Imagine you’re about to start your online store. The excitement is real. But there’s a big question: what’s the best online store for small business? The choice isn’t as simple as picking the most popular one.
Indeed, it all comes down to a few crucial points to remember. These are your budget, the type of products you’re selling, who your customers are and how you plan to sell.
So, match your platform with where you are and where you want to go. If you’re starting with a small budget, choose Wix or Squarespace.
If you plan to grow, Shopify is the best. If you need more complex features, BigCommerce is your go-to. If you want complete control and customization, go with WooCommerce. So, let’s discuss a few necessary aspects to find the perfect e-commerce shops for you.
Best Online Store for Small Business
Let’s say you’re on a tight budget. You need something affordable and easy to use. Wix and Squarespace are great options. They help you set up a beautiful store quickly without spending much.
These platforms work well when you start but hold you back as you scale. Hence, you might hit some limits if you want to grow fast.
Shopify could be the right choice if you want to expand your business. It’s built for growth and is strong and scalable, meaning it can grow with your business.
You can start small and add more features, tools and apps. Shopify is perfect for entrepreneurs who want to build something bigger and need the tools to do it.
If your business is more complex, like selling many products or working with other businesses, BigCommerce may be better for you.
It’s a powerhouse platform that handles extensive inventories, advanced shipping and more.
Then there’s WooCommerce for people who want complete control. If you’re tech-savvy and want to build a unique store, WooCommerce is perfect. Keep reading to learn about some unified e-commerce platforms.
1 . Shopify: Best Online Store for Small Businesses
Shopify is simple, grows with you and has helpful apps. It’s suitable for small businesses. Just watch out for fees and app costs.
Pricing & Ratings: Starts at $39/month. No extra fees with Shopify Payments. Third-party payments cost more. Shopify Plus has custom pricing. High ratings on Trustpilot and G2.
Shopify Pricing Plans and Costs Overview
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Staff Accounts | User Rating |
| Basic Shopify | $39 | 2 staff account | 4.3/5 |
| Shopify | $105 | 5 staff accounts | 4.5/5 |
| Advanced Shopify | $399 | 15 staff accounts | 4.6/5 |
| Shopify Plus | Custom Pricing | Unlimited staff | 4.7/5 |
1 . Additional Costs:
Apps: Vary by selection
Premium Themes: $100–$200 (one-time)
2 . Transaction Fees:
Basic Shopify: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction, 5% for third-party payment gateways
Shopify: 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction, 3% for third-party payment gateways
Advanced Shopify: 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction, 2% for third-party payment gateways
Shopify Plus: Custom rates based on volume
3 . Features:
Basic Shopify: Ideal for small businesses, online store, manual order creation, 24/7 support
Shopify: Professional reports, discount codes, gift cards and analytics
Advanced Shopify: Advanced reporting, international pricing, advanced analytics
Shopify Plus: Customizable features, enterprise-level solutions, dedicated account manager
Benefits:
A . Easy to Use: Shopify is simple. Start quickly, like GemCraft (jewelry).
B . Grows with You: Shopify scales. UrbanTribe Apparel (clothing) can upgrade.
C . Many Apps: Over 6,000 apps. Help with inventory, emails and more. Suitable for GlowFusion Skincare.
D . Payments: There are many options. Use PayPal or Shopify Payments. They are good for TasteBuds (food delivery).
Challenges:
A . Monthly Fees: This can be high for small businesses, like Timeless Pages (bookstore).
B . App Costs: Many apps are paid. FitGear (fitness) may pay more.
2 . BigCommerce as the Best E-commerce Websites
BigCommerce is suitable for growing businesses with a private label or multi-channel plan.
BigCommerce Pricing Plans and Costs Overview
| Plan | Cost | User Rating |
| Standard Plan | ~$39/ | 4.3/5 |
| Plus Plan | ~$105/ | 4.4/5 |
| Pro Plan | ~$399/ | 4.5/5 |
| Enterprise Plan | Custom Pricing | 4.6/5 |
Additional Costs:
Transaction Fees: No fees if using BigCommerce’s payment gateway; third-party gateways may have fees.
Themes: Free and paid themes (paid themes range from $150–$300).
Apps/Add-ons: Paid apps for extra features or integrations.
Main Characteristics of Each Cost Plan
Standard Plan: Unlimited products, storage and essential e-commerce tools.
Plus Plan: Customer segmentation, abandoned cart recovery, marketing tools.
Pro Plan: Advanced analytics, custom SSL and all Plus features.
Enterprise Plan: Custom features, dedicated account manager, enhanced support.
Challenges:
A . Higher cost: Monthly fees and transaction fees.
B . Learning curve: Lots of features to learn.
Benefits:
A . Scalable: Great for growing businesses.
B . Built-in tools: Includes an inventory, SEO and payment features.
C . Customizable: Easy to design your store.
D . Sell everywhere: Connects with Amazon, eBay and social media.
3 . Squarespace for Small Business Online Store
Squarespace is great for small, creative businesses. It’s easy to use and looks professional. Squarespace is good for small businesses with unique products. It works for private label and dropshipping.
You’ll need to spend money on ads, like those on Google, Facebook and influencers. Shipping and manufacturing costs depend on your sales model. Squarespace also supports social media and influencer ads.
Cost options
| Plan | Monthly Cos | User Rating |
| Personal Plan | $16 | 4.2/5 |
| Business Plan | $23 | 4.3/5 |
| Basic Commerce Plan | $27 | 4.5/5 |
| Advanced Commerce Plan | $49 | 4.6/5 |
Plan Overview
Personal Plan: Basic website, limited e-commerce features
Business Plan: E-commerce features, 3% transaction fee
Basic Commerce Plan: No transaction fees, advanced e-commerce features
Benefits:
A . Easy to Use: No tech skills needed. Drag-and-drop setup.
B . Good Design: Beautiful, customizable templates.
C . All-in-One: Includes website, payments and inventory management.
D . Mobile-Friendly: Works well on phones and tablets.
E . Marketing Tools: Built-in SEO, email and social media tools.
Challenges:
A . Fewer Features: Not as advanced as Shopify for big stores.
B . Growth Limits: You may struggle as your business grows.
4 . Wix eCommerce as Online Shops
Wix is suitable for small or niche businesses. It works well for private label, letting you sell your brand. It also supports dropshipping with apps. Wix is best for local or small markets.
Costs Options
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Storage | User Rating |
| Business Basic | $23 | 20GB | 4/5 |
| Business Unlimited | $27 | 35GB | 4/5 |
| Business VIP | $49 | 50GB | 4.5/5 |
Core Features
Business Basic: Online payments, free domain for 1 year, no ads
Business Unlimited: More apps, increased storage, Google Analytics
Business VIP: Priority support, advanced marketing tools
Benefits:
A . Affordable: Cheap plans, suitable for small budgets.
B . Easy to Use: Drag-and-drop setup, no coding needed.
C . Customizable: Many templates and apps.
D . Built-in Tools: Helps with SEO, email marketing and social media.
E . Mobile-Friendly: Optimized for phones automatically.
Challenges:
A . Limited Growth: Not as scalable as other platforms.
B . Transaction Fees: Fees on some payment methods
5 . WooCommerce as e-commerce Shops
WooCommerce is flexible and affordable. It works for private label, dropshipping and subscriptions. It’s suitable for businesses that need customization. Starting is cheap, but costs like ads and shipping add up. It’s great for a personalized store with many product types.
Cost Overview of WooCommerce
| Cost Category | Low-End Cost | Mid-Range Cost | High-End Cost | User Rating |
| Hosting | $3 – $10/month | $20 – $50/month | $50+/month | 4.5/5 |
| Domain | $10 – $15/year | $10 – $15/year | $10 – $15/year | 4.7/5 |
| SSL Certificate | Free with host | $5 – $20/month | $5 – $20/month | 4.8/5 |
| Themes | Free ($0) | $30 – $100/year | $30 – $100/year | 4.6/5 |
| Plugins | Free ($0) | $5 – $50/month | $5 – $50/month | 4.4/5 |
| Payment Gateway Fees | 2.9% + 30¢/transaction | 2.9% + 30¢/transaction | 2.9% + 30¢/transaction | 4.8/5 |
| Maintenance/Updates | $0 (DIY) | $50 – $200/month | $50 – $200/month | 4.3/5 |
| Marketing (Ads | $50 – $100/month | $100 – $300/month | $500+/month | 4.2/5 |
Benefits:
A . Low Cost: Free to install, but you’ll pay for hosting and extras.
B . Customizable: You can design the store the way you want.
C . Payment Options: Supports PayPal, credit cards and more.
D . Growth: Easy to expand as your business grows.
E . Community: Many resources for help.
Challenges:
A . Technical Setup: Needs some basic technical skills.
B . Hidden Costs: Plugins, themes and hosting can add up.
C . Maintenance: Needs regular updates.
6 . PrestaShop as Best e-commerce Websites
PrestaShop is excellent for businesses with specific products, like custom items. It’s ideal for larger stores or those targeting international markets. It works well for private-label businesses with custom or branded products.
Advertising costs are similar to those of other platforms like Google or Facebook. Let’s explain other aspects:
Cost Breakdown:
Free Plan: Free (but you pay for hosting and add-ons).
Paid Add-Ons: Costs vary (e.g., payment gateways, themes and shipping tools).
Hosting: Costs depend on your provider (usually around $10 to $30/month).
Benefits:
A . Free to Use: No monthly fee for the basic version (you pay only for hosting and add-ons).
B . Customizable: Highly flexible for customizing designs and features.
C . Scalable: Good for businesses planning to grow.
D . Large Add-On Marketplace: Many third-party apps and plugins available.
E . Multi-Language & Multi-Currency: Great for global sales.
Challenges:
A . Technical Setup: Requires some technical knowledge for setup and management.
B . Support: Community-based support can be slow; paid support options are costly.
C . Hosting: You need to find your hosting provider.
7 . Hostinger as the Best e-commerce Websites
Hostinger is an affordable web hosting platform with e-commerce features. It is best for small or local businesses. It works for private labels but has limited dropshipping. It is ideal for local or small-scale markets.
Costs:
Basic Hosting: $1.99/month.
E-commerce Plan: $3.99/month.
Add-Ons: Extra for advanced features.
Benefits:
A . Low Cost: Starts at $1.99/month.
B . Easy Setup: Beginner-friendly with a free website builder.
C . Fast and Secure: Good speed and free SSL.
Challenges:
A . Limited Features: Basic e-commerce tools compared to Shopify.
B . Scalability: Not ideal for large businesses.
8 . Weebly as Best E-commerce Websites
Weebly is an easy platform for small businesses to create an online store. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Cost Breakdown:
Low-End Plans: $6/month.
E-commerce Plans: $12 to $26/month.
Transaction Fees: 3% on basic plan; waived on higher plans.
Essential Points given:
Niche: Works well for small, focused stores (e.g., handmade products).
Sales Models: Good for private label; dropshipping is possible but limited.
Target Market: Best for local or small-scale audiences.
Benefits:
A . User-Friendly: Drag-and-drop, no tech skills needed.
B . Affordable: Starts at $6/month.
C . Built-In Features: Includes e-commerce tools like payments and SEO.
D . Mobile-Friendly: Designs work on both desktop and mobile.
E . All-in-One: Hosting, SSL and domain are included.
Challenges:
A . Scalability: Not ideal for big stores with many products.
B . Fewer Integrations: Limited third-party apps.
9. Shift4Shop as the Best E-commerce Websites
Shift4Shop works well for many products and niche markets. It’s great for local and global sales. You can sell on multiple channels. Advertising costs depend on what you choose, like Google Ads. Shipping tools are built in. Influencer marketing costs are like other platforms. Let’s learn its core aspects:
Cost Breakdown:
Free Plan: $0 (with Shift4 payments).
Paid Plans: $29 to $229/month.
Transaction Fees: 2.9% + 30¢ per sale (if using third-party payments).
Benefits:
A . Free Plan: Free if you use Shift4 for payments.
B . Built-In Tools: Product management, SEO and inventory tracking are included.
C . Customizable: More design options than simpler platforms.
D . Multi-Channel Selling: Sell on your website, social media and marketplaces.
Challenges:
A . Complex Setup: Harder to set up for beginners.
B . Transaction Fees: 2.9% + 30¢ per sale (if using a different payment processor).
10. Volusion as the Best E-commerce Websites
Volusion is suitable for niche stores, not big ones. It suits private-label businesses. Dropshipping works, but with fewer integrations. It is best for small to medium businesses.
Ads depend on Google or Facebook. It has inventory tools but no help with manufacturing. Shipping is built-in but limited. Influencer marketing costs the same, with fewer tools. Let’s learn more:
Cost Breakdown:
Basic Plan: $29/month.
E-commerce Plans: $79 to $299/month.
Transaction Fees: 2.15% on lower-tier plans.
Benefits:
A . Ease of Use: Easy to set up and manage.
B . Built-In Tools: Includes product management, SEO tools and inventory tracking.
C . Mobile-Friendly: Designs work well on mobile devices.
D . Payment Options: Supports various payment gateways.
E . Security: SSL certificates are included for secure transactions.
Challenges:
A . Transaction Fees: Charges a 2.15% fee for lower-tier plans.
B . Cost: Higher-priced plans compared to some competitors.
11 . Ecwid as the Best e-commerce Websites
Ecwid is suitable for small or niche businesses. It works for private labels and dropshipping but needs third-party apps. Indeed, it is best for local or small-scale businesses.
Costs:
Free Plan: $0/month.
Paid Plans: $15 to $99/month.
Transaction Fees: Varies by the payment gateway.
Benefits:
A . Free Plan: Basic features available at no cost.
B . Easy to Use: Simple setup and interface.
C. Multi-Channel Selling: Sell on websites, social media and marketplaces.
D. Integrates with Existing Sites: Add to any website.
E . Scalable: Good for growing businesses.
Challenges:
A . Limited Free Plan: Need to upgrade for more features.
B . Less Customizable: Fewer design options than some platforms.
12 . GoDaddy as Best E-commerce Websites
GoDaddy is good for small, niche businesses or local stores. It works for private label but has limited dropshipping support. It is best for small businesses with local or regional markets.
Costs:
Basic Plan: Starts at $9.99/month.
E-commerce Plan: $24.99/month for full e-commerce features.
Transaction Fees: 2.9% + 30¢ per sale (via GoDaddy payments).
Benefits:
A . Easy Setup: Creating a store, even for beginners, is simple.
B . Affordable: Low monthly fees (starts at $9.99/month).
C . Built-In Tools: Includes website builder, payment options and shipping tools.
D . Free Domain: Free domain for the first year with most plans.
E . Mobile-Friendly: Automatically adjusts for mobile.
Challenges:
A . Limited Features: Lacks some advanced e-commerce features like multi-channel selling.
B . Transaction Fees: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction (via GoDaddy payments).
13 . OpenCart as Best e-commerce Websites
OpenCart is an open-source e-commerce platform for small businesses. OpenCart works well for stores with specific products or custom needs. It’s great for private labels and dropshipping but needs add-ons. Best for businesses targeting local or international markets. Let’s learn more through a concise overview:
Costs:
Free Plan: $0 (but pay for hosting and add-ons).
Hosting: Varies based on the provider (usually $5 to $20/month).
Add-Ons: Costs vary (e.g., payment gateways, shipping tools).
Benefits:
A . Free to Use: No monthly fees; just pay for hosting.
B . Customizable: Highly flexible for design and features.
C . Multiple Payment Options: Supports many payment gateways.
D . Multi-Language & Multi-Currency: Good for international markets.
E . Scalable: Can grow with your business.
Challenges:
A . Requires Technical Knowledge: Needs some coding skills for setup.
B . Limited Support: Community-based support can be slow.
14 . Big Cartel as Best E-commerce Websites
Big Cartel is best for artists, creators and small niche markets. It works well for private label and handmade products but not for dropshipping. It is ideal for businesses targeting local or small-scale markets.
Costs:
Free Plan: $0 (for up to 5 products).
Paid Plans: $9.99 to $19.99/month.
Transaction Fees: No fees on paid plans.
Benefits:
A . Affordable: Free for up to 5 products, paid plans start at $9.99/month.
B . Easy to Use: No technical skills required, simple setup.
C . Customizable: Limited but enough for small businesses.
D . Low Fees: No transaction fees on paid plans.
E . Ideal for Niche Markets: Great for artists, crafts and trim product lines.
Challenges:
A . Limited Features: Lacks advanced tools like dropshipping or multi-channel selling.
B . Scalability: Not ideal for large businesses or rapid growth.
Marketplace vs Platform: Which is Best for Small Business?
Starting an online store is an excellent way for small businesses to grow. There are many options to choose from. You can choose between selling on a marketplace or using an e-commerce platform. So, you must accurately decide which would be the best online store for small business.
Marketplace vs Platform:
| Characteristics | Marketplace (Amazon, eBay, Etsy) | Platform (Shopify, WooCommerce) |
| Audience Reach | Big audience, easy to find customers. | You must build your audience. |
| Control over Branding | Less control, many sellers. | Complete control over design and brand. |
| Fees | Higher fees (transaction, listing). | Monthly fee + transaction fee. |
| Customization | Limited design options. | Complete freedom to design and customize. |
| Competition | High competition with other sellers. | There is less competition, but you need to drive traffic. |
| Marketing Tools | Built-in ads and promotions. | Use SEO, ads and social media to market. |
| Customer Relationship | Limited customer contact. | Direct contact with customers. |
| Setup Time | Quick setup, start selling fast. | It takes longer to set up. |
| Scalability | Hard to grow beyond marketplace limits. | Easy to scale with more products and features. |
| Payment Integration | Payment built-in (Amazon Pay, PayPal). | Choose your payment methods (Stripe, PayPal). |
| Support | Limited support for your business. | Full support for your business. |
| SEO/Visibility | Marketplace handles SEO. | You control SEO to get more traffic. |
| Costs | Low setup but high fees over time. | Higher setup but lower ongoing costs. |
| Success Rate | High if the product is popular. | Success depends on marketing and effort. |
| Suitability for Small Biz | Suitable for quick, simple sales. | Best for building a brand and long-term growth. |
Marketplace: Good for quick start and easy sales. Best for simple products with a lot of demand.
Platform: Great for growing a brand. Requires effort in marketing and SEO. Best for long-term success.
Conclusion
Thus, you have already learned essential aspects of several of the best online store for small business. So, choose the right platform that fits your business. Know your needs, consider your goals and choose the platform to help you succeed.
FAQ
Who buys online the most?
In 2025, young adults (18-34) in the US, China and India shop the most. They mainly buy clothes, gadgets and beauty products. High-income shoppers in the UK and Germany focus on luxury goods. Mobile shopping is growing rapidly in Southeast Asia.
What product sells the most?
Smartphones are the top-selling product globally. Fashion items like clothes and shoes are also very popular. Beauty products, especially skincare, are in high demand. Online grocery shopping is growing quickly, especially in the US and Europe.