimization—mobile-responsive templates that ensure your online store looks and functions well on all devices
Cons
Limited advanced functionality—not the best option for businesses that require advanced functionality
One template lock-in—design options are limited, and once you’ve chosen a template, switching to another requires rebuilding your store
Not ideal for large-scale businesses—struggles to support high traffic and order volume
Limited payment options—supports fewer payment gateways than competitors
Price
While you can build a store with just the free plan, you won’t be able to use it for ecommerce. Only the 3 paid plans support accepting payments—Core ($29/month), Business ($36/month), and Business Elite ($159/month).
Source: Wix
Wix also charges you a percentage-based transaction fee per order.
The payment service fees vary depending on the payment provider and selling region.
Wix is best suited for individuals and small businesses looking to create a professional website quickly and easily.
Additional reads about Wix:
Source: BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a powerful ecommerce platform built for serious growth. If you’re scaling fast, selling across multiple channels, or need enterprise-grade flexibility, it delivers. But be warned: it’s unsuitable for tight budgets or ecommerce beginners.
The platform integrates seamlessly with Printful, making it a strong choice for high-volume print-on-demand businesses that need automated fulfillment, real-time sync, and full product control.
Pros
Easy omnichannel selling—seamlessly integrates with Amazon, eBay, Google Shopping, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram
No transaction fees—BigCommerce doesn’t take a cut of your sales, only standard payment processor fees apply
Built-in SEO tools—advanced SEO features help your products rank higher in search results, driving organic traffic to your store
Scalable for growth—handles large product catalogs and high traffic volumes without compromising performance
Robust integrations—connects with third-party services, including payment gateways, shipping providers, and marketing tools
Cons
Steep learning curve—complexity can be challenging for beginners or small businesses without technical resources
Limited free themes—only 12 free themes; premium themes cost $150–$300
Pricing tied to sales volume—sales growth may trigger forced plan upgrades
Mobile responsiveness issues—some users report problems with mobile optimization, requiring custom development to resolve
Price
BigCommerce offers a tiered pricing structure starting from $39/month for the Standard plan.
Source: BigCommerce
To test out the platform, start with a 15-day free trial.
BigCommerce is best suited for medium to large businesses that require advanced ecommerce features and a platform capable of handling significant traffic and sales volumes.
If you plan to scale rapidly and need a robust, flexible solution, BigCommerce is a strong contender. However, if you’re just starting out or have a limited budget, the platform’s complexity and cost will be more than you need.
Read more about BigCommerce: WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce: The Ultimate Comparison for Online Sellers
Source: Squarespace
Squarespace is a sleek, drag-and-drop, design-first website builder that’s popular among creators, artists, and service-based entrepreneurs. While it’s not a heavyweight ecommerce platform like Shopify or Wix, it holds 8.5% of the global market share, ranking third worldwide.
It offers a polished, user-friendly experience for anyone looking to sell online without getting into the technical complexity. Squarespace also integrates with Printful, making it a solid option for creatives who want to launch a print-on-demand store with hands-off fulfillment.
Squarespace is a no-code solution geared toward service providers. But if you’re a content creator or artist, it’s one of the best ecommerce platforms to build a visually stunning store, even with zero design experience.
Pros
Stunning, mobile-optimized templates—Squarespace’s award-winning templates are built to impress and are ideal for portfolios, merch, or digital products
User-friendly drag-and-drop editor—the Fluid Engine editor makes it easy to build a professional-looking site without any coding knowledge
Built-in tools for creators—features like blogging, podcast support, and email campaigns are integrated, catering to content-driven businesses
Integrated payment options—accept payments through Squarespace Payments, Stripe, PayPal, and Afterpay, offering flexibility to your customers
No transaction fees on higher-tier plans—use Commerce Basic or Advanced plans to access advanced ecommerce features and 0% transaction fees
Cons
Limited scalability for large stores—lacks advanced ecommerce features needed for large-scale operations
Fewer third-party integrations—compared to other platforms, Squarespace has less third-party apps and extensions
Template switching limitations—changing templates requires rebuilding your site, which is time-consuming
No free plan—Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial, but there’s no permanent free tier
Price
Squarespace offers four ecommerce-enabled plans: Basic, Core, Plus, and Advanced, ranging $16–$99/month. Each plan includes essential ecommerce tools, but transaction fees and features vary:
Basic ($16/mo): 2% store transaction fee, 7% fee on digital content and memberships, and credit card fees starting at 2.9% + 30¢. Limited to 2 contributors.
Core ($23/mo): 0% transaction fee on store sales, 5% on digital content, and access to advanced analytics. Unlimited contributors.
Plus ($39/mo): Lower credit card fees (2.7% + 30¢), 1% digital content fee, and added tools like sales funnel analytics and pro shipping options.
Advanced ($99/mo): Lowest payment fees (2.5% + 30¢), 0% on all transactions, and full access to advanced sales functionality, including API integrations.
Source: Squarespace
All plans come with Squarespace AI, a free domain (custom), and full access to customizable templates. For creators using Printful, the integration works across all plans, automating fulfillment and syncing product data directly with your Squarespace store.
Squarespace is best suited for content creators and artists who want to start dropshipping print-on-demand merch.
More about Squarespace:
Source: WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a free, open-source plugin that transforms any WordPress website into a fully functional online store. It’s a top choice for entrepreneurs who want full control over their ecommerce platform without the constraints of a hosted solution.
Pros
Highly customizable—extensive customization through themes and plugins, tailoring your store’s appearance and functionality to your specific needs
Seamless WordPress integration—integrates smoothly with WordPress, making it ideal for those already familiar with the platform
Extensive plugin ecosystem—add SEO tools, advanced analytics, multiple payment options, and more
Cost-effective—the core plugin is free, and you can choose which additional features to pay for, allowing for budget flexibility
Cons
Steep learning curve—requires a good understanding of WordPress and web development, which is challenging for beginners
Ongoing maintenance—being self-hosted means you’re responsible for updates, backups, and security, which can be time-consuming
Additional costs—while the core plugin is free, expenses add up with hosting, premium themes, and paid extensions
Limited official support—relies heavily on community forums and documentation, which may not be sufficient for complex issues
Price
While WooCommerce itself is free, running a fully functional online store involves various costs:
Hosting: $3.99–$15.99/month
Domain name: $10–$200/year
Premium themes: $50–$150/year
Premium plugins: $200–$500/year for added features
Payment gateway fees: ~2–3% per transaction
Security: SSL and protection tools can cost $100–$400/year
Website development and maintenance: Optional—setup or ongoing help may cost $500–$2,000+
These costs vary based on your specific requirements and the scale of your online store.
WooCommerce is ideal for small to mid-sized businesses already running on WordPress. It’s a highly customizable, scalable ecommerce solution with a vast plugin ecosystem, perfect for tailoring every aspect of your online shop.
The Printful x WooCommerce integration lets you easily sync products, automate fulfillment, and run a print-on-demand business directly from your WooCommerce setup.
Additional reads about WooCommerce:
Source: Ecwid
Ecwid is a plug-in ecommerce solution that adds a store to your existing website, blog, or social media profile. It’s not a standalone website builder—instead, it turns any site into a functioning online store with minimal effort. If you already have a WordPress website or use platforms like Wix or Weebly, Ecwid gives you a shortcut to start selling products fast.
Pros
Seamless integration—easily connects with Printful, site builders, social platforms, and marketplaces like Amazon and eBay
Mobile management—dedicated app lets you run your store from anywhere
Multilingual and multi-currency support—reach global audiences with localized shopping experiences
No platform transaction fees—keep more of your profit, you only pay the processor fees
Built-in marketing tools—access coupons, automated tax tools, and discount settings
Scalable plans—grow from starter to enterprise without switching platforms
Cons
Limited customization—fewer design and layout options than traditional ecommerce platforms
Feature limitations on lower plans—abandoned cart recovery and reviews require higher tiers
Dependent on host capabilities—performance is restricted by your base website builder
Basic SEO tools—lacks deeper SEO control compared to platforms like WooCommerce
Limited Starter Plan—just 5 products and no custom domain
Price
Ecwid doesn’t offer a free plan or trial, but the cheapest starts at $5. Tiers include:
Starter ($5/month): basic store, 5-product limit
Venture ($25/month): adds SEO tools and multichannel selling
Business ($45/month): includes cart recovery, social media shops, and advanced support
Unlimited ($105/month): full feature access, POS sync, and priority support
Source: Ecwid
Ecwid is best suited for small businesses that already have a website and want to quickly add ecommerce capabilities without switching platforms. Ideal for entrepreneurs looking for a low-friction, no-code entry into online selling.
Source: Big Cartel
Big Cartel is one of the best ecommerce platforms for independent artists and creators who want to sell online without drowning in complexity. It’s a lean ecommerce solution with just enough features to get your custom storefront up and running—no coding, no fluff, just business.
If you’re launching a creative online store or want a simple ecommerce website builder to test your product ideas, Big Cartel empowers you to make sales without the overwhelming tech. And with Printful integration, you can easily sell custom merch like t-shirts, posters, or accessories without holding inventory or managing fulfillment.
Pros
Tailored for artists—explicitly built for creatives, with tools for small online businesses
Simple setup—build your online store in minutes and focus on selling with a clean, no-fuss interface
Free plan—the Gold plan lets you launch your store at no cost, with up to 5 product listings and no credit card required
Customizable storefronts—choose a theme, tweak colors and fonts, and showcase your brand personality
Low monthly fees—ideal for small businesses who want to minimize costs while still running a professional ecommerce store
Cons
Limited features—no built-in marketing tools, email automation, or advanced ecommerce capabilities like cart recovery
Product caps—max 500 product listings, even with the highest tier plan
Few payment options—supports only Stripe (includes Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Cash App) and PayPal
Basic SEO—the SEO tools are minimal, making it harder to optimize your ecommerce website for search engines
Fewer themes—less variety and flexibility compared to other ecommerce website builders like Shopify or Squarespace
Price
Big Cartel offers three pricing plans tailored for creators:
Gold: Free plan forever with 5 products
Platinum: $12/month for up to 50 products
Diamond: $24/month for up to 500 products
Source: Big Cartel
Each plan includes customizable templates and simple inventory management. Transaction fees still apply: 2.9% + $0.30 via Stripe, 2.59% + $0.49 via PayPal.
Big Cartel is best for small-scale sellers who want to build their own online store and keep things simple.
Source: Prestashop
PrestaShop is a free, open-source ecommerce platform that gives you full control over your online store. It’s especially popular in Europe and Latin America thanks to its strong localization features and multilingual support. It’s built for entrepreneurs who want customization, scalability, and ownership—without the fees you’d get with most hosted ecommerce platforms.
Pros
Free and open-source—no monthly subscription or licensing fees, you pay only for hosting, domain name, and any paid add-ons
Highly customizable—thousands of themes and modules to control your ecommerce website’s design, layout, and key features
Built for international sales—supports 195+ languages and multi-currency functionality, ideal for businesses expanding worldwide
Large plugin ecosystem—extend your ecommerce capabilities through add-ons for inventory management, SEO, marketing, and payment processing
Scalable ecommerce platform—suitable for both solo founders and high-traffic online businesses
Cons
Steep learning curve—customization and setup often require coding knowledge or developer help
No built-in hosting—you’ll need to find, pay for, and manage your own hosting and server environment
Additional features are extra—essential ecommerce features like abandoned cart recovery, email marketing, and advanced analytics require paid add-ons
Limited support—official customer support is paywalled, free assistance comes from community forums
Price
The platform itself is free to download and use, but you’ll need to cover:
Web hosting
Domain name
Premium modules and themes
Paid support (optional but recommended for beginners)
Think of PrestaShop as a build-it-yourself ecommerce platform—great if you want complete control and flexibility, but not ideal if you’re looking for plug-and-play simplicity.
Add-on shop. Source: PrestaShop
PrestaShop is ideal for tech-savvy business owners (or dev support) who want to sell online globally. Paired with Printful, it’s a powerful solution for running a feature-rich, automated print-on-demand business.
Read more about PrestaShop: PrestaShop + Printful: What It Is and How to Start
Source: Square Online
Square Online is built for entrepreneurs who want to launch an online store fast without coding skills. It was launched in 2019 after Weebly acquired Square. It’s part of the Square ecosystem and supports seamless integration between online and in-person sales, making it a strong choice for omnichannel businesses.
Pros
Fast setup, no coding needed—Square Online’s intuitive interface and drag-and-drop website builder let you go live in minutes
Built-in marketing tools—comes with essentials like SEO basics, email marketing, and social media integrations to help drive traffic and boost online sales
Syncs with print-on-demand—connects with platforms like Printful, so you can sell custom products without worrying about fulfillment or inventory
Inventory management made simple—track stock, set low-stock alerts, and manage physical and digital products from a single dashboard
Cons
Limited design control—great for speed, but you might feel boxed in if you want to heavily customize your ecommerce website
Missing advanced features—lacks tools like multi-currency support and abandoned cart recovery
Best rates locked to Square Payments—you’ll get better transaction fees using Square’s system, while other options come with added costs
Price
Square Online offers 3 pricing plans:
Free: $0/month, only pay per transaction
Plus: $29/month with more features for retailers and appointment-based businesses
Premium: custom pricing for high-volume or complex operations
Each plan comes with processing fees starting at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
Source: Square Online
Square Online is perfect for small businesses, creators, and service providers who want to sell online quickly with minimal setup. It integrates with Printful in minutes, enabling automatic fulfillment for custom products. If you already use Square for offline sales, this is the easiest way to launch your own online store and manage everything in one place—from payments to inventory management.
Source: Weebly
Weebly is a beginner-friendly website builder that offers basic ecommerce functionality for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Acquired by Square (now Block, Inc.), Weebly integrates seamlessly with Square’s payment processing system, providing a cohesive solution for managing both online and in-person sales.
With Weebly, choose from various customizable themes to create a professional-looking online store without needing to code. The platform supports essential ecommerce features, including product listings, shopping carts, and inventory tracking, fit for those looking to sell online with minimal setup.
Pros
Beginner-friendly setup—launch your store quickly with a no-code, drag-and-drop editor
Affordable pricing—competitive plans, including a free option, make it a budget-friendly choice for small businesses
Square integration—seamless connection to Square Payments for unified online and in-person sales
Customizable themes—offers a variety of templates for building a visually appealing store
Basic ecommerce features—includes tools like inventory tracking, shopping carts, and product listings
Cons
Limited scalability—lacks advanced ecommerce tools for growing or high-volume stores
Fewer integrations—limited third-party app options, compared to platforms like Shopify
Design flexibility is limited—templates are rigid, which can restrict custom branding for growing fashion businesses
Marketing tools are basic—email and SEO features exist, but don’t match dedicated digital marketing platforms
Price
Weebly offers four pricing tiers:
Free: $0/month, basic use with Square branding
Personal: $10/month (billed annually), comes with a custom domain
Professional: $12/month (billed annually), more customization
Performance: $26/month (billed annually), advanced ecommerce features and marketing tools
All plans include access to Weebly’s store builder, but ecommerce tools like shipping calculators and cart recovery come with higher tiers. Monthly billing is available at a slightly higher rate.
Source: Weebly
Weebly is best suited for side hustlers, artists, and small online retail brands who want an affordable, easy-to-use ecommerce website builder with seamless Square integration.
Additional reading about Weebly:
Source: Fourthwall
Fourthwall is a creator-first ecommerce platform built for influencers, artists, and digital entrepreneurs monetizing their audience through online sales. It combines merch, digital products, memberships, and tipping into a single, easy-to-use storefront.
Unlike traditional platforms, Fourthwall’s business model is commission-based—no monthly fees, no upfront costs. You only pay when you make a sale, making it a low-risk option for creators testing new revenue streams.
Fourthwall has built-in print-on-demand features, letting creators sell custom merch without any third-party integrations. It’s got over 250 products (including Printful), global fulfillment, and multiple print methods (like DTG and embroidery). The result? A streamlined solution for launching a branded storefront with zero inventory.
Pros
Built for creators—sell unlimited products like merch, digital downloads, subscriptions, and accept donations all in one place
Custom storefronts—design a fully branded site without coding
Integrated fan tools—offer memberships and exclusive content to deepen audience engagement
No upfront costs—start selling with zero fees and pay only when you sell
Marketing tools included—boost online sales with built-in email marketing and promotions
Cons
Limited advanced features—lacks some enterprise-level tools like detailed analytics or multi-currency support
Creator-focused—won’t suit traditional retailers without a pre-existing social media presence and following
Commission fees—a percentage of each sale goes to Fourthwall, which impacts margins
Price
Fourthwall is free with $0 upfront costs. The platform makes money by commissioning your sales, i.e., you only pay when you make a sale. This makes it a budget-friendly option for creators looking to start their online store without financial risk.
The commission costs are:
Physical products: 0%
Digital products: 3%
Memberships: 5%
There’s also an additional credit card transaction fee of 2.9% + 30¢ per sale.
Source: Fourthwall
Fourtwall is best suited for content creators and influencers who want to monetize their audience through custom physical merchandise, digital products, subscriptions, and other fan engagement tools.
Platform |
Best For |
Free Plan |
Ease of Use |
Printful Integration |
SEO Strength |
Shopify |
All-in-one ecommerce, scalable growth |
No |
★★★★☆ |
Yes |
★★★★☆ |
Wix |
Beginners, creative freedom, small stores |
Yes (no ecommerce) |
★★★★★ |
Yes |
★★★★☆ |
BigCommerce |
High-volume sales, enterprise features |
15-day trial |
★★★☆☆ |
Yes |
★★★★★ |
Squarespace |
Creators, artists, sleek design |
14-day trial |
★★★★☆ |
Yes |
★★☆☆☆ |
WooCommerce |
WordPress users, full customization |
Yes (plugin only) |
★★★☆☆ |
Yes |
★★★★★ |
Ecwid |
Adding ecommerce to existing websites |
Starter ($5/month) |
★★★★☆ |
Yes |
★★★☆☆ |
Big Cartel |
Artists, indie sellers, simple POD |
Yes (Gold plan) |
★★★★☆ |
Yes |
★★☆☆☆ |
PrestaShop |
Tech-savvy users, global scalability |
Yes (open-source) |
★★☆☆☆ |
Yes |
★★★★☆ |
Square Online |
Fast setup, omnichannel commerce |
Yes |
★★★★☆ |
Yes |
★★★☆☆ |
Weebly |
Side hustlers, simple storefronts |
Yes |
★★★★☆ |
Yes |
★★☆☆☆ |
Fourthwall |
Creators monetizing their audience |
Yes (commission-based) |
★★★★☆ |
Yes |
★★☆☆☆ |
You’ve got the tools—now it’s time to build. Choosing the best ecommerce platform isn’t about finding a universal winner. It’s about matching the right features to your business model, budget, technical skills, and growth goals.
Running a lean operation? Look for a free plan with low monthly fees.
Scaling fast? Prioritize payment processing, marketing tools, and platforms that help you manage inventory or do it for you.
Focused on print-on-demand? Ecommerce platforms in this article put focus on online selling with unlimited products and tight third-party apps.
Your retail store should work for you, not the other way around. So don’t overthink it. Test, tweak, and evolve.
Still got questions? Scroll down to our FAQ for straight answers and real-world insights.
Read next:
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best ecommerce platforms for small businesses and beginners depend on your goals, budget, and comfort with tech. But, given the platform overview, what are the best ecommerce platforms?
Wix: Beginner-friendly with a drag-and-drop interface and a low setup barrier. Great if you want something simple and fast.
Squarespace: Sleek templates and easy design tools make it ideal for design-focused beginners. Best option if you want a visually stunning store.
WooCommerce: A free, flexible WordPress plugin with deep customization options. You’ll need some tech skills. Choose this if you already have a WordPress site.
Shopify: Scalable and packed with features like payment processing, email marketing tools, and apps. Perfect for beginners aiming to grow fast.
BigCommerce: Built for scaling. Offers strong additional sales channels and robust ecommerce features, but the learning curve is steeper. Best for ambitious sellers with large order volumes.
Start with your budget and tech comfort level. Then think long-term: Will this platform grow with your ecommerce business?
The best ecommerce platform depends on your goals, skills, and budget. But all good ecommerce sites share a few key features:
Core features: Shopping cart, secure payment processing, inventory and order management, and product catalog tools
UX matters: Fast loading, mobile-friendly, intuitive search, and clean navigation boost conversion rates
Search engine optimization: Clear URLs, metadata, and fast performance help customers find you.
Content + trust: Use sharp product descriptions, customer reviews, and clean visuals to build confidence.
Platform matters: Tools like Shopify or Wix offer all-in-one solutions. WooCommerce gives more control. Want integrations with an online marketplace or AI tools? Look into other platforms like BigCommerce or Ecwid.
Pick a platform that matches your tech level now and scales as your ecommerce business grows.
The best ecommerce platform for security depends on your needs. But top contenders like Shopify, BigCommerce, and Adobe Commerce offer enterprise-level protection—think SSL encryption, PCI compliance, firewalls, and access controls.
If you’re working with an existing website, platforms like WooCommerce also let you layer in security plugins, though it requires more hands-on management.
When comparing options, look at these key features:
Secure payment processing
Customer account protection
Regular updates and backups
Strong control over customer data
Bottom line? Pick a platform with built-in protections that match your store’s size, risk profile, and your own tech know-how.
Looking for the best ecommerce platform beyond Shopify? Here are strong contenders that suit different needs:
Wix or Squarespace: Great for beginners. These platforms make it easy to create a store with drag-and-drop tools, though customization is limited.
WooCommerce: A powerful WordPress plugin that turns an existing website into a store. Highly customizable and cost-effective, but you’ll need some tech skills.
BigCommerce: Built for scale. It supports complex stores, advanced features, and multiple channels, including marketplaces. Great for handling large catalogs and rich product descriptions.
Shift4Shop: Budget-friendly, with solid essentials. It’s good for sellers who want to launch quickly without losing core ecommerce features.
Your best bet? Choose the one that fits your growth plans, tech level, and target customer.
Ecommerce isn’t inherently high-risk—it depends on your business model. For example, print-on-demand dropshipping involves minimal upfront investment. You don’t need to buy inventory, just cover basic website creation, setup, and marketing costs.
Many platforms even offer a free plan, so test your idea before committing serious money. The real risk comes from poor planning, not the model itself.
Yes! Shopify is one of the best ecommerce platform solutions for launching and scaling a store. It’s beginner-friendly, highly scalable, and packed with key features like built-in email marketing tools, abandoned cart recovery, and multi-channel selling.
While there’s no forever free plan, Shopify does offer a low-cost trial and tiered pricing to grow with your business. Still, it’s not the only game in town. The best platform always comes down to your goals, budget, and technical comfort.
Not always. If you’re selling through established online marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, or even via social platforms, start without building a standalone site.
But if you want full control over branding, customer experience, and long-term growth, having your own ecommerce website is a smarter move. Platforms like Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, and WooCommerce make website creation easy, often with drag-and-drop builders and even a free plan to get started.
Bottom line—a marketplace is excellent for quick exposure, but your own site gives you the freedom to build something that’s truly yours.
If you’re starting a clothing brand, there’s no one-size-fits-all platform. Consider Shopify for ease of use, WooCommerce for a budget-friendly option, or BigCommerce for scalability. Choose based on your budget and tech skills!
By Katrina Resne 13 min read
By Karlina Rozkalne 21 min read
By Cloe Ann Montoya 18 min read
By Una Berzina-Pudule 12 min read
By Gabriela Martinez 20 min read
By Karlina Rozkalne 9 min read
By Karlina Rozkalne on May 28, 2025
Karlina Rozkalne
SEO Content Writer
Karlina is an SEO Content Writer specialist at Printful. As a firm believer in attitude over aptitude, Karlina gives her 100% whenever she works on something new. Karlina spends her free time reading, traveling, and doing yoga.
Karlina is an SEO Content Writer specialist at Printful. As a firm believer in attitude over aptitude, Karlina gives her 100% whenever she works on something new. Karlina spends her free time reading, traveling, and doing yoga.
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24 min read May 28, 2025
By Katrina Resne 13 min read
By Karlina Rozkalne 21 min read
By Cloe Ann Montoya 18 min read
By Una Berzina-Pudule 12 min read
By Gabriela Martinez 20 min read
By Karlina Rozkalne 9 min read