Shopify – The All-in-One Store Builder
If you’re new to eCommerce, Shopify is like your friendly business partner that handles all the tough stuff, hosting, security, inventory, and payments. You can launch a store in a day using drag-and-drop templates and built-in tools for managing orders, discounts, and marketing. It’s also great for SEO and mobile optimization, meaning your store looks clean and loads fast on every device.
However, Shopify’s monthly fees and transaction costs can add up, especially for small sellers, something you’ll want to compare if you’re just starting out. You can learn more about affordable options in our post on Free vs Paid Website Builders — Which One Should You Choose?.
Squarespace Commerce – For Beautiful Online Stores
If aesthetics matter most to you, Squarespace Commerce is a fantastic pick. Its award-winning templates are perfect for fashion, design, or art-based businesses that want their products to look stunning. Beyond design, Squarespace offers built-in analytics, email campaigns, and integrations for shipping and payments — ideal for creative entrepreneurs who want to sell without juggling multiple tools.
It’s a great fit if you prefer simplicity over customization, though developers may find it a bit limiting compared to Webflow (which we explore more in Top Professional Web Design Tools for Developers and Designers).
Wix eCommerce – For Growing Businesses
Wix eCommerce strikes a perfect balance between beginner-friendly and powerful. It offers flexible templates, drag-and-drop design, and built-in tools for managing your catalog, payments, and customer reviews. The best part? You can start for free and upgrade only when you’re ready to scale, a safe choice for small businesses testing the waters.
Wix also gives you strong SEO features and integrations with popular marketing tools, making it easy to grow your brand visibility online. We’ve explained more about SEO-friendly design and performance tracking in our post on How to Measure Website Performance and Improve Your Design.
BigCommerce – For Large and Scalable Stores
For bigger businesses handling high traffic and large product catalogs, BigCommerce is a powerhouse. It offers advanced SEO controls, robust analytics, and multi-channel selling (like Amazon, eBay, and social media). BigCommerce’s learning curve is a bit higher, but the long-term flexibility and lower transaction fees often make it worth it for serious sellers. It’s designed for those ready to grow beyond simple drag-and-drop tools and move into something more enterprise-grade.
Which eCommerce Builder Should You Pick?
If you’re a beginner, start with Wix or Shopify. If you want your store to look like a brand, go with Squarespace. If you’re scaling fast or managing multiple channels, BigCommerce is your best friend.
And if you’re unsure how to decide, we’ve shared a complete breakdown on How to Choose the Right Website Design Platform for Your Needs, which helps you match tools with your business goals and skill level.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the “best” eCommerce design software depends on where you are in your journey. Start small, test the waters, and upgrade when your store (and confidence) grows. Your website is your storefront, make it simple, fast, and authentic.
Once your store is live, don’t forget to keep an eye on its performance and SEO metrics. We’ve covered that in How to Measure Website Performance and Improve Your Design to help ensure your website keeps converting visitors into loyal customers.
