5 Best eCommerce Website Builder: Top Choices for Your Online Store 

Do you want to take your business online but not sure where to start? If yes, then choosing the right eCommerce website builder can make all the difference. Usually, when you think of building an eCommerce website, it feels like a daunting task. However, thanks to eCommerce website builders, setting up online stores has never been easier. 

These platforms provide businesses with a quick and cost-effective way to launch an online presence. Plus, no coding skills required. However, with so many options available, how do you select the best platform for you which has the right tools, flexibility and support for you to succeed? 

Whether launching a small business or scaling up an existing brand, the platform you choose will play a key role in how easily you can set up, manage and grow your store. In this guide, we’ll explore the best eCommerce website builders, comparing their features and pros and cons. It will help you make an informed decision and set up your online store confidently. So, let’s dive in! 

Definition and benefits of using an eCommerce website builder 

An eCommerce website builder is an all-in-one platform to help you create, manage and run an online store. These builders come with pre-built templates and drag-and-drop tools. They also include essential features such as payment gateways, inventory management and customer support integration. The primary benefit is simplicity—no coding or technical skills required. 

Benefits of using an eCommerce website builder: 

• Ease of use: No technical expertise needed. You can set up an eCommerce website without hiring a developer. 
• Cost-effective: More affordable than building a custom website from scratch.
• All-in-one solution: Include design tools and eCommerce-specific features like payment processing and order tracking. 
• Scalability: Many platforms grow with your business, so you won’t outgrow them quickly. 

What types of businesses benefit from an eCommerce website builder? 

eCommerce website builders cater to businesses of all sizes—from small startups to established brands. Whether you’re selling physical goods, digital products or services, the right eCommerce platform can help: 

• Small businesses looking for a cost-effective and simple way to set up their store. 
• Dropshipping businesses that need a platform with seamless integrations to manage product orders and suppliers. 
• Established brands that want to quickly scale their online presence without investing significant time in development. 
• Digital product creators (e.g., courses, eBooks, software) looking for a straightforward way to sell and deliver digital goods. 

Top 5 eCommerce website builders 

Choosing the right eCommerce website builder for your business can be a game-changer. Here’s a closer look at five of the best ecommerce platforms available today, each with its unique features and strengths. 

1. WooCommerce- The ultimate eCommerce website builder for WordPress 

WooCommerce is a free eCommerce plugin you can add to your WordPress website. It enables you to sell anything online on WordPress, from physical products and digital downloads to services and subscriptions. As a powerful plugin for WordPress, WooCommerce transforms your existing site into a fully functional online store. This makes it perfect for anyone already using WordPress or looking to build a custom eCommerce experience. 

Key features: 

• Customizable: WooCommerce is an open-source plugin for WordPress, which means you can modify the code and tailor your store to your exact specifications. 
• Seamless integration: It integrates easily with various WordPress themes and plugins, giving you full control over the design and functionality. 
• Product variety: Supports physical products, digital downloads, subscriptions and even services. 
• Payment options: WooCommerce offers multiple payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe and traditional bank payments. 
• SEO-friendly: WooCommerce provides robust SEO capabilities, combined with the right plugins (like Yoast SEO) to help your store rank higher in search engines. 

Pros: 

• Complete control over the design and functionality of your store. 
• Highly customizable with the ability to modify the code. 
• SEO-friendly and works seamlessly with WordPress SEO tools. 
• Scalable and can grow with your business. 
• Massive community for support, tutorials and plugins. 

Cons: 

• Requires WordPress (so you need to understand what WordPress is and its uses or the willingness to learn). 
• Additional costs for hosting, premium themes and plugins. 
• Can become complex as you add more features and integrations (may require technical expertise). 

Therefore, WooCommerce best suits WordPress users looking for flexibility and customization. Notably, pair up your WordPress hosting with Bluehost for a seamless, fast and secure eCommerce experience.  

Why choose WooCommerce with Bluehost? 

WooCommerce + Bluehost = Seamless integration 

WooCommerce works perfectly with Bluehost, hosting provider officially recommended by WordPress. Hosting with Bluehost offers several benefits like- 

• 1-click WordPress installation: Bluehost offers easy installation of WordPress, which makes setting up WooCommerce quick and hassle-free. 
• WooCommerce-optimized hosting: Bluehost’s hosting is tailored for WooCommerce, ensuring your store runs smoothly with fast loading times, high uptime and reliable performance. 
• Free SSL certificate: Bluehost provides a free SSL certificate, which is crucial for securing customer data and ensuring safe transactions on your WooCommerce store. 
• 24/7 support: Bluehost offers dedicated support for WooCommerce users, so if you run into any technical issues, our team is ready to help.  

WooCommerce hosting with Bluehost, is a powerful, scalable and customizable eCommerce solution for WordPress site users. With Bluehost’s WooCommerce-optimized hosting you can build a professional, secure and high-performance online store without the technical headaches.  

2. Shopify- The ultimate eCommerce website builder for entrepreneurs 

Shopify is a cloud-based eCommerce platform that allows you to create, manage and scale an online store easily. With Shopify, you don’t need any coding experience to get started as it’s designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. The platform provides all the necessary tools for building and managing an online store, including customizable website templates, payment processing, shipping options and more.  

Key features: 

• User-friendly: Shopify is known for its easy-to-use interface, even for beginners with no technical skills. 
• Store templates: Over 200+ professionally designed templates that are mobile-responsive and customizable. 
• Integrated payment gateway: Shopify Payments, PayPal, Stripe and over 100 additional payment options. 
• App marketplace: A wide range of apps and integrations to extend your store’s functionality (like email marketing, SEO, shipping, etc.). 
• Multichannel selling: You can sell across multiple platforms, including social media, Amazon and eBay, all from within your Shopify dashboard. 
• Helps to build a mobile friendly website: All themes are fully responsive and mobile-friendly. 
• Shopify POS: Sell offline with Shopify’s Point of Sale system for brick-and-mortar stores. 
• Shipping and taxes: Set up shipping rates, integrate with third-party shipping providers and manage taxes automatically. 
• Analytics and reporting: Track sales, customer data and marketing campaigns with built-in reporting tools. 
• App integrations: Add extra features like email marketing, product reviews, loyalty programs and more from the Shopify App Store. 

Having understood the essential features, let go through Shopify’s pros and cons.  

Pros: 

• Extremely easy to set up and use, even for beginners. 
• Everything you need for eCommerce in one place. 
• Grows with your business, from small to enterprise-level stores. 
• 24/7 customer support is always available to help with any issues. 
• Extensive App marketplace to enhance your store’s functionality with thousands of apps. 
• Themes are responsive and optimized for mobile devices. 
• Built-in SSL encryption and PCI-DSS compliance for secure transactions. 

Cons: 

• Shopify’s pricing can be higher than some other platforms, especially when you add apps and additional features. 
• If you don’t use Shopify Payments, transaction fees apply. 
• While Shopify is customizable, there are some limitations compared to open-source platforms like WooCommerce. 
• Some apps require additional monthly fees, which can add up over time. 

Shopify’s user-friendly design, comprehensive features and scalability make it a great choice for entrepreneurs, small businesses and larger companies alike. If you’re looking to quickly set up an online store with minimal hassle and maximum support, Shopify is the way to go. Moreover, you can go through WooCommerce vs Shopify comparison before making a decision. 

3. Wix- The easy-to-use eCommerce website builder 

Wix is a cloud-based website builder that provides users with an easy way to design websites using a drag-and-drop interface. In addition to building general websites, it offers robust eCommerce capabilities, making it possible to host a website on Wix. Moreover, Wix offers a free plan, but to run an eCommerce store, you’ll need to choose one of their paid plans. 

Key features of Wix for eCommerce 

• Drag-and-Drop editor: Simple and intuitive, no coding required. 
• eCommerce templates: Professionally designed and mobile-optimized templates. 
• Payment gateways: Wix Payments, PayPal, Stripe and other options. 
• Mobile optimization: Automatically adjusts for mobile devices and tablets. 
• eCommerce SEO and marketing tools: Wix SEO Wiz, email marketing and social media integration. 
• Product management: Manage physical and digital products with ease. 
• Shipping and tax: Integrate shipping carriers and calculate taxes automatically. 
• App marketplace: Enhance your store’s features with apps from the Wix App Market. 
• Order management: Track orders, manage inventory and process refunds. 

Pros: 

• Easy to use as no coding experience required, with a drag-and-drop editor. 
• Affordable pricing with lower-cost plans for small businesses and startups. 
• A wide range of modern, responsive and customized templates. 
• Mobile-optimized designs that work seamlessly across all devices. 
• Built-in marketing tools like SEO tools, email marketing and social media integrations. 
• Flexible payment options with multiple payment gateways, including Wix Payments, PayPal and Stripe. 

Cons: 

• While Wix is great for small to medium businesses, it can become restrictive as your store grows. 
• If you don’t use Wix Payments, you’ll pay a transaction fee on each sale. 
• While Wix offers a high degree of customization, it may not be as flexible as platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce for advanced eCommerce needs. 
• Some apps in the Wix App Market require additional monthly fees. 

Wix is an excellent eCommerce website builder for small businesses and entrepreneurs who want an easy, affordable way to create an online store. Its drag-and-drop editor, customizable templates and affordable pricing make it a great choice for users who need a simple yet effective way to sell products online. It may not be as robust as Shopify or WooCommerce in terms of advanced features and scalability, However, it provides all the essential tools for building a professional online store with minimal effort. 

4. Squarespace- The elegant eCommerce website builder 

If you’re looking to build a visually stunning online store that stands out, Squarespace could be the best website builder for you. Squarespace is a popular website builder that offers an all-in-one platform for creating websites, blogs, portfolios and online stores. Known for its sleek, designer-quality templates, Squarespace enables users to create an attractive, fully functional eCommerce business without needing to hire a professional designer. 

Key features of Squarespace for eCommerce: 

• Stunning templates: Professionally designed, mobile-responsive eCommerce templates. 
• Drag-and-drop editor: Easily customize your site without needing coding skills. 
• Product management: Add and organize products, manage inventory and create product variants. 
• Payment integration: Accept payments via Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay. 
• Mobile optimization: Fully responsive templates that adjust to all screen sizes. 
• Built-in marketing tools: SEO features, email campaigns and social media integrations. 
• Analytics and reporting: Track sales, traffic and performance to optimize your store. 
• Shipping and tax automation: Integrate with shipping carriers and automate tax calculations. 
• Customer support: 24/7 support via email and live chat, plus a helpful help center. 

Pros: 

• Beautiful design templates that are ideal for showcasing products. 
• User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality, perfect for beginners. 
• All-in-one platform: Hosting, payment processing and eCommerce features in one place. 
• Mobile-optimized templates ensure your store looks great on all devices. 
• Built-in marketing tools like SEO, social media integration and email campaigns. 
• Excellent customer support with 24/7 availability. 

Cons: 

• Limited customization compared to more flexible platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. 
• Higher pricing for eCommerce features compared to other website builders.
• Transaction fees on the Business plan (but waived on the higher-tier plans). 
• Less suitable for large stores with extensive product catalogs or complex inventory management needs. 
• Fewer third-party integrations than platforms like Shopify. 

Squarespace is an excellent choice for an eCommerce site that prioritizes design and simplicity. It’s beautiful templates, user-friendly interface and powerful ecommerce features make it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized online stores. While it may have fewer advanced ecommerce features than platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, Squarespace strikes a perfect balance between ease of use, style and functionality. 

5. BigCommerce- The scalable eCommerce website builder 

If you’re aiming to scale your eCommerce business rapidly and need an online store builder that offers advanced features and flexibility, BigCommerce is one of the top choices. BigCommerce is a cloud-based eCommerce tool that enables businesses to create, manage and grow their online stores. It’s a fully hosted solution that provides everything you need to sell products online. It includes everything from customizable store designs to secure payment processing, inventory management and more. 

Key features of BigCommerce: 

• Advanced eCommerce tools: Product variants, multi-currency support, wholesale capabilities and abandoned cart recovery. 
• Customization: Full access to HTML, CSS and JavaScript for complete control over your store’s design. 
• Marketing features: SEO tools, email marketing integration, discount codes and social media selling. 
• Payment and shipping: Wide range of payment gateways, real-time shipping rate calculations and no transaction fees. 
• Scalability: Cloud-based infrastructure designed to handle high traffic and large stores. 
• Multichannel selling: Integrate with Amazon, eBay, Google Shopping and social media platforms. 
• 24/7 customer support: Available via live chat, phone or email. 

Pros: 

• Advanced features for growing and scaling businesses. Includes multi-currency support, abandoned cart recovery and wholesale pricing. 
• Customization options: Full access to HTML, CSS and JavaScript for a unique store design. 
• No transaction fees, which can save money compared to platforms like Shopify. 
• Multichannel selling: Easily connect to marketplaces like Amazon, eBay and social media platforms. 
• Scalable and high-performance infrastructure: BigCommerce can handle large stores and high traffic volumes. 

Cons: 

• Higher pricing than some competitors, making it less ideal for small businesses on a tight budget. Thats why many compare WooCommerce vs BigCommerce as they get essential features free of cost with WooCommerce. 
• Steep learning curve for beginners, especially when it comes to customizing themes and managing advanced eCommerce features. 
• Limited free themes compared to other platforms, although paid themes are available. 
• Transaction fees if you use third-party payment gateways (unless you use BigCommerce’s own payment system). 

If you’re running a growing business and need an eCommerce platform that can handle large volumes of traffic, a diverse product catalogue and complex business needs, BigCommerce is an excellent choice. With its advanced features, scalability and customization options, it’s perfect for businesses that want to go beyond the basics and expand into multiple sales channels. 

Comparison table of best eCommerce website builders 

Platform	Key Features	Customer Support	Target Audience	Pros & Cons Summary
WooCommerce	Open-source, highly customizable, SEO-friendly	Community support, plugins	Intermediate to Advanced	Pros: Low cost, scalable.  Cons: Needs technical skills.
Shopify	Easy setup, great integrations, app store	24/7 support	Beginners to advanced	Pros: User-friendly, reliable.  Cons: Transaction fees.
Wix	Drag-and-drop builder, templates galore	24/7 support	Beginners	Pros: Easy setup, affordable. Cons: Limited scalability.
Squarespace	Stunning templates, built-in eCommerce	24/7 support	Designers, creatives	Pros: Beautiful designs, ease of use. Cons: Limited payment options.
BigCommerce	Multi-channel selling, no transaction fees	24/7 support	Mid-sized to large businesses	Pros: Scalable, strong SEO. Cons: Steep learning curve.

How much does it cost to build an eCommerce website? 

While some platforms like WooCommerce are free, most eCommerce platforms require ongoing fees for hosting, domain registration and additional apps or services. Pricing can vary from as little as $10 per month for basic plans (Wix) to $100+ per month for advanced plans (Shopify, BigCommerce). 

How to choose the best eCommerce site builder 

Choosing the best eCommerce website builder for your online store can be overwhelming with so many options available. However, the right platform can make all the difference in the success of your business. From design flexibility to payment processing and marketing tools, several factors must be considered before committing to a platform. Below are the key steps and considerations to help you find the eCommerce website builder that best fits your needs. 

Assess your business needs 

Before you start comparing platforms, defining your business type is important. Are you: 

• A small business just starting out? 
• An established brand looking to scale? 
• A Dropshipping business looking for easy inventory management? 
• A seller of digital products, such as e-books or software? 

The type of business you run will affect the features and functionality you’ll need from an eCommerce platform.  

Features that matter most 

Think about the website features that will be essential to your business: 

• Product management: Do you need to sell physical products, digital downloads or both? 
• Design customization: How much creative control do you need over your store’s look and feel? 
• Mobile optimization: With mobile shopping on the rise, ensure your platform offers mobile-responsive templates. 
• SEO & marketing tools: How vital are SEO features and built-in marketing tools to drive traffic and sales? 

Make a list of must-have features to guide your decision-making process. 

1. Budget: Understand pricing models 

Your budget will play a crucial role in selecting an eCommerce website builder. Most platforms offer tiered pricing plans based on the features and capabilities you need. Here are some things to keep in mind: 

• Subscription plans: Some platforms charge monthly fees, while others might have yearly plans with discounts. 
• Transaction fees: Check if the platform charges transaction fees on sales made through your store, which can eat into your profit margins. 
• Payment gateway fees: Certain platforms offer integrated payment solutions that include lower transaction fees, while others might require third-party integrations that could add additional costs. 
• Extras and add-ons: Keep in mind the costs for third-party apps, themes or premium features that could be required to meet your store’s needs. 

Platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce have higher monthly fees but offer extensive features. On the other hand, options like Wix or Squarespace might be more affordable but may require more customization for advanced needs. 

2. Long-term scalability 

As your business grows, so will your requirements. You need to choose an eCommerce website builder that can grow with you. Consider: 

• How easy it is to upgrade: Will you be able to switch plans as your needs change and how seamless is the upgrade process? 
• Sales volume and traffic: Will the platform handle a larger product catalog, more customers and higher traffic? 
• Future features: Does the platform support additional features, like multi-currency support, international shipping or marketing integrations, which you may need as your business expands? 

Choose a platform that allows for scalable growth without having to migrate to another solution down the line. 

3. Ease of use and technical skills 

Some of the best eCommerce website builders are easier to use than others. To compare different builders, consider the following: 

• User interface: Does the platform have an intuitive drag-and-drop interface or will you need to learn coding to make basic changes? 
• Customization options: How much flexibility do you have in designing your website? Some platforms provide ready-made templates that are easy to modify, while others require more technical knowledge to get the look you want. 
• Support resources: Does the platform offer robust customer support, including tutorials, documentation and live chat or phone support? 

If you’re not tech-savvy and want a platform that’s easy to use with a shorter learning curve, platforms like Wix or Squarespace may be a good fit. If you’re comfortable with coding or have a team that can handle customization, BigCommerce or WooCommerce might be better suited to your needs. 

4. Trial periods and free plans 

One of the best ways to evaluate an eCommerce website builder is to take advantage of free trials or free plans. Many platforms offer limited-time trials, typically between 7 to 30 days, allowing you to test out the platform’s features and interface. 

• Test the platform’s ease of use: Spend time navigating through the platform, adding products, customizing templates and testing out features like SEO tools, payment gateways and integrations. 
• Evaluate the platform’s performance: Check how fast your site loads, whether it’s mobile-optimized and how well it functions on different devices. 
• Assess customer support: During the trial, try reaching out to the platform’s support team to see how responsive and helpful they are. 

By testing the platform first, you’ll avoid making a commitment to a service that doesn’t meet your expectations. 

Importance of choosing the right eCommerce website builder 

Choosing the best eCommerce website builder is crucial because it affects your store’s functionality, user experience and long-term success. A good platform will enable you to create an attractive and professional store that’s easy to manage and optimized for sales. The wrong one could lead to frustration, lost sales and extra costs. 

eCommerce website builder vs. custom build 

When it comes to building an online store, businesses often face a key situation-should they use an online store builder or invest in a custom-built website? Both options come with distinct advantages and disadvantages, depending on your business needs, budget and long-term goals. Understanding the differences between the two can help you make an informed choice that aligns with your vision for your online store.  

Ultimately, the choice between an eCommerce website builder and a custom-built solution depends on your business needs, goals and budget. 

Choose an eCommerce website builder if: 

• You need to launch your store quickly and affordably. 
• You want a simple, user-friendly solution without the need for coding or development. 
• You have a smaller store with basic functionality and scalability needs. 
• You prefer an all-in-one platform that handles hosting, security and payment gateways. 
• You need a cost-effective option with ongoing support. 

Choose a custom build if: 

• You have specific functionality or design requirements that cannot be met by website builders. 
• You need a highly customizable, unique user experience. 
• You have a large or rapidly growing store with complex needs (for example, specialized features, custom integrations). 
• You have the budget for upfront development costs and can afford ongoing maintenance. 
• You want complete control over performance, security and scalability. 

In short, website builders are an excellent choice for most small-to-medium businesses looking for speed and affordability. Subsequently, custom-built solution is better for businesses with unique or complex needs that require complete control and scalability. 

Common mistakes to avoid when choosing an eCommerce website builder 

When selecting an eCommerce website builder, it’s easy to focus on the price tag, but making decisions based solely on affordability can lead to missed opportunities or long-term challenges. To help you avoid costly missteps, here are three common mistakes to watch out for when choosing an eCommerce platform for your store: 

1. Choosing solely on the basis of price 

While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, basing your decision purely on price can lead to hidden costs and limited features. Low-cost platforms often lack essential tools or require expensive upgrades as your business grows. It’s better to balance affordability with functionality, keeping in mind both short-term and long-term costs. 

2. Overlooking customer support 

Without reliable customer support, solving issues that arise during setup or maintenance can become a frustrating roadblock. Startups, in particular, need responsive, accessible support to ensure smooth operations and quick resolution of any problems that affect the customer experience. 

3. Not planning for growth 

Choosing a platform that doesn’t scale with your business can cause problems as you expand. It’s important to select an eCommerce website builder that offers scalable plans and features, ensuring your store can grow without facing significant limitations or costly migrations later on. 

How to get started with WooCommerce using Bluehost 

Understand step-by step process on how to build your eCommerce site on WordPress using WooCommerce.  

• Choose a hosting provider 
  • WooCommerce runs on WordPress, so choose a WordPress-compatible host such as Bluehost. We offer one-click WordPress installations and optimized performance for eCommerce. 
  • Sign up for a plan, install WordPress, then install WooCommerce from the dashboard. 

• Select a WooCommerce compatible theme 
  • Choose a mobile-responsive, fast-loading eCommerce theme from the WooCommerce Theme Store or third-party providers. 
  • Install and activate your theme. 

• Customize your store 
  • Add products, set up payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, etc.) and configure shipping options. 
  • Design your home page, product pages and checkout pages. 

• Add essential plugins 
  • Install plugins like Yoast SEO for optimization and Mailchimp for WooCommerce for email marketing. 

• Test and launch 
  • Test links, buttons and checkout processes on desktop and mobile. 
  • Once ready, publish and launch your store! 

Check out some of our success stories of businesses using WooCommerce with Bluehost 

1. Bang On Books is a company that creates personalized adventure books. The store’s owner used WooCommerce with Bluehost to launch their eCommerce site, offering customers the ability to create unique adventure stories with their children as the main character. This customized service, coupled with the reliable hosting from Bluehost, allowed them to scale and reach customers worldwide. 

2. House of Malt, a supplier of home brewing equipment, saw significant success by using WooCommerce along with other integrations like Apple Pay and WooPayments. They were able to increase their average order value by 22%, thanks to the seamless checkout process and integrations provided by WooCommerce and Bluehost’s hosting. 

WooCommerce, paired with Bluehost, is an affordable, scalable solution to build your online store. Start simple and grow over time! 

Final thoughts: Which eCommerce platform is right for you? 

Choosing the right eCommerce platform is crucial for your business. Whether you’re looking for an easy setup with Shopify, a customizable solution like WooCommerce or a design-focused option like Squarespace, there’s a platform out there that can help you bring your vision to life. 

According to BuiltWith, WooCommerce powers 17% of all eCommerce sites on the internet, proving its popularity and reliability among entrepreneurs. 

No matter which platform you choose, remember that testing and finding the best fit for your business needs is key to long-term success. So, take the time to explore the options and get started on the right foot! Most platforms offer free trials, so take advantage of them! 

Ready to start building your online store? Try Bluehost’s WooCommerce hosting today for a seamless setup and unbeatable performance! 

FAQs