10 Best Ecommerce Platforms for Small Business in the US

Ecommerce can be a game-changer for many US companies with an international presence. Around 2.7 billion consumers were already making ecommerce purchases online in 2025.¹

Small businesses that choose to build an ecommerce platform may feel intimidated by the abundance of options. This article will walk you through the best ecommerce platforms for your small business.

One of the most important aspects of an ecommerce website is the payment options. Wise is a great tool that can help ecommerce companies send and receive money at the mid-market rate. Wise can help to lower their transaction costs and improve their user experience.

Receive payments with Wise Business

Top E-commerce Platforms for Small Business: A Comparative Look

The market is full of low-cost and top-tier ecommerce platforms for small businesses.

So, which ecommerce platform is best for your small business?

Finding the right ecommerce platform for your business may depend on multiple factors. These could be cost, quality, convenience, and scalability. Some of the top-rated ecommerce platforms for small businesses include Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, and BigCommerce.

Wix

Wix is one of the most popular user-friendly website companies. It also has many special ecommerce offerings. Wix has many useful features for e-commerce companies, including a mobile site editor, marketing and SEO services, ecommerce apps, and store management services.³

Wix provides a variety of plans for businesses. Companies should also consider other costs, such as website design, SSL and security, and payment processor costs.

Wix is an excellent way to get started, but it may have some limitations further down the line.

Below are some of the main pros and cons of using Wix.

Wix offers international payment solutions through Wix Payments, but this service is only available for 15 countries.⁶ Integrating Wise can be a helpful option to offer your customers more payment solutions.

Squarespace

Squarespace is a popular and user-friendly option for many types of businesses, including ecommerce companies. It offers a wide variety of features, including customizable templates, inventory and order management tools, SEO tools, and payment solutions.

Squarespace’s basic services start at just $25/month, and it offers a 14-day free trial. Its most advanced plan is $139/month, which can be lowered to $99/month if you pay for twelve months.⁷

Below are some of the pros and cons of using Squarespace for ecommerce.

Shopify

Shopify is one of the world’s leading ecommerce websites. It has built a massive presence due to its user-friendly features and affordable ecommerce website builder plans. Some of its top features include its website templates, inventory management tools, shipping services, marketing and analytical tools, and global expansion support.

If you are still unsure about whether Shopify is right for you, you can try the basic plan for 3 months for only $3. Its plans start as low as $19.99/month, while larger ecommerce companies may pay over $2,000/month for a plan.¹⁰

Shopify is a great fit for most businesses, regardless of their size.

Below are some of the pros and cons of Shopify.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is another popular ecommerce company that has been gaining traction recently for its stellar services. It is one of the best options for companies that need advanced inventory management tools. BigCommerce also offers unlimited products and storage, making it a great fit for companies that plan to substantially grow their business.

BigCommerce’s plans start at $29/month, and its most advanced plans can cost up to $2,300/month. Larger companies may also be able to create custom plans with BigCommerce.¹³

Some of the pros and cons of BigCommerce include the following:

These are four of the best ecommerce platforms for small business ecommerce websites. Companies can add Wise to their websites when they use these ecommerce platforms, allowing them to enjoy lower currency conversion fees.

Other popular options that may also be worth checking out include WooCommerce, Ecwid, OpenCart, and Big Cartel.

What Makes an E-commerce Platform Great for a Small Business?

Finding the best online ecommerce platform for your small business can be extremely challenging. Companies need to focus on features and usability, and also focus on how their needs may change as the company grows.

Businesses should focus strongly on scalability, as an ecommerce plan with a free or low monthly charge could lose its effectiveness as the business grows.

There are many factors to consider when calculating your growth and finding the best ecommerce platform:

• Website traffic: As your traffic grows, some low-tiered plans may not be able to support this growth, and your website speed could lag.

• New product growth: Be sure to see if your ecommerce company offers unlimited products with its higher-tiered plans. This option ensures you won’t have to switch companies if you scale.

• Inventory management: Many companies allow you to track your inventory in real time and provide other inventory management tools.¹⁵ It is best to find a company that specializes in this area or to determine which integrations you will need to add for inventory management.

• International payments: It is also very important to ensure your ecommerce website can accept international payments at a favorable rate. Wise is a great tool that you can add to your ecommerce store to help you send and receive international payments.

• Mobile-friendly: It is also important to ensure that your website looks equally appealing on a mobile device. Statista projects that mobile sales will make up to 10% of all retail sales in the United States.¹⁶

• Customer support: It is also important to take the time to read about the customer support offered by the company. Some companies may even offer 24/7 chat or phone support, which could be useful if you have questions as you set up and expand your online store.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Choosing Your Small Business E-commerce Platform

It's important to understand some of the common mistakes small businesses make when choosing a platform. Many of these problems truly begin to appear months later, after the company grows and its needs become more complex.

Companies that set up an ecommerce store will need to have integrations, including accounting, marketing, shipping, and payment solutions. It's also important to calculate the total cost of these integrations before you make a decision about which platform you use.

Some platforms with higher monthly costs could be a cheaper option for you in the long run. Low-fee plans may have limited offerings, which will force you to pay for upgrades and integrations, or switch to another plan further down the line. In general, it's smart to anticipate your growth and needs and choose a plan that you know will work in the long run.

Many ecommerce plans do not have adequate international payment solutions. Others that do may charge high fees and offer a poor currency conversion rate. In this case, you can connect your Wise account and use it for receiving payments.

For example, you may want to accept payments from customers around the world. Wise lets you to receive payments in multiple foreign currencies which you can then convert back to US dollars.

Navigating the Process: From Selection to Launch

Following these steps can help you find the best ecommerce platform for your small business.

You need to know what products you will sell, and which countries you want to sell your products to. After this, you can develop a budget, determine your essential features, and begin looking for suitable options.

At this stage, you can begin researching your competitors. It's important to not only look at the cost, but to determine how well these companies will serve you in the long run. Once you have spent time doing this, you should be able to make a decision about which ecommerce company you will use.

After this, it's time to design your ecommerce store, and to potentially bring in a website or graphic designer if necessary. You can develop your online store, and then determine which tools you will need and whether it is necessary to integrate any other tools.

Once you have everything set up, you can test launch your store and then make any modifications if necessary. At this stage, it may also be helpful to anticipate future needs that will occur as your company grows.

FAQs

• Which e-commerce platform is best for beginners with no technical skills?

If you don’t have any experience or technical skills, there are still plenty of free and low-cost options out there. Some companies, like Shopify, even offer a low rate of $1/month for the first three months. You can also check out other budget-friendly, user-friendly options like Wix and Squarespace.

• Are there any truly "free" e-commerce platforms? What are the hidden costs?

Many companies, like Square and Ecwid, offer a free basic plan for users. However, companies may run into issues as they scale and need more services that aren’t available with these plans. There are also many hidden costs, such as poor currency conversion rates, which can cause you to incur additional expenses.

• How can I ensure my chosen platform will support my business as it grows internationally?

It's important to calculate the true cost of using the platform. This process includes determining if you will need to pay for additional integrations and calculating the international payment fees. Some companies may charge up to 3% for payments, and there could be additional charges due to the poor conversion rate.

Discover Wise: International Payment Solutions for Ecommerce Companies

Finding the best online ecommerce platform for your small business doesn’t have to be a challenge. These steps illustrated here can help you avoid common mistakes and identify the best platform for your company’s long-term needs.

If you are still uncertain, you can utilize free trials and gain more data about how a test launch and scaling would potentially work.

Wise can help ecommerce companies with one of the main challenges they face, making and receiving international payments. Regardless of what platform you use, Wise has a lot to offer to your small business.

Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks. The Wise Business account is designed with international business in mind, and makes it easy to send, hold, and manage business funds in multiple currencies. You can get major currency account details for a one-off fee to receive overseas payments like a local. You can also send money to 140+ countries.

Check out Wise Business today to learn how you can eliminate the headache of accepting and receiving international payments.

Register with Wise Business 🚀

Sources

1. Ecommerce Statistics In 2026 (Global And U.S. Data) | SellersCommerce
2. 10 Best E-Commerce Platforms of 2026 – Forbes Advisor
3. eCommerce Features That Help You Sell More Online | Wix.com
4. How much does an eCommerce website cost: a complete guide
5. Wix eCommerce Review: Pros, Cons, Features & Pricing
6. Request: Connecting to Wix Payments from Additional Countries | Help Center
7. Squarespace Pricing (Guide) – Forbes Advisor
8. Wise + Squarespace Integration | Quick & Easy
9. 15 Shopify Features Every 6-Figure Store Must Master 2026
10. Shopify Pricing - Setup and Open Your Online Store Today – Free Trial
11. Shopify Review: Features, Pros, Cons, Pricing in 2025
12. Best Ecommerce Platforms for Small Businesses
13. BigCommerce Pricing and Plan Information
14. BigCommerce Review — All the Pros and Cons
15. E-commerce platforms for small businesses: A guide to get started
16. Small Business Ecommerce in 2026 (Choose the Right Platform)
    All sources checked May 2026