Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

Wix is a leading all-in-one website builder that offers a highly customizable drag-and-drop site editor. It’s not only very intuitive and easy to use with tons of high-quality online store templates to choose from for free, but it also offers feature-rich plans that help make selling online easier. For example, plans come with the ability to sell unlimited products, abandoned cart recovery and recurring payments.

The downside of Wix is that storage is limited to 50GB, and the price for unlimited storage jumps up to $159 per month with the Business Elite plan. This makes it expensive for online stores with a large inventory and content-heavy sites, such as those that use many product photos and a blog for content marketing.

Learn more:Read our Wix review.

Who should use it:

Wix is the best e-commerce platform for businesses that want a very easy-to-use site builder that comes with everything you need to build and manage an online store.

Pros & Cons

  • Beginner-friendly site editor
  • All-in-one pricing includes hosting, a domain and SSL certificate
  • All templates are free
  • Sell unlimited products
  • Accept recurring payments
  • Entry-level e-commerce plan has a storage limit of 50 GB
  • Limited dropshipping integrations

BEST FOR AI FUNCTIONALITY

Shopify

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

$29 per month

(paid annually)

Standout Features

Dropshipping integrations, omnichannel selling, built-in selling features

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

$29 per month

(paid annually)

Dropshipping integrations, omnichannel selling, built-in selling features

Why We Picked It

Shopify is one of the best e-commerce platforms for its advanced feature set designed for selling online. It stands out for its wide range of dropshipping integrations that makes selling online without an inventory easy. It has a comprehensive onboarding process to help you make enough to cover your plan cost by the time the three-day trial ends.

Generally, most sellers find the Basic plan ($29 per month if billed annually) more than sufficient to handle their store’s needs. It includes up to two staff accounts, shipping discounts, POS access (via Shopify POS Lite, which works fine for small events) and abandoned cart recovery.

There are several other plans ranging from $5 monthly up to enterprise-level options for $2,000 or more per month. The more expensive the plan, the lower your transaction fees and credit card processing fees. Additionally, these plans have an even larger discount on shipping. The $5 per month Starter plan lets you sell through social media and messaging apps without your own dedicated website, and does not include an online store.

Learn more: Read our full Shopify review.

Who should use it:

Shopify is best for omnichannel sellers, as well as sellers who want to leverage unique AI features into their workflows

Pros & Cons

  • Free 3-day trial, then one month for $1
  • The most dropshipping integrations
  • Omnichannel selling
  • Offers POS functionality
  • Customers can pay in four methods with Klarna, Afterpay, Sezzle or Shopify Payments
  • No free plan
  • Sellers must purchase a custom domain name or import one
  • Limited selection of free themes

Best Free E-Commerce Platform

Shift4Shop

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

Standout Features

Unlimited products, fraud protection, digital and physical products

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

Unlimited products, fraud protection, digital and physical products

Why We Picked It

If you’re U.S.-based, your Shift4Shop plan is entirely free, provided you use its credit card processor. You’ll pay credit card processing fees of 2.9% plus 30 cents per order, which is standard across the industry. Features are robust; enjoy unlimited staff accounts, as many products as you need, variations and digital downloads.

Should you want to use PayPal as your processor, you must sign up for a paid plan. These start at $29 per month and go up to $299 per month—the more expensive the plan, the more staff accounts you have.

Learn more: Read our full Shift4Shop review.

Who should use it: Sellers on a tight budget.

Pros & Cons

  • Robust free plan
  • Unlimited products
  • Unlimited users and bandwidth
  • Very easy to use
  • Over 100 free themes
  • No revenue caps
  • Includes fraud protection
  • Its paid plans have a sales limit of $100,000 per year
  • Limited selection of apps available
  • Customization options are limited
  • Not available outside of the U.S.

Best for Omnichannel Selling

Square Online

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

Free; $29 per month (billed annually)

Standout Features

Free site, sell in store, sell on social, multiple delivery options (e.g., pickup, delivery, shipping)

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

Free; $29 per month (billed annually)

Free site, sell in store, sell on social, multiple delivery options (e.g., pickup, delivery, shipping)

Why We Picked It

Square is widely used by many different industries, whether a restaurant or a brick-and-mortar boutique, thanks to its chip reader and point-of-sale (POS) solutions. It’s another one of our top picks because it offers a free plan, as well as multichannel selling included with each plan option. This means you can sell across your e-commerce site, Facebook and Instagram. Inventory management helps you keep track of your stock, no matter where a sale occurs.

The downside of its free plan is that you’ll have to endure Square ads. Paid plans start at $29 per month (billed annually) and include a free domain name for a year, no ads and sellers can upload custom fonts. For a bespoke plan that customizes your needs, custom quotes can be requested.

Free and Plus plans have credit card transaction fees of 2.9% plus 30 cents.

Learn more: Read our full Square review.

Who should use it:

Merchants who also need a POS for in-person sales.

Pros & Cons

  • Offers a free plan
  • All plans have multichannel selling
  • Sync your Square POS on each plan
  • With paid plans, customers can order using a QR code
  • Discounted processing fee on its highest-tiered plan
  • No custom domains with its Free plan
  • Must have a paid plan for abandoned cart features

Best for Boosting Sales

BigCommerce

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

$29 per month

(billed annually)

Standout Features

No transaction fees, abandoned cart recovery, omnichannel selling

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

$29 per month

(billed annually)

No transaction fees, abandoned cart recovery, omnichannel selling

Why We Picked It

BigCommerce is built for selling online, so its plans come packed with the features retailers need to foster leads and land sales. Plans start at $29 per month (if billed annually) and include unlimited storage, bandwidth and products. It offers flexible selling with multiple currencies for international sales, as well as many ways for customers to pay, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Amazon Pay.

Similar to Squarespace and Shopify, building an online store with BigCommerce is considered fairly easy and involves only a small learning curve. Unlike Squarespace, plans do not include a domain name and not all themes are free.

Another difference is that BigCommerce plans have a limit on the amount of sales you make per year, so its entry-level plan has a cap of $50,000 in annual sales. If you earn more than that, you’ll need to choose a higher plan, such as the Plus plan for $79 per month for up to $180,000 in annual sales. This can make BigCommerce less affordable to grow with, though its built-in sales and marketing tools can help you drive more sales—making it a good value for many.

Learn more: Read our BigCommerce review.

Who should use it:

BigCommerce is best for online retailers that are looking to utilize built-in sales and marketing tools to more effectively foster leads and increase sales.

Pros & Cons

  • Feature-rich e-commerce plans
  • Free 15-day trial
  • Tons of built-in sales and marketing tools
  • User-friendly page builder
  • Unlimited products, storage and bandwidth
  • No transaction fee
  • Accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay
  • Cheapest plan starts at $29 per month
  • Premium themes get expensive (many are over $200)
  • Plans do not include a domain name
  • Plans have a cap on annual sales

Best Value

Weebly

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

Free; $10 per month

(billed annually)

Standout Features

Free domain name and SSL certificate, beginner-friendly, unlimited storage

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

Free; $10 per month

(billed annually)

Free domain name and SSL certificate, beginner-friendly, unlimited storage

Why We Picked It

Weebly is a top-rated website builder that is known for its simplicity and ease of use. It’s owned by the same company as Square, however, the two e-commerce platforms offer different product offerings. As with Square, all of its website plans are designed to meet the needs of online retailers on a budget.

In terms of pricing, it offers one of the best values on the market. It offers a free forever plan with unlimited products, which buys users plenty of time to build an online store without an upfront investment. However, this plan does not allow you to connect a domain name, so it’s not suitable for business use. Weebly’s Professional plan comes in at a fraction of the cost of its leading competitors, at just $12 per month (if billed annually), and includes everything from a free domain and SSL to inventory management, shipping labels, calculators and an automatic tax calculator.

Learn more: Read our Weebly review.

Who should use it:

Weebly is the best e-commerce platform for small businesses that are just getting started with a website and want an affordable and ultra-easy way of building an online store.

Pros & Cons

  • Free basic plan available
  • Competitively priced plans start at $10 per month (if billed annually)
  • Unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • Unlimited items
  • Free domain name and SSL certificate
  • Sell physical and digital goods
  • Accept recurring payments
  • Automatic tax and shipping calculator
  • Cannot connect a custom domain to free plan
  • Some of its themes look cheap

Best for Beginners

Squarespace

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

$23

per month, billed annually

Standout Features

Free domain and SSL certificate, no transaction fees, award-winning templates

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

$23

per month, billed annually

Free domain and SSL certificate, no transaction fees, award-winning templates

Why We Picked It

Squarespace offers a wide array of attractive templates—many of which are free. While it doesn’t offer a free plan, its Business package starts at just $23 per month (if paid annually). It comes with the ability to sell an unlimited number of products, customization using CSS and JavaScript and a professional email address from Google. It does have a lower-cost plan that starts at $16 per month (paid annually), but that doesn’t include e-commerce features.

For $27 per month (paid annually), you can get the Basic Commerce plan that enables you to have a point-of-sale (POS). This plan is ideal for anyone with a brick-and-mortar store or for those who sell at markets and fairs. You’ll also get e-commerce analytics and the ability to tag your products in Instagram posts. The Advanced Commerce plan costs $49 per month (if paid annually) and lets you sell subscriptions and send automated emails when a customer abandons their cart without completing a purchase.

It’s worth noting that unless you have either one of the Commerce plans, there is a 3% transaction fee on sales. These fees are in addition to the standard credit card fees per sale charged on each plan.

Learn more: Read our Squarespace review.

Who should use it:

Sellers who are just getting started or whose primary business is in information and just happen to sell products on the side.

Pros & Cons

  • Affordable and robust e-commerce plans start at $23 per month
  • Beginner-friendly, no web design experience required
  • Free domain name and SSL certificate
  • No transaction fees
  • Unlimited bandwidth and storage
  • Top-notch templates are all free
  • Its Basic Commerce plan offers a POS
  • No free plan
  • No multichannel selling
  • Abandoned cart recovery does not come standard

Best for no Transaction Fees

Ecwid

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

Free; $14.08 per month

(billed annually)

Standout Features

Turn an existing site into an online store, no transaction fees, multichannel selling

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

Free; $14.08 per month

(billed annually)

Turn an existing site into an online store, no transaction fees, multichannel selling

Why We Picked It

Ecwid is a top-choice e-commerce platform because it has no transaction fees (aside from standard credit card processing fees), and it offers a free plan. What might sound like an unusual name for a company is just a portmanteau—it stands for e-commerce widget. It’s named this because it’s meant for existing websites (such as a WordPress blog). Using HTML, you add Ecwid’s code to your site, and you have a fully functional e-commerce store to showcase your products, all without having to create a new site.

Ecwid’s Venture plan is $14.08 per month, billed annually, and allows multichannel selling and POS. Its Business plan allows for product variations, staff accounts and abandoned cart emails for $29.08 per month, with annual billing. If you sign up for an annual Unlimited plan at $82.50 per month, you can even get your own branded iOS or Android shopping app.

Learn more: Read our Ecwid review.

Who should use it: Sellers who already have a blog or website.

Pros & Cons

  • Affordable paid plans start at $14.08 per month if billed annually
  • No transaction fees
  • Inventory management available on all but the Free plan
  • Allows multichannel selling on paid plans
  • Has POS functionality with its Unlimited plan
  • Free plan is limited to five products, down from 10 since our original iteration of this article
  • Cannot edit or place custom orders with the Free plan
  • Designs are limited

Best Free WordPress Plugin

WooCommerce

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

Standout Features

Transform a WordPress site into an online store, online bookings, sell subscriptions

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

Transform a WordPress site into an online store, online bookings, sell subscriptions

Why We Picked It

WooCommerce is a plugin that enables you to transform a WordPress website into an online store. Its basic version is available for free, but it is highly customizable with its large array of extensions. For example, with WooCommerce extensions, you can accept online bookings, sell subscriptions and accept recurring payments. You can choose from a large selection of shipping companies from FedEx to Royal Mail, create a coupon referral program, accept pre-orders, sell online courses and more. Extensions vary in price, but range from $0 to around $249 each.

Keep in mind that because WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin, you will need to invest some time to learn WordPress as it’s not the most user-friendly content management system (CMS). However, it is one of the most customizable and therefore versatile CMS on the market. It will also require you to purchase a domain name, an SSL certificate and web hosting separately and many businesses opt for a premium theme in order to build a great online store with fewer design customizations.

Learn more: Read our WooCommerce review.

Who should use it:

WooCommerce is the best e-commerce solution for those who are looking to build and manage a highly customizable and versatile online store.

Pros & Cons

  • Free to use
  • Sell products and services, accept bookings and recurring payments
  • Accept deposits
  • Sell pre-orders
  • Many payment gateways available
  • Tons of extensions available
  • Must buy web hosting, a domain and SSL certificate separately
  • WordPress involves a steep learning curve

Best for Preexisting Websites

CoreCommerce

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

Standout Features

Virtual terminal, invoicing, recurring payments

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

Virtual terminal, invoicing, recurring payments

Why We Picked It

CoreCommerce excels in creating a custom-tailored experience for e-commerce businesses, both emerging and mature. With multiple pricing options—plans range from free to $229 per month—it addresses the financial dynamics of companies at varying growth stages. The most advanced package even extends the liberty of custom programming—providing an avenue to personalize customer experience to the minutest details.

When it comes to safeguarding sensitive customer information, CoreCommerce takes a frontline position by maintaining PCI Level 1 Compliance, an essential feature in our modern, cybersecurity-conscious age.

Businesses looking to go global will find an ally in CoreCommerce. It not only supports transactional processes in multiple languages and currencies but also provides options for restricted access to suppliers, thereby streamlining inventory management. Its mobile-oriented administrative capabilities give businesses the agility to manage orders, add products and even track marketing efforts from mobile devices, so operations are never tied down to one location.

Who should use it:

Businesses in need of a financially flexible, secure and globally adaptable e-commerce platform.

Pros & Cons

  • Custom programming options allow for high-level personalization
  • Offers a free plan
  • Tailored solutions for international markets
  • Advanced features may deter newcomers to e-commerce
  • Limited immediate third-party integrations

Forbes Advisor Ratings


Other E-Commerce Platforms To Consider


Best for Creatives

Big Cartel

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

Free for up to five products

$9.99 per month for up to 50 products

Standout Features

Sell online and in person, shipment tracking, automated sales tax

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

Free for up to five products

$9.99 per month for up to 50 products

Sell online and in person, shipment tracking, automated sales tax

Why We Picked It

Big Cartel is one of the most affordable platforms for building an online store. So affordable, it offers free plans that very uniquely allow you to connect your own domain name and sell up to five products. It’s geared towards online sellers in the creative industries, but any online seller can use it to easily and affordably build an online store to sell products.

With Big Cartel, you can sell products online via your site, in person or on Facebook. It offers the key features online retailers need, such as order management and inventory tracking. However, while it’s easy to use, it’s not overly customizable. It also is not geared towards those selling services or subscriptions online.

Who should use it:

Big Cartel is a great option for small businesses that are looking to easily and affordably sell physical items online without a big investment of time or money.

Pros & Cons

  • Free plan allows you to connect your own domain
  • Very low-cost paid plans starting at $9.99 per month for up to 50 products
  • Order management
  • Inventory tracking
  • Sell online, in store or on Facebook
  • Limited customization capabilities
  • Not geared towards selling services
  • Limited template library

Zyro

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

Standout Features

Money-back guarantee, 24/7 support and inventory management

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

Money-back guarantee, 24/7 support and inventory management

Why We Picked It

What makes Zyro stand out is its money-back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied with the platform within 30 days, you can get a full refund. It also offers 24/7 customer support, which is an ideal feature for any e-commerce platform.

If you’re selling, there’s only one plan you can use, and that’s $3.59 per month. You’ll get free email for your first three months, as well as a free domain name for the first year. Unlimited bandwidth and storage come standard, too.

Learn more: Read our full Zyro review.

Who should use it:

Zyro is a good platform for sellers who want a money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support.

Pros & Cons

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Unlimited bandwidth and storage
  • Free domain name for your first year
  • Three months of free email
  • 1% processing fee per sale
  • Limit of 500 products

GoDaddy

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

$20.99 per month

(billed annually)

Standout Features

Email included, multiple payment options

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

$20.99 per month

(billed annually)

Email included, multiple payment options

Why We Picked It

For a GoDaddy Commerce plan, you’ll pay $20.99 per month (billed annually) for your first year, then it’ll renew at $26.99 per month (billed annually) thereafter. With this plan, connect an unlimited number of social media platforms and send up to 100,000 emails per month.

List products and take payments via PayPal, credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You can also create banner displays or set promotional pricing. While GoDaddy does offer a free plan, you need an e-commerce plan to list any products.

Learn more: Read our full GoDaddy review.

Who should use it:

GoDaddy is best for small businesses and first-time sellers who want an easy-to-use platform with email included.

Pros & Cons

  • Send up to 100,000 emails per month
  • Accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit cards and PayPal payments
  • Connect an unlimited number of social media platforms
  • Not as robust for the price compared to its competition
  • Must pay annually for free features, and those features renew at cost

Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento)

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

Standout Features

Artificial intelligence, Adobe integration

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

Artificial intelligence, Adobe integration

Why We Picked It

Magento is now Adobe Commerce, which is a workhorse of a platform. It has a drag-and-drop page builder so you don’t need a developer, and it’ll integrate with all the other Adobe products, making it ideal for advanced personalization. These other products include Experience Manager, Analytics and Real-Time CDP.

With Adobe Sensei, its AI, shoppers get personalized recommendations to help create an even better experience. It offers two levels of plans, though you’ll need to schedule a demo for pricing.

Learn more: Read about Adobe Commerce plans.

Who should use it:

Businesses that need an enterprise-level platform with robust personalization capabilities should use Adobe Commerce.

Pros & Cons

  • Use artificial intelligence to personalize a shopper’s experience
  • Integrates with other Adobe products
  • Shopper analysis
  • Not as suitable for small businesses
  • Pricing isn’t transparent

Bluehost

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

E-Commerce Starting Price

$6.99 per month

(paid annually)

Standout Features

Wishlists, marketplace selling, unlimited products

Mu online so sánh opt excellent năm 2024

$6.99 per month

(paid annually)

Wishlists, marketplace selling, unlimited products

Why We Picked It

Bluehost uses WooCommerce for its e-commerce site hosting through WordPress. Choose from one of two plans, depending on whether you want to sell on marketplaces, such as Etsy, Amazon or eBay. When paying annually, plans start at $6.99 per month, although it’ll renew at its standard rate afterward, which is 15.99 per month.

Its marketplace plan allows for omnichannel selling and starts at $12.95 per moth, then renew at $39.95 per month. Both plans allow for bookings, appointments, analytics, gift cards, daily backups, unlimited products and wishlists. Its highest-tiered plan allows for multichannel inventory and doubles the SSD storage.

Learn more: Read our full Bluehost review.

Who should use it:

Bluehost is good for small businesses that want to use WordPress and WooCommerce to host their online stores.

Pros & Cons

  • Unlimited products
  • Can sell on marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay and Etsy
  • Customers can add products to wishlists, which is a rare feature
  • Storage limits
  • It uses WordPress, so the learning curve is higher than other platforms

What Is an E-Commerce Platform?

An e-commerce platform is a software solution that helps businesses build and run their online stores. This can include everything from hosting to payment processing to website design and beyond. In other words, it’s everything you need to run your store in one place. Examples of e-commerce platforms include Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix and Squarespace.

The best e-commerce platforms will offer a wide variety of features and integrations to choose from, making it easy to build the exact store you need. They will also be easy to use, so you can get your store up and running quickly and without any headaches.


How To Choose the Best E-Commerce Platform

With so many e-commerce platform choices, it’s vital to pay attention to which features matter most to your business. After all, what works for one seller may not work for all sellers. For example, you may only sell seven different things, which means you don’t need software that supports a large inventory.

Here are the leading factors to consider when choosing an e-commerce platform:

  • Pricing: Affordability is vital to many small businesses that are in the early stages of setting up their online store. When considering which e-commerce platform is right for you, look at not only the monthly pricing, but also the processing fees. Oftentimes, an e-commerce platform will offer low monthly fees, but with high processing fees, so it’s worth considering your volume of sales when determining which is the best value for you.
  • Ease of use: The best e-commerce platforms make web design and online store management easy. Ideally, the platform will offer a user-friendly website editing interface, along with intuitive integrations.
  • Features and inclusions: Every e-commerce platform comes with a similar, yet different feature set. When determining which is right for you, consider which features matter most to use. For example, consider if they offer a free domain name, a free SSL certification, built-in email marketing tools, or drop shipping integrations.
  • Capabilities: As you know, not all e-commerce platforms are created equal–especially when it comes to features and capabilities. It’s crucial to consider what your unique e-commerce needs are and confirm that the e-commerce platform offers that feature before purchasing a plan. For example, while nearly all platforms allow users to sell physical goods, not all allow users to sell digital or downloadable goods, sell subscriptions or sell online courses.
  • Design and customization: The best e-commerce platforms make it easy for users without any web design experience or coding knowledge to build and manage a comprehensive e-commerce site. Consider the availability of prebuilt themes and templates, built-in features, and the ability to customize a theme or template.
  • Customer support: When in need, quality support makes a difference, so it’s important to find a platform that offers it via your preferred contact method.

Essential E-Commerce Features

No matter what type of e-commerce platform you choose, there are certain features that all businesses need in order to succeed online. These include:

  • Payment processing: The ability to accept payments online is obviously essential for any e-commerce business. All platforms will offer some sort of payment processing, but make sure to check what types of payment they accept. You may need your own payment processor or merchant account.
  • Shipping: Shipping is another vital aspect of e-commerce. Make sure the platform you choose offers shipping integrations that fit your business. For example, if you sell large items that require freight shipping, you’ll need a platform that can integrate with freight carriers.
  • Inventory management: Keeping track of your inventory is important to ensure you never oversell or run out of stock. Most e-commerce platforms will offer some sort of inventory management, but the level of detail and features will vary from platform to platform.
  • Customer management: A good e-commerce platform will also offer some sort of customer management. This can include things such as customer accounts, wishlists, order history and loyalty. This is important to provide a good customer experience and keep track of your customers’ orders.
  • Analytics: Analytics are vital to understanding your business and seeing where you can improve. Make sure the platform you choose offers detailed analytics so you can track things such as conversion rate, average order value, customer lifetime value and more.
  • Marketing: Marketing is a great way to drive traffic and sales to your store. Make sure the platform you choose offers marketing features such as coupons, abandoned cart emails and social media integrations.
  • Product management: Managing your products is important to ensure accuracy and keep things organized. Make sure the platform you choose offers features such as product variants, inventory management, product reviews and more.
  • Mobile optimization: Mobile optimization is important to ensure your store looks good and functions properly on mobile devices. Ensure the platform you choose is responsive and mobile-friendly.
  • Security: Security is important to protect your customers’ data and ensure your store is safe from fraud. Make sure the platform you choose offers features such as SSL certificates, password protection and PCI compliance.

Types of E-commerce Platforms: Self-hosted vs. Cloud-based

E-commerce platforms fall into two different categories: cloud-based and self-hosted. When self-hosting your e-commerce site, you’re responsible for maintaining your own server. This can be a hassle, but it also gives you more control over things such as security, uptime and scalability.

Cloud-based e-commerce platforms, on the other hand, are hosted by the platform provider. This means you don’t have to worry about things such as server maintenance, but you also have less control over your site.

Self-hosted e-commerce platforms

Cloud-based e-commerce platforms

Limitations and Challenges

E-commerce platforms come with a few limitations and challenges. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Cost: E-commerce platforms can be expensive, especially if you need a lot of features. Research the features you need and compare the cost of the platform to ensure it is a good fit for your business. Some platforms advertise free plans, but these usually have limited features, or they have higher processing fees.
  • Complexity: E-commerce platforms can be complex to set up and use. Choose a platform that is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Look for things such as 24/7 customer support, clear documentation and a user-friendly interface. You don’t want a platform that is so complex you can’t use it, or one with a support team only available 9-to-5.
  • Limited customization: Some e-commerce platforms are very limited in terms of customization. If you need a lot of customization, make sure the platform you choose can accommodate your needs. Otherwise, you’ll end up spending a lot of money on workarounds and customizations that could have been avoided with a more flexible platform.
  • Lack of control: The level of control you have over your website varies between hosted and self-hosted platforms—it all depends on what you need. If having full autonomy is key for you, then make sure the platform choice reflects that before committing to anything.

Additional Considerations

Besides the features and limitations of e-commerce platforms, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind when choosing a platform:

  • Size of store: The size of your store will dictate the type of platform you need. If you’re just starting out, a simple platform with basic features will suffice. However, if you have a large or complex store, you’ll need a platform with more powerful features to accommodate your needs.
  • Inventory turnover: The frequency of your inventory turnover will also affect the kind of platform you need. If you have a high turnover, you’ll need a platform that can handle a lot of traffic and transactions.
  • Payment methods: Make sure the platform you choose can accommodate the payment methods you want to use. Some platforms only work with certain payment providers, so it’s important to check this before committing to a platform.
  • Shipping methods: As with payment methods, the shipping methods you want to use should also be compatible with the platform you choose. Otherwise, you’ll need to use a workaround or find a different platform. For example, dropshipping only works with certain platforms.
  • Localization: If you want to sell to customers in multiple countries, you’ll need a platform that can accommodate different languages and currencies. Make sure the platform you choose can support your localization needs.
  • Omnichannel capabilities: If you want to sell through multiple channels (e.g., in-person, online, mobile, social), make sure the platform you choose can support your omnichannel strategy. Not all platforms offer this capability, so it’s important to check before you commit.
  • Scalability: The platform you choose for your business should be one that can grow with you. Ensure that it will be able to accommodate any future needs you may have; otherwise, you’ll only end up having to switch platforms later on. Doing so would cost both money and time.
  • Integrations: The platform you choose should be able to integrate with the other software you use, such as your accounting and CRM software. Otherwise, you’ll need to use workarounds or find a different platform.
  • Design and customization: The design and customization options offered by a platform can vary greatly. If you need a lot of control over the look and feel of your website, make sure the platform you choose can accommodate your needs. More flexible platforms may require higher upfront costs, but they will save you money in the long run by avoiding workarounds.

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Varies by plan

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How Much Does an E-Commerce Platform Cost?

The cost of an e-commerce platform can vary greatly depending on the features and functionality you need. Simple platforms with basic features may be as low as $10 per month, while more complex platforms with advanced features can cost $500 per month or more. If you’re an enterprise-level business, you’re probably going to spend thousands per month.

These factors can influence the price of your e-commerce platform:

  • Number of products: If you have a large inventory, you’ll need a platform that can accommodate it. This will usually cost more than a platform for a smaller inventory.
  • Size of store: A platform with more powerful features is necessary for stores that are either large or complex. This will usually cost more than a platform for a smaller store.
  • Payment methods: If you want to use multiple payment methods, you’ll need a platform that can support them all. This may cost more than a platform that only supports one payment method.
  • Payment processing: If you want to use a platform that processes payments for you, you’ll need to pay a per-transaction fee. This will usually be a percentage of the total transaction amount, plus a fixed fee.
  • Search engine optimization (SEO): You’ll usually need to pay a monthly fee if you want to use a platform that optimizes your store for search engines. Some include SEO features in higher-tiered plans, while others make it standard but usually charge a higher base price.
  • Web design: A premium platform will usually offer a custom web design service. This can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the size and complexity of your store.
  • Migration: If you’re switching from one e-commerce platform to another, some platforms charge based on the complexity of the move. You’ll usually find these fees when you’re moving an enterprise-level store, though many small business platforms charge a nominal fee to move it for you, if they offer the service at all.

Methodology

To determine the best e-commerce platforms, we considered competitors across the industry and compiled a list of 38 contenders to analyze in-depth. We then compared 53 criteria, such as pricing, features and ease of use to determine the top 10. When narrowing down these choices, we also considered whether platforms have inventory management and multichannel selling capabilities.

Here are the key metrics used to analyze the top e-commerce platforms.

Expert Score

The Expert Score category scrutinizes four key aspects: features, value for money, popularity and ease of use. When evaluating features, particular attention is paid to specific capabilities such as inventory management tools, mobile administrative flexibility and custom programming options. Value for money goes beyond just pricing; it considers how much bang for your buck you’re getting. Popularity, usually gauged through user reviews and market share, helps validate the platform’s credibility. Ease of use considers how simple the interface is for both novices and experts in e-commerce. These sub-criteria collectively offer an in-depth assessment of the platform’s overall quality.

This accounts for 20% of our total score.

Pricing and Value

Pricing and Value focuses on the financial logistics of using the platform. Here, we considered whether we could find information on the availability of free demos and public pricing. We also discuss the length of the free trial period, the cost of monthly and annual subscriptions, and other pricing details such as per-seat costs and user, product and storefront limits. This category provides a clear-cut view of how affordable and scalable the platform is for different business sizes and needs.

This accounts for 10% of our total score.

Service and Support

Service and Support digs deep into the kinds of assistance a user can expect. It evaluates the availability of live chat, phone support and email contact options. Also, the category looks at whether there’s a self-help knowledge base and specific documentation for developers. Presence of a community forum is another element under scrutiny. The aim here is to provide a clear idea of how well-supported users will be during their journey with the platform.

This accounts for 10% of our total score.

Site Building Tools

Site Building Tools assesses how convenient and versatile the website building process is. The evaluation touches on the availability of drag-and-drop features, pre-made themes and layout templates. Additionally, it explores options for social media integration, email marketing tools, website hosting, SSL certificates, custom domains and even coding capabilities. Each of these sub-criteria speaks to the platform’s flexibility in website creation and management.

This accounts for 20% of our total score.

Payment Processing and Accounting

This category concentrates on the logistics of managing transactions and financial accounts. Inventory management is examined, along with the availability of out-of-the-box solutions or the flexibility to implement your own. Details such as transaction fees, support for recurring payments and availability of physical POS options for in-person sales also fall under this category. Accounting software integrations, PCI compliance and analytics tools offer a complete picture of how well the platform manages the financial aspects of e-commerce.

This accounts for 15% of our total score.

E-commerce Features

E-Commerce Features investigates the platform’s additional capabilities. It looks at the presence of third-party integration options, Progressive Web Application support and CRM integrations. Other sub-criteria include support for dropshipping, omnichannel selling, shipping and tax calculators and even tools for recovering abandoned carts. Options to sell digital goods, process returns and refunds and even sell services are also reviewed. The inclusion of a mobile app rounds out this category.

This accounts for 25% of our total score.


It’s no secret e-commerce has made (or broken) many businesses in recent years, with more and more consumers looking to online websites and storefronts to fulfill shopping needs. The digital world is now flooded with options in nearly every retail market, so staying abreast of e-commerce trends is crucial for any business hoping to excel in any industry.

We’ve compiled some notable e-commerce trends in 2024 to help you and your business leverage your online presence for profit.

Increased Reliance on Online and Mobile

In a study conducted by eMarketer, worldwide retail e-commerce sales reached about $2.3 trillion in 2017, reflecting a 24.8% increase from the previous year. Mobile sales made up $1.4 trillion of this total, equalling 58.9% of these digital sales, an increase of 18.7% from 2015. As consumers are relying more heavily on the digital world in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect these figures to continue increasing each year.

The convenient, comfortable and contactless nature of online shopping—whether on a desktop, tablet or mobile device—is here to stay. Online shopping is now easier, friendlier and more accessible than ever. As technologies and algorithms continue to evolve, we expect to see continued growth of most businesses via e-commerce. If your business isn’t yet online or your online presence leaves something to be desired, optimizing your business to meet the demands of today’s shoppers on multiple platforms is key to staying on top of a rapidly evolving market.

Younger Generations

The Millennial Shopping Habits: Trend Report found 80% of consumers aged 25 to 40 report shopping primarily online. Optimizing online sites to the priorities and interests of younger shoppers can help boost sales potential and conversion rates. One easy way to test your site’s appeal is to conduct research around which demographics your site’s design and utility appeal to. Where does your marketing reach? Can you tweak your site design, user experience or take a new path when it comes to social media marketing?

Social Media

Product marketing and shoppable ads have seamlessly integrated into nearly all social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. Around 68% of users report making purchases through a social media platform and almost all intend to make such a purchase within the next year. Building a social media presence for your business and effectively marketing your products on these sites will help you reach these consumers and increase your potential sales. If you’re already on social media, is what you’re doing working? If not, it might be time to try something else.

Environmental Concerns, Sustainability and Business Values

People around the globe have become more environmentally conscious than ever before. An increased willingness to support companies prioritizing sustainable practices means a consumer base ready to endorse and uphold positive business values. Carbon neutrality, fair trade, sustainable and local sourcing, positive company culture and other pro-environment, pro-social responsibility movements have all gained steam. Companies practicing thoughtful environmental stewardship are seeing increased interest and business when compared to their competition.

A study performed by First Insight found consumers of all ages are expecting companies to uphold more sustainable practices. Transitioning your company to a greener business model and aligning the values of the company with today’s consumers will increase sales potential and help you form a loyal customer base. One way to show you’re holding your company accountable is to apply for B-Corp status and pursue other certifications relevant to your industry such as organic certification, free trade certification and more.

Visual Commerce and Video

As the world of e-commerce evolves, the importance of providing engaging product representation only grows. Static photos of products aren’t enough anymore. Before committing to a purchase, consumers increasingly seem to want to explore a product in-depth. Providing videos, reviews and interactive content about a product can make it more marketable in the online world.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best e-commerce platform?

The best e-commerce platform is the one that’s best for your business, which may not be the same as what’s best for other businesses. To find the best platform for your business, consider your budget, the size of your inventory and whether you need features such as POS or multichannel selling. Our top-rated e-commerce platforms include Squarespace, Square and Ecwid.

Which e-commerce platform is best for dropshipping?

In 2017, Shopify acquired Oberlo, which is one of the most popular dropshipping apps. Together, they work seamlessly to import products to your store for customers to purchase.

What is the best page builder plugin for WordPress?

There are several great page builder plugins available on WordPress that can transform the generic page and post editor into a drag-and-drop editor. The best solutions that are user-friendly, affordable and top-rated include Elementor, Beaver Builder and WPBakery.

What is the best B2B e-commerce platform?

All of the services in this guide have some sort of functionality that lends itself well to business-to-business (B2B) selling. However, larger companies may want to look into enterprise-level platforms if they sell to other businesses in large monthly volumes.

How do I build an e-commerce website?

There are a few different ways you can build an e-commerce website. You can use an e-commerce platform such as Shopify or BigCommerce, which provide everything you need to get started. Alternatively, you can use WordPress with a WooCommerce plugin or Ecwid plugin. Finally, you can use a DIY website builder such as Squarespace.

What is a headless e-commerce platform?

A headless e-commerce platform is one that decouples the front-end of the website (the “head”) from the back-end (the “body”), which provides the e-commerce functionality. This allows for greater flexibility and customization, but can be more difficult to set up and manage.

What is an open source e-commerce platform?

Open source e-commerce platforms are those that allow you to access and modify the code for your website. This can be helpful if you want to add custom features or integrations to your site. An example of a popular open source platform is WooCommerce.

What is B2B e-commerce?

B2B e-commerce is the process of businesses selling products or services to other businesses online. This can include platforms such as Shopify that allow for B2B selling, as well as transaction-based marketplaces such as Alibaba.

Why do e-commerce sites fail?

An e-commerce site can fail for a number of reasons. A common reason is that the site was not able to generate enough traffic to sustain itself. Other reasons can include a lack of features or functionality, poor customer service or a lack of focus on marketing and SEO.


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