10 Best Cheapest Ecommerce Platforms for Small Businesses

Starting an online store doesn’t have to be expensive. As a small business owner, finding the cheapest ecommerce platform that fits your budget is crucial. Whether you’re selling handmade crafts, tech gadgets, or clothing, choosing the right platform can make a significant difference in your business success. With so many options available, choosing the most suitable one can be overwhelming. In this guide, we will explore the best cheap ecommerce website builders, their features, and how they can help you run a cost-effective online business.

What is an Ecommerce Platform?

An ecommerce platform is software that allows you to create and manage your online store. It provides everything you need to run an online business, including product listings, shopping carts, payment gateways, and order management systems. For small businesses, the ideal cheapest online store platform should be easy to set up, user-friendly, and cost-effective while offering essential ecommerce features.

Why is it Important to Choose the Right Ecommerce Platform?

The ecommerce platform you choose will impact your entire business. Here’s why it’s crucial to make the right choice:

• Cost-Effectiveness: As a small business, you likely have a limited budget. It’s important to find a platform that offers the features you need without draining your resources.

• User-Friendliness: The platform should be easy to use, even if you don’t have technical skills. A simple, intuitive interface will save you time and effort.
  Scalability: As your business grows, you’ll want a platform that can scale with you. Look for a platform that offers room for expansion without requiring you to switch to a new one.

• Essential Features: At a minimum, your platform should include product listing, payment processing, and order management. Advanced features like marketing tools, SEO optimization, and analytics can be useful as your business grows.

10 Best Cheapest Ecommerce Platforms for Small Businesses

Now, let’s explore the top 10 best cheap ecommerce website builders for small businesses. Each platform offers a unique set of features to help you get your store up and running with minimal upfront costs.

1. Shopify

Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms in the world. It’s known for being user-friendly, flexible, and feature-rich, making it a great option for small businesses.

• Starting Price: $29/month

• Free Trial: 14 days

• Best For: Entrepreneurs who want an easy-to-use, scalable platform with a wide range of integrations.

Key Features:

• User-friendly drag-and-drop interface

• Wide range of themes and templates

• Built-in payment gateway (Shopify Payments)

• Mobile responsive designs

• Easy inventory and order management

Why Shopify?

Shopify offers everything you need to start and grow your online store. It has powerful tools like SEO optimization, social media integrations, and marketing tools. The platform is scalable, so it can grow with your business. Plus, Shopify has a robust app store that lets you extend your store’s functionality as you need.

Tip: If you need more advanced customization, consider hiring a Shopify development partner to help you set up a unique store.

2. Wix Ecommerce

Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder that’s known for its ease of use. Wix’s ecommerce plans offer an affordable solution for small businesses looking for an online store.

• Starting Price: $23/month

• Free Trial: 14 days

• Best For: Business owners who want a stylish store with a simple design process.

Key Features:

• Hundreds of professional templates

• Drag-and-drop design tools

• Mobile-optimized designs

• Integrated payment processing

• SEO tools

Why Wix?

Wix is ideal for small businesses that want a beautiful, professional-looking website without needing to hire a designer. It offers a user-friendly interface with customizable templates. You can add ecommerce features such as a shopping cart, product pages, and payment processing, making it an affordable option for small businesses.

Note: If you have a small store and want to keep things simple, Wix can be a great choice.

3. Big Cartel

Big Cartel is designed for small online stores. It’s an affordable platform for businesses with fewer products to sell.

• Starting Price: Free for up to 5 products, $9.99/month for more products.

• Best For: Artists, crafters, and small shops with fewer than 50 products.

Key Features:

• Free plan for up to 5 products

• Simple and easy-to-use interface

• Customizable themes

• Integrated payment processing (PayPal, Stripe)

• Mobile-friendly design

Why Big Cartel?

Big Cartel is a great option if you’re just starting out and have a small number of products. The platform is simple to use and doesn’t require technical skills. Its pricing is very affordable, and it includes everything you need to run a small online store.

Tip: If you only have a few products and want to keep things minimal, Big Cartel’s free plan might be a perfect fit.

4. Squarespace

Squarespace is a website builder that’s famous for its sleek, beautiful designs. It also offers strong ecommerce features at an affordable price.

• Starting Price: $26/month

• Free Trial: 14 days

• Best For: Creatives and small businesses that want a visually appealing online store.

Key Features:

• Elegant templates and designs

• Drag-and-drop interface

• Built-in payment processing

• Inventory management tools

• Blogging and content creation tools

Why Squarespace?

Squarespace is perfect for small businesses that want to create a visually stunning online store. It offers beautifully designed templates that are easy to customize. The platform also includes essential ecommerce features like inventory management and payment processing.

Remember: Squarespace is great for businesses that prioritize aesthetics, such as photographers, designers, and artists.

5. Weebly

Weebly is another easy-to-use website builder with affordable ecommerce plans. It’s a solid option for small businesses looking for a simple solution.

• Starting Price: $12/month

• Free Plan: Available with limited features

• Best For: Small businesses that need an affordable platform with essential ecommerce features.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop editor
  Mobile-optimized templates

• Built-in payment processing (Square, PayPal)

• Inventory and order management tools

• SEO features

Why Weebly?

Weebly is known for its simplicity and ease of use. It’s ideal for small businesses that need a straightforward platform to sell online. The drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to design your store, and the affordable pricing keeps costs low.

6. Ecwid

Ecwid is a unique ecommerce platform that can be added to any existing website. It’s perfect for small businesses that already have a website but want to add an online store.

• Starting Price: Free for basic features, $15/month for premium features.

• Best For: Small businesses that want to add an online store to their existing website.

Key Features:

• Can be integrated into any website (WordPress, Wix, etc.)

• Mobile-friendly design

• Payment gateway integration

• Product catalog and order management

• Multilingual and multi-currency support

Why Ecwid?

Ecwid is great if you already have a website but want to sell products online. It’s easy to integrate with various website builders like WordPress, Wix, and others. It’s a cost-effective way to turn your existing site into an ecommerce store.

7. Shopify Lite

Shopify Lite is the cheapest online store platform that allows you to sell on social media or an existing website without creating a full online store.

• Starting Price: $9/month

• Best For: Small businesses selling on social media or those who already have a website.

Key Features:

• Sell on Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms

• Add a buy button to your website

• Access to Shopify’s payment processing system

• Product management and inventory tools

Why Shopify Lite?

Shopify Lite is a great option for businesses that want to sell on social media or need a simple ecommerce solution. You can integrate Shopify’s powerful features into your existing website or social media pages for a low monthly fee.

8. OpenCart

OpenCart is a free, open-source ecommerce solution that allows you to build an online store from scratch. Since it’s open-source, you have full control over your store’s design and functionality.

• Starting Price: Free (self-hosted)
  

• Best For: Tech-savvy business owners who want full control over their store's features.

Key Features:

• Free and open-source software

• Customizable themes and extensions

• Integrated payment gateways

• Multi-language and multi-currency support

• Strong community support

Why OpenCart?

OpenCart is an excellent choice for small businesses that are comfortable with technology and want complete control over their store. Since it’s open-source, you can customize every aspect of your store, from the design to the functionality.

Tip: OpenCart requires technical knowledge, especially when it comes to hosting, customization, and managing the platform. It’s best for business owners who have some experience with website development.

9. WooCommerce on WordPress

If you’re already using WordPress for your website, WooCommerce is the cheapest ecommerce platform that integrates seamlessly with your site.

• Starting Price: Free (with paid add-ons)

• Best For: Businesses already using WordPress or those looking for a more customizable ecommerce solution.

Key Features:

• Free plugin for WordPress

• Thousands of themes and extensions

• Payment gateway integration

• Inventory and shipping management tools

• SEO-friendly features

Why WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is a flexible and customizable ecommerce solution. It’s perfect for small businesses that want to add ecommerce features to their WordPress website. While the plugin itself is free, you may need to pay for additional features or extensions.

10. PrestaShop

PrestaShop is a free, open-source ecommerce platform designed for businesses that need full control over their online store.

• Starting Price: Free (self-hosted)

• Best For: Small businesses that want complete control over their store’s design and features.

Key Features:

• Open-source software with full customization

• Thousands of themes and modules

• Multilingual and multi-currency support

• Advanced inventory management

• Strong community support

Why PrestaShop?

PrestaShop is ideal for businesses that want complete control over their online store. Since it’s open-source, you can customize the platform to fit your needs. However, you’ll need some technical knowledge to set it up and manage the store.

Also Read - How To Develop a Customer Experience Strategy for Ecommerce

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing the Cheapest Ecommerce Platform

When choosing the cheapest ecommerce platform for your small business, it’s important to think beyond just the initial cost. Several other factors can influence the success of your online store. Let’s dive into some new topics that will help you make a more informed decision.

1. Customization and Flexibility

Customization plays a key role in ensuring that your online store reflects your brand’s personality and stands out from the competition. When selecting a cheap ecommerce website builder, you want one that offers the flexibility to modify themes, add custom code, or install apps that extend functionality.

What to Look For:

• Themes and Templates: Ensure that the platform offers a variety of customizable templates that suit your niche. Some platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce offer a wide range of paid and free themes.

• Customizable Checkout Pages: Look for a platform that lets you customize the checkout experience to suit your business needs. Offering different payment options, promotional codes, and a user-friendly checkout process can enhance customer satisfaction.

• Apps and Add-Ons: Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce offer extensive app stores. You can easily integrate apps for marketing, email campaigns, social media integration, and analytics.

Tip: Always test the platform’s customization options to ensure they meet your design expectations. You might need advanced customizations as your business grows.

2. Mobile Optimization

In today’s world, mobile commerce is a must-have feature for any ecommerce platform. With more and more consumers shopping on their mobile devices, ensuring your online store is mobile-friendly is essential. Platforms like Wix, Shopify, and Squarespace provide mobile-optimized designs, but it’s crucial to verify how your store will look on smartphones and tablets.

What to Check:

• Responsive Templates: Most modern ecommerce platforms offer templates that automatically adjust for mobile devices. Ensure that your platform’s templates are mobile-responsive.

• Mobile Checkout: The checkout process should be simple and quick for mobile users. Complex forms or slow page load times can lead to cart abandonment.

• Mobile Analytics: Many platforms, such as Shopify and Wix, offer mobile analytics to track how customers interact with your store. Use these insights to optimize the mobile experience.

Remember: As mobile commerce grows, neglecting mobile optimization could lead to lost sales and a poor user experience.

3. SEO and Marketing Tools

To succeed in ecommerce, you need to drive traffic to your store, and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a critical part of your strategy. A cheap ecommerce website should offer tools to optimize your store for search engines like Google, helping you appear higher in search results.

What to Look For:

• Built-in SEO Tools: Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce offer built-in SEO tools, including customizable meta tags, URL structure, and sitemaps. These features help search engines understand your store’s content.

• Blogging Capabilities: Blogging is an effective way to improve your SEO and connect with customers. Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace all include built-in blogging tools to help you create content that attracts traffic.

• Email Marketing Integration: Email marketing remains one of the most effective marketing strategies. Look for platforms that allow easy integration with email marketing tools like Mailchimp, Klaviyo, or Omnisend.

Tip: Make sure your chosen platform allows you to optimize product pages for SEO by adding unique product descriptions, alt text for images, and metadata.

4. Payment Processing and Transaction Fees

It’s essential to offer a seamless payment experience for your customers when running an online store. However, transaction fees and payment gateways can add up quickly, especially for small businesses on a budget. Some of the cheapest e-commerce platforms have built-in payment processors that simplify the payment process, while others require third-party services.

Things to Consider:

• Payment Gateway Integration: Most ecommerce platforms support popular payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square. Shopify, for example, uses Shopify Payments, which eliminates the need for third-party payment processors and their additional fees.

• Transaction Fees: Some platforms, like Shopify, charge transaction fees if you don’t use their built-in payment processor. Other platforms, like Big Cartel and WooCommerce, may offer more flexibility but could have additional fees for certain payment gateways.

• Multiple Payment Methods: Make sure your platform supports various payment methods, such as credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and other local payment options.

Remember: Always calculate the total cost of transaction fees, especially if you plan to process many sales. High fees can quickly reduce your profits.

5. Customer Support and Resources

Having access to reliable customer support is crucial when running an online store. Even the best ecommerce platforms can encounter issues, and having access to responsive support can help you resolve problems quickly. Most ecommerce platforms offer customer support, but the level of support varies.

What to Look For:

• 24/7 Support: Platforms like Shopify and Wix offer 24/7 support through various channels like phone, email, and live chat. This is important if your store operates in different time zones or experiences issues outside of business hours.

• Help Centers and Documentation: Look for platforms that have comprehensive help centers, video tutorials, and community forums. These resources can help you solve problems without needing to contact support directly.

• Third-Party Support: Some platforms integrate with third-party support services, allowing customers to use a single interface for customer service and queries.

Tip: Check reviews of the platform’s support before choosing. Look for platforms with positive feedback about their customer service to avoid frustration down the line.

6. Security Features

When handling customer information, security is paramount. Look for a platform that offers robust security features to protect both your business and your customers. Your platform should be compliant with data protection regulations such as PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard).

Security Features to Look For:

• SSL Certificates: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption ensures that all customer data (such as credit card numbers) is transmitted securely. Most ecommerce platforms offer SSL certificates either included or as an add-on.

• Two-Factor Authentication: Some platforms, like Shopify, offer two-factor authentication for an added layer of security when logging into your admin dashboard.

• Backup Systems: It’s important that the platform automatically backs up your data, ensuring that you won’t lose your product listings, customer information, or other vital data if something goes wrong.

Tip: Always make sure your store is secured with SSL encryption to provide customers with peace of mind during checkout.

7. Shipping and Tax Management

Shipping and taxes can be a headache for ecommerce store owners, but the right platform will make it easier. Look for platforms that offer integrated shipping solutions and automatic tax calculation to help streamline these processes.

Key Features:

• Shipping Integrations: Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce integrate with shipping carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS. This allows you to automatically calculate shipping costs and print shipping labels directly from your store.

• Tax Automation: Many platforms also offer tax automation tools, which calculate the correct tax rates based on your customer’s location. Shopify, for example, automatically updates tax rates according to local and international laws.

• International Shipping: If you plan on selling internationally, make sure the platform can handle international shipping, currency exchange, and tax calculations for different regions.

Note: Make sure your chosen platform offers shipping options that meet your needs and budget. Some platforms include shipping labels and discounts with their plans, while others may charge extra for this feature.

FAQS

1. What is an ecommerce platform?

• An ecommerce platform is a website builder that helps you create an online store where you can sell products. It helps you manage your products, customers, payments, and orders in one place. It's like setting up a virtual shop on the internet!

2. Why do I need an ecommerce platform for my business?

• If you want to sell your products online, you need an ecommerce platform to help you do that. It allows you to set up your store, add products, process payments, and track orders. It’s like having a shop on the internet instead of in a mall!

3. What makes a platform “cheap” or affordable?

• A cheap ecommerce platform offers good features for a lower monthly price. It’s important to find a platform that has everything you need, but at a cost you can afford. Some platforms offer free plans or lower fees for small stores, so you can get started without spending too much.

4. Can I sell products on social media using these platforms?

• Yes, many of the cheapest ecommerce platforms allow you to sell your products on social media. Platforms like Shopify Lite let you add a buy button to your Facebook or Instagram pages, making it easy to sell where your customers are already shopping.

5. Do I need technical skills to use these platforms?

• No, most of the platforms listed in this blog are easy to use. They have drag-and-drop features, which means you don’t need to know how to code. You can choose a design template, customize it, and add products without needing any special technical knowledge.

Conclusion

Finding the cheapest ecommerce platform doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. Platforms like Shopify, Wix, and Big Cartel offer affordable pricing with powerful tools for small businesses. By choosing the right platform for your needs, you can build a professional online store without breaking the bank.

Remember, the key is to choose a platform that balances cost with features that help your business grow. Keep these options in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to building a successful online store.

Looking to build your online store with Shopify? Tameta Tech is here to help! As your trusted Shopify Development Partner, we make setting up and growing your ecommerce business easy and affordable. Contact us today to start your journey and create a store that shines! Let’s get started!