Best E-Commerce Solutions of April 2024
Updated March 29, 2024 at 2:58 pm
Your e-commerce solution plays a major role in your ability to profit. The best e-commerce platforms should be affordable for your stage of growth, comprehensive, and full of features to scale with you as you grow.
The good news? There are plenty of options that fit the bill. Unfortunately, though, this can be a double-edged sword, as business owners might feel overwhelmed by all of the e-commerce software out there.
That’s why the business experts at Newsweek put together this helpful guide, covering everything you need to know and look for in the best e-com solutions on the market. Read on to learn more about the right e-commerce software for your business.
Our Methodology Our research is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of personal finance services and products that best suit your needs. To help you in the decision-making process, our expert contributors compare common preferences and potential pain points, such as affordability, accessibility, and credibility.
Our Picks - Best for Business Owners on a Budget: Shift4Shop
- Best for Quickly-Growing Businesses: Shopify
- Best Integration Options: Wix
- Best for AI Tools: Web.com
- Best for Quick Launches: Squarespace
5 Best E-Commerce Solutions of 2024
If you’re on the hunt for the best e-commerce solutions for your business, you’re in the right place. Our experts have compiled a list of the best e-commerce platforms on the market, showcasing each option’s advantages and considerations.
Best for Business Owners on a Budget
Shift4Shop
Why We Chose It
Shift4Shop is the best possible choice for business owners on a budget, offering a $0 fee for comprehensive e-commerce support if you process $500 or more a month. The site offers everything you need to grow your brand, including social media marketing support, SEO support, 24/7, 365 tech support, and robust integration capabilities. They also offer multiple payment processing solutions so that your consumers can buy in confidence.
Key Features
- Shift4Shop’s unique payment structure sets it apart from other tools: Shift4Shop doesn’t take any fees if you process a minimum of $500 per month. If your business isn’t at that level of growth yet, you’ll be charged just $29 per month for full-scale e-commerce support.
- Ample and secure pay options appeal to both customers and businesses: Shift4Shop offers fraud protection and a range of payment pathways (including Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal and Google Pay). The site also offers payment card industry (PCI)-compliant security complete with tokenization for extra peace of mind.
- Unlimited perks that span across every key area of business: Shift4Shop offers unlimited product listings, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited staff users and absolutely no revenue caps—putting it in a class of its own when it comes to the best e-com solutions for your growing business.
- Extensive template libraries offer simple and personalized launch options: The site’s template library features over 100+ fully customizable and expertly designed options for your business, all of which can be refined using SEO and user experience (UX) best practices.
Pros
- Native (and free) migration assistance makes transferring e-commerce sites simple
- Enjoy a free site, Secure Sockets Layer [SSL] certificate and a free domain name, saving you more time and money
- Integrated marketing tools (such as blogs, abandoned cart tools, newsletters and SEO tools) help grow your brand sustainably
Cons
- Users report that the file system is primitive compared to other options
- Growing brands may not be able to meet the $500 threshold, causing them to pay $29 per month
- Users report that some tickets are ignored or lost
Best for Quickly-Growing Businesses
Shopify
Why We Chose It
Shopify is a giant in the e-commerce space and is responsible for 10% of total US commerce and $444 billion in global economic activity. Store owners can enjoy a seamless drag-and-drop site creation experience, app and integration functionality and comprehensive, full-funnel marketing that’s designed to boost conversions. The site also offers full back-of-store support via order fulfillment assistance, analytics dashboards and financial tracking and centralization tools to keep tax season simple.
Key Features
- Robust free trial makes it easy for small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) to try before they buy: Shopify offers an extensive free trial, allowing shop owners to start for free—only charging them $1 per month for the first quarter of membership.
- Site creation tools perfect and refine your marketing vision: Shopify offers one of the most competitive native site editors on this list, which can be made better by integration and personalization options. Business owners can launch quickly using any of the 100+ themes available for Shopify stores.
- Full funnel marketing suite support centralizes your business operations: Shopify offers advanced full funnel management tools, including SEO and social media marketing tools, comprehensive analytics panels and personalized messaging options for your customer segments.
- Enjoy native fulfillment and order management tools to save time and money in your day-to-day: Shopify’s business back-end support is one of the best on the market, offering integrated fulfillment options, extensive automation support and money management tools to facilitate your growth.
Pros
- Shopify Capital offers funding with no credit checks and little paperwork
- Inventory management options available via the Shopify mobile app
- Free Shopify Balance account offers faster payouts and zero fees, as well as a 3.86 annual percentage yield (APY)
Cons
- No native subscription options available at the time of this publication
- Users report fewer theme options compared to other services
- Users report difficulty exporting data for
Best Integration Options
Wix
Why We Chose It
Wix is well-known as one of the best e-com platforms and is the fourth most popular option used by the top one million sites surveyed. It offers a range of integration options for e-comm store owners, including Wix Stores, integrations with other services (such as the Etsy Store app and the ECWID app) and marketing tools (like Klaviyo).
Key Features
- Over 500+ professionally designed templates for simple store launches: E-commerce store owners can select any of the site’s 500+ launch-ready, customizable designs to perfect their aesthetic.
- Increased profitability thanks to mobile-optimized, intuitive options: All online stores are mobile-optimized and can be edited using a native drag-and-drop editor.
- Multichannel sales are supported on all of your favorite sites: Sell seamlessly on the world’s most popular platforms, including eBay, Google Shopping, Meta Suite and more.
- Blog and SEO features capture online traffic: Wix eCommerce comes equipped with a blog platform that’s SEO-aligned, social-share ready and boosted with advanced features you’ll love.
Pros
- E-commerce professionals are available to hire through Wix’s extensive partnership program
- Limitless APIs allow you to completely customize your experience
- 50+ secure payment gateway options for both vendor and client confidence
Cons
- Users report that free sites use Wix branding
- Users report limited custom form functionality
- Users report long wait times for WIx support
Best for AI Tools
Web.com
Why We Chose It
Web.com is one of the leading AI-tool e-com platforms, allowing you to create and launch your storefront in mere minutes. You can do this using the native AI-powered site builder and store tool, as well as an AI-powered domain name generator to break through initial roadblocks, leveraging other site perks to refine your shop setup as you go.
Key Features
- Advanced security features offer owners and users peace of mind: Low-cost SSL certificates, website backup options and 24/7 access to cybersecurity pros ensure that your shop stays as safe as possible.
- Uptime you can count on: Web.com has 99.9% uptime across its user base of 3 million+ people.
- Listing and SEO tools put you in front of clients: Web.com comes with SEO-alignment tools and business listing support, boosting your web presence and credibility by the day.
- Pro plans include additional advanced marketing services: Pay-per-click services and tailored SEO strategies are available to members on the Pro paid tier plan.
*The prices shown reflect the evergreen first-month price option that’s available through Web.com. Per-month pricing can range between $19.99-$49.99.
Pros
- 24/7 support is available to all membership tiers and types
- Experts are available to hire through Web.com’s extensive partnership program.
- Web.com offers 10 free product listing setups to help launch your shop
Cons
- Dropshipping users report difficulty using Web.com’s e-comm suites due to limited integration opportunities
- No free trial offered at the time of this publication
- Some users feel that AI is simplistic
Best for Quick Launches
Squarespace
Why We Chose It
Squarespace offers suites of intuitive site templates and selling tools that make same-day launches possible. The visually-driven design options and simple mobile scroll site styles promote conversions across your site and centralize your operations for simple management you’ll love.
Key Features
- Connect with your favorite commerce tools: Squarespace integrates with Xero, Google Suite, Afterpay, Apple Pay and many others—allowing you to personalize your site experience.
- Suitable for service- and product-based businesses: Squarespace supports appointment management, course support and client invoicing for both goods and services.
- Advanced e-comm tools are available: Enjoy subscription selling and digital download options as you expand your products and offerings.
- Centralized inventory management tools support streamlined operations: Sync customer data and inventory management information in seconds with Squarespace.
Pros
- Native SEO tools, email campaigns and social media selling tools can help you scale quickly
- Print-on-demand options available for interested sellers
- Mobile store management allows you to sell anywhere via the Squarespace app
Cons
- Users report limited SEO performance
- Squarespace has limited extension options compared to other tools
- While available, Squarespace has limited customer support options compared with other tools
Vault’s Viewpoint: Compare the Best E-Commerce Solutions of 2024
| Product | Price | SEO Options | Technical Support | Free Trial? | Social Media Marketing Support |
| Shift4Shop | $0-$29 per month | ✔ | ✔ | Free tool as long as businesses process $500 per month | ✔ |
| Shopify | $39-$399 per month | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Wix | $16-$159 per month | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Web.com | $1.95-$13.95 per month* | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Squarespace | $23-$65+ per month | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
E-Commerce Platform Introduction
Your e-commerce software is critical to your bottom line, facilitating every transaction and interaction your clients have with your business. Choosing the right option comes down to a few key steps: Defining your needs, conducting the research and executing your ideal solution. We’ve put together this helpful guide to streamline your process.
What are E-Commerce Solutions?
E-commerce software solutions are comprehensive, allowing you to present and market your products or services. They also often include analytical tracking, built-in optimization tools and other advanced features to facilitate the growth of your business.
How Does an E-Commerce Site Work?
At its core, an e-commerce site on any of the best e-com platforms does two key functions: Markets your products and services using tailored SEO strategies and offers an in-depth look at your offers in a visually appealing, user-friendly way. Ideally, your e-commerce software of choice should be both desktop- and mobile-friendly.
Who is an E-Commerce Platform Best For?
An e-commerce platform can be useful for SMB sellers at all stages of growth across industries. It’s a helpful tool that can be used to market products or services, acting as a vehicle to appeal to your prospects at all stages of their respective customer journeys.
Types of E-Commerce Solutions
- Self-Hosted: Self-hosted e-commerce solutions are also known as locally-hosted solutions, which can be installed and accessed from a local server, typically on shop premises.
- Cloud-Based: A cloud-based e-commerce software is accessed via a third-party-owned server. Some of the best e-commerce platforms on the market are cloud-based, including Shopify and Shift4Shop.
How to Choose an E-Commerce Platform
Ultimately, the best e-com solution is the one that fits your business’s scope of need and that can scale with you as you grow. After evaluating what you need in your next e-commerce software, take a look at our list of features to check for. These two steps will help you to maximize your value, no matter what platform you end up going with.
Inventory Management
The best e-com platforms often incorporate inventory management features, which can be used to help you track what’s available while mitigating waste. Inventory management tools can also be used to refine your production and sales approaches, offering valuable insights into your current consumer preferences and buying patterns.
Customer Management
Centralizing customer management tools into an e-commerce software saves you time and gives your customers a more streamlined UX. Customer relationship management (CRM) tools included in the best e-com platforms include customer communication support, segmented marketing tools, analytical insights and record-keeping.
Product Management
Product and catalog management is a critical feature to watch for, as this will be the primary tool that presents your prospects with relevant products or services. Ideally, your site’s product management features should be paired with SEO support tools by listing, allowing greater potential for organic traffic over time.
Marketing
Marketing tools are an invaluable feature to look for as you shop for the best e-commerce solutions for your business. Often, e-comm platforms will have both organic and paid marketing tools for holistic marketing support, which you can optimize and refine using in-app recommendations or a fractional CMO.
Shipping
Your e-com tool’s native marketing solutions can save you time and money, condensing your tech stack and centralizing your operations. Many options integrate with top services (such as ShipStation or PirateShip) or offer alternative management solutions for a discounted fee.
Payment Processing
The best e-commerce solutions include multiple payment gateway types, offering your customers multiple options. You should also check into processor fees and any secondary platform fees that could contribute to your profitability.
Analytics
Shop analytics work much like site analytics, giving insight into your prospect and client preferences for increased profitability later on. Check to see how extensive your dashboards are and how user-friendly they are compared to other options in your tech stack.
Security
Security is a key feature to check for in your e-com solution of choice. SSL options, PCI-compliant payment gateways and fraud prevention services are a few options to check for before you purchase a site membership.
Integrations
Choosing an e-commerce software that has an integration-friendly interface is one of the best ways to streamline and personalize your e-commerce experience. These connections tie your site to your favorite apps, centralizing your operations.
Scalability
Your e-commerce tool should be able to grow with you, offering sustainably affordable perks at each stage in your business growth process. As you shop, consider an e-commerce tool that offers ascending membership perks or enterprise options, planning ahead for your future success.
Omnichannel Features
Omnichannel selling features in e-commerce tools allow you to sell wherever your customers are. Think With Google estimates that these strategies can drive an 80% higher rate of incremental store visits across industries, making them a worthwhile perk to check for as you shop for e-com solutions.
Other E-Commerce Platform Alternatives
Ecwid
Ecwid is one of the most competitive omnichannel e-commerce tools on the market. After you launch your free storefront, you can use Ecwid to sell on all major social media outlets (including TikTok). You can also use the paid marketing support tools to launch campaigns in just a few clicks, boosting your social selling presence.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a favorite e-commerce tool for mid to large-sized businesses, offering enterprise support, as well as multi-storefront and localization options for companies with expansive virtual and physical presence. The site offers an open API for a further layer of customization, as well as headless commerce integrations for better performance and maximum creative and operational control.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is designed exclusively for WordPress-based websites and allows entrepreneurs to turn their WordPress sites into fully functional storefronts. The platform offers 24/7 support for business owners, as well as affordable pricing and a simple development setup for business owners at all stages of growth. WooCommerce also offers a 60-day worry-free guarantee, allowing you to buy in confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do E-Commerce Solutions Cost?
E-commerce solutions range in cost based on store size and available features. Typically, they can cost anywhere between $0-$299 per month. Add-on options and auxiliary services may contribute to this cost.
What’s the Best E-Commerce Platform for Small Businesses?
The best e-com platform for small businesses is Shift4Shop, due to its comprehensive nature and affordable plans. Small businesses making over $500 per month in transactions won’t have to pay membership fees for the platform’s extensive suite of services and can market, communicate, optimize and host for free through Shift4Shop’s native interface.
What’s the Most Popular E-Commerce Platform?
Shopify is one of the best and most popular e-commerce platforms available. They are also responsible for about $400 billion in global sales per year, offering startup support, multi-channel sales and comprehensive management at an accessible price point for many.
What’s the Best E-Commerce Platform for Beginners?
Shift4Shop is one of the best e-com solutions for beginners, as it’s simple to use, backed by 24/7, year-round live support, and is inexpensive for SMBs who aren’t hitting $500 per month in sales yet. The native interface also offers step-by-step checklists and tutorials to facilitate quick, successful launches with a small learning curve.
What’s the Best E-Commerce Platform for Custom Products?
Squarespace is a competitive platform to consider for custom products. The site offers print-on-demand services and supports the sale of both physical products and intangible services.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
