10 Best E-Commerce Platforms for Your Business: Full Guide

What is an E-commerce Platform?

An e-commerce platform is a software solution that enables businesses and individuals to create, manage, and operate an online store. It provides all the tools needed to sell products or services online, including product listings, shopping carts, payment processing, order management, and customer service functions.

Key Features to Consider When Choosing an E-commerce Platform

• Website Builder – Tools to design your online store (often drag-and-drop).
• Product Management – Add, edit, and categorise items for sale.
• Shopping Cart & Checkout – Secure systems for customers to buy and pay.
• Payment Gateways – Integration with services like PayPal, Stripe, and credit cards.
• Shipping Options – Tools to manage delivery, rates, and tracking.
• Marketing Tools – SEO, coupons, email integration, and social media links.
• Analytics & Reports – Data dashboards to track sales and performance.
• Mobile Optimisation – Ensures the store works smoothly on phones and tablets.

10 Best E-Commerce Platforms for Your Business

1. Shopify – Best for Beginners and Growing Stores

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform that allows individuals and businesses to create, manage, and scale an online store without needing advanced coding skills or web development knowledge. It was founded in 2006 and now powers over 4 million businesses across 175 countries.

Whether you’re selling physical products, digital downloads, services, or subscriptions, Shopify provides a full suite of tools to run your business online.

Source: Shopify

How Shopify Works

Shopify is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, which means you pay a monthly fee to use its services. Once you sign up, you can:

• Choose a theme for your store from free or paid templates.
• Add products with photos, prices, and descriptions.
• Set up payment gateways (like Shopify Payments, PayPal, Stripe).
• Launch your website and start accepting orders.
• Manage sales, inventory, shipping, and customers from your admin dashboard.

It also offers integrations with social media, marketplaces, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and thousands of apps via the Shopify App Store.

Key Features of Shopify

1. Online Store Builder

The platform includes a user-friendly online store builder featuring:

• Drag-and-drop functionality allows users to easily design their store layout without needing coding skills.
• Access to over 100 free and premium themes, giving businesses a wide range of design choices to match their brand.
• A mobile-responsive design that ensures the store looks great and functions smoothly on all devices.

2. Multiple Payment Options

The system supports various payment methods to cater to customer preferences, including:

• Shopify Payments, which comes with no transaction fees, offers a cost-effective solution.
• Integration with popular gateways like PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and credit cards ensures flexibility and convenience for online shoppers.

3. Inventory Management

Comprehensive inventory tools help store owners manage their products efficiently, with features such as:

• Support for product variants, including different sizes and colors.
• Stock tracking and bulk importing make it easy to manage large inventories.
• Automated low-stock alerts, which notify users when items are running low, prevent stockouts.

4. Marketing & SEO

The platform comes with integrated marketing and SEO tools to help attract and retain customers, including:

• Built-in SEO settings allow users to customise title tags and meta descriptions to improve search engine visibility.
• Discount codes and coupons to boost sales and customer engagement.
• Email marketing tools that support campaigns and abandoned cart recovery, encouraging customers to complete purchases.

5. Mobile App

To support on-the-go management, the platform provides a robust mobile app that enables users to:

• Manage their store from anywhere.
• Receive real-time notifications about store activities.
• Track orders, customers, and sales, ensuring continuous operational awareness.

6. Shipping & Fulfillment

Shipping and fulfillment features are designed for flexibility and automation, including:

• Access to real-time shipping rates helps customers see accurate delivery costs.
• The ability to print shipping labels directly from the platform.
• Integration with dropshipping apps like Oberlo and DSers to streamline product sourcing and order fulfillment.

7. Analytics & Reports

Comprehensive analytics and reporting tools provide actionable insights for better decision-making, featuring:

• Data on sales, customer behavior, and product performance.
• A customisable dashboard that allows users to create tailored reports.
• Google Analytics integration for enhanced tracking and deeper insights.

8. App Store (6,000+ Apps)

The platform offers access to a vast app store with over 6,000 third-party applications, enabling users to extend their store’s functionality by integrating various tools. These include:

• Email marketing tools, such as Klaviyo, are used for building customer engagement campaigns.
• Review collection platforms, like Judge.me, to build social proof.
• Chatbot integration, such as Tidio, for real-time customer interaction.
• Accounting software, like QuickBooks, is used to manage finances efficiently.

Pros and Cons of Shopify

Pros:

• Easy to use with no coding needed
• Beautiful, customisable templates
• Excellent customer support

Cons:

• Additional costs for apps and themes
• Transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments

Shopify Pricing

Image Source: Shopify Pricing 

Who Should Use Shopify?

Shopify is ideal for:

• Beginners with no coding experience
• Small to medium-sized businesses wanting to grow online
• Dropshippers using tools like DSers or Printful
• Retailers selling both online and in physical stores (Shopify POS)
• Brands focused on marketing and design

Real-World Example: Gymshark’s Success with Shopify

Gymshark, a now-famous fitness apparel brand, started as a small dropshipping store built on Shopify. Today, it generates hundreds of millions in revenue and credits its early success to Shopify’s scalable infrastructure and marketing features.

Source: How Gymshark Became A $1.3 Billion Brand, And What We Can Learn 

2. WooCommerce – Best for WordPress Users

If you’re already using WordPress or looking for a highly customisable e-commerce solution, WooCommerce might be exactly what you need. As the world’s most popular open-source e-commerce platform, WooCommerce gives you total control over your store, without paying high monthly fees.

Source: WooCommerce 

What is WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin that transforms your WordPress website into a fully functional online store. Launched in 2011, it now powers over 6 million e-commerce websites globally.

Unlike hosted platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce gives you complete ownership of your website, data, and design. It’s perfect for businesses that want flexibility, control, and scalability.

How WooCommerce Works

To use WooCommerce, you must first have a WordPress site. Once WordPress is installed, you can:

• Install the WooCommerce plugin from the WordPress dashboard.
• Configure store settings (currency, taxes, shipping).
• Add products with pricing, descriptions, and photos.
• Choose a payment gateway (PayPal, Stripe, etc.).
• Customise your design using themes or page builders.
• Launch your store and manage orders via the WordPress admin panel.

You can also install thousands of free and premium plugins to expand your store’s features, just like apps on Shopify.

Key Features of WooCommerce

1. Product Management

WooCommerce offers a comprehensive product management system designed for flexibility and scalability.

• Unlimited products and categories for organised store growth
• Variable products (e.g., size, color) to accommodate diverse product variations
• Support for digital downloads and subscription-based services
• Inventory tracking and automated stock alerts to prevent overselling

2. Payment Gateways

The platform supports a wide range of payment options to suit various business needs.

• Integration with major providers such as Stripe, PayPal, and Square
• Support for offline methods like bank transfers and cash on delivery
• WooCommerce Payments (powered by Stripe) with no setup fees for a streamlined checkout process

3. Shipping Options

WooCommerce gives merchants flexibility in setting up shipping and delivery.

• Flat rate, free shipping, or real-time carrier rates for accurate pricing
• Local delivery and in-store pickup options for nearby customers
• Integration with logistics services like ShipStation, DHL, and USPS for smoother operations

4. Customisation & Themes

Designed for full creative control, WooCommerce enables a personalised storefront experience.

• Compatible with any WordPress theme, including optimised themes
• Works seamlessly with page builders such as Elementor and Divi
• Full access to HTML and CSS for advanced design customisation

5. Marketing & SEO

Marketing tools and SEO features are built to help grow your online visibility.

• SEO-friendly architecture inherited from WordPress
• Coupon codes and discounts to attract and retain customers
• Integrations with tools like Mailchimp, Facebook, and Google Ads for effective marketing campaigns

6. Analytics & Reports

Track your store’s performance with built-in analytics and flexible reporting options.

• Visual dashboards for insights into sales, products, and customer behavior
• Integration with Google Analytics for deeper website traffic data
• Customisable reporting tools for tailored business intelligence

7. Plugins and Extensions

Extend your store’s capabilities with thousands of plugins and specialised WooCommerce extensions.

• Access to over 60,000 WordPress plugins for additional features
• WooCommerce-specific extensions available for:
  • Subscriptions
  • Memberships
  • Bookings
  • Point of Sale (POS)

Pros and Cons of WooCommerce

Pros:

• Free core plugin
• Scalable and flexible
• Full control over hosting and data

Cons:

• Requires technical knowledge
• You handle hosting, maintenance, and security

WooCommerce Pricing

Image Source: WooCommerce Pricing

Who Should Use WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is ideal for:

• Existing WordPress users
• Businesses that want complete control over design and data
• Developers building custom e-commerce solutions
• Companies with unique store needs (bookings, subscriptions, etc.)
• Content-based websites adding a shop feature

Real-World Example: Porter & York

Porter & York, a premium meat delivery brand, uses WooCommerce to power its online store. They needed a system that allowed custom shipping logic, recipe content, and subscription management that WooCommerce handled with ease.

Source: Porter & York 

3. BigCommerce – Best for Scaling Businesses

If your business is growing fast or already operating at scale, you need an e-commerce platform that can keep up. That’s where BigCommerce comes in. Known for its powerful built-in features and flexibility, BigCommerce is trusted by B2B and B2C companies looking to scale without relying heavily on third-party apps.

We’ll explore everything you need to know about BigCommerce in 2025, how it works, what sets it apart, its key advantages and drawbacks, pricing details, and who will benefit most from using it.

Source: BigCommerce 

What is BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is a hosted SaaS e-commerce platform designed for businesses that want to grow fast while minimising technical complexity. Unlike other platforms that require additional apps for core features, BigCommerce includes many tools built in, such as advanced SEO, custom pricing, and multi-channel selling.

Founded in 2009, BigCommerce powers tens of thousands of businesses, from startups to large enterprises like Skullcandy, Ben & Jerry’s, and Sony.

How BigCommerce Works

BigCommerce provides everything you need to create, launch, and manage an online store—without needing to manage hosting or backend code. You can:

• Choose from pre-built responsive themes.
• Add products, categories, pricing, and images.
• Configure payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, etc.).
• Set up shipping rates, tax rules, and inventory.
• Use advanced tools to market and scale your business.

It’s also developer-friendly, with open APIs and headless commerce capabilities for brands that want to integrate with custom front-ends like WordPress, React, or mobile apps.

Key Features of BigCommerce

1. Built-In Scalability

Designed for growing businesses, this platform can handle large-scale operations effortlessly.

• Supports large product catalogs with thousands of SKUs
• Allows unlimited staff accounts and file storage
• Built on high-speed infrastructure with 99.99% uptime to ensure reliable performance

2. Advanced Product Options

Offer a flexible and customisable shopping experience tailored to complex product needs.

• Create bulk pricing and apply custom product rules for different customer segments
• Support for multiple currencies to enable global selling
• Real-time inventory syncing across all channels for accurate stock control

3. Flexible Payments

The platform includes a wide array of secure and modern payment solutions.

• Access to over 65 integrated payment gateways, including PayPal, Amazon Pay, and Apple Pay
• No additional transaction fees, helping maximise profit margins
• Integrated Buy Now, Pay Later options such as Klarna and Afterpay for flexible payments

4. SEO & Marketing Tools

Drive traffic and boost conversions with robust marketing and SEO features.

• Full control over custom URLs, metadata, and automatic sitemaps
• Seamless integration with Google Shopping, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram
• Tools for abandoned cart recovery and email marketing to re-engage customers

5. Shipping & Fulfillment

Offer customers flexible, real-time shipping options with advanced logistics capabilities.

• Real-time shipping quotes from carriers like UPS, FedEx, and DHL
• Integration with fulfillment tools like ShipperHQ, ShipStation, and Easyship
• Supports in-store pickup and multi-warehouse fulfillment for operational efficiency

6. Analytics & Reporting

Access powerful insights to track growth and performance across all store metrics.

• Built-in advanced e-commerce analytics
• View detailed sales, traffic, and conversion reports
• Integration with Google Analytics and third-party BI tools for deeper analysis

7. App Store & Integrations

Expand your store’s functionality with a rich ecosystem of integrations.

• Over 1,000 apps available for features like loyalty programs, subscriptions, and accounting
• Native integration with enterprise systems like ERP, POS, and CRM platforms (e.g., NetSuite and Salesforce)

Pros and Cons of BigCommerce

Pros:

• Great for scaling
• Supports a large product catalog
• Strong analytics and security features

Cons:

• Learning curve for beginners
• Annual sales thresholds for plans

BigCommerce Pricing

Source: BigCommerce Pricing

Who Should Use BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is ideal for:

• Mid to large-sized businesses
• Wholesale/B2B operations needing complex pricing rules
• Multi-brand or multi-channel sellers
• Tech-savvy teams looking for headless commerce capabilities
• Global brands selling in multiple currencies and regions

Real-World Example: Skullcandy

Skullcandy, a global audio brand, uses BigCommerce to power its online store across multiple regions. It benefits from BigCommerce’s headless architecture, which allows for fast mobile performance and a custom front-end experience.

Source: BigCommerce helps Skullcandy turn up the volume 

4. Wix eCommerce – Best for Creative and Small Stores

If you’re a small business owner, artist, or beginner looking to build an online store without needing tech expertise, Wix eCommerce might be your perfect match. With its intuitive drag-and-drop builder and beautiful design templates, Wix makes selling online easy and affordable.

You’ll explore what Wix eCommerce is, how it works, its key features, pricing, pros and cons, and why it could be the right e-commerce platform for your needs in 2025.

Source: Wix

What is Wix eCommerce?

Wix eCommerce is the e-commerce solution within the Wix website builder platform, designed for users who want to create an online store without coding. It allows you to sell physical products, digital goods, subscriptions, and even services—all within a visually appealing, fully customisable website.

Wix currently powers over 200 million websites worldwide, with thousands of online stores created each month using its e-commerce tools.

How Wix eCommerce Works

Wix eCommerce offers a simple process for launching a store:

1. Choose a template from 500+ pre-designed themes.
2. Customise your store using the drag-and-drop editor.
3. Add products with photos, prices, descriptions, and variants.
4. Set up payment and shipping options.
5. Connect a custom domain, then publish and go live.

Everything is managed through the Wix dashboard, including inventory, orders, SEO, marketing, and analytics.

Key Features of Wix eCommerce

1. Drag-and-Drop Store Builder

Build a professional-looking online store easily without any coding experience.

• No coding required, thanks to an intuitive interface
• WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor for real-time visual editing
• Full control over your design, layout, and branding to match your business identity

2. Product & Inventory Management

Manage products and stock efficiently to keep your store organised and up to date.

• Add unlimited products with ease
• Support for product options and variants such as size and color
• Inventory tracking and low-stock alerts to avoid running out of key items

3. Multiple Payment Options

Offer customers various payment methods to ensure a smooth checkout experience.

• Accept credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Stripe
• Use Wix Payments, an integrated payment solution for simplicity
• Support for Buy Now, Pay Later options like Afterpay

4. Shipping & Fulfillment

Customise your shipping strategy and connect with top fulfillment providers.

• Set up flexible shipping rules (flat rate, weight-based, etc.)
• Offer real-time shipping rates at checkout
• Integrate with tools like Shippo, ShipStation, and Printful for streamlined fulfillment

5. Marketing & SEO Tools

Promote your store and increase visibility with built-in marketing features.

• Customise SEO settings such as meta titles, descriptions, and slugs
• Create email campaigns using Wix Ascend
• Social media integration to connect with audiences across platforms
• Abandoned cart recovery tools to convert lost sales

6. Analytics & Reports

Track your store’s performance and make data-driven decisions.

• View detailed sales and customer insights
• Access a dashboard showing traffic sources, trends, and performance metrics
• Integrate with Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel for enhanced tracking

7. Global Selling

Reach international customers with built-in global commerce features.

• Multi-language support for localised shopping experiences
• Multi-currency display to match your customers’ regions
• Tax management tools for different countries and regions

8. Mobile-Optimised Store

Ensure your store looks great and works smoothly on mobile devices.

• Use mobile-friendly templates to optimise user experience
• Manage your store anytime with the Wix mobile app

Pros and Cons of Wix Ecommerce

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Affordable
• All-in-one platform

Cons:

• Limited scalability
• The App Store is not as robust as Shopify’

WIX Pricing

Source: Wix Pricing Information | Upgrade to a Premium Plan

Who Should Use Wix eCommerce?

Wix eCommerce is best suited for:

• Small businesses and startups
• Creative entrepreneurs (artists, crafters, musicians)
• Service providers selling appointments or digital products
• Anyone who wants a simple, beautiful store without coding

Real-World Example: Copper & Brass Paper Goods

Copper & Brass Paper Goods launched in October 2018 with an important purpose: representation. Copper & Brass sells notebooks, stickers, sticky notes, and other paper goods with beautiful illustrations of Black people and characters, such as their famous Black Santa wrapping paper.

The designs on their products shine through to their e-commerce store. This site serves as an example of how strong branding as part of your eCommerce website design can help relay a company’s values and create a compelling reason to buy.

Source: https://www.wix.com/blog/ecommerce-website-examples 

5. Squarespace – Best for Design-Driven Brands

Squarespace has long been known as one of the most visually stunning website builders, and with its powerful eCommerce features, it has become a go-to solution for creators, small businesses, and boutique brands wanting to sell online.

We’ll take a closer look at Squarespace eCommerce, what it is, how it works, its standout features, pricing plans, pros and cons, and whether it’s the right fit for your online business in 2025.

Source: Squarespace 

What is Squarespace eCommerce?

Squarespace eCommerce is the integrated online store functionality within the Squarespace platform. It enables users to build beautiful websites with shopping features, combining modern aesthetics with practical tools for selling products, services, or subscriptions.

From photographers selling prints to bakeries taking custom cake orders, Squarespace caters to creative entrepreneurs who want style and simplicity in one place.

How Squarespace eCommerce Works

Starting an online store with Squarespace is straightforward:

1. Choose a designer template from their library.
2. Customise your website using a visual editor (drag-and-drop + block system).
3. Add products, including digital, physical, or services.
4. Set up payment methods, shipping, and taxes.
5. Publish and sell, everything is mobile-ready and SEO-optimised.

All e-commerce tools are built-in with no need for external plugins or apps.

Key Features of Squarespace eCommerce:

1. Award-Winning Design Templates

Squarespace offers beautifully crafted templates that combine elegance and functionality, perfect for design-conscious brands.

• Clean, modern templates built specifically for online shopping experiences
• Fully responsive designs that adapt to all devices
• Ideal for visual brands like photographers, artists, and fashion retailers

2. Product Management

Easily manage a wide range of products, whether digital or physical.

• Sell physical or digital products directly from your storefront
• Offer product variants such as different sizes, colors, or pricing
• Stay organised with inventory tracking and automated stock alerts

3. Secure Payments

Accept payments with flexibility and confidence through integrated, secure gateways.

• Accept major payment methods like Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Afterpay
• Benefit from integrated tax automation for accurate sales tax management
• Enjoy no transaction fees on Squarespace Commerce plans

4. Shipping Tools

Customise your shipping setup to match your business needs.

• Create custom shipping rules such as flat rate, weight-based, or carrier-calculated shipping
• Print shipping labels with ease via ShipStation integration

5. Subscriptions & Services

Offer recurring products or services to create ongoing revenue streams.

• Set up recurring billing for subscription boxes or memberships
• Allow customers to book services online through Squarespace Scheduling

6. Marketing & SEO

Promote your store effectively and improve its visibility online.

• Launch built-in email campaigns to engage your audience
• Utilise robust SEO tools, including custom URLs, alt text for images, and meta descriptions
• Enable Instagram shopping integration for seamless social commerce
• Recover missed sales with abandoned cart recovery

7. Customer Experience

Deliver a smooth and user-friendly shopping journey from start to finish.

• Send personalised order confirmations and notifications
• Offer guest checkout or member account options
• Enjoy a mobile-optimised checkout that ensures seamless purchases on any device

8. Analytics & Reporting

Gain actionable insights to optimise store performance and marketing strategies.

• View sales overviews, traffic sources, and conversion rates
• Connect with Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel for enhanced data tracking

Pros and Cons of Squarespace E-commerce

Pros:

• Professional design quality
• Mobile-optimised
• Easy-to-use backend

Cons:

• Limited app integrations
• Transaction fees on lower plans

SquareSpace Pricing

Source: All Pricing Plans — Squarespace

Who Should Use Squarespace eCommerce?

Squarespace is perfect for:

• Visual and creative businesses (photographers, designers, artists)
• Small brands and boutiques
• Service providers and digital product sellers
• Entrepreneurs who want design-forward websites with e-commerce built in

Real-World Example: Studio Mucci

Bathhouse is a high-end spa, dining, and retreat located in Virginia using Squarespace websites.

Source: Squarespace Websites: 50+ Inspiring Examples (2025)  

6. Magento (Adobe Commerce) – Best for Enterprise-Level Businesses

Magento, now known as Adobe Commerce, is a robust open-source e-commerce platform designed for businesses that need maximum customisation, scalability, and enterprise-grade performance.

Used by global brands like Coca-Cola, HP, and Olympus, Magento is ideal for medium to large businesses with complex product catalogs, multi-store needs, or international operations.

Source: Adobe Experience Cloud 

What is Magento / Adobe Commerce?

Magento is an open-source e-commerce platform originally launched in 2008. Adobe acquired Magento in 2018 and integrated it into its Adobe Experience Cloud, renaming it to Adobe Commerce (though the term “Magento” is still widely used).

There are two versions:

• Magento Open Source – Free, self-hosted version.
• Adobe Commerce (Paid) – Enterprise-level platform with hosting, advanced features, and Adobe integrations.

Both versions are highly flexible, but Adobe Commerce is better suited for larger operations requiring customer personalisation, B2B capabilities, and advanced analytics.

How Magento Works

Magento provides an open framework, meaning businesses have full control over site design, features, and performance. However, it often requires a development team or agency to build and maintain.
You can:

• Host it yourself (Magento Open Source)
• Use Adobe’s cloud infrastructure (Adobe Commerce Cloud)
• Integrate with ERPs, CRMs, PIMs, and more

Key Features of Magento

1. Full Customisation

This platform is built for developers and enterprises needing total design and function flexibility.

• Modify every element of the storefront to match your unique branding and user experience
• Create custom workflows, checkout processes, and product types tailored to your business model
• Powered by an open-source codebase, giving developers full control over functionality

2. Complex Product Management

Ideal for businesses with extensive product catalogs and advanced inventory needs.

• Handles thousands of SKUs without compromising performance
• Support for grouped, bundled, and configurable products
• Features like multi-warehouse and multi-language support for global operations

3. Multi-Store and International Selling

Operate a global e-commerce empire from a single dashboard.

• Manage multiple storefronts with distinct catalogs, languages, and customer bases from one backend
• Support for multi-currency transactions and regional tax calculations
• Native multi-language functionality ensures a localised customer experience

4. Advanced Marketing Tools

Boost engagement and sales with powerful, built-in marketing capabilities.

• Set dynamic pricing and promotions that adjust based on behavior or rules
• Deliver targeted content using customer segmentation
• Utilise built-in engines for upselling, cross-selling, and coupon distribution

5. AI-Powered Personalisation (Adobe Commerce only)

Deliver smarter, tailored experiences using Adobe’s AI-driven features.

• Provide AI-generated product recommendations based on user behavior
• Enhance discovery with intelligent search capabilities
• Use customer behavior insights to refine marketing and merchandising strategies

6. Security and Performance

Ensure safe transactions and smooth site performance even at scale.

• Fully PCI-compliant checkout to protect sensitive payment data
• Enable two-factor authentication for administrative security
• Utilise performance optimisation tools and CDN support for global speed and uptime

7. B2B Commerce Suite

Cater to wholesale buyers and enterprise clients with robust B2B features.

• Manage company accounts with permission settings and purchase roles
• Support for bulk ordering workflows to streamline large transactions
• Provide quotation management, custom catalogs, and tailored price lists for each business customer

Pros and Cons of Magento

Pros:

• Enterprise-grade features
• Suitable for international selling
• Multi-store management

Cons:

• Requires development resources
• High setup and maintenance costs

Magento Pricing

Source: Magento Pricing

Who Should Use Magento / Adobe Commerce?

Magento is perfect for:

• Large enterprises with complex e-commerce needs
• B2B and wholesale operations
• Global brands need multi-store and multilingual capabilities
• Tech-savvy businesses or those with access to developer teams

Real-World Example: HP Inc.

HP uses Adobe Commerce to power its global e-commerce operations. With thousands of SKUs, customer segmentation, and regional storefronts, Magento’s architecture allows HP to deliver personalised, localised experiences at scale.

Source: 7 Best eCommerce Case Studies to Learn From in 2025

7. Zyro – Best for Budget-Conscious Startups

Zyro is a relatively new e-commerce and website-building platform launched by the team behind Hostinger. It’s designed for simplicity, speed, and affordability, making it a perfect solution for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses that want to start selling online quickly without technical complexity.

What is Zyro?

Zyro is a drag-and-drop website builder with e-commerce capabilities, created to compete with platforms like Wix, Shopify Lite, and Squarespace. It focuses on user-friendliness, clean templates, and built-in AI tools, which help users get online with minimal effort.

Source: Zyro Website Builder Is Now Fully Integrated With Hostinger: Achieve More With One Tool 

Zyro is best suited for users who want to:

• Launch a small online store
• Build a business site with e-commerce features
• Avoid technical setup and coding

Key Features of Zyro

1. Easy-to-Use Online Store Builder

Zyro offers a beginner-friendly platform for building and managing your online store without technical hassle.

• Easily add products, organise categories, and manage orders from a centralised dashboard
• Support for selling both physical and digital products, making it versatile for any business type

2. Beautiful, Responsive Templates

Create a visually stunning store that looks great on any device.

• Choose from dozens of sleek, modern templates optimised for desktop and mobile
• Customise your store using drag-and-drop tools—no coding knowledge required

3. Multichannel Selling

Expand your reach by selling across multiple platforms from one place.

• Sell directly on Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon from within the Zyro dashboard
• Inventory sync ensures product data stays consistent across all channels

4. Payment & Shipping Options

Provide customers with flexible and secure payment and delivery choices.

• Integrates with popular gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and more
• Set up custom shipping zones and rates tailored to your logistics strategy

5. AI Business Tools

Leverage artificial intelligence to optimise your store and brand.

• AI Heatmap to understand where visitors focus their attention
• AI Content Generator for writing product descriptions or blog posts
• Tools like the AI Slogan Maker and Logo Builder help establish your brand identity

6. Multilingual Stores

Easily reach a global audience with built-in localisation features.

• Create translated versions of your site to cater to international customers
• Improve user experience and expand market reach with multi-language support

Pros and Cons of Zyro

Pros:

• Very affordable
• AI-driven design assistance
• Quick setup

Cons:

• Limited scalability
• Fewer e-commerce tools than larger platforms

Zyro Ecommerce Pricing

Image Source: Zyro Pricing

Who Should Use Zyro?

Zyro is perfect for:

• First-time online sellers
• Freelancers and small business owners
• Entrepreneurs looking for an affordable and quick launch
• Users without coding or design experience

Not ideal for:

• Large catalogs or enterprise-grade operations
• Highly customised e-commerce systems

Real-World Example: Handmade Accessories Store

Millaw kids used Zyro to launch their store. With AI-powered product descriptions and an integrated Facebook Shop, they started selling within 2 days, with no previous web design experience. They saved time and money while maintaining a professional brand image.

Source: 20 Best Zyro Website Examples For 2025 

8. Ecwid – Best for Adding E-commerce to Existing Sites

Source: Ecwid 

Ecwid stands out because it doesn’t require users to rebuild or migrate their entire website to launch an online store. Instead, it acts as a plug-and-play solution, perfect for small businesses, bloggers, and creators who already have a website but want to add e-commerce functionality quickly and with minimal hassle. With just a simple embed code or plugin, Ecwid seamlessly blends with your site’s design, maintaining consistency across your brand.

What is Ecwid?

Ecwid is a cloud-based e-commerce plugin rather than a full standalone website builder. It allows you to embed a shopping cart and store on any platform (your website, Facebook page, Instagram, etc.), and it automatically syncs inventory across all channels.

Whether you’re selling physical goods, digital products, or services, Ecwid helps you go from brochure site to online store without moving to a different platform.

Key Features of Ecwid

1. Website Integration Made Easy

This platform is built to integrate seamlessly into your existing online presence.

• Easily embed a store into websites like WordPress, Wix, Joomla, Squarespace, or even custom-coded sites
• Use a simple copy-paste widget or platform-specific plugin for quick setup without any coding skills

2. Multichannel Selling

Expand your sales reach by tapping into multiple online marketplaces and social platforms.

• Sell directly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon, eBay, and more
• Use a centralised control panel to manage orders and inventory across all connected channels

3. Mobile-Friendly & Responsive

Designed for a modern, mobile-first audience and on-the-go management.

• Automatically optimised for smartphones and tablets
• Includes a free mobile app so you can manage products, orders, and inventory from anywhere

4. Flexible Payments

Offer your customers a variety of trusted payment methods for a smooth checkout experience.

• Supports 50+ payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, Square, Apple Pay, and many more

5. Real-Time Shipping & Taxes

Streamline fulfillment and compliance with automated tools.

• Get real-time shipping rates from major carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS
• Automatic tax calculations based on your customer’s location to ensure accuracy and efficiency

6. Product & Inventory Management

Manage a wide range of offerings with tools built for flexibility and scalability.

• Sell physical or digital products, services, and subscriptions
• Track inventory, set stock limits, and manage product variants such as size and color

7. Marketing Tools

Built-in marketing features help attract, convert, and retain customers.

• Create and manage discounts, coupons, and gift cards
• Integrate with platforms like Google Ads, Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram), and Mailchimp
• Use SEO tools and automated abandoned cart emails to improve visibility and recover lost sales

Pros and Cons of Ecwid

Pros:

• Easily integrates into existing sites
• Free plan available
• Omnichannel capabilities

Cons:

• Not a full-featured e-commerce CMS
• Limited customisation

Source: Ecwid Pricing – Choose the right Ecwid plan for your business!

Who Should Use Ecwid?

Ecwid is ideal for:

• Small businesses with an existing site who want to add e-commerce
• Content creators, artists, and service providers selling via Instagram or Facebook
• Non-tech-savvy users who want a simple store setup
• Sellers who want to test e-commerce without upfront investment

Real-World Example: Instagram Boutique

A luxury handbag and accessory boutique that has leveraged Ecwid’s Instagram integration to turn their social media presence into a direct sales channel.

Source: Fashion Store Examples Built With Ecwid 

9. Sellfy – Best for Digital Product Creators

Sellfy is a cloud-based e-commerce platform tailored specifically for digital content creators, including artists, writers, musicians, designers, and influencers. It’s known for its ease of use, fast setup, and specialised tools for selling digital downloads, subscriptions, and physical products.

Whether you’re selling ebooks, videos, online courses, music, or merch, Sellfy makes it quick and simple, with no coding or tech background required.

Source: Sellfy 

What is Sellfy?

Launched in 2011, Sellfy was built for creators who want to monetise their content directly through their storefront. It’s an all-in-one solution that includes website hosting, product delivery, payment processing, and even email marketing tools.

Unlike more complex platforms like Shopify, Sellfy emphasises simplicity, making it ideal for individuals and small teams.

Key Features of Sellfy

1. Sell Digital Products

Perfect for creators and digital entrepreneurs, this platform allows you to easily sell and securely deliver digital content.

• Offer instant delivery of ebooks, music, software, online courses, and other downloadable files
• Use anti-piracy tools and set download limits to protect your content and control access

2. Sell Physical Products and Print-on-Demand

Create and sell tangible items without the hassle of managing inventory.

• List and sell physical products such as T-shirts, mugs, and hoodies
• Access an integrated print-on-demand service with no upfront costs, perfect for artists and creators

3. Easy Payment Integration

Offer your customers flexible and fast payment methods.

• Accept payments through PayPal, Stripe, credit cards, and localised options
• Benefit from instant payouts in your preferred currency for quicker access to funds

4. Embeddable Buy Buttons and Store

Easily integrate your selling tools into any platform.

• Embed individual products, buy buttons, or your full store on any website, blog, or social media platform
• Great for influencers, bloggers, and content creators looking to monetize their audience

5. Subscriptions & Memberships

Build recurring revenue streams through subscription models.

• Create and sell monthly or yearly subscription plans
• Ideal for exclusive content, coaching services, or paid membership communities

6. Built-In Email Marketing

Nurture customer relationships and boost sales with built-in marketing tools.

• Launch email campaigns directly from your dashboard
• Send product updates, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery emails to improve conversions

7. Mobile-Optimised Storefront

Ensure your store is visually appealing and functional across all devices.

• Fully responsive templates that automatically adapt to phones and tablets
• Easy-to-use customisation options to maintain brand consistency on mobile

Pros and Cons of Sellfy

Pros:

• Perfect for digital goods
• Simple and fast setup
• No transaction fees

Cons:

• Limited physical product tools
• Not ideal for large stores

Sellfy Pricing

Source:Plans & pricing 

Who Should Use Sellfy?

Sellfy is best suited for:

• Content creators and digital product sellers
• Musicians, authors, YouTubers, designers, and coaches
• Solopreneurs looking for simple, no-hassle e-commerce
• Creators with an audience on social media or YouTube

Not ideal for:

• Large-scale e-commerce businesses
• Those needing a deeply customisable storefront
• Complex inventory management or multi-location shipping

Real-World Example: Food Content Creator

Ashley is a keto food content creator using Sellfy to monetise her Instagram audience.

Source: How food bloggers can make money on Instagram (tips + real examples)

10. Shift4Shop – Best Free Option with Built-in Features

Shift4Shop is a robust e-commerce platform designed for businesses that want advanced selling tools, flexibility, and full control over their online store, at zero monthly cost for U.S.-based merchants using Shift4 payments.

Formerly known as 3dcart, Shift4Shop is now owned by Shift4 Payments, and it offers enterprise-grade features like advanced SEO, built-in CRM, product reviews, and multi-channel support, making it a serious competitor to Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento.

Source: Shift4Shop

What is Shift4Shop?

Shift4Shop is a hosted e-commerce platform that provides everything you need to build and manage an online store. Unlike other platforms that charge monthly subscription fees, Shift4Shop offers a completely free plan with no monthly charges for qualifying merchants using their payment processor (Shift4 Payments).

With over 200+ built-in features, it’s designed for both beginners and experienced sellers looking for a powerful, scalable solution that doesn’t cut corners.

Top Features of Shift4Shop

1. Extensive Built-In Tools

This platform comes loaded with over 200 features out of the box, reducing the need for additional plugins.

• Manage complex inventories with advanced product options
• Provide accurate delivery costs with real-time shipping
• Increase customer retention through customer groups and loyalty programs
• Boost visibility through affiliate marketing capabilities
• Sell digital or physical gifts using gift certificates

2. Fully Customisable Storefront

Cater to both developers and non-tech users with flexible design options.

• Choose from dozens of free and premium themes to match your brand
• Developers get full HTML/CSS access for in-depth customisation
• Non-developers can use the drag-and-drop editor for intuitive visual editing

3. Advanced SEO Capabilities

Designed with search visibility in mind, this platform helps your store rank higher.

• Customise URLs, meta tags, and rich snippets for better indexing
• Supports AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) for faster mobile performance
• Built with a Google-friendly site structure to enhance discoverability

4. Multichannel Selling

Reach customers across multiple platforms without leaving your dashboard.

• Integrate with Amazon, eBay, Facebook, and Google Shopping
• Support for POS systems allows for in-person selling
• Dropshipping support makes it easy to fulfill orders without handling inventory

5. Integrated Analytics & Reports

Monitor your store’s performance and make data-informed decisions.

• Access detailed sales and customer reports
• Track product levels with inventory monitoring tools
• Measure success with conversion rate analysis

6. Payment & Checkout Flexibility

Give your customers a secure, smooth checkout experience with broad payment options.

• Supports 100+ payment gateways, including PayPal and Stripe
• On the free plan, sellers in the U.S. are required to use Shift4 Payments

Pros and Cons of Shift4Shop

Pros:

• No monthly fee with Shift4 payments
• Extensive built-in tools
• Secure and scalable

Cons:

• Interface not beginner-friendly
• U.S.-only payment processor

Shift4ShopPricing

Image Source: Shift4Shop Pricing

Who Should Use Shift4Shop?

Shift4Shop is ideal for:

• Established businesses and growing brands
• U.S.-based merchants wanting a free yet powerful solution
• Sellers with large or complex product catalogs
• Tech-savvy users who want full customisation
• B2B sellers needing advanced pricing, shipping, or CRM tools

Not ideal for:

• Beginners who need hand-holding
• Creators selling only a few digital products
• Non-U.S. merchants (unless paying for a plan)

Real-World Example: Auto Parts E-Commerce

Shift4Shop showcases automotive parts clients like Steeda, Monster Transmission & Performance, and Hummer Parts Guy, confirming their success with the platform.

Source: Best Auto Parts eCommerce Websites

What’s the Best E-commerce Platform for Your Business?

The best e-commerce platform for your business depends on your specific needs and priorities, but Shopify and BigCommerce are often cited as top contenders for businesses of all sizes. WooCommerce (for WordPress users) and Wix are also popular choices, particularly for smaller businesses or those needing a user-friendly interface.

Conclusion: The Right Platform Empowers Your Growth

The best e-commerce platform isn’t the one with the most features, but the one that aligns with your business goals and technical comfort level. Whether you’re a solo creator using Sellfy or a scaling brand moving to BigCommerce, your platform should make selling easier, not harder.

• Shopify and BigCommerce offer robust all-in-one tools perfect for scaling
• WooCommerce is ideal if you prefer full control with WordPress.
• Wix and Squarespace cater to creatives and small businesses needing visual design and simplicity.
• Magento (Adobe Commerce) suits large enterprises with developer resources.
• Zyro, Ecwid, and Sellfy offer quick-start options for beginners and digital product sellers.
• Shift4Shop stands out for U.S. sellers wanting powerful features without monthly fees.

Ultimately, the best e-commerce platform depends on your business goals, budget, technical skills, and future growth plans. Evaluate the features that matter most to you — such as payment processing, customisation, scalability, and ease of use — and align them with your long-term vision.

Tip: Always start with a free trial or demo version when available to test out the interface and features before committing.

If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of e-commerce strategy, operations, and optimisation across platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce, consider enrolling in the Certified E-Commerce Specialist (CES) Programme. This hands-on course equips you with practitioner-level knowledge to build, manage, and scale your online store effectively, ideal whether you’re just starting or scaling up. Learn how to make informed platform decisions, maximise conversions, and grow your e-commerce business with confidence.