Best Platforms to Sell Online for Beginners

Starting an online business can seem overwhelming, especially for beginners who may not be familiar with the technical aspects of creating a website or managing an online store. However, the good news is that there are many top-rated platforms designed to help individuals and small businesses quickly set up and build an online store with convenient, secure, and easy-to-use tools. In this article, we’ll compare the best platforms to sell online for beginners.

Shopify: The All-in-One eCommerce Solution

Shopify is one of the most popular and top-rated eCommerce platforms, ideal for beginners looking to create an online store that can scale with their business. With Shopify, you can sell physical products, digital goods, or even services.

Features:

• Fast and secure payment processing options, including credit cards, PayPal, and Shopify Payments.
• Eye-catching store designs with a wide range of customizable templates that are mobile responsive.
• Integrated marketing tools like email campaigns, SEO tools, and social media integrations to help you promote your brand and products.
• Membership and subscription options to monetize your customer base effectively.

Pricing: Shopify offers a 14-day free trial with plans starting at $29 per month, with various options depending on your needs.

Best for: Entrepreneurs who want an easy-to-use and scalable platform with an abundance of features and quick setup options.

Wix: The Drag-and-Drop Website Builder

If you’re looking for a simple way to build a website and start selling online with minimal technical know-how, Wix is one of the best platforms to consider. Known for its drag-and-drop builder, Wix allows you to create eye-catching websites and online stores quickly.

Features:

• Convenient drag-and-drop interface for designing your store without any coding experience.
• SEO tools to help you drive organic traffic to your site and market your products.
• Secure payments and integrations with popular payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and more.
• A variety of eCommerce templates designed to suit any type of online store.
• Built-in marketing tools, including email marketing and social media integration.

Pricing: Wix offers a free plan with limited features, while its eCommerce plans start at $23 per month.

Best for: Small business owners and beginners who want a convenient, budget-friendly option to create a beautiful and functional online store.

BigCommerce: For Growing Online Stores

BigCommerce is a powerful eCommerce platform suitable for beginners who are looking to scale their business. While it’s slightly more advanced than platforms like Wix, it still offers easy-to-use tools and a comprehensive eCommerce store builder.

Features:

• Built-in marketing tools, including abandoned cart recovery, email marketing, and SEO tools.
• Secure payments and integrations with popular payment systems like PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay.
• Ability to create a membership site or offer subscriptions.
• Mobile responsive themes and templates that help build a professional, eye-catching website.
• Customizable options for businesses in various industries, from retail to services.

Pricing: BigCommerce’s pricing plans start at $29.95 per month, with no transaction fees.

Best for: Growing businesses that require more advanced features but still want to maintain a user-friendly experience. Great for selling both physical and digital products.

Squarespace: Beautiful Designs for Small Businesses

For beginners looking for a platform that offers beautiful, professional designs and an easy-to-use interface, Squarespace is one of the best store builders available. Squarespace is perfect for selling handicrafts, digital products, and even services.

Features:

• High-quality, responsive templates that make it easy to create a visually appealing store.
• Integrated payment options, including PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay, for secure transactions.
• SEO and marketing tools to help drive traffic and grow your audience.
• Easy membership setup for subscription-based businesses or exclusive content.
• Quick setup for beginners, with minimal learning curve involved.

Pricing: Squarespace offers plans starting at $12 per month, with the eCommerce plans starting at $26 per month.

Best for: Individuals or small businesses that want to create a professional, visually striking website with quick and easy setup.

Etsy: Ideal for Handicrafts and Homemade Goods

If you’re looking to sell handicrafts, art, or any other unique, handmade products, Etsy is the top-rated platform for you. Etsy is a well-known online marketplace that allows you to create a store quickly and tap into an existing, highly engaged audience interested in artisan products.

Features:

• Quick setup process that lets you start selling almost immediately.
• A built-in marketplace with millions of buyers already searching for handmade and vintage items.
• Secure payments via Etsy Payments, which handles a variety of methods including credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal.
• Marketing tools to help you promote your products to Etsy’s vast audience.
• Branding options to personalize your shop and showcase your products effectively.

Pricing: Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee per product and takes a 5% transaction fee and a 3% + $0.25 payment processing fee on sales.

Best for: Creators and small business owners selling handmade, vintage, or craft products who want to reach an established audience of buyers.

Weebly: Easy Setup for Small Businesses

Weebly is a great platform for those looking to start an online store with a simple and easy-to-use website builder. Owned by Square, Weebly offers excellent marketing tools and payment options, making it a good choice for small businesses that are just starting out and need an economical, all-in-one solution.

Features:

• Secure payments through Square, PayPal, and more.
• A wide range of customizable templates to suit your needs and build your brand.
• Built-in SEO tools to improve search engine rankings and drive traffic to your store.
• Convenient drag-and-drop interface for setting up your store without needing coding skills.
• Mobile-optimized themes for better user experience on mobile devices.

Pricing: Weebly’s pricing plans start at $6 per month, with eCommerce plans starting at $12 per month.

Best for: Beginners who want a simple, affordable, and intuitive platform to quickly set up a small online store.

Shopify Lite: Selling on Social Media

If you already have a website or blog and want to sell your products without creating an entire eCommerce store, Shopify Lite is a great option. This plan allows you to add a buy button to your existing website or social media profiles, such as Facebook or Instagram.

Features:

• Add a buy button to your website or social media.
• Secure payments via Shopify’s integrated checkout system.
• Access to Shopify’s marketing tools, including discounts, email marketing, and more.
• Simple setup for beginners and no need to worry about complex store management.

Pricing: Shopify Lite starts at $9 per month.

Best for: Small businesses or individuals who want to sell products on an existing website or social media accounts without the need for a full-fledged eCommerce store.

Conclusion:

When it comes to selling online, beginners have an abundance of options to choose from. The best platform for you depends on your goals, budget, and the types of products you want to sell. Here’s a quick comparison:

• Shopify: Best for those who want an all-in-one solution and are ready to invest in a scalable platform.
• Wix: Ideal for small businesses that need an easy and affordable way to build a visually appealing website.
• BigCommerce: Great for businesses planning to scale quickly and need advanced features.
• Squarespace: Perfect for creative individuals who want to sell handmade products with beautiful designs.
• Etsy: Best for those selling handicrafts, vintage items, or unique products to a ready-made market.
• Weebly: A budget-friendly, easy-to-use option for small businesses and beginners.
• Shopify Lite: Best for those who want to sell products via social media or an existing website.

Each platform provides the necessary tools, secure payments, and marketing options to get your store up and running quickly. Consider your budget, product type, and future growth when choosing the best platform for your online business.