The 7 Best Website Builders for Online Stores

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve listed the best website builders for online stores below.

Shopify is one of the most popular website builders for online stores. A good option for both large and small businesses, the platform has a simple drag-and-drop interface that helps you build a great-looking website even if you don’t know how to code.

It is also packed with built-in features to support the functioning of your online storefront and is mobile-friendly. The platform stands out, particularly because it offers an all-in-one solution for sales, payments, web hosting, and more. This, in turn, allows you to focus on growing your business, instead of the technical complexities of establishing and managing an online store.

Shopify offers its customers 24×7 email and live chat support (regardless of the type of plan you choose), which means you can rest assured that any questions or concerns you have will be promptly addressed and resolved.

Wix is a great option for beginners looking to set up a polished and user-friendly online store. The platform has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and over 120 templates to help you get started. You can also choose to custom-build your online store using Wix’s platform.

Unlike websites like Etsy, which only allows you to sell vintage or handmade goods, Wix has no restrictions about what you can sell through its platform.

Also, thanks to Wix’s numerous built-in sales tools and SEO capabilities, your online store can thrive. The best part about Wix is that it offers a free plan, which gives you time to try out the platform and decide whether it’s the right fit for your needs.

Squarespace’s impressive templates make it perfect for people looking to set up an online store with a focus on great design. While the platform may not be the most user-friendly, you can rest assured that your customers will face no hiccups when navigating your online store.

Every template you find on Squarespace is completely customizable. This allows you to use the built-in designs as a base and edit them to suit your brand’s visual style.

The platform also allows you easy access to your inventory, the ability to add multiple product variants, and the option to sell physical as well as digital products and even services. The SEO and marketing tools that are offered as part of the platform help increase your website’s visibility and reach.

If you’re interested in checking out what Squarespace has to offer, we recommend signing up for the 14-day free trial before you make a decision.

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Square is a popular choice for many small business owners because it’s flexible and easy to use. The platform has built-in inventory management capabilities and a point-of-sale (POS) system that enables online payments. It also allows you to expand its functionality by using integrated third-party apps.

A unique feature of Square is that if you also happen to run a brick-and-mortar store and use the Square for Retail POS system to process your payments, the platform will automatically sync your inventory between your online and offline stores.

While there is a free plan available, you will have access to better features and be able to sell more effectively if you opt for one of Square Online’s paid plans. Higher-tier paid plans offer a number of perks, including a free domain name, a lower processing rate, and advanced reports.

BigCommerce’s built-in features and intuitive user interface make setting up and managing your online store a relatively hassle-free experience.

There are plenty of interesting free and paid templates to choose from, allowing you to set up a professional-looking online store.

One of the best things about BigCommerce is that it’s easy for business owners to scale up using the platform. This means that no matter how much you intend to expand your website or increase your inventory, you can rest assured that your website will always run smoothly.

The only real downside is that there is an annual sales limit. So, the more your revenue increases, the more expensive BigCommerce will become.

Volusion, founded in 1999, is one of the oldest website builders out there. Although it’s been around for decades, it’s not as advanced as some of its competitors. That said, recent updates to Volusion’s platform have made inventory management easier. The analytics tools and online payment options are two other areas of strength.

Customers are also given the option to run their online store through a mobile app—an excellent perk, given that it will help you manage your business even when you are on the go.

Volusion is a pretty good option for people who aren’t that interested in designing their website’s look from scratch. However, if you want to design the site using the platform’s built-in features and tools, you’re likely to find navigating the front end a little complicated.

WooCommerce is a pretty unique eCommerce website-building tool. Unlike its competitors, this platform is open-source. This enables quick and constant improvement. Additionally, WooCommerce’s platform integrates with WordPress, making it easy for even the most novice users to set up and manage their online store.

There are also numerous extensions available, which, in turn, allow you to tailor your eCommerce website to suit your specific needs. The platform itself is responsive, easy to use, and includes a host of advanced features, which make it a great tool to consider.

You also get access to the company’s preinstalled secure payment gateway, and you can choose from multiple shipping options for your customers.

Using the Right Website Builder

Choosing a website builder is a vital part of establishing your brand. While these website builders can help you set up a functional and good-looking online store, you can also enlist the services of a website development company to build an online storefront that’s unique and eye-catching.