6 Best Ecommerce Website Builders for Small Businesses

Building an online store doesn't have to break the bank. Whether you're starting a new business or looking for a budget-friendly way to sell online, there are plenty of ecommerce website builders to help you get started.

As a small business owner, you should look for a solution that's easy to use and supports your organization's needs. Drag-and-drop builders are great for beginners, and most platforms include pre-made templates, so you don't have to build a site from scratch.

In this guide, we'll review the best ecommerce website builders for small businesses. We'll explore what each one is best at and their key features. We'll also talk about pricing and the pros and cons of using these services. Let's dive in.

1. Thryv

Thryv is an e-commerce website builder connected to an all-in-one business platform. It offers user-friendly website templates, built-in payment processing, and automated marketing tools that help businesses attract and convert customers. Plus, its mobile-friendly design ensures your online store looks great and functions smoothly on any device.

Thryv's website builder uses drag-and-drop technology - meaning you don't need code to build your site. You can drag elements onto your page and rearrange your layout in seconds. Or, if you don't want to build it yourself, you can hire Thryv's design team to create your site for you. They'll bring your vision to life and build a professional-looking website. It's ideal for business owners operating under a busy schedule who may not have the time or resources to develop their site.

What we like: With Thryv, small businesses can easily manage their website, sales, and customer relationships all in one place.

Key Features:

• Built-In Payment Processing: Accept online payments seamlessly with integrated invoicing and payment options.
• Automated Marketing Tools: Use email and text marketing to engage customers and drive sales.
• Appointment Scheduling Integration: Ideal for service-based businesses selling products and/or services online.

Pros:

• All-in-One Platform: Combines website building, ecommerce, marketing, and CRM in one place.
• User-Friendly Design: Easy to set up and customize, even for beginners.
• Great Customer Support: Provides personalized support to help businesses grow.

Cons:

• Made for small businesses, larger companies might experience limitations.

Pricing: Free for Command Center; $228/month for Marketing Center and Business Center.

2. WordPress.com

WordPress is a popular website builder because it offers a balance of flexibility, ease of use, and scalability. It provides a variety of professionally designed themes, a simple drag-and-drop editor, and built-in blogging tools, making it ideal for businesses, bloggers, and online stores.

With its free plan, users can get started without any upfront costs, while paid plans unlock advanced features like custom domains, ecommerce tools, and expanded storage. Additionally, WordPress.com handles hosting and security, so users don't have to worry about technical maintenance.

What we like: WordPress has thousands of plugins that add new features to your site, like chatbots, payment processing, and more.

Key Features:

• Customizable Themes: Access a variety of pre-designed themes to personalize the look and feel of your website.
• Built-In Blogging Tools: Easily create and manage blog posts with a user-friendly editor.
• Ecommerce Integration: Sell products directly through your website with WooCommerce integration (available on paid plans).

Pros:

• Easy to Use: The drag-and-drop design makes it beginner-friendly for those with little technical knowledge.
• Free Plan Available: Get started with a free plan, ideal for small personal websites or blogs.
• Scalable: As your business grows, you can upgrade to more feature-rich plans that offer custom domains, enhanced storage, and ecommerce tools.

Cons:

• Limited Customization on Free Plan: The free plan includes WordPress branding and limits design customization options.
• Restricted Plugin Access: Free and lower-tier plans don't allow third-party plugins, limiting functionality.

Pricing: Free to start; $4/month for Personal; $8/month for Premium; $25/month for Business; $45/month for Commerce;

3. Google Sites

Google Sites is a simple, cost-effective website builder that works well for basic ecommerce needs. It's an excellent choice for personal projects or businesses that want to grow their online presence. While it doesn't offer advanced features like in-depth reporting and workflow automation, it does integrate easily with Google's ecosystem, allowing you to add forms or information from your Google Workspace to your website.

Google Sites is free, making it ideal for businesses looking for a no-frills way to sell products without monthly fees. However, it may not be best for those looking for more advanced e-commerce features like payment gateways or custom storefronts.

Key Features:

• Integration with Google Apps: It easily integrates with other Google tools, such as Google Drive, Google Analytics, and Google Forms.
• Drag-and-Drop Editor: Simple design allowing users to build and customize websites without coding.
• Free to Use: No cost for hosting or building the website, making it accessible for businesses on a budget.

Pros:

• Easy to Use: Ideal for beginners who want to build a basic website quickly.
• No Monthly Fees: The free platform is great for small businesses with limited budgets.
• Simple Setup: Setup is quick and doesn't require advanced technical knowledge.

Cons:

• Limited Ecommerce Features: It doesn't offer built-in payment processing or advanced ecommerce tools, which limits functionality.
• Basic Design Options: Fewer customization options compared to other dedicated ecommerce platforms.
• Limited Scalability: Since no tiers or plans exist, growing your website with this service is hard.

Pricing: Free

4. Wix

Wix has a very user-friendly drag-and-drop design, making it easy for beginners to create professional-looking sites without coding experience. It provides customizable templates, website analytics, and SEO tools to measure your site's visibility. Wix also offers a range of e-commerce tools, from simple product listings to payment processing.

The platform is highly flexible, with hundreds of apps and features that enhance your site as your business grows. Plus, Wix handles your hosting and security so you can focus on growing your business instead of worrying about technical details.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-Drop Editor: Easily customize your website without coding using a simple drag-and-drop design.
• Ecommerce Tools: Includes payment processing, product management, and inventory tracking to sell products online.
• Add-Ons: It offers hundreds of apps to extend the functionality of your website, from booking systems to marketing tools.

Pros:

• User-Friendly: Thanks to its intuitive design, Wix is perfect for beginners with no technical skills.
• Highly Customizable: Choose from various templates and design options to create a unique website.
• All-in-One Solution: Wix handles hosting, security, and domain management, providing a seamless experience.

Cons:

• Free Plan Includes Ads: The free version includes Wix branding and ads on your site, which can affect professionalism.
• Limited Flexibility with Templates: Once you choose a template, you can't switch it without starting over, limiting flexibility.

Pricing: Free to start; $17/month for Light; $29/month for Core; $36/month for Business; $159/month for Business Elite

5. Weebly

Weebly combines ease of use with powerful web-building tools, making it ideal for small businesses and individuals looking to create an online presence quickly. With its drag-and-drop editor, users can build a website in minutes, while its customizable templates allow for a professional-looking design.

Weebly also offers built-in ecommerce features like inventory management, payment processing, and product pages, making it a solid choice for those who want to sell products online. Additionally, Weebly provides flexible pricing plans and marketing tools like email campaigns and SEO options that help businesses grow and reach their audience effectively.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-Drop Editor: Build and customize your website without coding using pre-made templates.
• Built-In Ecommerce Tools: Manage products, track inventory, and accept payments directly through the platform.
• Marketing Tools: Includes SEO optimization, email marketing, and social media integrations to boost your brand's visibility.

Pros:

• User-Friendly: The intuitive design makes it easy for beginners to create a website quickly.
• Affordable Pricing: Weebly offers competitive pricing with flexible plans, including a free option.
• Scalable: As your business grows, you can upgrade to more advanced features, such as custom domains and additional ecommerce options.

Cons:

• Limited Customization: Some design limitations compared to other more customizable website builders like WordPress or Wix.
• Transaction Fees on Free Plan: The free plan includes transaction fees for ecommerce.
• Fewer Advanced Features: Weebly may not offer as many advanced features or third-party integrations as other platforms.

Pricing: Free to start; $10/month for Personal; $12/month for Professional; $26/month for Performance

6. Webflow

Webflow gives you complete creative control to design a unique and professional website without relying on pre-made templates. Even if you're not a coding expert, Webflow lets you create responsive, visually appealing sites with an easy-to-use design.

It also has built-in tools for managing blogs and other dynamic content, which is great for businesses that need to keep things updated. On top of that, Webflow offers powerful ecommerce features, making it simple to set up an online store with options for product variations, payments, and inventory management.

Key Features:

• Visual Design Editor: Offers high customization with a drag-and-drop design, allowing for detailed design control.
• Built-in Content Management System (CMS): Easily manage dynamic content like blogs or product pages with a customizable CMS structure.
• Ecommerce Capabilities: Full ecommerce functionality, including product management, inventory tracking, and integrated payment gateways.

Pros:

• Design Flexibility: Offers more design freedom than other website builders, making it ideal for businesses that need a unique look.
• SEO-Friendly: The built-in SEO features optimize your website for search engines and improve visibility.

Cons:

• Steep Learning Curve: While user-friendly, Webflow has a steeper learning curve compared to more straightforward builders like Wix or Weebly.
• Limited App Integrations: Although Webflow offers many features, it has fewer third-party app integrations than platforms like WordPress.

Pricing: Free to start; $14/month for Basic; $23/month for CMS; $39/month for Business

Build Your Website Today

Choosing the right ecommerce website builder can be a game-changer for your business. Whether you prioritize design flexibility, ease of use, or powerful marketing tools, each platform on this list can help you create a successful online store. Start by evaluating your goals and pick the best fit for your business. With the right website builder, you'll be well on your way to establishing a strong online presence and growing your ecommerce company.