Best ecommerce platform for small business: Full comparison

Choosing the best ecommerce platform for your small business is a crucial step in building a store that's easy to run, scalable, and enajoyable for customers to shop. It affects everything from how easy it is for customers to shop, to how your business can grow. Think of it like choosing the perfect family car, you want something reliable, suited to your lifestyle now, with room to grow.

Whether you're just starting out, running a small business, or managing an established brand, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each platform can help you make an informed decision.

In this guide, I’ll compare four of the most popular e-commerce platforms: Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, and WooCommerce. The comparison table below will highlight what makes each one unique and how they meet different business needs, helping you choose the best ecommerce platform for your business.

Features	BigCommerce	Magento	Shopify	WooCommerce
Overview	Hosted platform that supports businesses of all sizes	Open-source and powerful, perfect for large businesses	Hosted platform that's perfect for anyone looking for an all-in-one solution	WordPress plugin that's great for anyone wanting a highly customisable platform.
Ease of use	User-friendly interface but requires some learning ★★★★☆	Complex, steep learning curve ★★☆☆☆	Very user-friendly, no coding required ★★★★★	User-friendly but requires WordPress knowledge ★★★☆☆
Templates	Sleek, professional templates, optimised for mobile ★★★★☆	Many stylish themes from Magento, often need customisation ★★★☆☆	Sleek, professional templates, optimised for mobile ★★★★★	Many stylish themes from WordPress, often need plugins for enhancements ★★★★☆
Customisation	Moderate customisation with built-in tools ★★★☆☆	Highly customisable with extensive features ★★★★★	Customisable with apps and themes ★★★★☆	Highly customisable through plugins and themes ★★★★★
Sales features	Strong built-in sales features, versatile shipping and payment options ★★★★★	Advanced sales features but requires technical setup ★★★★☆	Strong built-in sales features, versatile shipping and payment options ★★★★★	Key sales features available, often need plugins for enhancements ★★★★☆
SEO & marketing tools	Strong SEO tools and marketing features ★★★★☆	Advanced SEO capabilities, numerous marketing tools ★★★★★	Excellent SEO and marketing tools integrated ★★★★★	Good SEO capabilities through WordPress, varied marketing tools ★★★★☆
Analytics	Extensive built-in analytics ★★★★☆	Advanced analytics capabilities ★★★★★	Extensive built-in analytics ★★★★★	Basic analytics, more features require plugins ★★★☆☆
Scalability	Highly scalable, suitable for growing businesses ★★★★★	Extremely scalable, ideal for large enterprises ★★★★★	Highly scalable, suitable for small to large businesses ★★★★★	Scalable with the right hosting, best for small to medium businesses ★★★★☆
Hosting & security	Includes hosting and SSL certificate ★★★★★	Requires separate hosting and additional plugins for security ★★★☆☆	Includes hosting and SSL certificate ★★★★★	Requires separate hosting and additional plugins for security ★★★☆☆
Integration options	Integrates with various third-party apps and tools ★★★★☆	Extensive integration capabilities but requires technical expertise ★★★★★	Wide range of integrations with apps and third-party services ★★★★★	Integrates well with WordPress plugins and third-party tools ★★★★☆
Support	24/7 support with various channels ★★★★★	Limited free support, extensive community and paid support ★★★☆☆	24/7 support via chat, email, and phone ★★★★★	Community support, limited direct support ★★★☆☆
Pricing	Moderate to high, starting from AU $42/month ★★★☆☆	Free (Open Source) but high development and hosting costs ★★★☆☆	Starts at AU $42/month with additional costs for apps ★★★☆☆	Free plugin but costs for hosting, themes, and plugins ★★★☆☆
Transaction fees	0% transaction fees on all plans ★★★★★	No transaction fees, but payment gateways charge fees ★★★★☆	2.9% + 30¢ per transaction (Shopify Payments) ★★★☆☆	No transaction fees, but payment gateways charge fees ★★★★☆
Setup time	Fast and intuitive setup process ★★★★☆	Time-consuming setup, especially for beginners ★★★☆☆	Fast and intuitive setup process ★★★★★	Time-consuming setup, especially for beginners ★★★☆☆
Best for	BigCommerce is great for growing businesses with built-in features ★★★★☆	Magento is ideal for large enterprises with complex needs and dedicated development resources ★★★★★	Shopify is perfect for businesses of all sizes looking for ease of use, scalability, and excellent support ★★★★★	WooCommerce is best for small to medium businesses comfortable with WordPress and needing extensive customisation ★★★★☆

So, which ecommerce platform is right for your business?

Finding the best eCommerce platform for your small business depends on your goals, technical skills, and how much flexibility or support you need. By now, you may already have a front-runner in mind, but if you’re still weighing your options, here’s a quick summary to help you decide:

New brands:

If you're just starting out and want to start selling quickly, Shopify is often the best e-commerce platform for small business owners. Its user-friendly interface and straightforward setup make it easy to get up and running without a developer.

Small to medium businesses:

For growing businesses, Shopify’s flexible plans scale with you as your store evolves.
WooCommerce and BigCommerce are also strong choices, offering cost-effective customisation and advanced features for brands that want more control over design and integrations.

Larger enterprises:

For businesses focused on deep customisation and large-scale operations, Magento stands out with its powerful capabilities and developer-friendly environment. Just keep in mind that it requires more resources to implement and maintain.
BigCommerce also caters well to enterprise needs, offering native features that reduce reliance on third-party tools.
Shopify Plus, the enterprise-grade version of Shopify, is ideal for high-growth brands that want advanced features, priority support, and a fully managed infrastructure.

Ultimately, the best ecommerce platform for your business should align with your growth plans, budget, and technical capacity. Take advantage of free trials and demos to see which platform feels right in practice. Hands-on experience will give you the clearest answer.

If you decide Shopify is the right fit, we offer Shopify site design services tailored for small businesses — helping you launch faster with a store that looks professional and converts well.

Need help comparing or getting started? Feel free to leave a comment or reach out for tailored advice. With the right platform in place, your eCommerce journey will be off to a confident start.

Best ecommerce platform for small business FAQ

1. What does an e-commerce platform do?

An e-commerce platform is a software solution for setting up and managing your online store. It provides tools for managing inventory, processing payments, marketing, and customer service, making it much easier to run your business online!

2. Which platform is ideal for beginners in e-commerce?

If you're new to e-commerce, Shopify is a great choice. It's super easy to use with its drag-and-drop store builder and has tons of helpful resources, like tutorials and customer support. You'll have your online store up and running in no time!

3. Do I need technical skills to set up an e-commerce store?

It depends on the platform. Shopify is the easiest, requiring little to no technical knowledge. BigCommerce is a bit more complex but still manageable. WooCommerce requires some WordPress knowledge, and Magento is the most technical, often needing a developer’s help.

4. Are there any free e-commerce platforms available?

Yes, WooCommerce and Magento are free to use. However, you might need to pay for things like hosting, SSL, and additional plugins. These platforms are powerful but may require more technical expertise.

5. How does Shopify’s pricing stack up against other platforms?

Shopify starts at $29 a month, similar to BigCommerce. While it might seem pricier than free options like WooCommerce or Magento, remember there are extra costs such as hosting and payment gateway transaction fees. Shopify offers a robust all-in-one solution that can simplify your e-commerce operations, potentially saving you time and money in the long run.

6. Which platform offers the best SEO capabilities?

All these platforms have great SEO tools. Shopify and BigCommerce make it easy to optimise your store right out of the box. WooCommerce benefits from WordPress’s strong SEO features, and Magento offers advanced SEO options if you need more complex solutions.

7. Which platform is most suitable for scaling businesses?

If your business is growing fast, Magento and BigCommerce are excellent for scalability. Shopify Plus, the enterprise version of Shopify, is also fantastic for high-growth businesses, offering advanced features and dedicated support. These platforms can handle increased traffic and transactions, making them suitable for businesses looking to scale.

8. Do these platforms charge transaction fees?

BigCommerce, Magento, and WooCommerce don’t charge transaction fees themselves, but your payment gateway might. Shopify has its own payment system called Shopify Payments, which helps you avoid extra transaction fees. If you use an external gateway, Shopify charges 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.

9. Is it possible to migrate from one e-commerce platform to another later on?

Yes, you can migrate between e-commerce platforms, though it can be a bit tricky. Choosing the right platform now can save you a lot of hassle and money down the road.

Already using another platform that no longer meets your needs? Migrating to a new system like Shopify can help you regain control, simplify operations, and set your business up for growth.

Work with Shopify migration experts to make your move smooth and stress-free.

Prefer a DIY approach? Read our Shopify migration checklist