If you run a small online store, you’ve probably asked yourself…
“Which online platform should I use for my business?”
You’re not alone… many small business owners struggle to pick the best website for ecommerce small business.
With so many options like Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace, it’s easy to feel lost. Choosing the wrong website can…
- Slow down your sales
- Confuse your customers
- And make running your store harder than it should be
A slow or complicated website can even drive buyers away before they check out.
No small business owner wants that.
That’s why agencies spend time testing and recommending the right platforms for their clients… websites that are simple, secure, and built to help small businesses grow.
In this blog post, you’ll learn what makes a good ecommerce website, what key features to look for, and which platforms agencies trust the most for small businesses.
Let’s get into it.
In this article
Agency picks: Top 7 websites for ecommerce small businesses
1. Shopify
Shopify is like an all-in-one shop builder for small businesses.
You don’t need to know coding or design. You just choose a template, add your products, and your store is ready to go live.
It handles everything… payments, inventory, and even shipping options.
Pros:
- It’s super easy to use, has lots of modern templates, and connects with many apps to help your store grow.
- You can also sell on Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon directly from Shopify.
Cons:
- Monthly plans can get expensive as you add more features.
- You’ll need to pay extra if you don’t use Shopify Payments.
Ideal for:
Small businesses that want a professional-looking store fast… especially those planning to grow or sell across different platforms.
Agencies often recommend Shopify because it’s simple, powerful, and built for serious online sellers.
2. Wix ecommerce
Wix makes building a store feel like dragging and dropping puzzle pieces.
It’s perfect for beginners who want something quick and easy. You can start selling products within a few hours without learning any tech stuff.
Pros:
- The drag-and-drop editor is beginner-friendly, and there are hundreds of beautiful templates.
- It’s great for selling physical or digital products and even offers tools for email marketing.
Cons:
- Once you pick a template, you can’t switch it later.
- It’s not the best choice if you plan to sell hundreds of products or scale big.
Ideal for:
Small businesses or solo entrepreneurs who just want a simple, nice-looking store without hiring a developer.
Agencies recommend Wix for clients who want a basic store that works… no stress, no tech headaches.
3. Squarespace
Squarespace is for people who care about looks.
If you want your online store to stand out with clean, modern design… this is your best pick.
It’s popular among fashion brands, artists, and creative entrepreneurs.
Pros:
- Its templates are stunning and mobile-friendly.
- You can easily add photos, videos, and products that make your website look premium.
- It also has built-in SEO and email marketing tools.
Cons:
- It’s not as flexible as Shopify or WooCommerce when it comes to advanced features.
- While it looks great, it can feel a bit limited if you want to sell on multiple platforms.
Ideal for:
Small brands in fashion, beauty, or art who want a stylish website that doubles as an online shop.
Agencies love it when clients want “beauty meets business.”
4. WooCommerce (WordPress)
WooCommerce turns a WordPress website into a full online store.
It gives you total control over how your store looks and works. But, you’ll need to understand a bit of tech… or hire someone who does.
Pros:
- It’s free to install, highly customizable, and perfect for SEO.
- You can choose from thousands of plugins to add any feature you want.
- You also own your data completely… no platform rules.
Cons:
- It can get technical fast.
- You’ll handle hosting, updates, and security yourself.
- It’s not “plug and play” like Shopify or Wix.
Ideal for:
Small businesses that already use WordPress and want full control of their store.
Agencies recommend WooCommerce for clients who want a flexible setup that can grow over time.
5. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is built for small businesses that are ready to go big.
It’s a strong platform that handles large product catalogs and high sales volumes without slowing down.
Pros:
- It supports selling across multiple channels… like Amazon, Facebook, TikTok, and eBay… all from one dashboard.
- It also has strong SEO tools and fast website speed.
Cons:
- The dashboard may look complex at first, and pricing goes up as your revenue grows.
- Some apps and themes cost extra.
Ideal for:
Small businesses planning to expand quickly or manage multiple online stores.
Agencies love BigCommerce because it grows with clients… from small to enterprise level… without needing to switch platforms later.
6. Ecwid
Ecwid is a great choice if you already have a website and just want to add a store to it.
Instead of building a new website from scratch, you simply “plug in” Ecwid and start selling.
Pros:
- Super easy to integrate with websites like WordPress, Wix, or even Facebook pages.
- It’s lightweight, fast, and offers free and affordable paid plans.
- You can also sell on social media and marketplaces.
Cons:
- It’s not meant for large stores.
- Design customization is limited compared to Shopify or Squarespace.
Ideal for:
Small business owners who already have a website but want to add online shopping without rebuilding everything.
Agencies often recommend Ecwid to clients who want a quick and affordable ecommerce upgrade.
7. Square Online
Square Online is perfect for businesses that sell both in person and online… like cafés, boutiques, or small shops.
It connects perfectly with Square’s payment system, so your sales and inventory stay in sync.
Pros:
- It’s easy to set up, especially if you already use Square for physical sales.
- It has no monthly fee for basic plans, and setup is simple.
- You can even offer local pickup or delivery.
Cons:
- Design options are fewer compared to other platforms.
- You pay transaction fees on every sale.
Ideal for:
Small local businesses that want to move from physical to online selling without learning new tools.
Agencies recommend it for clients who want a smooth online + offline shopping experience.
What makes the best website for ecommerce small business?
Not every websites makes selling easy. Some are confusing, slow, or just too hard to manage.
So, before you pick one, here’s what really makes the best website for ecommerce small business… the kind agencies always recommend to their clients.
1. Ease of setup and use
You shouldn’t need to be a tech genius to open an online store.
The best ecommerce websites make setup as simple as filling out a form. You pick a design, upload your product pictures, set prices, and hit publish. That’s it.
If a website builder is too hard to figure out, you’ll waste time learning instead of selling.
This is why platforms like Shopify and Wix are so popular… they’re built for regular people, not website designers.
Everything happens with clicks, not code.
In short: Your ecommerce website should help you open your store in a day, not a month.
2. Mobile responsiveness
These days, most customers shop using their phones. So if your website doesn’t look good or work smoothly on mobile, you’ll lose sales fast.
A “mobile responsive” website simply means it adjusts itself automatically for any screen… phone, tablet, or laptop.
No zooming in, no tiny buttons, no awkward scrolling.
When a customer can easily browse and pay from their phone, they’re more likely to buy.
Agencies always test how websites look on mobile before recommending them. Why?
Because a small glitch on a phone can cost you dozens of sales.
In short: If your website isn’t easy to use on mobile, it’s not ready to sell online.
3. Payment gateway options
Imagine a customer fills their cart and is ready to pay… but your website only accepts one payment method they don’t use.
They’ll leave.
That’s why a good ecommerce website should let customers pay however they like:
Card, bank transfer, PayPal, or Apple Pay.
The more payment gateways you offer, the easier it is for people to trust and complete their purchase.
Agencies always check this feature because it directly affects conversion rates… meaning how many visitors turn into paying customers.
In short: Don’t make paying hard. Let your customers pay their way.
4. Scalability and integrations
Your business might be small now, but what about next year?
A good ecommerce website should grow with you.
- You might start with 10 products today, but tomorrow you might have 100.
- You might sell only on your website now, but soon you might want to sell on Instagram, Facebook, or even Amazon.
That’s why agencies look for scalability… the ability for your website to handle more traffic, products, and orders without crashing or slowing down.
And then there are integrations.
This means your website can connect easily with other tools… like your email marketing app, delivery service, or accounting software.
For example, Shopify integrates with Mailchimp (for email marketing) and QuickBooks (for accounting).
This saves time because everything works together automatically.
In short: Choose a platform that can grow with your business and connect with the tools you already use.
5. Customer support and security
When something goes wrong, who do you call?
That’s where customer support comes in. The best ecommerce platforms have support teams available 24/7.. through chat, email, or phone.
If your payment page breaks or your product images disappear, you don’t want to wait days for help.
Agencies know this, so they always pick platforms known for fast and friendly support.
Then there’s security.
Customers share sensitive details like their card numbers and addresses on your website.
A secure website keeps that information safe through SSL certificates (that little lock symbol beside your URL) and strong data protection.
If your website isn’t secure, buyers won’t trust it… and Google might even warn people before they visit.
In short: A safe, well-supported website keeps both you and your customers protected.
Wrapping up
In the end, the best website for your small ecommerce business is one that’s easy to use, loads fast, looks great on phones, and makes buying simple for customers.
You don’t need all the fancy tools… just a website that helps people find what they want and check out without stress.
That’s why agencies always recommend platforms that are simple, secure, and easy to grow with your business.
So, take your time, pick the right one, and focus on selling. Because when your website works smoothly, your sales will follow naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ecommerce website is easiest for beginners?
Shopify and Wix are often the easiest platforms for beginners. They have drag-and-drop tools, ready-made templates, and simple payment setups. You don’t need any coding skills to create a clean, professional store that helps you start selling quickly.
What features make a website good for ecommerce?
A good ecommerce website should have an easy setup, mobile design, fast loading speed, secure payments, and simple navigation.
