6 Best ecommerce platforms for small businesses

Looking for the best ecommerce platform for your small business? You’re definitely not alone. The monthly costs can range from £3.99 to £259. Small business owners often feel overwhelmed trying to pick the right platform to grow their online presence.

Our tests of the top platforms will help you make this vital decision. Shopify has taken the lead from Wix as the top choice. The platform now powers 5.23 million online stores. BigCommerce might be a better fit depending on your needs. Major brands like Samsung and Dell trust BigCommerce. The platform works best for businesses that sell large product quantities.

The digital world offers many choices. Entry-level plans cost around $39 on average. Shopify leads the market with its sales features. Businesses with growing inventory will find this investment worthwhile. Wix gives you access to over 500 templates you can customise and supports more than 50 payment gateways. BigCommerce stands out by offering unlimited products and millions of SKUs. These options can stimulate your business growth in 2025.

Shopify

_{Image Source: Shopify}

Shopify powers more than 4 million businesses worldwide. The platform has built its name by giving online retailers a complete solution that anyone can use. You don’t need technical skills to get started, unlike other platforms that demand coding knowledge.

Shopify key features

Shopify takes a simple approach to ecommerce. The platform has everything you need to sell products online, in stores, and through different channels. Here are the main features:

• Customizable online store: Choose from over 100 professionally designed themes with no coding required. The platform even offers AI-generated personalised themes.
• World-class checkout: Shopify’s checkout system converts 15% better than other ecommerce platforms. It accepts all major payment methods through Shopify Payments or 100+ third-party providers.
• Omnichannel selling: You can sell on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, marketplaces, and in person with Shopify POS that syncs with your online inventory.
• Strong inventory management: Track products across up to 10 inventory locations on standard plans. This works great for businesses with warehouses, retail shops, or pop-up events.
• Marketing toolkit: Built-in email marketing, abandoned cart recovery, and SEO tools help you find more customers.
• App ecosystem: Get access to more than 8,000 third-party apps to add more features to your store.

The platform also gives you complete analytics, 24/7 customer support, and shipping tools with better rates from USPS, UPS, and DHL Express.

Shopify pros and cons

Pros:

1. User-friendly interface – The accessible dashboard works well for complete beginners.
2. Scalability – Your store can grow smoothly as you add more products, employees, and features.
3. Secure platform – Shopify handles all security updates and PCI compliance to keep you and your customers safe.
4. Mobile-optimised – All themes look great on any device. This matters since 80% of online traffic comes from mobile.
5. Extensive integrations – Works with WordPress, Google Analytics, and all major social media channels.

Cons:

1. Pricing structure – Monthly fees, transaction charges, and premium apps can add up fast.
2. Limited content management – The blog features aren’t as good as WordPress.
3. Advanced customization requires expertise – Big changes need knowledge of Shopify’s Liquid language.
4. No email hosting – You need a separate email hosting service.
5. Platform lock-in – Moving away from Shopify can be tough. You can only export CSV files of product information.

Shopify pricing

Shopify has different pricing tiers that fit businesses at various growth stages:

You get a free 3-day trial and your first three months cost just £0.79/month. The monthly fee looks simple, but remember these extra costs:

• Transaction fees for payment gateways besides Shopify Payments
• Premium themes (up to £397)
• Paid apps from Shopify’s App Store
• Developer costs for customization

Small businesses usually spend £39.71-£79.42 monthly on Shopify after adding essential apps and payment processing fees.

Shopify best for

Shopify works great for:

• New businesses seeking simplicity – Anyone can start selling with its user-friendly setup process.
• Retail businesses with physical locations – Online sales and Shopify POS work together to manage inventory across channels.
• Growth-oriented companies – About 41% of current Shopify Plus enterprise clients started with Basic or Standard plans.
• Product-focused businesses – The platform puts product sales first, making it perfect for physical or digital goods.
• Companies with limited technical resources – You need minimal technical knowledge to start, though bigger changes might need a developer.

WooCommerce might work better for businesses on tight budgets. The platform isn’t ideal for content-heavy sites that sell as a side business or companies that need heavy checkout customization.

Small retailers spend about 2-5% of their digital budget on Shopify. This investment makes sense given the strong features you get.

Wix

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Wix stands out as a major player in the ecommerce space. The platform gives small businesses a versatile solution that merges website building with strong online selling features. More than 11.9 million users worldwide trust this cloud-based platform because of its user-friendly design tools and complete business features.

Wix key features

Small business owners can leverage these powerful ecommerce capabilities:

• Customisable storefront: The platform offers over 900 professionally designed templates with specific ecommerce options that boost conversion rates. Users can customise everything from product pages to checkout experiences.
• Flexible product options: The system lets you sell up to 50,000 products across multiple categories. You can offer physical goods, digital downloads, subscriptions, and services. The platform supports dropshipping and print-on-demand services.
• Multi-channel selling: Your products can reach customers through Google, eBay, Amazon, and social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. You manage everything from one dashboard.
• Payment processing: The platform accepts payments through more than 80 payment gateways. This number substantially exceeds many dedicated ecommerce platforms. Popular options include PayPal, Square, Stripe, and Wix’s own payment solution.
• Marketing toolkit: Sales grow through built-in SEO tools, email marketing, social media integration, and automated ad campaigns on Facebook and Instagram.
• Mobile management: The Wix Owner app helps you run your business anywhere. Process orders, manage inventory, and connect with customers from your mobile device.

Wix’s AI capabilities make it unique. The platform has an AI-powered design assistant that creates personalised sites based on business priorities. It also provides AI tools for product descriptions and image editing.

Wix pros and cons

Pros:

• User-friendly interface: Anyone can build websites with the drag-and-drop functionality.
• Design flexibility: You can create a unique brand identity without coding knowledge.
• Mobile optimisation: The built-in mobile editor ensures professional-looking stores on any device.
• Comprehensive support: Every plan comes with 24/7 customer support.
• Security features: Your store and customers stay protected with free SSL certificates and PCI compliance.

Cons:

• Template limitations: Switching templates after your site goes live is impossible.
• Performance issues: Loading times can be slow and affect customer experience.
• Storage constraints: Only the most expensive plan offers unlimited storage, unlike competitors who provide it in lower tiers.
• Manual inventory updates: Orders exceeding 300 items require manual updates for accurate inventory data.
• Pricing structure: Entry-level plans cost less, but premium apps and features can increase expenses.

Wix pricing

The platform provides several pricing tiers for ecommerce businesses:

Each paid plan includes a free domain for the first year, secure hosting, and access to Wix’s AI tools. The code “TAKE10” currently gives you 10% off any plan.

Businesses wanting to sell online must start with the Core plan. This tier provides essential selling features like online payments, inventory management, and shipping tools.

Wix best for

The platform serves specific business types exceptionally well:

• Small to medium-sized stores: Businesses with catalogues up to a few thousand products thrive on this platform.
• Creative entrepreneurs: Fashion, art, or specialty food retailers benefit from extensive design options.
• Businesses needing an all-in-one solution: The platform combines website building, ecommerce, blogging, and marketing tools, eliminating multiple service subscriptions.
• Startups with limited technical expertise: New entrepreneurs can start quickly without technical knowledge.
• Service-based businesses with product offerings: Product sales and service booking features work naturally together.

Wix might not suit enterprises with massive inventories or those needing advanced checkout customization. Small business owners looking to build or expand their online presence will find Wix offers an attractive mix of affordability, functionality, and simplicity.

Squarespace

_{Image Source: Squarespace}

Squarespace stands out in the digital world with its eye-catching design aesthetic. The platform has created its own space as an ecommerce solution that combines beautiful visuals with practical selling features. Small businesses and creative entrepreneurs looking for a polished online presence have made this all-in-one platform their go-to choice.

Squarespace key features

The platform provides a complete set of ecommerce tools that work great for design-focused businesses:

• Beautiful templates: The platform’s claim to fame is its collection of visually striking, professionally designed templates that work smoothly on all devices.
• All-in-one solution: The platform makes website management simple by including hosting, security, and updates in every package. You don’t need to juggle multiple services.
• Strong ecommerce tools: Every plan lets you sell unlimited physical products, digital downloads, services, and gift cards. You get tools to manage inventory, create discounts, and handle shipping.
• Marketing capabilities: The platform comes with SEO tools, email marketing features, and promotional pop-ups that help you attract visitors and turn them into customers.
• Payment processing: You can connect with major payment systems like Stripe and PayPal to give your customers flexible payment options.

The platform added new features that include online courses, client invoicing, and AI tools. These tools help create personalised website templates based on simple design and content preferences. Service-based businesses can also use scheduling tools through Acuity Scheduling.

Squarespace pros and cons

Pros:

• User-friendly interface: Anyone can build a site with the drag-and-drop editor, even without technical knowledge.
• Professional aesthetics: Creative professionals love the sleek, minimalist designs that give their sites a premium look.
• Built-in SEO tools: You get simple SEO features like editable meta descriptions, alt text for images, and clean URLs.
• 24/7 customer support: Help is just a chat or email away, plus there’s a knowledge base packed with tutorials.
• Mobile optimisation: Your site looks great on any device thanks to fully responsive templates.

Cons:

• Limited customisation: The platform might feel restrictive for users who want more control compared to open-source options.
• Higher cost: The price tag runs higher than other platforms, especially if you’re just starting out.
• Learning curve: Simple editing is easy but some advanced features take time to master.
• SEO limitations: The built-in SEO tools aren’t as powerful as specialised SEO platforms.
• Platform dependency: Moving away from Squarespace often means rebuilding your site from scratch.

Squarespace pricing

The platform updated its pricing in May 2025 and now offers four subscription plans:

Each plan includes a 14-day free trial. You get a free domain for the first year with annual billing. The platform now allows selling on all plans, though Basic plan users pay transaction fees of 2.9% + 30p.

Squarespace best for

The platform works especially well for:

• Creative professionals: The visual focus makes it perfect for artists, photographers, and designers who need a portfolio that works as a sales platform.
• Small businesses with modest inventories: Businesses selling a manageable product line with straightforward options will find it works well.
• Service providers with product offerings: The platform’s mix of scheduling and ecommerce features suits businesses that mainly offer services but also sell products.
• Content creators: The built-in tools are great for people looking to make money through online courses, membership sites, or digital downloads.
• Non-technical entrepreneurs: Business owners can create professional-looking stores without coding knowledge.

Large businesses needing complex features or extensive customization might find the platform limiting. However, small businesses looking for beautiful design and practical ecommerce features will find Squarespace offers an attractive, complete solution.

BigCommerce

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BigCommerce helps small businesses stimulate growth with a feature-rich platform that blends flexibility and powerful native capabilities. This leading open SaaS ecommerce solution combines the benefits of hosted platforms with customization options you’d expect from open-source alternatives.

BigCommerce key features

BigCommerce stands out from competitors with these built-in functionalities:

• Detailed storefront tools: The platform has drag-and-drop Page Builder, customizable themes, and built-in mobile responsiveness. Businesses can create professional storefronts without coding knowledge.
• Optimised checkout experience: BigCommerce’s one-page checkout converts shoppers effectively with digital wallets, buy now/pay later options, and passwordless one-click checkout capabilities.
• Multi-channel selling: You can connect with marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart, social platforms including Meta and TikTok, and advertising channels such as Google Shopping—all from a central dashboard.
• Advanced SEO capabilities: The platform’s built-in schema markup features help your store rank for rich snippets in search results without extra coding. This matters even more in today’s AI-driven search world.
• B2B functionality: Features like customer groups, price lists, and company-level user management make BigCommerce perfect for businesses running both B2C and B2B operations.
• Platform reliability: BigCommerce delivers 99.99% uptime and has managed to keep 100% uptime during Cyber Week for 10 straight years. Your store stays up during peak selling periods.

BigCommerce pros and cons

Pros:

• No transaction fees on any plan – pick your preferred payment gateway without extra costs.
• Every plan comes with unlimited products, staff accounts, bandwidth, and file storage.
• Exceptional API performance without artificial rate limits makes system integration easy.
• Built-in features that other platforms charge extra for through paid apps.
• Robust multi-currency support for selling internationally.

Cons:

• Your costs increase as your business grows due to revenue-based pricing.
• Fewer free themes compared to Wix or Squarespace.
• Advanced template customization might need technical expertise.
• Annual sales limits can push you into higher-priced plans.
• New users face a learning curve and setup takes longer than simpler platforms.

BigCommerce pricing

BigCommerce prices its plans in four tiers based on annual online sales:

Each plan includes 24/7 live phone and chat support without added payment fees. Sales that exceed your plan’s limit require an upgrade to the next tier.

Multi-storefront allowances increase with each plan: 3 for Standard, 5 for Plus, 8 for Pro, and unlimited for Enterprise.

BigCommerce best for

BigCommerce works best for:

• Mid-market merchants who need affordable yet powerful platforms with extensive customization options.
• Businesses with large product catalogues that need advanced filtering and search features. The platform handles complex inventories with many variants.
• Companies serving both B2C and B2B customers who need individual-specific experiences from one platform.
• Fast-growing small businesses looking for flexible solutions with built-in features instead of multiple third-party apps.
• International sellers who need strong multi-currency features and global selling support.

BigCommerce might take longer to learn than some competitors. However, its detailed feature set and zero transaction fees make it perfect for ambitious small businesses aiming for growth. The platform handles complex operations without needing lots of add-ons, which often saves money despite higher monthly costs.

Square Online

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Square Online emerged after Square bought Weebly in 2018. The platform gives small businesses a simple way to build their online presence. It’s unique in the digital world because entrepreneurs can start selling without paying anything upfront.

Square Online key features

Small business owners love these standout features:

• Integration with Square ecosystem: The platform combines smoothly with Square POS systems to sync online and in-person sales, inventory, and orders.
• Multiple fulfilment options: Customers can choose between click and collect, shipping, and staff delivery.
• Mobile-first design: Customers get an app-like shopping experience when they visit your store on mobile devices.
• Multi-channel selling: Your business can reach more customers through Instagram and Facebook connections.
• Secure payment processing: Square Risk Manager helps detect and manage payment risks.

Paid plans also come with QR code ordering, customer accounts, and gift options.

Square Online pros and cons

Pros:

• You only pay when you make a sale with the free plan
• The setup walks you through questions to get started quickly
• PCI compliance and free SSL certificates come standard
• Every plan lets you sell unlimited products
• Paid plans give you access to Square’s powerful analytics and reporting tools

Cons:

• You can’t customise as much as with dedicated website builders
• Free plan doesn’t include a custom domain
• Transaction fees are higher than what competitors charge
• Stories section replaces traditional blog features
• Customer support runs only from 8am-5pm PT Monday-Friday

Square Online pricing

The platform keeps pricing simple with three plans:

Each plan includes secure hosting with unlimited bandwidth. Premium plan users don’t pay in-house delivery fees.

Square Online best for

Square Online works great for:

• Businesses using Square POS that want to add online sales without hassle.
• Small retailers with physical stores that need click and collect or local delivery.
• Budget-conscious startups testing online sales without monthly fees.
• Mobile vendors and market traders ready to expand beyond face-to-face sales.
• Food businesses that want flexible online ordering options.

Businesses needing extensive design options or advanced blogging features might want to look elsewhere. But merchants who value simplicity and POS integration will find Square Online a budget-friendly way to start selling online.

WooCommerce

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WooCommerce powers 31% of the top 1 million ecommerce sites with over 3.6 million online stores. This free WordPress plugin turns any website into a complete ecommerce store. Small businesses can now control their online presence at a much lower cost than other platforms.

WooCommerce key features

The core team at WooCommerce created a versatile platform that works perfectly with WordPress:

• Unrestricted customization: WooCommerce gives you complete control to modify everything since it’s an open-source platform. You can have unlimited products, users, and orders.
• Content integration: Built on WordPress, WooCommerce combines smoothly with content management to keep everything centralised.
• Modular system: The core plugin stays lightweight while you add exactly what you need through extensions.
• Multi-channel selling: You can expand your reach on social media, marketplaces, and physical locations while managing inventory centrally.
• Mobile management: The WooCommerce mobile app lets you run your store from anywhere.

WooCommerce pros and cons

Pros:

• Core plugin comes free without monthly fees
• No limits on sales volume, inventory size, or staff accounts
• Strong community support from developers worldwide
• More than 800 official extensions for added functionality
• You control the budget and website priorities

Cons:

• Web hosting costs extra (£3.17-£3970.80/month)
• UK market features need improvement
• New updates might need testing in staging first
• Advanced customizations require technical knowledge
• Premium extensions and themes add to costs

WooCommerce pricing

You can start a basic store for just £107.21 yearly with domain and hosting.

WooCommerce best for

WooCommerce works great for:

• Budget-conscious entrepreneurs: Start with minimal investment and grow your business with the free core platform.
• Content-driven businesses: WordPress’s foundation makes it ideal when content marketing drives your product sales.
• Businesses needing unique features: The platform adapts well to stores that need specialised functionality.
• Technical users or those with developer support: Basic stores are simple to set up, but technical skills help realise the platform’s full potential.
• Small to mid-sized retailers: Businesses with modest to medium inventory find the platform particularly effective.

Small businesses that value ownership and customization over simplicity will find WooCommerce offers an excellent mix of flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Comparison Table

Choosing the right ecommerce platform for your small business

After dissecting the top ecommerce platforms available in 2025, the right solution depends on your business needs, technical capabilities, and growth aspirations. Each platform could be perfect for your unique situation.

Shopify stands out with its detailed features and easy-to-use interface. This makes it ideal for businesses that need simplicity alongside strong selling capabilities. The platform costs £19/month with an annual plan. Many businesses find value in its extensive app ecosystem and omnichannel selling options.

Wix offers an impressive mix of design flexibility and ecommerce functionality. Creative entrepreneurs benefit from its 900+ templates and AI design tools. The platform works best for businesses with catalogues under a few thousand products.

Squarespace shines for visually-driven brands. Its premium templates appeal to creative professionals and service providers. The platform takes more time to learn than others, but its polished aesthetics make up for the extra effort.

BigCommerce attracts growth-minded businesses with no transaction fees and unlimited products in all plans. Companies of all sizes love it, especially those running both B2B and B2C operations.

Square Online catches the eye of budget-conscious startups and businesses that already use Square POS. You can test online sales without monthly fees on the free plan. You only pay when transactions happen.

WooCommerce leads the pack in customization. It gives complete control to tech-savvy users or those with developer access. The core plugin costs nothing, but hosting starts at £3.17 monthly.

Small businesses should think over these key factors before deciding:

1. Technical expertise available (internal or outsourced)
2. Budget constraints versus needed features
3. Growth projections and scalability requirements
4. Integration needs with existing systems
5. Specific industry requirements

Businesses typically spend between 2-5% of their digital operating budget on ecommerce platforms. Monthly costs range from £0 to £259, so there’s an option for every budget.

The best platform for your business should arrange with your current needs and future aspirations. Many successful companies start simple and upgrade to stronger platforms as they grow. You have all you need to make this important decision with confidence.

What platform catches your eye? Tell me about your business needs in the comments below.

FAQs

Q1. What is the best ecommerce platform for small businesses in 2025? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, as the best platform depends on your specific needs. However, Shopify, WooCommerce, and Wix are popular choices for small businesses due to their user-friendly interfaces, robust features, and scalability options.

Q2. How much does it typically cost to set up an ecommerce store? The cost can vary widely, from as little as £0 for basic plans on platforms like Square Online, to over £250 per month for advanced plans. Most small businesses can expect to spend between £20 to £80 per month on their ecommerce platform, plus additional costs for domains, hosting, and optional add-ons.

Q3. Can I start selling online without any technical skills? Yes, many modern ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace are designed to be user-friendly for non-technical users. They offer drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-designed templates, and guided setup processes that make it possible to launch an online store without coding knowledge.

Q4. Which ecommerce platform offers the best design flexibility? Wix is known for its extensive design flexibility, offering over 900 customisable templates. However, for those with more technical skills or access to developers, WooCommerce (built on WordPress) provides nearly unlimited customisation options.

Q5. Is it possible to integrate my physical store with an online platform? Yes, many ecommerce platforms offer omnichannel selling features. Shopify and Square Online, in particular, excel at integrating online and offline sales, allowing you to synchronise inventory, orders, and customer data across physical and digital channels.