Choosing the right website platform is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when launching or scaling your handmade or product-based business. Whether you’re shifting from Etsy, growing beyond social media, or starting fresh—your website should be functional, user-friendly, and aligned with your business goals.
Below, we break down the top 5 mainstream website platforms—including Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce, and WordPress + WooCommerce—and explore the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision.
🛍️ 1. Shopify
Best For: Product-based businesses, especially those focused on e-commerce growth.
Pros:
- Built specifically for selling products online.
- Seamless inventory, shipping, and payment processing.
- Hundreds of apps and integrations (email, reviews, SEO tools, etc.).
- Easy-to-use dashboard and analytics.
- Fast, secure checkout experience.
Cons:
- Monthly fees (starting at $39/month, plus transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments).
- App costs can add up.
- Limited design flexibility compared to open-source platforms.
✅ Great if you’re serious about building a professional, scalable online store.
🎨 2. Wix
Best For: Beginners who want creative control with drag-and-drop simplicity.
Pros:
- User-friendly drag-and-drop builder—no coding needed.
- Modern, aesthetic templates.
- Built-in e-commerce tools (inventory, coupons, shipping).
- Affordable pricing.
Cons:
- Less robust for scaling large product catalogs.
- Slower site performance with complex designs.
- Fewer third-party app integrations than Shopify.
✅ Great for creative entrepreneurs starting out with small product lines or digital products.
🌐 3. Squarespace
Best For: Product businesses with a strong visual brand or service-product mix.
Pros:
- Beautiful templates perfect for showcasing visual products.
- All-in-one platform (hosting, design, basic e-commerce).
- Great for hybrid businesses offering services + products.
- Built-in blog and SEO features.
Cons:
- Limited advanced e-commerce functionality.
- Transaction fees unless you upgrade to a higher plan.
- Not ideal for large-scale inventory management.
✅ Great if your brand leans artistic, minimalist, or you’re a service-based business adding products.
🏪 4. BigCommerce
Best For: Growing product-based businesses with larger catalogs or multiple sales channels.
Pros:
- Advanced e-commerce tools for high-volume sellers.
- No additional transaction fees.
- Built-in features like multi-currency support, complex product options, and real-time shipping quotes.
- Scales well for growing businesses.
Cons:
- Less beginner-friendly than Shopify or Wix.
- Steeper learning curve for design and backend management.
- Monthly plans are more expensive for small businesses.
✅ Great for scaling up and expanding across multiple platforms like Amazon or eBay.
🧩 5. WordPress + WooCommerce
Best For: Those who want full customization, blogging + e-commerce, and own their data.
Pros:
- 100% customizable (design, functionality, SEO).
- No monthly platform fee (you pay for hosting + domain).
- Tons of plugins and themes.
- Great for combining content marketing + online store.
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve—requires tech-savvy or hiring help.
- You handle your own updates, security, and backups.
- More setup time.
✅ Great if you want full control, already use WordPress, or plan to build a strong blog-driven brand.
🧿 Which Platform is Right for You?
Each of these platforms has its strengths—and the best choice depends on where you are in your business journey:
| Business Goal | Suggested Platform |
|---|---|
| Easy to launch & scale a store | Shopify |
| Creative freedom on a budget | Wix |
| Showcase visuals & brand | Squarespace |
| Large inventory & expansion | BigCommerce |
| Full customization & blogging | WordPress + WooCommerce |
If you're still unsure which platform fits your handmade business best, don’t worry—you're not alone. This is exactly the kind of clarity we dive into inside my Handmade to Entrepreneur program, where I guide you through building a profitable product-based business step-by-step.
Plus, it never hurts to test and try! Pick a platform, try it out, and if it doesn't work... try another. This is a great way to learn for yourself.
✨ Ready to turn your passion into a professional brand? Let’s build your dream business—together.
0 Comments