As we head into 2024, the demand for efficient and robust ecommerce website builders has never been higher. Whether you're launching a new online store or upgrading your existing site, choosing the right ecommerce platform is key to your success. In this article, we'll introduce you to the top 7 ecommerce website builders, led by Elementor. We'll also share 10 key points to help you choose the ecommerce website builder that best suits your needs.
The e-commerce industry is booming, and having a powerful, user-friendly website is essential to gaining and retaining customers. With so many options, finding the right platform can be difficult. This guide aims to simplify the decision by highlighting: Best eCommerce Website Builders of the Year We'll give you some tips on what to look out for.
Top 7 Ecommerce Website Builders for 2024:
1. Elementor
overview:
Elementor is well-known as a powerful and intuitive website creation tool. It is more than just a site builder, it is a comprehensive platform that allows you to easily create attractive, high-performance e-commerce websites.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop editor for easy customization
- Hundreds of templates and blocks designed for e-commerce
- Integration with WooCommerce for powerful e-commerce capabilities
- Advanced design capabilities without coding
- Responsive design makes your site look great on any device
- Extensive library of widgets and add-ons
Strong Points:
- Highly customizable with a user-friendly interface
- Seamless integration with WooCommerce
- Fast loading times and SEO friendly
- Great support and community resources
Cons:
- Some advanced features require the Pro version
price:
- Free version available
- Pro version starts at $49/year
example:
A small fashion retailer used Elementor to create a visually appealing online store with a unique design. They were able to customize their product pages and checkout process using the drag-and-drop editor, which led to a significant increase in sales and customer engagement.
2. Shopify
overview:
Shopify is one of the best ecommerce website builders this year, known for its powerful features and ease of use. It's a fully hosted solution, so you don't have to worry about managing servers or security.
Features:
- Easy to use interface with drag and drop functionality
- Extensive app store for additional features and integrations
- Mobile-friendly design
- Supports multiple payment gateways
- Built-in SEO features and analytics
Strong Points:
- Comprehensive e-commerce capabilities
- Excellent customer support
- Grows with your business
Cons:
- Monthly fees can be expensive
- Transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments
price:
- Plans start at $29/month
example:
The fitness equipment store used Shopify to quickly launch their online store. Using Shopify's range of themes and apps, they were able to build a professional-looking site and easily manage their inventory.
3. WooCommerce
overview:
WooCommerce is a powerful open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress. It offers a wide range of customization options, making it ideal for businesses that want full control over their online store.
Features:
- Seamless integration with WordPress
- Highly customizable with a variety of themes and plugins
- Supports physical and digital products
- Built-in blogging functionality
- Extensive payment gateway options
Strong Points:
- Free to use with optional paid extensions
- Extremely flexible and extensible
- Large community and support
Cons:
- Requires some technical knowledge to set up
- Hosting and security is your responsibility
price:
- Free (Hosting, themes, and extensions cost extra)
example:
One handmade crafts business used WooCommerce to create an online store integrated with a WordPress blog, allowing them to manage their content and products in one place, improving their SEO and driving traffic to their site.
4. BigCommerce
overview:
BigCommerce is a feature-rich ecommerce platform designed to support growing businesses, providing powerful tools and integrations to help you manage and scale your online store.
Features:
- Comprehensive Product Management
- Multiple sales channels including social media and marketplaces
- Built-in SEO and marketing tools
- No transaction fees
- Customizable templates
Strong Points:
- Scalable to handle large catalogs and high traffic volumes
- Powerful SEO features
- Superior multi-channel integration
Cons:
- High initial cost
- Customization options can be limited
price:
- Plans start at $29.95/month
example:
A gourmet food store chose BigCommerce for its scalability and SEO capabilities, allowing them to expand their product line and reach more customers through integrated social media and marketplace sales channels.
5. Wix Ecommerce
overview:
Wix eCommerce combines the flexibility of the Wix site builder with powerful ecommerce features. Perfect for small businesses looking for an easy-to-use platform.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop builder with customizable templates
- Mobile-optimized design
- Multiple payment options
- Integrated Marketing Tools
- Secure checkout and SSL certification
Strong Points:
- User-friendly interface
- Affordable
- Extensive customization options
Cons:
- Limited scalability for very large stores
- Some advanced features require a premium plan
price:
- Plans start at $23/month
example:
A jewelry designer used Wix eCommerce to create a visually appealing online store. The drag-and-drop editor allowed them to beautifully showcase their products, increasing engagement and sales.
6. Squarespace
overview:
Squarespace is known for its elegant design templates and user-friendly interface, making it a great choice for businesses who want a visually appealing online store without needing extensive customization.
Features:
- Beautiful and responsive templates
- Integrated e-commerce capabilities
- Secure checkout with multiple payment options
- Marketing and SEO Tools
- Inventory control
Strong Points:
- High-quality design templates
- All-in-one platform (hosting included)
- Excellent customer support
Cons:
- Limited customization compared to other platforms
- Rising trading fees
price:
- Plans start at $18/month
example:
A boutique clothing store used Squarespace to build a stylish, professional online presence. Beautiful templates helped them create an inviting storefront, and integrated ecommerce features allowed them to seamlessly manage inventory and sales.
7. Weebly
overview:
Weebly, now part of Square, offers a simple and effective way to create an online store, and is especially well-suited for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need an easy-to-use platform.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop builder with e-commerce capabilities
- Mobile-friendly themes
- Integrated Marketing Tools
- Multiple payment gateways
- Secure Checkout
Strong Points:
- Very user friendly
- Affordable
- Great integration with Square for payments
Cons:
- Limited design flexibility
- Fewer advanced features
price:
- Plans start at $12/month
example:
A local bakery quickly launched their online store using Weebly. The easy-to-use platform made it easy to list products, manage orders, and process payments through an integration with Square.
How to Choose the Best Ecommerce Website Builder:
select The Right Ecommerce Website Builder is Key To make your online store a success, pay attention to the following: To help you make the best choice, we present to you 10 points to consider with examples.
1. Ease of use
example: Elementor's intuitive drag-and-drop editor makes it easy for even beginners to create a website. Look for a platform that allows for easy customization without requiring advanced technical skills.
2. Customization options
example: WooCommerce offers extensive customization through plugins and themes to tailor your store to your needs. Choose a builder that gives you the flexibility to create a unique shopping experience.
3. SEO Features
example: BigCommerce has powerful built-in SEO tools to help your site rank highly in search engine results. Make sure your platform offers strong SEO capabilities to drive organic traffic.
4. Payment Gateway
example: Shopify supports multiple payment gateways, including its own Shopify Payments, which simplifies transactions, so make sure your builder accepts your preferred payment method.
5. Mobile Friendly
example: Wix eCommerce templates are built to be mobile friendly, ensuring that your website looks beautiful and works well on smartphones, tablets, and desktops. This is extremely important as more and more people are using their mobile devices to shop online.
When choosing an e-commerce platform, prioritize one with responsive design capabilities that can provide a seamless user experience across all devices. This allows your customers to easily navigate and purchase regardless of the device they use, ultimately increasing your sales and customer satisfaction.
Choosing a platform like Wix that has built-in mobile optimization features means you won't have to adjust your design for different screen sizes. Responsive design is a key feature for any ecommerce website to succeed in today's mobile-centric world.
6. Scalability
example: BigCommerce allows you to scale your store as your business grows, making it suitable for small businesses and large enterprises alike. Look for a builder that can grow with your business.
7. Support and Resources
example: Elementor offers extensive tutorials, a strong community, and reliable customer support. Make sure you choose a platform with strong support to help you troubleshoot and optimize your store.
8. Integration with other tools
example: Squarespace seamlessly integrates with marketing tools like Mailchimp and Google Analytics to enhance your marketing efforts, so make sure the platform can integrate with the tools you use.
9. Security Features
example: Site security is paramount. Platforms like Shopify and Squarespace offer built-in SSL certificates and secure checkout processes. Choose a builder with strong security features to protect your customers' data.
10. Price
example: Compare pricing plans from platforms like Weebly and Shopify to find one that fits your budget. Consider not only the upfront costs, but also transaction fees and the cost of extra features.
Conclusion
Choosing the right ecommerce website builder is crucial to your online success. This year's best ecommerce website builders offer a range of features to help you create a professional, effective online store. Elementor stands out with its powerful website creation tools and seamless integration with WooCommerce, making it our top choice for 2024.
Whether you're a small business owner or entrepreneur, choosing the right platform can make all the difference. When deciding, consider factors like ease of use, customization options, SEO features, and scalability. Choosing a builder that meets your specific needs can help you create a successful ecommerce website that drives traffic, attracts customers, and increases sales.
