# The Best Ecommerce Platforms for Startups
In today’s digital age, having an online presence is a must for any business looking to succeed. With the ecommerce industry booming and projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.7% from 2020 to 2027, having an online store is crucial for budding startups.
But with so many ecommerce platforms available in the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best ecommerce platforms for startups to help you make an informed decision.
## Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms with an array of features catered to startups. With a user-friendly interface, Shopify is easy to use and navigate, making it an ideal choice for beginners.
Shopify offers a variety of plans, ranging from $9 to $299 a month. The “Lite” plan allows for increased sales functionality to be run through an existing website or blog. The “Basic” plan allows for the creation of a brand new store/site from scratch via the platform, while the “Advanced” option allows for cuts in transaction fees, adding more staff accounts (5+), and improved shipping rate calculations.
Additionally, Shopify offers app integration, allowing for customization and increased functionality to the website. This platform is perfect for budding entrepreneurs looking for flexibility and scalability.
## Squarespace
Squarespace is a website builder with a strong visual component. It boasts of a wide range of editing tools and software that give greater editing power and site impact. Unlike Shopify, Squarespace permits more realized capabilities more readily with its lower plans. This is ideal for startups looking to make an impact without investing too much in their web design.
The pricing plans for Squarespace sit at $16 (Personal), $23 (Business), $27 (Basic Commerce), and $49 (Advanced Commerce) respectively. Most features unlock at the Business Level ($23) except it still maintains a 3% transaction fee.
## Wix eCommerce
Wix eCommerce is another popular platform that has integrated AI to optimize your website. The galleries and image capabilities of Wix match most online platforms. Given the ease of use of the site as well as its optimization features, Wix eCommerce can provide an initial edge to any business not looking to invest or spend the time to ruminate over their web’s design.
To get access to Wix eCommerce, you need to upgrade beyond a typical Wix plan into a business-worthy plan. Think along the lines of their “Unlimited Plan” ($22), their “Basic Business” Plan ($22), or “Business Unlimited” plan ($32). These are the cheapest and easiest plans for fledgling businesses.
## BigCommerce
BigCommerce is the most scalable site constructing service, which is why it is one of the best ecommerce platforms for startups. It is fully integrated, which means there is no need to worry about plugins as you might on other sites. This allows for increased freedom and functional capacity.
Like nearly all of its peers, BigCommerce has four tiers to its plan. The first tier is the simple Standard Plan – $29.95. The next plan is the plus plan – $79.95 per month. After this, the plan is the “Pro Plan” at $299.95 monthly. And finally, the “Enterprise Plan” which requires contacting BigCommerce for a specified quote. These prices are a little high but fall almost directly in line with Shopify and follow a similar tier structure to nearly all other site programs.
## Square Online
For brick and mortar stores moving toward an online market, Square Online is a natural choice. Its price-syncing technology allows for a natural ease of transaction and commerce flow. The website designer offers standard features including blog capabilities, a customizable storefront, and customer service options.
Prices for Square Online run simpler and more competitive with three tiers: “Free” – $0, “Plus” – $29, and “Premium” – $79. This is right in the typical sweet spot for this type of site, and the free plan can offer the new user familiarity with the basic software and a solid buffer before they decide to up their game with a paid plan.
## Branchbob
For many, pricing and presumed knowledge stand as the main barrier to entry when considering entrepreneurship. That’s where Branchbob comes in as another best ecommerce platform for startups. It is one of the sites on this list that is completely free to use and offers basic, simplistic features that are intuitive and easy to learn and pick up.
No monthly pricing or transaction fee exists. The only billing occurs if you want to increase Branchbob’s features and capabilities. This extends to website themes as well. Overall, Branchbob stands as a fundamental transaction site between the business and the customer. It also allows budding businesses with limited capital to break ground in the ecommerce market.
In conclusion, an ecommerce platform is a must-have for any business looking to succeed in today’s digital age. The right platform can make or break a startup. Therefore, it is vital to choose the best ecommerce platform for your business to succeed. Look through the features of these platforms, and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
