Trying to get your business online can feel like a huge task, especially when you’re looking at platforms like Shopify. It’s a popular choice, but maybe it’s not quite right for everyone. The good news is, there are a bunch of other great options out there, many of which are free online stores like Shopify. You don’t always need all the fancy bells and whistles, and sometimes a simpler, more budget-friendly approach is exactly what you need to get started. We’ve looked into some of the best alternatives to help you figure out which one fits your business best.
Key Takeaways
- Many free online stores like Shopify offer basic plans or trials that are perfect for new businesses.
- Consider your specific needs: do you sell physical products, digital items, or services?
- Some platforms are better for certain business types, like those focused on creative content or in-person sales.
- Think about how much control you want over your site’s design and features.
- Look for platforms with good customer support and a helpful community, especially if you’re new to e-commerce.
1. WooCommerce
So, you’re looking for alternatives to Shopify? Let’s talk WooCommerce. It’s a big deal in the e-commerce world, especially if you’re already familiar with WordPress. Think of it as a plugin that turns your WordPress site into a fully functional online store. It’s open-source, which is cool, and gives you a ton of control.
I remember when I first tried setting up a store with WooCommerce. It felt a bit overwhelming at first, but once I got the hang of it, the possibilities seemed endless. You can customize almost everything, which is both a blessing and a curse, honestly. If you’re already running on WordPress, it’s definitely worth checking out.
WooCommerce is a solid choice if you want flexibility and control over your online store. It’s not as simple as some other platforms, but the level of customization is hard to beat. Plus, the community support is fantastic – you can find answers to almost any question you have.
Here’s a quick rundown:
- It’s free to download and use the basic plugin.
- You’ll need to pay for hosting and a domain name.
- There are tons of extensions and themes, both free and paid, to extend functionality and customize the look of your store.
And here’s a little table to give you a quick comparison:
| Feature | WooCommerce |
|---|---|
| Hosting | Self-hosted (you need to find your own host) |
| Cost | Free (plugin), but costs for hosting/themes |
| Customization | Highly customizable |
| Ease of Use | Can be complex for beginners |
2. Squarespace
Squarespace is another solid option if you’re looking for something beyond Shopify. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and beautiful templates, making it a great choice if design is a top priority. It’s not just about looks, though; Squarespace offers a range of features to help you build and manage your online store.
Squarespace can be a powerful tool. The elegant dashboard allows you to easily add, remove, update, and manage your product or services. In addition, you could take advantage of Squarespace Analytics, the built-in reporting tool providing advanced reporting like breaking down revenue and orders by traffic sources or campaigns.
Squarespace is often chosen when content is more important than e-commerce functionality. It’s a good pick if you want a visually appealing website without the complexity of some other platforms.
Here’s a quick rundown:
- Lots of dynamic templates
- Built-in photo editing tools
- More affordable than Shopify
However, it’s worth noting a few potential downsides:
- Limited SEO and eCommerce features compared to Shopify
Squarespace pricing: No free plan; paid plans from $16/month for a custom domain, templates, and Squarespace AI. The Basic Commerce plan starts at $26 per month with unlimited products and traffic. If you’re looking for essential tools to operate your online business, Squarespace is a good option.
3. Wix
Wix is another option if you’re looking for something a bit different from Shopify. While Shopify is heavily focused on e-commerce, Wix is designed more with general content in mind, which can be a plus or a minus depending on your needs. It’s great if you want to build a visually appealing site without needing a ton of web design experience.
Wix has been incorporating AI to help with site building. It can suggest default pages and apps that might be useful for your business. Plus, there’s a text generator that can help you write product descriptions, which can really speed things up when you’re first starting out. It’s got a drag-and-drop editor and tons of industry-relevant themes that you can customize. If you’re a content creator looking to show off your work, Wix is a solid choice. The blogging features are pretty good too, with a user-friendly interface and built-in SEO tools to help your posts get noticed. You can even send newsletters to up to 200 subscribers per month for free.
Of course, Shopify has the edge when it comes to online sales, especially if you’re thinking about selling internationally. Wix’s support for international shipping is limited, and its POS features are only available in the US. Shopify also integrates with more tools than Wix, which has fewer e-commerce integrations. But if your main goal is to push content to readers, Wix is worth considering. If you decide to go with Wix, you might want to connect it to Zapier to integrate it with other apps you use.
4. Square
Square is interesting. If your business is more about in-person sales, then Square might be a great fit. It’s got a really intuitive POS system, which is a big plus. It’s not just for physical stores, though. You can still build an online store with Square, thanks to the Weebly site builder integration. It works pretty well, even if it’s not the most cutting-edge thing out there.
Square’s strength lies in its seamless integration with its point-of-sale system, making it a solid choice for businesses that handle both online and offline transactions. It’s a practical solution if you’re already using Square for payments in your brick-and-mortar store.
Here’s a quick rundown:
- Integrates with Square POS system
- Weebly site builder is still functional
- Free plan available
However, there are some downsides. Customization options are limited, and the themes aren’t super diverse. If you’re looking for a ton of creative control, Square might not be the best choice. Also, if you want more advanced e-commerce features, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan, which starts at $29/month. You can also look into essential software to help you run your business.
Square also connects with other apps through Zapier. For example, you can save new Square transactions to Google Sheets, or add transactions in Wave for new Square sales. It’s all about automating those little tasks to save you time.
5. Ecwid
Ecwid by Lightspeed is a pretty good option if you want to get into eCommerce without spending a ton of money right away. It’s a quick and easy way to get started, and it’s pretty flexible when it comes to setting things up. You can add it to an existing website, or you can build a new one from scratch. Plus, it works with most CMS platforms, like WordPress, which is nice.
Like WooCommerce, you’ll need to find hosting for your Ecwid site. And while Ecwid has a free plan, you’ll probably need a paid plan to get all the features you want, like social media stuff and payment options. Those plans start at around $19 a month. So, depending on what you need, there might be cheaper ways to go.
If you’re looking to launch an online store quickly and without a big commitment, Ecwid is worth checking out. It’s not perfect, and some of the features aren’t as smooth as Shopify, but it’s a solid choice for getting started.
6. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is an interesting option, especially if you’re already moving a decent amount of product. It’s not necessarily the best choice if you’re just starting out with a brand new online store, but it can be a solid pick for established sellers looking to scale. BigCommerce is tailored for larger-volume sellers.
BigCommerce lets you handle sales tax, automate shipping, and even list your products on big marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. Plus, they take care of the site hosting, which is one less thing to worry about. They also give you some design options to play with, if you want to customize things beyond just sales and shipping. If you are looking for automated cart recovery, BigCommerce has you covered.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you want more than the basic free design themes, you’ll have to pay extra. Also, their app store isn’t quite as big as Shopify’s. But, if you’re coming from a place of established sales, BigCommerce can give you an affordable and scalable way to really grow your online business.
Here’s a quick rundown:
- Good for established sellers who want to get online fast.
- Allows listing products on major marketplaces.
- Handles sales tax and automates shipping.
7. And More
Okay, so we’ve covered some of the big names in the free online store world. But what else is out there? Let’s take a quick look at a few more options you might want to consider. These platforms might not be as widely known, but they could be a great fit depending on your specific needs.
- Shift4Shop: While smaller than Shopify, it packs a punch with features.
- App Integrations: Explore options for connecting with thousands of apps.
- AI Automation: Cutting-edge AI can upgrade your workflows.
Picking the Right Online Store for You
So, we’ve gone through a bunch of different options for setting up your online store, and hopefully, it’s a bit clearer now that Shopify isn’t the only game in town. There are so many choices out there, each with its own good points and not-so-good points. What works best really depends on what you’re trying to do. Think about what your business needs right now, and what you hope it’ll need down the road. Whether you’re just starting out with a few items or you’re planning to sell a ton, there’s definitely a platform that fits. Just take your time, look at what each one offers, and pick the one that feels right for your business journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pick the right online store platform?
Picking the best online store platform depends on what you need. If you’re just starting out and want something simple, Wix or Squarespace might be good. For bigger businesses or those who want to sell a lot, BigCommerce or WooCommerce could be better. Think about what you’ll sell, how many items, and what features you need.
Can I really start an online store for free?
Yes, many platforms let you start for free or offer a free trial. Ecwid has a free plan that lets you sell a few items. Others, like Shopify, give you a free trial to test things out before you pay.
Why is Shopify so popular?
Shopify is popular because it’s easy to use and has many tools for selling online, like managing products, processing payments, and handling shipping. It’s good for businesses of all sizes, from small shops to big companies.
What’s the difference between WooCommerce and Shopify?
WooCommerce is a free plugin for WordPress websites. It’s great if you already have a WordPress site and want to add a store. Shopify is a separate platform where you build your whole store from scratch. WooCommerce gives you more control if you’re good with websites, while Shopify is simpler if you’re not.
How do these platforms help with payments and shipping?
Many platforms offer ways to help you with payments and shipping. They often link up with services like PayPal or Stripe for payments and provide tools to print shipping labels or track orders. Some even have their own shipping networks.
Can I sell digital products or services on these platforms?
Yes, most of these platforms let you sell different kinds of products, whether they are physical items you ship, digital products like e-books, or even services. You can usually set up your store to handle whatever you’re selling.