Have you been using Etsy for a while but are starting to feel frustrated with the fees and lack of control over your customers?
If so, I have some good news.
Handmade products are a niche market, and you deserve to have your own site.
One of the best parts of that:
You can design your handmade goods online store in any way that you want without having to follow the trends of other sites like Etsy or Ebay because this is YOUR ecommerce site!
What’s also great is that there’s several alternative ecommerce website builders that will allow you more freedom than ever before for your online stores!
In this article we’ll explore the best ecommerce website builders for handmade sellers.
Which ecommerce website builder will work best for your business depends largely upon how much time/money resources you have available.
Finding the best ecommerce website builder is the first step in spreading your wings to fly beyond a site like Etsy or Amazon Handmade.
Etsy or Your Own Online store?
Should you open an Etsy shop or your own ecommerce site? I say: BOTH.
One thing I do want to clarify: I don’t think that you should create your online store and drop the other major sites.
I believe to sell online successfully, you have to spread out.
Avoid putting all the tools (eggs) on one platform (basket).
Utilize Etsy’s customer base.
Leverage Amazon’s tools.
But always be building your own ecommerce business.
Ready to discover the best ecommerce website builder for you? Let’s go!
Here’s my picks for the best Ecommerce website builders for your online store for your custom handmade products.
Ecommerce website builders
Jump to the ecommerce website platform overview for each of the ecommerce website builders.
- Shopify
- BigCommerce
- Wix
- WooCommerce
- Magento
- PrestaShop
- Shopify Plus
- Big Cartel
- Squarespace
- Weebly
Spoiler alert: I am #teamshopify
Shopify has all the tools you need to build a successful online store.
After using a GoDaddy Online Store website builder for several years, I was blown away by the support, tools and resources available using the Shopify website builder.
Every product business deserves an amazing ecommerce website builder
If you’re a small business owner with an online store, then you know that it’s important to find the best eCommerce platform for your company. Not all platforms are created equal, and some are better suited for small businesses than others.
Specifically, if you have built your online store using Etsy or Amazon, it can feel overwhelming to build your own online store from scratch.
However, you have learned a lot about ecommerce features, including more advanced features than you even realize!
In this blog post, we will discuss the 11 best eCommerce platforms for online stores. We’ll also provide a brief overview of each one so that you can decide which is best for you.
Let’s get started!
Choose your ecommerce site builder: Shopify
Shopify is one of the best eCommerce platforms for online stores. It’s user-friendly and you can create a professional website in minutes.
Plus, Shopify offers a wide range of features that make it perfect for your ecommerce site to sell online.
Even for the basic, $29/month plan you get all of this:
- Online store with ecommerce website builder and blog
- Unlimited products
- Staff accounts (2)
- 24/7 Support
- Sales Channels (Pinterest, FB, IG, Google shopping, etc.)
- Inventory management (Up to 4 locations)
- Manual Order Creation
- Discount Codes
- Free SSL certificate
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Gift Cards
- Shipping discount
- Shipping labels
- Fraud analysis
- Credit card processing (2.9% + .30)
- In person credit card processing
- Transaction fees for outside payment processor (2.0% aka Paypal)
- Sell in 133 currencies
- Sell in up to 20 languages
As you can see, Shopify has all of the commerce functionality that you need to start selling online.
The highlights for me have been the 24/7 support and not feeling so freaking alone as I tried to build the best ecommerce website I could on my own!
Shopify is a great choice for small businesses that want to create a professional online store quickly and easily.
In Shopify’s words:
Your store, your way
Build an online store as unique as your products with no coding or design skills using your choice of over 70 store templates.
Sell anywhere
Be wherever your customers are. Sell your products on your online store, social media, marketplaces, and in-person.
Trusted by millions of businesses worldwide
Get paid quickly with Shopify Payments and benefit from low transaction fees and predictable flat-rate pricing.
Want to launch your ecommerce online store in a week? Check out this blog!
Choose your ecommerce site builder: BigCommerce
Another great eCommerce platform for small businesses is BigCommerce. It offers a wide range of features, including:
- Boost SEO strategies with customizable URLs and robot.txt access
- Plug-in POS integrations to leading providers
- Sell more with channel integrations like Instagram and Facebook
As you can tell, BigCommerce leads with jargon – which can make it difficult to get your online store up and going without a lot of help.
However, BigCommerce is a great choice for businesses that want to create a professional online store and have a lot of flexibility in terms of design and features.
Particularly larger businesses who need more ecommerce features and have a developer on hand to help build the online store.
In BigCommerce’s words, you can:
Build a business that’s ready for anything with the flexibility of Open SaaS. (But what does that mean?)
Build: Start with the rock-solid foundation of a powerful ecommerce platform.
Innovate: Turn impossible commerce experiences into reality with the flexibility of open SaaS.
Grow: Scale and grow smarter without complexity holding you back.
Choose your ecommerce site builder: Wix
Another great eCommerce platform for small businesses is Wix. Wix offers a drag and drop builder and many of the same features as Shopify.
Wix promotes itself as a complete ecommerce website solution.
From Wix.com, they provide you:
From Wix.com, they provide you:
- Exceptional Online Stores. Sell more and promote your brand with state-of-the-art storefronts, custom cart and checkout, and an industry-leading suite of professional eCommerce apps.
- Comprehensive eCommerce Platform. Sell on multiple sales channels, like Facebook or eBay, and manage your store from one integrated dashboard—from store orders to payment, shipping, fulfillment, marketing and more.
- Advanced Payment Options. Offer customers secure checkout and handle business transactions seamlessly. Get competitive payment processing rates, custom payout schedules and dozens of payment providers.
According to one of my colleagues, Wix is one of the best ecommerce website builders.
You can hear our Clubhouse discussion about which ecommerce site is better in this room, Shopify vs. Wix.
Wix is a great choice for online stores that need a professional website builder that has lots of ecommerce functionality and out-of-the-box features. Additionally, Wix is a good contender for an online store if you prefer a drag and drop builder.
Choose your ecommerce site builder: WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a popular eCommerce platform that’s perfect for small businesses. It offers:
– A customizable shopping experience
– An easy-to-use checkout process
– A wide range of payment options
WooCommerce is a great choice for businesses that want to create a professional online store and have a lot of flexibility in terms of design and features.
Choose your ecommerce site builder: Magento
Another popular eCommerce platform for small businesses is Magento. It offers:
– A customizable shopping experience
– An easy-to-use checkout process
Magento is a great choice for businesses that want to create a professional online store and have a lot of flexibility in terms of design and features.
Choose your ecommerce site builder: PrestaShop
PrestaShop is another popular eCommerce platform that’s perfect for small businesses. It offers:
– A customizable shopping experience
– An easy-to-use checkout process
PrestaShop is a great choice for businesses that want to create a professional online store and have a lot of flexibility in terms of design and features.
Choose your Ecommerce website builder: Shopify Plus
Another popular eCommerce platform for small businesses is Shopify Plus. It offers:
– A customizable shopping experience
– An easy-to-use checkout process
Shopify Plus is a great choice for businesses that want to create a professional online store and have a lot of flexibility in terms of design and features.
Choose your Ecommerce website builder: Big Cartel
BigCartel is another popular eCommerce platform that’s perfect for small businesses. It offers:
– A simple shopping experience
BigCartel is a great choice for businesses that want to create a professional online store without a lot of fuss.
Choose your Ecommerce website builder: Squarespace
Another popular eCommerce platform for small businesses is Squarespace. It offers:
– A simple shopping experience
Squarespace is a great choice for businesses that want to create a professional online store without a lot of fuss.
Choose your Ecommerce website builder: Weebly
Weebly is another popular eCommerce platform that’s perfect for small businesses. It offers:
– A simple shopping experience
Weebly is a great choice for businesses that want to create a professional online store without a lot of fuss.
Where will you build your Ecommerce Store?
So, which eCommerce platform is best for your small business? That depends on your needs and preferences.
They all offer a great shopping experience and easy-to-use checkout process. However, I recommend Shopify above all others.
After years of trying to build my ecommerce business online using a GoDaddy Online Store, I realized that I needed a website builder that offered more flexibility and more integrations.
They also offer a wide range of payment options and 24/seven customer support. So, whichever platform you choose, you can be sure that you’re getting the best possible service.
What I look for in online stores as an ecommerce seller
Which eCommerce platform is best for beginners?
There are a number of ecommerce website builders available, but my personal favorite is Shopify. It’s user-friendly, affordable, and offers a wide range of features. Other good options include Wix and Volusion.
Is Shopify best for small business?
Yes, Shopify is an excellent platform for small businesses looking to start or grow their online store.
It’s easy to use and offers a wide range of features that make it possible to create a professional-looking website and manage your inventory and sales processes.
There are also a number of Shopify experts available who can help set up and customize your store if needed.
Plus, with Shopify’s built-in payment processing system, it’s easy to take payments and process orders – no need for a separate merchant account.
This can save you time and money in the long run.
Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable ecommerce solution that is easy to use, Shopify is a great option.
What is the most affordable eCommerce platform?
There are a few different ecommerce platforms to choose from, but the most affordable option is Shopify.
It’s easy to use and you can get started quickly and without any programming experience.
Plus, there are plenty of templates and designs to choose from so you can create a site that looks great.
And if you ever have any questions or need help, Shopify’s customer service team is always available to assist you.
Live, 24/7
What do we consider the cheapest e-commerce platform for a small business?
A small business should consider using an ecommerce site to sell products and services.
Ecommerce sites are relatively cheap to use and can be a great way to reach new customers.
When choosing the best ecommerce website for your business, it is important to consider the features that are important to your online store.
For example, some ecommerce sites offer a built-in shopping cart, while others do not.
It is also important to consider the cost of using the site and whether or not the site offers a good customer experience.
All-in-one options such as Shopify provide the most ecommerce features at a reasonable price.
Choosing the right ecommerce site can be a challenge, but it is worth taking the time to find one that meets your needs.
Where can I sell my homemade products?
You could sell your products on an online store.
This article provides an overview of the best ecommerce website builders for handmade sellers.
There are also many platforms that allow you to do this, such as Etsy or Amazon Handmade.
I recommend doing both: set up a website of your own AND utilizing the onlines stores and ecommerce features of Etsy.
Make sure to create a strong brand – meaning let people get to know you and the story behind your products!
Market your products well using email, Pinterest and social media.
Good luck!
Which eCommerce platform is best for seller?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as different platforms will be better or worse depending on the type of business you’re running.
However, one platform that is often recommended for online stores is Shopify.
It’s user-friendly, customizable, and has a wide range of features.
Plus, there are many Shopify experts who can assist you with launching and managing your store.
What is the best way to sell my handmade items?
The best way to sell your handmade items is to open an online store.
The easiest way to learn all of the ecommerce features you will need is by opening an Etsy shop at the same time as your online store.
This will give you access to a larger customer base than you would have if you were selling from your home or at craft fairs.
Plus, it will save you a ton of time and allow you to work at your own pace and set your own schedule.
You can also use online stores to reach customers all over the world.
Get ready to build your global empire!! Here’s an example of my own online store using Shopify.
To set up an online store, you’ll need a web hosting service and a shopping cart software program.
There are many different web hosting services and shopping cart programs available, so do some research to find the one that best meets your needs.
Once you’ve selected a web hosting service and shopping cart program, follow their instructions to set up your store.
My all-in-one favorite by far, of all of the online stores options: Shopify.
Is Godaddy better than Etsy?
It depends on what you’re looking for.
Etsy is a great platform if you’re looking to set up an online store quickly and easily, with a range of features that make it easy to list your products and manage your sales.
GoDaddy is more geared towards businesses that are looking for more sophisticated ecommerce features, such as the ability to create customized shopping carts and checkout processes, or to integrate their store with other business systems.
However, GoDaddy is my least favorite website builder.
In my opinion, the best ecommerce website builder is Shopify.
Which handmade items sell best?
Handmade items that sell best are typically those with an interesting story or a unique design.
For example, people often buy handmade jewelry because they appreciate the time and effort that goes into each piece.
Or they might buy a handmade bag because it’s one-of-a-kind and they can’t find anything like it in stores.
If you’re looking to sell your handmade items using an online store, it’s important to create a shop with a professional look and easy-to-use ecommerce builder.
This will make it easier for buyers to purchase your products and help your business grow.
What do you call a store that sells handmade items?
You can call it a store, shop, boutique, or marketplace.
It really depends on what type of items they are selling.
If they are handmade items, then you might want to call it a boutique or store.
If you are selling items online with other items, then you might want to call it a marketplace.
What qualifies as handmade?
A handmade product is one that is created by the hands of the artisan, rather than a machine.
Often, handmade products are considered to be of higher quality and more unique because they are not mass-produced.
Some people might also say that a handmade product must be made with love, and this is what sets it apart from a factory-made product.
What crafts are in demand?
Crafts that are in demand tend to be those that can be sold online.
This is because people who shop online are looking for items that are unique and different, so crafts that fit that description tend to do well.
Heavy items that are expensive to ship are more difficult to sell in an ecommerce store.
Some of the most popular crafts include jewelry-making, pottery, and crochet.
These crafts can all be made to sell online, as they are both unique and versatile.
So if you’re looking for a craft to get into, these would be a great place to start.
What crafts are trending in 2022?
A craft that is gaining popularity is metalworking.
This involves creating art or functional objects from various types of metal.
Metalworking can be a challenging but rewarding hobby, and there are many different ways to get started in it.
Whatever craft you choose to pursue, make sure to do your research and learn all you can about it before getting started.
Crystal Waddell
Founder, Collage and Wood
Hi! I'm Crystal. I have a passion for helping people and businesses find their voice on social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram.
I am the President of Collage and Wood where we make personalized photo gifts, as well as Pin My Shop, where we teach businesses how to use Pinterest and SEO. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my son Asher and husband Jon while golfing or coaching Asher in soccer, basketball, or baseball.
