After Getting Started, and learning how to Balance Hobbies and Business, your next step is to choose the Best E-Commerce Site. Choosing the right e-commerce platform depends on several factors, including ease of use, customization options, pricing, and scalability. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the best platforms categorized by business needs, along with an explanation of why certain platforms stand out over others.
1. Best Overall Platform: Shopify
Best for: Entrepreneurs looking for an all-in-one, easy-to-use e-commerce solution with scalability.
Why Shopify?
- User-friendly: Shopify offers a seamless setup process, making it ideal for beginners and experienced users alike.
- All-in-one solution: Includes hosting, security, payment gateways, and extensive third-party app integrations.
- Scalability: Easily grows with your business, offering features from beginner stores to enterprise-level businesses.
- Multi-channel sales: Supports selling on social media, marketplaces (like Amazon and eBay), and in-person (via Shopify POS).
When Shopify might not be ideal
- If you have very small margins, the transaction fees (up to 2% if using external payment providers) may eat into profits.
- If you want full design control, Shopify’s customization is somewhat limited unless you have coding knowledge or pay for a premium theme.
🔹 Recommended for: Startups, growing businesses, drop shippers, and businesses looking for ease of use with scalability.
2. Best for WordPress Users: WooCommerce
Best for: Tech-savvy entrepreneurs who want full control over their online store and are already familiar with WordPress.
Why WooCommerce?
- Highly customizable: Being open-source, WooCommerce allows unlimited customization with themes, plugins, and custom coding.
- Low initial cost: The plugin itself is free, though costs may arise from hosting, security, and premium extensions.
- SEO-friendly: Since it runs on WordPress, WooCommerce benefits from advanced SEO features that outperform many other platforms.
When WooCommerce might not be ideal
- Requires technical knowledge for setup, hosting, security, and maintenance.
- Not an all-in-one solution—you must separately purchase hosting, a domain, and an SSL certificate.
- More hands-on than Shopify, requiring frequent updates and management of plugins.
🔹 Recommended for: Businesses that already use WordPress, tech-savvy users, and those who need a highly customized online store.
3. Best for Creative Businesses: Squarespace
Best for: Artists, designers, and small business owners who prioritize aesthetics and branding.
Why Squarespace?
- Beautiful, modern templates: Ideal for visually appealing storefronts.
- Integrated marketing tools: Built-in email campaigns, SEO tools, and social media integrations.
- Great for service-based businesses: Features scheduling and appointment booking for businesses that blend e-commerce with service offerings.
When Squarespace might not be ideal
- Less extensive third-party app integrations than Shopify or WooCommerce.
- Less suitable for businesses looking for deep product catalog functionality.
🔹 Recommended for: Creatives, designers, service-based businesses, and small boutique e-commerce shops.
4. Best for Budget-Friendly Startups: Wix
Best for: Small businesses looking for a simple and affordable way to start an online store.
Why Wix?
- Beginner-friendly: Drag-and-drop functionality makes designing a store very easy.
- Lower cost: More affordable plans compared to Shopify, especially for small businesses.
- Built-in marketing tools: Email campaigns, social media integration, and SEO tools included.
When Wix might not be ideal
- Limited scalability for larger businesses.
- Less robust inventory management compared to Shopify or BigCommerce.
🔹 Recommended for: New entrepreneurs, small businesses, and solopreneurs who want an easy, budget-friendly solution.
5. Best for High-Growth Businesses: BigCommerce
Best for: Businesses expecting high sales volumes that need advanced built-in e-commerce features.
Why BigCommerce?
- No additional transaction fees regardless of the payment processor used.
- Highly scalable: Built-in tools for large inventories, B2B sales, and high-volume transactions.
- Multi-channel selling: Supports selling on Amazon, eBay, Google Shopping, Facebook, and Instagram.
When BigCommerce might not be ideal
- More complex interface than Shopify, requiring a slight learning curve.
- Sales threshold: If your revenue exceeds a certain limit, you’ll be required to upgrade your plan.
🔹 Recommended for: Fast-growing businesses, wholesalers, and businesses needing a scalable solution with advanced e-commerce features.
6. Best for Simple, Free E-Commerce: Square Online
Best for: Small local businesses, brick-and-mortar stores expanding online, and those already using Square POS.
Why Square Online?
- Completely free plan available (with a small transaction fee).
- Seamless POS integration with Square, making it ideal for businesses with in-person and online sales.
- Quick setup with no need for complex configurations.
When Square Online might not be ideal
- Limited customization compared to Wix, Shopify, or WooCommerce.
- Better for small stores—not ideal for large product catalogs or complex online businesses.
🔹 Recommended for: Local businesses, small retailers, and brick-and-mortar stores wanting a free e-commerce option.
7. Best for Independent Artists & Makers: Big Cartel
Best for: Artists, makers, and crafters who want a simple online store without complex e-commerce features.
Why Big Cartel?
- Free plan available for up to 5 products.
- Minimalist interface with straightforward setup.
- Ideal for handmade, small-batch businesses looking for a simple storefront.
When Big Cartel might not be ideal
- Very limited customization and functionality compared to Shopify, Wix, or WooCommerce.
- Not suitable for scaling—lacks advanced inventory management and integrations.
🔹 Recommended for: Artists, crafters, and small-scale entrepreneurs who sell a limited number of products.
| Best Overall | Shopify | Easy to use, scalable, and packed with features. |
| Best for WordPress Users | WooCommerce | Highly customizable and great for SEO. |
| Best for Creatives | Squarespace | Beautiful templates and strong marketing tools. |
| Best for Budget Startups | Wix | Affordable and easy for beginners. |
| Best for High-Growth | BigCommerce | Powerful tools for scaling without transaction fees. |
| Best Free Option | Square Online | Free plan available, great for small businesses. |
| Best for Artists & Crafters | Big Cartel | Simple, affordable, and great for handmade products. |
Each platform excels in different areas, so the best choice depends on your specific business needs. If you’re looking for a long-term, scalable solution, Shopify or BigCommerce is ideal. If you’re on a budget or just starting, Wix, Square Online, or Big Cartel may be better suited.
The next step, in turning your hobbies into cash, is to learn how to implement Marketing Strategies.