11 Best eCommerce Website Builders for 2023 & How to Pick One
Having a good eCommerce website builder is crucial for the success of your online store.
It can make or break your customer’s experience, your online visibility, and ultimately, revenue.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best eCommerce website builders for 2023, along with tips on how to pick the right one for your business.
Some of the platforms we’ll explore include industry staples like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Squarespace, as well as some newer players like Nexcess and Duda.
This guide is perfect for entrepreneurs, small business owners, or anyone looking to sell online without the hassle of hiring a developer or building a website from scratch.
If you want to start selling online but the thought of setting up a website is intimidating, we hope to put those fears to rest.
Factors to consider when choosing an eCommerce website builder
Our goal is to help you make an informed decision when choosing the best platform for your needs.
We’ll start by discussing factors to consider when choosing an eCommerce website builder, followed by a comparison of the top platforms.
We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, so let’s dive right in.
User-friendliness
Is the platform easy to use, even for beginners?
User-friendliness is vital to consider when choosing an eCommerce website builder. An intuitive interface ensures you can easily navigate and manage your online store, regardless of your technical skills.
A platform with an easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder will save you time, limit frustration, and help you focus your energy on growing your online business.
It’s essential to choose a platform that accommodates both beginners and experienced users, offering a smooth learning curve and seamless user experience.
Look for a platform that offers tutorials, guides, and an active community to help you troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.
Design flexibility
Does the platform offer a variety of templates and customization options?
Design flexibility is crucial when building your eCommerce site.
A platform that offers a wide range of templates and customization options enables you to create a unique, professional-looking website that accurately reflects your brand.
Unless you hire a developer, you’re not going to be coding your theme from scratch; you’ll start with a template.
This means you’ll want to make sure whatever eCommerce builder you choose has a robust template library (or at the very least, you find a template you like before committing to that particular builder).
Payment gateways
What payment options does the platform support?
Having multiple payment gateways on your eCommerce site is essential to cater to a wider audience and boost your conversion rates.
When selecting an eCommerce website builder, consider the payment options it supports, such as credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other popular methods.
The platform should also offer a secure and encrypted payment process to protect both you and your customers’ sensitive information.
Additionally, consider the transaction fees associated with each payment gateway, as these costs can impact your profit margins.
Choose a platform that supports a variety of payment methods to ensure a smooth and convenient shopping experience for your customers.
Integrations with other tools and software
Can the platform seamlessly integrate with other tools, such as inventory management software or email marketing?
Seamless integration with third-party tools will help you automate tasks, save time, and enhance your overall online store management.
When choosing an eCommerce website builder, see if it’s compatible with essential tools. This includes inventory management, shipping, email marketing, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
Research the available integrations and plugins for each platform, and consider whether they align with your current and future business needs.
Pricing plans
What are the costs of using the platform?
Get the best value for your investment by evaluating the pricing plans of different eCommerce website builders.
Don’t fall for the sticker price – every builder (even “free” eCommerce solutions) has hidden fees.
Consider not only the monthly subscription fees but also the transaction fees, payment processing fees, and any additional costs for premium features or integrations.
Some platforms offer a free trial or a free plan with limited features, so you can test the platform before committing to a paid plan.
Choose a platform that fits within your budget and offers the features and support necessary for your online business to thrive.
Customer support
Is there reliable customer support available?
Having access to reliable and responsive customer support is critical when running an eCommerce business.
Technical issues or questions can arise at any time, and having a support team readily available to assist you can make all the difference.
When evaluating eCommerce website builders, consider the quality of their customer support, response times, and the availability of various support channels such as live chat, email, phone, and a help center.
A platform with excellent customer support will give you peace of mind and help you quickly resolve any issues that may arise.
Top eCommerce website builders comparison
As we examine the best site builders, we’ll be reviewing them on the following criteria:
- User-friendliness
- Design flexibility
- Payment gateways (or payment options)
- Integration capabilities
- Pricing plans
- Customer support
1. Shopify
User-friendliness
Shopify is well-regarded for both its ease of use and ability to edit theme data, making it the gold standard for eCommerce user-friendliness.
Design flexibility
As of this writing, there are 133 themes in the Shopify Theme Store. These themes range from totally free to $360 for enterprise-level functionality, and they span almost every industry.
With a wide range of templates and customization options, Shopify ensures you can create a unique online store.
Payment gateways
Shopify supports a variety of payment methods, including its own payment gateway, Shopify Payments.
Shopify Payments offers users a more streamlined experience, lower transaction fees, multi-currency support, fraud analysis, and faster payouts.
Integrations with other tools and software
Shopify has a vast App Store with integrations for inventory management, marketing, and more.
Pricing plans
Shopify offers various pricing plans to suit different budgets and business sizes. The Basic plan starts at $39 per month and includes up to 1,000 inventory locations, basic reports, and two staff accounts.
The Advanced plan is $399 per month but includes steeper shipping discounts and lower credit card transaction fees.
Customer support
Shopify provides 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat.
Related Article: WooCommerce vs. Shopify: Which Platform Is Better for Your eCommerce Business
2. Square Online
Square Online is another popular eCommerce website builder, particularly for small businesses and brick-and-mortar stores looking to expand online.
User-friendliness
Square Online, like Shopify, is designed to be accessible for users with little to no technical background.
It includes an intuitive interface, drag-and-drop builder, pre-designed templates, and built-in features for inventory management, shipping options, and payment processing.
Since Square was one of the first companies to pioneer the whole “taking payments on your device” thing, many brick-and-mortar businesses already use them as their payment processor.
This makes the transition to Square Online all the more seamless.
Design flexibility
Square Online offers a variety of templates that cater to different industries.
While not as customizable as some other platforms, the templates are modern and responsive, ensuring a seamless experience for customers.
Payment gateways
Square Online integrates with the Square payment system, offering a streamlined checkout experience.
It also supports other popular payment gateways like PayPal and Apple Pay.
Integrations with other tools and software
Square Online offers a range of integrations with popular tools like Instagram, Mailchimp, and Google Analytics.
You’ll be able to extend the functionality of your online store and improve your marketing efforts.
Pricing plans
Square Online offers a free plan with basic features, making it an attractive option for small businesses just starting out. However, it is quite limited, offering no customer accounts, PayPal support, or personalized ordering.
Their paid plans start at $29/month and even include a free custom domain for one year.
Customer support
Square Online provides support via phone, email, and live chat.
Their extensive knowledge base also offers valuable resources to help you navigate the platform.
Related Article: 13 Best Free Online Stores to Start Your eCommerce Business
3. Squarespace
Squarespace is a powerful eCommerce website builder known for its stunning designs and templates.
What makes Squarespace so attractive is its ability to get a beautiful online store up and running in a matter of minutes.
Its drag-and-drop tools for modular website creation make it an excellent choice for non-tech-savvy sellers with an eye for good design.
User-friendliness
Squarespace features a clean, user-friendly interface with a visual editor that makes it easy to customize your online store.
It may take some getting used to, but once familiar, it’s quite intuitive.
Design flexibility
With a focus on aesthetics, Squarespace offers a wide range of professionally designed templates.
These templates are highly customizable, allowing you to create a unique look and feel for your online store.
Payment gateways
Squarespace supports popular payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay, ensuring a smooth checkout process for your customers.
Integrations with other tools and software
Squarespace offers a variety of integrations with essential eCommerce and SEO tools, such as email marketing, social media, and analytics platforms.
This helps streamline your operations and improve your marketing efforts.
Pricing plans
Squarespace has a variety of pricing plans tailored to the needs of online stores.
While there is no free plan, the platform offers a 14-day free trial to test its features. The eCommerce plan starts at $23 per month.
Customer support
Squarespace offers 24/7 customer support via email and live chat.
Their comprehensive help center also provides a wealth of resources, including video tutorials and guides.
Related Article: 9 Best Software for eCommerce to Grow Your Business
4. Wix
Wix is a popular eCommerce website builder known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and wide selection of customizable templates.
It offers a variety of eCommerce-specific features, including multiple payment gateways, integrations with marketing tools, and advanced product management options.
Wix is an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking to create a professional online store with minimal technical expertise required.
User-friendliness
Wix features a drag-and-drop editor, making it easy for anyone to create a visually appealing online store.
The platform also offers the innovative Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) tool, which can create a store for you based on your preferences.
While Wix has historically not been a frontrunner in the world of no-code web design platforms, it launched Editor X in 2020, which has completely changed the game.
Editor X is a no-code web design platform that offers advanced features like flex and grid layouts, custom interactions, and full breakpoint control.
This means interaction-based events, animations, and more are now accessible to folks who don’t know a single line of code (and don’t have the time to learn).
This makes Wix a great eCommerce website builder that punches well above its weight.
Design flexibility
Wix offers a wide range of templates specifically designed for eCommerce, with many customization options.
You can easily create a unique, professional-looking store that reflects your brand.
Payment gateways
Wix supports a variety of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, providing your customers with a smooth checkout experience.
Integrations with other tools and software
Wix’s App Market offers numerous integrations with popular eCommerce tools, including inventory management, email marketing, and analytics platforms.
This allows you to expand your store’s functionality and streamline your operations.
Pricing plans
Wix offers several pricing plans designed for eCommerce, with varying features to suit different business needs.
While there isn’t a free plan for online stores, Wix does provide a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Their plans start at $27 per month and go up to $59 per month.
Customer support
Wix offers customer support via phone, email, and an extensive knowledge base.
Related Article: 9 Alternative Platforms to Etsy: Which One Is Right for You?
5. WordPress + WooCommerce
WordPress, combined with the WooCommerce plugin, creates a powerful and flexible eCommerce platform for those familiar with the popular content management system.
WordPress is well-renowned for its massive theme and plugin library, which allows you to build almost anything you can imagine (if you’ve got the development chops or you’re willing to learn).
WordPress + WooCommerce is probably the least beginner-friendly online store builder on this list, which isn’t saying much. It’s still quite easy to get a WordPress site spun up, and with a bit of Googling, most technical issues can be quickly resolved.
The danger comes from the fact that, unlike Shopify, Wix, or SquareSpace, many of the themes and plugins are from 3rd-party developers and may negatively impact one another if not configured correctly.
That said, if you want to publish a bunch of blog content as part of your eCommerce marketing strategy, there’s no better platform than WordPress.
User-friendliness
While WordPress itself has a learning curve, the WooCommerce plugin simplifies the process of setting up an online store. It’s a great choice for those already familiar with WordPress.
Design flexibility
WooCommerce is highly customizable, with thousands of themes and plugins available. This allows you to create a truly unique online store tailored to your brand.
Payment gateways
WooCommerce supports a wide range of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, ensuring a convenient checkout experience for your customers.
Integrations with other tools and software
WooCommerce’s extensive plugin ecosystem allows you to integrate with various eCommerce tools, such as email marketing platforms, inventory management systems, and analytics tools.
When you combine this with the staggering number of plugins in the WordPress plugin library, you’re only limited by your imagination.
Pricing plans
WooCommerce itself is a free plugin, but costs may arise from additional plugins, themes, and hosting fees.
This makes it a cost-effective option for businesses on a budget.
Customer support
WooCommerce offers support through its documentation and user forums. Premium support is available for those who purchase additional extensions or themes.
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6. Shift4Shop (formerly 3Dcart)
Shift4Shop is an all-in-one eCommerce platform catering to businesses of all sizes.
User-friendliness
Shift4Shop offers a user-friendly interface, with a drag-and-drop editor that simplifies the process of building an online store.
Design flexibility
With over 100 customizable themes, Shift4Shop allows you to create a professional-looking store that aligns with your brand’s style.
Payment gateways
Shift4Shop integrates seamlessly with Shift4 Payments, the platform’s payment gateway, as well as other popular gateways like PayPal and Stripe.
Integrations with other tools and software
Shift4Shop offers numerous integrations with essential eCommerce tools, including email marketing, CRM, and inventory management solutions.
Pricing plans
Shift4Shop has various pricing plans to suit different business needs, including a free plan with basic features. Paid plans offer additional features and lower transaction fees.
Customer support
Shift4Shop provides 24/7 customer support via phone, live chat, and email, along with a comprehensive knowledge base for self-help resources.
Related Article: 11 Best eCommerce Alternatives to Square or Stripe: Learn Your Options
7. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a powerful eCommerce platform designed to help businesses of all sizes build and scale their online stores.
It offers a comprehensive set of eCommerce tools, including customizable templates, a wide range of payment gateways, and seamless integrations with popular marketing and sales tools.
With its robust features and scalability, BigCommerce is an ideal choice for growing businesses looking to expand their online presence and drive sales effectively.
User-friendliness
BigCommerce features a clean, user-friendly interface, making it easy to set up and manage an online store, even for those without coding experience.
Design flexibility
BigCommerce offers a variety of professional-looking, responsive themes, with plenty of customization options to create a unique store that reflects your brand.
Payment gateways
The platform supports a wide range of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, providing a smooth checkout experience for your customers.
Integrations with other tools and software
BigCommerce integrates with various eCommerce tools, such as email marketing platforms, Google Shopping, inventory management systems, and analytics tools, allowing you to extend your store’s functionality and streamline operations.
Pricing plans
BigCommerce offers several pricing plans to accommodate different business needs. While there’s no free plan, they do provide a 15-day free trial to test the platform.
Customer support
BigCommerce provides 24/7 customer support via phone, live chat, and email. Their extensive help center also offers a wealth of resources, including guides and video tutorials.
Related Article: 7 eCommerce Tools to Grow Your Business
8. Nexcess
Nexcess is a managed hosting provider that specializes in eCommerce solutions, particularly for WordPress, WooCommerce, Magento, and more.
It also includes StoreBuilder, an intuitive (and competitively priced) drag-and-drop eCommerce site builder built on the WordPress framework.
User-friendliness
Nexcess aims to simplify the process of setting up and managing an eCommerce store by providing a user-friendly hosting environment and one-click installations.
Design flexibility
Since Nexcess is a hosting provider, design flexibility depends on the eCommerce platform you choose, such as Magento or WooCommerce.
Both platforms offer a wide range of themes and customization options.
Payment gateways
Nexcess supports the payment gateways offered by the eCommerce platforms it hosts, ensuring a seamless checkout experience for your customers.
Integrations with other tools and software
As a hosting provider, Nexcess allows you to integrate your store with various eCommerce tools, depending on the platform you choose.
This helps extend your store’s functionality and streamline operations.
Pricing plans
Nexcess offers a variety of managed hosting plans to suit different business needs and budgets. While they don’t have a free plan, they do provide a 14-day free trial.
Customer support
Nexcess offers 24/7 customer support via phone, live chat, and email. They also provide an extensive knowledge base with helpful resources.
9. Duda
Duda is a newer entry to the no-code website builder world (at least compared to others on this list) with rich eCommerce functionality designed for web professionals, agencies, and entrepreneurs.
Duda’s competitive edge is that all its sites and templates are built with SEO in mind, namely with Core Web Vitals optimization, security, and built-in SEO tools.
They boast one of the best website builders (akin to something like Webflow or Editor X) and, while it does have a learning curve, it offers an almost unlimited level of customization.
User-friendliness
Duda features a drag-and-drop editor, making it easy to create and customize your online store without any coding experience.
Design flexibility
Duda offers a range of modern, responsive templates, with many customization options to create a unique online store that reflects your brand.
Payment gateways
Duda supports popular payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square, providing a convenient checkout experience for your customers.
Integrations with other tools and software
Duda integrates with various eCommerce tools, such as email marketing platforms, inventory management systems, and analytics tools, helping you extend your store’s functionality.
Pricing plans
Duda offers several pricing plans with eCommerce features, catering to different business needs. They also provide a 14-day free trial to test the platform.
Customer support
Duda offers customer support via phone, email, and live chat. They also provide a comprehensive knowledge base with helpful resources.
10. GoDaddy
GoDaddy, known primarily as a domain registrar and hosting provider, also offers an eCommerce website builder.
User-friendliness
GoDaddy’s eCommerce website builder features a user-friendly, intuitive editor, making it easy for anyone to create an online store.
Design flexibility
GoDaddy offers a range of modern, responsive templates, with customization options to create a professional-looking store that aligns with your brand.
Payment gateways
GoDaddy supports popular payment gateways like PayPal, Square, and Stripe, ensuring a smooth checkout experience for your customers.
Integrations with other tools and software
GoDaddy integrates with various eCommerce tools, such as email marketing platforms and inventory management systems, allowing you to enhance your store’s functionality and streamline operations.
Pricing plans
GoDaddy offers several eCommerce-focused pricing plans to accommodate different business needs. While they don’t have a free plan, they do provide a 30-day free trial to test the platform.
Their Commerce pricing plan ($24.99 per month) allows users to list up to 5,000 products for sale.
Customer support
GoDaddy offers 24/7 customer support via phone and live chat. They also have a comprehensive help center with articles and resources to help you navigate the platform.
11. Ecwid
Ecwid is a versatile eCommerce platform that allows users to quickly and easily add an online store to their existing website, blog, or social media pages.
It offers a range of customization options, supports various payment gateways, and provides seamless integration with popular marketing tools.
With its simplicity and flexibility, Ecwid is an excellent choice for small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to start selling online without building a new website from scratch.
User-friendliness
Ecwid is designed for ease of use, allowing you to set up your online store quickly and efficiently without any coding experience.
Design flexibility
Ecwid offers a range of responsive themes and customization options to create a professional-looking store that matches your brand’s style.
Payment gateways
Ecwid supports a variety of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, ensuring a seamless checkout experience for your customers.
Integrations with other tools and software
Ecwid integrates with numerous eCommerce tools, such as email marketing platforms, inventory management systems, and analytics tools, helping you enhance your store’s functionality and streamline operations.
Pricing plans
Ecwid offers a free plan with basic features, making it an attractive option for small businesses just starting out. Paid plans with additional features are also available.
Customer support
Ecwid provides customer support via live chat and email, as well as an extensive knowledge base with helpful resources to assist you in managing your online store.
How to pick the right eCommerce website builder for your business
Assess your specific needs and goals
Before choosing an eCommerce website builder, it’s important to understand your business’s unique needs and goals.
Consider factors such as your target audience, the types of products you sell, and your plans for growth.
If aesthetics and design are a priority, consider Shopify, SquareSpace, Wix, or Duda.
If you want to publish loads of content and are willing to get your hands dirty with some code, consider WordPress + WooCommerce.
If you want easy-to-use managed hosting on WordPress, look into Nexcess.
If you’re already using Square for your brick-and-mortar business, Square Online is probably the most logical choice.
Evaluating each platform’s strengths and weaknesses
Each eCommerce website builder has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Some platforms may excel in design flexibility, while others might prioritize user-friendliness.
Carefully evaluate each platform’s features to determine which one best aligns with your requirements.
Considering your budget and growth plans
Your budget and growth plans play a significant role in determining the best eCommerce platform for your business.
Some platforms offer affordable plans for smaller businesses, while others provide more advanced features to support rapidly growing companies.
Always consider the scalability of the platform when making your decision.
Testing: the key to finding the best eCommerce website builder
Before committing to an eCommerce website builder, take advantage of free trials or freemium plans to test out different platforms.
It may seem like a chore to build out your store on each of these platforms, but some legwork upfront will save you a ton of headaches down the line should you decide to switch.
Conclusion
Recap of the top eCommerce website builders
In this article, we’ve explored some of the best eCommerce website builders for 2023.
Truthfully, any of these platforms would be an excellent choice for an eCommerce website.
Sure, some are better than others depending on your goals, but there’s truly never been a better time to be a no-code eCommerce entrepreneur.
Choosing the right eCommerce website builder can have a significant impact on your online store’s success.
By considering factors such as design flexibility or payment gateways, you can find the perfect platform to support your online store and drive growth.
FAQs about eCommerce website builders
Is web hosting for my eCommerce site included in these services?
Yes, most eCommerce website builders include web hosting as part of their service packages. The only exception to this is WooCommerce, which is technically a very large plugin for the WordPress CMS (content management system).
However, many providers (like Bluehost or the aforementioned Nexcess), offer Managed WordPress sites that include hosting and an easy WordPress install.
This means you won’t need to purchase separate hosting, making it easier and more cost-effective to manage your online store.
Be sure to check the specific features and limitations of each platform’s hosting options to ensure it meets your needs and supports your site’s growth.
What should I look for in the best eCommerce site builder?
When choosing an eCommerce website builder, consider factors such as user-friendliness, design flexibility, payment gateways, integrations with other tools and software, pricing plans, and customer support.
These factors will help ensure a smooth experience when building and maintaining your online store.
Can I start an eCommerce business without any technical knowledge?
Yes, many eCommerce website builders offer a user-friendly drag-and-drop builder that makes it easy for those without technical knowledge to create and manage their online store.
These platforms provide pre-built templates and easy-to-use tools, allowing you to focus on your business rather than the technical aspects of your site.
How can I choose the best eCommerce website builder for my specific needs?
To find the best eCommerce website builder for your unique needs, start by assessing your business goals and target audience.
Then, research and compare different platforms based on their strengths and weaknesses, pricing plans, and scalability.
Be sure to test out different platforms using free trials or freemium plans before committing to one.
How much does it cost to start an online business using an eCommerce website builder?
The cost to start an online business using an eCommerce website builder varies depending on the platform you choose and the features you require.
Many platforms offer affordable plans for small businesses, while others provide more advanced features for rapidly growing companies.
Be sure to consider your budget and growth plans when selecting a platform.
Can I use an eCommerce website builder to sell both physical and digital products?
Yes, most eCommerce website builders support the sale of both physical and digital products.
Be sure to choose a platform that offers the necessary features for selling and managing your specific product types, such as inventory management for physical products and digital download options for digital products.
