The Best E-Commerce Platforms of 2022

BigCommerce has the templates and tools you need to get your products listed online immediately. The platform downloads to your computer or can be accessed from a mobile device online. It integrates with most popular e-commerce apps, so you can run everything from inventory to shipping seamlessly. BigCommerce has full reporting, so you can look at customer data and gain insights on what works and what doesn’t, and the software includes enhanced security, so you can ensure your customers' information is kept safe. The solution has a flexible API that takes up to 400 calls per minute without slowing down your website, so it can handle your busiest days. Expert support is available online or on the phone during normal business hours, so you can get answers to questions quickly. You can try the software for 15 days and compare it to other programs to see if it has what you need to run your business effectively.

Shopify is ideal for new businesses that want to create an online presence or existing businesses that want to switch to a new e-commerce platform. There are more than 6,000 apps that integrate with Shopify, so you can customize your site to your exact specifications. If you have any trouble getting your site started, you can also contact customer support 24/7 and reach an expert who can assist with everything from setup to SEO.

There are hundreds of templates to help users without coding experience build an instant online store, and those familiar with HTML and CSS can build their own website from scratch. The vendor charges a monthly fee to use the platform, and you need reliable internet access to manage your store.

Squarespace is designed for business owners who want to start an e-commerce site quickly. Unlike some of its competitors, Squarespace doesn't offer a free plan, but the paid plans include unlimited storage and bandwidth. You can pay by the month or year, and if you plan on paying by the month, you can purchase a custom domain to make your site look more professional. Yearly plans are available at a discount. Squarespace doesn't limit the number of pages on any plan. You can include a personal blog or podcast to help keep customers engaged and add comment and like buttons. Squarespace has many built-in marketing and e-commerce tools, and dozens of third-party extensions.

Customer service is available 24/7 if you need help customizing your site, and you can generate reports that show you which products are best sellers and which ones generate little or no interest.

Bluehost is an e-commerce platform that helps business owners to design and manage WordPress websites according to their own liking and branding. It is an integrated marketplace offering various tools and features such as customizable templates that can be easily navigated and it comes with free domain names.

Bluehost gives its users the freedom to embed as many plug-ins they want, include a booking page, manage online ordering processes including communicating to their customers through its built-in live chat features. As an e-commerce platform, its services extend to email marketing, third-party integrations, data encryption, website analytics, content management, and more.

WP Engine is a WordPress-specific web host, offering managed plans that are fully optimized for the platform. The WP Engine platform is equipped with a suite of site-building and management tools to drive more creative agility; cloud hosting and security solutions to deliver scalable and secure digital experiences optimized for WordPress. It has optimization tools that give actionable insights on site traffic and performance.

WP Engine uses its own caching system, content delivery system (CDN), and lets its clients choose which data centers in North America, Europe, or Asia to use. This all allows WordPress websites to load quickly for visitors, improving the customer experience. Together with the WordPress REST API, WP Engine's APIs, and a range of tech partner integration solutions, it delivers quality web hosting services to drive every business forward faster.

Shift4Shop is designed to help you increase traffic and sales for your business. It's an all-in-one e-commerce site that lets you customize the appearance, sell digital downloads, track sales, and maintain your inventory, all from a single software application.

Shift4Shop is a web-based application, so you can access it from anywhere you have a reliable internet connection. It also includes cloud storage, so you can keep your customers' information readily available and secure.

There are hundreds of integrations available, including Facebook, Google Partner, Mailchimp and FedEx, so you can streamline the entire order process, and powerful analytics that let you see where you're making the most money and what you need to change. Shift4Shop has a flexible shopping cart, so you can integrate with most payment processors to get your money quickly.

Square Online allows business owners to create a basic website to sell products online. Users can include pictures, pricing, and product information so customers can browse, order products, checkout through an integrated shopping cart, and pay securely.

One unique feature of Square Online is that it works for restaurants that want to set up online ordering, curbside pickup, and local deliveries all from a single location. With this e-commerce platform, you can also create free e-gift cards. It also offers in-house and on-demand delivery, Instagram integration, inventory management, local delivery, SSL security, and more. Square Online has its own POS products that are made in-house, including a magstripe reader, desktop terminal, and contactless card reader. If you’re undecided about which products you need, you can speak to the sales team and get answers to your questions. There’s also an online support center with helpful tips, articles, and videos.

Weebly is an e-commerce platform that works well for businesses of all sizes. If you're new to online selling, Weebly includes the tools needed to help you get noticed and help your business grow. You can start out with a free site and move to a paid version once it begins to generate income and you need additional features. There are hundreds of customizable web page designs, so you can create a storefront that reflects the culture of your company, and each site comes with step-by-step guidance on how to build it and get it launched. When you start selling products, there are e-commerce tools to streamline order management, shipping, and payment processing. For payments, Weebly integrates with Square, which takes care of taxes and shipping estimates.

Wix has the tools and templates necessary for small businesses to create professional-looking e-commerce sites. You can choose a theme, then add colors and add-ons, including a gallery, calendar, and other applications. There's an online tutorial to help get you started, or you can contact customer support's team of professionals to walk you through the process. Wix offers a basic free plan, but if you need your own domain or shopping cart, you'll have to pay for one of the premium plans.

Wix sites are optimized for SEO. You answer a few questions about your website, including where you're located, the products you sell, and a list of identifying keywords, and you'll receive a personalized SEO plan to help ensure your site reaches the top of search engines. Another positive feature is that Wix sites are optimized for mobile users.