Shopping online has become super popular, but finding the best local e-commerce options can be tricky. Whether you’re looking to start your own online store or just want to shop from local businesses, knowing which platforms are the best is important. In this article, we’ll explore the top e-commerce platforms that can help you shop locally and support businesses near you.
Key Takeaways
- Shopify is great for all-around online stores with lots of features.
- BigCommerce is perfect for businesses that are growing quickly.
- Square Online is ideal for local businesses needing both online and in-person sales.
- Wix offers easy-to-use tools and is great for SEO.
- WooCommerce is the best choice for WordPress users who want to add a shopping cart.
1. Shopify
Shopify is a top choice for many small businesses looking to set up an online store quickly. It’s easy to use and offers all the tools you need to get started.
User Experience
When you log in, Shopify’s dashboard gives you a quick look at your store’s key information, like monthly sales, visitors, and repeat customers. The visual theme editor lets you customize your store’s look without any coding.
Pricing
Shopify offers three plans ranging from $29 to $299 per month. They also have an enterprise platform, Shopify Plus, with custom pricing. You can try it out with a 14-day free trial.
What I Like/Dislike About Shopify
Like:
- Easily integrate your catalog with Google Merchant Center.
- Customize your e-commerce site to match your brand.
Dislike:
- The app marketplace can get expensive if you use multiple apps.
- Navigation can be time-consuming and has a learning curve.
Product Updates
- New payout methods for Shopify Partners.
- Online Store 2.0 and ‘Dawn’ theme to showcase your products better.
Key Features
- 70+ professional themes.
- Easy HTML and CSS editing.
- Work with an expert for better results.
- Unique domain name for your business.
- Complete blogging platform.
- Automatic tax calculations.
- Fulfillment centers for quick order management.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Detailed sales tax tools and built-in AI features.
- Extensive marketplace for integrations.
- Best-in-class POS app.
Cons:
- Added transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments.
- Professional reporting only in higher-tier plans.
- Limited number of free themes.
Shopify is a reliable e-commerce platform that works well for small businesses. It balances ease of use with powerful features, making it a great choice for new and growing online stores.
2. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a powerful e-commerce platform designed to help businesses grow. It offers a wide range of features that make it easy to sell products online, in person, on social media, and through marketplaces.
Key Features
- Multi-Storefront Management: Manage multiple branded storefronts from a single dashboard.
- Product Options and Variants: Set up to 250 product options and 600 variants.
- Click-and-Collect Support: Use a ZIP code-based store locator for in-person selling and local eCommerce.
- Advanced Analytics: Upgrade to Insights for in-depth analytics.
- Persistent Cart: Keep customers’ shopping carts in their accounts for convenient access across multiple devices.
- 24/7 Support: Access phone, chat, and ticket support anytime.
Pricing
BigCommerce offers three main pricing plans:
| Plan | Monthly Cost (Billed Annually) |
|---|---|
| Standard | $29.95 |
| Plus | $79.95 |
| Pro | $299.95 |
An Enterprise plan is also available with custom pricing based on the store’s size and needs.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unlimited staff accounts
- API support for custom features
- Free SSL certificates and zero transaction fees
Cons
- Annual sales limit on Pro plan
- Complex maintenance and scalability
BigCommerce is ideal for businesses looking to scale, offering robust features and flexibility to grow with your needs.
Conclusion
BigCommerce is a versatile platform that supports various selling channels and offers advanced features to help businesses succeed. Its multi-storefront management and in-depth analytics make it a top choice for growing businesses.
3. Square Online
Square Online is a fantastic choice for small businesses looking to expand their reach. It’s especially great for brick-and-mortar stores that want to add online ordering options. Whether you run a cafe, retail outlet, or professional service shop, Square Online can help you manage both online and in-person sales seamlessly.
Key Features
- Free Plan: The free plan includes all the main features of a professional e-commerce site. You can create a full website, list unlimited products, and manage orders through the Square Dashboard. However, it requires you to use a yoursite.square.site domain and displays a Square logo on the footer.
- Paid Plans: The Plus plan costs $29 per month and includes additional features like PayPal payments, personalized ordering, and a free domain for a year. The Premium plan costs $79 per month and adds a shipping calculator for real-time rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL.
- Integrated Sales Channels: Sell directly through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Google My Business.
- Mobile App Features: Includes seller tools and a mobile POS system.
- Point-of-Sale Integration: Built-in Square POS for seamless transactions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free domain for one year with paid plans.
- Unlimited items, even on the free plan.
- Social media integration to turn accounts into sales channels.
Cons
- Additional fees for online payments, in-person payments, and delivery.
- Limited customer support for free and Plus plan users.
Recent Updates
Square Online has rolled out new features and improvements, such as advanced text and image layout options, new website themes, and generative AI features. These updates make it easier to create a visually appealing and functional website without technical know-how.
Square Online is ideal for local businesses looking to enhance their online presence. With its easy-to-use site builder and integrated sales channels, it’s a solid choice for those wanting to optimize their e-commerce strategy.
Pricing
| Plan | Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Full website, unlimited products, Square branding, yoursite.square.site domain |
| Plus | $29/month | PayPal payments, personalized ordering, free domain for a year, expanded site customization |
| Premium | $79/month | Shipping calculator, discounted transaction fees, advanced catalog features |
Verdict
Square Online offers excellent value for small businesses, especially those transitioning from offline to online sales. While the free plan is feature-rich, the additional fees and limited customer support may be drawbacks for some users. Overall, it’s a robust platform for enhancing your local business’s online presence.
4. Wix
Wix is a popular platform for small businesses, known for its drag-and-drop editor and impressive SEO tools. You can easily add or remove elements on your website without worrying about the code.
Key Features
- Stunning templates for a beautiful eCommerce website
- Total design freedom for complete control over your website’s look and feel
- Advanced SEO tools to help potential customers find your site
- Unlimited fonts to create the perfect look
- Media galleries to showcase your products
- Mobile optimization for great looks on all devices
Pricing Plans
Wix offers several pricing plans to fit different needs:
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Combo | $14 / month |
| Unlimited | $18 / month |
| Pro | $23 / month |
| VIP | $39 / month |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Best-in-class design functionality and top-notch SEO tools
- Wix Owner mobile app
- Free domain included
Cons:
- No low stock alerts
- Basic product management tools
- Cannot switch templates midway
Wix is a great choice for those who want a simple yet powerful tool to build their online store. Its user-friendly interface and extensive features make it a top pick for many small businesses.
User Experience
Wix provides a very user-friendly interface, making it easy to design and customize your website without knowing too much about coding. The platform also offers a great app market where you can add features to your website.
Getting Started
There are only seven steps needed to build your online store with Wix:
- Log in to your account or sign up for free.
- Pick a template from the Online Store category.
- Edit the text and add your business name.
- Click “My Store” & “Manage Your Store.”
- Add products to your store.
- Select “Business Setup” to add Payments, Shipping & Store Settings.
- Publish your site & connect to your domain.
Wix offers a secure checkout system and 24/7 customer support. You can also choose to use multiple payment options and solutions, including Afterpay in the US.
5. Ecwid by Lightspeed
Ecwid by Lightspeed is a versatile e-commerce platform that caters to both small and large businesses. One of its standout features is the free plan, which is perfect for small businesses wanting to test the waters. This plan allows you to sell up to 10 physical items per month without any hidden fees.
Pros
- Free plan is robust and ideal for very small businesses
- Affordable paid plans starting at $19/month
- No additional transaction fees
- Integrates with popular platforms like WordPress, Weebly, and Drupal
- Supports over 70 third-party payment gateways
- PCI DSS and GDPR compliant
Cons
- Limited site builder with basic customization options
- Free plan lacks inventory tracking
- Limited customer support
Key Features
- Inventory tracking
- Automated tax invoices
- Smart shipping calculations
- Easy checkout process
- Integration with social channels like Facebook and Instagram
- Customizable storefront
Ecwid by Lightspeed is a great choice if you want to add an online store to an existing website. Its widget-based tool makes it easy to integrate with your current site or social media account, helping you kickstart your online business journey.
Pricing
Ecwid offers a free plan for basic features, and paid plans start at $19/month for more advanced functionalities. The platform does not charge additional transaction fees, making it a cost-effective option for growing businesses.
6. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a popular choice for those who want to turn their WordPress site into an online store. It’s highly customizable and integrates seamlessly with WordPress, making it a natural extension for those already familiar with the platform.
Key Features
- Flexible and secure payment options, allowing customers to pay conveniently.
- Manage orders from mobile phones with real-time data and updates.
- Sell anything from physical and digital products to services like memberships and subscriptions.
- Enhance your store with a wide range of free or premium extensions, from payment gateways to shipping and marketing tools.
- Market your store through SEO optimization, email marketing campaigns, and social media integration.
- Supports multiple currencies and languages, helping you reach customers worldwide.
Installation and Setup
Installing WooCommerce is as simple as installing any other WordPress plugin. Download the plugin and follow the instructions to set it up. If you don’t have a site yet, you can opt for Woo Express, a managed-hosting version starting at $39/month.
Customization and Extensions
WooCommerce offers a variety of free and paid extensions to enhance your store. You can get real-time shipping rates, integrate various payment gateways, or add WooCommerce Subscriptions for recurring payments. The extensions marketplace is vast, allowing you to customize your store to meet specific needs.
WooCommerce is a great option if you want to add e-commerce functionality to your WordPress site for free. However, it may require some familiarity with WordPress to get the most out of it.
Pricing
WooCommerce is free for standard features on a self-hosted WordPress site. Transaction fees depend on the payment gateway you choose. Hosted versions like Woo Express start at $39/month.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Highly customizable
- Seamless integration with WordPress
- Wide range of extensions
- Supports multiple currencies and languages
Cons:
- May require familiarity with WordPress
- Can slow down your site if not optimized
If you’re looking for a flexible and customizable e-commerce solution, WooCommerce is worth considering. It offers a range of features and extensions to help you build a successful online store.
7. Squarespace
Squarespace is a popular website builder known for its beautiful templates and ease of use. It’s perfect for those who want to create a stunning online store without needing technical skills.
Key Features
- Customizable templates to make your site unique.
- Built-in features like a shopping cart, shipping calculator, and payment processing.
- Integration with shipping solutions like ShipBob and ShipStation.
- Universal asset uploading for images, videos, and other media.
Pricing
Squarespace offers four main pricing plans:
| Plan | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Personal Plan | $14 |
| Business Plan | $23 |
| Basic Online Store | $27 |
| Advanced Online Store | $49 |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Highly rated website templates.
- Easy to use.
- Sell items on Instagram and Facebook.
Cons:
- High transaction fees without upgrade.
- Moderate design customization freedom.
- No phone support.
Squarespace is ideal for solopreneurs who want a modern, trendy website without needing a powerful system like Shopify. It’s one of the best website builders for small retail businesses.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a simple yet effective way to set up an online store, Squarespace is a great option. Its user-friendly interface and beautiful templates make it a top choice for many small business owners.
8. Weebly
Weebly is a user-friendly website builder that has been around since 2006. It is now owned by Square, which means it has strong integrations with other Square-owned applications. Weebly is ideal for small businesses that need a simple online presence without too many advanced features.
Pricing
Weebly offers several pricing plans to fit different needs:
- Free ($0): Includes 500MB storage, 3% transaction fee, online ordering (in-person pickup), automatic sales tax, and lead capture forms.
- Personal ($13/month): Adds custom domain connection, digital goods sales, shipping calculators, and labels.
- Professional ($16/month): Includes all Personal features plus unlimited storage, advanced analytics, and password-protected pages.
- Performance ($29/month): Adds item reviews, abandonment cart saver, and up to 100 memberships.
Key Features
- Templates for Event-Based Operations: Weebly offers templates specifically designed for events, complete with calendars, RSVP forms, and maps.
- Restaurant App: Allows for online reservations and unlimited online orders.
- Square POS Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Square’s point-of-sale system.
- Beginner-Friendly: Easy to use, even for those with no technical skills.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly
- Strong SEO toolset
- Integrated booking system
Cons:
- Limited drag-and-drop customization
- Outdated and poor mobile-ready templates
- Choice of two editors (Weebly or Square) can be confusing
Weebly is slightly different from Square Online but shares many similar features, such as free ecommerce entry plans. However, since Weebly is updated far less than other website builders, you’ll find less website features overall. For more features to choose from, try Squarespace.
9. Volusion
Volusion is a versatile e-commerce platform that offers a range of features to help businesses thrive online. One of its standout features is the new Content Builder, which is almost as easy to use as the Elementor WordPress plugin.
Key Features
- Mobile-friendly themes for easy shopping on phones and tablets.
- Customizable layouts to create a unique store look.
- Logo & favicon upload for brand visibility.
- Category pages for easy product organization.
- Product display options to showcase items attractively.
Pricing
| Plan | Price/Month | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | $29 | Unlimited products, online support, zero transaction fees. |
| Professional | $79 | All Personal features, up to $100k in sales/year, 5,000 product listings, CRM, email support. |
| Business | $299 | All Professional features, up to $400k in sales/year, unlimited products, phone support. |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent analytics and inventory tools.
- Low payment processing fees.
- Deal of the day feature for promotions.
Cons:
- Lacks a blogging feature.
- No phone support on lower plans.
- Not as intuitive as some competitors.
Volusion is a great choice if you want to keep your online store small and your operating costs low. The platform’s low payment processing fees are particularly attractive.
Additional Benefits
Volusion offers a 14-day free trial and integrates with sales channels like Facebook, eBay, and Amazon. It also has a mobile app for store management and limited POS capabilities through third-party providers.
10. Nexcess
Nexcess is a top choice for managed Magento and WooCommerce hosting, starting at $13.30 per month. It’s perfect for those who need fast, secure, and scalable hosting solutions. Nexcess offers a variety of hosting options, including WordPress, Magento, WooCommerce, and more. They also provide single-click auto-scaling to handle sudden traffic spikes and a StoreBuilder tool to help you create a unique storefront by answering a few questions.
Key Features
- Built-in CDN with 22 locations
- PCI compliance
- Cloud accelerator for faster load times
- Customizable technology stack
- Dev site staging for testing updates
Pricing
Nexcess offers several plans based on the platform your site runs on:
| Hosting Type | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Fully Managed WordPress | $13.30 |
| Fully Managed WooCommerce | $13.30 |
| Fully Managed Magento | $34.30 |
User Experience
The Nexcess theme allows you to customize your shop’s look and feel without needing to know how to code. The left-hand side menu makes navigation easy, and important information like active tickets, invoices, and credits are displayed when you log in.
What I Like/Dislike About Nexcess
Likes:
- Readily available and knowledgeable support
- Free premium plugins for added features
- Simple interface for easy navigation
Dislikes:
- Difficulty in filtering through old tickets, making it hard to find records of past issues
Nexcess continually improves its platform with updates like mobile experience enhancements and portal design improvements, ensuring a better shopping experience for your customers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding the best e-commerce options near you can make shopping more convenient and enjoyable. Whether you’re looking for a platform to start your own online store or just want to support local businesses, there are plenty of great choices out there. From easy-to-use website builders to platforms with advanced features, there’s something for everyone. Remember to consider what you need most, like ease of use, cost, and special features, before making your decision. Happy shopping!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an e-commerce platform?
An e-commerce platform is a software tool that lets you create an online store to sell products and services. It helps with things like product listings, payments, and shipping.
Do I need technical skills to set up an online store?
Not really. Many e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Wix are designed to be user-friendly, so you can set up your store with little to no technical knowledge.
How much does it cost to start an online store?
The cost can vary. Some platforms offer free plans with basic features, while others have monthly fees that can range from $10 to $100 or more, depending on the features you need.
Can I use my own domain name?
Yes, most e-commerce platforms allow you to use your own domain name. Some even offer a free domain for the first year if you sign up for a paid plan.
What payment methods can I accept?
You can usually accept a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and sometimes even cryptocurrency. The options depend on the platform you choose.
Is it possible to sell both physical and digital products?
Yes, many e-commerce platforms support the sale of both physical and digital products. You can list items like clothes and electronics, as well as digital downloads like eBooks and software.