The 6 best ecommerce platforms for small businesses Your ideal ecommerce platform will help you grow your retail business and allow more customers to discover you online. Find the right platform for your online store today. Written by Emma Ryan Reviewed by Ollie Simpson Updated on 1 April 2026 Our Research When recommending the best ecommerce platforms, our expert team of writers and researchers focus on the features that matter most to small businesses. We rate platforms on their value for money – including setup costs and ongoing transaction fees – design features, including store templates; inventory management; payment processing options; help and support, plus customer feedback. Startups.co.uk is reader supported – we may earn a commission from our recommendations, at no extra cost to you and without impacting our editorial impartiality. 1 of 3 Hostinger: 85% off + 3 months free 4.2 Claim Deal 2 of 3 Wix: 10% off with code 'TAKE10' 4.8 See Pricing 3 of 3 Shopify: £1/month for 3 months 4.8 Start for Free Our in-depth research shows that Wix is the best ecommerce platform for small businesses, thanks to its impressive range of sales features, 900+ templates, and simple drag-and-drop editor.I have worked with our in-house research team to test 12 ecommerce platforms, completing over 1,200 tasks to rigorously test their suitability as ecommerce web builders, including 300+ hours of research.In 2025, over 70% of online shoppers abandoned their carts worldwide, according to Statista. To prevent sales slipping through your fingers in 2026, you’ll need a fully optimised ecommerce platform, so let’s start comparing the best options for your business. Key takeaways Wix’s range of templates and built-in sales features – including inventory management and multichannel selling – make it our number one recommendation.Shopify is our recommended platform for rapidly scaling businesses due to the range of feature-packed plans.The typical transaction fees you can expect to pay are from 0% to 3%.When choosing an ecommerce platform, don’t just focus on price – make sure it has modern AI-features to give you the edge in 2026, like SEO-optimisation.Hostinger is the cheapest ecommerce platform (from £1.99 per month) but doesn’t offer a free plan, isn’t scalable, and has limited product storage.Even with a low monthly plan, you still need to factor in additional costs like transaction fees, domain names, and third-party apps/extensions. How we test ecommerce platforms At Startups, we use an independent research method to investigate 12 top ecommerce platforms, involving over 100 hours of data collection, and 54 individual user tests.To determine our top six recommendations we assessed this data collection against seven categories which are we found to be most essential to an effective ecommerce builder: the core sales features included (30%), the design tools (15%), the website functionality (15%), the customer support (15%), the value for money (10%), and the usability (10%).You can find a full explanation of our testing framework in the methodology section of this review. The best ecommerce platforms: comparison table 0 out of 0 backward forward Overall Score Based on our in-depth research and user testing Pricing Free plan or free trial Templates Transaction fees Add-ons/extra charges FEATURED PROVIDER Hostinger Wix Shopify Squarespace GoDaddy BigCommerce 4.2 4.8 4.8 4.7 4.0 3.7 £2.99 per month (for a 48-month term)Get up to 85% off £16-119 per month, billed annually£14.40-£107.10 with code “TAKE10” £19-£259 per month, billed annually£1 per month for the first three months £12-£79 per month, billed annuallyUse code “SU10” to receive 10% off £16.99 per month (first term savings available) $29-$299, billed annually 7-day free trial Free plan 3-day free trial 14-day free trial Free plan 15-day free trial 150+ 900+ 200+ 150+ 150+ 200 0% – Hostinger does not charge transaction fees 2.1% + 20p per transaction From 1.5%-2% + 25p per transaction (online) From 1.5% + 25p to 2% + 25p, depending on your plan Up to 2.9% + 20p per transaction (depending on payment provider) 0% Domain renewal and additional email accounts Payment processing, chargebacks, cross-border services fees, domain renewal, premium apps/integrations Card processing fees, currency conversion/foreign card fees, paid apps/plugins, domain renewal Payment processing fees and additional features/extensions Domain renewal, email/marketing tool upgrades, shipping/fulfilment add-ons (if you choose advanced delivery options) Payment gateway fees, domain renewal, paid apps/integrations I last updated this article on 01/04/2026 I frequently check and update this article to make sure it's all up to date and accurate. When I last updated it, I verified all pricing and information as correct. However, I always recommend confirming prices and rates directly with ecommerce platforms before making any buying decisions. 1. Wix: best for all-round ecommerce platform for small businesses Wix 4.8 Wix gives you a full arsenal of fantastic features and bags of creative freedom, all for a very affordable price. FREE TRIAL 14 day money back guarantee PRICE FROM £16 per month, billed annually Flexible pricing plans AI chatbot builder Great additional features that support everything any up and coming merchant needs Summary When we say Wix really does have it all, we mean it. Its largely improved sales features now support multi-channels including Facebook and other marketplaces. The Light plan, at only £9 per month, comes equipped with 24/7 customer support, unlimited product showcasing and the option to sell on social channels. If you want further insight into your ecommerce business and control of where you can sell, the £119 per month Business Elite plan comes with customised reports, marketplace selling capabilities and priority customer care. However, despite the product priding itself on its ease of use, a rather steep learning curve is required, particularly when navigating set "ecom" functionalities. Show moreless Wix pricing: £9-£119 per month (billed annually)Transaction fees: 2.1% + 20p per transactionStandout features: Wix Payments, Wix Owner app, POS integration, keyword data support from Semrush, AI chatbot builderWhat’s missing?: Unlimited products, template flexibility Pros Easy drag-and-drop editor All-in-one dashboard for managing your sales Extensive app store so you can add extra functionality Cons Wix is a great all-rounder, but doesn't provide specialised tools for niche stores Wix has limited storage space Once your site is live, you can't change the template Who is Wix best for?Wix is the best all-around ecommerce platform for UK startups due to its 900+ templates and all-in-one marketing suite.You can use its built-in tools, such as the marketing suite and abandoned cart recovery, to grow a loyal customer base. What’s more, everything from managing your inventory to running a blog can be done directly from the Wix platform.Wix provides all merchants with the basic sales features they’ll need to start successfully selling online, including:The ability to offer discounts on productsFree custom domain to help boost brand awarenessMultichannel selling so you can connect with customers on social media and marketplaces)Sell directly through YouTube ShoppingIntegration with Semrush, which can help users create AI-answer ready content (Wix is the best website builder for SEO)How easy is it to build an online store with Wix?When I tested the builder, I found the drag-and-drop editor incredibly easy to use – I had complete creative control over how my online store looked.Wix Harmony can create a functioning site from just a simple prompt, or you can use one of the 900+ templates. Source: Startups.co.ukI was impressed with the results of the AI chat builder (it made me a pretty serviceable fake coffee shop site from just one prompt), but you can also choose from the massive range of professional-looking templates available. Whichever you opt for, I’d recommend Wix as the best option for designing your online store.What AI features does Wix have?Last year, in 2025, Wix announced Astro the AI-powered business assistant. This lets you perform business-related tasks directly from the chat interface, saving you time in the work day.There’s also the new AI chatbot builder I highlighted above, Wix Harmony, which incorporates vibe coding to help you get a great-looking site ready in just minutes using natural language prompts.As reported by McKinley, 71% of consumers now expect a personalised experience, and Wix’s AI-powered Adaptive Content feature can do just that. It leverages information from visitor sessions to create a dynamic web experience.How much does Wix cost?Wix is an affordable ecommerce solution, and its cheapest ecommerce plan is just £16 plus VAT per month (billed annually). Currently there’s a special offer where you can get 50% off on select plans (excluding the Light plan).Just note that the biggest drawback of Wix is the storage limits. This makes Shopify a better option for scaling businesses with higher demands due to the unlimited storage and bandwidth it offers.PlanCostStorageCore£16 per month (plus VAT)15GBBusiness£25 per month (plus VAT)100GBBusiness elite£119 per month (plus VAT)UnlimtedRead our in-depth Wix review to learn more about our top-rated ecommerce platform. Expert insight – Eddie Harris I was reasonably impressed with Wix's AI tools when designing. However, certain elements did feel quite random, as it first produced a design with ``fun, tropical colours`` which I felt was at odds with the information I had initially given the AI. I had to tweak/regenerate a few times before getting something I felt was acceptable. 2. Shopify: best for rapidly growing businesses Shopify 4.8 Shopify’s superb features and extensive app market give ambitious ecommerce businesses everything they need to scale rapidly. FREE TRIAL 3-day free trial PRICE FROM £19 per month AI site theme builder is able to create a bespoke site in seconds Great range of apps and extensions Perfect for dropshipping Summary Shopify is perfect for users looking for that all in one online store solution. Its ability to predict what a merchant will need next when creating a website is a brilliant feature, and its countless apps give you complete control over your business, enabling you to grow through diverse multi channel integration options and automated SMS and email marketing. It is definitely better suited to store owners with complex, larger inventories and because there are fewer built in features, using the platform can get expensive compared to other feature-filled competitors like Squarespace and Wix. Show moreless Shopify pricing: £19-£259 per month (billed annually)Transaction fees: From as low as 1.5%-2% + 25p per transaction (online)Standout features: Unlimited products, new AI site theme builder, Shopify Magic, Shopify Payments, VR functionalityWhat’s missing?: Free custom domain, longer free trial period, drag-and-drop editor Pros Shopify is equipped to handle complex inventories You can sell beyond your website – via social media and marketplaces Shopify can seamlessly sell between an online store and a physical shop Cons Shopify isn't the easiest builder to use Shopify’s plans are expensive for an ecommerce platform Free trial is limited (just three days) Who is Shopify best for?Shopify’s range of plans with deep ecommerce features (like multi-currency payouts on the Advanced plan) make it the best choice for scaling ecommerce businesses.Shopify can take you from side hustler to complex multinational seller, with an impressive set of features included on even the cheapest Basic plan (£19 per month, plus VAT), including:Sell unlimited products Create automated emailsMultichannel selling, so you can connect to other sales channelsCustomisable one-click checkout experienceReal-time inventory syncing, so you won’t suddenly discover you’re out of stock during a live shopping eventShopify Collabs: great for managing micro-influencer partnerships (a popular marketing tactic in 2026)I was impressed with the level of customisability – Shopify has a massive app market, currently boasting over 17,000 apps to add extra functionality to your site.For example, Shopify’s app store even supports third-party apps for Visual Search (DiscoverAI, ViSenze, and Searchanise), where customers can upload photos to find matching items. This is the type of feature that will give you the edge in 2026. Shopify is also a top option for combining online selling with brick-and-mortar sales, thanks to the unified dashboard. You can update all your prices, online and on-shelf, with ease.Is it easy to build a website with Shopify?Despite the excellent ecommerce tools and customisation, I found it difficult to customise my site’s appearance, as the editor isn’t the most beginner-friendly. Shopify doesn’t use the popular drag-and-drop style that other builders, like Wix, use, which I felt made it trickier to achieve the look I wanted.I found Shopify’s editor harder to use than competitors that favour a more intuitive drag-and-drop approach. Source: Startups.co.ukShopify’s unintuitive editor might be less of a problem for those who are happy to rely on AI-powered site generation. Shopify Magic can do a lot of the work for you and instantly create AI-generated templates with just a basic prompt.What are Shopify’s AI tools in 2026?Shopify stands out for its impressive AI offerings, including Shopify Sidekick – its AI-powered assistant – and Shopify Magic, a suite of AI-powered features. Other key AI tools include:Shopify Audience can anaylse your shoppers’ behaviours and model your site to reflect that data.Shopify’s AI can also help with fraud protection: Shopify Payments AI leverages global machine learning to provide reactive flagging, and protect you from revenue lost to bot attacks.Shopify Product Studio can help turn static product shots into video.The most recent Shopify Editions: Winter ‘26 announced the new Shopify SymGim app: this simulates shopper behaviour, to give you recommendations to improve your store.There’s one area where Shopify has the edge over some of its competitors: predictive propensity modeling. If you don’t know what that means, essentially it’s a way of calculating in real time how likely a customer is to convert.To prevent abandoned carts, Shopify’s Sidekick Pulse can also dynamically trigger a “Next Best Offer” for your shoppers, and offer expedited shipping.How much does Shopify cost?Shopify is expensive when compared to its competitors – the cheapest plan is £19 plus VAT – but the sales features are some of the best on the market, so the steeper price tag is justified.Shopify is worth the cost investment if you have the budget and a growing or sizeable inventory.PlanCostStorageBasic£19 per month (plus VAT)UnlimitedGrow£49 per month (plus VAT)UnlimitedAdvanced£259 per month (plus VAT)UnlimitedPlus£1,800 per month (plus VAT)UnlimitedTo learn more about Shopify’s strengths as an ecommerce platform, head to our detailed Shopify review. Expert insight – Emma Ryan This is the first time I've used Shopify's AI template generator and I'm really impressed! I usually hate selecting Shopify's free templates because they pull through differently into the editor (with blank images/copy), whereas the AI template includes images and copy related to your business which makes designing from scratch easier. You can see what you can actually do within Shopify's editor with these. 3. Squarespace: best for eye-catching online stores Squarespace 4.7 Squarespace’s excellent editing tools make it quick and easy to get your online store up and running. FREE TRIAL 14-day free trial PRICE FROM £17 per month Use code "SU10" to receive a 10% discount on all Squarespace plans Easy to use dashboard that links seamlessly with the builder Fully customisable checkout page Use code "SU10" to receive a 10% discount on all Squarespace plans Summary Squarespace's ecommerce offering has plenty of great selling points to keep its users happy. The ecommerce platform provides polished templates help create a luxury brand experience for your business as well as strong email marketing features. It also provides a step-by-step AI builder, giving you greater control over the look and style of your site. Show moreless Squarespace pricing: £12-£79 per month (billed annually)Transaction fees: 0-3% per transactionStandout features: Service-based tools, Squarespace Payments, stunning templates and designs, AI site builder, excellent booking tools through Acuity, customisable checkout pageWhat’s missing?: Built-in dropshipping functionality, UK POS integration Pros Squarespace's slick templates and editor can produce a stunning site Squarespace is the easiest ecommerce platform to understand and use Squarespace includes built-in scheduling tools Cons Squarespace lacks any built-in support for dropshipping Squarespace’s ecommerce plans won’t support a scaling business as well as Shopify’s Squarespace's site speeds weren't the fastest in our testing Who is Squarespace best for?Squarespace is the easiest to use of all the ecommerce platforms I tested, and the fantastic-looking design templates make it the best option for creative and service-based businesses. Another great perk of Squarespace is the scheduling and service-based tools. Acuity Scheduling (starting from £11 per month on top of your plan cost) lets you create and manage bookings directly in Squarespace, and you can also create branded invoices.Squarespace is good for building a high-value hub for your audience, not just because of the sleek design, but thanks to its tools, for example the ability to build a “members area” on your site. Having a community of buyers is key to financial solidity in 2026, and by creating exclusive content you can make sure you have a captive audience.How easy it to build an online store with Squarespace?Based on my hands-on testing of the platform and our rigorous research, I can confidently say that Squarespace is not only the easiest platform to use, but it also boasts a stunning range of templates. Squarespace’s drag-and-drop editor is incredibly easy to use, but Blueprint AI can generate a site instantly for you. Source: Startups.co.ukI particularly love the testimonial and digital product design elements – they make the process of building a page from scratch quick and simple. You can also create a customisable checkout page containing special fields and a guest checkout function.What AI features does Squarespace have in 2026?Squarespace’s core AI tool is Blueprint AI, its first AI-powered website builder. This is a fast and simple way to get your online store up and running.However, I would choose one of Squarespace’s ready-made design templates over Blueprint AI. Blueprint AI is efficient, but I didn’t find the end result as slick as the existing templates.Squarespace doesn’t have the same depth of AI-powered ecommerce tools like its competitor Shopify, but it does have some handy features:Business name generator, based on your promptDomain name generator, which can help you choose in just three stepsAI SEO scanner, which generates a report on any missing SEO copy, and then provides recommendationsSquarespace Beacon AI is built directly into the platform, and can help you make strategic decisions for your businessHow much does Squarespace cost?Squarespace’s cheapest plan starts from just £12 plus VAT a month, which is great for those on a tighter budget who still want a truly impressive-looking site.Just note that more advanced features like professional shipping and tax services, sales funnel analytics, and API integrations are only available from its Core plan (£17 plus VAT per month), but that’s still just £5 more than the Basic plan.PlanCostVideo hosting & storageBasic£12 per month (plus VAT)30 minutesCore£17 per month (plus VAT)5 hoursPlus£29 per month (plus VAT)50 hoursAdvanced£79 per month (plus VAT)UnlimtedDiscover more in our Squarespace review to learn what this design-focused website builder has to offer for online stores. Expert insights – Natasha Willett As an AI builder goes, Squarespace has a very different feel from other platforms. For example, when you select the site info and the type of site needed, it shows you the difference in font based on the text selected – taking you on the journey more than others. 4. Hostinger: best for side hustles and new businesses Hostinger 4.2 This affordable website builder makes building simple with its suite of AI tools. Free trial 30-day Price from £2.99 Affordable deals for beginners The drag-and-drop editor is very easy to use A growing suite of AI features Summary Hostinger is a simple and low-cost website builder, offering affordable plans and introductory deals for new businesses. It's made recent upgrades in overall usability and navigation, though it lacks basic functionalities like email marketing. That said, its design options are impressive and its suite of AI tools makes building a website quick and easy. Show moreless Hostinger pricing: £1.99-£2.99 per month (for a 48-month subscription)Transaction fees: Zero transaction feesStandout features: Suite of AI tools including AI blog generator, speedy setup time, fastest site loading speeds on the roundupWhat’s missing?: Scalable ecommerce plans, unlimited products, built-in email marketing Pros Hostinger is very beginner-friendly Hostinger is budget-friendly Hostinger is the fastest loading website we tested Cons Hostinger only offers one basic ecommerce plan Hostinger doesn't include email marketing tools The platform doesn't include strong booking tools Who is Hostinger best for?Hostinger’s cheap plans and beginner-friendly builder make it a great choice for side hustlers and new business owners.Another bonus of Hostinger is that it charges 0% on processing fees for businesses (just keep in mind you’ll still be subject to any fees from your payment processor).Having made improvements to site speed (now having the fastest load times that we tested), interface, navigation, and overall usability, it’s a builder that’s gone from strength to strength.How easy is it to build an online store with Hostinger?I could get my online store up and running in minutes thanks to Hostinger’s AI website builder and its intuitive drag-and-drop editor. I was impressed with the level of design freedom I had with Hostinger’s editor, even more so than Squarespace.I tested out Hostinger’s AI builder, and was impressed with the online fashion stored it created for me in just minutes. Source: Startups.co.ukDuring my testing, Hostinger’s AI also managed to create an effective site for my fake online bookshop. It already came equipped with useful elements, like shop categories and a contact form to join a book club. I only had to make a few tweaks here and there to refresh the imagery and copy.What AI features does Hostinger provide?Hostinger provides an impressive selection of AI features, which I found especially useful, including an AI search engine optimisation (SEO) tool and AI heatmaps displaying user engagement on your website.For time-poor business owners, you can quickly add copy, blog posts (the AI blog feature can generate up to 2000 words, which is really useful for quickly building your site’s content), or new images. Just remember to put your own human spin on it after the AI has worked its magic.I really liked the AI-powered Product Information Generator tool. With this, I could let Hostinger generate my product details for me, such as a description or title, all based on my uploaded image.There’s also AI assistant Kodee, which can provide unsure business owners with instant support and suggestions.How much does Hostinger cost?Hostinger offers the cheapest premium ecommerce plan from just £2.99 per month (for a 48-month term).PlanCostStoragePremium Website Builder£2.99 per month (plus VAT)50 GBHowever, while it might be the cheapest, it’s important to keep in mind that it doesn’t offer much scalability, its limited in product storage, and doesn’t offer built-in email marketing tools.Businesses that plan to expand quickly may outgrow its limitations and need to upgrade to a more scalable platform, like BigCommerce or Shopify. Expert insight – Emma Ryan I'm very impressed that Hostinger's SEO tool had already filled lots of the SEO details out for me, suggesting keywords, completing the SEO title/description, and offering other SEO tips like flagging how many images had alt text already. 5. GoDaddy: best for marketing GoDaddy 4.0 A simple way to build an online store and combine your ecommerce with marketing and booking tools. Free trial 7-days Price from £14.99 Built-in social media calendar and post planner Simple to use builder Simple pricing Summary It lacks sophisticated sales and design features, but GoDaddy is still one of the easiest ways to create an online store, and it has excellent integrated marketing tools. It just has one ecommerce plan, for the reasonable price of £13.99 per month. Show moreless GoDaddy pricing: £7.99-£14.99 per month (billed annually, first term discount)Transaction fees: Dependent on the payment provider, up to 2.9% + 20p per transactionStandout features: Quickest setup time, AI website builder, built-in social media calendar and post plannerWhat’s missing?: App market, drag-and-drop editor, additional ecommerce plans Pros GoDaddy includes built-in marketing tools GoDaddy has the quickest setup time out of all the builders I’ve tested GoDaddy’s simplicity is great for smaller businesses Cons GoDaddy’s editor is restrictive and you'll struggle to create a unique appearance GoDaddy isn't better equipped to handle bigger stores with complex inventories GoDaddy doesn't have an app market, so you won't be able to integrate third-party apps Who is GoDaddy best for?GoDaddy is an entry-level website builder that’s best if your business is heavily reliant on marketing and social media promotion, thanks to the built in marketing tools like:AI-generated social calendar plannerA social post creator for social media channelsConnect your events to social media platformsGoDaddy also provides integrated booking tools like calendar syncing and customer notifications, both of which are great for businesses that need to manage lots of appointments.GoDaddy’s simplicity works in its favour, with the stripped-back sales features and easy builder appealing to novice online sellers. However, GoDaddy does lack the advanced functionality of a competitor like BigCommerce and this extra depth is something that larger stores will need.How easy is it to build an ecommerce site with GoDaddy?GoDaddy is not only easy to use, but it’s also one of the quickest ways to get online. The onboarding process took me a few minutes, and I could immediately dive into designing my store or adding products in the backend.I added all of the key information to my GoDaddy product page, such as name, price, inventory quantity, and shipping options. Source: Startups.co.ukGoDaddy’s simplicity makes it ideal for beginners, but as a result its editor and features can be too basic at times.What AI features does GoDaddy have?GoDaddy’s primary AI offering is GoDaddy Airo, built using GoDaddy’s proprietary data, it can quickly create a fully AI-generated website.You can also upgrade to Airo Plus. This will unlock premium AI features, like the impressive marketing tools.This is the real standout of GoDaddy’s AI offering: the Airo Plus Marketing Consultant, which can help you build campaigns, and optimise for SEO.Other helpful GoDaddy AI tools include:Airo Plus Site Optimiser: GoDaddy’s AI optimisation tool to help with ranking and trafficAiro Plus Logo: a customisable 3D logo to enhance your brand presenceAiro Agent: helps create a step-by-step plan for your business with proactive insights.How much does GoDaddy cost?GoDaddy starts from just £7.99 per month, making it an affordable option for ecommerce.However, keep in mind that unlike competitors BigCommerce and Hostinger, GoDaddy will charge transaction fees.PlanCostBasic£7.99 per month (plus VAT)Premium £11.99 per month (plus VAT)Commerce£14.99 per month (plus VAT)Still, for stores that don’t need the advanced sales functionality provided by platforms like Shopify, GoDaddy is a very affordable alternative, especially if you’re looking for an ecommerce and marketing hybrid platform.Get a closer look at GoDaddy’s features, templates, and more in our GoDaddy review. Expert insight – Eddie Harris GoDaddy's social media calendar is a great addition to their product offering, but I'd like to see more consistency when it comes to pulling site branding into other areas of marketing – such as in email and on social posts. Solving this misalignment would be such an easy way to give greater brand confidence but also save users time. 6. BigCommerce: best for international sellers BigCommerce 3.7 With an impressive range of sales features, BigCommerce gives you everything you need to create a fully-optimised online store Free trial 15-day Price from $29 per month Quality in-built inventory management features 0% payment processing fees Great for scaling businesses Summary BigCommerce is the big budget option for small businesses with big ambitions. It's quite pricey, but you’re getting access to a range of in-built inventory, order management, and sales tools. The costlier the plan, the more advanced the functionality, of course – you also increase your sales allowance. This ranges from an upper limit of $50,000 on the Standard plan to a maximum of $400,000 on the Pro plan. And if your sales are likely to be higher than that, BigCommerce offers custom enterprise solutions. Show moreless BigCommerce pricing: $29-$299 per month billed annually (BigCommerce’s pricing is given in US dollars)Transaction fees: Zero transaction feesStandout features: Unlimited products, international shipping options, variety of payment options including Square, PayPal, Stripe and Gift CardsWhat’s missing?: Better design options, a budget-friendly plan Pros BigCommerce can handle complex inventories and caters to sellers who manage high volume of orders BigCommerce helps you prepare your store for global markets and customers There are no payment processing fees on any plan Cons BigCommerce is overly complex for smaller, more basic online stores BigCommerce lacks the quality and quantity of design options available elsewhere There's no option for a customisable checkout page for customers – Shopify is a better option for this Who is BigCommerce best for?BigCommerce is best for larger businesses shipping to multiple regions, due to the advanced inventory management feature and internationalisation tools.Other features that make it a top choice for international businesses are:Zero transaction feesAbility to handle thousands of stock-keeping units (SKUs)Sync up your inventory across multiple marketplacesConnect a wide variety of payment options to your site, including Amazon (one of the only builders we tested that supports this)You can easily navigate global fulfilment thanks to the multiple storefronts and inventory locations BigCommerce allows – plus, you can accept payments in over 100 different currencies.BigCommerce is also good for enterprise level-shipping, as you can connect your ecommerce site with solutions like Metapack or nShift which provide specialised tools, like ‘Automatic Diversion’.Most recently, in February 2026, BigCommerce announced it was expanding its integration with Stripe. This means merchants have access to Stripe’s Optimised Checkout Suite, including a personalised checkout experience. Best for international scaling If you find yourself needing more than just a basic builder, BigCommerce is the best option for international scaling thanks to native features like global shipping integrations, region-specific tools, and its extensive multi-currency support. How easy is it to build an online store with BigCommerce?During my testing I found using the interface and sales features to be more complex and advanced than Shopify’s, so expect a steep learning curve if you’re an ecommerce beginner.I found it difficult to use BigCommerce’s editor and my site quickly looked messy. Source: Startups.co.ukI even found the onboarding process to be a little overwhelming. Unless you have the time to invest in learning the ins and outs of BigCommerce, I’d recommend choosing an easier platform like Squarespace or Hostinger.What AI features does BigCommerce have?BigCommerce has introduced BigAI, its suite of AI-powered ecommerce tools, which primarily features BigAI Copywriter (with Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro). This can generate SEO-optimised product descriptions instantly.BigCommerce also has some other AI tools in the works that are listed as “coming soon”, like:B2B Quotes AI Assistant: uses GenAI to create custom quote proposal emailsBigAI predictive analytics: provides analysis, like the future lifetime value of your shoppersHow much does BigCommerce cost?BigCommerce’s expensive plans make it an unsuitable ecommerce platform for smaller businesses, and are aimed at more advanced businesses.PlanCost (paid annually)Cost (paid monthly) StorageStandard$29 per month (plus VAT)$39 per month (plus VAT)UnlimitedPlus$79 per month (plus VAT)$105 per month (plus VAT)UnlimitedPro$299 per month (plus VAT)$399 per month (plus VAT)UnlimitedIt also isn’t the most cost-efficient, as other platforms offer good-quality features for a cheaper price. Expert insights – Julia Watts I like that BigCommerce was pre-populated with images and prices based on the product you chose. However, it would have been nice to be able to customise the widget further (e.g. add a product description). Selecting products to go in the widget could also be more intuitive – I had to type the product name, whereas it would have been helpful to also have my products listed already so I could choose from that. How to choose an ecommerce platform for your businessI recommend thinking about questions such as your target market, and which AI-tools you need, as you research which ecommerce platform is right for your business:Where are your customers based? – Think about your target market and audience to determine what features your store needs. Are they local? Are they mostly on social media? Do you need international shipping options?Will you need to pay transaction fees? – Your ecommerce platform subscription won’t be your only cost when you set up an online store, as many providers charge additional transaction fees. If you want to avoid this, consider builders like Hostinger or BigCommerce, or use a provider’s in-house payment gateway to minimise costs.What do you want your online store to look like? – If building a stylish store is a priority, you’ll want to choose a design-focused builder, such as Squarespace. Assess a platform’s website themes, editor style, and pre-designed elements.Are the features you need built-in? – How many features are available with your ecommerce platform subscription? Will you need to install third-party apps and plugins to add extra functionality? For example, Shopify relies heavily on its app market, and many of these apps come with additional costs. Wix vs Shopify: which is better for a UK startup? Wix is our top recommendation for UK startups, thanks to its all-in-one simplicity and excellent design tools. Though if you’re specifically looking to scale as quickly as possible, then Shopify is the best choice due to the ability to manage both online and brick-and-mortar stores.If you’re having trouble making your decision between the two, these are the standout points to consider:Wix is a great all-rounder, with an intuitive website builder that’s good for beginners.Shopify is particularly well suited to rapidly growing businesses, and can handle complex online inventories as well as in-store sales. How do I manage sales across multiple platforms?To effectively manage selling on multiple platforms you will need to make sure you have reliable inventory syncing tools.Many online UK sellers will be simultaneously selling on a dedicated ecommerce platform like Shopify, but will also have a presence on Etsy.How you manage this will change from platform to platform but you’ll need some way of connecting your separate stores. For example, with Shopify you can use the Marketplace Connect app. How we test ecommerce platformsI worked with our research team, conducting 100 hours of data collection over eight categories, to determine my ecommerce platform ranking. In total, 283 individual areas of the ecommerce platforms were investigated. This was broken down into the areas which we felt were more critical to a successful ecommerce platform, which were then given individual importance weightings, ensuring that you were receiving the most helpful recommendations possible.For example, a heavier focus was shifted help & support and the user experience for this round of testing: to consider the needs of those who are at the beginning of their small business journey.Our key review categories were:What sales features will I be able to use? 30% – Such as shipping options, multi-channel integration, abandoned cart recovery, revenue analytics, customisable invoices, payment processing fees, marketing campaign ROI, customer behaviour tracking, customisable check out page, inventory reports, and scheduling discounts for sales.What is the range of website features? 15% – The quality and range of the website features, such as SEO, internationalisation, AI tools such as text creation, social media marketing, email marketing, blogging capabilities (including monetisation), and the extent of the app market for integrating third-party dropshipping, delivery, loyalty, and product review apps.Can I design a professional-looking site? 15% – We assessed the quality of the website builder templates based on three ecommerce examples: fashion, food & restaurant, and home & garden. We also tested the AI builders, based on metrics such as: the time it took the AI to complete a first draft, the relevance and clarity of questions, and quality of the end site.What help and support options are there? 15% – Investigating how website owners can seek help, such as customer support channels and the availability and responsiveness of a knowledge centre.How much will it cost? 10% – The balance between features and price, the availability of a free trial or plan, and overall affordability. We also assessed the scalability of each platform based on the percentage increase from the first to second plan, as well as the average price increase between plans.What’s it like to use the platform? 10% – Based on hands-on testing with each ecommerce platform, assessing the accessibility for different skill levels.Does the platform have a good reputation? 5% – We examine an ecommerce platform’s position and popularity in the market. Final verdict: which platform is best for selling?Wix is our top ecommerce platform for small businesses, thanks to the 900+ professionally-designed templates and easy-to-use sales features, such as multichannel selling and inventory management.That said, you might find a different platform is better for your specific needs, for example Shopify’s range of plans is ideal for rapidly scaling ecommerce businesses. Before making a final decision, I recommend making use of free trials or plans if available. Once you’ve chosen your ecommerce platform, check out these tips for building your business website. Jump back up to any of our reviews: Ecommerce platforms comparison table 1. Wix 2. Shopify 3. Squarespace 4. Hostinger 5. GoDaddy 6. BigCommerce How to choose an ecommerce platform for your business How do I manage sales across multiple platforms? How we test ecommerce platforms Final verdict: which platform is best for selling? FAQs Which platform is best for dropshipping? Based on our research, we found that Shopify is the best platform for dropshipping businesses, as it integrates with a range of dropshipping suppliers. Which platform is best for beginners? We found that Squarespace, Hostinger, and GoDaddy were the most beginner-friendly ecommerce platforms, primarily because of their easy-to-use drag-and-drop editors. What other costs can I expect? On top of the monthly platform fee, you'll also need to budget for payment processing charges, international transaction fees, chargebacks, Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), and shipping/fulfilment costs. Can I switch platforms if I outgrow my current one? Yes, but migration can be time-consuming as you'll need to move products, design, and SEO data manually or with a paid migration tool. To avoid this, you should choose a platform that can scale with you (e.g. Shopify or BigCommerce). Which is the best international ecommerce platform? BigCommerce stands out as a strong platform for international sales, primarily because of its global shipping options and help preparing to enter new markets. Which platform is the best for SEO? We found that Wix offered the best SEO features. However, Hostinger also scores highly for its AI SEO tool and heatmaps, while GoDaddy connects your store to Google to help get your business noticed on the search engine and found by your target audience. Can I sell on TikTok and Instagram with these platforms in the UK? While you can sell on TikTok and Instagram with all six of our top ecommerce platform recommendations, some allow for this more easily than others. Shopify, for example, provides some of the strongest tools for this as you can connect your TikTok Shop directly to your Shopify platform. Others might require third-party integrations, or you might just be as basic a simple 'link in bio' approach. Startups.co.uk is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Startups.co.uk to provide free reviews for our readers. It has no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews. Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Tags Recommendations Written by: Emma Ryan Lead Writer Emma works on Startups’ reviews and recommendations for building a website for your business. She is the Lead Writer at Website Builder Expert, having first joined the team in 2022. She manages Website Builder Expert’s topical content strategy to help website owners navigate the highs and lows of being online. Emma specialises in hands-on testing and research of all the leading website builder platforms, including Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify. Her work and expertise have been featured in Digiday, TechRound, Industry Today, and Digital Information World. Reviewed by: Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive After three years of refining my skills in data analysis, I transitioned to a role as a researcher to help understand our readers' preferences and needs. My professional journey started as a researcher in law enforcement, where I developed strong analytical abilities. Later, I moved into operations, strengthening my understanding of quantitative data. Now, I blend my quantitative analysis skills with qualitative research to explore both audience preferences and product nuances. Armed with a UX design diploma, I translate research findings into actionable insights that facilitate informed decision-making. Whether enhancing Startups offerings or delivering research presentations, I am driven by a relentless pursuit of improvement and results.