The best ecommerce platform for small businesses can drive success and simplify online selling if you know what strategies to implement according to your business needs. Your business deserves a solution that’s intuitive, cost-effective, and packed with features to boost growth. Only the right decision can give you smooth operations and more time to focus on expanding your reach.
We covered all the essential areas for top ecommerce platforms for small businesses, compared features, and helped you choose the best fit to scale your online store with ease.
What Is an Ecommerce Platform?
An ecommerce platform is a software tool that allows businesses to sell products online. These platforms have many features to help you set up a website, take payments, manage shipping, and more. Choosing the right platform for your small business ensures customers have a great shopping experience.
Key Features of the Best Ecommerce Platform for Small Business
When choosing an ecommerce platform, you should keep some important features in mind. These features will help make managing your online store easier and more successful.
1. Easy to Use
The best ecommerce platforms for small businesses should be easy to use. You don’t want to spend much time learning how to set up your store. Look for platforms with drag-and-drop builders or simple setup instructions to get started quickly.
2. Mobile-Friendly Templates
Many people shop on their phones, so your ecommerce website must look great on mobile devices. Ensure the platform offers mobile-friendly templates so your website works well on smartphones and tablets.
3. Integrated Shipping and Payment Options
A good ecommerce platform for small business will allow you to connect with shipping services to ship your products easily. Look for platforms that work with shipping companies like Shippo or EasyShip. The platform should also offer various payment options like PayPal or credit cards.
4. Affordable Pricing Plans
Since small businesses often operate with smaller budgets, choosing a platform that provides affordable e-commerce solutions is essential. Many platforms offer basic plans that allow for upgrades as your business grows. Look for a pricing plan that fits your current budget and can scale with your business in the future.
5. Room to Grow
You want a platform that can grow with your business. You may need extra features like advanced marketing tools or multi-channel selling as you get more customers. Make sure the platform can scale up as your business expands.
What is the Best E-Commerce Platform for Small Business 2025?
Now that you know what to look for, let’s explore what is the best ecommerce platforms for small businesses and what makes them best.
Shopify for Small Business
Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms for small businesses. It’s known for being simple and easy to set up.
Key Features: Shopify has a drag-and-drop builder, which makes setting up your store easy, even if you’re not tech-savvy. It also has a large app store where you can add extra features to your site, like email marketing tools or social media integrations. Shopify works with several shipping and payment services, making it easy for customers to buy from you.
Best For: Small businesses that need an easy, scalable solution.
Shopify Reviews for Small Business: Shopify users love how easy it is to set up and customize their stores. Many small business owners say its powerful features have helped them grow quickly.
BigCommerce for Small Business
BigCommerce is another top choice for small businesses, especially those that plan to grow.
Key Features: BigCommerce has more built-in features than Shopify, so you won’t need as many apps. It’s great for businesses that sell on multiple platforms, like Amazon or eBay. BigCommerce also supports businesses with large product inventories, making it ideal for companies looking to expand.
Best For: Small businesses with plans to grow and sell on multiple platforms.
BigCommerce for Small Business: Many users love BigCommerce because it can handle large amounts of products and has powerful shipping and marketing tools.
WooCommerce for Small Ecommerce Websites
If you already use WordPress for your website, WooCommerce is a great option. It’s free to start and lets you add an online store to your WordPress site.
Key Features: WooCommerce is very customizable, which means you can change almost every part of your store to fit your needs. It has many plugins, so you can easily add shipping, payment, and marketing tools. WooCommerce also lets you control every part of your online store.
Best For: Small businesses already use WordPress and want to add ecommerce features.
WooCommerce vs Shopify: WooCommerce is highly flexible but might need more technical knowledge. Shopify is easier for beginners but may be more expensive in the long run due to app fees.
Wix and Squarespace for Small Business
If design is important for your business, Wix and Squarespace are website builders that offer ecommerce options. These platforms offer beautiful design templates and user-friendly setups.
Key Features: Both Wix and Squarespace offer mobile-friendly templates and easy-to-use builders. You can set up an online store quickly and manage it easily. They also come with basic ecommerce features like product listings and payment processing.
Best For: Small businesses that want a visually appealing store and don’t need complex ecommerce tools.
Best Ecommerce Website Builders for Startups
If you’re starting your business, you’ll need an ecommerce platform for small businesses that is affordable and easy to use but still offers room to grow.
Shopify for Startups
Shopify is perfect for startups because it’s easy to set up and use and offers different pricing plans depending on your needs.
Key Features: Shopify’s user-friendly design makes it easy for anyone to start selling online. It also integrates well with shipping platforms like Shippo and offers a variety of payment gateways.
Pricing Plans: Shopify offers flexible pricing, so you can start small and upgrade as your business grows. Its basic plan is affordable for startups, and you can add more features as you need them.
BigCommerce for Startups
BigCommerce is another great platform for startups that plan to grow quickly.
Key Features: BigCommerce offers many built-in marketing tools and doesn’t charge transaction fees, which can save you money as you scale. It’s great for startups planning to sell on platforms like Amazon, eBay, or social media.
Pricing Plans: BigCommerce has startup-friendly pricing plans that are affordable for new businesses, with options to scale up as your business grows.
How to Set Up Your Ecommerce Website?
Once you’ve chosen your platform, the next step is to set up your ecommerce website. We’ll walk through how to set up your store using Shopify, but these steps are similar across other platforms like BigCommerce and WooCommerce.
Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up a Shopify Store
- Choose a Theme: Shopify offers many free and paid themes. Pick a theme that fits your brand and is mobile-friendly.
- Add Your Products: Upload your product photos, write descriptions, and set prices. Be sure to include details that make it easy for customers to understand your products.
- Set Up Payment Options: Shopify works with many payment gateways, such as PayPal, Stripe, and Shopify Payments. Choose the best option for your business.
- Integrate Shipping Platforms: Connect your store with shipping services like Shippo or EasyShip to facilitate order fulfillment. This allows you to track shipments and manage orders efficiently.
How to Optimize Your Ecommerce Website for Sales?
To get the most out of your ecommerce website, you’ll want to ensure it’s set up to convert visitors into buyers. Here are a few simple tips to help:
Write Clear Product Descriptions: Make sure your product descriptions are easy to read and explain why your product is worth buying. Highlight key features and benefits to attract buyers.
Use Mobile-First Design: Many people shop on their phones, so it’s important to ensure your website looks great on mobile devices.
Install Helpful Apps: Use apps from Shopify’s app store or WooCommerce’s plugin library to add helpful features to your store, like email marketing tools or product review apps. This can increase customer trust and encourage sales.
Choose the Best Ecommerce Platform for Small Business
The best ecommerce platform for your small business depends on what you need most. Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce all offer great tools to help you build and grow your online store. Shopify is great if you want something simple and scalable, while BigCommerce is perfect for businesses looking for advanced features as they grow.
If you already use WordPress, WooCommerce is a great choice for adding ecommerce features. Think about what your business needs, your budget, and your goals. Whether you want a basic setup or something that can grow with you, there’s a platform that’s right for you.
Ready to take your business online? Contact us to start today with Shopify or BigCommerce and set up your ecommerce store. Don’t wait, your customers are ready to shop!
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecommerce Platforms for Small Business
Many small businesses consider Shopify as the best ecommerce platform because it’s easy to set up, affordable, and offers many features to help them grow.
Yes, Shopify is a great choice for small businesses. It offers a simple setup, affordable pricing plans, and a wide range of features to help your business succeed online.
Yes, BigCommerce is an excellent option for small businesses, especially those looking to scale. It offers built-in marketing and shipping tools and works well for businesses with large inventories.
Platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce allow you to connect your store to shipping platforms like Shippo or EasyShip. These services help you manage your shipments and track orders easily.
Both Shopify and BigCommerce are great for startups. Shopify is easy to set up and has a wide range of features, while BigCommerce offers more built-in tools and doesn’t charge transaction fees, which can save you money as you grow.
