Best e-commerce platforms for your business

Starting an online store is easier than ever, thanks to a wide range of e-commerce platforms that simplify selling products online. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a growing brand, choosing the right platform is crucial for your success. This guide breaks down what an e-commerce platform is and explores the best options available today.

 What Is an E-Commerce Platform?

An e-commerce platform is a software application that allows businesses to manage their website, sales and operations online. It provides tools to list products, accept payments, manage inventory and handle shipping. Essentially, it’s the backbone of any online store.

E-commerce platforms can be cloud-based (hosted) or self-hosted. Cloud-based platforms like Shopify handle hosting and updates for you, while self-hosted platforms like WooCommerce give you more control but require technical knowledge.

 Key features to consider

When choosing an e-commerce platform, consider these features:

Ease of use – Is it beginner-friendly?
Customization – Can you design your store the way you want?
Payment options– Does it support multiple gateways?
SEO and marketing tools – Will it help you drive traffic?
Scalability – Can it grow with your business?

Now let’s explore the best platforms for launching your online store.

1. Shopify – Best for beginners and small businesses

Shopify is one of the most popular cloud-based e-commerce platforms. It’s user-friendly and designed for people with little to no coding experience.

Pros

•  Easy drag-and-drop store builder
• Over 100 templates and themes
• Integrated payment gateway (Shopify Payments)
•  App store with thousands of integrations

Cons:

•  Monthly fees can add up with premium apps
•  Limited customization compared to open-source platforms

Shopify is ideal if you want to launch quickly and don’t want to worry about technical setup.

2. WooCommerce – Best for WordPress Users

WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin that turns your site into a fully functional e-commerce store. It’s perfect for those already familiar with WordPress.

Pros:

•  Highly customizable and open-source
•  Large developer and plugin community
•  No transaction fees Full control over data and hosting

Cons:

•  Requires more setup and maintenance
•  Hosting and domain are not included

WooCommerce is great for businesses that want control and flexibility, especially if they’re already using WordPress.

3. BigCommerce – Best for Growing Enterprises

BigCommerce is a powerful hosted platform aimed at fast-growing and enterprise-level businesses. It offers robust built-in features and fewer third-party dependencies.

Pros

•  Excellent SEO capabilities
• No transaction fees
•  Multi-channel selling (Amazon, eBay, Instagram)
•  Scalable for high-volume stores

Cons:

•  Slightly steeper learning curve
•  Limited free themes

BigCommerce is ideal for businesses with large inventories or those planning to scale quickly.

4.Wix eCommerce – Best for Creative and Small Stores

Wix is known for its simple website builder, and its eCommerce platform makes it easy for creatives and small businesses to sell online.

Pros:

•  Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
•  Stylish, designer-friendly templates
•  Good selection of built-in marketing tools
•  All-in-one pricing plans

Cons:

•  Limited scalability for large stores
• Less advanced features compared to Shopify or BigCommerce

Wix is great for entrepreneurs who value design and simplicity over technical depth.

5. Squarespace Commerce – Best for Design-Centric Brands

Squarespace combines beautiful design with solid e-commerce features. It’s especially popular among artists, photographers and boutique brands.

Pros:

•  Stunning templates
• Seamless website and store integration
• Built-in marketing tools
•  Good customer support

Cons:

•  Fewer payment gateways
• Less suited for complex or high-volume stores

Squarespace is ideal for visually-driven businesses looking for an elegant, simple online storefront.

Choosing the right e-commerce platform depends on your business goals, budget, and technical skill. For ease of use and quick setup, Shopify and Wix are excellent. For control and customization, WooCommerce is unbeatable. BigCommerce is perfect for scaling, while Squarespace excels in design-focused branding.

No matter where you are on your entrepreneurial journey, there’s a platform out there that fits your needs. Take your time, test the options and build your store on a solid foundation.

Author: Moureen Koech

Moureen Koech is a passionate Digital Journalist, an adept Agribusiness Writer with a keen eye for news and an impactful story-teller,whose stories provide key value to Agripreneurs and stakeholders in the Agricultural sector