Free Ecommerce Website Builders and Platforms Compared

If you're looking to create a free ecommerce website, you have several options to consider. Wix offers a free plan with limited features, including a Wix ADI tool to help you build a website quickly.

Wix's free plan has a Wix ADI tool that can create a website in under 10 minutes. Shopify's free trial allows you to test their platform before committing to a paid plan.

Shopify's free trial has no time limit, giving you ample opportunity to test their features. Weebly's free plan includes a drag-and-drop editor to help you build a website without coding knowledge.

Weebly's free plan also includes a free domain for a year, which can be a big cost-saver. Big Cartel's free plan is ideal for small businesses and artists, with features like product galleries and blogging tools.

Big Cartel's free plan has a 5% transaction fee, which can add up over time. Strikingly's free plan is designed for one-page websites and online stores, with features like customizable templates and e-commerce tools.

Check this out: Build a Free Ecommerce Website

Choosing an ecommerce platform can be a daunting task, especially when you're on a tight budget. You'll almost always have to pay something to get your online business up and running, even if the platform itself is free.

The main perks you should look for in free website builders are easy-to-use, powerful features, and mild (if no) limitations on payment processing. With these things in mind, let's consider the 6 best free ecommerce website builders: Wix, Shopify, Square Online, Squarespace, GoDaddy, and Big Cartel.

Here are the top contenders:

You'll want to find an ecommerce platform that helps your business grow at a low cost without restricting how you can run or operate it. The main perks to look for in free website builders are easy-to-use, powerful features, and mild (if no) limitations on payment processing.

When starting an online business, you rarely want the headache of needing a professional designer to help you start your ecommerce store – that’s what the website builder should be helping you with. With these things in mind, let's look at the options.

You can choose from many types of free eCommerce platforms, but it's essential to consider a few key points before making a decision. Some of the points to keep in mind include:

Before you dive headfirst into ecommerce website builders, take a moment to strategize! Conduct thorough market research to identify a niche market with a demand for your offerings. Understand your target audience to tailor your website's design, tone, and product selection to resonate with them directly.

Research your competitors in the ecommerce website builders space to analyze their strengths and weaknesses. This allows you to develop a competitive edge and position your brand effectively.

Before you start building your online store, take a moment to strategize. It's crucial to know your niche, which means understanding what problem your product or service solves and who your ideal customer is. Conducting thorough market research helps you identify a niche market with a demand for your offerings.

Understanding your target audience allows you to tailor your website's design, tone, and product selection to resonate with them directly. Research your competitors in the ecommerce website builders space to analyze their strengths and weaknesses – what are they doing well, and where are there potential gaps for you to fill with your unique offerings?

Having a clear understanding of your product catalog is essential. Gather high-quality photos, write compelling product descriptions that highlight features and benefits, and determine competitive pricing strategies. Your products are the stars of the show – ensure they shine brightly on your website.

Running an e-commerce store involves more than just a website. Consider how you'll handle inventory management, order fulfillment, and customer service. Will you dropship products or manage your own inventory? What shipping options will you offer? Having a clear plan for these logistics ensures a smooth operation and a positive customer experience.

Here are some popular ecommerce website builders to consider:

Develop a marketing strategy to drive traffic to your online store. This could involve social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), or even pay-per-click advertising. Consider your budget and target audience when crafting your marketing plan.

WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin that has hundreds of extensions and themes, making it easier to add eCommerce to your existing website. It offers automatic rebilling on failed subscription payments, detailed reports, and over 25 payment gateways.

You can try out WooCommerce for free, but you'll need to have a WordPress site and some extensions may have one-time payments or monthly subscriptions. Some extensions can get expensive, and you may need several to get the experience you want.

Odoo Ecommerce Website Builders UI offers detailed pricing plans, but it's not specified what they are. BuildABazaar has pricing plans, but you'll need to view them in real-time to compare pricing.

Shopify is the #1 ecommerce platform in India, but it's not free. Instamojo has a new dashboard, but it's not specified what changes it brings. GoDaddy is another ecommerce platform, but it's not specified what features it offers.

WooCommerce, Odoo, BuildABazaar, Shopify, and GoDaddy are just a few examples of the many ecommerce platforms available. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and some may be more suitable for your business than others.

Related reading: Is Wordpress Website Free

Here are some key features to look for in an ecommerce platform:

Keep in mind that some ecommerce platforms may have limitations or commission fees, especially if you're just starting out. However, with the right platform, you can create a successful online store and grow your business at a low cost.

Free ecommerce websites often come with limitations, but they can still be a great way to get started. Some free plans may include Wix ads on every page, as seen with Wix's free plan.

You can't accept payments under the free plan, which is a major limitation for online stores. However, you can still create a store for free and upgrade later.

Here are some common limitations you might find with free ecommerce platforms:

Keep in mind that these limitations can be lifted by upgrading to a paid plan.

Wix offers a drag-and-drop WYSIWYG editor with easy-to-use tools, making it a great choice for those who want a hassle-free website creation experience. This editor is powered by Wix Artificial Design Intelligence, which helps build personalized websites.

Wix has over 500+ design templates to choose from, covering any type of website you can think of. You can also customize the design and layout of your website using built-in tools.

One of the standout features of Wix is its mobile-friendliness and SEO-friendliness, ensuring that your website looks great and ranks well on search engines. Google Analytics is also included, giving you valuable insights into your website's performance.

Here are some key features of Wix:

Shopify, on the other hand, offers a range of plans to suit every need and type of online business. Its Basic Plan includes an online store with customizable themes, Shopify POS apps, and multiple sales channels.

Shopify's Basic Plan also includes unlimited products, product management, and sales tracking. You can also integrate your online store with most social media forums.

Here are Shopify's plans:

Wix's free plan offers a free and secure web hosting, up to 500 MB bandwidth, and up to 500 MB storage. You can also choose from hundreds of fully customizable templates, all of which are mobile-optimized.

Wix's free plan also includes access to an extensive collection of icons, images, clip art, and free apps. You'll also get a free Wix domain, email marketing tools, and SEO assistance.

You'll find limitations on many free eCommerce platforms, including Wix, that you can lift by upgrading to the paid version. These limitations can impact your online store's functionality and growth.

You may have limits on how many products you can list, so it's essential to check the platform's free plan before setting up your store. This can affect your ability to showcase your entire product range.

Wix's free plan has a bandwidth limit of up to 500 MB, which might not be sufficient for large files or high-traffic websites.

Here are some specific limitations you'll encounter on Wix's free plan:

These limitations can be a significant drawback for businesses that need more flexibility and control over their online store.

BigCartel is a great platform for setting up a free ecommerce website, but it's worth noting that some features come with a price. If you're looking to sell more than a few products, you'll need to upgrade to one of their paid plans.

The pricing plans are straightforward, with three options to choose from: Platinum, Diamond, and Titanium.

The Platinum plan allows you to sell up to 25 products per month for $9.99. That's a great option for small businesses or individuals just starting out.

The Diamond plan ups the ante, allowing you to sell 100 products per month for $19.99.

The Titanium plan is the most expensive option, but it also gives you the most flexibility, allowing you to sell up to 300 products per month for $29.99.

It's worth noting that BigCartel doesn't charge any transaction fees, but your chosen payment processor will likely charge fees on top of that.

Website builders are platforms that help you create an online store without needing to hire a web developer or programmer. They offer pre-built components like product pages and shopping carts that you can easily assemble to create your dream store.

Some popular website builders include Wix, Shopify, and Squarespace, which are all highly rated for their ease of use and powerful features. For example, Wix has a score of 4.7 and offers a free plan, while Shopify has a score of 4.6 and offers a 14-day free trial.

If you're looking for a free website builder, you may want to consider options like Webstarts, which offers unlimited pages, 1 GB cloud storage, and 1 GB/month bandwidth. Another option is Freewebstore, which offers unlimited products, storage, and bandwidth, as well as 0% commission and standard customer care.

However, keep in mind that while these builders are free, they often come with limitations and/or commission fees. For example, Webstarts has limited SEO options and no SKU numbers, while Freewebstore has a restricted annual turnover of $30,000.

Here are some popular free website builders to consider:

When choosing a website builder, consider your needs and goals. If you're just starting out, you may want to consider a free builder like Webstarts or Freewebstore. However, if you're looking for more advanced features and customization options, you may want to consider a paid builder like Shopify or Squarespace.

Ecommerce website builders are platforms designed to create online stores with ease, even for those with zero coding experience.

They offer a complete toolkit, eliminating the need to hire a web developer or programmer.

These platforms provide pre-built components like product pages and shopping carts that can be easily assembled to create a dream store.

Many builders have drag-and-drop interfaces, allowing you to visually arrange your store's layout by clicking and dragging elements around.

This makes building a virtual storefront as simple as building with Legos.

Ecommerce website builders are powerful tools that provide a range of features, including stunning storefronts, product powerhouses, seamless payment processing, and effortless shipping.

Some builders offer a library of beautiful themes that act as the design foundation for your store, which can be fully customized to incorporate your brand colors, logos, and images.

The key features of ecommerce website builders can be summarized as follows:

Ecommerce website builders like WooCommerce, Odoo, and Shopify offer a range of features and pricing plans to suit different business needs.

For example, WooCommerce is included with WordPress.com and is free, but requires a domain name and hosting.

It's essential to research and compare pricing plans to find the best fit for your business.