Best eCommerce Website Platforms in 2025

Selling online is essential for businesses today, but selecting the right eCommerce platform can be challenging. It can help you build a strong brand presence in a highly competitive environment. All in all, building an online presence for your business starts from choosing the right eCommerce website platform.

An ideal platform should be easy to use, affordable, and equipped with tools to help you succeed. With so many options, each with unique features, it’s important to find the best fit.

To help you out, this guide reviews the best platforms for e-commerce websites in 2025, focusing on essential factors and different business needs. Whether you’re a beginner or a large-scale enterprise, this list has you covered.

What Are E-commerce Website Platforms?

An e-commerce website platform is the backbone of any online store. It’s a software solution that allows businesses to manage everything from listing products to processing payments. E-commerce platforms make selling online accessible to everyone, from small startups to large companies.

They simplify operations and provide tools to scale, ensuring that both new and established businesses can build a strong online presence. In other words, it acts as a retail store for your customers on the web who can access it through various devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, PC, etc.

Adobe estimates that around 26 million eCommerce websites are currently active. So, if you want to establish a strong presence in the digital marketplace, eCommerce platforms offer the essential tools and support needed to succeed in this competitive space.

Definition and Purpose of E-commerce Platforms

E-commerce platforms are essential tools for online businesses, combining web hosting, design tools, and sales management in one place. They enable companies to build their digital storefronts and manage transactions, shipping, and inventory—all while offering a seamless customer experience.

Why Choosing the Right Platform is Crucial for Success

Selecting the right platform sets the foundation for growth and stability. An ideal e-commerce platform enhances functionality, helps attract customers, and supports affordable website design as businesses grow. Choosing carefully can mean higher profits and better customer satisfaction.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an E-commerce Platform

The right e-commerce platform can help your business thrive, but the wrong one could hold you back. So, what are the things to look at when deciding if an eCommerce platform is suitable for your business? Well, here are some critical factors to consider when evaluating your options.

Usability and Ease of Setup

User-friendliness and ease of setup are vital, especially for businesses with limited technical expertise. Some platforms are designed for simplicity, allowing you to get started quickly without complex configurations.

No-Code vs. Customizable Options

No-code platforms are ideal for beginners who want to create a store without technical skills. On the other hand, customizable options offer greater control as they let you design and build a unique store suited to specific needs and branding.

Pricing Plans and Scalability

Budgeting is essential when choosing an e-commerce platform. It is best to look for options with flexible pricing that can grow with your business. This can allow you to get scalability once your online store expands.

Monthly Costs, Transaction Fees, and Hidden Charges

Understanding all costs involved is crucial. Some platforms may appear affordable initially but include transaction fees or hidden charges. So, you should evaluate monthly fees and check for extra charges to ensure the platform fits your budget.

Available Payment Gateways

Having multiple payment gateways provides convenience for your customers. An ideal platform should offer a variety of options, from credit cards to digital wallets, making it easy for users to complete transactions.

SEO and Marketing Features

SEO and marketing capabilities are critical for driving traffic to your store. It is why you should look for platforms that offer SEO-friendly URLs, meta tags, and built-in tools like email marketing and social media integration to help promote your store.

Integration with Other Tools (CRM, Analytics, etc.)

Integrations with CRM, analytics, and other tools allow you to manage customer relationships, track performance, and make data-driven decisions. A platform with strong integration options helps you streamline operations and scale efficiently.

Top 10 Best Ecommerce Website Platforms in 2025

With so many platforms available, choosing the right one can be challenging. Nevertheless, here is a list of the top 10 best website platforms for e-commerce including options for every type of business, from small startups to large corporations. Each platform offers unique benefits, so you can find one that aligns perfectly with your goals.

1. Shopify – Best for Beginners and Growing Businesses

Shopify is a popular choice for its user-friendliness and flexibility. It’s ideal for businesses that want to scale over time. According to Statista, there are currently more than half a million apparel online stores built on Shopify’s e-commerce platforms.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Easy to use, extensive app marketplace, excellent customer support.
• Cons: Limited customization, and transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments.
• Ideal for: Small to mid-sized businesses looking for quick setup and growth.
• SEO: Strong SEO tools for improved visibility.
• Support: 24/7 support via chat, phone, and email.

Pricing Overview

Starts at $29/month, with additional fees for premium themes and certain apps.

2. WooCommerce – for WordPress Users

WooCommerce transforms a WordPress site into an online store, offering flexibility and customization. It is the second most popular choice after Shopify. You can also use the plugin that can help you manage your eCommerce brand in a much better way.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Free plugin, highly customizable, large community support.
• Cons: Requires WordPress knowledge, can be complex for beginners.
• Ideal for: WordPress users seeking a flexible, low-cost option.
• SEO: Powerful SEO tools via WordPress plugins.
• Support: Community support with extensive documentation.

Key Integrations

Works with WordPress plugins, including SEO tools like Yoast and contact forms.

3. BigCommerce – Best for Large Enterprises

BigCommerce is built for growth, providing powerful tools for SEO, multi-channel selling, and advanced analytics. It supports high-volume businesses with features like custom reporting, marketplace integrations, and scalable infrastructure. .

• Pros: Strong SEO tools, and integration with major marketplaces.
• Cons: Higher learning curve, especially for beginners.
• Ideal for: Established businesses ready to scale.
• SEO: Industry-leading SEO capabilities.
• Support: 24/7 support, with resources for enterprise clients.

4. Wix – Best for Small Businesses and Visual Brands

Wix offers a cheap eCommerce website builder with a drag-and-drop design interface, ideal for visually-driven brands. With affordable plans and creative templates, it’s ideal for startups and creatives. Although it has limitations in scalability, Wix is perfect for businesses aiming to establish an online presence.

• Pros: User-friendly, affordable, versatile templates.
• Cons: Limited scalability for larger stores.
• Ideal for: Small businesses and creatives.
• SEO: Basic SEO tools, great for beginners.
• Support: Strong support and tutorials.

5. Squarespace – Best for Creatives and Designers

Squarespace is perfect for designers and artists looking for visually appealing templates and an intuitive platform. It is ideal for visually-driven businesses prioritizing aesthetics, providing integrated marketing tools for enhanced brand visibility.

• Pros: Beautiful templates, and built-in marketing tools.
• Cons: Limited e-commerce features for large stores.
• Ideal for: Visual brands, portfolios.
• SEO: Basic SEO settings, suitable for personal brands.
• Support: 24/7 email support and knowledge base.

6. Magento – Best for Large and Complex Stores

Magento is an open-source platform, that provides flexibility and control for larger operations. Keep in mind that Magento requires technical knowledge but is ideal for enterprises needing a high level of customization, scalability, and robust multi-language support.

• Pros: High customization, powerful SEO tools, ideal for international stores.
• Cons: Requires technical expertise, and high maintenance.
• Ideal for: Large businesses with in-house developers.
• SEO: Excellent SEO capabilities.
• Support: Extensive developer community.

7. Salesforce Commerce Cloud – Best for Enterprise Solutions

Salesforce Commerce Cloud is designed for enterprises that prioritize CRM integration. Its features include robust analytics, AI-powered personalization, and multi-channel capabilities, supporting global brands with vast product catalogs.

• Pros: Strong CRM integration, and advanced analytics.
• Cons: Expensive, high learning curve.
• Ideal for: Large corporations with CRM needs.
• SEO: Advanced tools for larger stores.
• Support: 24/7 support with Salesforce expertise.

8. Volusion – Best for Analytics-Focused Merchants

Volusion is an analytics-driven platform that gives merchants insight into sales trends, customer behavior, and inventory. Designed for data-driven businesses, it offers advanced reporting, built-in SEO tools, and responsive customer support. Although less scalable than others, Volusion works well for small to mid-sized businesses focused on growth through data.

• Pros: Strong data analytics, and affordable pricing.
• Cons: Limited scalability, lacks some advanced features.
• Ideal for: Small businesses focused on data.
• SEO: Basic SEO features.
• Support: Helpful resources and customer service.

9. PrestaShop – Best for Customization and Flexibility

PrestaShop is an open-source platform, ideal for businesses that want to customize their stores completely. It provides numerous themes, modules, and community support, catering to unique business needs. While it requires some coding skills, PrestaShop is perfect for businesses that want flexibility in design, payment options, and advanced customization.

• Pros: Free and flexible, great for technical users.
• Cons: Requires technical knowledge, and limited support.
• Ideal for: Businesses needing custom options.
• SEO: Good SEO potential with customization.
• Support: Community-driven support.

10. Shift4Shop – Best for a Free Option with Many Features

Shift4Shop offers a free plan with extensive features for budget-conscious businesses. It includes essential e-commerce tools like SEO optimization, marketing integrations, and a drag-and-drop builder. Shift4Shop is ideal for budget-conscious entrepreneurs wanting a powerful platform without a monthly fee.

• Pros: Free with Shift4 payment gateway, feature-rich.
• Cons: Limited customization, basic design tools.
• Ideal for: New entrepreneurs looking for a cost-effective start.
• SEO: Basic but functional SEO tools.
• Support: 24/7 support with resources.

Comparison Table of the Best Ecommerce Platforms

With numerous options available, each with unique strengths and weaknesses, it’s essential to carefully evaluate your needs and goals to find the best e-commerce platforms for your business. To help you make an informed choice, here is a comparison table of the most popular e-commerce platforms that we mentioned above:

Platform	Pricing	Best For	SEO Capabilities	Payment Options
Shopify	$29+/month	Beginners, Scaling	Strong	Multiple
WooCommerce	Free (hosting)	WordPress Users	Customizable	Many
BigCommerce	$29.95+/month	Large Enterprises	Excellent	Many
Wix	$16+/month	Small Businesses	Limited	Limited
Squarespace	$18+/month	Creatives	Basic	Limited
Magento	Custom pricing	Large, Complex Stores	High	Many
Salesforce Commerce	Custom pricing	Enterprise Solutions	Excellent	Customizable
Volusion	$29+/month	Analytics-Focused Merchants	Moderate	Limited
PrestaShop	Free	Customization	Moderate	Many
Shift4Shop	Free	Budget-Conscious	Basic	Limited

 

Feature Comparison (Pricing, Usability, SEO Capabilities)

As you can see the table above it, compares e-commerce platforms across pricing, usability, and SEO features. Shopify, Wix, and Volusion stand out for beginner-friendly usability, while BigCommerce and Salesforce Commerce Cloud offer robust tools suited for larger enterprises.

WooCommerce and Magento provide flexibility with customizations but require technical skills. For SEO, BigCommerce and Magento are highly optimized, while platforms like Wix and Squarespace offer basic SEO. Shift4Shop is unique with a free option for those using Shift4 Payments.

As a result, it becomes an affordable choice with moderate usability and essential SEO tools. In a nutshell, the comparison table highlights each platform’s pricing, ease of use, and SEO strengths. It helps businesses match their needs with the most suitable platform.

Platform Recommendations by Business Size and Industry

For small businesses, Shopify and Wix offer user-friendly, affordable eCommerce web design. For large companies, BigCommerce and Salesforce Commerce Cloud deliver powerful tools and scalability.

Best E-commerce Platforms by Use Case

Each platform offers unique features, making it essential to match the platform with your specific business requirements. Below, we dive into some of the best platforms for particular business types.

Best for Small Businesses

For small businesses, Shopify and Wix provide user-friendly and affordable eCommerce web design options. Both platforms make it easy to get started without a technical background, helping small businesses get online quickly. Wix is one of the cheap eCommerce website builders that you can find in the market.

Best for Large Enterprises

For larger businesses, BigCommerce and Salesforce Commerce Cloud offer enterprise-gradeFor larger businesses, BigCommerce and Salesforce Commerce Cloud offer enterprise-grade capabilities. These platforms are designed with scalability and performance in mind, handling high volumes of products, orders, and customers with ease.

Their robust infrastructure, advanced analytics, and marketing tools make them ideal for brands that need powerful tools to support growth. With BigCommerce’s strong SEO and Salesforce’s customer relationship management, these platforms are among the top 10 best website platforms for e-commerce for large enterprises looking for reliable solutions.

Best for International E-commerce

Magento stands out for its support of multi-language, multi-currency setups, making it an ideal option for businesses with a global customer base.

Its open-source nature allows for deep customization, catering to the unique needs of international brands. Magento’s robust integrations and SEO features help brands succeed in foreign markets by adapting to localized customer preferences.

Best Free E-commerce Platform

For entrepreneurs on a budget, Shift4Shop offers an exceptional array of features with no monthly fees if you use the platform’s payment processor. This affordable website design makes Shift4Shop accessible to new business owners who want a comprehensive solution without upfront costs. With tools for SEO, inventory management, and marketing, it’s a great choice for those testing e-commerce.

FAQs about the Best e-commerce platforms

Choosing the Best Ecommerce Website Platform for Your Needs

In 2024, global retail e-commerce sales are projected to surpass $4.1 trillion, with growth expected to continue into the following years. With the trend of online shopping growing, we can anticipate these numbers to go up. It also means that there is a lot of potential for new players to enter the market.

Final Thoughts on the Top Platforms

Choosing the right e-commerce platform is a significant step in building your online store. By weighing features like affordability, customization, and SEO tools, you’ll find the best solution tailored to your business goals.

Tips for Getting Started with Your Chosen Platform

We hope this comprehensive guide gave you a clear idea about how to choose the best eCommerce website platform in 2025 according to your business needs. But that’s not all! Once you have the right platform by your side, here are some tips that can help you make the most out of it.

• Start with a clear vision of your store’s design and features.
• Invest in quality affordable website design to make your site stand out.
• Take advantage of trial periods to test each platform before committing.

Citations:

• Statista. (2024, September 30). Number of online stores running on Shopify 2024, by category.
• Statista. (2024, September 16). Statista. Topic: E-commerce worldwide.
• Adobe. (2023, March 6). 2023 eCommerce statistics. Adobe Blog.