3 Best Ecommerce Platforms for Small Business | Trezy

Explore the top three ecommerce platforms for small businesses: Shopify, WooCommerce, and Square Online. Each offers unique features to help you thrive online!

Alright, let’s get real: If your small business isn’t online yet, or you’re stuck with a clunky ecommerce platform, you're leaving money on the table.

In 2024, ecommerce isn’t just a "nice-to-have" anymore — it’s an absolute must if you want to compete and grow. The good news? There are killer ecommerce platforms out there that make it easier than ever to set up shop and start selling.

But with so many options, how do you choose the right one?

Let's break down the best ecommerce platforms for small businesses to try in 2024, and help you figure out which one is going to take your business to the next level.

What Is an Ecommerce Platform, Anyway?

Simply put, an ecommerce platform is the foundation of your online store.

It's the software that lets you build your website, list your products, manage inventory, process payments, and handle everything behind the scenes.

Think of it as your digital storefront, and just like you wouldn’t open a physical store without the right space and setup, you shouldn't try selling online without a solid ecommerce platform.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your business, the right platform is your ticket to running an efficient, profitable online business.

Why Ecommerce Platforms Are a Game-Changer for Small Businesses in 2024

In 2024 customers have high expectations. Customers want smooth, fast, and seamless shopping experiences, and small businesses that can’t deliver that are going to get left behind.


An ecommerce platform gives you the power to compete with big brands by making it easy to manage your online store, automate your processes, and reach customers wherever they are — all without needing to be a tech genius.

Bottom line: If you want to grow your business, boost sales, and stay relevant, an ecommerce platform is your best friend this year. Let’s dive into the best ones to help you crush it in 2024.

Tools in this ranking
  1. Shopify
    Leading eCommerce platform for creating online stores and selling products.
  2. WooCommerce
    Open-source WordPress plugin for customizable online stores.
  3. Square Online
    Build a free eCommerce store with integrated payment and shipping tools.

1.

Shopify

Why Shopify Made the List

Shopify is a leading ecommerce platform that’s built specifically for online stores, making it perfect for small businesses looking to quickly launch and scale their ecommerce operations. Known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, Shopify takes care of everything from hosting to payment processing.


Whether you’re selling physical products or digital goods, Shopify’s extensive app marketplace and built-in tools allow you to grow your business with ease.

Things We Like About Shopify (Pros)

  • User-Friendly Interface: Easy to set up and manage, even without technical experience.
  • All-In-One Solution: Hosting, security, payments, and everything else you need in one platform.
  • Scalable Plans: Flexible pricing and features that grow as your business expands.
  • Extensive App Store: Thousands of apps available for extended functionality, from marketing to logistics.
  • 24/7 Support: Dedicated customer support available anytime via chat, phone, or email.
  • Mobile Optimization: Themes and tools are mobile-responsive, ensuring your store looks great on any device.

Things That Could Be Improved (Cons)

  • Transaction Fees: Shopify charges additional transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments.
  • Limited Design Flexibility: While themes are customizable, deeper customization requires coding knowledge.
  • App Costs Add Up: Many third-party apps are premium, which can increase costs as you add more features.

Pricing (in Euros)

Shopify offers several pricing plans tailored to different business needs:

  • Basic Shopify: Approximately €30 per month (plus 1.5% + €0.25 per transaction).
  • Shopify Plan: Approximately €85 per month (plus 1.3% + €0.25 per transaction).
  • Advanced Shopify: Approximately €360 per month (plus 1.1% + €0.25 per transaction).
  • Shopify Lite: Costs around €8 per month (for selling on an existing website).
  • Shopify Plus: Designed for large enterprises, costing about €1,800 per month

Shopify is ideal for small businesses looking for a reliable, all-in-one ecommerce platform that can scale with their growth. With plenty of built-in features and a rich app ecosystem, Shopify is a great choice for businesses serious about selling online.

2.

WooCommerce

Why WooCommerce Made the List

WooCommerce is the go-to ecommerce solution for small businesses using WordPress. As a free, open-source plugin, WooCommerce offers virtually unlimited flexibility, making it perfect for businesses that want full control over their online store.

It integrates seamlessly with WordPress, allowing you to customize every aspect of your store, from design to functionality, without being tied to specific hosting or rigid plans.

Things We Like About WooCommerce (Pros)

  • Highly Customizable: Full design and feature flexibility, especially for WordPress users.
  • Free Core Plugin: The core WooCommerce plugin is free, making it accessible for any budget.
  • Huge Plugin Library: Thousands of plugins and themes available to expand your store’s functionality.
  • SEO Friendly: Leverages WordPress’s powerful SEO capabilities, helping your store rank better in search engines.
  • Global Community: A large and active community of developers offering support, tutorials, and resources.
  • No Transaction Fees: Unlike some platforms, WooCommerce doesn’t charge extra transaction fees.

Things That Could Be Improved (Cons)

  • Requires Hosting: You’ll need to purchase and manage your own hosting, which adds complexity and cost.
  • Steeper Learning Curve: Requires more setup and technical knowledge than platforms like Shopify or Square Online.
  • Ongoing Maintenance: Regular updates and managing plugins can take extra time and effort.

Pricing (in Euro)

WooCommerce itself is free, but there are costs associated with hosting and additional features:

  • Hosting: Typically ranges from €10 to €30 per month depending on the provider.
  • Domain Registration: Usually costs around €10 to €20 per year.
  • Extensions: Paid plugins can range from €30 to €300 or more, depending on functionality .

WooCommerce is a fantastic choice for small businesses that prioritize customization and control. If you’re already using WordPress or want to tailor your online store to specific needs, WooCommerce offers unmatched flexibility.

3.

Square Online

Why Square Online Made the List

Square Online stands out as an easy-to-use ecommerce solution for small businesses, especially for those already using Square’s popular point-of-sale (POS) system. With a free plan and a straightforward setup, Square Online is ideal for businesses looking to quickly establish an online presence without the hassle of managing multiple systems.

It seamlessly integrates with Square’s POS, making it perfect for small retailers, restaurants, and service providers.

Things We Like About Square Online (Pros)

  • Free Plan Available: Get started for free with no monthly subscription fees.
  • Seamless POS Integration: Perfect for businesses already using Square’s in-store POS system.
  • Easy Setup: Intuitive, beginner-friendly setup process with no need for technical skills.
  • Mobile-Friendly: Automatically optimized for mobile, ensuring a smooth shopping experience on all devices.
  • No Additional Transaction Fees: When using Square Payments, you avoid additional ecommerce platform fees.
  • Built-In Tools: Includes built-in marketing and SEO tools, making it easy to promote your store.

Things That Could Be Improved (Cons)

  • Limited Customization: Design and feature flexibility are more limited compared to platforms like WooCommerce or Shopify.
  • Scaling Challenges: Square Online lacks some advanced features that larger, growing businesses may need.
  • Fewer Integrations: Fewer third-party app integrations compared to other platforms, limiting expansion options.

Pricing (in Euro)

Square Online has a straightforward pricing structure:

  • Free Plan: No monthly fee, but transaction fees apply (typically 2.5% per transaction).
  • Professional Plan: Costs about €12 per month (plus transaction fees).
  • Performance Plan: Priced around €40 per month (plus transaction fees).
  • Premium Plan: Approximately €80 per month (plus transaction fees) .

Square Online is a solid choice for small businesses that want a simple, budget-friendly ecommerce solution. It’s especially appealing for those already using Square’s POS system and looking for a seamless way to sell online.

4.

5.

Tool
Pros
Cons
Pricing
Shopify
Shopify
  • User-friendly
  • All-in-one solution
  • Scalable
  • Extensive app store
  • 24/7 support
  • Transaction fees
  • Limited customization
  • App costs can add up
  • Basic: Approximately €30 per month (plus 1.5% + €0.25 per transaction).
  • Standard: Approximately €85 per month (plus 1.3% + €0.25 per transaction).
  • Advanced: Approximately €360 per month (plus 1.1% + €0.25 per transaction).
  • Lite: Costs around €8 per month (for selling on an existing website).
  • Plus: Designed for large enterprises, costing about €1,800 per month

WooCommerce
WooCommerce
  • Highly customizable
  • Free core plugin
  • SEO-friendly
  • Large community
  • Requires hosting
  • Steeper learning curve
  • Ongoing maintenance costs
  • Hosting: Typically ranges from €10 to €30 per month depending on the provider.
  • Domain Registration: Usually costs around €10 to €20 per year.
  • Extensions: Paid plugins can range from €30 to €300 or more, depending on functionality .
Square Online
Square Online
  • Free plan available
  • Easy setup
  • Seamless POS integration
  • No extra transaction fees
  • Limited customization
  • Scaling challenges
  • Fewer integrations
  • Free Plan: No monthly fee, but transaction fees apply (typically 2.5% per transaction).
  • Professional Plan: Costs about €12 per month (plus transaction fees).
  • Performance Plan: Priced around €40 per month (plus transaction fees).
  • Premium Plan: Approximately €80 per month (plus transaction fees) .