Are you a small business owner looking to build an online store? If so, you are in luck. There are many great website builders out there that can help you create a beautiful and functional online store.
In this article, we will share with you 6 of the best website builders for small businesses and online stores.
We will also share a few tips on how to choose the right website builder for your business.
Ways to create an online store fast
Technically, there are three ways to create an online store:
a). Create by yourself
You can sit down and start coding an online store from scratch. This is a very bad idea because it will take you ages to get things done and your store might not work as intended. And let’s not forget, that not all of us know how to code!
b). Hire a web developer
If you don’t know how to code, your next option would be to hire a web developer. This is a great idea if you have the budget for it but keep in mind that finding a good web developer can be very difficult and even if you find one, they might not be able to create exactly what you want.
c). Use an eCommerce platform
Alternatively, you can use an eCommerce platform to create your online store. This is the best option for most people because it’s relatively easy and fast to set up, it doesn’t require any technical knowledge, and you have full control over your store.
Plus, there are many great eCommerce platforms out there that are very affordable or even free!
What is an online store builder?
An online store builder is a tool that helps businesses create and manage their eCommerce website. It offers users a platform to build their own online store, without the need for coding or design knowledge.
With an online store builder, you can choose from a variety of templates and designs to create a professional-looking website.
Also, you can easily add features and functionality to your websites, such as product catalogs, shopping carts, and payment gateway integration.
What is the difference between an eCommerce platform and an online store builder?
An eCommerce platform is a software that allows businesses to create an online store. An online store builder is a tool that helps businesses create an online store without the need for coding or design knowledge.
As you can see, the difference is a very thin line.
But the main difference between an eCommerce platform and an online store builder is that an eCommerce platform is more comprehensive and offers more features and customization options than an online store builder.
Some of the features that an eCommerce platform might offer include the ability to:
- accept payments
- manage inventory
- track orders
- send newsletters
- offer discounts and coupons
- and provide customer support.
An online store builder might offer some of these same features, but typically to a lesser degree.
For example, an online store builder might not have as many payment options or allow for as much customization.
Although there are some website builders dedicated to creating online stores. And that is why it can be hard to sometimes differentiate between them.
That said, our list of the best website builders for small businesses online stores includes both.
8 Best Ecommerce Website Builders For Small Business
OLITT
If you are looking for an easy-to-use, free online store builder that supports a ton of payment methods, OLITT is the platform for you.
With OLITT, you can create a professional-looking online store without any prior experience or design knowledge.
And because OLITT supports so many payment methods, you can be sure that your customers will be able to pay you however they like.
Top features:
- Google Web Tools: OLITT provides you with an all-inclusive package of Google Web Tools to help increase your website’s visibility and traffic.
- Payment Methods: OLITT supports a wide range of payment methods, so you can be sure that your customers will be able to pay you however they like.
- Custom Code: OLITT also allows you to add your own custom code, so you can really make your store look and feel like your own.
- Sell unlimited products: With OLITT, there are no limits on the number of products you can sell. So whether you are a small business or a large enterprise, OLITT can accommodate your needs.
If you Are looking to start selling unlimited products online, be sure to check out OLITT.
Shopify
If you are looking to start an online store fast and for cheap, Shopify is a platform that can help you do just that. It is simple to use, has plenty of features, and is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms available.
In fact, you can use Shopify to sell physical or digital products or even services.
Some of the top features of Shopify include:
- A customizable platform: You can choose from a variety of themes and designs, or even create your own custom theme.
- An easy-to-use interface: Shopify is designed for people with no prior experience in web design or programming.
- A wide range of features: Shopify offers a huge range of features, including inventory management, shipping, payments, and more.
- 24/7 support: If you ever have any questions or run into any problems, Shopify’s team is always available to help.
Now, there are three ways to use Shopify: with the basic plan going for $24 per month, or with the other paid plans which start at $69 and $299 per month.
The main difference between the three is a few extra features, such as abandoned cart recovery, seats for extra team members, and professional reports.
If you are just starting out, the basic plan is a great way to get started. But if you are looking for more features and want to scale your business, then one of the top paid plans might be a better option.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms on the market perfect for small businesses.
Unlike other platforms, BigCommerce is designed specifically for businesses of all sizes.
Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise, BigCommerce has the features and functionality you need to build and grow your online store.
Here are some of the top features that make BigCommerce unique:
- Robust feature set: With BigCommerce, you get access to all the features and tools you need to build a successful online store. There’s no need to piece together different software solutions – everything you need is included in one platform.
- Scalability: As your business grows, so does your eCommerce platform. With BigCommerce, you can start small and scale up as your business grows. There’s no need to switch to a new platform as your business expands.
- Support: BigCommerce offers 24/7 support from a team of eCommerce experts. If you have any questions or need help with anything, they’re always available to assist you.
- Affordable: With BigCommerce, you get access to enterprise-level features at an affordable price point. There are no hidden fees or long-term contracts – you pay only for what you use (based on your monthly sales volume).
- Flexibility: BigCommerce gives you the flexibility to customize your store design, add custom functionality, and integrate other tools to upgrade your store performance.
Volusion
Volusion is a unique eCommerce platform that offers users a customizable shopping experience.
As such, with Volusion, you can easily create a custom online store that fits your specific needs and brand.
Volusion also offers a wide range of top-notch features, including:
- A customizable platform: Volusion’s platform is highly customizable, giving businesses the ability to create a unique online store that fits their specific needs and brand.
- Wide range of STORE management features: Volusion offers a wide range of features, including product management, order management, shipping, payments, and more.
- Excellent customer support: Volusion offers excellent customer support, with 24/7 live chat and email support available.
- A 14-day free trial: Just like Shopify, Volusion offers a 14-day free trial, so you can try out the platform before committing to it.
- HTML/CSS Editor Access: Users can access Volusion’s HTML/CSS editor to make customizations to their store’s design.
- Cross-selling Functionality: Volusion’s cross-selling functionality allows businesses to upsell and cross-sell products to customers.
- Payment Processing: Volusion offers a wide range of payment processing options, including credit cards, PayPal, Google Checkout, and more.
Shift4Shop
With over 200,000+ current customers, Shift4Shop (formerly known as 3dcart) is a unique eCommerce platform that offers top-of-the-line features and services to online businesses of all sizes.
This online store builder handles over 3.5 Billion annual transactions, which means it must be doing something good.
That said, here are the top things making Shift4Shop stand out from the rest:
- Scalability: With Shift4Shop, businesses can start small and scale up as their needs grow. The platform is designed to support an unlimited number of products, orders, and customers, so businesses can always count on Shift4Shop to meet their needs.
- Comprehensive features: Shift4Shop provides everything businesses need to succeed online, including a built-in shopping cart, payment processing, order management, shipping integration, and more. Plus, with over 300 integrations available, businesses can easily add the specific features they need to tailor their eCommerce store to their unique needs.
- Affordable pricing: Shift4Shop’s plans start at just $0 per month, making it one of the most affordable eCommerce platforms on the market. Plus, there are no revenue caps, so businesses can keep making more as their business grow.
- Premium themes for every industry: Shift4Shop offers over 100+ themes to choose from. All of their themes are responsive, meaning they’ll look great on any device. And with such a wide selection, businesses in any industry can find the perfect theme for their eCommerce store.
- PCI-Compliant payment processing: this online store builder offers businesses the ability to accept credit cards, PayPal, and over 100 other payment methods. Plus, all transactions are processed through a secure SSL connection so businesses can rest assured that their customers’ information is always safe.
- Powerful shipping integration: With Shift4Shop, businesses can choose from multiple shipping carriers (including UPS, FedEx, and USPS) and easily compare rates to find the best option for them. Plus, with real-time shipping quotes, customers will always know how much it will cost to have their order shipped before they even checkout!
WooCommerce
With so many eCommerce platforms available, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your business.
However, WooCommerce is a popular choice for many small businesses due to its flexibility and scalability.
Here are some of the top features that make WooCommerce unique:
- WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin, which means it integrates seamlessly with your existing WordPress website. This makes it easy to set up and use, even if you don’t have any technical expertise.
- Highly customizable – you can add or remove features as needed to create the perfect online store for your business. There are also hundreds of plugins and themes available to further customize your store.
- Suitable for businesses of all sizes – from small businesses to large enterprises. It is also scalable, so you can start small and grow your store as your business expands.
- WooCommerce is free to use – unlike some other eCommerce platforms which charge monthly fees. You will only need to pay for any optional plugins or themes that you install on top of the core WooCommerce software.
In fact, it is easy to get started with WooCommerce. All you need is a domain name and hosting, and you can install the WooCommerce plugin with just a few clicks.
Once installed, you can start adding products to your store and begin selling online!
Adobe Commerce (Magento)
Magento is another one of the most popular eCommerce platforms for small businesses.
What makes Magento unique is its flexibility and customization options. You can easily tailor Magento to fit the specific needs of your business, whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise.
Some of the top features that make Magento stand out include its scalability, built-in SEO, and security. With Magento, you can create a robust online store that can grow with your business. You don’t have to worry about outgrowing your eCommerce platform.
Magento is also search engine friendly, so you can attract more organic traffic to your site. And because security is always a top concern for online businesses, Magento has built-in security features to help keep your site and customers safe.
How to choose the right website builder for your eCommerce business
The best website builder for your eCommerce business will depend on a number of factors, including the size and scope of your business, your budget, and your technical expertise.
a). Size and scope of your business
If you have a small or medium-sized eCommerce business, you may want to use a simple platform like WordPress or Shopify. These platforms are easy to use and offer a wide range of features, making them ideal for businesses that are just getting started with online selling.
b). Budget
Your budget will also be an important factor in choosing the best website builder for your eCommerce business. If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider using a free platform like WordPress or Shopify.
However, if you have more money to spend, you may want to invest in a more powerful platform like Magento or WooCommerce.
c). Technical expertise
If you’re not particularly tech-savvy, you may want to use a simple platform like WordPress or Shopify. These platforms are easy to use and offer a wide range of features, making them ideal for businesses that are just getting started with online selling.
However, if you have more experience with web development, you may prefer to use a more powerful platform like Magento or WooCommerce.
d). Support
When choosing an online store builder, it’s important to consider the level of support offered by the platform.
Some platforms offer extensive documentation and forums where you can get help from other users. Others offer more limited support, which may be fine if you’re confident in your ability to build and maintain your eCommerce store yourself.
Overall, if you are just starting out, you may want to use a simple platform like WordPress or Shopify. If you have more experience with web development, you may prefer to use a more powerful platform like Magento or WooCommerce.
Ultimately, the best website builder for your e-Commerce business is the one that gives you the features and flexibility you need to build a successful online store.