Building an eCommerce store is a critical step toward scaling your business, but choosing the right platform can be overwhelming. The right platform should align with your business size, budget, industry, and long-term growth plans, while offering scalability, essential features, and ease of use.
At ARKTOP, we help businesses navigate these decisions and select the best eCommerce platform for long-term success. In this guide, we’ll explore what makes a great eCommerce website builder, break down the top platforms, and provide insights into costs, setup speed, and essential features.
What Makes the Best eCommerce Website Builder?
The best eCommerce website builders balance simplicity, functionality, and scalability. Whether you’re a small startup or an enterprise brand, here’s what to look for:
1. Ease of Use & Setup
- Beginner-friendly platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce make it easy to launch quickly.
- More advanced options like WooCommerce and Magento require technical skills but offer unlimited customization.
2. Customization & Flexibility
- Some platforms offer drag-and-drop editors (Shopify, Squarespace) for easy design.
- Others allow full-code customization (WooCommerce, Magento) for advanced users.
3. Built-in Features vs. Add-ons
- Platforms like BigCommerce offer built-in marketing, SEO, and analytics tools.
- Others like WooCommerce rely on plugins for additional features.
4. SEO & Marketing Tools
- Strong SEO features are essential for driving traffic and increasing sales.
- WooCommerce and BigCommerce have some of the most robust SEO capabilities.
5. Scalability & Growth Potential
- A great platform should be able to grow with your business.
- Shopify and BigCommerce are known for their ability to scale.
6. Cost & Transaction Fees
- Some platforms charge monthly fees and take a percentage of sales (Shopify).
- Others require self-hosting but avoid transaction fees (WooCommerce).
How to Choose the Right eCommerce Platform for Your Online Store
Selecting an eCommerce website builder depends on several factors:
- Business Type – Are you selling physical products, digital products, or services?
- Budget – Do you need an affordable platform or a highly customized enterprise solution?
- Customization Needs – Do you prefer out-of-the-box templates or full control over your design?
- Technical Skill Level – Are you comfortable managing hosting, security, and coding?
- Long-Term Growth Goals – Will you need multi-channel selling, international expansion, or large-scale operations?
At ARKTOP, we help businesses evaluate their needs and select the best platform for success.
How Much Does an eCommerce Website Cost?
The cost of an eCommerce website depends on several factors, including the platform’s pricing, transaction fees, add-ons, and development costs.
Here’s a cost breakdown for different eCommerce platforms:
Platform | Monthly Cost | Transaction Fees | Customization | Ease of Use | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shopify | $29 – $299 | 0% – 2% | Moderate | Easy | Small to mid-sized businesses |
WooCommerce (WordPress) | Free (Hosting: $10 – $40/month) | 0% | High | Moderate | Businesses needing full customization & strong SEO |
BigCommerce | $29 – $299 | 0% | Moderate | Easy | Fast-growing businesses & enterprise solutions |
Magento (Adobe Commerce) | Free (Open Source) or $2,000+/month | 0% | Very High | Difficult | Large businesses with developers |
Squarespace | $16 – $49 | 0% | Low | Very Easy | Small businesses & creatives |
Wix eCommerce | $27 – $59 | 0% | Moderate | Easy | Small businesses & beginners |
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t just look at the monthly price—consider transaction fees, add-on costs, and development expenses before choosing a platform.
Best eCommerce Website Builders at a Glance
Here’s a quick comparison of the best eCommerce platforms based on key features:
Feature | Shopify | WooCommerce | BigCommerce | Magento | Squarespace |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customization | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
SEO Features | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
Best for Scaling | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
Built-in Features | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
Best For | Small to medium businesses | Businesses needing full control | Fast-growing businesses | Large enterprises | Small businesses & creatives |
If you want to launch your online store fast, the best beginner-friendly platforms are:
1. Shopify – The Quickest All-in-One Solution
- No coding required, easy drag-and-drop website builder.
- Hosting, security, and payments included.
- Start selling in just a few hours.
2. BigCommerce – Fast Setup with Built-In Tools
- Includes powerful built-in SEO and marketing features.
- Works well for larger product catalogs.
- No need for additional apps—everything is built-in.
3. Squarespace – Beautiful, Fast eCommerce Sites
- Minimal setup needed, best for creatives and small businesses.
- Visually stunning templates designed for branding-focused businesses.
For businesses that need custom functionality but fast deployment, ARKTOP can help you set up a store using Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce in record time.
ARKTOP: Your eCommerce Experts
Choosing the right eCommerce platform is an essential decision that directly impacts your business’s success, scalability, and profitability.
At ARKTOP, we specialize in helping businesses:
- Select the Best eCommerce Platform based on their needs.
- Develop & Customize Online Stores for Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.
- Optimize for SEO & Marketing to increase visibility and drive sales.
- Provide Ongoing Support & Growth Strategies to help you scale.
Ready to build or upgrade your eCommerce store? Let’s create a high-performing online store that delivers real results. Contact ARKTOP today!