17 best eCommerce website builders to build your online store

Building your online store can feel like a daunting task. First, you want a site that looks good and works well. But you also need shoppers to find what they're looking for and check out without a hitch. This is where choosing the right eCommerce website builder can make all the difference. A well-built site is half the battle for Shopify conversion rate optimization. It can help you boost sales and keep customers coming back. This article will help you compare the best eCommerce website builders to find the right one.

Instant's Shopify landing page builder can help you create pages that look good and work well. This can help you achieve your goals, such as comparing e-commerce website builders.

Table of Contents

• What is an eCommerce website?

• What types of businesses benefit from eCommerce website builders?

• What makes the best eCommerce website builders?

• 17 best eCommerce website builders to build your online store

• eCommerce site builders vs. custom build

• How to choose an eCommerce website builder

• How much does an eCommerce website cost?

• Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify landing page builder

What is an eCommerce website?

An e-commerce website is your business’s online store where customers can browse, learn about, and purchase products or services directly. It’s like a digital storefront, open 24/7, allowing customers to shop from anywhere. These websites provide a seamless shopping experience by offering product information, customer support, and secure payment options all in one place.

The future of online shopping

Online shopping isn’t just a passing trend. By 2027, it’s predicted that 23% of all retail purchases will happen online. That’s nearly a quarter of sales moving through eCom platforms! If you haven’t considered selling online, now’s the time to start planning so your business doesn’t fall behind.

The basics of an eCommerce site

Like any website, an eCom site needs basics like reliable hosting and a content management system to stay updated. It also needs specific features for seamless shopping. Product pages with pricing, descriptions, and details are must-haves. On-demand support like live chat or an FAQ section can boost customer confidence.

The essentials for a smooth shopping experience

Shopping carts should be intuitive, letting users add, view, and edit items easily. Secure payment options protect customers’ financial information and give them peace of mind during transactions. A well-designed eCommerce site lets customers shop, evaluate, and buy your products easily.

What types of businesses benefit from eCommerce website builders?

Starting fresh: New businesses

Launching an eCommerce site can be daunting, especially on a tight budget. eCommerce builders simplify the process for newcomers, offering robust customization and optimization features. You'll have everything you need, from sleek designs to SEO tools, to help your business hit the ground running.

Smart scaling: Growing startups

For startups, every dollar counts. An eCom platform must offer immediate benefits and room to grow. Look for features like cross-channel commerce and checkout customization. With these, your brand can shine while staying within budget.

Hobbyist hustle: Side projects and beyond

Don’t let the term hobby fool you. Your side gig deserves a top-notch eCommerce experience, too. Modern store builders offer convenience and quality, making updating your site as you go easy. Use analytics to optimize your storefront and watch it flourish.

Dropshipping done right

Crafting a successful dropshipping site means finding a platform that supports your unique needs. The right builder will integrate seamlessly with apps like Printful and AliExpress, making inventory management a breeze. This allows you to focus on growing your business.

Scaling up: Established businesses

As your business grows, so do your eCom needs. A flexible website builder will adapt to you, allowing you to effortlessly manage multiple income streams. The right platform will support your growth whether you sell physical goods, services, or digital products.

Private label perfection

Selling private label products requires a platform to manage multiple vendors and brands. The right eCom builder simplifies this process, allowing you to focus on building your brand. With seamless integrations and easy customization, you’ll have everything you need to succeed.

Enhancing Shopify store performance with customizable landing pages

Instant is a user-friendly Shopify landing page builder that allows eCommerce teams and agencies to create fully customizable and advanced pages without any coding knowledge. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can quickly design and publish:

• High-converting landing pages

• Product detail pages

• Sections

Instant also offers seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, making it a versatile choice for enhancing online store performance and increasing conversions.

Try Instant's Shopify landing page builder today!

What makes the best eCommerce website builders?

User-friendly interface: The key to independence

eCommerce platforms should empower you, not intimidate you. Simplicity is crucial, especially if you lack coding skills. The best builders offer drag-and-drop interfaces, allowing you to:

• Update your store

• Tweak designs

• Manage products 

Without a tech guru. This means you can maintain control without relying on developers.

All-in-one features: Your digital toolbox

An effective eCommerce platform should be a one-stop shop for your needs. Look for tools to manage inventory, track orders, and integrate payment gateways. Having marketing tools like SEO and social media integration is also helpful. Advanced features like analytics can help you understand customer behavior and fine-tune your store.

Templates that shine: Look good, perform better

Your store should look as good as it functions. Top platforms provide a range of professional templates that aren't just pretty. They're customizable and cater to various industries. This ensures your site is visually appealing and user-friendly, enhancing the shopping experience.

Pricing that fits: Flexibility for all budgets

Affordability matters, particularly for startups. Seek platforms offering flexible pricing plans, from basic options for newcomers to advanced plans for growing businesses. Many also offer free trials, so you can test them before committing.

Secure payment systems: Trust is non-negotiable

Customers need to feel safe on your site. Your platform should offer secure payment gateways and multiple payment options, such as PayPal and Apple Pay. SSL encryption and other security features are vital to safeguarding customer data.

17 best eCommerce website builders to build your online store

1. Instant page builder: A versatile Shopify landing page builder

Meet Instant is a user-friendly Shopify landing page builder that allows eCom teams and agencies to create fully customizable and advanced pages without coding knowledge. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can quickly design and publish:

• High-converting landing pages

• Product detail pages

• Sections

Instant also offers seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, making it a versatile choice for enhancing online store performance and increasing conversions.

Try Instant's Shopify landing page builder today!

2. Shopify

Shopify has existed for over 17 years, and millions of stores have been built using the platform. It's hard to find a better option for most small businesses looking to get an online store up and running quickly.

Sign up for a credit-card-free three-day trial, and your store's first build will be ready to go within a few minutes. The onboarding wizard will walk you through adding your products, customizing the look of your store, connecting your domain, and getting set up to take those all-important payments.

Shopify's user-friendly interface and customization options through themes and extensions

Even if you've never built a website, you're unlikely to get lost in Shopify's intuitive web app. Everything is clearly labeled, buttons do what you think they should, and the help docs and setup guide are comprehensive. Things like designing your store, adding a product, creating discounts, configuring payment options, and checking your sales numbers are all simple and largely self-explanatory.

While Shopify ticks most boxes right out of the gate, its extensibility and app store make it a powerful option. Take the theme situation: Shopify has 12 free and 160 paid themes starting from $150. But because Shopify is so popular, you can find over 1,900 themes on ThemeForest or get a professional designer who is already experienced with the platform to make you a custom one.

Expanding Shopify's functionality with apps and AI integration

It's the same with almost any feature you could want. If it's not built into Shopify, you can find an extension, plug-in, or service that does it in the Shopify app store. (There's even a point-of-sale solution if you have a physical store.)

You can find the app you need by going to apps.shopify.com. However, adding many apps can quickly increase your monthly fees. Of course, like many apps, Shopify is adding deeply integrated AI features it calls Magic. 

Shopify's AI-powered tools and seamless integration with Zapier for enhanced automation

Some features, like generating text for product descriptions or your site, are available now, while others, like an AI assistant called Sidekick, are still in early access. They don't massively change the overall experience of using Shopify, though Sidekick's abilities to analyze your sales data and make suggestions seem super interesting. 

It should be no surprise that Shopify integrates with Zapier, so if you want to add new customers to your email marketing list automatically, track orders with a project management tool, or connect Shopify to any other apps you use, you can do it easily.

3. Square

If you run a small business and want to sell in-person, like at a farmer's market or craft fair, and through your online store, Square, better known for its point-of-sale terminals, is the best choice. It's designed for offline businesses and retailers looking to jump online rather than internet-first sellers. 

Online and offline orders are organized under a single dashboard, so there's no jumping between apps, trying to track down customer details using random spreadsheets, or entering things manually after the fact. Square bought the website builder app Weebly in 2018, so when you set up your store, that runs under the hood. If you occasionally see a URL that directs to weebly.com, it's nothing to worry about. 

Seamless integration of offline and online sales with Square's syncing features and payment processing

Square has some of the best onboarding around. When you sign up, you must fill in a detailed questionnaire about your business and its needs, which will walk you through configuring everything to meet them. However you want to sell stuff, Square makes it easy.

Square is more limited than some other options regarding storefront customization. Free users have to design their site using the (admittedly excellent) site builder, while Plus subscribers now have access to 22 customizable themes. You can hire a designer for $499 to configure your site for you.

Square's offline and online sales integration

The square stands out in how it integrates your offline and online business. Suppose you create an item, what Square calls products or services, in the regular Square Dashboard, and it will get synced to your Square Online Dashboard and vice versa. Similarly, inventory levels are synced, so if you sell your last widget at a farmer's market, someone won't be able to order it online later that day.

If you have a Square credit card reader (available for free) or other Square point-of-sale tool, you can swipe your customers' cards for a 2.6% + $0.10 fee from Square, and their details will automatically upload to your account. Online, Square's charges are similar. You're charged 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction on the free plan and plans.

4.  WooCommerce 

If you’re already running a WordPress site and don’t love starting over, WooCommerce can help. This eCom plugin lets you design and deploy great themes and templates and offers a host of extensions, such as HubSpot’s WooCommerce integration for marketing automation, CRM, abandoned carts, and more.

WooCommerce is also highly extendable. You can download dozens of plugins in addition to WooCommerce to add advanced, customizable modules and upgrade your store beyond a plain WooCommerce site. For example, suppose you want to add functionality like:

• Wishlists

• Product comparisons

• Variation swatches

• Product badges

• Visual editing

In that case, you can try a plugin like ShopEngine. It’s a suite of WooCommerce add-ons to power up your store. The best part? WooCommerce is a plugin that can be added to your site for free. With WooCommerce, users can add:

• Unlimited inventory

• Images

• Galleries

• Products to their online store

5. Ecwid

Suppose you're launching an online store but want to minimize your initial outlay. In that case, Ecwid is the best place to begin: It's got a great, free plan that lets you start selling your first five physical products and affordable upgrade tiers starting at $19/month as you grow or need extra features. There are no additional transaction fees on top of your payment gateway charges, so you won't skim any profit with hidden fees.

Ecwid allows you to integrate your store with your existing website when you sign up. It supports most platforms like:

• WordPress

• Weebly

• Drupal

And the like allows you to set up your store with a company.site domain name (although you can change that to a custom domain at any time by upgrading to the Venture plan). 

Ecwid's quick setup and robust features for free and paid plans

At the Dashboard, you're presented with a big, bold to-do list that walks you through:

• Setting up your site

• Adding your first products

• Localizing your store

• Choosing how you want to deliver goods

Working through the full list takes less than 15 minutes. While Ecwid is a great free eCommerce website builder, it doesn't skimp on the features of the paid plans. It integrates with social channels like Facebook and Instagram to sell directly to your followers, list your products on Amazon or eBay, or take payments in person. It automatically calculates tax, offers discounts, and tracks your inventory. If you set up a free store on Ecwid, you don't have to worry about moving to a new platform if things take off.

Note: Ecwid was bought two years ago by Canadian payment gateway and point-of-sale provider Lightspeed. The only real change is that Lightspeed retail hardware is promoted as a point-of-sale option, provided you sign up for the $99/month Unlimited plan. There may be incentives to use Lightspeed's payment gateway in the future, but you are free to use whatever gateway you want.

6. BigCommerce

Unsurprisingly, given its name, BigCommerce is an enterprise eCommerce solution used by multinational companies like:

• Ted Baker

• Black Diamond

• Johnnie Walker

BigCommerce Essentials offers a similarly powerful platform for small businesses looking to sell online at significantly more affordable prices.

BigCommerce essentials: Advanced setup for established businesses and multi-channel selling

BigCommerce Essentials is still aimed at businesses already selling a lot in units or dollars (less than $50,000 a year is considered just starting when you sign up). This means that, unlike most other options, as part of the onboarding process, you're prompted to set up sales taxes and automated shipping, which smaller stores just getting started can improvise on until they're up and running properly. If you only sell 10 T-shirts monthly, you won't suddenly be on the hook for a multi-thousand-dollar tax liability. This is aimed at businesses looking to launch online and selling immediately, not indie hustlers.

It's also super simple to list your products on other marketplaces, like:

• eBay

• Amazon

• Facebook

So customers don't have to buy directly from your store. Head to Channel Manager in the sidebar and connect the option you want. BigCommerce will automatically import any products you've set up and keep any changes you make up to date across all your channels.

BigCommerce's focus on larger small businesses and pricing for themes

This focus on bigger small businesses has its downsides. While BigCommerce has five free themes with a few built-in variations, most of the ones available in the theme marketplace cost between $150 and $400. They look great, and the drag-and-drop site builder is powerful enough to customize themes as you please, but you need to justify the investment.

The $39/month Standard tier is capped at $50,000/year in sales, while the $105/month Plus tier is capped at $180,000/year. You don't necessarily need to shift that inventory level for BigCommerce to be the right choice for you, but it certainly doesn't hurt.

7.  Wix 

Most eCommerce platforms allow you to add an about page, a contact page, or even a basic blog to your site, but it's normally more of an add-on than an out-and-out feature. If you're looking to build a full website where an online store is a part of things but not the whole package, then Wix is your best option, at least if you aren't prepared to learn how to use WordPress. 

It's one of our favorite site builders, but even on its lowest plans, it doesn't skimp on eCom features like order tracking, automated sales tax, and abandoned cart recovery. They even offer a point-of-sale solution so that you can open a retail store.

Wix's AI-enhanced onboarding and site features

Wix has gone all-in on AI, and it made our list of best AI site-builders, too. A chatbot now handles signup. This is not strictly faster or better than the old onboarding flow, but it works well enough, suggesting the right default pages and apps for an online store and pre-populating my test site with relevant (and entirely made-up) text. 

How much use you get out of some of the other AI features, like being able to use a text generator to write product descriptions, depends entirely on you and your business. Others, like AI-generated meta tags, could speed up some search engine optimization work.

Wix's simple setup and integration with third-party apps

Otherwise, with Wix, adding a few products, configuring payment methods, and setting up your shipping options all take a few moments. Building your site can take a little longer, depending on how much content you want to add and how many products you need to list, but Wix keeps it simple. Once you're set, all left is to connect a custom domain and get your site out into the world, both of which Wix offers to help.

Wix is among the most popular site builders, so there's also a healthy third-party app and extension marketplace. If you want to integrate your store with accounting services like QuickBooks or shipping coordinators like Shippo, there's a simple one-click install app.

8. Pixpa online store builder

Pixpa is an all-in-one website builder that is an excellent choice for building an online store. Whether you're a:

• Small business owner

• Artist

• Photographer

• Creative entrepreneur

Pixpa provides the tools and features to effectively create and manage your e-commerce website.

Pixpa does not charge any commission or listing fees on your sales. You can sell your products, services, and digital files to creative professionals. Photographers can also sell images as prints and downloads. They also support popular payment gateways and provide robust order and inventory management features to streamline your sales process.

9. Squarespace eCommerce website builder

Squarespace makes it easy to look like an expert from the beginning. Simply choose a template, start a free trial, and get building. Use powerful CMS tools to add your text, logo, and photos. Choose from hundreds of fonts, colors, and stock images to design your site.

Squarespace allows customers to book services and appointments beyond typical online store builders. It’s more common for eCommerce website builders to only cater to product selling, but Squarespace does both seamlessly.

10. Weebly eCommerce website builder

Building with Weebly starts with step-by-step guidance on creating and launching your website. Customize your site with Weebly’s free website builder. Deploy:

• Shipping

• Payment

• Inventory management tools 

To make your life easier. You can also feature customer reviews to showcase what sets your site apart. One of Weebly’s site-building capabilities is a powerful filtered product search. For businesses with a large array of products, customers can easily navigate for specific attributes like price, color, size, and more.

11. Hostinger eCommerce website builder

Hostinger lets you create a personal business site with very little hassle. You can build attractive eCommerce pages with simplified workflow features like automatic tools to make shipping, delivery, and tax easy. Hostinger removes much of the need for professional assistance and empowers small business owners to do it themselves.

Hostinger has an AI Writer feature, otherwise known as a copy generator. Users can have unique, professional text on their website that is already SEO optimized to help your brand visibility.

12. GoDaddy eCommerce website builder

GoDaddy has a beginner-friendly eCommerce website builder that uses Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) to make creating your website easy and fast. Users can input information about their business into GoDaddy to create a customized site format and design in minutes, making it perfect for those who want to publish a simple site online quickly.

GoDaddy allows business owners to list their inventory on third-party retailer sites like Amazon, Walmart, and eBay to reach more potential customers.

13. Adobe commerce (Magento)

As an on-premise, open-source solution, Magento often requires in-house developer resources or an outside agency to set up a store. This platform is preferred by brands already heavily invested in IT or development teams.

As a result, Magento is geared toward more established, larger enterprises and can be expensive to set up. Even a basic store on Magento Open Source can cost up to $45,000, while an Enterprise-level store can cost up to six figures depending on the complexity of the build, design, and integrations required. 

14. Volusion

Volusion is an all-in-one online selling platform that lets you easily create, manage, and expand your store. This e-commerce website builder has an intuitive, rich content editor tool that lets you make changes to your online store in minutes with no backend coding necessary, a huge perk for businesses of any scale.

Volusion offers unique features like product video options. This allows potential customers to see product demonstrations or better understand the look and feel of the item sold.

15. Shift4Shop eCommerce website builder

Shift4Shop makes it easy to build the perfect website for your business and start selling your products or services online. It’s a customizable, feature-rich website builder that allows businesses easy product and order management, customer marketing tools, SEO, and sales tracking capabilities.

The platform's free End-to-End plan (only available for U.S. merchants) allows businesses to run a fully functional website while only paying credit card processing fees, as opposed to other builders that charge commission.

16. Duda eCommerce website builder

No tech skills are required to build an impressive eCommerce website with Duda. This platform is a drag-and-drop builder where businesses can use various templates for the specific niche represented. Duda equips users with effective SEO, 40+ payment providers, and mobile-friendly experience capabilities.

Duda makes it easy for users to trigger pop-ups, videos, promotions, special messages, and more based on various factors, such as location or number of visits to the site. These are effective ways to connect with your audience and boost engagement.

17. PrestaShop

PrestaShop is another free, open-source platform, but you can pay for add-ons and plugins to make it work for your business. It is written in PHP and supports the MySQL database management system. PrestaShop currently supports 300,000 merchants globally. 

eCommerce site builders vs. custom build

Cost efficiency: Get more bang for your buck

Between eCommerce website builders and custom-built sites, the choice often hinges on cost. Custom sites are a long-term investment tailored to your brand and needs. But they come with steep costs. You'll need developers and designers who know coding, eCommerce integrations, and UX design. For many small businesses, these costs are only feasible sometimes.

eCommerce website builders like:

• Shopify

• BigCommerce

• Wix 

Offer a more budget-friendly solution. These platforms provide pre-built templates, drag-and-drop editors, and built-in features at a fraction of the cost. Typically, the only ongoing costs are subscription fees, which are predictable and manageable. 

Effortless ease of use

A custom solution might feel overwhelming if you’re new to website building. Custom-built sites require technical know-how, from coding languages to server management. Even if you outsource to a development team, future updates or changes often require their help, adding time and expense.

eCommerce website builders cater to beginners. You don’t need to be a tech expert to get your store up and running. Most builders offer user-friendly interfaces and helpful guides. This allows you to make updates to your site, like changing the layout, adding products, or updating prices, without needing a developer.

Support that has your back

With a custom-built site, you're on your own when something goes wrong unless you have a dedicated developer. You'll need to troubleshoot, find resources, or pay for additional help to fix issues.

eCommerce website builders offer built-in support systems, whether 24/7 live chat, help forums, or detailed guides. This community-driven support can be invaluable when you hit a snag. You can usually find solutions quickly with the platform’s help. 

Built-in security to keep you safe

Building a custom eCommerce site means taking on security yourself. You'll need to integrate payment gateways, ensure SSL encryption, and continually update the site to protect against vulnerabilities.

eCommerce website builders handle security for you. They have built-in SSL certificates and integrate with trusted payment gateways like:

• PayPal

• Stripe

• Apple Pay

This makes it easier to ensure the safety of your site and customers’ data without building security protocols from scratch.

Learning curve: From beginner to pro

Building a custom eCommerce site can be a great learning experience, but it comes with a steep learning curve. It can pay off if you have the time and resources to learn, but most businesses are too busy.

eCommerce website builders are great for beginners because they handle complexity for you. They offer tutorials, guides, and community forums where you can learn and get answers as you go. This makes it much easier to get your store up and running quickly.

How to choose an eCommerce website builder

When choosing an eCommerce website builder, the first question to tackle is the nature of your business. Are you running a small side gig or managing a full-blown enterprise? 

The size of your business and the type of products you sell will heavily influence your platform choice. For instance, digital products and online courses have specific requirements. Make sure the platform you choose aligns with these needs.

Budget: Finding the sweet spot

Setting a budget isn't just about what you’re willing to spend now. Consider how your expenses might look in the future. Do you need a platform that can grow with you? 

Some providers are notorious for hefty price jumps when you upgrade plans. Look for hidden costs like apps and templates. Budgeting isn’t just about current expenses but also about long-term affordability.

User-friendly design

Comfort with technology varies. If building a website sounds daunting, opt for a platform with a drag-and-drop editor. This feature can make designing your site a breeze. Check if the backend is intuitive. A complicated dashboard can turn managing your store into a daily headache.

Multichannel selling: Reaching more customers

Think about where you want your products to be available. Is it just your website, or do you want to branch out to social media? Some platforms let you sync online and offline sales smoothly. Multichannel selling can be a game changer for visibility. Choose a solution that aligns with your selling strategy.

Enhancing customer experience

Payment options, navigation, and customer engagement tools all affect how customers experience your store. Look for features like email marketing, contact forms, and social media integration. These can make the shopping experience smoother and more enjoyable for your customers.

How much does an eCommerce website cost?

Understanding the costs of launching an eCommerce store can take time and effort. Let's break down what you can expect regarding fees and expenses. 

Monthly fees: The foundation of your online store

Your first expense is the monthly fee for the eCommerce website builder, which can range from free to a few hundred dollars. For most basic plans, anticipate around $30 to $40 monthly. This fee sets up your store and gives you access to essential tools and features.

Payment gateway fees: The cost of doing business

You'll encounter payment gateway fees. These fees apply each time you process a transaction. The typical rate is about 2.9% plus an additional $0.30 per transaction. As your sales volume increases, these fees may decrease. Some platforms, like Shopify and Wix, have their own gateways, while others rely on third-party providers like Stripe and PayPal.

Transaction fees: An additional layer

In addition to gateway fees, some platforms charge transaction fees. These are extra percentages on top of the gateway fees. Many eCommerce platforms advertise 0% transaction fees, meaning there are no additional charges beyond the gateway fees. If you don’t use their preferred gateway, expect to pay around 1% or 2%.

Shopify pricing in action: A practical example

To illustrate these costs, let's use Shopify as an example. A Basic Shopify plan costs $39 per month. You’ll also pay 2.9% + $0.30 for each transaction. If you were to sell 10 T-shirts at $50 each, your total cost would be around $56.50, including the monthly fee. If you use an alternative payment gateway like Stripe, you’d pay Shopify $49 and Stripe $17.50, tallying up to $66.50.

Crunch the numbers: Make smart choices

Your monthly costs will vary based on your sales volume and the services you choose. It’s always smart to run some quick calculations to determine what combination of fees will work best for your business.

Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify landing page builder

Instant is a user-friendly Shopify landing page builder that allows eCommerce teams and agencies to create fully customizable and advanced pages without any coding knowledge. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can quickly design and publish:

• High-converting landing pages

• Product detail pages

• Sections

Instant also offers seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, making it a versatile choice for enhancing online store performance and increasing conversions.

Try Instant's Shopify landing page builder today!