The 6 Best E-Commerce Website Building Platforms (2024)

Are you looking for the best e-commerce platform in 2024? We are here to help you understand the pros and cons of each platform and assist you in deciding which one is right for you.

Let's get started!

1. Shopify

Shopify stands as a titan in the eCommerce platform space, renowned for its user-friendly interface and robust scalability options. It caters to businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, offering a seamless online retail experience.

Key Features:

• Intuitive design tools
• Extensive app marketplace
• Advanced security features
• Comprehensive analytics

Shopify's strength lies in its versatility and the ease with which users can create a professional online store. Its all-in-one platform simplifies the management of products, inventory, payments, and shipping.

Shopify's pricing plans are designed to accommodate the growth of your business, with each tier offering additional features and reduced transaction fees.

Go to Shopify pricing page to learn more.

Pros:
 1. Easy to use with user-friendly interface.
 2. Offers a wide array of features and apps.
 3. Supports multiple languages.

Cons:
 1. Can become expensive with additional apps and features.
 2. Limited customization options.

‍

2. WooCommerce

WooCommerce continues to be a popular choice for entrepreneurs looking to launch their online stores. As an open-source plugin for WordPress, it offers unparalleled flexibility and access to a vast library of extensions and themes.

WooCommerce is known for its ease of use and customization options, making it a go-to solution for businesses of all sizes. With its robust set of features, store owners can manage products, handle payments, and optimize their stores for search engines directly within the WordPress environment.

WooCommerce excels in providing a platform that is both powerful and user-friendly, allowing for a seamless integration with your existing WordPress site.

Here are some of the best WooCommerce plugins for 2024:

• Omnisend
• TrustPulse
• Yoast SEO
• WPForms

These plugins enhance the functionality of a WooCommerce store, offering tools for email marketing, social proof, SEO optimization, and advanced form building.

Pros:
 1. Highly customizable platform.
 2. Massive community offering a lot of plugins.
 3. Users maintain full control over their data.

Cons:
 1. It can require a certain level of technical skills to use.
 2. As it is not hosted, user is responsible for security.

‍

3. BigCommerce

When it comes to eCommerce solutions that scale with your business, BigCommerce stands out. It's designed to support online stores from the smallest startups to large enterprises. With a focus on growth, BigCommerce offers superior customer support, scalability for businesses of all sizes, diverse built-in features, and a tiered pricing structure without transaction fees.

BigCommerce is a robust platform that caters to a variety of online retail needs. It's a versatile choice for merchants looking to expand their digital footprint.

The platform's key features include:

• Advanced SEO tools
• Multi-channel selling capabilities
• Comprehensive security measures
• A wide array of customizable templates

Consider business needs when choosing an ecommerce platform, as each has its unique strengths. BigCommerce is particularly well-suited for those who anticipate rapid growth and require a platform that can keep pace without imposing additional transaction fees.

Pros:
 1. No transaction fees.
 2. Advanced SEO and marketing tools.
 3. Excellent customer support.

Cons:
 1. High-volume stores may find the platform costly.
 2. Certain design customization requires knowledge of HTML/CSS.

4. Magento (Adobe Commerce)

Magento stands out as a robust, open-source eCommerce platform that is highly customizable and scalable, making it a preferred choice for medium to large businesses with specific needs and a desire for full control over their online store's functionality. Magento's flexibility allows for extensive customization, which can be a double-edged sword; it offers great potential but also requires a higher level of technical expertise or developer resources.

Key features include a vast array of extensions, strong SEO capabilities, and a large community of users and developers. Magento also excels in creating a seamless shopping experience for customers, with advanced features such as multi-store management, multilingual support, and a wide range of payment gateways.

Magento's emphasis on scalability and customization makes it an ideal platform for businesses looking to grow without constraints.

While Magento is a powerful platform, it's important to consider the total cost of ownership, which includes hosting, development, and maintenance expenses. Here's a quick overview of some critical metrics to track for eCommerce success:

• GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume)
• AOV (Average Order Value)
• CR (Conversion Rate)
• RPV (Revenue Per Visitor)

Optimizing these metrics is crucial for enhancing eCommerce performance and profitability.

5. Wix eCommerce

Wix eCommerce emerges as a user-friendly platform that allows individuals and small businesses to create their own online store with ease. Wix's drag-and-drop interface simplifies the design process, making it accessible even to those without technical expertise.

While Wix provides a comprehensive solution for eCommerce, it's worth noting the integration with Ecwid by Lightspeed, which expands the functionality for online merchants. This partnership enables a seamless blend of Wix's design flexibility with Ecwid's robust commerce features.

Wix eCommerce is not just about aesthetics; it's a blend of simplicity and powerful tools that cater to a variety of business needs.

For those considering Wix for their online venture, here's a quick overview of what to expect:

• Intuitive website builder with a wide range of templates
• Integration with Ecwid by Lightspeed for enhanced eCommerce features
• Mobile optimization to ensure a seamless shopping experience on any device
• Various payment options to accommodate global customers

Pros:
 1. Easy for beginners.
 2. Offers a wide range of templates.
 3. Cost-effective for small businesses.

Cons:
 1. Not perfectly suited for larger stores.
 2. Switching templates requires rebuilding your site.

‍

6. Squarespace Commerce

Squarespace Commerce has established itself as a strong contender in the eCommerce platform space. Known for its sleek designs and intuitive interface, Squarespace is particularly favored by creatives and small business owners.

Key features include a comprehensive set of tools for inventory management, marketing, and analytics. Users can also take advantage of the platform's robust SEO capabilities to help their online store rank higher in search results.

Squarespace offers a range of pricing plans to suit different business needs. The Personal plan is a great pick for a regular non-business website, and the two Commerce plans will offer varying levels of features, fit for eCommerce ventures.

Squarespace's customer support is available 24/7, ensuring that help is always at hand should you encounter any issues with your online store.

Pros:
 1. Beautiful design aesthetic.
 2. Simple user interface.
 3. Good for businesses dealing with creative products.

Cons:
 1. The e-commerce tools aren't as comprehensive as some competitors.
 2. The integration options are fairly limited.
 3. The navigation for the backend can be clunky.

Conclusion

Choosing the right eCommerce platform is a pivotal decision for any online business. The six platforms we've discussed each offer unique features and benefits that cater to different business needs and goals.

Whether you prioritize ease of use, customization, scalability, or specific integrations, there's a solution among these top contenders that can help you build and grow your online store effectively.

It's important to consider your long-term business strategy and select a platform that aligns with your vision. By doing so, you'll be well-equipped to create a seamless shopping experience for your customers and position your eCommerce venture for success in the competitive digital marketplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features of Shopify that make it a top choice for eCommerce in 2024?

Shopify is renowned for its ease of use, extensive app marketplace, robust security, and scalable hosting solutions. It also offers a range of customizable templates and has excellent customer support, making it a top choice for businesses of all sizes.

How does WooCommerce stand out from other eCommerce platforms?

WooCommerce is a flexible open-source solution that integrates seamlessly with WordPress, allowing for extensive customization and control. It's particularly favored by those who already have a WordPress website and want to add eCommerce functionality without switching platforms.

What advantages does BigCommerce offer to online merchants?

BigCommerce is known for its enterprise-grade features, including advanced product options, out-of-the-box SEO capabilities, and multi-channel selling across various platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon. It's designed for businesses looking to scale quickly without compromising on features.

Why should a business consider Magento for their online store?

Magento, now Adobe Commerce, is a powerful platform for medium to large businesses that require a high level of customization and control. It offers an extensive suite of tools for managing multiple stores, languages, and currencies, making it ideal for global commerce.

Is Wix eCommerce suitable for building a professional online store?

Wix eCommerce is a user-friendly platform perfect for small to medium-sized businesses. It provides a range of beautiful templates, drag-and-drop functionality, and an intuitive interface that allows merchants to create a professional-looking store without the need for technical expertise.

How does Squarespace Commerce differentiate itself in the eCommerce space?

Squarespace Commerce is known for its stunning, design-centric templates that cater to creative professionals and small businesses. It offers a seamless interface, inventory management, and integrated blogging capabilities, making it a great choice for businesses that prioritize aesthetics and ease of use.

‍