Best Ecommerce Platforms for New Sellers: Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace

Choosing the best ecommerce platforms for new sellers can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re launching your first online store. With so many options available, how do you know which platform offers the right balance of ease of use, flexibility, pricing, and support? In this comparison, we’ll look at three of the most popular ecommerce platforms—Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace—to help you make a smart decision based on your goals and budget.

Shopify: Purpose-Built for Ecommerce

Shopify is one of the best ecommerce platforms for new sellers who want a tool built specifically for online selling. It offers everything from inventory management and payment processing to marketing automation and app integrations.

Pros of Shopify

• Designed entirely for ecommerce, with powerful backend tools
• Massive app store with plugins for dropshipping, subscriptions, reviews, and more
• Great support and documentation for beginners

Cons of Shopify

• Monthly subscription can add up, especially with premium themes or apps
• Less design freedom than Wix or Squarespace without custom code

If you’re serious about ecommerce and want room to grow, Shopify is often the best ecommerce platform for new sellers focused on scalability.

Wix: Design Flexibility with Ecommerce Features

Wix started as a drag-and-drop website builder but now includes solid ecommerce tools for new sellers. It’s one of the best ecommerce platforms for those who want more design freedom and a visual editor.

Pros of Wix

• User-friendly drag-and-drop editor
• Hundreds of customizable templates
• Built-in features like bookings, events, and blogs

Cons of Wix

• Not purpose-built for ecommerce, so fewer advanced selling tools
• Site speed and performance can suffer with too many design elements

Wix is a great choice for sellers who prioritize visual branding and simplicity over deep ecommerce functionality.

Squarespace: Stylish Design and All-in-One Simplicity

Squarespace is known for its sleek design templates and is one of the best ecommerce platforms for new sellers who care about aesthetics and want everything included in one place.

Pros of Squarespace

• Gorgeous templates with excellent mobile responsiveness
• Simple, all-in-one pricing (hosting, templates, ecommerce tools)
• Great blogging and content features alongside ecommerce

Cons of Squarespace

• Limited advanced ecommerce features
• Fewer third-party integrations than Shopify or Wix

If you’re selling art, books, handmade goods, or services, Squarespace may be the best ecommerce platform for building a stylish brand quickly.

Pricing Comparison

Which Platform Is Right for You?

Still unsure which is the best ecommerce platform for your store? Here’s a quick guide:

• Choose Shopify if you want a professional ecommerce setup and plan to scale quickly.
• Choose Wix if you care about flexible design and want to start small with moderate features.
• Choose Squarespace if branding and visual presentation are most important to your business.

Each platform offers a free trial, so don’t hesitate to test them out and see which interface fits your workflow best. What matters most is choosing a tool that lets you launch quickly and learn as you go.

Conclusion

The best ecommerce platforms for new sellers—Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace—each offer unique strengths. Shopify is ideal for sellers ready to grow fast with robust ecommerce tools. Wix provides flexibility and ease for those new to website building. Squarespace offers beautiful templates for creatives and service-based sellers. As you explore your options, consider your product type, long-term vision, and budget. For more guidance, check out How to Choose the Best Platform for Your Online Store or visit our Recommended Tools page.