What are the best ecommerce website builders

In today's digital age, having an e-commerce website is essential for any business looking to expand its reach and increase sales. However, building an e-commerce website from scratch can be a daunting task, especially for those without technical expertise or coding knowledge. This is where eCommerce website builders come in - they provide businesses with the tools and resources to create professional-looking online stores without the need for advanced technical skills.

With so many e-commerce website builders available on the market in 2023, it can be overwhelming to choose the best e-commerce development for your business. In this blog, we will provide an overview of the best e-commerce website builders on the market in 2023 and explore their features, pricing, ease of use, and more to help you make an informed decision when selecting the right e-commerce website builder for your business needs.

What is an e-commerce website builder?

An e-commerce website builder is a software platform that enables businesses to create an online store without the need for advanced technical skills or coding knowledge. These website builders offer a range of templates, themes, and customizable features to help businesses create professional-looking websites that are optimized for selling products or services online.

E-commerce website builders typically include a range of features such as shopping carts, payment gateway integrations, product catalog management, shipping and tax calculators, and more. These features make it easier for businesses to manage their online stores, track sales, and handle customer orders and inquiries.

Using an e-commerce website builder can save businesses time and money compared to building an e-commerce website from scratch. They provide businesses with the tools and resources to create a fully functional online store without the need for technical expertise or expensive development costs. Moreover, many e-commerce website builders also offer additional resources such as marketing and SEO tools, analytics, and customer support to help businesses grow their online presence and sales.

Criteria for selecting the best E-commerce website builders

Selecting the best e-commerce website builder for your business requires careful consideration of several factors. Here are some of the criteria to keep in mind when evaluating eCommerce website builders:

  • Pricing: Pricing is a crucial consideration when selecting an e-commerce website builder. Look for a platform that offers pricing plans that fit your budget, with no hidden fees or unexpected charges.
  • Ease of use: The e-commerce website builder should be user-friendly and easy to navigate, with drag-and-drop functionality and customizable templates that enable you to build a website quickly and easily.
  • Design and customization options: Look for an e-commerce website builder that offers a range of design templates and customization options that allow you to create a unique and visually appealing online store that reflects your brand.
  • Features and functionalities: The e-commerce website builder should offer essential features and functionalities such as product management, inventory tracking, shopping carts, payment gateway integrations, and shipping and tax calculators.
  • Integrations and third-party apps: The e-commerce website builder should offer integrations with third-party apps and services that enable you to expand the functionality of your online store, such as marketing and analytics tools.
  • Payment gateway options: The e-commerce website builder should offer a range of payment gateway options that are secure and easy to use, with low transaction fees.
  • SEO and marketing tools: Look for an e-commerce website builder that offers SEO and marketing tools such as social media integration, email marketing, and analytics to help you drive traffic and sales.
  • Customer support and resources: The e-commerce website builder should provide reliable customer support, including technical assistance, resources, and tutorials to help you build and manage your online store effectively.

By evaluating eCommerce website builders based on these criteria, you can select a platform that best fits your business needs and goals.

Top E-commerce website builders in 2023

Magento

Magento

Magento is an open-source e-commerce platform that is popular among larger businesses and enterprises. It is known for its flexibility and scalability, which enables businesses to create highly customized e-commerce websites. Here are some of the key features of Magento:

  • Customizable templates: Magento provides a range of customizable templates that are designed to be visually appealing and mobile-responsive.
  • Payment gateway integrations: Integrates with a range of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net.
  • Inventory management: It provides advanced inventory management features that enable businesses to track their inventory levels across multiple warehouses and locations.
  • Shipping management: It provides advanced shipping management features that enable businesses to set shipping rates, print shipping labels, and track shipments.
  • Marketing tools: It provides marketing tools such as email campaigns, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery to help businesses increase sales.
  • Third-party app integrations: Magento offers access to a range of third-party app integrations that expand the functionality of the platform.
  • Scalability and flexibility: It is highly customizable and can be scaled to fit the needs of larger businesses and enterprises.

Magento is a powerful e-commerce platform, but it requires more technical expertise to set up and maintain than some of the other e-commerce website builders on the market. Magento also requires a hosting provider, which can add to the cost. However, for larger businesses and enterprises that require advanced features and Magento customization, Magento is an excellent choice for small and big e-commerce businesses. 

Shopify

Shopify

Shopify is a popular e-commerce website builder that has been around since 2006. It has become one of the most widely used platforms for building online stores. Here are some of the key features of Shopify:

  • User-friendly interface: It has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, even for those without technical expertise.
  • Customizable templates: Offers a wide range of customizable templates that enable businesses to create a unique and visually appealing online store that reflects their brand.
  • Payment gateway integrations: Shopify integrates with over 100 payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, making it easy for businesses to accept payments.
  • Inventory management: Provides inventory management features that enable businesses to track their inventory levels and receive alerts when products are low in stock.
  • Shipping management: Shopify provides shipping management features that enable businesses to set shipping rates, print shipping labels, and track shipments.
  • Marketing tools: It provides marketing tools such as email campaigns, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery to help businesses increase sales.
  • 24/7 customer support: It provides 24/7 customer support via email, phone, or live chat.

Shopify offers pricing plans that fit a range of budgets, with no hidden fees or unexpected charges. It also provides access to a range of third-party app integrations that expand the functionality of the platform. With its user-friendly interface, customizable templates, and range of features, Shopify is an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes.

Also Read: What is better to choose between Magento and Shopify?

BigCommerce

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is another popular e-commerce website builder that has been around since 2009. It has become a leading platform for businesses of all sizes to build online stores. Here are some of the key features of BigCommerce:

  • Customizable templates: Offers customizable templates that are responsive and optimized for mobile devices.
  • Payment gateway integrations: It integrates with over 40 payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square.
  • Inventory management: Provides inventory management features that enable businesses to track their inventory levels and receive alerts when products are low in stock.
  • Shipping management: It provides shipping management features that enable businesses to set shipping rates, print shipping labels, and track shipments.
  • Marketing tools: It provides marketing tools such as email campaigns, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery to help businesses increase sales.
  • Third-party app integrations: Offers a range of third-party app integrations that expand the functionality of the platform.
  • 24/7 customer support: BigCommerce provides 24/7 customer support via email, phone, or live chat.

BigCommerce offers pricing plans that fit a range of budgets, with no hidden fees or unexpected charges. It also provides access to a range of third-party app integrations that expand the functionality of the platform. With its customizable templates, payment gateway integrations, and range of features, BigCommerce is an excellent choice for businesses looking to build an online store.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a popular e-commerce website builder that is built as a plugin for WordPress. It is a free, open-source platform that is widely used for building online stores. Here are some of the key features of WooCommerce:

  • Integration with WordPress: It is built as a plugin for WordPress, which is the most widely used website-building platform in the world.
  • Customizable templates: Offers customizable templates that enable businesses to create a unique and visually appealing online store that reflects their brand.
  • Payment gateway integrations: Integrates with a range of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, making it easy for businesses to accept payments.
  • Inventory management: It provides inventory management features that enable businesses to track their inventory levels and receive alerts when products are low in stock.
  • Shipping management: Provides shipping management features that enable businesses to set shipping rates, print shipping labels, and track shipments.
  • Marketing tools: WooCommerce provides marketing tools such as email campaigns, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery to help businesses increase sales.
  • Third-party app integrations: It offers access to a range of third-party app integrations that expand the functionality of the platform.

WooCommerce is a free platform, which means that businesses can save on platform costs. However, businesses will still need to pay for web hosting and any premium themes or plugins that they use. With its integration with WordPress, customizable templates, payment gateway integrations, and a range of features, WooCommerce is an excellent choice for businesses that are already using WordPress for their website.

Also Read: Why Choose Magento for eCommerce Store

Squarespace

Squarespace is a popular website builder that also offers e-commerce functionality. It is known for its visually appealing templates and user-friendly interface. Here are some of the key features of Squarespace:

  • Customizable templates: Offers a range of customizable templates that are designed to be visually appealing and mobile-responsive.
  • Payment gateway integrations: Integrates with a range of payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
  • Inventory management: It provides inventory management features that enable businesses to track their inventory levels and receive alerts when products are low in stock.
  • Shipping management: It provides shipping management features that enable businesses to set shipping rates, print shipping labels, and track shipments.
  • Marketing tools: Provides marketing tools such as email campaigns, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery to help businesses increase sales.
  • Third-party app integrations: It offers access to a range of third-party app integrations that expand the functionality of the platform.
  • 24/7 customer support: Squarespace provides 24/7 customer support via email and live chat.

Squarespace offers pricing plans that fit a range of budgets, with no transaction fees. With its customizable templates, payment gateway integrations, and range of features, Squarespace is an excellent choice for businesses that prioritize design and user experience. However, it is worth noting that Squarespace's e-commerce features are not as extensive as some of the other e-commerce website builders on the market.

Wix

Wix

Wix is a website builder that also offers e-commerce functionality. It is known for its drag-and-drop interface, which makes it easy for businesses to create a website without any coding knowledge. Here are some of the key features of Wix:

  • Customizable templates: Wix offers a range of customizable templates that are designed to be visually appealing and mobile-responsive.
  • Payment gateway integrations: It integrates with a range of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square.
  • Inventory management: Provides inventory management features that enable businesses to track their inventory levels and receive alerts when products are low in stock.
  • Shipping management: Wix provides shipping management features that enable businesses to set shipping rates, print shipping labels, and track shipments.
  • Marketing tools: It provides marketing tools such as email campaigns, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery to help businesses increase sales.
  • Third-party app integrations: It offers access to a range of third-party app integrations that expand the functionality of the platform.
  • 24/7 customer support: Wix provides 24/7 customer support via email and phone.

Wix offers pricing plans that fit a range of budgets, with no transaction fees. With its drag-and-drop interface, customizable templates, and range of features, Wix is an excellent choice for businesses that want to create a website and an online store without any coding knowledge. However, it is worth noting that Wix's e-commerce features are not as extensive as some of the other e-commerce website builders on the market.

Also Read: 13 Essential Traffic Sources for your eCommerce store

Volusion

Volusion

Volusion is an e-commerce website builder that is designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers a range of features and templates that enable businesses to create an online store quickly and easily. Here are some of the key features of Volusion:

  • Customizable templates: It offers a range of customizable templates that are designed to be visually appealing and mobile-responsive.
  • Payment gateway integrations: It integrates with a range of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net.
  • Inventory management: Provides inventory management features that enable businesses to track their inventory levels and receive alerts when products are low in stock.
  • Shipping management: It provides shipping management features that enable businesses to set shipping rates, print shipping labels, and track shipments.
  • Marketing tools: It provides marketing tools such as email campaigns, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery to help businesses increase sales.
  • Mobile app: Offers a mobile app that enables businesses to manage their online store from their mobile device.
  • 24/7 customer support: Volusion provides 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat.

Volusion offers pricing plans that fit a range of budgets, with no transaction fees. With its easy-to-use interface, customizable templates, and range of features, Volusion is an excellent choice for small and medium-sized businesses that want to create an online store quickly and easily. However, it is worth noting that Volusion's e-commerce features are not as advanced as some of the other e-commerce website builders on the market.

Comparison of the top eCommerce website builders

Pricing

Magento: Free to download, but requires additional costs for hosting, domain registration, and development.

Shopify: Plans range from $29 to $299 per month, with additional transaction fees for using external payment gateways.

BigCommerce: Plans range from $29 to $299 per month, with additional transaction fees for using external payment gateways.

WooCommerce: Free to download, but requires additional costs for hosting, domain registration, and extensions/plugins.

Squarespace: Plans range from $16 to $49 per month, with no additional transaction fees.

Wix: Plans range from $16 to $45 per month, with no additional transaction fees.

Volusion: Plans range from $35 to $299 per month, with no additional transaction fees.

Ease of use

  • Magento: More complex to use than some other platforms and requires technical expertise.
  • Shopify: Easy to use with an intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality.
  • BigCommerce: Easy to use with a user-friendly interface and a range of tutorials and resources.
  • WooCommerce: This can be more complex to use for beginners, but provides a lot of flexibility and customization options.
  • Squarespace: Easy to use with a simple and clean interface.
  • Wix: Very easy to use with a user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality.
  • Volusion: Easy to use with an intuitive interface and step-by-step guidance.

 Design and customization options

  • Magento: Provides a lot of flexibility to customize the website, but requires technical expertise.
  • Shopify: Provides a range of customizable templates and a drag-and-drop website builder.
  • BigCommerce: Provides a range of customizable templates and a drag-and-drop website builder.
  • WooCommerce: Provides a range of customizable templates and a lot of flexibility to customize the website.
  • Squarespace: Provides a range of customizable templates and a drag-and-drop website builder.
  • Wix: Provides a range of customizable templates and a drag-and-drop website builder.
  • Volusion: Provides a range of customizable templates and a drag-and-drop website builder.

Features and functionalities

  • Magento: Provides advanced features and functionalities, including customizable templates, inventory management, shipping management, and third-party app integrations.
  • Shopify: Provides a range of features and functionalities, including inventory management, shipping management, marketing tools, and third-party app integrations.
  • BigCommerce: Offers a range of features and functionalities, including inventory management, shipping management, marketing tools, and third-party app integrations.
  • WooCommerce: Delivers a range of features and functionalities, including inventory management, shipping management, marketing tools, and third-party app integrations.
  • Squarespace: Equips a range of features and functionalities, including inventory management, shipping management, marketing tools, and third-party app integrations.
  • Wix: Furnishes a range of features and functionalities, including inventory management, shipping management, marketing tools, and third-party app integrations.
  • Volusion: Provides a range of features and functionalities, including inventory management, shipping management, marketing tools, and third-party app integrations.

 Integrations and third-party apps

  • Magento: Provides access to a range of third-party extensions and plugins.
  • Shopify: Integrates with a wide range of third-party apps and services.
  • BigCommerce: Integrates with a wide range of third-party apps and services.
  • WooCommerce: Provides access to a wide range of extensions and plugins.
  • Squarespace: Integrates with a range of third-party apps and services.
  • Wix: Integrates with a range of third-party apps and services.
  • Magento: Provides access to a range of third-party extensions and plugins.
  • Volusion: Integrates with a range of third-party apps and services.

Payment gateway options

Magento: Supports a variety of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, Braintree, and many more. Magento also offers its own payment gateway, called Magento Payments, which is powered by Adyen.

Shopify: Integrates with a variety of payment gateways including Shopify Payments, Stripe, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and many more. Shopify Payments is the default payment gateway for Shopify users and is available in select countries, while other payment gateways may have additional fees or transaction costs.

BigCommerce: Integrates with several payment gateways, including PayPal, Square, Stripe, Amazon Pay, and more. BigCommerce also offers a built-in payment solution, called BigCommerce Payments, that supports major credit cards and has no transaction fees.

WooCommerce: Supports a range of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, Square, Amazon Pay, and many more. WooCommerce also offers its own payment gateway, called WooCommerce Payments, which is powered by Stripe and has no setup fees or monthly charges.

Squarespace: Integrates with Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay. Squarespace charges a transaction fee for all sales made through third-party payment gateways, with the exception of Squarespace Payments, which has no transaction fees.

Wix: Offers several payment gateway options, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square. Wix does not charge any transaction fees for sales made through third-party payment gateways.

Volusion: Integrates with several payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, Amazon Pay, and many more. Volusion also offers its own payment gateway, called Volusion Payments, which supports major credit cards and has no transaction fees.

SEO and marketing tools

Magento: Shows advanced SEO features such as customizable URLs, meta descriptions, and page titles. Also includes marketing tools such as email marketing, social media integrations, and abandoned cart recovery.

Shopify: Delivers built-in SEO features such as customizable title tags, meta descriptions, and URL structure. Also offers marketing tools such as email marketing, social media integrations, and abandoned cart recovery.

BigCommerce: Offers SEO tools such as customizable URL structure, meta descriptions, and page titles. Also includes marketing tools such as email marketing, social media integrations, and product reviews.

WooCommerce: Presents basic SEO features such as customizable URLs and meta descriptions. Includes marketing tools such as email marketing, social media marketing, and product reviews.

Squarespace: Includes built-in SEO features such as customizable page titles, meta descriptions, and URLs. Offers marketing tools such as email campaigns, social media integrations, and abandoned cart recovery.

Wix: Includes basic SEO features such as customizable page titles, meta descriptions, and URLs. Offers marketing tools such as email marketing, social media integrations, and abandoned cart recovery.

Volusion: Offers SEO features such as customizable URLs, meta descriptions, and page titles. Also includes marketing tools such as email marketing, social media integrations, and abandoned cart recovery.

Also Read: Magento SEO - The Ultimate Guide

Customer support and resources

Magento: Offers support via phone, email, and live chat. Also provides a knowledge base, community forum, and access to Magento experts.

Shopify: Offers 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat. Also provides a help center, community forum, and access to Shopify experts.

BigCommerce: Offers 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat. Also provides a knowledge base, community forum, and access to BigCommerce experts.

WooCommerce: Provides support via email and community forums. Offers access to WooCommerce experts and a knowledge base.

Squarespace: Offers 24/7 support via email and live chat. Also provides a knowledge base, community forum, and access to Squarespace experts.

Wix: Provides support via phone, email, and live chat. Also offers a knowledge base, community forum, and access to Wix experts.

Volusion: Offers 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat. Also provides a knowledge base, community forum, and access to Volusion experts.

Conclusion

Choosing the right e-commerce website builder is a critical decision for any business looking to establish an online presence. While there are several options available, the best e-commerce website builder for a business depends on several factors, including pricing, ease of use, design and customization options, features and functionalities, integrations and third-party apps, payment gateway options, SEO and marketing tools, and customer support and resources.

Magento, Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, and Volusion are some of the top e-commerce website builders available in 2023. Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, and businesses should carefully evaluate their needs to determine which platform is the best fit for their specific requirements.